Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, led funeral prayers for his late brother, Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at Zabeel Grand Mosque in Dubai on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The funeral prayer was attended by members of the Al Maktoum family, senior officials and a large gathering of worshippers.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away on Monday, September 21, at the age of 76. The Dubai Ruler’s Court announced his death and declared a 10-day period of official mourning across the emirate. During the mourning period, flags across Dubai are being flown at half-mast.
The funeral prayer was scheduled for 1 p.m. at Zabeel Grand Mosque, following an announcement by the Dubai Media Office. Condolences for Sheikh Ahmed were also scheduled to be received at Zabeel Majlis over three days, beginning Tuesday afternoon.
Following the funeral prayers, Sheikh Ahmed was laid to rest at Umm Hurair Cemetery in Dubai on Tuesday. Members of the UAE’s ruling family, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, participated in the burial rites.
Sheikh Ahmed was born in Dubai on July 12, 1950. He was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who served as Ruler of Dubai and was one of the key figures in the emirate’s development. Sheikh Ahmed was also the younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Throughout his public career, Sheikh Ahmed held several positions in Dubai’s government, security, business and sporting sectors. He served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and was associated with several business and sporting organisations. He was also chairman of Al Wasl Football Club and held the position of second deputy ruler of Dubai.
His involvement with Al Wasl was particularly notable. He served as chairman of the Dubai-based club during a period that included its 2006–07 UAE League championship victory. His public activities also extended to horse racing and other sporting interests in the emirate.
Following the announcement of Sheikh Ahmed’s death, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and the Al Maktoum family. He referred to Sheikh Ahmed’s longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding.
Other regional leaders also conveyed their condolences. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq sent messages of sympathy to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid following Sheikh Ahmed’s death.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed condolences over Sheikh Ahmed’s passing. Pakistan’s Prime Minister described Sheikh Ahmed as having devoted his life to the service of Dubai and the UAE.
Dubai’s 10-day mourning period began on Monday, September 21, following the announcement of Sheikh Ahmed’s death. The funeral prayers and burial on Tuesday marked the formal farewell to the senior member of Dubai’s ruling family.
