Dubai Declares Mourning After Death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid

The Government of Dubai declared a 10-day period of official mourning after Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passed away on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the age of 76. Flags across the emirate are flying at half-mast to honor the younger brother of Dubai's Ruler. Funeral prayers were scheduled for Tuesday at the Zaabeel Grand Mosque, with condolences received at the Zaabeel Majlis over the following three days.

Sheikh Ahmed held several prominent roles, including Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and Group Chairman of ARM Holding. He served as the President of Al Wasl Sports Club for 60 years and founded the Jebel Ali racecourse in the early 1990s. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued tributes praising his contributions to the development of the United Arab Emirates.

International leaders responded with condolences. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar praised Sheikh Ahmed's service to society. On September 22, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed sympathies to the Al Maktoum family and the people of the UAE.