Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum passes away; 10-day mourning in Dubai

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has passed away on Monday, with the Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, declaring a 10-day mourning in the Emirate.

In a post on social media platform X, the Dubai Media Office mourned the death of Sheikh Ahmed.

Flags will be flown at half-mast, effective Monday.

Sheikh Mohammed took to X to pay a tribute to his brother. 

"You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts," he wrote.

رحم الله الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم..

رحمك الله يا أخي … حللت عند رب كريم عظيم .. تغيب عن أعيننا ولا تغيب عن دعائنا وقلوبنا يا أحمد.

أسكنك الله فسيح جنانه .. وألهمنا وأحبابك الصبر والسلوان.. وإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون . pic.twitter.com/asvSZAb4BL

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 21, 2026

UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid his condolences to Sheikh Mohammed and the Al Maktoum family.

In a social media post, Sheikh Mohamed said the achievements of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum "will remain vivid in memory, and his national contributions stand as a testament to a life rich in giving".

I extend my sincere condolences to Mohammed bin Rashid on the passing of his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding continue to inspire our nation’s journey of progress. May God rest his soul… pic.twitter.com/kR3ZqSHsnK

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 21, 2026

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, also posted an emotional message on his official social media channels.

"Sheikh Ahmed will remain in hearts, memory, and prayers," he wrote.

حمدان بن محمد: رحم الله الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم.. نفقد اليوم عزيزاً من أهلنا، ونودّعه بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره، سيبقى الشيخ أحمد في القلوب والذاكرة والدعاء، ونسأل الله أن يتغمّده بواسع رحمته، ويسكنه فسيح جناته، وأن يلهمنا ويلهم أهل دبي والإمارات الصبر والسلوان. إنا لله… pic.twitter.com/osTYusohXh

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 21, 2026

The Rulers’ Courts of Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have expressed their condolences following the passing of Sheikh Ahmed.

The two emirates have also declared ten days of official mourning, beginning Monday, with flags flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

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In separate statements, the Rulers' Courts of Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah extended condolences and sympathies to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and to the Al Maktoum family.

نعى ديوان صاحب السمو الشيخ الدكتور سلطان بن محمد القاسمي، عضو المجلس الأعلى حاكم الشارقة، المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم الذي وافته المنية اليوم الاثنين 10 ربيع الآخر 1448 هجرية الموافق 21 سبتمبر 2026 ميلادية.

ويتقدم ديوان صاحب السمو حاكم الشارقة بصادق… pic.twitter.com/RHGaPMjWIX

— sharjahmedia (@sharjahmedia) September 21, 2026

نعى ديوان صاحب السمو الشيخ حميد بن راشد النعيمي، عضو المجلس الأعلى حاكم عجمان، المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، الذي وافته المنية اليوم الاثنين.
وأصدر الديوان البيان التالي:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم (يا أيتها النفس المطمئنة ارجعي إلى ربك راضية مرضية فادخلي في… pic.twitter.com/CqAwrPd2T3

— Government of Ajman Media Office (@AjmanMedia) September 21, 2026

HH Saud bin Saqr: My deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and to the entire Al Maktoum family on the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Today, we bid farewell to a dear and respected figure whose…

— Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office (@RAKmediaoffice) September 21, 2026

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq conveyed their condolences following the passing of Sheikh Ahmed.

The two leaders sent separate cables to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

They also extended their heartfelt sympathy to Sheikh Ahmed’s family and loved ones.

سمو نائب الأمير يعزي صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم نائب رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة الشقيقة رئيس مجلس الوزراء حاكم إمارة دبي، في وفاة المغفور له إن شاء الله سمو الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم. https://t.co/PLNGoAfzFu

— الديوان الأميري (@AmiriDiwan) September 21, 2026

حضرةُ صاحبِ الجلالةِ السُّلطان هيثم بن طارق المُعظم /حفظهُ اللهُ ورعاهُ/ يبعث برقية تعزية ومواساة إلى صاحب السُّمو الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم نائب رئيس دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، رئيس مجلس الوزراء، حاكم إمارة #دبي في وفاة أخيه المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى الشيخ أحمد بن راشد آل… pic.twitter.com/wRsCTnXFiQ

— وكالة الأنباء العمانية (@OmanNewsAgency) September 21, 2026

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness over the passing of Sheikh Ahmed.

In a message on X, Modi said Sheikh Ahmed’s efforts to serve society would be cherished by generations to come.

He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Al Maktoum family and the people of Dubai, and prayed for Sheikh Ahmed’s soul to rest in eternal peace.

Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His efforts to serve society will be cherished by generations to come.

I convey heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of Dubai. May his soul rest in eternal peace.@HHShkMohd

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 21, 2026