About the Book
"We always seek the best in people and aim to develop their potential for everybody's benefit. Crises will not stop us and obstacles will not slow us. We will not hesitate or be halted by doubt. This is how we built a nation, as you will see demonstrated by these memories" This important collection of anecdotes and reminiscences from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is published to mark the occasion of his fifty years in public service, which began with his appointment as Dubai's Minister of Defence in 1968. These stories tell of the vision behind Dubai's meteoric growth from a small and bustling trading port to an international metropolis at the heart of global business. They record the evolution of the United Arab Emirates from a shared ideal to a nation where more than 195 nationalities live and work in peace, harmony and prosperity. And they reveal insights from a man whose drive, determination and will to succeed have become legendary. Within these stories lies the heart of Sheikh Mohammed the statesman, the equestrian, the poet and the leader. They are written with the intent to inspire and inform new generations of readers, and to celebrate the achievements of this young and vibrant nation and the people who shaped it. This celebration of a life in service is unavoidably incomplete. As Sheikh Mohammed himself indicates, there is still so much left to do. As a record of the first fifty years alone, however, it forms part of a remarkable legacy.
About the Author
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born in Dubai. He studied at Al Ahmadiya School in the United Arab Emirates and Mons Officer Cadet School in the United Kingdom. In 1968, Sheikh Mohammed led the Dubai Police Force, and in 1971, was named the world's youngest Minister of Defence. In 1995, he became the Crown Prince of Dubai, then its Ruler in 2006. In that same year, he was elected Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and was tasked with forming a new government. In 2018, he completed fifty years of service to his nation. He shaped and drove the development of the global city of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed pioneered excellence in public services and strategic planning, creating new leaders and driving the widespread implementation of advanced technology in government. Under the Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives, he has created more than thirty philanthropic initiatives and entities which aim to advance human development, alleviate suffering and create hope for the future. As a poet, Sheikh Mohammed has penned a number of collections inspired by his love for nature, the desert, the sea and major humanitarian themes. He is also a skilled equestrian, winning global racing awards as a competitor and developing one of the world's leading horse breeding and racing operations, Godolphin.
