Dubai leader Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum dead
{{date|January  4, 2006}}

"His Highness [[w:Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum]], Vice President and Prime Minister of the [[w:United Arab Emirates|UAE]] and ruler of [[w:Dubai|Dubai]] has passed away. He was 62 years old."

The above statement from the Ministry of Presidential Affairs confirmed that the ruler of Dubai died earlier this morning in Australia. The statement added that "the UAE had lost a historical leader from its leaders who dedicated his life to building the country, and strove to do his best for its people." 

The official mourning period will last for 40 days, during which all UAE flags will fly at half mast. Ministries and government organisations will be closed for seven days, starting Wednesday. 

Local stock markets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai shed 1.8% and 3.3%, respectively, in early trading.

The Dubai Shopping Festival, the largest business & cultural event in Dubai's calendar, has been postponed until further notice, in a statement by CEO Saeed Al Nabouda.

[[w:Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] has been named the new ruler of Dubai, in an accession process that officials described as being automatic. 

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Government/10009403.html|title=Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum dies|author= {{w|WAM (Emirates News Agency)|WAM}}|pub=Gulf News|date=January 04, 2005}}

{{Publish}}

{{archive}}
[[Category:Dubai]]
[[Category:United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Obituaries]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Abu Dhabi]]

[[de:Der Emir von Dubai ist tot]]
[[es:Vicepresidente de los Emiratos Árabes muere durante visita a Australia]]
[[fr:Mort du cheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]
[[pt:Vice-Presidente dos Emirados Árabes morre durante visita à Austrália]]
"His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai has passed away. He was 62 years old."

The above statement from the Ministry of Presidential Affairs confirmed that the ruler of Dubai died earlier this morning in Australia. The statement added that "the UAE had lost a historical leader from its leaders who dedicated his life to building the country, and strove to do his best for its people." 

The official mourning period will last for 40 days, during which all UAE flags will fly at half mast. Ministries and government organisations will be closed for seven days, starting Wednesday. 

Local stock markets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai shed 1.8% and 3.3%, respectively, in early trading.

The Dubai Shopping Festival, the largest business & cultural event in Dubai's calendar, has been postponed until further notice, in a statement by CEO Saeed Al Nabouda.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been named the new ruler of Dubai, in an accession process that officials described as being automatic. 


de:Der Emir von Dubai ist tot
es:Vicepresidente de los Emiratos Árabes muere durante visita a Australia
fr:Mort du cheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice-Presidente dos Emirados Árabes morre durante visita à Austrália
Dubai United Arab Emirates Obituaries Middle East Abu Dhabi