Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dies At 76

Summary

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, younger brother of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died Monday morning at 76.
The Ruler’s Court declared 10 days of official mourning in Dubai, with flags to fly at half-mast from Monday.
He served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, headed A.R.M. Holding and Dubai Real Estate Centre, and chaired Al Wasl FC.
Sheikh Mohammed and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan posted personal tributes. Officials have not given a cause of death.

DUBAI, Sept. 21, 2026 – Dubai is in official mourning after the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a senior member of the ruling family. He died Monday morning at age 76. He was the younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s vice president and prime minister and the ruler of Dubai.

The Dubai Media Office announced the news on X. It said the Ruler’s Court had ordered 10 days of mourning, with flags lowered across the emirate from Monday. No cause of death has been given.

What Dubai has ordered

The order is brief. It sets 10 days of official mourning and requires flags at half-mast, effective immediately. Officials have not said whether government offices, schools or public events will change their schedules. They also have not given a time for funeral prayers or a burial location.

In the UAE, an emirate usually declares a mourning period and lowers flags when a ruling-family member dies, The National reported. Sharjah recently declared three days of mourning after the death of Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi. Dubai’s 10-day order is much longer.

Tributes from the UAE’s leaders

Sheikh Mohammed paid tribute on X in a message addressed directly to his brother. He said Sheikh Ahmed was gone from their sight but not from their prayers and hearts. He asked God to grant him a place in Paradise and to give the family patience and comfort.

Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also UAE deputy prime minister and defense minister, wrote about the loss of his uncle. He called him a cherished member of the family and asked for patience for the people of Dubai and the UAE.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent condolences to Sheikh Mohammed and the Al Maktoum family. He said Sheikh Ahmed’s long contribution to the country’s development since its founding continues to inspire the nation.

From Sandhurst to Dubai’s military command

Sheikh Ahmed was born July 12, 1950, in Bur Dubai. He was the fourth and youngest son of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai from 1958 until his death in 1990.

He trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Britain, then joined Dubai’s Central Military Region and later rose to command it, Khaleej Times reported. Gulf News lists 1975 as the year he served as commander of the Central Military Zone. Khaleej Times said the unit grew into one of the country’s leading military bases during his time in charge.

Police, business and public life

Sheikh Ahmed later became deputy chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security. He was also described as the second deputy ruler of Dubai.

In business, he was group chairman of A.R.M. Holding and of Dubai Real Estate Centre. His public work also included charity. In June 2021, Dubai Police and Public Security backed the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital project through the Al Jalila Foundation.

Six decades with Al Wasl

For many Emiratis, he was best known for his ties to football. He led Al Wasl FC, one of the country’s best-known clubs. Khaleej Times said his association with the club lasted around 60 years. It also said he helped form its first board. The club was founded in Za’abeel in 1960 under the name Al Zamalek.

The National reported that Al Wasl won eight UAE Pro League titles under his guidance. One of those came in the 2006/07 season. He celebrated that title in June 2007 alongside Sheikh Mohammed. The club posted a tribute to him on its social media pages after the announcement.

A family that has lost three brothers

Sheikh Rashid had four sons who went on to hold senior state roles: Maktoum, Hamdan, Mohammed and Ahmed. Sheikh Maktoum, who served as UAE vice president, prime minister and Dubai ruler, died in 2006. Sheikh Hamdan, a longtime deputy ruler and finance minister, died in 2021.

Sheikh Mohammed has ruled Dubai since 2006. His son, Sheikh Hamdan, is crown prince. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed serve as deputy rulers.

Nothing in Monday’s announcement affects that line of leadership. Sheikh Ahmed’s roles were separate from the offices of ruler, crown prince and deputy ruler.

What is still unknown

Several basic questions remain open:

Cause of death. Officials have not said what caused it or whether he had been ill.
Place of death. The announcement did not say where he died.
Funeral arrangements. No time or location for funeral prayers has been given.
Official closures. It is not clear whether the mourning period will close offices, schools or events.

These details normally follow in a later statement from the Ruler’s Court or the Dubai Media Office. NewsIQ will update this report when they are released.

Why this matters

Sheikh Ahmed’s death is a significant moment for Dubai’s ruling family and for a generation that helped shape the emirate in its early decades as part of the UAE. It does not change how Dubai is governed. The main things to watch now are the funeral arrangements and any change to public services during the 10 days.

FAQs

Who was Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum?
He was the younger brother of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was deputy chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, chaired A.R.M. Holding and Dubai Real Estate Centre, and led Al Wasl FC.

How long is Dubai’s mourning period?
Ten days, starting Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Flags fly at half-mast across the emirate.

What caused his death?
Officials have not released a cause.