Dubai: The Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced a 10-day period of official mourning across the emirate following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Monday, 21 September 2026. As reported by the Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Ahmed passed away on Monday morning at the age of 76. Under the official directive released by the Ruler's Court, flags across public institutions and government entities throughout Dubai will fly at half-mast for the duration of the mourning period, effective immediately from Monday.

In the wake of the announcement, senior members of the royal family and national leadership paid solemn tribute to the late royal. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum offered a moving personal message on social media platform X, honouring his younger brother and writing that while he is absent from sight, he remains forever present in prayers and hearts. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, also expressed his deep sorrow, observing that the family and the wider public bid farewell to a cherished figure whose memory will endure across the emirate.

Born in 1950, Sheikh Ahmed was the youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai.

He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst prior to joining the Central Military Command in Dubai, where he subsequently rose to the rank of Commander-in-Chief.

He later served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, establishing a lengthy tenure within the emirate’s security apparatus.

In addition to his administrative and security roles, Sheikh Ahmed maintained extensive business interests spanning Dubai’s commercial, property, and athletic sectors.

He held the position of group chairman at A.R.M. Holding and maintained close ties with the Dubai Real Estate Centre.