Dubai: UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today celebrates his 70th birthday.
Shaikh Mohammed, the visionary architect of Dubai landmark development strides, was born on the July 15, 1949 at the Al Maktoum house in Al Shindagha.
He is the third son of the late Shaikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum's four sons. His brothers are Shaikh Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Ahmed. His mother was Shaikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, daughter of Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, a former ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Late Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum signed a decree on January 3, 1995, appointing Shaikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai.
When his elder brother and Dubai Ruler Shaikh Maktoum died on the morning of January 4 2006, Shaikh Mohammed took over.