A poignant farewell for Shaikh Rashid

Abu Dhabi - Nation mourns Shaikh Rashid, an accomplished sports personality who raised the UAE flag high.

The UAE woke up on Saturday morning to the sad news of the demise of Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Shaikh Rashid, the eldest son of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, died of a heart attack. He was just 34.
PHOTOS: Funeral prayers and procession of late Shaikh Rashid
The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ordered three-day official mourning following the death of Shaikh Rashid. Flags will remain at half-mast during the mourning period.
Funeral prayers for Shaikh Rashid were offered after the Maghrib prayer at Zaabeel Mosque. He was laid to rest at the Umm Hurair cemetery in Bur Dubai after a touching funeral procession.
A three-day mourning period was also declared in Dubai and other emirates, where flags will be flown at half mast.
Born on November 12, 1981, Shaikh Rashid was educated in Dubai at the Rashid School for Boys. He then attended Sandhurst Military Academy in the United Kingdom and graduated in 2002.
Shaikh Rashid was raised by his father with great emphasis on ethical values and respect for traditions. His father taught him the skills of leadership and work ethics.
In addition to his official responsibilities, humanitarian and charitable activities took up a considerable portion of his time and interest. His was an active member of Dubai Care, an initiative that aims to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring all children have access to quality primary education.
Shaikh Rashid was a well-known sports figure, and he played a significant role in advancing sports in the UAE. He chaired the UAE Olympic Committee between 2008 and 2012.
He was a founding member of the Dubai Sports and Cultural Club. He chaired the club until 2005 and then stepped down in favour of his brother Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Shaikh Rashid was an accomplished equestrian and had participated in a number of international and local endurance competitions winning a number of laurels for the country. His greatest achievement was winning two gold medals in the 120km Endurance individual mixed as well as 120km Endurance Team Mixed events at the 2006 Doha Asian Olympics. As the owner of Zabeel Racing International, Shaikh Rashid had led the individual owners list an unprecedented five times with over 428 wins to date.
He won more honours and trophies in big equestrian events, including titles at the Lutzenberg ride over 130km; the Endurance Challenge in Switzerland in 1998, the Italian 160km Endurance Championship in 2000; and the Bazilio 102km Endurance Championship in Spain the same year.
Abdul Rahman Al Owais, vice-president, UAE National Olympic Committee, and chairman of the Executive Council, expressed deep grief over the loss of Shaikh Rashid. He described Shaikh Rashid as a "true horseman", who brought honours to his country.
Al Owais said Shaikh Rashid would be remembered as an honourable and competent sportsman. "Shaikh Rashid has left behind a brilliant sports career achieved during his lifetime."
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai