Sheikh Mohammed reveals the best person he has ever known

In the 10th chapter from his latest book, Qissati, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, shares his fondest memories of his grandfather, whom he describes as the "best person I have ever known". He details the 46-year rule of Sheikh Saeed and how he always supported justice even if it meant standing against people close to him.

My grandfather, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum, was the best person I have ever known. No one could have imagined Dubai without Sheikh Saeed, who spent 46 years ruling it. He started the journey of development that never ended.
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My grandfather passed away on September 10, 1968. Despite the hot weather, several people turned up for his funeral. People were shocked to hear of his death. They loved him and his kindness. He always supported justice, even if it meant standing against people close to him.

In 1912, when Sheikh Saeed came to office, Dubai had already made a name in the trade movement market.

When he was the ruler, Dubai faced many economic problems. In the 1930s, when the trade of pearls dwindled, he created other sources of income.
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In 1939, Dubai witnessed a great fire in which around 300 shops and houses were gutted. In another fire in 1940, over 400 houses and shops in Bur Dubai were gutted.

My grandfather used to watch students as they went to school and sometimes he waved at them. He focussed a lot on developing the education sector. He established the Department of Knowledge in 1938.

When they carried the body of my grandfather from the house, my father held my hand tightly while we were walking among the people behind the coffin. I do not know why he was holding my hand so tightly. Was it due to sorrow or did he want me to remember that moment forever?
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All I know is that his good name will live on forever.

In what he is calling his "incomplete biography", His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has broken his latest book, Qissati (My Story), into 50 chapters, narrating 50 stories in his 50 years of serving the nation. Khaleej Times got a signed copy of the book from the Dubai Ruler and everyday, we will be featuring excerpts from each of the 50 chapters.