November 11, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed reaches for the skies
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 11, Graphic News:  Few buildings embody a vision as dramatically as the Burj Dubai, soon to become the world's tallest building and a stunning symbol of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum's lofty ambitions for the Gulf state. But the sheikh, who is also prime minister and vice president of the UAE, has different plans to put his people on the world map.

"Sheikh Mo", as he is known by his followers, has overseen the development of luxury developments in Dubai, including the Palm Islands, and spearheaded the transformation of the state into a global financial hub through the country's Dubai Holding Company, whose 20 companies operate in sectors as diverse as tourism and biotechnology.

But the sheikh is also a renowned philanthropist who is more than willing to share his country's success. In 2007 he announced he was donating $10bn to an educational foundation in the Middle East, an initiative he said was aimed at closing the "knowledge gap" between that region and the West and providing more chances for young Arabs.

Born into Dubai's ruling family on July 22, 1949, Sheikh Mohammed attended schools in Dubai and England. In 1995 he became Crown Prince and, in 2006, was named Ruler of Dubai. He has two wives and is believed to have 18 children.

The sheikh has a reputation for pursuing excellence in everything he does, and is famed for his activities in thoroughbred horseracing and breeding: he owns prize-winning studs in Ireland and Britain and hosts the prestigious Dubai World Cup. In 2007 the world's fourth richest royal disappointed legions of Liverpool football fans when he backed out of an attempt to buy the English Premier League club.
/ENDS