H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continued receiving condolences on Wednesday following the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The formal reception was held at Zabeel Majlis, Dubai’s official majlis used for state occasions, mourning gatherings and receptions of dignitaries. A steady stream of well-wishers, officials and members of the public arrived to offer their condolences, reflecting the deep respect accorded to members of the ruling Al Maktoum family across the emirate and the wider country.
The gathering forms part of an ongoing series of condolence sessions rather than a single, one-off event, underscoring the scale of mourning being observed. Such extended receptions are consistent with longstanding customs within the UAE’s ruling families, where senior figures set aside dedicated time over multiple days to personally receive condolences from citizens, residents, government officials and visiting dignitaries. The practice allows Sheikh Mohammed to meet directly with those wishing to pay their respects, reinforcing the close, accessible relationship between Dubai’s leadership and the community it serves.
Tradition and Significance for the UAE
The passing of a member of the ruling family typically prompts a wave of condolences from across government, business and civil society, and this occasion has been no exception. Officials, community leaders and members of the public have used the Zabeel Majlis sessions to express sympathy, a gesture that carries considerable weight within Emirati culture and the broader traditions observed across the UAE. The reception reflects established protocols followed whenever a death occurs within the country’s leading families, with public majlis gatherings serving as a formal, transparent way of acknowledging loss while allowing citizens direct access to their leaders during periods of mourning.
For residents and expatriates across the UAE and the wider Gulf, the event highlights the continuity of long-held customs that shape public life in the emirates, particularly around matters of leadership, family and community. Sheikh Mohammed’s role as Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, alongside his position as Ruler of Dubai, places him at the centre of both federal and emirate-level affairs, making occasions such as this one significant beyond Dubai alone. The reception has drawn attention from across the GCC, where ties between ruling families and broader diplomatic relationships often see condolences extended from neighbouring states and allied governments.
Further details of the arrangements were reported by the Emirates News Agency, with the original account, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed receives condolences on passing of Sheikh Ahmed, providing the initial confirmation of the Zabeel Majlis sessions. As the condolence receptions continue, they are expected to draw further attendance from across the UAE’s leadership circles, government bodies and the general public in the coming days, consistent with the customary period observed following the death of a senior member of the ruling family.
