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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم) (born 1949) is currently the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Ruler of Dubai.
Personal life and education
He is the third of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum's four sons. From the age of four, Sheikh Mohammed was privately tutored in Arabic and Islamic Studies. In 1955, he began his formal education at Al Ahmedia School. At the age of 10 he moved to Al Shaab School and two years later he went to Dubai Secondary School. In August 1966, he and his cousin, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum attended the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge, one of Europe's best-regarded language schools.
He is affectionately known to ex-pats as "Sheikh Mo".
His first wife is Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, whom he married in 1979. His second wife is Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein, daughter of Hussein of Jordan and half-sister of current king Abdullah II of Jordan, whom he married on April 10, 2004. Sheikh Mohammed has 16 children - 7 sons and 9 daughters *.
Political and business career
On January 3, 1995, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum signed two decrees that appointed Sheikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed oversaw the development of numerous projects in Dubai including the creation of the Palm Islands and the luxury Burj al-Arab hotel. He is also promoting the construction of Burj Dubai which, if completed, would be a contender for the tallest building in the world. He has also been involved in horse racing, hosting the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, and owning the Godolphin stables, considered to be among the finest stables in the world. He also owns American Thoroughbreds, including 2006 Preakness Stakes winner Bernardini.
He became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006 upon the death of his elder brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was also nominated by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, to be the next Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE on January 5, 2006. The members of the UAE Supreme Council accepted the President's nomination shortly after.
On July 4, 2006 Sheikh Mohammed pardoned and released U.S. R&B producer Dallas Austin for a conviction of drug possession. Senator Orrin Hatch and musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones aided in the release. *
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1949 births | Living people | United Arab Emirati politicians | Royalty | Current national leaders
محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم | Muhammed bin Raschid Al Maktum | Muḩammad bin Rāshid Āl Maktūm | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | 穆罕默德·本·拉希德·阿勒马克图姆
"Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum"