‘Horse owner, public servant’: Who was Dubai ruler’s younger brother, who died at 76?

Dubai has declared a 10-day mourning period following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, younger brother of the city's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Vice President's office announced the official mourning period and the lowering of flags for ten days starting from Monday.

Sheikh Ahmed, who was 76 years old at the time of his passing, served as deputy chair of Dubai Police and Public Security. He was also a prominent figure in international horse racing, owning high-profile British racehorses and the Jebel Ali racecourse in Dubai.

In a statement, Sheikh Mohammed, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, paid tribute to his brother. He said, "May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May Allah have mercy on you, my brother. You are now with our Lord, the Most Generous, the Almighty." The statement concluded with the phrase, "You are gone from our sight, Ahmed, but never from our prayers or our hearts."