Through My Eyes

THROUGH MY EYES

THE LIFE OF SHEIKH HAMDAN AS TOLD BY HIS DAUGHTER

PUBLISHED BY: Motivate Media Group

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© Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Motivate Media Group 2022

Images are courtesy of Zabeel Palace; Mohammed Husain, photographer of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Zabeel Ladies Club; Emirates News Agency (WAM); Al Maktoum Foundation; and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance.

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All information in this book has been verified by the author and is accurate at the time of publication. This book is the author’s work, and he assumes full responsibility for it.

ISBN: 978-1-86063-553-3

MEDIA REGULATORY

NUMBER: MC-02-01-8818462

THROUGH MY EYES

THE LIFE OF SHEIKH HAMDAN AS TOLD BY HIS DAUGHTER

INTRODUCTION

Sheikh Hamdan: The Man, the Sheikh, the Father

My father was a man of few words. I spent most of my life observing him – the way he behaved, or moved – learning what each action and reaction, or gesture meant. I learned that when he sat a certain way, this meant he was deep in thought. Though he didn’t say much, his body language – once you learned it – could be very revealing.

My father’s demeanour was always calm, tranquil, and peaceful. Abooya, as I called him, rarely let the world outside in on what was going on inside his heart and mind. When he did, it was to share his happiness at others’ joy, or express his sorrow at others’ pain. He felt things deeply – a silent figure with a giant capacity for compassion, empathy, and philanthropy.

He was taciturn to a point that up until his death, I did not know of all the transformative work he had undertaken throughout his life. My mother, siblings, and I had no knowledge of just how far and wide his philanthropic activities had made an impact – such was his personality that he would never speak of his many good deeds, preferring instead to humbly do the work he believed was his mission.

Sheikh Hamdan: The Early Years

My eldest brother, Rashid, was born in 1987, and I came into my father’s world in 1994. Before getting married and having his six children, he had already made great advances in his life and career.

His father – my grandfather Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum – was the vice president and second prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai from 1958 until 1990. My father was greatly inspired by the life, work, and values of his own father. Though I did not know him, my grandfather was known to be a kind and generous man with a warm smile, and a grand stature. My father took on many of Sheikh Rashid’s traits, namely his kindness and generosity. When my father smiled, I would recognise the smile from the hundreds of photographs I would come across of my grandfather.

My grandmother, Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, was the daughter of the former ruler of Abu Dhabi. In a book which my uncle, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, penned in 2019 (Qissati ), he described her as “his heart, and the most beautiful and the kindest CHAPTER 1

Dad (back,

often accompanied Sheikh

My Childhood

My father and I had a daily ritual: a tackle. In actuality, it was a hug so big that it turned into a tackle. I was really energetic as a child; I would run up to him to greet him, and he would engulf me in his arms. It’s my earliest memory of us together, one that I cherish deeply.

I also remember late afternoons laying on his bed with my sister, Hissa. His reading lamp would be turned on, and would cast a shadow on the ceiling. He would create shadow puppets for us; Hissa was always mesmerised, it was the highlight of her day.

Whenever he came home from a trip abroad, the trunk of his car would be filled to the brim with toys for all of his children – my siblings and I, and our foster siblings – to choose from. We could take whatever we wanted, and he would relish the joy in our eyes. His presence was the greatest gift to all of us, but he continued this tradition of bringing back presents from his travels even as we grew up.

There were times he even surprised us with new pets, usually cats. We grew up loving animals, as it was a huge part of our lives. The way CHAPTER 2

My father and I had a daily ritual: a tackle. In actuality, it was a hug so big that it turned into a tackle. I was really energetic as a child; I would run up to him to greet him, and he would engulf me in his arms. (1996)

CHAPTER 3

My Teenage Years

I was a typical teenager. I loved spending time with my friends, and organising get-togethers for them at home. I could get quite creative with my party planning, and loved to come up with recipes and menus, and to go big on themes and decorations. We were young and just wanted to have fun, and I am close to these girls to this day. I was still attending the Latifa School for Girls, where I had been studying since primary school. The school was founded by my uncle, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 1982, and I have made some of my favourite memories there. The school was literally part of me as I grew up along with my classmates. We were like a big group of sisters, and when we graduated in 2011, I wondered how I would live without them after a lifetime of memories together. This thought used to make me sad. However, we’ve stayed in touch thanks to different social media platforms, and I always make sure to organise a yearly gathering for us to catch up and reminisce.

I often compare being a teenager to firecrackers: there’s so much going on inside that can belie what appears on the outside. Eventually,

One of my favourite activities was truffle hunting. Whenever we went to the desert and my mom announced that there were truffles, it was like digging for treasure. We would split up in groups and compete for who found the most truffles. By the end of the day, we’d have boxes and boxes filled with truffles.

Adulthood

It was a very rare occasion when my father asked any of us for anything, because he was just the kind of person who would do everything himself. He was impeccably organised, structured, and measured in every task he undertook. But on the rare occasion that he did ask me CHAPTER 4

As I got older, I found a way to infiltrate my father and Hissa’s world of horses. I am a good speller, so he entrusted me with collecting the names of his horses, writing them out in English, and categorising them with all of their related details. The names were in Arabic, so I was entrusted to transliterate them all into English. I remember I would confirm certain words and pronunciations with him, to make sure I knew how to write them down properly. It’s a huge folder filled with pages, which I cherish very much. It was a small win, but it meant everything to me to be able to take part in this world that he was so passionate about. Usually, I would write them down and give it to him, but the last time he gave me the list of names, and they have remained with me. I still have the list kept in a safe place.

This visit to the Dubai Club for People of Determination in 2021 was one of many.

Witnessing my father’s unwavering philanthropy inspired me to give my utmost support and care to the community. I intend to continue to devote my time and efforts to visit people of determination, and others in need. I want to hear their stories, express my sincere support, and offer them words of encouragement and motivation.

A Legacy Lives On

This book is published a year after my father’s passing, and every day brings a different facet of grief, but also of overwhelming love and respect for a man who shaped our lives through his values. Every day also brings to light how my siblings, my mother and I are keeping his legacy alive.

This book is just one of the ways. Words and photos will never fully encapsulate my father’s being and his life’s work, but they offer a glimpse into this great man’s spirit. I may never come close to doing what he has achieved throughout his life, but I believe I can help in a different way. Nobody knows what their future will be, but I know what I want to do, and that is to put a smile on people›s faces in whatever way I can.

In the month following his death, my uncle Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced plans for the Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital, a 250-bed hospital equipped with cutting-edge technology and the capacity to treat 30,000 patients a year for free. The Hospital will open its doors in 2024, and was founded in my father’s name as a tribute to his service to the nation, and to his extraordinary

“To

the UAE and to the world, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

was a diplomat, a regal figure who represented his people internationally. I wish people could have known his fatherly side. He loved to create joy around him, and always had a warm smile across his face. He was thoughtful, and never left anyone in need helpless.”

One year after Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s passing, this book is a tribute to the man, the Sheikh, the father.

My father was an exceedingly giving person throughout his life, and in his death, my family and I are upholding his most cherished values: generosity, kindness, charity, education, and the betterment of society. Though he was a staunchly private person who never boasted of his achievements or his contributions to the world, I want the world to know about who he was, what he did, and how huge an impact he had on those who were touched by his grace. I want the world to know who Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is.

ISBN: 978-1-86063-553-3