By Muhaimin Olowoporoku
Dubai’s deputy ruler who also doubles as the United Arab Emirates’ long-serving finance minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum is dead.
Sheikh Hamdan, 75, is the brother of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. He had been unwell for some months and had surgery abroad in October.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, who confirmed Hamdan’s death tweeted, “Today we lost one of the UAE’s faithful men after a life rich with giving and true patriotic work.”
Funeral prayers will be restricted to family members due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Dubai Media Office said.
Dubai has announced 10 days of mourning with flags to be flown at half-mast and closure of government institutions in the emirate for three days as of Thursday.
