Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Crown Prince of Dubai and a popular poet known as Fazza (فزاع).
Background
Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born on November 13, 1982 at the Zabeel Palace, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He is the second son of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma’a, , the senior wife of Mohammed. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed descends from the Al Bu Falasah clan of the Bani Yas.
Education
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received his elementary education at Rashid Private School, Dubai. He then pursued his education in the United Kingdom where he graduated from the prominent Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (2001), one of the world’s finest military academies. In addition to his military education, Sheikh Hamdan enrolled in several specialized training programs in economics at the London School of Economics and Dubai School of Government.
Career
On September 8, 2006, Sheikh Hamdan was appointed as Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, a government body responsible for establishing and executing Dubai’s strategic comprehensive development plans. Under his leadership, the Executive Council has achieved several major accomplishments that have boosted the development of Dubai and emphasized its position as an emerging international hub for business, commerce, tourism and logistics. The responsibilities of Sheikh Hamdan have expanded and evolved since he assumed his position as the Crown Prince of Dubai on February 1, 2008. Since then, he has been playing a vital role in recognizing and implementing the vision of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid after taking responsibility for the most critical files in the emirate. His father engaged him steadily in the decision-making process and progressively assigned to him more tasks and responsibilities.
In July 2009, he was appointed president of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University formerly Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University. He is also the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for young entrepreneurs, and sits on the Dubai sports council and the Dubai autism centre.
In 2013, he was part of the Dubai World Expo 2020 delegation when Dubai was awarded the rights to host the event. In 2011, he founded the Hamdan International Photography Award.
The Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, has gained a fine reputation for composing Nabati poetry under the pen name ‘Fazza’ – which means, in the Emirati dialect, a person who speeds to the help and support of others. His poetry is mainly romantic, patriotic and about his family.
Personality
The Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has already established his reputation as a leader. He clearly shows ample leadership characteristics flavored with the qualities of modesty, simplicity and generosity. He is always keen to meet the people without any restrictions or barriers. He always works to solve their problems and follow-up their matters. It is quite common to see Sheikh Hamdan driving his car down the streets of Dubai, eating in restaurants or chatting with people. Sheikh Hamdan has been influenced by several factors that have shaped his personality and crystallized his vision. The military lifestyle in Sandhurst taught him discipline and punctuality. Besides, the various sports that Sheikh Hamdan practices - especially equine sports - have equipped him with qualities of patience and perseverance. Hamdan Al Maktoum is also a horse rider, diver, and a semi-professional skydiver.