Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, has passed away on Wednesday (today).

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the news and posted a photo of his brother on Twitter. He wrote, “We belong to God and Him we shall return…May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion.”

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون … رحمك الله يا أخي وسندي ورفيق دربي.. وأحسن مثواك .. وضعت رحالك عند رب كريم رحيم عظيم .. pic.twitter.com/xAw3rXIwoj

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 24, 2021

The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has declared a three-day mourning period over the death of Sheikh Hamdan.

According to the international news agency, Sheikh Khalifa ordered that the UAE national flag be flown at half-mast starting today. Sheikh Khalifa has also ordered the flag be raised next Saturday, March 27.

He also expressed condolences and sympathies to the Al Maktoum family.

Sheikh Hamdan, 75, took the position of ‎Minister of Finance since the first formation of the Cabinet in December 1971. He chaired government entities including Dubai ‎Municipality, Al Maktoum

Foundation, Dubai Aluminum (DUBAL) and Dubai Natural Gas ‎Company Limited, Dubai World Trade Centre, among others.‎