'He had an eye for people': Dubai Ruler pens poignant tribute to father Sheikh Rashid
Sheikh Mohammed reflected about his father's numerous qualities like "simple living, self-restraint" and "love for family" and how deeply he was shaped by his character.
The Dubai Ruler, who has authored many books, quoted from his upcoming literary endeavour 'Life Taught Me,' where he has dedicated an entire chapter to his father. The book will be published in the coming months.
In the chapter, titled 'May God Have Mercy on My Father,' Sheikh Mohammed says: "The more I reflect on my father's wisdom, insight, life, and legacy, the more I realise how much I learned from him — how deeply I was shaped by his character.
"I learned from him how to carry oneself with dignity — naturally, without pretense — and to be tolerant toward those who are ignorant, kind and gracious with everyone."
Sheikh Mohammed touched upon how Sheikh Rashid taught him to love his family, giving readers a rare glimpse into the father-son relationship.
Read the post below:
"رØÙ� اÙ�Ù�Ù� أبÙ� "..
اÙ�Ù�صÙ� اÙ�ذاسع Ù�Ù� Ù�ذابÙ� اÙ�جدÙ�د "عÙ�Ù�Ø°Ù�Ù� اÙ�ØÙ�اة " اÙ�Ø°Ù� سÙ�صدر Ø®Ù�اÙ� اÙ�أشÙ�ر اÙ�Ù�ادÙ�Ø© ..
رØÙ� اÙ�Ù�Ù� أبÙ� ..
Ù�Ù�Ù�ا Ø°Ù�Ù�رذ Ù�Ù� ØÙ�Ù�Ø© أبÙ� Ù�ØÙ�Ù�Ø°Ù� â�¦ Ù�ØÙ�اذÙ� Ù�سÙ�رذÙ� .. أدرÙ�Ø° Ù�Ù� ذعÙ�Ù�Ø° Ù�Ù�Ù� .. Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù� ذأثرذ بشخصÙ�Ù�Ø°Ù� ..
ذع��ذ �� أب� بساطة ا�ع�ش .. �ضبط ا���س .. �أ� �ا أ�شذ�� pic.twitter.com/Z0SDN2CK3p
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) June 21, 2025
"He taught me to love my family, my relatives, and my siblings, and to stay close to my sisters — and I still do," the Dubai Ruler wrote.
"His very presence commanded respect," Sheikh Mohammed added.
Leadership qualities
Sheikh Mohammed also spoke about the leadership qualities that he inherited from his father.
"He taught me how to accept criticism, to have confidence in myself, and to balance kindness with people and the gravitas and firmness that my position requires," he reflected.
"He never judged matters by first impressions. Instead, he pondered, reflected, consulted, and asked questions. I learned from him to listen carefully to those with sound judgment and wise minds.
"He had an eye for people — especially the youth. He supported those with entrepreneurial talents and entrusted administrative tasks to those with capability.
He had foresight and was thorough in his thinking. He disliked haste, but once he made a decision, he acted without hesitation, doubt, or confusion," he added.
Towards the end of the tribute, Sheikh Mohammed concludes with the words: "May God have mercy on my father."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Starvania Studios secures $1.1mln from Merak Capital and Impact46 to fuel their gaming ambitions
Starvania Studios creates fantasy-rich gaming experiences that explore bold, imaginative worlds, guided by depth, creativity, and a vision that extends beyond gameplay. Their goal is to build unique, high-quality games that resonate with players around the world. The $1.1M investment by Merak Capital and Impact46 will enhance Starvania's production capabilities, support game development for PC and console platforms, and help recruit top Saudi gaming talent. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Starvania Studios, the award-winning indie game development studio based in Saudi Arabia, has secured a strategic investment of $1.1 million USD from Merak Capital and Impact46. This milestone strengthens the studio's ability to create high-quality, imaginative console and PC games that reflect its distinct creative vision. Founded in 2022 by Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani, Saudi-based Starvania Studios quickly carved out a niche in the indie game development scene. The studio's breakout moment came with the release of Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, a richly imagined fantasy game inspired by Arabian mythology. The game launched on Steam in 2024 following the team's earlier participation in the NEOM Level Up Accelerator, garnering international recognition, winning the Devcom Indie Award for 'Graphics Galore' and earning a nomination for the TrueGaming Award for 'Best Saudi Indie Game.' Starvania's momentum continued as it won the prestigious Best Games Startup award at the MENA Games Industry Awards, further cementing its reputation as a creative force bringing original stories to global gamers. Starvania's mission is to deliver experiences that stretch beyond the horizon – richly imagined fantasy universes that resonate deeply with players and spark imagination across cultures. While the studio draws inspiration from regional heritage, its vision is not limited to Arabian themes. Starvania focuses on building original IPs with the creative depth and potential to grow beyond games into comics, animation, merchandise, and other entertainment mediums. "This investment marks a pivotal moment in our journey to build world-class fantasy games rooted in depth and creativity," said Meaad Aflah, CEO and Co-founder of Starvania Studios. "Our goal has always been to tell stories that feel both epic and deeply personal, experiences that explore unseen worlds and inspiring concepts. We're not just creating games; we're building immersive universes that can evolve beyond gameplay and connect with players across cultures. With the backing of Merak Capital and Impact46, we now have the resources to expand our development pipeline, grow our team, and push creative boundaries." The strategic investment from Merak Capital and Impact46 will play a pivotal role in accelerating Starvania Studios' growth trajectory. The funding will be directed toward the development of high-quality, immersive console and PC games that reflect the studio's broader creative vision. It will also bolster the studio's operational infrastructure and production pipelines, allowing it to scale more efficiently and sustainably. In parallel, the investment will empower Starvania to attract and retain top-tier talent from Saudi Arabia's rapidly maturing gaming ecosystem, nurturing local expertise while fostering global competitiveness. Abdulelah Alshareef, VP of Venture Capital at Merak Capital, stated: 'Starvania Studios exemplifies the kind of visionary, locally-rooted talent that Merak seeks to back. Their work demonstrates how Saudi creativity can be channeled into rich, immersive digital experiences. We are proud to support their mission to share original stories with a global audience, while reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a rising leader in the global gaming landscape.' Basmah Alsinaidi, Managing Partner at Impact46, added: 'Starvania is building original worlds with the kind of focus and polish that makes a studio stand out on PC and console. It's a strong signal of how far Saudi game development has come - and the ambition it can carry globally.' Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as a key player. Home to over 24 million gamers, representing approximately 67 percent of its population, the Kingdom boasts one of the most engaged gaming communities in the world. Fueled by government-backed initiatives, regulatory support, and a surge in private investment, Saudi Arabia is executing an ambitious strategy to become a global hub for game development, publishing, and esports by 2030. About Starvania Founded in 2022 by Meaad Aflah and Muslih Alzahrani, Starvania Studios is an award-winning Saudi indie game development studio creating fantasy-rich experiences that explore bold and imaginative worlds. Known for its breakout title Bahamut and the Waqwaq Tree, inspired by Arabian mythology, Starvania has earned global recognition, including the Devcom Indie Award for 'Graphics Galore,' a nomination for the TrueGaming Award for 'Best Saudi Indie Game,' and the 'Best Game Startup' award at the MENA Games Industry Awards 2024. With a mission to build original, high-quality IPs that transcend gaming into comics, animation, and merchandise, Starvania is shaping immersive universes that resonate with players worldwide. About Merak Capital Merak Capital is an investment firm focused on technology opportunities across multiple stages and industries. Merak is built on deep technological research and understanding, staying at the forefront of digital trends, and finding investment opportunities aligned with adoption cycles from different sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. The firm aims to partner with the builders of tomorrow in leading technological transformations, unlocking new markets and opportunities for growth, where innovation, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit, shapes our future. About Impact46 Impact46 is an innovation-driven, CMA-licensed asset management firm managing over SAR 2.8 billion in alternative investments. Based in Saudi Arabia, the firm delivers institutional-grade investment products across venture capital, private credit, and capital markets. With deep regional expertise and disciplined execution, Impact46 invests alongside institutions, corporates, and family offices to create long-term value and unlock new opportunities. Today, the firm plays a growing role in enabling strategic sectors — including the launch of a SAR 150 million gaming fund and an expanding credit advisory practice for institutional and growth-stage clients.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
The Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries brings fresh wave of talent, ideas and innovation to Abu Dhabi
From September 14 and 15, Etihad Arena will host the fourth Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries, organised by the Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). This year's theme, Arabic Creativity Reimagined: Innovation in Storytelling and Audience Engagement, will see more than 40 speakers from around the world - from technologists and media leaders to award-winning filmmakers and cultural pioneers - share their insights. Through curated programming, knowledge exchange and regional collaboration, the event aims to support the growth of creative industries in the Arab world, unlocking new markets, investment, and talent pipelines. Participants will have the opportunity to attend panel discussions, industry insights sessions, masterclasses, workshops, and special events, as well as network with other industry professionals and connect with influential voices from across the creative industries, engaging with those who are redefining and reimagining Arabic storytelling. From insightful conversations on the power of personal narrative - such as a session with award-winning actor, writer, producer, director, and stand-up comedian Mo Amer, interviewed by AI expert, bestselling author, and former Google X Chief Business Officer Mo Gawdat - to inspiring panels on the role of women in contemporary Arabic creativity, featuring leading professionals like director, actress, and award-winning filmmaker Nadine Labaki, the programme offers a rich variety of perspectives. It spans a wide range of disciplines and topics, including AI and digital tools, scriptwriting, audiobook production, gaming, and sustainable business models for the digital age. In addition to creative discussions, the Congress will host business-focused panels led by senior figures from leading global companies. Topics include Creators, Capital, and Control: Who Wins in the New Economy? Senior leaders from Snap Inc, TikTok, and Meta will discuss the shifting power balance between creators, investors, and platforms, and how value is captured in today's attention economy. Arabic LLM: Can AI Adapt to the Wilds of Language? AI leaders from the Technology Innovation Institute, G42, and Bloomberg will explore how breakthroughs in Arabic large language models could revolutionise the region's creative and business landscapes. Unlocking Mena's Audiobook Potential Executives from Penguin Random House, Audible, Rufoof, and Frankfurt Book Fair will examine growth opportunities in the Arabic audiobook market, including distribution strategies, genre diversification, and audience engagement. Arabic Language and the Coming Shift
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
As Pop Mart eyes Middle East expansion, what you need to know about Chinese brand behind Labubu
Labubu has been all the rage, and it doesn't look like the craze is slowing down anytime soon. But could a Pop Mart store finally be on its way to the region? Pop Mart founder and chief executive Wang Ning spoke to analysts on Wednesday, saying the company is weighing possible expansion plans into emerging markets, including the Middle East, Central Europe, as well as Central and South America. 'I think for overseas markets we're still very positive, and we also believe there's still very broad space for growth,' Wang said. For now, fans in the region rely on authorised resellers, as there are no official standalone Pop Mart stores here. But with the company eyeing entry into the UAE, here's a closer look at what they're all about. What is Pop Mart? The toy company from Beijing was founded in 2010, with an early focus on tapping into youth culture trends in China. Its first shop opened in Zhongguancun, the city's tech hub, but struggled with inventory, staffing and a clear identity, selling a wide mix of products. That changed in 2014, when toys became the company's main focus. Wang drew inspiration from Japan's gashapon vending machines, which dispense toys in random canisters. He wanted to capture the same element of surprise, but in sleeker packaging. The result was the 'blind box", so customers buy a sealed box without knowing which figure they'll get. Pop Mart's first big breakthrough came with Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong, who created Molly, a wide-eyed girl with a blond bob and turquoise button-shaped eyes. Already popular with a niche fan base, Molly proved a hit and set the stage for more collaborations. From 2016 onward, Pop Mart partnered with more artists and expanded its range, including Kasing Lung, who introduced Labubu in 2019. Since then, the company has opened stores and installed vending machines, known as Roboshops, across Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. It has also branched out into animation studios, art galleries and even a theme park called Pop Land. What can I expect inside a store? Pop Mart stores are usually bright, modern spaces designed to feel playful and immersive. They have glass walls showcasing rows of colourful blind boxes, shelves stacked with character figurines, and larger-than-life statues of popular creations such as Labubu or Molly. Inside, the layout is clean and minimalist, but packed with vibrant displays, giving it the feel of both an art gallery and a toy shop. Some locations also feature interactive elements, such as vending-style Roboshops, where customers can try their luck at a blind box. What characters can I find at Pop Mart? Pop Mart offers a wide roster of collectable characters, mostly sold in its blind box format. Its most recognisable in-house creations include Labubu, Molly and Skullpanda. The company has also teamed up with major names such as Disney and Sanrio, the brand behind Hello Kitty. Labubu's appeal in the UAE The UAE has long been a hub for global retail trends and collectables. From Funko Pops to limited-edition trainers, there's a strong culture of fandom and exclusivity, especially for younger buyers who are active on social media. While Pop Mart doesn't yet have a dedicated store in the region, authorised resellers and online platforms already stock its blind boxes, often at a markup. For example, Labubu retails for about Dh79, but some outlets sell them for up to Dh350 or more.
