Marking a year of transformative leadership, the Dubai Ruler honours his son and Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan with a powerful Nabati poem reflecting trust, legacy, and national vision
A year after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, his father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai—celebrated the milestone with a deeply personal gesture: a Nabati poem shared publicly and sung by Emirati artist Eida Al Menhali, reported gulfnews.com.
Shared via Sheikh Mohammed’s official X account, the poetic tribute expresses confidence, fatherly pride, and a symbolic passing of the leadership mantle.
In the poem, Sheikh Mohammed describes Sheikh Hamdan as a “hopeful man” and “one in a million,” saluting his son’s contributions to national defence and his steady growth as a leader. The tribute blends art and statecraft, marking not just a personal milestone but also a national one.
From defence diplomacy to tech-driven military reforms, Sheikh Hamdan’s first year in office has redefined UAE’s strategic posture. His father’s tribute encapsulates a vision of generational leadership and continuity
Sheikh Hamdan took charge of the UAE’s Ministry of Defence in July 2024 under a federal reshuffle that signaled a bold generational shift in leadership. In his first year, he led 33 military and strategic engagements, reviewed combat-readiness protocols, and chaired defence policy meetings aimed at tech integration and regional cooperation.
He also launched initiatives connecting the Ministry of Defence with global tech firms, hosted senior diplomatic figures during GCC Defence Council summits, and inaugurated IDEX 2025 to position the UAE at the centre of international defence innovation.
The tribute poem follows a long-standing tradition of Nabati verse—poetry used across generations in the Gulf to express wisdom, governance, and personal sentiment. Sheikh Mohammed, a celebrated Nabati poet himself, has often used poetry to articulate his leadership philosophy and commemorate key national moments.
The performance by Eida Al Menhali, a cultural icon in the UAE, added emotional weight to the video, which has since garnered thousands of views and tributes from citizens and government officials alike.
With this poetic gesture, Sheikh Mohammed not only honours his son but reaffirms a national vision of heritage-rooted leadership embracing the future.
