Sheikh Mohammed turns 77: 5 times Dubai Ruler championed Arab excellence

Dubai's Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, marks his 77th birthday by highlighting his sustained efforts to champion Arab culture, identity, and excellence on the global stage. Known for often communicating in Arabic, his choice reflects a deliberate strategy to spotlight the region's rich heritage and achievements.

A cornerstone of his initiative is the Arab Reading Challenge, launched in 2015. This program aims to foster a love for reading among children across the Arab world, with a goal of encouraging them to read 50 million books. The challenge offers substantial prizes totaling $3 million and extends its reach to Arab children living abroad, promoting the mastery of the Arabic language. The latest edition saw over 40 million students from 138,426 schools in 60 countries participate, with a 12-year-old Emirati girl named the UAE champion.

Sheikh Mohammed, who became the world's youngest Minister of Defense at 22 in 1971, has a background rooted in the Arabian desert. His leadership is seen as instrumental in ushering in what is described as the region's "Golden Era."

His support extends to celebrating Arab achievements in sports. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he lauded the participation of teams like Egypt and Morocco. He described Egypt's advancement to the Round of 16 as a "heroic performance" and hailed the team as "heroes in the eyes of all Arabs," despite their eventual loss. This inclusive approach underscores his commitment to recognizing and promoting Arab pride and success across various fields.