Al Maktoum

Origins and the establishment of rule

The Al Maktoum family is associated with the Al Bu Falasah branch of the Bani Yas. Maktoum bin Buti’s leadership in Dubai in 1833 marks the beginning of the family’s rule in the emirate. Its history developed around a coastal settlement and commercial port, long before the establishment of the UAE. The dynastic chronology is therefore older than the modern federation.

Trade and the changing city

Successive rulers governed Dubai through periods of maritime trade, pearling and major economic change. Saeed bin Maktoum ruled from 1912, followed by Rashid bin Saeed in 1958. Port development and infrastructure became important features of the later period. These changes involved merchants, workers and public institutions as well as rulers; the family’s history provides one perspective on the city rather than its entire social history.

The federation and the succession of 2006

Dubai joined the UAE at its formation in 1971. Mohammed bin Rashid became Ruler of Dubai on 4 January 2006 following the death of his brother Maktoum bin Rashid. He also assumed federal responsibilities as vice president and prime minister. Those national offices are separate from the emirate rulership, even where the same individual holds all three positions.

The present generation

Hamdan bin Mohammed became Crown Prince of Dubai in 2008 and later added federal deputy-premier and defense responsibilities. His brother Maktoum bin Mohammed is First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the UAE’s finance minister and a deputy prime minister. The brothers’ positions are distinct. A deputy ruler is not automatically the crown prince, and a federal ministerial portfolio is not itself a succession title.

Public responsibilities and family connections

Dubai’s Executive Council coordinates emirate administration, while federal ministries work at the national level. The published biographies identify which offices belong to which family member. The relationship diagram shows only selected members already covered by CYBIOGRAPHY. It should be read as a guide to the published profiles rather than an exhaustive family tree or a complete list of Dubai’s office-holders.

Historical timeline