'First teacher': Dubai's royal family hail Sheikh Mohammed on Father's Day

We all love our parents, and while we are pampered by our mother's love, it is our father we look to for guidance.

As the UAE celebrated Father's Day 2025 on Saturday, June 21, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council (DMC), and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, wrote touching tributes to their father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"I learned from my father that giving is a value that makes life flourish.. and that responsibility does not mean a position.. but rather the ability to give," Sheikh Hamdan wrote in a post on X.

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"From his wisdom we derive our strength.. and from his words we draw our determination.. and with his vision we move forward with confidence and reassurance towards a more beautiful tomorrow, God willing," the Dubai Crown Prince added.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed said they were raised to believe that "building a person is more important than building a structure."

"At Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid School, we were raised to believe that fatherhood is a message and a responsibility... and that building a person is more important than building an urban structure... and the father remains the support and role model... and the truest story told throughout life," Sheikh Ahmed said.

Sheikh Mansoor called Sheikh Mohammed his "first teacher."

"On Father's Day, we remember the great role fathers play in building people and shaping nations. A father is not just the head of a family; he is the first teacher and an inspiring role model. I learned from my father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, that a true father is one who instills values before words and leads with actions before words. Happy Father's Day," he said.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Photo: File

Meanwhile, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "Every year, you are my source of strength and support, my inspiration and the light that I follow."

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