A true visionary leader with a golden heart. Game-changing leader. Innovator. There is no shortage of praises from the Filipino community for H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who recently marked 50 years of service to the nation.
The Vice President’s wise leadership has transformed Dubai into a major player on the global scene.
From heading the Dubai Police in 1968 to becoming the world’s youngest defense minister when the UAE was formed in 1971, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid spearheaded Dubai’s growth.
And with his generous heart for serving the masses, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also instituted several initiatives and awards aimed to uplift the spirit of giving and tolerance for the public through provision of facilities for education, employment, health, housing and many more.
Indeed, the UAE, home to a huge expatriate community of people from over 200 countries, continues to lead in innovation, technology and many more fields. Everyone agrees that all this would not have been possible if not for its visionary leaders like His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
No less than His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, acknowledged Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s achievements as he highlighted Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s unyielding spirit of serving the UAE wholeheartedly.
Filipinos have also conveyed their message of appreciation for H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes congratulated the Vice President on his golden anniversary of government service.
“The UAE has achieved great successes and massive accomplishments owing to the wisdom, optimism and dedication of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid,” said the ambassador.
“Thank you, Maraming Salamat, Sheikh Mohammed; Shukran Bu Rashid, for not only enriching the UAE and the rest of the Arab world with your actions worth emulating for the past fifty years, but also for welcoming, protecting and inspiring the more than 700,000 Filipinos across the Emirates,” she added.
For his part, Cortes said H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s leadership is “a style that incorporates vision, innovation, deeper engagement with its constituency, and long-term strategic planning. These are what makes an extraordinary leadership, one that is worth emulating by the rest of the world.”
The Filipino Times did the rounds, covering a good cross-section of the Pinoy community – from those in the academe to the highly skilled expats like engineers, and on to nannies, as well as from the old timers who have spent several years in the UAE to the newcomers – and got a good haul of messages for their beloved UAE leader.
Vice-President – Bath Spa University UAE
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai is an excellent epitome of a true visionary leader with a golden heart. His 50 years of contributions to UAE till today are unprecedented. He puts utmost respect and value to free speech and tolerance where multi-cultures co-exist harmoniously, and diversity’s true essence exists in all walks of life.
Furthermore, his wisdom in education, technology, business and management, sports, military, and politics has brought UAE to its crowning glory as a supreme country in the field of innovation and leadership.
I am so blessed as a Filipino expatriate to benefit from his remarkable and resounding services to the nation. He is indeed an exceptional leader and a great father who is worthy of reverence and emulation.”
Marketing and Sales Manager
“HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is an epitome of a strong resilient, and visionary leader. Eighteen years ago, Sheikh Mohammed authored UAE Vision 2021 with the aim of making UAE as one of the best countries in the world.
In a short span of time, he has dedicatedly grown Dubai into a global city.
Amid the economic challenges, his resilient leadership paved the way for Dubai to launch world-renowned icons. HH Sheikh Mohammed’s 50 years of service to his homeland is indeed remarkable: He has made Dubai a robust force known all over the world.”
Nanny/househelp
“I enjoy the way how he rule, because though UAE is a Muslim country we as Christians have the freedom to express also our way of living and our traditions and beliefs. He gave us Filipinos a chance to live feeling like home.”
Videographer
“Our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your highness, from myself and my growing family, for your generosity and hospitality – for opening your doors to us and giving us opportunities to prosper and live in this wonderful city and country.”
Director, Structural Engineering / Design Integration
“We would like to extend congratulations on your impressive and superb leadership, working hard through the years to make Dubai one of the most dynamic cities in the world. We sincerely congratulate you and send our best wishes for your every success and wisdom in discharging the important and responsible duties as great Leader of this nation.
Electronics/Telecom Engineer
“Congratulations and gratitude to HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the 50 magnificent years of service to the UAE. What Dubai and the UAE today is testament of your passion and noble dedication. Your exceptional leadership and vision made this country one of the most desirable places to work and live in. It benefitted the generations, the mix-cultured community and the overseas Filipinos. You have helped made this nation one of the stars that shine the brightest. Wishing you more glorious years ahead. God be with you always.”
Founder / Chair – CMG Group of Companies
“Leadership is not an easy task. I salute His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for his service to the nation.
His leadership is that of pure intention to serve the whole community and not just the UAE nationals. He signifies strength, a person with dignity. As an entrepreneur, I look up into him as my very own role model.
Managing Partner/ Entrepreneur
“HH Sheikh Mohammed is a game-changing leader. His drive towards innovation has shaped Dubai and UAE as one of the most respected country in the world because of its high value on tolerance and diversity.
I sincerely thank you for making Dubai and UAE, my second home. My 11 years have been fruitful, significant, purposeful and blissful. The opportunities have opened my doors towards success in my career and becoming an entrepreneur.”
Marketing Communications Manager
“Thank you for giving the world the opportunity to be inspired by your vision and be empowered by your values of innovation, tolerance, happiness and progress. Salamat po for giving every Filipino in the UAE a second home as we strive to reach our dreams and aspirations. We pray for your good health, continued success, meaningful future projects and peace of mind.”
Clinical Educator
“Salamat Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid! The rapid and colorful growth of Dubai is a reflection of how great your personality and leadership qualities are and as residents of UAE we are thankful for being a visible and approachable symbol of success and authority.
How you’ve embraced social media as part of your leadership platform brought you closer to us. Thank you for providing a safe and convenient place for us Filipino expatriates not just to earn, but beyond that, for providing everyone an equal opportunity to grow and become better members of UAE’s workforce through upholding the value of tolerance while making sure that happiness in all aspects of our lives is the core of every resident’s journey.”
Electrical Engineer
“I salute Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid for all his achievements which put the UAE to where it is today. As a leader myself, I consider him as one of my idols in introducing zero tolerance for corruption because I myself is an advocate of no corruption policy. I would like to personally thank him for all the developments which made for Dubai and UAE that include Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa to name a few, as it has provided and continue to provide huge opportunities for all the global Filipinos by being part of the workforce of these developments in every step of the way.
Engineer/Actor/Model
“UAE is a country full of opportunities. thank you very much for your overwhelming support for my countrymen. I am hoping for your good health as always as UAE is so lucky to have you as a leader. Yahtik al afyah. Shukran.”
Civil Engineer
“Dubai has made its mark in the world due to your ambitious vision. You continuously inspire the expats of Dubai with your foresight of making UAE the best country in the world. This opens a lot of opportunities for us, Filipinos, in helping building this country. As a civil engineer, I feel so honored and privileged to be part of the development in the last 14 years and will still be here in the next few years to see Dubai grow from strength to strength. Shukran, Your Excellency”
Remittance company Head Corridor Marketing – Philippines
“Thank you for the opportunity given to all us to work in this great nation. You are one of the greatest leaders who have made a pivotal change in Dubai’s history. May you continue to lead this diverse community with more years of wisdom and health.”
Head of Sales
“Thank you for showing a consistently successful leadership. You have been an exemplary and visionary mentor, a great leader who has dedicated his life to the service of humanity. We will always appreciate and treasure everything you have done to the country.”
Entrepreneur | CEO | Business Coach and Strategist
“Thank you for creating opportunities and making Dubai safe, family-oriented, environment-friendly and cost-effective. Together with you, we shall build a stronger city year by year. We appreciate your effort in creating changes in regards to business policies for SME’s like us to be at par with the market to soar high and aim for stability.”
Sr. Specialist – Talent and Performance Management
As an educator, I am very thankful to H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for establishing the National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) in 2006
The institute created a lot of opportunities for UAE nationals and expatriates to gain specific job competencies thus making Dubai a more competitive and better place to live in. It gives me immense joy seeing my fellow kababayans empowering themselves through quality technical and vocational education.
By Jojo Dass and Neil Bie
