Sheikh Hamdan
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم) (born 14 November 1982) is the Crown Prince of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He is popularly known as Fazza (فزاع), the name under which he publishes his poetry.[1]
Early life and education
Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the senior wife of Mohammed. He is the second son of their 12 children and the fourth of his father's children. Hamdan's elder full brother was Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed.[2]
Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum was educated in Dubai at the Rashid School For Boys, and then at the Dubai School of Government.[3] He continued his studies in the United Kingdom where he graduated from Sandhurst in 2001,[4] and later attended the London School of Economics.[5][6] In his interview with Vision he described how Sandhurst taught him the importance of self-discipline, commitment, virtue, responsibility, endurance, understanding, teamwork, friendship and the benefits of hard work.[7]
Roles and positions
Hamdan was appointed as the chairman of the Dubai executive council in September 2006.[6] On 1 February 2008, he was named as the Crown Prince of Dubai. As the new hereditary prince, he appointed new key personal and financial advisors such as a global economist and a hedge fund tycoon from HN Capital LLP.[6] In July 2009, he was appointed president of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University formerly Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University.[8] He is also the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for young entrepreneurs, and sits on the Dubai sports council and the Dubai autism centre.[5]
He was part of the Dubai World Expo 2020 delegation when Dubai was awarded the rights to host the event.[9] He also went to the top floor of the Burj Khalifa to wave the UAE flag, a few days after the World Expo 2020 win.[10] He is also the founder of the Hamdan International Photography Award, which was launched in 2011.[11]
Personal life
Hamdan Al Maktoum is also a horse rider, diver where he dives in Fujairah,[5] and a semi-professional skydiver. He is known for his poems, which are mainly romantic, patriotic and about his family. He publishes his poems under the name Faz'za (فزاع). He also enjoys camels, cars and traveling.[12] Playing a major role in the Godolphin stables he is also a member of the Royal Ascot.[13]
Sheikh Hamdan took individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA), team gold in 2012 and individual bronze in 2010, and he will lead a team of five UAE riders at Championships in Samorín on September 17, 2016.[14] He is currently the reigning champion and he will partner with Ismael Mohammed-trained Ramaah.[15]