The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) mourned the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may Allah have mercy on him, who passed away today 24 March 2021.

ICESCO commends the great role that the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum fulfilled in supporting culture, literature, and scientific developments, as well as his interest in humanitarian action and keenness for sustainable human development.

The Organization commended the long-standing interest of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid in supporting ICESCO and its civilizational mission by sponsoring many of its programmes and activities, particularly those relevant to education. The list includes the Sheikh Hamdan-ICESCO Award for Volunteering in the Development of Educational Facilities in the Islamic World, which aims at motivating and honoring people involved in voluntary initiatives and charitable work in the field of education.

On this sad occasion, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, on behalf of all the staff members of the Organization, expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family, the people and government of the UAE and the Arab and Islamic nations on the passing of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stating that he learned of his death with great sorrow and beseeching Allah almighty to rest his soul in peace and grant him the highest level of Paradise.