Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launches Al Maktoum Archives to preserve rulers’ history and legacy, making it accessible for future generations.
DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has officially launched the Al Maktoum Archives, a national archive dedicated to preserving the legacy of Dubai’s rulers and making their historical contributions accessible to current and future generations. The announcement was made during a ceremony attended by senior leaders and members of the Al Maktoum family.
Overseen by the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, the archives aim to document the biographies, literary works, governance milestones, and cultural contributions of the Al Maktoum rulers—chronicling Dubai’s transformation from a trading settlement into a global metropolis. The Al Maktoum Archives will also disseminate this legacy through digital platforms, publications, and media content.
“The Al Maktoum Archives is a national archive and an open book offering insights on the history of governance in Dubai as a model for advancing development,” said Sheikh Mohammed. “Preserving our national heritage is our duty and the right of those who come after us. The story of a ruler is inseparable from the story of his people.”
The launch event featured rare historical photographs dating back to 1894, a documentary titled Rashid the Leader, and exhibits detailing the Al Maktoum family tree and Dubai’s historical journey. Two previously unseen images of past rulers, Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher and Sheikh Butti bin Suhail, were revealed alongside visual narratives of Dubai’s transformation under successive leadership.
The Archives will house a digital repository, oral histories, interviews, artefact documentation, and scholarly studies. It will also offer training for UAE nationals in archiving and information management. A new Board of Directors has been formed by decree, including representatives from Dubai Municipality, Dubai Culture, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library Foundation.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr highlighted that the archive will serve as a vital tool for researchers and students to study the leadership values, human-centred governance, and enduring legacy of Dubai’s rulers. “What sets Dubai apart is that it is not just an urban success story—it is a human story led by visionary rulers.”
The Al Maktoum Archives will collaborate with regional and international organisations to exchange historical knowledge and raise awareness of Dubai’s documented legacy. It will also publish reference materials, books, and audiovisual content that highlight the leadership values and vision that have shaped the emirate.
