Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Celebrates Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Literary and Intellectual Legacy

Dubai, UAE, 16 July, 2026: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library celebrated the birthday of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with a cultural programme that attracted visitors from diverse nationalities and age groups.

The evening featured a comprehensive cultural and artistic programme inspired by His Highness's literary, intellectual, and humanitarian legacy. It highlighted his journey as a leader, poet, and builder of progress, while showcasing his ambitious vision, which has helped establish Dubai as a global model for innovation, sustainable development, and shaping the future.

The event began with His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, inaugurating the art exhibition Dubai Through the Eyes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The exhibition featured works by more than 70 artists representing multiple nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

The exhibition portrayed Dubai's remarkable transformation under His Highness's leadership through a collection of paintings and artworks inspired by his vision. The works highlighted some of the emirate's strategic projects that have shaped modern Dubai and reinforced its position as a global hub for innovation and development, including Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Emirates Airline.

The event also hosted a poetry evening titled Poems From the Desert, featuring poets Karim Maatouk, Hamda Al Murr, and Najat Al Dhaheri. The speakers explored various aspects of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's poetic journey, regarded as one of his most significant literary achievements. The discussion also reflected on the humanitarian and national values embodied in the collection, and how its poems express pride in Emirati identity while celebrating authenticity and a deep sense of belonging.

Karim Maatouk emphasised that His Highness's stature as a poet is equal to his standing as a leader, noting that his poetic talent is truly authentic, evident throughout his creative journey from an early stage.

On the other hand, Hamda Al Murr reviewed the key features of the poetry collection Poems From the Desert, which was published to mark the 40th anniversary of the UAE's Union. She noted that the collection includes forty poems in Classical Arabic and Nabati poetry and has been translated into English, reflecting the broad international reach of His Highness's poetic work.

Furthermore, Najat Al Dhaheri affirmed that the poetry of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a natural extension of his civilisational and humanitarian vision, reflecting a profound connection with place, people, and the values of beauty and generosity. She explained that his poems have inspired generations while reinforcing poetry's role in promoting values and strengthening national identity.

The evening concluded with a musical performance titled Poems in Song, presented by Emirati artist Tariq Al Menhali, who performed a selection of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's poems in a musical format. The performance celebrated the richness of His Highness's poetic experience, the beauty of Nabati poetry, and its significance within the UAE's cultural landscape.

Participants and attendees commended the event, highlighting the importance of celebrating national literary and intellectual achievements.

At the end of the exhibition's opening ceremony, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library honoured several participating artists in the Dubai Through the Eyes of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid exhibition in recognition of their artistic contributions and their creative interpretations of Dubai's remarkable transformation journey.

The event forms part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's vision to promote cultural and intellectual engagement while reinforcing its position as a platform for celebrating national icons and inspiring creative achievements. Through distinctive programs that bring together literature, art, and knowledge, the Library seeks to strengthen the community's connection with culture and encourage dialogue and intellectual exchange among community members.