The court of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, announced that Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum died this morning. Ten days of official mourning have been declared in Dubai beginning on Monday, with flags across the emirate to be flown at half-mast.

The court expressed condolences to the family and those close to the deceased. Official details about the cause and circumstances of the death have not been released so far.

Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was born on 12 July 1950 in Bur Dubai, the fourth and youngest son of the former ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ruled from 1958 to 1990. He was the younger brother of the current ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the Emirates.

Before becoming a sheikh, he served as deputy chief of police and public security in Dubai. He also played a significant role in developing horse racing in the emirate, including the Jebel Ali racecourse, and contributed to founding the Dubai International Marine Club. In business he was chairman of A.R.M. Holding and of the Dubai Real Estate Centre. Unlike his father and brother, he never sat on the throne.

Ten days of mourning for a man who never ruled says something about how power works in the Emirates. What is inherited there is a surname, not only an office - and a family's standing is measured by what it holds, not only by who sits at the top.