Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has addressed the second message from his book Letters to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.The message comes as Sheikh Hamdan marks 20 years on September 8 since his appointment as Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.In the letter, Sheikh Mohammed expressed pride in Sheikh Hamdan’s journey, leadership and achievements.“To my Crown Prince, the extension of my life, and the support of my journey, Hamdan,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.“I write this letter to you filled with pride and admiration for you — for your journey, your leadership and your achievements.”Sheikh Mohammed said he was proud of Sheikh Hamdan’s connection with the people, his presence in their gatherings, his closeness to their lives and his understanding of their needs.“I am proud of you, Hamdan — of your horsemanship, your courage and your simplicity,” he wrote.He also praised Sheikh Hamdan for forging his own path and inspiring millions of young people through his work, energy, activities, poetry, humility and connection with people.Sheikh Mohammed described him as an example of “a great father, a responsible son, and a loving and generous brother”.‘Your responsibilities are increasing’Sheikh Mohammed said that with Sheikh Hamdan’s successes come greater responsibilities towards the UAE, its youth, its soldiers and the protection of the nation’s borders.His responsibilities towards Dubai are also increasing, he said, including towards its people, economy, competitiveness and its new global standing.“Millions around the world look to you to follow your work, draw inspiration from you, and place their faith in you, your wisdom and the depth of your vision to continue building and developing,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.“And you are worthy of all these responsibilities, Hamdan.”Lessons from nearly 60 years in governmentSheikh Mohammed then shared lessons drawn from nearly six decades in government, governance and dealing with people.“Life has taught me, through nearly 60 years in governance, government and managing people, that people need a ruler who listens before he judges, shows mercy before he punishes, gives before he is asked, and reaches out to people before they reach out to him,” he wrote.He stressed the importance of justice, warning Sheikh Hamdan against injustice and saying the UAE was built on fairness, protecting rights and holding the strong accountable before the weak, and those close to leadership before others.“A country is not lost when justice is its measure, mercy is its hallmark, and the rule of law is a virtue from which it does not deviate,” he wrote.‘Choose the most truthful people around you’Sheikh Mohammed also advised Sheikh Hamdan to surround himself with people who are truthful.He warned against leaders surrounding themselves with those who deceive or flatter them, saying he had witnessed leaders who were isolated from reality by people who concealed the truth, justified their mistakes and distanced them from their people.“Absolute trust in those around you, my son, leads to absolute corruption; people change, interests change, and hearts change,” he wrote.He said wisdom lies in maintaining a degree of distance, avoiding flattery and establishing frameworks for accountability.“If people see those around you as being above the law, they will disregard it. The authority of states only falls when the powerful feel they are above the system,” he wrote.‘Look at them with your heart’Sheikh Mohammed said decades of experience had also taught him that the closer a ruler is to the people, the closer a country is to stability and prosperity.He cited the examples of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, saying their compassion and closeness to the people secured their enduring place in people’s hearts.“If people look at you with their eyes, look at them with your heart, Hamdan,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.“Have mercy on the weak, help their children and take care of their affairs. Greatness does not belong to the one whom people serve, but to the one who serves the people. And greatness does not belong to the one who holds power over people, but to the one who holds their hearts.”Concluding his message, Sheikh Mohammed said these were some of the lessons life and decades of service had taught him, adding that he may write more for Sheikh Hamdan in the future.“I see you only as great and generous, Hamdan, loving people, striving for good and quick to pursue noble deeds. You are worthy of noble deeds, and they are worthy of you.“May God grant you success, protect you and guide your steps on the path of glory.”He signed the message: “Your loving father, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”
