Online community revs up as Mohammad turns 60

Shaikh Mohammad was born on July 15, 1949. A photo taken from Shaikh Mohammad's Facebook page.

A rose and a birthday wish for Shaikh Mohammad. A large number of his Facebook friends congratulated him and wished him long and prosperous life.

The Facebook page that shows his date of birth.

Shaikh Mohammad had set up his Facebook profile at the end of June and has uploaded three photo albums.

Dubai: Facebook users have been wishing - and singing - Happy Birthday to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on his Facebook page for the past two days as he turns 60 today.

A large number of his Facebook friends congratulated him and wished him long and prosperous life.

Shaikh Mohammad was born on July 15, 1949. He is the third son of Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and has three brothers, Shaikh Maktoum, Shaikh Hamdan and Shaikh Ahmad.

Shaikh Mohammad had set up his Facebook profile at the end of June and has uploaded three photo albums, including family images.

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As a user-generated content site, Facebook users are able to comment on his status updates and make virtual friends with him on his unrestricted profile, which allows the general public to view his photo albums, videos, personal information and "poke" Shaikh Mohammad (to get his virtual attention).

Many users "sang" for Shaikh Mohammad happy birthday on the Facebook page. Al Awadi added: "May Allah grant you long life."

Another facebook user, Pranay Gupte, posted saying: "Your Highness: This is specially to send you my warmest good wishes for your birthday on July 15. With great admiration and respect."

Oliver Mahon, said: "Happy birthday to our dear leader. I wish you more joy and happiness in the coming year."

Many other Facebook users posted birthday greetings, which included prayers for health, happiness and long life.

Ali Khalil said: "many many happy returns of the day your highness alf alf mabrook."

Sehar Adeel posted saying: "MANYY MANYYY HAPPY RETURNZZ F D DA!!!GOB BLESSS U!!!"

Mona Baqer said: "Wish u very " happy Birthday " our dear father. Wish u all the happiness of this world."

Another Facebook user named Shaikha Mohammad, wished him many happy returns of the day with wishes of loads and loads of success and happiness and bright life like birthday candles on the cake. She added: "May u start ur new year with smiles n happiness,,,,, theres all i can say iz u r the greatest father 4 all of us n u will b the greatest as alwayzzzz."

Another Facebook user, Lulwa Al Hamammi, sent a happy birthday wish to Shaikh Mohammad using roses application, which allows sending the pictures of roses to the intended person on Facebook.

The Facebook users are still continuing to post birthday wishes for Shaikh Mohammad.

Three years of pioneering leadership for the country

Dubai: On January 4, 2006, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the Ruler of Dubai following the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

On January 5, Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council elected Shaikh Mohammad the UAE Vice-President.

On February 11, 2006, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan nominated Shaikh Mohammad to be UAE Prime Minister; the Council approved this nomination.

Shaikh Mohammad and the members of his Cabinet took their oaths before Shaikh Khalifa at Al Bateen Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Mohammad embodies energetic and successful leadership. He is a man who has made promises and kept them; he has insisted on excellence and achieved nothing less; he has defined the role of leadership and fulfilled it.

Since becoming the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, groundbreaking initiatives have been rolled out at an astonishing rate.

The year 2007 witnessed unique achievements for Shaikh Mohammad locally and regionally.

On February 3, he announced the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which aims to bolster Dubai's leading position in the region and boost its role as an international economic and financial hub. The strategy will be used as a road map for development in the coming years.

On April 17, 2007, Shaikh Mohammad unveiled the UAE Government Strategy Plan with the aim of achieving sustainable development throughout the country, investing federal resources more efficiently and ensuring due diligence, accountability and transparency across federal bodies.