🇦🇪Famous People from United Arab Emirates
A comprehensive directory of 27 historically significant figures from United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates, although only established in 1971, has produced influential figures in various fields. Political leaders have notably shaped the nation's history, with eleven out of twenty-six notable individuals in major databases being politicians. Key figures include founding father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004), who was the UAE's first president, and his successors Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (b. 1948) and the current president Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (b. 1961). The Al Maktoum family has influenced Dubai's development, with leaders like Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (b. 1912) and current ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (b. 1949) transforming it into a global center. In sports, the UAE has gained recognition in football, with players like Omar Abdulrahman (b. 1991) and Ali Mabkhout (b. 1990) achieving international presence. The country also has poets, businesspeople, and sports officials, illustrating its growth from tribal territories to a modern nation-state.
Total Figures
27
Categories
15
Time Span
1432–1991
Top Field
politician· 8
Notable Figures Overview
cartographer
Ahmad ibn Mājid
1432–1500Arab navigator and cartographer
poet
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
1918–2004Founding father and first President of the United Arab Emirates from 1971 to 2004, who unified the seven emirates and established the modern UAE.
political scientist
Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
1972–PresentUAE Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2006, playing a key role in the country's diplomatic relations and regional foreign policy initiatives.
Distribution by Historical Era
MedievalMED(1)
ContemporaryCONT.(26)
Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Link
Ahmad ibn Mājid
cartographer
Arab navigator and cartographer
Founding father and first President of the United Arab Emirates from 1971 to 2004, who unified the seven emirates and established the modern UAE.
Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan
political scientist
UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2006, playing a key role in the country's diplomatic relations and regional foreign policy initiatives.
Sarah Amiri
politician
Minister of Climate Change and Environment who led the UAE's Hope Mars mission as Deputy Project Manager, making the UAE the fifth nation to reach Mars.
Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
businessperson
Crown Prince of Dubai since 2008, known for his poetry, equestrian pursuits, and active role in promoting Dubai's culture and development.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
businessperson
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai since 2006, known for transforming Dubai into a global business and tourism hub.
Theyab Awana
association football player
Emirati professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Al Wahda FC and the UAE national team. He died in a car accident in 2011 at age 21, cutting short a promising career in UAE football.
Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
politician
Transformed Dubai from a small trading port into a modern commercial center during his rule from 1958 to 1990, and served as UAE Prime Minister.
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
politician
Ruled Dubai from 1990 to 2006 and served as Prime Minister of the UAE, initiating major economic diversification and infrastructure projects.
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
politician
Served as the second President of the United Arab Emirates from 2004 until his death in 2022, succeeding his father Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Ahlam
actor
Popular singer and actress known throughout the Arab world for her powerful voice and dramatic performances in television and music.
Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and owner of Manchester City Football Club, managing significant sovereign wealth investments globally.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
business executive
Chairman of Manchester City Football Club and CEO of Mubadala Investment Company, one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds.
Ali Mabkhout
association football player
Prolific striker and captain of the UAE national football team, known as the country's all-time leading goalscorer.
Khalid Eisa
association football player
Goalkeeper for the UAE national team and Al Ain FC, known for his performances in the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Adnan Al Talyani
association football player
Former striker who played for the UAE national team and various clubs in the Arabian Gulf League during the 1980s and 1990s.
Omar Abdulrahman
association football player
Attacking midfielder considered one of Asia's best players, who has represented the UAE national team in multiple AFC Asian Cups.
Muhammad ibn Sulayem
entrepreneur
Former rally driver who became President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 2021, the first non-European to hold the position.
Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
politician
Current President of the United Arab Emirates since 2022 and ruler of Abu Dhabi, previously served as Crown Prince for over a decade.
Marwan al-Shehhi
terrorist
One of the 19 hijackers in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, who piloted United Airlines Flight 175 into the World Trade Center's South Tower.
AK
Ahmed Khalil
association football player
Versatile midfielder for the UAE national team and Al Ahli Dubai, known for his technical skills and goal-scoring ability from midfield.
Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi
autobiographer
Ruler of Sharjah since 1972 and member of the UAE's Supreme Council, known for his efforts in promoting Arab culture and education.
Hazza Al Mansouri
aircraft pilot
First Emirati astronaut who spent eight days aboard the International Space Station in September 2019 as part of a Russian Soyuz mission.
Daughter of Dubai's ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who gained international attention after attempting to flee Dubai and seeking asylum.
Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed
association football referee
FIFA-listed referee who has officiated matches in the UAE Pro League and AFC competitions since the early 2000s.
Showing 1-25 of 27 figures
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the most famous rulers from the United Arab Emirates?
Some of the most prominent UAE rulers include Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father and first president, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current Vice President and Prime Minister who is also the ruler of Dubai. Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Which UAE football players are internationally recognized?
Omar Abdulrahman is widely considered the most famous Emirati footballer for his playmaking abilities and performances in Asian competitions. Ali Mabkhout is another notable UAE national team player, recognized as a top striker in Asian football.
What types of professions are most common among famous people from the UAE?
Politicians are the largest group of notable figures from the UAE with 11 prominent individuals, followed by association football players with six representatives. The country also has notable poets, businesspeople, and football referees among its famous personalities.