MAKTUM, RASHID IBN SAID, AL-, SHEIKH

born 1910?, in the desert inland from the Persian Gulf died Oct. 7, 1990, Dubayy, United Arab Emirates Arab statesman largely responsible for creating the modern city-state of Dubayy and a cofounder (1971) of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). The son of Sheikh Said Maktum, Rashid was educated locally in Arabic and in 1958 he became ruler of what had been a trading settlement located beside a creek. After the discovery of oil in 1966 he used the area's new wealth to dredge the creek and create a deep-water port for shipping Dubayy's oil; he used his oil revenues to build an airport and to initiate new industries and services, including improved medical care. In 1968 Britain announced it would withdraw its forces from the Persian Gulf by the end of 1971. Rashid and his relative by marriage Sheikh Zaid ibn Sultan an-Nahayan, of neighbouring Abu Dhabi, then laid the groundwork for self-rule that became the constitution for a federation, the U.A.E. The seven separate emirates retained their individual, traditional rights, including armies, but were united by varying amounts of aid each could receive from a central fund maintained by all. Rashid served as vice-president (197190) and prime minister (197990) of the U.A.E., but his health failed during his last decade of life. He designated his eldest son, Sheikh Maktum, U.A.E. deputy prime minister, his successor and proclaimed that his other sons, Sheikhs Hamdan, Muhammad, and Ahmad, would also continue as leaders.