The desert clan that transformed a fishing outpost into a global metropolis
In 1833, a group of tribal migrants fled internal feuds to establish a new seat of power. Today, the House of Maktoum governs one of the world's most ambitious urban landscapes, presiding over a dynasty defined by both unprecedented growth and intense international scrutiny.
The House of Masting traces its origins to a migration of the Bani Yas clan. In 1833, approximately 800 members of this tribal federation left Abu Dhabi to escape internal conflicts within the ruling Al Nahyan family. Under the shared leadership of Obeid bin Said and Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti, these emigrants settled in the area that would become Dubai. Following the death of bin Said in 1836, Maktoum bin Butti became the sole ruler, marking the formal beginning of the Al Maktoum dynasty.
The family's political influence extends into the structure of the United Arab Emirates, a federation established in 1971 after independence from Great Britain. While the Federal Supreme Council elects its president and vice-president every five years, the highest offices follow a de facto hereditary pattern. The Al Nahyan clan of Abu Dhabi holds the presidency, while the Al Maktoum family holds the roles of Prime Minister, Vice President, and Minister of Defence.
Despite the dynasty's immense wealth and the city's reputation for business efficiency, the family's rule has faced significant legal challenges in international courts. In 2019, high-profile legal battles emerged involving Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, who sought asylum in Germany, and allegations from Sheikha Latifa and Sheikha Shamsa regarding their forced detention. In December 2019, a UK family court found that, on the balance of probabilities, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had orchestrated the abductions of the princesses and engaged in a campaign of intimidation against his former wife.
Source: House of Maktoum
