Dubai has begun 10 days of mourning following the death of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with flags to remain at half-mast across the emirate during the period.
The Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the death on Monday, September 21, and declared 10 days of mourning from the same day.
The mourning period runs from September 21 to September 30. But the 10-day period does not mean government offices, schools, businesses or other workplaces will automatically close for 10 days.
Here is what it actually means:
What is a mourning period in the UAE?
A mourning period may be declared following the death of a member of a ruling family or a state leader. It can apply across the UAE or within an individual emirate.
At federal level, declarations can be issued by the Presidential Court, while a Ruler’s Court may announce mourning within an emirate. The most consistent measure is the lowering of flags to half-mast for the period stated in the announcement.
In the case of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Ruler’s Court announced 10 days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast. It did not announce a suspension of work.
How are UAE flags lowered to half-mast?
The UAE Flag Guidelines set out how flags should be handled during mourning.
If a flagpole is empty, the flag is first raised to the top before being slowly lowered to the middle third of the pole.
If a flag is already flying, it is lowered to the bottom and then raised again to the middle third. Flags remain in that position for the period specified in the mourning declaration.
The guidelines also state that UAE diplomatic missions, embassies and consulates abroad lower their flags during a UAE mourning period after notification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Does mourning mean a public holiday or time off work?
Not automatically.
Mourning and the suspension of work are separate measures. If ministries, government departments, schools or private-sector organisations are required to close, that is announced separately.
However, broadcast schedules may change during mourning.
Radio stations can replace regular programming with prayers, Quran recitations or other adjusted content, while state-owned television channels may also change their schedules.
Live entertainment events are often cancelled or postponed, and official gatherings may be rescheduled.
These changes, however, should be reported when they are confirmed by the relevant authority, broadcaster, organiser or venue. A mourning declaration alone does not establish that every event will be cancelled for the full period.
What about schools and businesses?
Schools and private businesses may continue operating unless authorities issue instructions to close or suspend work. The same principle applies to government entities.
For that reason, a 10-day mourning period should not be described as a 10-day holiday or 10 days of closure.
Funeral prayers, burial arrangements and the receiving of condolences may be announced alongside the mourning period or in separate statements. Times, locations and arrangements should therefore be reported according to the information issued for each case.
