Dubai Crown Prince launches ‘Rashid Villages’ to honour late brother, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed
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His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, has announced the launch of Rashid Villages, a global humanitarian initiative dedicated to preserving and extending the legacy of his late brother, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The initiative, launched on the 10th anniversary of Sheikh Rashid’s passing, aims to establish integrated model villages that provide disadvantaged communities with access to housing, education, healthcare and social services. It is envisioned as a framework that moves families from reliance on aid to empowerment, productivity and stability.
“Sheikh Rashid was a champion of humanity, shaped by the noble values of our father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum”, Sheikh Hamdan said at the launch. “Through Rashid Villages, his impact will remain alive in projects that carry hope and goodness to the world".
The first phase of the initiative will begin in the Republic of Kenya, where the inaugural village will be built across 72 dunums (7.2 hectares). Designed around sustainability principles, the site will include fully furnished homes, a mosque, a 500-capacity multi-purpose hall, commercial outlets to stimulate local enterprise, paved roads and solar-powered infrastructure. A football pitch and sports academy will be introduced to engage and empower youth.
The Kenyan village is expected to benefit around 1,700 people. Central to the initiative is the Rashid Education Project, developed in collaboration with the Digital School under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). The programme will combine digital platforms with a new school for over 320 students, ensuring access to quality education.
In addition, the village will feature a healthcare centre, sanitation systems and reliable water supply, while partnerships with international humanitarian organisations will deliver preventive medical services and build local capacity in first aid and health awareness. Families will also benefit from vocational training, micro-enterprise opportunities and technical support to establish small businesses.
Sheikh Hamdan described the project as both a tribute to his late brother’s compassion and a reaffirmation of Dubai’s ethos of generosity.
“May Allah Almighty have mercy on Rashid”, he said.
“His quiet acts of goodness continue to inspire. With Rashid Villages, we aim to restore hope, uphold dignity and affirm that generosity is not just a value in Dubai, but a way of life”.
The initiative will expand annually with the construction of a new village each year, extending Sheikh Rashid’s humanitarian values across the globe and creating lasting pathways to dignity and opportunity.