His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has launched a major humanitarian initiative named ‘Rashid Villages’, in tribute to his late brother Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The project coincides with the tenth anniversary of Sheikh Rashid’s passing and aims to carry forward his legacy of compassion and generosity.
The initiative will establish model villages worldwide to provide underprivileged families with housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. The first Rashid Village is set to rise in Kenya, spanning 7.2 hectares and designed with sustainability at its core, including solar-powered infrastructure. It will feature fully furnished homes, a mosque, a multi-purpose hall, a health centre, and a school for more than 320 students, benefiting around 1,700 people in its first phase.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan described the initiative as a lasting tribute to his brother’s humanitarian spirit, emphasising that Sheikh Rashid’s values of leadership, kindness and responsibility continue to inspire Dubai’s global initiatives. Plans are in place to build a new Rashid Village every year, ensuring long-term impact across communities.
The initiative seeks not only to provide aid but also to empower families, offering them stability, dignity, and opportunities to build brighter futures.