UAE: Sheikh Zayed's first secretary dies; Sheikh Mohamed pays tribute

Abu Dhabi - Ahmed worked for more than 40 years as the secretary for Sheikh Zayed.

By Team KT

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Published: Tue 2 Mar 2021, 10:45 PM

Last updated: Wed 3 Mar 2021, 7:32 AM

Ahmad Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, the first private secretary of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, had passed away. He was 99.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Tuesday tweeted a photo of Sheikh Zayed with Ahmad, as he paid tribute to him: “He witnessed the establishment of the UAE and accompanied the late Sheikh Zayed. He served his nation honorably and will be remembered as one of the UAE’s pioneers.”


Ahmad Mahmoud worked for more than 40 years as the secretary for Sheikh Zayed, during his tenure as the representative of the ruler of Abu Dhabi in Al Ain from 1958 until 1974, according to Al Bayan.

Ambassador Mohamed Al Mahmoud, Ahmad’s son, said Sheikh Zayed chose his father to write his letters because he was good in Arabic calligraphy. He wrote the founding father’s private letters to kings, princes, sheikhs and presidents.


Ahmad was born in 1923 in the Khurais area of Al Ain, Mohamed added. Sheikh Zayed had been close to the family, so much so that when Ahmad’s father died, he came to him and said: “If your father dies, then I am your father.”

“His Highness ordered our family to be taken care of. My father performed his duties as private secretary of Sheikh Zayed until 1973,” Mohamed said.

The ambassador also said Sheikh Zayed and his sons had been in constant contact with the family throughout Ahmad’s life, asking about his health and providing care.

Ahmad Mahmoud worked as a member of the advisory council in Abu Dhabi, a member of the municipal council in the city of Al Ain, and a member of the Marriage Fund. His sons and grandchildren also held distinguished positions in the service of the country.

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