Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has set out seven rules for life in Dubai, arguing that the emirate’s success should be measured not only by what it builds, but by the society it creates. “We have built a beautiful city, a harmonious society and a model experience for the world,” he wrote, describing Dubai as “a home for the world, for people and for life,” in coverage by Gulf Business.

The message forms part of The Messages, the second part of his book What Life Taught Me, which gathers 26 messages drawn from almost six decades of public service. A fuller walk-through of each rule is published by Dubai Standard.

The seven rules, in plain terms

  1. Responsibility — life is responsibility, and responsibility gives life meaning.
  2. Respect — respect recognises the value of every person, including their religion, culture, time, feelings, rights and dignity.
  3. Excellence — excellence is the finest message Dubai can send the world.
  4. Humility — humility elevates people rather than diminishing them.
  5. Optimism — optimism is a way of life, not a mood.
  6. Doing good — make doing good a habit, from helping someone in difficulty to a kind word or directions for a visitor who is lost.
  7. Loyalty to the nation — a country that embraces its people deserves loyalty: respect for its constitution and laws, and protection of its achievements.
Open book on a desk beside reading glasses in warm light
The message appears in The Messages, the second part of What Life Taught Me, with 26 messages in total.

What the rules mean for visitors

Most of the seven rules double as practical visitor etiquette. Respect for culture, religion, time and dignity is already the baseline for a good trip — dress appropriately at religious sites, ask before photographing people, and keep noise down in shared spaces. Doing good, in the book’s framing, can be as small as giving directions or encouragement. Our guides to what to wear in Dubai as a tourist and Dubai safety tips for tourists cover the day-to-day detail.

Diverse group of residents talking together in a shaded Dubai courtyard
Building a community, Sheikh Mohammed wrote, is a role for employees, parents, teachers, doctors and businesspeople alike.

“The real miracle is building a society”

Sheikh Mohammed closed by separating construction from community: “Constructing buildings and engineering cities is not a miracle. The real miracle is building a society founded on meaning, principles and great values.” Building that society, he wrote, is not the government’s job alone — employees, managers, parents, teachers, doctors and businesspeople all play a part. New arrivals can start with our where to stay in Dubai guide and places to visit in Dubai.

FAQs

What are Sheikh Mohammed’s seven rules for life in Dubai?

Responsibility, respect, excellence, humility, optimism, doing good, and loyalty to the nation that embraces its people.

Where were the seven rules published?

In a message in The Messages, the second part of Sheikh Mohammed’s What Life Taught Me. The book contains 26 messages addressed to his family, colleagues, the people of the UAE and the wider world.

What did Sheikh Mohammed say about Dubai?

He described Dubai as “a home for the world, for people and for life” and said a city’s success should be measured by the society it creates, not only by its buildings.

Why do the rules matter to visitors?

They set out the values visitors are asked to share — respect for religion, culture, time and dignity, and small acts of goodness — which match everyday etiquette in Dubai.