For the UAE’s 51st National Day, an Indian expatriate who once headed the photography department of the Dubai Police shares his prized possessions: a series of photos documenting the emirate’s transformation
1st Warrant Officer (Retd) Mushtaq Ahmed with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the 1970s
This Indian expatriate has been at the forefront of documenting Dubai’s transformation from a desert oasis to the cosmopolitan and technologically advanced tourist hub it is today.
As the head of the photography department of the Dubai Police, First Warrant Officer (retired) Mushtaq Ahmed has captured the city’s development through his lens for 41 years, until his retirement in 2018. Since meeting the rulers of the United Arab Emirates to being present at the most significant moment in Dubai’s history, he has seen it all.
And as the country celebrates its 51st National Day, the 76-year-old shared his most precious treasures with Khaleej Times.
“It was a wonderful experience working with Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim and the current Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police Lt. Gen. Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri,” said Mushtaq Ahmed.
Here is a photo of him with Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan:
Working with the Dubai Police has also allowed the veteran photographer to see different places around the world.
“I remember once, when we went to see Australia, I was impressed by the kind of laboratories they had because we didn’t have them. But today, the UAE has some of the most advanced technology in the world. The police everywhere. the world comes to learn from us. That’s the vision that the leaders of this country have,” he said.
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One of the most memorable occasions in Mushtaq’s life is photographing the wedding festivities of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai in 1979. “It was a great event with many holidays “, remembered. “His Highness was sitting inside his vehicle watching the activities. There were many international and local journalists, but none of them got any photographs because he was sitting inside the car. Everyone asked me to ask him to come out. He was a a little nervous, but I went up to him and relayed the request to him. He looked at me and asked, ‘Are you saying I should get out of the car?’ I nodded. After a few seconds he got out and we all to be able to take nice pictures of him.”
For Mushtaq, the occasion was also special as he got to see the lively and jovial side of the UAE leaders. “The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum were also there and took part in the wedding festivities,” he said. “Sheikh Zayed participated in the event.”
He was recently honored by the Dubai Police for his role in preserving the history of the UAE. “It was a complete surprise to me,” he said.
“I just went to meet my old friend Saeed Ahmed Mohammad Ameen as he had been out of the country for 3.5 months. When I got there my friend asked me to come to the hall. Then I was brought up on stage and I was presented. Colonel Dr Ahmed Mohammed Al Sadi hugged me and kissed my forehead. It is extremely rare for a former employee to get this kind of honor. I am grateful to my friend Saeed for organizing -ho”.
A big part of Mushtaq’s job was to document the changing face of Dubai. This photograph of the Clock Tower long before the Maktoum Bridge was built shows how different the area was in the 1970s.
As part of his job, Mushtaq often traveled in helicopters to take aerial photographs. This photo of the Dubai World Trade Center was taken in the 1980s, before the construction of Sheikh Zayed Road.
This aerial shot of the Burj Khalifa taken in 2014 remains one of Mushtaq’s favorite aerial shots. A framed copy hangs on the wall of his house in Oud Muteena. “The construction of the Burj Khalifa was one of the most significant moments in Dubai’s history,” he said. “I’m glad I was able to document it.”
Mushtaq has held several exhibitions in the UAE and several of his photos have been turned into paintings. His photographs have been an integral part of preserving the transformation of Dubai as a city.
When he retired in 2018, six Dubai Police departments congratulated him for his efforts. This collage documents him with three different rulers of Dubai.
(Above) Mushtaq with the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, (bottom left) with the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum and (bottom right) with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum after Dubai won the bid for the Expo.
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