DUBAI - Shaikh Maktoum's Profile.

Maktoum, his brothers and his uncle Shaikh Ahmad Bin Said, belong to the "Bani Said" branch of the Al Maktoum family. This consists of the direct descendants of the late Shaikh Said Bin Maktoum Bin Hasher Bin Maktoum Bin Buti Bin Suhail, who ruled Dubai in 1912-58. The other branches include the Bani Jumaa, consisting of the sons of the late Shaikh Said's half-brother Jumaa.

Born in 1943 as the first son of Shaikh Rashid Bin Said and a daughter of a former Abu Dhabi ruler, Shaikh Maktoum got his higher education in Cambridge (UK) in 1961-64. He began his career as an assistant to his father and later became deputy ruler and crown prince of Dubai. He became acting ruler in 1982, when Shaikh Rashid fell seriously ill, and ruler when the father died in late 1990.

Shaikh Maktoum is married to a liberal cousin, the attractive and young Shaikha Boushra Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, who is from another branch of the Al Maktoum family. With a strong personality, the shaikha is a famous painter and does not wear the Islamic veil. One of her brothers has been head of Shaikh Maktoum's office. Their daughter, Shaikha Hessa, is also a famous artist and one of the liberal females in the UAE. In 1996, she held a major exhibition at the Dubai Trade Centre.

About 99% of UAE women receive education and the illiteracy rate among those over 10 is less than 11%. Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the favourite wife of UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler Shaikh Zayed, has pioneered the role of the modern woman in the union. She is the mother of Shaikh Zayed's third son, UAE Chief of Staff and UAE Offset Group's mentor Mohammed Bin Zayed.

Favoured by Shaikh Zayed, Mohammed and his younger full-brothers now hold key posts in Abu Dhabi. They are promoting the role of women in the state. Over 80% of employees in the UAE ministries of health and education are women. Several have undersecretary status or have become department heads.