This is deliberate—it’s a style of governance that speaks through action rather than words, through presence rather than formal statements.
Since the early hours of 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel have launched a major joint military campaign against Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. and Operation Lion’s Roar by Israel, striking multiple targets across Iranian territory.
Alerts have been issued in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, missiles have been intercepted mid-air, and the country’s airports were temporarily closed. Yet throughout it all, UAE leaders have remained visible, engaging with the community rather than retreating.
From the racecourse on the very first night Iranian missiles were intercepted over UAE airspace, to a stroll through Dubai Mall on Day 3 of the conflict, and Ramadan Iftar gatherings that continued without disruption, these five videos showcase a leadership that prioritizes presence over caution and calm over alarm.
1. Dubai’s Ruler celebrates at Meydan as horse ‘Meydan’ wins the Al Maktoum Classic
On 28 February 2026—the same day US and Israeli forces struck Iran and Iranian missiles were intercepted over UAE airspace—Meydan Racecourse went ahead with Super Saturday as planned. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present.
Despite the heightened tensions, Sheikh Mohammed attended the races and stayed to celebrate the victory. A video shared on social media showed him on the track, visibly elated and savoring the win. With air defences active and airports temporarily closed, the ruler of Dubai was at the races, smiling and engaging with the moment.
2. UAE President and Sheikh Hamdan walk through Dubai Mall
On the evening of 2 March 2026, the third day of the Iran conflict, during which explosions were reported in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, visitors to Dubai Mall witnessed a moment they will never forget.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accompanied by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, walked casually through the corridors of the world’s most visited mall, smiling and unhurried.
The Dubai Media Office shared a video of the walk, captioned: “Close to the people. Steady in leadership.” In another video circulating on social media, the President was seen greeting a man in the mall. “Are you happy?” Sheikh Mohamed asked. The man responded that he was, adding that he felt safe in the UAE.
3. Dubai Ruler joins Iftar at Al Majlis in Madinat Jumeirah
During the second and third days of the conflict, as missile interceptions continued over UAE skies, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was seen breaking his fast at Al Majlis in Madinat Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most iconic venues with deep cultural significance during Ramadan.
A widely shared video captured the Dubai Ruler at the Iftar gathering, relaxed and engaged with those around him, underscoring a sense of normalcy and calm amidst regional tensions.
4. Sheikh Mansour hosts Ramadan Iftar for Islamic Affairs, banking, and media leaders
During the same period, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, hosted a Ramadan Iftar banquet at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
The gathering brought together representatives from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), the Zakat Fund, the banking sector, and senior media leaders—a deliberate assembly of institutions that uphold the country’s social and economic fabric.
The message was clear. Even as Iran’s drones and missiles struck targets across the UAE—including near the Etihad Towers complex and a temporarily disabled AWS data centre—Abu Dhabi’s leadership convened at the dinner table, reinforcing unity across government, faith, finance, and media.
5. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed joins national service recruits for Iftar in Al Ain
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan reflected on Ramadan in a social media caption: “Ramadan is a generous guest, bringing with it the tranquility of homes and the warmth of gatherings, and awakening within us the meanings of mercy and giving. A month in which the national spirit is renewed, and the cohesion of our society grows stronger and purer.”
In Al Ain, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, took part in the ‘Your Iftar at Your Children’s Home’ initiative alongside national service recruits and their families.
The initiative brings together young Emiratis serving in national service with their loved ones for a shared Iftar. During the conflict, this gathering took on added significance. These men and women are part of the UAE’s defence framework, and a senior member of the ruling family joining them to break bread highlighted the strong bond between leadership and those protecting the nation.
A video from the event served as a quiet yet powerful reminder that the UAE’s response to the conflict went beyond missile interceptions and airport closures—it reflected a society that remains united, from the highest levels of leadership to the families of those in uniform.
This is no coincidence—it is a deliberate form of governance, one that communicates through action rather than words, through visible presence rather than formal statements.
In the first days of the conflict, the UAE intercepted 148 drones, nine ballistic missiles, and six cruise missiles. Yet life continued. As Sara Al Amiri, the UAE’s Minister of Education, noted: “In challenging times, our leadership reminds us that resilience means continuing with confidence, preserving the rhythm of life, and trusting our government’s decisions.”
