Photography News

Born in Gwadar province of Pakistan in December 1929, he documented the history of the UAE and was named the 'Royal Photographer' by the late Sheikh Zayed.

Noor Ali Rashid met international dignitaries and celebrities as he travelled the world with the royal entourage during his 50 years as the royal photographer. He met Queen Elizabeth II during a trip to Buckingham Palace, had tea with Margaret Thatcher, sat in on talks with Yasser Arafat and shared a joke with Bill Clinton.

His son, Naushad Rashid, said his father's strength was taking photographs that may have appeared insignificant when taken, but would prove to be very valuable in years to come, "like the desert dune that he would photograph".

Noor Ali Rashid recently wrote a number of books for Sheikh Sultan al Qassimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, about the UAE and its rulers, including Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan the late founder of the UAE, his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed the current President of the UAE, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

In his 50-year career he has received 83 prizes and honours, including the title of Photographer of the Millennium.

The Zayed University launched the Noor Ali Rashid Student Documentary Photography Award in recognition of his spectacular contributions to the media industry in the UAE.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, visited on Friday evening the house of the late Noor Ali Rashid to pay his condolences to Rashid's family.

His body was laid to rest on Friday at Al Qouz Cemetry in Dubai.