Dubai’s Al Minhad district renamed Hind to honour India? Fact Check

When Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that he is renaming a district “Hind City” on Jan 29, social media went agog with claims that the gesture was to honour India and Hindus. See the claim here:

HIND CITY
IN DUBAI
RENAMED!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/eAl6FPWS44

— Kssoundram (@kssoundram) February 11, 2023

“Ruler of Dubai and PM of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has ordered that a district in the emirate be renamed. Al Minhad and its surrounding 84 Square KM areas will now be known as “Hind City” to honour the contribution of India and Hindus towards humanity.”

It has been shared widely on social media with similar claims here and here.

FACT CHECK

A simple follow-up on the news from Dubai revealed that the Dubai government’s media office has said that the sheikh renamed the district in honour of his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum and not India as many claimed. The statement said:

Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has renamed Al Minhad area of the city as “Hind City”. He has renamed the place after his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma. Hind is a common Arabic female name. Announcement of renaming by Dubai Media Office pic.twitter.com/tJnALfPhIW

— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 31, 2023

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, renamed the Al Minhad area as Hind City in honour of his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum,” the Sheikh’s Media office told news agencies. “Hind is an Arabic name that has its roots in the region’s ancient civilization,” it added giving further clarification on the name Hind.

Here’s the original statement without any reference to India:

Hence, the claim that the renaming al Minhad district as Hind City has nothing to do with India or in its honour. The claim is misleading.

Claim: Dubai district Al Minhad renamed Hind to honour India
Conclusion: The rename was done to honour the Sheikh’s wife named Hind, not in honour of India.
Rating: Misleading —