Dubai, Jan 2 (IANS/WAM): Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has asked officials not to celebrate his accession day but honour every mother in the country on that day.

Sheikh Mohammed, who is also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, paid tributes to mothers in the UAE for their vital role in bringing up generations of leaders who have helped in building the nation.

"I don't want special celebrations to honour me... rather we want to celebrate on our own way and in line with our traditions and customs .... we want to honour -- every year -- a category that merits recognition and care .... last year we honoured orphans and today we want to honour mothers, the secret of our existence in this life," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.

"I would like to hear your thoughts on how we all could honor each and every mother in the UAE through my Twitter account @HHShkMohd and hashtag #ThankUMother," he said.

Sheikh Mohammed, who was born in July 1949, became Dubai's ruler Jan 5, 2006.