Dubai: The dome of Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020 Dubai has been illuminated with images of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum through the Rashid Al Khair show, featuring an Arabic poem penned by renowned poet Mohammed bin Saif Al Otaiba, accompanied by the melodies of famed composer Fayez Al Saeed. The poem speaks of people’s love for the visionary man and leader who saw the immense potential of Dubai and devoted his life to his country’s growth and development.
Nahla AlMheiri, Director — UAE Content at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum remains in our hearts and minds. Today, on the anniversary of his passing, we are honoured to witness his images projected on the dome of Al Wasl, visible to people who have joined us from across the globe to learn about the vision of a man who transformed Dubai from a desert into one of the world’s most celebrated cities — a city that now gathers the world under his guiding principles of love, tolerance and collaboration.
‘Remains in our memories’
“The poem was written in March 1999 and the photographs obtained from Sheikh Rashid’s personal photographer, Ramesh. We utilised the latest technologies in order to display the photographs on such a large scale and had them in colour so that they present Sheikh Rashid just as he remains in our memories.”
The Rashid Al Khair show will feature regularly on the Al Wasl dome, comprising a stunning 360-degree projection with immersive light-and-sound effects. The beating heart of the Expo 2020 Dubai site, Al Wasl Plaza’s dome is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall.
