Dubai – An Arabic and English font named after Dubai will be designed for Microsoft products.
The move is in line with orders issued by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council (DEC), to the General Secretariat of DEC. The secretariat will be responsible for designing a selection of fonts that will be named ‘Dubai’.
Shaikh Hamdan said that the move comes as part of the emirate’s continuous efforts to be ranked first globally in all fields. He added that the font represents a new and distinguished mark in the digital world, and that this move complements Dubai’s clear strategy that is based on solid foundations. Shaikh Hamdan pointed out that this step also embodies the vision of the wise UAE leadership to achieve leading innovation levels.
In line with Shaikh Hamdan’s orders, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Secretariat and Microsoft. The MoU was signed by Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Sheibani, Secretary General of DEC, and Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft.
As per the MoU, Microsoft will provide the necessary technical support for the design and release of the Dubai Font. The designing of the font will be carried out as per the highest modern technological standards in the field. Dubai Font is the first Microsoft font that will be designed by a city and named after it.
Microsoft will also provide consultation regarding technical standards of fonts. Dubai Font is also the first font to be designed simultaneously in English and Arabic.
“We are honoured with the trust bestowed upon us by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai,” said Al Sheibani. He highly praised the level of cooperation with a global corporation like Microsoft. “Microsoft is at the forefront of private companies that work closely with Dubai to boost joint development work between the public and private sector. This is achieved through strategic partnerships to work on such initiatives that aim to utilise technology in a way that boosts Dubai’s position globally, which in turn reaffirms the emirate’s ongoing role to serve the community,” said Al Sheibani.
For his part, Nadella said that Microsoft is striving to empower the UAE government, citizens and residents, so that they can accomplish more achievements. “We are looking forward to further bolstering our strong relations with Dubai, which falls within the priorities of Dubai’s march for innovation in utilising digital technology to improve standards of living for its people,” said Nadella.
