Timeframe: Rolling out a tribute to Sheikh Zayed

It is November 2006 and workers are working tirelessly to finished a giant portrait of UAE Founding Father

Asian workers clean and repaint a giant portrait of the United Arab Emirates' late leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, in preparation for marking the second anniversary of his death, 02 November 2006 in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, died 02 November 2004 after more than 30 years at the helm of his oil-rich country. AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIB / AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

AFP photo

Apr 12, 2018

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The year is 2006 and these workers are on a mission to complete this giant portrait of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed in time for the marking of the second anniversary of his death.

It is November in that year, and the structure the men are tirelessly working on is as big as the heart of the man being honoured. A man who the nation is currently celebrating in this, the Year of Zayed.

This image is a timely one given that it was announced this week that the latest tribute to Sheikh Zayed – the Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi – will officially open to the public on April 22.

Located at the edge of Emirate's Palace, before the Corniche Breakwater road, the memorial site features a visitors' centre and an installation by artist Ralph Helmich. The giant image in this 12-year-old photo and the tribute to be opened next week are just some of the many across the Emirates.

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