Dubai's Museum of the Future is all set to be the emirate's latest blockbuster attraction — and it is already causing a huge stir, days before its grand opening.
On Friday, Dubai Media Office released attention-grabbing footage that has left many viewers awestruck.
With the apparent use of cutting-edge technology, a video shared on social media shows the upper segment of the striking structure opening up to welcome what appears to be a landing spacecraft.
The unidentified flying object descends into the museum while traffic below travels on Sheikh Zayed Road.
The eye-catching video is set to help build anticipation for the opening of the Museum of the Future on February 22.
It is in keeping with the futuristic theme of the attraction.
The venue promises visitors an immersive experience that uses technology to represent art and encourages visitors to imagine what the future could be like.
Even before it has opened, the Museum of the Future was named one of the 14 most beautiful museums on the planet, in a list compiled by National Geographic magazine last July.
Five of the seven floors are the main exhibition spaces — each designed to resemble a futuristic film set.
It takes two to three hours to experience the museum and visitors can stay as long as they like, officials said.
The museum takes visitors on a journey to the year 2071 and creates scenarios of what the future could be like in topics such as outer space resource development, ecosystems and bioengineering, health, wellness and spirituality.
One of the outer space-themed exhibitions is called New Moon and shows how the Moon could be transformed into a source of renewable energy for the Earth.
Tickets priced at Dh145 ($39) are available on the museum's website — www.motf.ae — with complimentary tickets for children under 3, people of determination and Emiratis aged 60 and older.
The future will soon be here — and Dubai is counting down the days in style.
Dubai's Museum of the Future – in pictures
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
