A talented artist who has sculpted a life-size wax statue of his son’s idol, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, is hoping to present it as a gift to the Crown Prince of Dubai.
Zakir Khan, 34, spent 38 days carving out the detailed statue, which was made using 120 kilograms of wax and stands at more than 1.7 metres tall.
Mr Khan, who lives in India, said his 8-year-old son Ayan is a huge fan of Sheikh Hamdan and dreams of one day meeting him, which inspired him to create the carving.
artist
“He is a great inspirational leader for the youth around the world,” the father-of-one told The National.
“My son and I are big fans of Sheikh Hamdan. [Ayan] always dreams of meeting him. I decided to make a statue as a gift.
“It is the world’s first [Indian-made] hand-craved wax statue [of Sheikh Hamdan].”
In December last year, Mr Khan travelled to Dubai for several weeks and started work on the statue in a small room he rented in the city.
He returned home to India then travelled back to the city twice to continue work on the piece until it was finished.
Sheikh Hamdan - in pictures
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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, stands on top of the Burj Khalifa. AFP -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan on the London Underground. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Sheikh Hamdan with his baby boy, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan, at the Godolphin Stables in England. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
On top of Ain Dubai, when Dubai's newest attraction opened in October 2021. Photo: Screengrab -
Sheikh Hamdan's selfie at the Expo 2020 Dubai site, posted on his Instagram account. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Cycling around the Expo 2020 site. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Enjoying a close encounter with some giant sharks. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Taking a selfie before joining participants at the Dubai Run in November 2019. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Sheikh Hamdan is seen inside the flying taxi of the future. Reuters -
Chinese film legend Jackie Chan met Sheikh Hamdan during his visit to the Emirates. Instagram -
Sheikh Hamdan declares Expo 2020 Dubai open. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Taking part in a Spartan Race. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
He is a regular traveller, seen here in Pisa, Italy. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Sheikh Hamdan in Uzbekistan, a place he says has a 'special place' in his heart. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
On the Skydeck in Chicago. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
Braving the cold in Canada in January 2018. Photo: Instagram / Faz3 -
On a cycling tour in Estonia: the Crown Prince often makes trips to places that are off the beaten track. Instagram / Faz3 -
With a teetering rock sculpture in Norway, back in 2014. Instagram / Faz3 -
Exploring the glaciers of New Zealand, a country he called 'beautiful' back in May 2015. Instagram / Faz3 -
Wearing a traditional kimono in Japan. Instagram / Faz3 -
By a waterfall on one of the Faroe Islands, which are 18 rocky, volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway. Instagram / Faz3 -
A classic Paris shot. Instagram / Faz3 -
In one of his favourite places, Uzbekistan, back in 2015. Spot his dad, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, making his signature gesture in the background. Instagram / Faz3 -
Cycling in San Francisco in 2015. Instagram / Faz3 -
Taking a snap with a young Tanzanian back in March 2016. Instagram / Faz3 -
Sheikh Hamdan is a huge fan of cycling, having been behind many cycling initiatives in Dubai, and he's definitely showing support for the activity here. Instagram / Faz3 -
With the famous Uncle Saeed in Amsterdam in 2016. Instagram / Faz3 -
Here he is spearfishing, one of his favourite pastimes. Instagram / Faz3 -
On the road in Algeria. Instagram / Faz3 -
A breathtaking photo of the Crown Prince in Yosemite National Park in the US. Instagram / Faz3 -
At the World Equestrian Games in North Carolina in 2020. Instagram / Faz3 -
In the clouds, with an amazing view on show in Canada in January 2016. Instagram / Faz3 -
Against a cloudy landscape, also likely to be from his trip to Canada. Instagram / Faz3 -
On Umrah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in June 2018. Instagram / Faz3 -
Here's a throwback Thursday to when he was at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. Instagram / Faz3 -
Out for a walk in the Big Apple. Instagram / Faz3 -
The Crown Prince looking out over New York. Instagram / Faz3 -
At the airport in Algeria with his father and brother. Instagram / Faz3 -
The Crown Prince hiking in Scotland during summer this year. Instagram / Faz3
“I came three times to Dubai on a visit visa to complete the statue. It took me more than 38 days to complete it,” said Mr Khan.
“It is not only a gift from me and my son to Sheikh Hamdan, but a gift from India.”
He finished carving the statue in March and received a World Records India certificate for creating the first “Indian-made, hand-carved wax statue in a short span”.
Mr Khan returned to Dubai this month with his son in the hope of giving the statue to the Crown Prince.
“I have been tracking news about Sheikh Hamdan and have been watching his Instagram account and decided to come again to Dubai to post about the statue,” he said.
“He is a much-loved figure across the world. He always lives as a common man. He likes adventures, cycling and sports.
“He is an icon for youth and a source of inspiration.”
Mr Khan has also posted a video of the unique creation that has been viewed and shared by his followers.
In the past, he said he has also created chalk and pencil sketches of Sheikh Hamdan, as well as a one-dirham coin painting of the Crown Prince.
