Monument to honour UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed

The memorial will be inaugurated in 2018

The opening of a monument honouring UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed is set to take place on Monday night at 9.30pm. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A monument honouring UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed will open next year to coincide with the 2018 Year of Zayed, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced on Sunday.

The memorial, which is currently under construction, will be located at the intersection of 1st and 2nd Street alongside the Corniche in the capital and will span an area of 3.3 hectares.

Its centrepiece will be a monumental public artwork surrounded by a public plaza with local landscaping. The nature and design of the art will be revealed during the inauguration of the memorial.

The memorial is intended to be an inspirational destination that takes visitors on a journey that captures the life of Sheikh Zayed, his compassion and humanitarianism, his wisdom and vision for the future, reported state news agency Wam.

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"It is our duty as a nation, and our future generation's obligation, to recognise and remember Sheikh Zayed as a symbol of humanity and unity for generations on end," said Ahmed Al Zaabi, Deputy Prime Minister for Presidential Affairs.

"This memorial is a strong testament to Sheikh Zayed's legacy, and as per the directives of the wise leadership, is an affirmative recognition of the founding ruler's pioneering leadership that created a clear roadmap to build and strengthen our nation."