World's biggest gate to open for President

ABU DHABI // The emirate is hoping to mark the UAE's 41st National Day with yet another entry into the record books: the world's biggest gate.

The Khalifa in World Languages project, carried out by the Sultan Bin Zayed's Culture and Media Centre, will be launched on December 2 and dedicated to the President, Sheikh Khalifa.

Featuring the 25-metre-tall gate, it will also include a printed encyclopaedia, a specially commissioned operetta and a website.

The project aims to highlight the "UAE culture and national identity and showing appreciation to other world cultures".

Habib Al Sayegh, director general of the centre, said the project aimed to "return the national favour" to Sheikh Khalifa.

Work started months ago but was only confirmed yesterday by the state news agency Wam, which reported the project had been approved by Guinness World Records.

Mr Al Sayegh said it would be a sign of the love the President has for his nation and the people of the world, who in return would express their love and loyalty by printing Sheikh Khalifa's name on the gate in all the languages of the world.

Khadija Al Shehhi, the project supervisor, said the location of the gate was still being discussed.
The encyclopaedia will include every world flag and more than 250 translations of the President's name. The website will include a biography of Sheikh Khalifa in various languages and a history of the UAE.

The operetta, organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, will be performed by members of the community.
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