#ZayedAndRashid: Dubai unveils 82 metre tribute honouring UAE Founding Fathers’ vision
New installation at Dubai Frame marks National Month with striking ground portrait tribute
DUBAI – Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has partnered with Dubai Municipality to unveil a captivating ground installation featuring a joint portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The initiative aligns with this year’s National Month celebrations and supports the second edition of the #ZayedAndRashid campaign, launched under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
Designed to be visible from above, the artwork stands as a powerful visual tribute to the nation’s Founding Fathers and their shared vision for unity and progress.
Tribute to UAE Founding Fathers
Located at the roundabout opposite Dubai Frame, close to the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Road and Zabeel Park, the installation spans an impressive 82 metres in diameter. Featuring a joint portrait made using multi-coloured gravel, the artwork enhances the city’s visual landscape while reflecting national identity and pride. It has been strategically positioned to symbolise the connection between historical roots and modern achievements, embodying the founders' legacy of determination and ambition.
Badr Anwahi, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasized the significance of the project as part of the Municipality’s efforts to enrich Dubai’s visual identity and reinforce national messages across public spaces during National Month. He said the artwork reflects values of unity, loyalty and belonging, deeply rooted in the legacy of Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid. The site selection, opposite the Dubai Frame, aims to echo the link between past and present, reminding future generations that the UAE was built on visionary leadership and unwavering resolve.
Creative expression
The artwork was carefully executed using multi-coloured gravel placed over a specialised insulating layer to ensure long-term stability, precision, and clarity of detail. Visible from above, the composition serves as a national artwork that evokes the spirit of the Union while paying homage to the UAE’s heritage and civilised stature. It also enhances the area’s aesthetics, turning public space into an open-air creative canvas designed to enrich the celebratory atmosphere marking this important national occasion.
Anwahi added that the project blends artistic creativity with national sentiment, presenting an expressive tribute that mirrors the Founding Fathers’ values of progress, unity, and pride. The installation demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to translating national values into meaningful public art.
#ZayedAndRashid
Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, highlighted the importance of the partnership with Dubai Municipality in shaping Dubai’s urban identity and enhancing its global reputation. She said the #ZayedAndRashid campaign, now in its second year, is a key feature of the National Month celebrations. Its purpose is to celebrate the legacy of the two leaders whose wisdom and ambition laid the foundation for the UAE’s remarkable development journey.
Amina Taher, Member of the #ZayedAndRashid campaign’s organising committee, said the initiative aims to inspire communities to draw from the founders’ values and apply them to daily life. She noted that the nation’s achievements over five decades reflect the enduring strength of the UAE’s nation-building model. The installation near Dubai Frame serves as a reminder of their lasting influence, inspiring future generations to carry forward their legacy.