ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi residents watched the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque light up with intricate designs on the first evening of the iconic location's National Day celebrations.
Floral designs, contrasting colours and Arabian shapes inspired by the country's heritage and culture covered every corner of the mosque as part of a light show to commemorate the country's 40th birthday.
Everybody was dazzled by the intricacy of the designs, which managed to precisely illuminate the mosque up to the tips of every dome and pillar.
"It is just spectacular how they were able to do it so perfectly," said Samah Mohammed. "This show is definitely a one-off. It resembles the country's beauty."
Ms Mohammed described the country's remarkable progress over the past 40 years as "magical".
"It is all because of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Zayed that we were able to make such accomplishments," the Emirati said.
The nine-minute show featured 12 scenes, from pentagonal shapes resembling the Founding President Sheikh Zayed's personal concept for the Mosque, to natural vines of flowers blooming from every corner, representing the renaissance of the country.
The show ended with a scene featuring a display of the moon cycles, which the Islamic calendar follows. The twinkling stars represented what once worked as navigation guides for the Bedouins to determine the direction of prayer, with projections of the Earth rising into the night sky.
Talal Al Mazrouei, the director of events and activities at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center and Ministry of Presidential Affairs, said work began on the show last month.
"The last scene is very important because it shows that the mosque welcomes all cultures and religions around the world," he said. "That is what this light show is about, the country's history and the vision of Sheikh Zayed. We have so many cultures here, but everyone lives together in peace and tolerance, and with respect to one another."
Among the country's major accomplishments, Mr Al Mazrouei said, is providing the community with safety and security.
"Do you lock your door when you leave your house?" he said. "If you don't, it's because of the safety granted through the hard work of our leadership.
"A man once told me that his son said 'I went to a country with many unlocked doors. Beyond those doors lied treasures, which remained untouched. This country is the UAE."
Expatriates also could not help but feel a sense of patriotism, as the mosque was lit up in an array of beautiful colours.
"Establishing themselves as a global force in just 40 years is amazing," said Josh Luukkonen, from the United States.
Marina Kachis, from South Africa, said the patriotism is almost contagious.
"You don't see many countries celebrating the same way the UAE does," she said. "Being part of the celebration makes you feel more patriotic."
Wayne English, also from South Africa, was equally amazed and inspired by the country's spirit.
"Back home, we celebrate everything, whether it's Christmas, Easter, birthdays, etc," he said. "Here, they do it only once - during National Day. There are the religious holidays, but there's a sense of reverence around Eid. National Day is more of a time they go all out."
Both men and women are equally responsible for the country's great progress, said Emirati engineer Hessa Al Khaledi.
"Without Her Highness Sheikha Fatima, Emirati women wouldn't be where they are today. Look around and ask yourself, 'how can a country grow this quickly?'" she said.
"It's because of the vision, ambition and determination of our leadership who always thought about our country first."
The show runs until December 3, from 6.30 until 12.45am at half- hour intervals.
mismail@thenational.ae
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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