Largest portrait of Sheikh Zayed goes up for National Day

Judicial department hangs huge portrait of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan.

The 30 metre by 20 metre portrait is thought to be the largest yet of the founding President of the nation. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

ABU DHABI // Drivers on Al Khaleej Al Arabi are unlikely to miss the new portrait of Sheikh Zayed hanging from the judicial department building.

The 30 metre by 20 metre portrait is thought to be the largest yet of the founding President of the nation.

Passersby yesterday welcomed the huge tribute.

“I was leaving court on Monday and saw them hanging something with a crane,” said Saleem Al Naqbi, 46, an Emirati lawyer.

“It is beautiful and I was very happy when I saw it. One feels optimistic when he sees the spiritual father of the nation.”

Mr Al Naqbi said he would show the portrait to his children so he could get photographs of them standing alongside.

The portrait is part of the judicial department’s National Day celebrations. The department said the portrait “expresses gratitude for the late president, who was behind all the development and blessings for the people of the UAE today”.

On the 39th National Day the judicial department raised UAE flags on two 65-metre tall masts.