ABU DHABI: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah visited Wahat Al-Karama, a memorial to the United Arab Emirates’ fallen heroes, on the second day of his three-day special visit here on Thursday.
His Majesty spent about 30 minutes at the site which was built in 2016 as a permanent tribute and war memorial to honour UAE’s martyred soldiers and other Emiratis who sacrificed their lives for the service of the nation.
The tour began with Al-Sultan Abdullah and Executive Director of the Martyr Office, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnon Alnahyan, inspecting the Guard of Honour which comprised about 20 UAE military personnel.
After handling a wreath placed at the site, Al-Sultan Abdullah observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the fallen heroes.
Sheikh Khalifa then provided a guided tour of the site, explaining the various aspects of the monument, before inviting the Agong to sign the guestbook.
Also present were Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya; Malaysian ambassador to the UAE Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin; and Consul-General in Dubai Datuk Yubazlan Yusof.
The brainchild of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Wahat Al Karama is a 46,000sqm wide monument which is symbolically located between the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces.
It was built using 31 massive aluminium-clad tablets, each leaning on the other, signifying the unity, solidarity and mutual support that bind together the leadership, citizens and servicemen and women of the UAE.
Visit with UAE’s Deputy PM Earlier, Al-Sultan Abdullah received an audience with the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during a closed-door meeting at the Emirates Palace.
Al-Sultan Abdullah arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued prior to the visit by the Foreign Ministry, His Majesty’s trip to the UAE symbolises the warm and close bilateral relations between the two countries.
This is Al-Sultan Abdullah’s maiden visit to the UAE after taking the oath as Malaysia’s 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 31.