‘I never expected to meet Sheikh Mohamed’
After completing the daunting task of creating a portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan from shredded banknotes, Khaleej Times artist Emad Eldin Abdel Salam did not expect that it would give him the chance to come face-to-face and shake the hand of the son of the UAE’s Founding Father.
The royal appointment with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, happened on Monday at Qasr Al Bahr (Sea Palace) in Abu Dhabi.
Mohammed Abdullatif Galadari, Director of Galadari Brothers, presented to Sheikh Mohamed a 50cmX70cm objet d’art made out of Dh1 million banknotes, which were taken out of circulation and shredded to bits.
The meeting was a privilege that Emad said he would “cherish forever”.
Before the meeting, Emad said he was nervous and overwhelmed, but he was more astounded after seeing Sheikh Mohamed driving his own car and parking it himself. Emad was stunned with the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s modesty and simplicity.
“Sheikh Mohamed shook our hands and told us that he saw the video produced by Khaleej Times showing how the mosaic was created,” said Emad.
According to Emad, Sheikh Mohamed asked him about the exact place where he grew up in Cairo. “What I found out was, as a great leader, His Highness would really show interest in you, whether you’re big or small. He would listen to you and would never cut you while you were speaking,” Emad shared of his once-in-a-lifetime experience with Sheikh Mohamed.
“In the end, it was a great fulfilment, an honour and privilege to present the masterpiece to the son of the country’s Founding Father,” added Emad, who has been living in Dubai and working at Khaleej Times for 12 years.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com