When Burj Dubai was renamed to honour UAE’s tallest leader Sheikh Khalifa
India Today
The UAE saw accelerated development under Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ensuring a decent living for the people of the country, according to a report in the Khaleej Times.
The United Arab Emirates’ long-ailing President and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died today at 73 after battling illness for several years. The president of the oil-rich Gulf state, who was rarely seen in public, will likely be replaced by his half-brother, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, already being seen as the UAE's de facto ruler, handling the day-to-day affairs of the state.
Sheikh Khalifa, as the President of the UAE, has presided over major restructurings of both the federal government and the government of Abu Dhabi. The UAE saw accelerated development under him, ensuring a decent living for the people of the country, according to a report in the Khaleej Times.
He steered the development of the oil and gas sector and the downstream industries that have contributed to the country's economic diversification. He undertook extensive tours throughout the UAE to study the needs of the northern Emirates, during which he gave instructions to construct a number of projects related to housing, education and social services.
One project that has truly immortalized this tall leader is the Burj Khalifa. Initially named Burj Dubai, the nomenclature of the world’s tallest and perhaps the most famous building was changed to Burj Khalifa after the President bailed out debt-crippled Dubai during its financial crisis over a decade ago.
Also Read: | UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passes away
Sheikh Khalifa came to Dubai’s rescue when it was hit by the global financial crisis in 2009, and extended a multi-billion-dollar lifeline to the debt-ridden emirate.
In a show of gratitude, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, announced the world's tallest tower - the Burj Khalifa - would be named after the president.
