The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, inaugurated the world’s tallest structure in the heart of the emirate today. The skyscraper, named Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower), stands at over 800 meters, or half a mile high.
REUTERS/Matthias Seifert
The Sheikh gave a short speech before officially opening the 200-story tower. In it, he changed the name of the building from Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa, after the ruler of neighboring emirate, Abu Dhabi, and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
It is possible the structure’s name was changed to thank Al-Nahyan for bailing Dubai out of an $80 billion debt crisis late last year.
Burj Khalifa opened with fireworks fired from the building itself, as well as a lighting show. At the same time, the waters of Dubai Fountain, the world’s largest, danced to traditional Arabic music.
The tower will be mostly residential, with about 37 floors for offices.
Related Posts :
Sheikh Khalifa Re-Elected as UAE President
Dubai Sheikh "Not Worried" About Mounting Debt
Sheikh Mohammed Opens Federal National Council
Sheikh Ahmed Laid to Rest
Dubai Sheikh Lashes Out Over Debt Crisis
Recent Comments