Landmarks bearing the names of the Emirates and Kuwait and their leaders… civilizational bridges that reflect fraternal and historical ties

The relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait embody a unique model of brotherhood based on mutual respect and integration in various fields. These relations were not limited to political and economic frameworks, but rather extended to be evident in the urban and cultural landscape, through naming the names of the two countries and their leaders on many prominent establishments and landmarks.

The significance of these designations is not limited only to their symbolic dimension, but rather represents a continuous message that reflects the strength of relations between the Emirates and Kuwait, and confirms that the ties between the two countries and their leadership have become part of the urban landscape and the daily memory of society.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Road is considered one of the most important vital roads in Kuwait, as it is more than 30.3 kilometers long. It starts from Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, adjacent to the Salmiya area, and ends at its intersection with Al Jahra Road.

The late Emir of Kuwait, the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, directed in 2013 to change the name of the Fifth Ring Road to bear the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, in honor of his multiple positions with the State of Kuwait in particular and the Arab world and the Islamic world in general.

This initiative came in appreciation and gratitude for the role of the late Sheikh Zayed, especially his steadfast support for the State of Kuwait during the ordeal of the Iraqi invasion in 1990, which reflects the strength of historical ties and the unity of destiny between the two countries, and embodies the UAE’s commitment to international law, legitimacy, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Within the framework of fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries, the United Arab Emirates took the initiative, before the Iraqi invasion of the State of Kuwait, to establish the “Sheikh Zayed Park” project in Kuwait, and its implementation began in 1989, by sending a specialized Emirati team to design the site and determine the types and numbers of appropriate trees. 28 thousand forest trees of the varieties of Sidr, Salam, Acacia, Bahraini almonds, arak, olives, and others were planted.

The project extends over an area of ​​1,760 million square metres, and was established to achieve environmental goals, namely preserving biodiversity and wildlife including birds, animals and wild plants.

The project provides distinguished services to the public, by providing centers for cultural studies within the project site, which complement the role of educational institutions, in addition to providing recreational and entertainment services, and allocating places to set up camps.

There are many landmarks in the Emirate of Dubai that bear the name of Kuwait and its leaders. Based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, the Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced in 2019 the renaming of Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai to Kuwait Hospital, in accordance with Ministerial Resolution No. 16 of 2019.

The naming came in appreciation of the historical role played by the hospital, since it was opened by the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God have mercy on him, in the presence of the late Emir of Kuwait, the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, in 1966.

The name “Kuwait” was also given to the street extending from “Zabeel” Street to “Al Mina” Street, passing through the areas of Al Karama, Al Mankhool, and Al Raffa in the Emirate of Dubai.

In 2021, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also ordered that Al-Mankhool Street, one of the most important vital streets in Dubai, be named after Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in memory of the late Emir, and in appreciation of the great humanitarian role of the late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and the remarkable efforts he made in supporting the process of joint Gulf action and supporting the issues of the Arab and Islamic nations, coinciding with the sister State of Kuwait’s celebration of National Day. Sixtieth, which falls on February 25 of every year.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Street (formerly Al-Mankhool) is located in the Bur Dubai area, with a length of four kilometers, and extends from “Al-Seef” Street to “2nd of December” Street, which extends from the Dubai World Trade Center roundabout, through Al-Satwa Roundabout to “Etihad” Intersection, leading to the Etihad Museum.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Street is connected to Kuwait Street, and includes many tourist, urban and heritage landmarks such as Al-Seef, Al-Hudaiba, Al-Hamriyah, Al-Jafiliya, Al-Mankhool, Al-Raffa and the Grand Souq, in addition to the historic Al-Fahidi neighborhood and the Ruler’s Court, most of which overlook the Dubai Creek.

The “Kuwait Square” memorial in Sharjah remains a living symbol of the fraternal relationship between the UAE and Kuwait, as it was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in 1990. The square is considered one of the most lively and active squares, as some of the main streets intersect with it.

The total area of this square is 15,400 square metres, and it consists of two artistic panels made of reinforced concrete. The first represents Kuwait’s past, and includes a group of artistic pieces of ancient dwellings and castles, with copper plates affixed to them on both sides, including inscriptions that tell the heritage of ancient Kuwait. The second painting represents Kuwait’s present, and they are artistic pieces for Kuwait’s tourist towers. On both sides are affixed copper plates containing inscriptions of modern architecture, petroleum industries, and modern tankers. In Kuwait.

In the middle of the two paintings is a model of a sailboat “Al-Owl”, six meters long, and eight meters high with its sails. This boat is located in the middle of a pool of water. As for the side panel of the monument, which is four distinct and integrated artistic panels, it tells with symbols and evidence the story of Kuwait throughout the course of its long history.

There is also Kuwait Hospital in Sharjah, affiliated with the Emirates Health Services Corporation, where the hospital was built as a chest diseases center in 1968, then it was converted into a general hospital to include all medical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, in addition to pediatrics in 1984.

The name “Kuwait” was also given to a prominent street in the Al Nuaimiya area in Ajman, making it one of the most important streets in the emirate.

In 2020, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al-Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, ordered changing the name of Umm Al Quwain Corniche Street to “Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah” Street, in view of the great services he provided to his country, the sisterly State of Kuwait, and the entire world.

This also comes from the great role played by the late great man before the establishment of the United Arab Emirates Union and his direct follow-up to many of the development initiatives of the State of Kuwait in the region. The late Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad also continued to strengthen the strong fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the sisterly State of Kuwait through the various positions he held, which culminated in the distinguished relations that the two countries reached during his reign until his death, may God have mercy on him.