Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, formally opened on Friday The Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination. The highlight of the opening ceremony was the unveiling of The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain, which performed to the melody of an Emirati song, Sama Dubai. Replicating the graceful movements of Emirati dance forms, the performance of Sama Dubai was a tribute to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The song highlights the world-class vision and leadership qualities of Sheikh Mohammed and celebrates the success of Dubai. The performance of Sama Dubai is unparalleled in the history of fountains - a modern engineering marvel choreographed to the rhythm and beats of an Emirati song. The spectacular opening ceremony, held by the waterfront promenade of The Dubai Mall, was attended by dignitaries and high-ranking officials, and joined by thousands of visitors to the mall, who were treated to a full showcase of the fountain's musical performances. Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties, said that the opening ceremony, with the special performance of Sama Dubai, is Emaar's tribute to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “His Highness inspired us to think bigger and better, and today, we are fulfilling his vision of growth for Dubai.” He added: “The formal opening of the mall will continue to energize the retail and tourism sector of Dubai, and now, with the unveiling of The Dubai Fountain, we are also adding to the tourist attractions of the city.” The Dubai Fountain will now perform daily, with the performance repertoire including Sama Dubai; Baba Yetu, an award-winning song in Swahili; the Arab world's top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok; and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye). Set on the 30-acre Burj Dubai Lake, the fountain shoots water jets as high as 500 ft (150 meters), equivalent to that of a 50-storey building. The fountain is 900 ft (275 meters) long and has five circles of varying sizes and two central arcs. It has been designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. Over 6,600 WET Superlights - the most advanced incandescent large fountain lights available today - and 25 color projectors create a visual spectrum of over 1,000 abstract attractions. The beam of light shining upward from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away, and will be visible from space making it the brightest spot in the Middle East, and quite possibly in the entire world. __
