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74-698: The Dubai World Cup was created in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who owns Darley Stud & Godolphin Racing , one of the world's leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations. It is held on the last Saturday in March as the final race of the Dubai World Cup Night . It is a Group 1 flat race on dirt over

148-644: A global city , as well as the launch of a number of government-owned enterprises including Emirates Airline , DP World , and the Jumeirah Group . Some of these are held by Dubai Holding . Mohammed has overseen the development of certain projects in Dubai , such as the Palm Islands and the Burj Al Arab hotel, as well as Burj Khalifa , the tallest building in the world as of 2024. Mohammed

222-455: A trainer : The 25th edition of the race was scheduled to take place on 28 March 2020. On 12 March, it was announced that the race would go ahead as planned, but with no spectators in attendance, due to the COVID-19 pandemic . However, on 22 March, a further statement was released, announcing that the race had been cancelled, and that the 25th anniversary celebrations would be postponed until

296-553: A decree banning the imprisonment of journalists following an incident in which local journalists were accused of libel and sentenced to jail terms. The Palm Islands were developed by Nakheel Properties , which Mohammed founded. The Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives is a charitable foundation which consolidates the work of some 33 charitable foundations, entities and initiatives which, together, implement more than 1,400 development programs, including

370-507: A distance of 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs ). It is open for Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred four-year-olds & up and for Southern Hemisphere Thoroughbred three-year-olds & up. Since its 2019 running, the race has carried a purse of $ 12 million, regaining its place as the world's richest horse race, a record held by the Pegasus World Cup in 2017 and 2018. It was held at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse before 2009. In 2010,

444-637: A documentary featuring Latifa's video messages that she made secretly under enforced detention in Dubai on her father's orders. Mohammed is an equestrian and is the founder of the Maktoum family -owned Godolphin stable and the owner of Darley , a thoroughbred breeding operation, operational in six countries. In 2012, he rode the horse Madji Du Pont 160 km to take the FEI World Endurance Championship. Sheikh Mohammed

518-534: A foundation, the builders drove 230 40-metre-long (130 ft) concrete piles into the sand by drilling method. Engineers created a ground surface layer of large rocks, which is circled with a concrete honeycomb pattern, which serves to protect the foundation from erosion. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, while it took fewer than three years to construct the building itself. The building contains over 70,000 m (92,000 cu yd) of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel, one of which are for

592-679: A major split with leading trainer Henry Cecil after a disagreement over racing a horse Mohammed insisted was injured. Cecil took the argument public and Mohammed removed all his horses from Cecil's stable. Godolphin 's first win, Balanchine taking the Oaks at Epsom Downs , England, in 1994, was to mark the beginning of a winning streak with horses such as Lammtarra , Daylami , Fantastic Light , Street Cry , Sulamani , Dubawi , and Ramonti among them. Dubai Millennium , said to be Mohammed's favourite, won nine of his ten starts before succumbing to injury followed by grass sickness in 2001. In 1996,

666-679: A massive atrium. The setting of a high rise building on saturated soil and the novelty of the project required groundbreaking dynamic analysis and design to take into consideration soil-structure interaction, effect of water, high winds, and helipad among other loads, to help finalize the design and take the project into construction. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts , now renamed Concor and Al Habtoor Engineering. The interior designs were led and created by Khuan Chew and John Coralan of KCA international and delivered by UAE based Depa Group . The building opened on 1 December 1999. The hotel's helipad

740-619: A number of assets including logistics company, DP World , property developer Nakheel Properties , and investment company Istithmar World . With more than 50,000 employees in over 100 cities around the globe, the Group has real estate, logistics and other business investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. The company is owned by the government of Dubai . Sheikh Mohammed's personal corporate portfolio

814-481: A public vote, as the name would "send a message of optimism to millions of young Arabs," since "Arab civilisation once played a great role in contributing to human knowledge, and [would] play that role again." Mohammed announced that the Hope mission had succeeded at orbit insertion on 9 February 2021, and shared the first picture the probe had captured days later. Hope became the first Arab mission to space, as well as

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888-408: A screen for illumination at night. The design and construction were managed by Canadian engineer Rick Gregory, also of WS Atkins. The Burj Al Arab's interior is by British-Chinese designer Khuan Chew. Construction of the island began in 1994 and involved up to 2,000 construction workers during peak construction. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in

962-402: A seven-star hotel. In the words of a Jumeirah Group spokesperson: "There's not a lot we can do to stop it. We're not encouraging the use of the term. We've never used it in our advertising." Burj Al Arab has attracted criticism as well "a contradiction of sorts, considering how well-designed and impressive the construction ultimately proves to be." The contradiction here seems to be related to

1036-416: A spirit of tolerance across the community, building a cohesive society, strengthening the UAE's standing and position as a model of tolerance, as well as renouncing extremism and all forms of discrimination among people on the basis of religion, sex, race, color or language, in addition to honoring all entities and institutions contributing to the promotion of tolerance and open, interfaith dialogue. Mohammed

1110-507: A technology hub and free trade zone. Offering companies long leases, full ownership, and fast access to government services, DIC grew from its first tenants in October 2000, to a current zone employing about 15,000 people. In November 2000, it was joined by Dubai Media City , a content and media production-free zone, which is co-located with DIC. The launch of DIC came with assurances from Mohammed regarding media freedoms. In 2007, he issued

1184-453: Is a major figure in international thoroughbred horse racing and breeding . He owns Darley Stud , the biggest horse breeding operation in the world with farms in the United States, Ireland, England, and Australia. In 1985 he bought the Irish thoroughbred Park Appeal for an undisclosed sum at the end of her second season. She went on to produce at least nine winners from twelve foals and

1258-504: Is about 18 cm (7.1 in) thick. The Burj Al Arab is a seven-star hotel, the highest official ranking. While the hotel is sometimes erroneously described as "the world's only 'seven-star' hotel", the hotel management claims never to have done that themselves. The term appeared due to a British journalist who had visited the hotel on a tour before the hotel was officially opened. The journalist described Burj al Arab as "more than anything she has ever seen" and therefore referred to it as

1332-495: Is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge . The shape of the structure is designed to resemble the sail of a dhow . It has a helipad near the roof, at a height of 210 m (689 ft) above ground. As of 2022 (post-COVID), the 25th floor, which once housed two 100,000 AED/night royal suites, has been converted to a museum. One royal suite has been preserved to retain its original furnishings. The other royal suite has been gutted and replaced by exhibitions about

1406-476: Is listed at number 12 on World's 15 most expensive hotel suites compiled by CNN Go in 2012. The Burj Al Arab is very popular with the Chinese market, which made up 25 percent of all bookings at the hotel in 2011 and 2012. The hotel provides many services including shuttle service with a variety of luxury vehicles like Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini . The hotel has golf carts that assists guests to and from

1480-581: Is prohibited. Scholars characterize the UAE as authoritarian. According to human rights organizations, there are systematic human rights violations , including the torture and forced disappearance of government critics. There is a blurred line between the assets of the state of Dubai and those of the Al Maktoum ruling family. Mohammed issued a law in 2006 to form the Dubai Establishment for Women Development, renamed by law in 2009 as

1554-417: Is supported by a full cantilever that extends 27 m (89 ft) from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator. Al Mahara ("Oyster"), which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium , holding roughly 990,000 L (260,000 US gal) of water. The wall of the tank, made of acrylic glass in order to withstand the water pressure,

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1628-490: Is the Dubai Holding Group, which is involved in a variety of investments. Dubai Holding benefits from its association with the ruling family of Dubai , and is given free land by the Dubai government. Mohammed was responsible for the launch of Emirates Airline . Through the 1970s, as well as his role as head of Dubai Defence Force and UAE Minister of Defence, Mohammed oversaw Dubai's energy resources and

1702-619: Is the absolute ruler of Dubai and the prime minister of the UAE, a position appointed by the president . The government is autocratic . On 5 March 2020, a British court ruled that on the balance of probabilities , Mohammed had abducted two of his daughters, Shamsa and Latifa , and had threatened his former wife, the Jordanian princess Haya bint Hussein . Allegedly, Shamsa and Latifa were forcibly medicated while held in Dubai under Mohammed's orders since 2000 and 2018, respectively. On 16 February 2021, BBC 's Panorama broadcast

1776-886: Is the ancestor of many successful horses. Mohammed had raced horses as a child (he would share his breakfast with his horse on the way to school) but he attended his first formal race at Newmarket in 1967 with his brother Hamdan, watching Royal Palace win the 2,000 guineas . Becoming an owner in his own right, ten years later he won his first race with Hatta at Brighton. And five years after that, Mohammed and Hamdan had three studs and 100 horses under training. In late 1981, Mohammed purchased Gainsborough Stud at Woolton Hill , near Newbury , Berkshire, United Kingdom. He owns Ballysheehan Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland; as well as Gainsborough Farm Inc. in Versailles, Kentucky , United States. His racing operations include

1850-720: Is the third of four sons of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum , ruler of Dubai . The Al Maktoum family is Dubai 's ruling family and descendants of the House of Al-Falasi , of which Mohammed is the tribal leader. His mother was Sheikha Latifa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, daughter of former ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan . He grew up in a house without electricity. A hundred people or more lived there, including guards and maids. From

1924-563: The 2006 Preakness Stakes with Bernardini in the US. In 2008, he bought the Woodlands Stud empire for more than $ 460 million. The same year, he nearly bought out Charlton Athletic but he later turned down. At the age of 63, Mohammed won the 2012 World Endurance Championship over a 160 km course. Both his thoroughbreds and endurance horses have failed drug tests – although his trainers (including Mahmood Al Zarooni ) have accepted

1998-548: The 2018 Melbourne Cup . An early 2000s British police investigation of allegations, made by a former riding instructor about the attempted escape of Mohammed's daughter Latifa (born 1985) from her family estate in England and the subsequent kidnapping on a street in Cambridge of Latifa's sister Shamsa in 2001, was inconclusive. On 11 March 2018, a video was released of Sheikha Latifa after her failed attempt to flee

2072-467: The Chicago Bridge & Iron Company , which at one time welded giant floating oil storage tanks, known locally as Kazzans , on the site. The Burj Al Arab was designed by the multidisciplinary consultancy Atkins , led by architect Tom Wright of WKA . He came up with the iconic design and signature translucent fiberglass facade that serves as a shield from the desert sun during the day and as

2146-723: The Dubai Women's Establishment . He also formed the UAE Gender Balance Council in 2015. On 19 October 2020, Mohammed led the UAE Council of Ministers meeting that ratified a peace agreement with Israel , normalizing diplomatic relationships between the countries. The Council, again headed by Mohammed, approved the decision to found an Emirati embassy in Tel Aviv in January, and Mohammed swore in

2220-799: The Dubai World Cup was inaugurated as the world's richest horserace, drawing the legendary American dirt track horse Cigar to race in Dubai. Today, held at the Meydan Racecourse , the race meeting carries a prize of $ 27 million. In the UK, Mohammed's horses have won Group One races including several of the British Classic Races . His horses have also won the Irish Derby Stakes , the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and,

2294-960: The Essalaam Mosque in Rotterdam , the Netherlands. In June 2017, two new initiatives were added to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives , within the "Empowering Communities" sector, namely the International Institute for Tolerance and the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Tolerance. In this respect, Sheikh Mohammed issued Law No. (9) of 2017 on the Establishment of the International Institute for Tolerance and Decree No. (23) of 2017 on

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2368-619: The Jumeirah Beach Hotel , the first property managed by Jumeirah , the hotel management company launched by Mohammed in 1997 and headed by ex-Trust House Forte executive Gerald Lawless. While work began on both hotels at the same time, the island to house the Burj Al Arab required three years to build before construction began above ground. Jumeirah 's international expansion, driven after it became part of Dubai Holding in 2004, encompasses 22 hotels in ten countries. On 29 October 1999, Mohammed announced Dubai Internet City ,

2442-467: The Jumeirah Group . The hotel has 199 exclusive suites each allocated eight dedicated staff members and a 24-hour butler service. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 m (1,820 sq ft), the largest covers 780 m (8,400 sq ft). Suites feature design details that juxtapose east and west. White columns show great influence. Bathrooms are accented by mosaic tile patterns. The Royal Suite, billed at US$ 24,000 per night,

2516-780: The Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot , passing out with the sword of honour as the top Commonwealth student. He also travelled to Italy to train as a pilot. On Mohammed's return from military training to Dubai, his father appointed him as the head of the Dubai Police Force and the Dubai Defence Force (which later became a part of the Union Defence Force ) when he was only 20 years old. In January 1968, Mohammed

2590-522: The Rose Rayhaan , also in Dubai, is 333 metres (1,093 ft) tall, 12 m (39 ft) taller than the Burj Al Arab, which is 321 metres (1,053 ft) tall. The Burj Al Arab’s helipad, located 210 meters above ground, has been the site of several high-profile events, including a tennis match between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, and stunts by Red Bull athletes. The hotel is managed by

2664-658: The Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). The Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (previously the Dubai School of Government) is an academic and research institution in the area of public policy and administration. Mohammed made a grant of 600 houses to Gaza following the 2008–2009 Gaza war . In 2000, Mohammed donated €4 million for the construction of

2738-540: The Union Defence Force and Sheikh Saqr's forces – mostly Egyptian mercenaries who had entered the UAE through Ras Al Khaimah – Mohammed accepted Saqr's surrender. Sheikh Khalid had been killed in the action, leading to the accession of his brother Sultan as ruler of Sharjah. Mohammed delivered Saqr to UAE president Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who put Saqr under house arrest in Al Ain . In 1973, Mohammed

2812-630: The 2021 running. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ( Arabic : محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم , romanized :  Muḥammad bin Rāšid Āl Maktūm ; born 15 July 1949) is an Emirati politician and royal who is the current ruler of Dubai , and serves as the vice president and prime minister of the UAE . Mohammed succeeded his brother Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum as UAE vice president, UAE prime minister, and ruler of Dubai following

2886-472: The BBC shows Latifa saying she has been "a hostage" for over a year "with no access to medical help" in " solitary confinement " without access to medical or legal help in a "villa jail" with windows and doors barred shut, and guarded by police. The governments of Dubai and the UAE have not responded to requests for comment from the BBC. Despite her family's insistence that she has been enjoying time with them at home

2960-467: The Burj Al Arab, where the spy protagonist Cono 7Q discovers that through deadly betrayal his spy nemesis Katerina has maneuvered herself into the top echelon of the government of Kazakhstan . The hotel can also be seen in Syriana and also some Bollywood movies. Richard Hammond included the building in his television series, Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections . The Burj Al Arab serves as

3034-613: The Desert to the Stars" was launched from the International Space Station (ISS) through Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi . Mohammed has overseen the creation and growth of a number of businesses and economic assets of Dubai, with a number held by two companies under his ownership, Dubai World and Dubai Holding . According to the laws of Dubai, the ruling family owns all undeveloped land in Dubai, which has allowed

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3108-488: The Dubai World Cup was first held at the new Meydan Racecourse on March 27, on all-weather surface known as Tapeta. However, it was held as dirt race again in 2015 due to the high maintenance cost and being an unpopular condition among American participants. The race's first winner was the future United States Hall of Fame Thoroughbred Cigar , owned by Allen E. Paulson . A plaque honoring that horse hangs outside

3182-543: The Formation of a Board of Trustees and Decree No. (28) of 2017 on the Appointment of a Managing Director for the International Institute for Tolerance. In this respect, Law No. (9) of 2017 includes the launch of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Tolerance, administered in accordance with the provisions and statute of said Law. Hence, the establishment of the International Institute for Tolerance aims at instilling

3256-491: The UAE and subsequent disappearance, in which she claimed she was fleeing from her family, made allegations of abuse, and said her father was responsible for a number of murders, including the murder of his deceased older brother's wife. The escape attempt was the focus of a documentary by Australian broadcaster Nine News as well as BBC Newsnight investigation. In December 2018, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson , after meeting Latifa in

3330-730: The age of 22. A period of uncertainty and instability followed the Union of the United Arab Emirates, including skirmishes between tribes over property, straddling new borders. On 24 January 1972, the exiled former ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah , Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi , led an insurrectionist coup against his successor, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi . Following a spirited firefight between

3404-669: The age of four, Mohammed was privately tutored in Arabic and Islamic Studies . In 1955, he began formal education at Al Ahmedia School. At the age of 10, he moved to Al Shaab School, and two years later, attended Dubai Secondary School. In 1966, with his cousin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum , he attended the Bell Educational Trust 's English Language School in the United Kingdom. He subsequently studied at

3478-404: The balance of their hostages and handed over the plane in return for safe passage. In 1977, Mohammed oversaw the integration of Dubai's military forces with those of the other emirates . On 3 January 1995, Mohammed's brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum , ruler of Dubai , signed two decrees. One decree appointed Mohammed as crown prince and the other appointed their brother Hamdan as

3552-402: The barn of Bill Mott at Belmont Park. In 2006 the Dubai World Cup was broadcast live on TVG Network and HRTV and taped later for showing on ABC . It was the first time that the race was shown on national TV in the United States. The 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Speed record: Most wins: Most wins by an owner: Most wins by a jockey : Most wins by

3626-539: The beach. The carts also carry the guests throughout the Jumeirah beach consisting of Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Al Naseem,Al Qasr and Souk Madinat. The hotel also hosts many events in the ballroom called Al Falak managed by the Burj Al Arab event team. The events are high-end and employs more than 50-70 staff per event according to the size of the event. There is also an open event space called the Marina Garden where

3700-531: The blame. His endurance racing stable has also been involved in other scandals, including both fatal injuries, and ringers. In 2015, the FEI suspended the United Arab Emirates following a series of scandals. In the 15th Asian Games in 2006 , the sheikh's eldest son, Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum , took the individual gold in endurance riding . Mohammed's sons Rashid, Ahmed, Majid, and Hamdan took

3774-441: The building’s construction, engineering and architectural design. The beachfront area where Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously called Chicago Beach . The hotel is located on an island of reclaimed land , 280 m (920 ft) offshore of the beach of the former Chicago Beach Hotel . The former hotel was demolished during the construction of the Burj Al Arab. The locale's name had its origins in

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3848-503: The cover image for the 2009 album Ocean Eyes by Owl City . The Burj Al Arab was the site of the last task of the fifth episode of the first season of the Chinese edition of The Amazing Race , where teams had to clean up a room to the hotel's standards. The building is featured in Matthew Reilly's novel The Six Sacred Stones , where a kamikaze pilot crashes a plane into the hotel, destroying it in an attempt to kill

3922-620: The death of his brother Maktoum. The following day, the Federal National Council selected him as the new vice president of the UAE . On 11 February, the Council approved President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan 's nomination of Sheikh Mohammed for prime minister. Mohammed is the absolute monarch of Dubai. The government is described as autocratic , as there are no democratic institutions, and internal dissent

3996-578: The deputy ruler of Dubai. Mohammed created the Dubai Shopping Festival in late 1995, an annual event that has become a significant contributor to the economy of the UAE . In 2001, Mohammed ordered the arrest of Obaid Saqr bin-Busit, the head of Dubai Customs and the chairman of the World Customs Association. After roughly a decade of de facto rule, Mohammed became the ruler of Dubai on 4 January 2006, upon

4070-422: The family to prosper from real estate development. During Mohammed's rule, Dubai has seen enormous population growth, causing a real estate boom in Dubai. The boom was in part facilitated by Sheikh Mohammed's 2002 decree that foreigners would be allowed to purchase property in Dubai. Mohammed established Dubai World by decree, leading to the company's launch on 2 July 2006, as a holding company consolidating

4144-532: The first Emirati ambassador to Israel, Mahmoud Al Khajah, a month later. Mohammed founded the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in 2015, which announced it would be launching a spacecraft to Mars to study the planet’s atmosphere; He stated that the planet was chosen for its "epic challenge," saying it would benefit the Emirati economy . He announced that the mission would be called Hope after

4218-447: The first of three missions in July 2020—the others from the United States and China–to arrive at Mars. In 2020, Mohammed announced a second mission, this one to the moon. The Emirates Lunar Mission used a lunar rover named Rashid , reportedly built entirely in the UAE. It was launched on 11 December 2022 on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. In a historic first, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s book titled "The Journey From

4292-452: The hotel's decor. "This extraordinary investment in state-of-the-art construction technology stretches the limits of the ambitious urban imagination in an exercise that is largely due to the power of excessive wealth." Another critic includes negative critiques for the city of Dubai as well: "both the hotel and the city, after all, are monuments to the triumph of money over practicality. Both elevate style over substance." Yet another: "Emulating

4366-412: The largest aeroplane order in history, with $ 99 billion combined orders with Airbus for its A380 and Boeing for its 777X . The Burj Al Arab was inaugurated in December 1999. The hotel, constructed from a design by WS Atkins in response to a brief from Mohammed to create "a truly iconic" building, styles itself as "the world's most luxurious hotel". It was constructed on an island offshore from

4440-400: The latter's death in 2006. A billionaire, Mohammed generates most of his income from real estate and is described as "one of the world's most prominent real estate developers". There is a blurred line between the assets of the government of Dubai and those of the ruling Al Maktoum family . Land which is owned by him is managed as an asset of the state. He oversaw the growth of Dubai into

4514-424: The new company. A further $ 75 million in facilities and materials was provided, but Emirates has always maintained that it has received no further subsidies throughout the company's meteoric growth to become one of the world's leading airlines. In 1989, Mohammed inaugurated the first Dubai Airshow . In 2013, the exhibition had grown to over 1,000 exhibiting companies, and was the venue for Emirates ' placement of

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4588-428: The ownership of Darley Stables and he is the leading partner in his family's Godolphin Stables . Mohammed hosts the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse . By 1992, Mohammed had started 'wintering' his horses in Dubai, frequently against the advice of trainers and pundits in the UK. The results were a string of high-profile wins, and by 1994 he founded Godolphin . In 1995, his hands-on approach to racing resulted in

4662-439: The past two years, Latifa says in the series of videos released by her advocates that she is "a hostage" and fears for her life. "Every day, I'm worried about my safety in my life. I don't really know if I'm going to survive this situation." "The police threaten me that they would take me outside and shoot me if I didn't cooperate with them," she said. "They also threatened me that I would be in prison my whole life and I'll never see

4736-453: The presence of other family members, said that Latifa was now in the care of her family. Her statement was criticised by human rights groups, who said that Robinson would not have been able to tell in the meeting whether Latifa truly had psychological issues. A spokeswoman for "The Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice" confirmed that Robinson was approached by Latifa's stepmother Princess Haya bint Hussein , an old friend of Robinson's, and

4810-399: The quality of palatial interiors, in an expression of wealth for the mainstream, a theater of opulence is created in Burj Al Arab ... The result is a baroque effect". Several events have taken place in the hotel, in particular on the helipad 210 m (689 ft) above the ground. These include: The last chapter of the espionage novel Performance Anomalies takes place at the top of

4884-448: The skeletal structural frames. Inside the building, the atrium is 180 m (590 ft) tall. Given the height of the building, the Burj Al Arab is the world's fifth tallest hotel after Gevora Hotel , JW Marriott Marquis Dubai , Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur and Rose and Rayhaan by Rotana . But if buildings with mixed use were stripped off the list , the Burj Al Arab would be the world's third tallest hotel. The structure of

4958-443: The sun again." Burj Al Arab The Burj Al Arab ( Arabic : برج العرب , lit.   ' Arab Tower ' ) is a luxury hotel in Dubai , United Arab Emirates . Developed and managed by Jumeirah , it is one of the tallest hotels in the world , although 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island that is 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah Beach and

5032-509: The team gold in endurance riding, his niece Latifa took a bronze in show jumping , and his daughter Maitha led the UAE team in taekwondo . In 2013, when the UAE national football team won the Gulf Cup , Mohammed gave the team 50 million dirhams ($ 13.7 million). His wife awarded the team a further 25 million dirhams ($ 6.8 million), while their grandsons contributed 12 million dirhams ($ 3.3 million). Godolphin's Cross Counter , ridden by Kerrin McEvoy and trained by Charlie Appleby won

5106-408: The team organises award functions, weddings, cocktail reception and many more. The hotel has a helicopter service with a helipad on the magnificent structure of the building. Many events like Art Maze are held up on the helipad. There are six restaurants in the hotel, including: Al Muntaha ("The Ultimate"), is located 200 m (660 ft) above the Persian Gulf , offering a view of Dubai. It

5180-433: Was designed by Irish architect Rebecca Gernon. The helipad is at the building's 28th floor, and the helipad been used as a car race track, a boxing ring, has hosted a tennis match, and the jumping off point for the highest kite surfing jump in history. Several features of the hotel required complex engineering feats to achieve. The hotel rests on an artificial island constructed 280 m (920 ft) offshore. To secure

5254-555: Was in charge of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority . It was in this latter role, in March 1985, that he founded Emirates Airline , tasking then-head of Dnata , Maurice Flanagan , with launching a new airline to be called Emirates after a dispute with Gulf Air over Dubai's ' Open Skies ' policy. The launch budget of the airline was $ 10 million (the amount Flanagan said he needed to launch an airline) and its inaugural flight took place on 25 October 1985. Sheikh Mohammed appointed his uncle Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as chairman of

5328-472: Was involved in protracted negotiations with the hijackers of JAL 404 , led by Japanese Red Army member Osamu Maruouka, which landed in Dubai after being hijacked as it departed Schiphol Airport . Although unsuccessful in obtaining the release of the hostages (they were finally freed, and the 747 blown up, in Libya), he was more successful in a later negotiation with the three hijackers of KLM 861 , who released

5402-464: Was present when his father and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan first met in the desert between Dubai and Abu Dhabi at Argoub El Sedira to agree to the formation of a union of emirates following British notification of intent to withdraw from the Trucial States . When the new country of the United Arab Emirates was founded on 2 December 1971, Mohammed became its first minister of defence at

5476-757: Was requested to go to Dubai by Princess Haya and that Haya paid the fare, less than two weeks after the BBC ran a documentary detailing Latifa's failed escape attempt in March. Robinson admits she was "horribly tricked" when photographs of the private lunch were made public and that both she and Haya had been told of details of Latifa's bipolar disorder , a condition which she does not have. Latifa's cousin Marcus Essabri reported that Latifa's photos with Mary Robinson seem to show Latifa medicated while held in Dubai under her father's orders. She has not been seen in public since. In February 2021, video footage obtained by

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