UAE reaches – again – for the sky with world’s biggest gate

The United Arab Emirates is already home to the world’s tallest tower, and the highest residential building, but it is eying another record with plans to erect the world’s biggest gate in its capital, local media reported Tuesday.

The National newspaper reported the construction of the 25-meter-tall gate had been approved by Guinness World Records, and would be home to a printed encyclopedia and a specially commissioned operetta. The project will launch on December 2, UAE’s National Day, it said.

The gate, which will reportedly be dedicated to the country’s President, Sheikh Khalifa, is part of Sultan Bin Zayed’s Culture and Media Center’s “The Khalifa in World Languages” project.

Habib al-Sayegh, director general of the center, told The National that the gate would be a sign of the love the president has for his nation and the people of the world, who in return would express their love and loyalty by printing Sheikh Khalifa's name on the gate in all the languages of the world.

The encyclopedia will have flags of all the countries in the world and more than 250 translations of the Sheikh Khalifa’s name, it reported, and a biography of the president in many languages and a history of the UAE will be included on the gate’s website.

As for the operetta, it will reportedly be organized by the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, and will be performed by members of the community.

The UAE currently holds 102 records, according to Guiness World Records, including the world’s most expensively dressed Christmas tree and world’s biggest kebab. The UAE has attracted the Guinness World Records to open an office in the Gulf country next year.