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palace, which was the meeting place for people from other countries. The gathering hall was
only for the Al Maktoum family. We also saw the personal office of the prime minister and the
old logo of Dubai.

Large scale calligraphic installations, by the calligrapher Wissam Shawkat, was seen
throughout the Museum. In the entrance to the museum galleries, there was a large painting by
the famous Emirati artist, Abdul Qader Al Rais. Created especially for the Ethihad Museum, this
magnificient artwork presented an image or map of the UAE. The colors were inspired by the
natural landscape and environment, representing the desert, the sea and the mountains as well

as the names of the Emirates and the founding fathers. There was a repeating diamond shape
motif hidden in the painting. This is a characteristic feature of Abdul Qader Al Rais’ artworks,
which appeared again on the walls at the very end of the gallery