Shaily Kalra

Dubai: Al Faris (The Knight) is an epical and formidable musical play inflamed by the poems of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Emir of Dubai. He is a great poet and a living legend.

The play Al Faris (The Knight), opened at Rashid hall in the Dubai World Trade centre on 7 January and the show will go on till 9 January. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed  was present at the grand opening.

Also present on this occasion were Sheikha Al-Jalila Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum; several ministers; director generals of government departments; and senior officials.

Al Faris featured verses from 30 poems selected from 150 poems composed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Al Faris is produced by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai, Media office ( GDMO) in collaboration with Rahbani Productions.

On this occasion, Shaikh Mohammed laid emphasis on the importance of creative expression and constructive innovation. This, he said, would directly contribute to the development of the nation.

Mona Al Marri, the Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office(GDMO), said the play gives a message of peace from Dubai to the entire world.

A team of most talented Emarities performed at the grand stage along with 800 actors, actresses, dancers, musicians, and vocalists from 30 countries and leading roles of Faris and his beloved Shomoos were played by the renowned Lebanese theatre actor Ghassan Saliba and popular Emirati singer Balquees Fathi.

More than 2000 people attended the grand opening ceremony.