Abu Dhabi health workers make giant Onam floral carpet featuring portrait of Sheikh Mohamed

In a remarkable display of unity and cultural celebration, over 1,000 healthcare professionals from 35 different nationalities converged in Abu Dhabi to create a colossal Onam floral carpet, known as a Pookalam. The centerpiece of this vibrant artwork is a striking portrait of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Installed at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), the massive Pookalam spans an impressive 250 square meters and required nearly 20 hours of dedicated effort from doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. This collaborative creation was a highlight of the hospital's annual Onam festivities, bringing together a diverse workforce in a shared endeavor.

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Resilience in the UAE comes from the confidence we have in our leadership and in each other. This Pookalam reflects our journey, from the values we inherited to the progress we continue to make together.

The design itself is rich with symbolism, paying tribute to the UAE's resilience, unity, and forward-looking progress. It visually represents the nation's journey, moving from its deep-rooted heritage towards a dynamic future. A key element depicts the transition from traditional camel transportation to the modern Etihad Rail, illustrating the UAE's significant development over the years while honoring its past.

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Bringing together more than 1,000 healthcare professionals from 35 nationalities to create it also reflects the unity and shared sense of belonging that make this country special.

Organizers stated that the Pookalam's central message, "The UAE is strong and resilient and emerging stronger," was directly inspired by words of reassurance from President Sheikh Mohamed. Other floral motifs emphasized themes of unity, healing, recovery, and compassion, resonating deeply with the daily work of healthcare professionals. The installation also incorporated BMC's permanent sand pendulum, symbolizing time, continuity, and the country's ongoing advancement.

Ameera Al-Katheri, assistant director of Nursing at BMC, highlighted that the artwork reflects profound confidence in the nation's leadership and the collective strength of its people. Dr. Mujtaba Ali Khan, CEO of BMC, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the Pookalam serves as a tribute to the country's strength and resilience, further underscored by the unity and shared sense of belonging demonstrated by the diverse group of healthcare workers involved.

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In healthcare, resilience is something we witness every day. It is the ability to recover, adapt, and continue with hope. That is why this year's theme has a particularly meaningful connection with our work and with the spirit of Onam.