He also formally opened the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping and entertainment centre in the world.

The large crowd at the water promenade of the mall cheered on as the water spectacle, believed to be the tallest performing fountain in the world, rose higher and higher amid hues of red, blue and yellow.

The emirate now shines a beacon with a beam of light shimmering upward from the fountain seen from 20 miles away. This is believed to be visible from space — making it the brightest spot in the Middle East.

Set on the impressive 30-acre Burj Dubai Lake, it performed to the melody of an Emirati song — Sama Dubai as a tribute to Shaikh Mohammed. Visitors and government officials watched in awe as the fountain, whose water jets can reach 50 storeys high, stole the limelight.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, according to a press release, said the opening ceremony with the special performance of Sama Dubai was Emaar’s tribute to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“His Highness inspired us to think bigger and better, and today, we are fulfilling his vision of growth for Dubai. The formal opening of the mall will continue to energise the retail and tourism sector of Dubai, and now, with the unveiling of The Dubai Fountain, we are also adding to the tourist attractions of the city,” he said.

Shaikh Mohammed toured the Dubai Mall before unveiling the fountain.

The residents, who had gathered for the opening, rushed to keep pace with him as he visited the mall’s Aquarium, the Underwater Zoo, the Ice Rink and the Gold Souk. Mall security had to cope with a huge turnout for the inauguration.

The mall, which has been open to visitors since November last, also boasts of an extensive array of leisure attractions. It aspires to be the fashion capital of the region. Later this year, the mall will open the region’s first KidZania® — an innovative children’s edutainment concept, SEGA Republic — a high adrenaline indoor theme park and the 22-screen Reel Cinema.

The Dubai Fountain will perform daily, with the performance repertoire including Sama Dubai, Baba Yetu, an award-winning song in Swahili, the Arab world’s top-selling dance number Shik Shak Shok and the signature piece of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, Con te partiro (Time to Say Goodbye).

The fountain has been designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.

TALL MALL FACTS

• Area - 12 million sq ft
• Total retail outlets – 1,200
• Car spaces – 14,000
• Food courts – 2
• Seating capacity in food courts – 3000
• Fashion Avenue - 440,000 sq ft
• Signature global fashion brands at the Fashion Avenue - 70
• Gold Souk – 200 stores

Fun spots

• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Dubai Ice-Rink, The Waterfall, The Grove, KidZania®, Sega Republic, Reel Cinema

FOUNTAIN FACTS

• Location - In the 30-acre Burj Dubai Lake
• Height – 900 feet
• Design – Five circles and two arcs
• Beam of light – spotted from 20 miles
• Water sprays – Over 500 feet or equivalent to 50-storey building
• Water expressions - 1,000
• Lights – 6,600 Wet Superlights
• Shooters – 3
• Colour projectors – 25