Al Majd (Glory)

A journey of ascent, from challenge to goals

Client: Zayed University
Year: 2025
Script: Muhaqqaq
Materials: Steel calligraphy, black granite base
Concept and design: Narjes Noureddine
Execution: Bassem Zbeeb, architect

Al Majd was commissioned by Zayed University as a gift for HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and presented at the university’s graduation ceremony in 2025.

The sculpture takes a verse by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The verse says that whoever does not face the trials of the nights with patience will never reach the goals of glory. Patience and the courage to face hardship are the way to glory.

"لي مايجابه حادثات الليالي        بالصبر مايدرك من المجد غايات"

The work turns the verse into a visual climb. In front, the first half of the verse, about the trials of the nights, forms a wide base: the challenge that has to be met first. The second half then rises above it toward glory, showing that goals are reached through patience, resolve and getting through difficulty.

The Muhaqqaq script and its structured composition give the work a sense of stability and strength. The steel carries the same idea, and the black granite base stands for the firm foundation on which our renaissance is built.

The sculpture was executed by architect Bassem Zbeeb.