A main street in one of Dubai's oldest areas was renamed to honour the late emir of Kuwait and in celebration of the country's 60th National Day. Al Mankhool Road, which stretches from 2nd December Street to Dubai Creek, was renamed Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Street on Thursday. The name change was ordered by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Mattar Al Tayer, director general of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, said the street was significant because it passed through the emirate's historical districts. "The street features a host of tourist, urban and heritage destinations such as Al Seef, Al Hudhaiba, Al Hamriya, Al Jafiliya, Al Mankhool, Al Raffa and the Grand Souq," he said. “It is also linked to the historical Al Fahidi district and the Ruler’s Court overlooking the Dubai Creek." Fifty-five overhead and roadside signboards were replaced with signs displaying the new name, which was announced in recognition of Sheikh Sabah's humanitarian contributions and efforts to promote progress and solidarity in the Gulf and among Arab and Islamic nations. The UAE and Kuwait share common history, heritage, language, faith and culture. Emirati-Kuwaiti trade continues to grow steadily, with a large number of agreements signed between the countries. The UAE hosted a series of activities to celebrate Kuwait's National Day. Many of the country's landmarks were lit up with the Kuwaiti flag and shopping malls in all emirates were decorated with congratulatory messages and flags. Before the pandemic, about 500,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited the UAE each year and there were between 180 and 200 weekly flights between the countries. In 2019, the UAE paid tribute to Kuwait before it celebrated its Liberation Day and National Day, with messages from the Rulers of the emirates and a giant sand portrait of Kuwait's emir at the time. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid revealed a portrait of Sheikh Sabah etched across 15,800 square metres of the emirate's desert, near Al Qudra Lakes. "Our love for Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people is engraved into our ground, engraved in our hearts and engraved in our history," he said. The artistic tribute, named <em>Prince of Humanity</em>, took more than 2,400 hours to create. National Day celebrates Sheikh Abdullah Al Sabah's accession to the throne in 1961. It was originally celebrated on June 19, when Kuwait gained independence from Britain, but the date was moved because of concerns about the summer heat. Liberation Day celebrates the anniversary of the end of the first Gulf War, when Kuwait was liberated from Iraq.