
2nd Heritage Conference refutes Western travellers' writings on UAE
Dr Bounama stated that the programme held alongside the Second Heritage Conference — under the theme "Folk Heritage Through the Eyes of Others" — discussed a selection of valuable topics presented by a group of researchers. These researchers delivered interventions centred on the records and accounts written by Western travellers.
Understanding the Western Perception of the Region
In remarks to 'Sharjah 24,' Bounama added that these academic approaches aim to understand the image that has formed in the Western mind through travel writings, impressions, and observations. He pointed out that the programme shed light on the most prominent manifestations and features that have remained embedded in the Western imagination about the Arab region.

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Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Umm Abdul Latif: Sculpting Heritage Through Clay
Al Asalah Club In 2005, Umm Abdul Latif joined Al Asalah Club, affiliated with the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD). This club includes dozens of mothers over the age of 60. It aims to provide diverse social, recreational, and educational services to the elderly, with the aim of integrating them socially and enhancing their skills and abilities. It also seeks to document heritage and pass it on to younger generations. Beginning of a Journey Umm Abdul Latif's journey began after she completed her duties of raising her children, ensuring their well-being, and completing her studies. She began a new phase, which she described as the end of the beginning—the end of raising and caring for her children, and the beginning of realising her dream of introducing today's generation to their rich heritage and practicing her hobby of making traditional models. The Opportunity The opportunity came when the school asked one of her grandchildren to create a special model of the UAE, crafted by their parents. She designed the model, which won an award, and after that, her journey began. Umm Abdul Latif added that she designed this museum, which contains many details from her childhood, and she hosted important foreign and Arab figures. Awards Umm Abdul Latif made sure to visit the museum after her experience developed not only in the UAE but also regionally, and she won numerous awards, including the "Fariha Al Sabah Award for Ideal Mother" in Kuwait and the "Influential Figure Award" in Bahrain. She received an honorary doctorate from the American University of Technology, where her sculptures were greatly admired for their lifelike quality. She also received more than 300 certificates of appreciation from various institutions. Going Back in Time Umm Abdul Latif continued that many people around her want to buy her sculptures, but she refuses to sell them and prefer to give them as gifts, simply because they represent history... and history cannot be sold. She added that she is very happy when she is invited to participate in a heritage event, and she feels proud when she sees the admiring looks of others for the sculptures. This means that she has achieved her goal: to touch the depths of her being, to go back in time, and to discover these beautiful images filled with love, harmony, and affection between individuals in society. The Museum Umm Abdul Latif confirmed that this is often missed in people's lives today. She lived through both the eras before and after the oil era, and she loved both eras, regardless of their differences. Today, she hosts visitors in her museum, which she has renovated in every visual aspect, from lighting to attractive display of models on shelves. She also organises craft workshops in cooperation with Al Asalah Club, affiliated with SSSD, and encourages today's generation to learn about the UAE beautiful heritage. The museum's collections are models of real places, crafted in a lively, artisanal way, explaining the meaning of the material. Natural materials are used as they are. Umm Abdul Latif stated that she does not copy or rely on available images, but rather are engraved in her imagination. she bring them to life as they appear: the alleys, summer houses, winter houses, the barjeel, Sarah Haussmann Hospital, the neighbourhood tailor, the kuttab house, the fabric shop, Umm Abdul Latif Sculpting Heritage Through Clay, the Abu Dhabi Fountain, and many more. Future Generation With this passionate spirit and strong will, Umm Abdul Latif continues her exceptional story, shouldering a noble mission to preserve heritage and pass it on to future generations. The sculptures she created were not merely works of art, but a living pulse of the memory of place and time, telling the details of life with honesty and warmth. Umm Abdul Latif is not only a lover of heritage, but has become a living symbol of it, embodying through her story how passion can transform into a message, and memories can become a vibrant museum.


Sharjah 24
4 days ago
- Sharjah 24
SIH chairman explores Bibliotheca Alexandrina facilities
Exploring displays and restoration laboratories The visit included a tour of the Manuscripts and Antiquities Museums, as well as visiting the "Alexandria Through the Ages" exhibitions, which showcase rare Egyptian and global cultural treasures. Dr Al Musallam also toured the restoration laboratory and digital archives, where he learnt about advanced ways for conserving historical documents and cultural items. Engagement with publishers at the international book fair He also went to the continuing Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair, which was held in the library's courtyard. He toured the displays of several publishing houses and evaluated new publications in heritage, history, and the humanities. He spoke with publishers and cultural figures about the value of knowledge sharing in preserving Arab cultural identity. Reflections on visit Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam commented on the visit, saying, "It was an honour to visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina today, a unique cultural landmark that connects authenticity and modernism and offers the wonderful humanitarian message of preserving knowledge and history." The diversity of specialisations and initiatives here confirms that we are witnessing a knowledge institution befitting of Alexandria's rich history and future ambitions. At the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, we treasure this experience and look forward to future cultural collaborations." Strengthening cultural ties The visit is part of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage's efforts to strengthen cultural relations with leading Arab institutions and exchange expertise in the fields of documentation, heritage preservation, and specialised academic publishing.


Sharjah 24
4 days ago
- Sharjah 24
UOS, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation sign agreement
The agreement, signed on behalf of the UOS by Dr Salah Taher Al Haj, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs, and on behalf of Al Owais Cultural Foundation by Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the foundation, lays the groundwork for a collaborative partnership rooted in the exchange of knowledge, joint initiatives, and cultural engagement. MoU sets out a shared vision for fostering innovation in Arab intellectual The MoU sets out a shared vision for fostering innovation in Arab intellectual discourse through a variety of programs, publications, and events that reflect both parties' commitment to advancing cultural dialogue and knowledge across the region. The partnership will facilitate the coordination of research endeavors, collaborative publishing projects, and the joint organization of conferences, exhibitions, and academic workshops. It also serves as a platform for developing unified strategies to support Arab scholarly and creative output, expand resource databases on intellectual and cultural figures, and embark on research projects that explore pressing regional topics. A dynamic platform for constructive cooperation between academic and cultural institutions Dr Salah Taher Al Haj described the agreement as a dynamic platform for constructive cooperation between academic and cultural institutions. He emphasized the UOS's continuous efforts to expand its engagement with leading cultural organizations, noting that such partnerships can produce high-impact initiatives that reinforce both the scientific and cultural roles of the University at national and regional levels. He added that the University of Sharjah is deeply committed to using its academic strengths and expertise to serve the broader community through research, education, and cultural enrichment. Reflecting on the significance of the agreement, Ibrahim Al Hashemi of the Al Owais Foundation expressed his pride in partnering with a leading institution like the University of Sharjah. He highlighted the University's enduring role as a beacon of culture and scholarship in the Emirates and praised the alignment of its activities with the foundation's mission to foster an open and progressive cultural environment. 'This agreement celebrates an intersection where academic rigor meets cultural depth,' he said. 'We look forward to implementing joint initiatives and benefiting from the knowledge and expertise of the UOS's academic staff, thereby reinforcing intellectual output and embedding knowledge more deeply in society.'