Al Wusta TV brings Al Dhaid Festival spirit to life
As always, Al Wusta TV will be present with its full media crew, covering the festival live on-site. Viewers can expect daily field reports, live shows, and special segments that reflect the spirit of local heritage while highlighting the contributions of farmers and local producers — painting a picture of tradition blended with modernity.
Special segments and evening shows
Every day at 6:00 PM, the channel will air a live studio show featuring prominent guests, including officials, farmers, and palm cultivation experts. The evening concludes with "Festival Harvest" at 10:00 PM, showcasing date competitions, traditional markets, and handicrafts.
The morning programme, "Al Wusta Diaries", will follow festival preparations and behind-the-scenes activity through special reports and feature stories.
A message from the channel director
Sawed Rashid bin Fadel Al Ketbi, Director of Al Wusta TV, shared: 'At Al Dhaid Date Festival, we don't just cover an event — we document the memory of a nation. The palm tree in our culture is more than a plant; it's a symbol of pride and generosity. Through our coverage, we retell its story with honour, sharing it with new generations in a way that reflects authenticity and belonging.'
Connecting audiences near and far
The channel will also produce exclusive content and special programming throughout the festival, broadcast on both television and social media. These segments aim to connect past and present, highlighting the importance of local production and Emirati cultural identity for audiences in the UAE and beyond.
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The National
11 hours ago
- The National
After a decade under lights, Amna Al Qubaisi steers her career in a new direction
Emirati racing driver Amna Al Qubaisi didn't realise the impact of her story until she saw it through the eyes of others. From the day she first took the driver's seat at 14, her dream was to finish what her father, Khaled Al Qubaisi – the first Emirati to reach a podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France – had started. She wanted to win, to hear the UAE's national anthem play where it had never been heard before. 'I was always just trying to represent my country in a really good manner,' she tells The National. 'I was focused only on results. I wanted to prove to the world that we were not there just to participate – but to win.' In those early days, as she began turning heads on the track, she was unaware of the effect she was having. 'When I was 14, my dad was very strict with my social media. He took full control – I barely even had a phone. And I'm glad he did, because of him I thought everything was normal.' It wasn't until years later, when she began running her own accounts, that she realised she had both changed perceptions of what a racing driver could look like – and of what an Emirati woman could be. 'A lot of girls were messaging me,' she says. 'One thing that really caught my eye was when they told me their bond with their father became much better because they saw my dad supporting me. 'They told me, 'Our father is now supporting us because we showed them: look, her dad's supporting her in motorsports, he's always there for her.' Now they're getting the same reciprocation from their dads.' Starring in Netflix's F1: The Academy Since then, Al Qubaisi has grown increasingly aware of the effect that her story can have. In May, along with her younger sister Hamda, she was one of the central stars of the Netflix docuseries F1: The Academy, which chronicled her final season racing for Red Bull in the all-female F1 Academy championship. 'We were really happy that we were a part of it,' says Al Qubaisi. 'We got to share our personality, our side of our story, and how seriously we and our dad take this.' At the same time, she was disappointed that her family was portrayed, from her point of view, as the wealthy upstarts compared to the seemingly more humble European drivers – even though virtually everyone gets there as the result of massive financial investment into their talent. Al Qubaisi explains: 'When we say we're Emirati, automatically, people think we have a mansion made of gold and an endless fleet of cars. But racing is very expensive and those costs apply to all racing drivers. Anyone who's joining in motorsport has the money. 'The way they made the other drivers look like they were selling stuff to be able to race is completely inaccurate. It's kind of sad that they singled us out and made it look like we were the only ones who had it easy.' She believes, whether on screen or off, that the deck was stacked against her through the second year of her F1 Academy experience – in which she dropped to 15th in the standings a year after she had placed sixth overall, collecting two wins in her first season. 'The first year was less political, as it was the first championship to be held. My sister and I finished very strong. In the second year, it felt like they didn't want a Middle Eastern person to win. I got an engine that was around seven to 10 kilometres slower down the straights and I couldn't do much about it. I talked to Red Bull about it, and they told me, 'just deal with it'.' When she realised winning was near-impossible, she started paying more attention to the Netflix cameras following their every move – and grew more involved in how her story was being told. 'In the first few rounds, I would tell them, 'I don't want to do anything. I'm too focused. But then I thought I might as well just take advantage of it and try to give myself some exposure for future sponsors. I said, 'I've got nothing to lose', and I gave them full access.' That strategy, which made her one of the show's most visible stars, proved emotionally challenging as her struggles mounted. 'We were still there to win,' she explains. 'So having them film me at my most vulnerable, and at my worst, was hard. I didn't want the world to know. It was a big fear of mine. But now that it's out there, I think people can relate. 'And if there's criticism against my driving ability, I don't mind. My sister takes it more personally than I do. I have a fan account that I created that I will use to start roasting them back,' Al Qubaisi laughs. Why she moved to endurance racing In the wake of her F1 Academy experience, Al Qubaisi, who had previously raced in Formula 4, has decided to give up on her Formula One dreams. 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'In F1 Academy, I was always starting from the back and I took that as practice for overtaking,' Al Qubaisi explains. 'I learnt to get through traffic and find a gap. Now, in endurance, I'm always catching up to the guys up front, because I know how it's done. 'In endurance racing, you have to really plan – you have tyre management, fuel consumption and overtaking through traffic – because you're racing with different categories. 'It's so much more enjoyable. In single seaters, you're just praying and hoping for something to happen. But in endurance racing, anything can happen. Someone can be leading a race and then have a problem and you have a whole hour to strategise.' Al Qubaisi and her sister will continue their new path towards endurance racing on August 22 and 23 the Spa – Francorchamps Heat as part of the 2025 Ligier European Series. The series marks the third tier on the endurance racing ladder of Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), the company behind the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. 'Sharing a car, we work together and help each other. We go through data together and strategise together. Having each other makes this decision easier, as we're both really good and we know each other, so we have an advantage.' What is the future of women in F1? Back in Formula racing, Al Qubaisi is rooting for the many young women working towards a spot in F1 but believes the sport as not a level playing field. 'It's very difficult to have a female in Formula One, no matter how good she is, no matter how big her achievements are. The Formula One teams need to have really big trust in those female drivers. 'They will need to invest in women drivers from a young age. I think they just need to start trusting women more to be able to reach that point too. 'Because now, all the girls who are working so hard in single seaters, who've made it to the top 10, who won races, nothing is done for them. No opportunity is provided and then they end up on the sidelines as a development driver or reserve driver, which isn't enough. If it was a male competitor, he would immediately have support, a test drive in a Formula One car.' Basic engineering was also an issue. Al Qubaisi faced difficulty with singer-seater cars that were built only for male bodies – 'we can't fit in that car' – which caused her and other women drivers to complain to the FIA regulatory body to ensure cars were built for both men and women. That issue was fixed, but Al Qubaisi feels it's symbolic of the inequality that exists in the sport. Telling her own story As she sets off on a new racing journey with her sister, Al Qubaisi feels that every bump along the way has prepared her for the difficulties ahead – not just as a racing driver, but as a public figure. She will rely less on how others tell her story and start to take an even greater hand in telling her own. 'I have a cameraman and we're doing our own YouTube docuseries for the racing championship. Every race weekend we show everything from our perspective and it's very authentic and very natural,' she says. 'I've learnt that I don't need anything polished and professional. These days, I just have to be real.'
What's On
17 hours ago
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A to Z food guide: Iconic foods in UAE you have to try
From aromatic spices to sizzling street eats, the UAE is a culinary crossroads where tradition meets innovation with every dish. In this A to Z food guide, we're serving up a mouthwatering journey through some of the most iconic dishes you absolutely have to try here in the UAE. Do note, while not all dishes mentioned below are traditional Emirati cuisine, they originate from the Middle Eastern region and are popular here in the UAE. Arayes Arayes Arayes is a Lebanese crisp pan-fried pita packed with spicy, aromatic meat filling. Arayes actually means 'bride and groom' in English, and certain tribes served this dish to honour the newlyweds. Where to try: Al Mallah Dhiyafah Balaleet Balaleet A staple breakfast dish of Emirati cuisine, Balaleet traditionally consists of vermicelli sweetened with sugar, cardamom, rose water, and saffron and served with an omelette. Where to try: The Arabian Tea House Chabab Chabab Chabab (also spelled jabab or chebab) is an Emirati version of a pancake that is fermented with yeast and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. You can enjoy it with honey and cheese, too. Where to try: Al Ustad Special Kabab Dawood Basha Dawood Basha The Middle-Eastern version of meatballs, Dawood Basha is a meatball stew paired with tender potatoes and peas, simmered in a flavourful tomato sauce. It is named after its greatest fan, King Daoud Basha who was the governor of Baghdad during the Ottoman Empire. He loved the dish so much, he had it every day. Where to try: Lebanese Home Kitchen Emirati Machboos Emirati Machboos If you've been to any Emirati family gathering or celebration, you're sure to see Emirati Machboos on the table. It's a dish prepped with basmati rice, meat (lamb or chicken) and mild spices. Essentially, it's biryani but with an Emirati twist. Where to try: The Arabian Tea House Falafel Falafel This is a popular Middle Eastern dish, and can be found at numerous spots around the UAE from small hole-in-the-wall cafes to fancy restaurants. It is made up of mashed chickpeas, herbs, onion, garlic, and spices and can be either fried or baked. You can either eat it as is paired with tahina sauce, or get it in a wrap with fresh salad. Where to try: Al Mallah Dhiyafah Ghuzi Ghuzi Also spelt Khuzi, Ghuzi is considered the national dish of the UAE. A whole lamb is slow-roasted until the meat falls off the bone. It is paired with nuts, vegetables, raisins, and a blend of spices on top of a bed of rice. Where to try: Siraj Restaurant Harees Harees Harees is a traditional Arabic dish with a porridge-like consistency but is prepared with wheat grain, meat, and ghee. If you prefer your dishes with more heat, try Haleem, essentially a spiced-up version of Harees. Where to try: Khalid Huriah Traditional Kitchen and Restaurant Ijjeh Ijjeh Love eggs? Try Ijjeh, a flavourful Middle Eastern egg dish that is a blend of eggs, herbs, and spices. If you want to jazz it up a little bit, add in vegetables like courgettes or peppers. It can also be pan-fried until crispy and be consumed as a fritter. Jasheed Jasheed | Al Fanar Fans of seafood here in the UAE must try Jasheed – an Emirati dish primarily consumed in coastal cities like Ras Al Khaimah. The curry is prepared with small pieces of shark (or other local fish), onions, garlic, and spices and served with rice. Where to try: Al Fanar Seafood Restaurant, Bahar Restaurant Knafeh You can't consider yourself a fan of sweet treats if you've lived in the UAE and haven't tried Knafeh. The traditional Palestinian dessert is made with kadayif (spun pastry dough) and layered with cheese and soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup. It is crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. The dessert has deep roots in Palestine. Where to try: Palestine pavilion at Global Village UAE, Feras Al Diyafa Sweets and Mama'esh Luqaimat Luqaimat Luqaimat translates to 'small bites' here in the UAE. It is a popular Middle Eastern dessert consisting of deep-fried, sweet dumplings, drizzled with date syrup or honey. It's crunch on the outside, and soft and airy on the inside, and it's best when devoured piping hot. While it is usually associated and consumed during Ramadan, if you head to Global Village UAE, you can enjoy it throughout the season. Where to try: Global Village UAE, Al Fanar Mehalabiya Mehalabiya Mehalabiya, or Muhalabia is a traditional (and delicious) Middle Eastern milk pudding, made with as few as four ingredients. It's typically made using a combination of milk, sugar, flour, and sugar. It can be served hot or cold, though many prefer the latter. It can also be garnished with pistachios and rose petals. Where to try: Qwaider Al Nabulsi Namoura Namoura Namoura is a type of semolina cake that goes by many other names, including namoura, basbousa, revani, and safra. It is made typically made using coarse semolina, Greek yogurt, coconut, butter or ghee, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. It is drizzled with sugar syrup, and sweet tooth fans will love it for its rich, buttery flavour, and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Where to try: Brocar Sweets Olives (served with zaatar or labneh) Olives Heading to an Emirati restaurant or home? Most likely, marinated olives will be served paired with a dip. It often makes up part of the selection of hot and cold appetizers, with many pairing it with cheese and bread. It's simple but very delicious, so much so that you'll find the serving bowl empty before even realising. Qahwa Qahwa In Arabic, qahwa primarily means coffee. It is a traditional method of preparing coffee in the Middle East, and each country has its own unique recipe. The coffee has a distinctive depth of flavor and earthy, nutty notes which is brewed in a traditional Arabic coffee pot (called dallah). Where to try: Cafe Bateel Rigag An Emirati flatbread, which is extremely thin and crispy, with an egg and cheese filling, and sometimes honey. It is cooked on a hot griddle and is usually enjoyed at breakfast. Where to try: Al Jalboot Shawarma Bring up the topic of shawarma with your friends, and the first thing you're bound to hear is declarations of where the best shawarma in Dubai is. The popular street food in the Middle East (which origins in Turkey) and here in Dubai, and there are more than enough options to try. Essentially, it is prepared with spit-roasted layers of lamb, beef, or chicken, which is stuffed into a pita bread with salad (lettuce, tomato, and pickles) and either garlic sauce, or tahina. You can add fries to your shawarma, or enjoy them on the side. Where to try: Al Hallab, Eat & Drink restaurant, Triple FFF Thareed This traditional Arab bread soup or stew originates from Mecca, Saudi Arabia, but is a popular dish in the Gulf region. The dish is even mentioned in a collection of sayings of the Prophet Mohammed. It is a slow-cooked stew of tender meat, spiced tomato broth, and vegetables, infused with spices. Thareed is typically eaten during Ramadan as a light yet filling meal to break the fast at Iftar but can be enjoyed throughout the year as a warm comfort food. Where to try: Noor Al Mandi Warak Enab In Arabic, 'Warak Enab translates to vine leaves or grape leaves. The dishes are usually stuffed with a mixture of rice, meat (usually beef), and spices, and then boiled in water. The water can also be infused with lemon or tomato for more flavour. The ingredients can vary from region to region, but each family can also make it differently. Where to try: Ybala Wrq Ena Yalanji Image: Getty Images Yalanji is the vegetarian version of Warak Enab. Instead of meat, the stuffing is a mix of white rice, typically short grain, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, parsley, garlic, eggplant and more. Similar to Warak Enab, it is cooked in a tangy and flavourful broth until they melt in your mouth. Yum. Where to try: Yalangi Kitchen & Cafe Zataar/Zataar Manakeeh Zataar Manakeesh Manakeesh is a popular Middle Eastern flatbread dish, and comes in various forms but usually with zaatar. Zataar is a Palestinin blend of wild herbs, popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. Usually it is enjoyed with manakeesh – a Levantine flatbread, or you can add it as an ingredient to other Middle Eastern dishes. Where to try: Kaak Al Manara Restaurant & Bakery Images: Getty Images
Broadcast Pro
19 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Emirati thriller ‘HOBA' to make global debut at Fantastic Fest 2025
Following its Fantastic Fest premiere, psychological horror-thriller 'HOBA' will hit UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025. Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures have revealed that HOBA, a gripping psychological horror-thriller from acclaimed Emirati filmmaker Majid Al Ansari, will celebrate its world premiere at this year's Fantastic Fest this September. The festival hosted in Austin, Texas is one of the world's leading showcases for bold, boundary-pushing cinema. Marking the first Arabic-language Emirati feature on the Image Nation and Spooky Pictures slate, HOBA delivers a haunting, atmospheric story steeped in tension and emotional depth. It follows Amani (Emirati actress Bdoor Mohammed), a devoted wife whose world unravels when her husband returns home with a second wife, Zahra (Sarah Taibah, Saudi filmmaker and artist). But with Zahra comes something far more sinister, an unseen darkness that begins to consume their home, testing the limits of loyalty, love and survival. The cast also features Eman Tarik as Noor, Amani's daughter, and Jasem AlKharraz as her father Khalid. Behind the camera, Majid Al Ansari is joined by powerhouse producers Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy and Rami Yasin, with Mohamed Hefzy and Yasir Al Yasiri as executive producers. Following its Fantastic Fest premiere, HOBA will hit UAE cinemas on October 30, 2025, promising audiences an unforgettable descent into psychological terror. Image Nation Abu Dhabi will also have two other projects screening at Fantastic Fest under its successful partnership with Spooky Pictures, with the North American premiere of The Plague and the world premiere of the cult-genre film franchise V/H/S Halloween.
