
Ministry of Culture Launches 19th Al Burda Award Celebrating Social Unity Through Islamic Art
The UAE Ministry of Culture has launched the 19th edition of the Al Burda Award, spotlighting the theme of 'Social Cohesion and Unity' in alignment with the country's 'Year of the Community' initiative.
The award continues its mission to highlight the beauty of Islamic art while promoting values of tolerance, coexistence, and cultural dialogue.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the award reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and promote it globally. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the country's role in nurturing Islamic arts and introducing their universal values to international audiences.
Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi said the award embodies the UAE's vision of using art as a bridge between cultures. He invited creatives from across the Islamic world to submit works that capture the spirit and beauty of Islamic artistic traditions.
This year's edition draws inspiration from verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat and a verse from the renowned Burda poem, reinforcing the call for unity among diverse communities.
The award features three main categories: Arabic Calligraphy, Arabic Poetry, and Ornamentation, each offering subcategories with significant prize pools. A total of over AED 1.5 million has been allocated to support artists across these fields.
Since its inception in 2004, Al Burda Award has honoured more than 390 artists, poets, and calligraphers. It stands today as a leading platform championing the richness of Islamic art and the enduring legacy of the Arabic language.
Entries are open on the website until 30 September 2025, with art submissions accepted until 13 October 2025.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Campaign ME
23 minutes ago
- Campaign ME
Viu launches new Arabic reality special ‘The Big Bang Birthday'
Viu has premiered a new Arabic Viu Original reality special, The Big Bang Birthday, which began streaming on 23 June across the MENA region. The one-off special is the latest in Viu's ongoing investment in locally rooted content and follows the success of 2023's We Wed (ليلة العمر). Set and filmed in Abu Dhabi, the programme follows four prominent Arab influencers as they plan a surprise birthday celebration for digital creator Hadeel Marei. Known for her outspoken humour and expressive style, Marei has amassed over two million Instagram followers and a strong regional following across Egypt and the Gulf. The cast includes Saudi content creator Amy Roko, Syrian lifestyle influencer Dana Halabi, Saudi rapper Jara and Sudanese beauty creator Yussra Youssif. The show explores the group dynamic as they organise the celebration, offering viewers a candid look at female friendships and cultural identity through the lens of a weekend-long surprise. Shot across recognisable Abu Dhabi locations — including Ferrari World, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the Mangrove National Park and the Abu Dhabi Souk — the show blends travel, lifestyle and unscripted reality formats. The special culminates in a final surprise moment revealed to Marei during the celebration. Directed by Lebanese filmmaker and university lecturer Farah Alameh, the production adopts a documentary-inspired visual style with cinematic elements. A private screening was held ahead of the launch at VOX Cinemas, Yas Mall. Samer Majzoub, General Manager of Viu MENA, said the project reflects the platform's commitment to Arabic-language productions and culturally relevant storytelling: 'The authentic emotion and relatable production style of this female-led special connect us to the cultural heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider region.' The Big Bang Birthday is now streaming exclusively on Viu.


Hi Dubai
11 hours ago
- Hi Dubai
Ministry of Culture Launches 19th Al Burda Award Celebrating Social Unity Through Islamic Art
The UAE Ministry of Culture has launched the 19th edition of the Al Burda Award, spotlighting the theme of 'Social Cohesion and Unity' in alignment with the country's 'Year of the Community' initiative. The award continues its mission to highlight the beauty of Islamic art while promoting values of tolerance, coexistence, and cultural dialogue. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the award reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and promote it globally. Sheikh Abdullah underscored the country's role in nurturing Islamic arts and introducing their universal values to international audiences. Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi said the award embodies the UAE's vision of using art as a bridge between cultures. He invited creatives from across the Islamic world to submit works that capture the spirit and beauty of Islamic artistic traditions. This year's edition draws inspiration from verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat and a verse from the renowned Burda poem, reinforcing the call for unity among diverse communities. The award features three main categories: Arabic Calligraphy, Arabic Poetry, and Ornamentation, each offering subcategories with significant prize pools. A total of over AED 1.5 million has been allocated to support artists across these fields. Since its inception in 2004, Al Burda Award has honoured more than 390 artists, poets, and calligraphers. It stands today as a leading platform championing the richness of Islamic art and the enduring legacy of the Arabic language. Entries are open on the website until 30 September 2025, with art submissions accepted until 13 October 2025. News Source: Emirates News Agency


Al Etihad
20 hours ago
- Al Etihad
National Library and Archives spotlights promising young talent at 2025 UAE School Theatre Festival
26 June 2025 01:14 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) The National Library and Archives (NLA) on Tuesday hosted the 2025 UAE School Theatre Festival awards ceremony at its Abu Dhabi headquarters. Held under the theme "My Nation, the UAE… Eternal Glory," and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the fourth edition of the "Gateway to Talent" initiative honoured outstanding student performances, with the participation of around 7,500 students from across the ceremony opened with a speech by Aisha Al Zaabi, Head of the Educational Programmes Section at the National Library and Archives, who affirmed the institution's role in moulding young praised school theatre as a powerful tool for promoting education and national identity, highlighting its ability to spark creativity, boost confidence, and advance Emirati hailed the winning performances as inspiring models for the ceremony concluded with the awards ceremony for the place went to Al Murooj Kindergarten in Sharjah and Nad Al Hamar Kindergarten in place went to Omair Bin Abi Waqqas School in Sharjah, and third place went to Al Thameed School in Abu Dhabi, first place went to Al Sila School and Al Nahda place went to Al Jeel Kindergarten and Al Shatha Kindergarten, and third place went to Al Eathaar Kindergarten and Um Ghafa the first cycle, first place went to Mezyad School in Al Ain and Halima Al Saadia School in Abu place went to Al Ezza School in Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Bin Khalid School in Al place went to Madinat Zayed School in Al Dhafra and Ahmed bin Zayed School in Al students from Al Bidaya Kindergarten, Al Fayhaa'a Kindergarten in Abu Dhabi and Al Yahar Kindergarten in Al Ain were claiming honours were first-cycle students from Al Taweelah School in Abu Dhabi, Al Dhannah, and Al Marfa Schools in Al Dhafra. On the sidelines of the School Theatre Festival, Dr. Hosnia Al Ali, Education Adviser at the National Library and Archives, spoke to Aletihad about the purpose and evolving role of the awards. "This initiative aims to discover and nurture talents in the early stages of education - specifically from kindergarten to third grade," she explained."Theatre is considered the mother of all arts. Through theatrical activities, we work on enhancing students' speaking abilities, boosting their self-confidence, strengthening communication and Arabic language skills, and developing expressive movement."Beyond artistic skills, the initiative carries a deeper educational mission by entrenching Emirati history, culture, national identity and social values into student performances."Through teamwork and healthy competition, students learn how to interact positively and respectfully with one another," she initiative also reflects the broader objectives of the Year of Community by encouraging collaboration and strengthening student-family on the impact of visual and performing arts in shaping national identity, Dr. Al Ali stressed the importance of content."The theatrical works that students work on vary, including historical literary texts, a collection of poems and topics related to Emirati heritage and legacy," she are not just performances - they are educational tools."Through theatrical works, students learn about Emirati heritage and the history of their country, which is represented in many texts," she noted."National identity is represented by good citizenship," she continued."These theatrical works shed light on Emirati affairs and bring them into the classroom."Dr. Al Ali said 7,500 UAE school students participated in the selection process was rigorous, with the students judged on the criteria of: the theatrical theme, performance, delivery, language, set, costumes, lighting, plot, student integration, and how well the work aligns with national identity and community-related noted the increasing sophistication of submissions: "The criteria were not easy, and choosing the winners was not easy, especially because there has been a great deal of maturity in the theatrical scene in schools nationwide."What made the initiative especially meaningful was the focus on the youngest learners, she said."We decided to begin this portal with the younger generation, who might be young, but are promising and have impressive things to offer in theatrical work."Explaining the NLA's broader, long-term role and partnership with the Ministry of Education, she said, "We always support schools and promote education outside of the classroom and beyond the school curriculum. This is achieved through publications, books, information, lectures, reading workshops, games, meetings and field visits."We complement the Ministry of Education in a key and vital way. Together, we serve the Emirati community, especially students."We have reliable publications, archival documents and promising national talent who can deliver content in an age-appropriate way, using games, apps, and artificial intelligence."Dr. Al Ali confirmed that their programmes will support the UAE's AI curriculum rollout."We are now working intensively to ensure the NLA's programmes support this curriculum and are presented in attractive and innovative ways, aligned with academic levels."The programme will return later, with AI technologies integrated into future editions," she said. She added that the students' creative works will be compiled in the State Archives.