Bahraini Minister of Information highlights evolving media ties with UAE
DUBAI (WAM) Minister of Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Ramzan bin Abdulla Al Noaimi, affirmed the ongoing and deepening media cooperation between the UAE and Bahrain, underpinned by dynamic partnerships that reflect the strength of fraternal ties between the two nations.Speaking to WAM on the sidelines of the second day of the Arab Media Summit, Al Noaimi said that continued engagement between media officials in both countries contributes to strengthening cooperation and advancing joint media initiatives. He also expressed anticipation for the announcement of new collaborative projects.He revealed that Bahrain is preparing to launch several media initiatives, including the second edition of the Al Dana Drama Award, scheduled for mid-next month, which will spotlight outstanding Gulf drama productions.He noted the significant progress witnessed in drama production across the region.Al Noaimi highlighted the growth of Emirati drama in recent years, which has become evident through the high quality of works participating in both Gulf and Arab festivals, including Danat. This, he said, reinforces the UAE's status as a prominent hub for artistic and media production.Regarding the Arab Media Summit, the minister said the event provides a vital platform that brings together leading media professionals and decision-makers from across the region to enhance Arab media integration and respond to digital transformation trends.
He emphasised Bahrain's keenness to participate actively in events hosted by the UAE, recognising their substantial contribution to enriching dialogue and discourse.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
23 minutes ago
- Gulf Today
Dubai Culture turbocharges creativity in Al Quoz with spectacular murals
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has unveiled two murals in Al Quoz Creative Zone as part of the Dubai Public Art Strategy. The initiative brings artistic experiences to the community, striving to shape the city into an open-air art gallery. The effort is in line with the emirate's ambition to strengthen its status as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. The series showcases the work of three female artists, whose murals reflect the unique spirit of Al Quoz. Drawing on the area's character and vitality, the works turn public spaces into memorable creative sites. Together, they further reinforce Al Quoz's role as a welcoming home for culture professionals and entrepreneurs though they may hail from diverse backgrounds, offering an environment where ideas can find shelter, take root and flourish. In her mural 'Vibrant Voices of Al Quoz', Egyptian visual artist and muralist Rabab Tantawy celebrates the district's vibrancy and particular identity. Painted on the façade of Aramtec, a food service company, her piece features lively scenes of spice stalls, lanterns, and traditional Arabic coffee pots, surrounded by various architectural elements such as arches and domes, reflecting the dynamic face of Al Quoz. Meanwhile, Emirati artist Hend Al Murid has teamed up with Syrian muralist Dina Saadi on 'Wonder Windows', a large-scale artwork on the façade of the interactive children's museum WooHoo, inviting visitors on a journey of discovery. Their work weaves together symbols like the Hudhud bird, the dallah (local coffee pot) traditional Emirati ornamental motifs and childhood memories, wrapped in a spirit of curiosity. Rabab Tantawy's mural brightens the street. Commenting on the initiative, Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, highlighted the role of the Dubai Public Art Strategy in enriching the cultural ecosystem and transforming the city into an open-air art gallery. She said: 'The murals are a welcome addition to the Al Quoz Creative Zone, an area known for sparking fresh ideas and giving young talent the space to realise their ambitions. Dubai Culture remains committed to fostering creativity and encouraging artists to capture the spirit of the UAE in their own unique ways. This is part of our broader goal to create a sustainable environment that reinforces Dubai's position as a leading global destination to live, thrive, and enjoy new experiences.' Mozah Lootah, Dubai Public Art Project Manager at Dubai Culture, spoke about the originality and diversity the murals bring to Al Quoz, both in concept and execution. She said: 'The Dubai Public Art Strategy provides a framework to support and empower local creatives, enabling them to express their perspectives by turning our neighbourhoods, squares, and public spaces into cultural destinations. These artworks foster interactive dialogue between artists and audiences, while also contributing to the growth of tourism in Dubai.' Born in 1971 in Cairo, Rabab Tantawy involved herself in several exhibitions, while also actively pursuing street art. Her biggest focus is on union, community, and heritage. Rabab is an intuitive artist. She does not work with preliminary sketches; rather, she uses the canvas as a support for direct download. Line and colour are the pillars of her work. Rabab switches from classical earthy colours to strong neon colours with ease. Emirati artist Hend Almurid captivates the viewer with her attention to detail and talent for creating fascinating patterns. The motto behind her work is 'My art, my universe'. 'My art is an extension of me and I create my own universe within it. And anyone who views and appreciates my work can be a part of it,' she says. Dina Saadi is a street artist, known for her colourful and vibrant murals featuring portraits, animals, and abstract work inspired by nature and the underwater world. Her work explores the deeper theme of human identity, feelings and the collective awareness of our interconnectedness with nature and all life forms. Saadi has painted murals all over the world, including the Middle East, Europe, United States, Asia, and Africa. Through the Dubai Public Art Strategy, Dubai Culture aims to enhance visual culture, stimulate innovation among creators and artists, and encourage them to present artistic experiences that will transform the emirate into an open, accessible and global art gallery for everyone. To this end, it has established collaborations with Art Dubai, Tashkeel, Alserkal, Art Jameel, as well as other entities in the arts sector. The goal is to transform Dubai's streets, neighbourhoods and public areas into touristic and cultural destinations, showcasing artwork, sculptures, paintings, murals and art installations that reflect the creative identity of many geographies. Other examples of public art installations include Resonance, an artistic installation in Al Shindagha by Maryam Namvar and Neda Salmanpour, curated by Munira Al Sayegh, exploring the historic and social significance of the area; Union of Artists, a collaborative sculpture by five Emirati artists unveiled at Al Hudaiba Public Park in 2024 and Deliberate Pauses artworks in Hatta by Shaikha Almazrou, encouraging reflection and appreciation of the natural landscape. Al Quoz Creative Zone is an integrated creative ecosystem designed to meet the requirements of creative talents and entrepreneurs who are investing in various areas of the UAE's creative economy. It aims to gradually transform into a creative space in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, serving as an integrated hub for all services, licences and permits related to creative businesses.
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Have you sipped on safcha, the Emirati twist on matcha yet?
For matcha lovers and those who want to try it without worrying about sleepless nights, a new caffeine-free alternative has emerged from the UAE: safcha. Saaf Cafe, an Emirati concept inspired by the palm tree, a national symbol of heritage and identity, now serves the drink made from dried palm fronds. Safcha mimics the properties of matcha — a heavy pour of antioxidants and nutrients — sans the caffeine. Like the Japanese tea, the drink is green, and its production — the leaves are carefully selected, steamed, dried, and stone-ground into a fine powder — inspired by its overseas counterpart. The name itself blends the words 'saaf', which is Arabic for palm fronds, and matcha. It is ideal for those looking for a calming drink or an earthy local flavour. Mohammed Al Badwawi, brother of the founder of Saaf Cafe, told KT LUXE: 'During our participation in an exhibition in Saudi Arabia, we discovered a new product called safcha. We were immediately drawn to it because it perfectly aligns with our vision of offering products made from the palm tree.' By promoting this healthy beverage, the cafe hopes to attract the younger generation by providing food and juices that align with modern health trends, such as caffeine-free coffee alternatives similar to matcha. 'We've always aimed to offer choices that suit everyone, including those who are sensitive to caffeine,' Al Badwawi added. Now, safcha has become a staple on the extensive cafe menu. Hatta effect Saaf Cafe was established in 2024 in Hatta, and its name pays tribute to the natural environment and cultural heritage of the mountainous Hatta region. It also seeks to promote the culture of using dates by presenting them in various forms — from coffee infused with date extract, priced at Dh30, to other beverages such as 'Basr Juice' (made from fresh dates), Spanish Latte with dates, and V60 with dates. The menu also includes dishes like date pizza, date tiramisu, and rutab (semi-ripe dates) cheesecake, with prices ranging from Dh15 to Dh45. Al Badwawi explained: 'We wanted everything to be inspired by Hatta, from the name to the ingredients.' Saaf Cafe is not just a business project; it is a contribution to the community. We want people to see the palm tree not just as a symbol but also as a source of nourishment, wellness, and inspiration" Mohammed Al Badwawi In addition to beverages and desserts flavoured with dates, the cafe also offers personal care products such as date oil for hair, facial serum, eyelash oil, body oil, and date patches for eyes, feet, and joints. 'Saaf Cafe is not just a business project; it is a contribution to the community. We want people to see the palm tree not just as a symbol but also as a source of nourishment, wellness, and inspiration,' he said. The cafe was founded by Ali Al Badwawi, a retired government employee, former FIFA referee, and former member of the UAE Football Association. Al Badwawi views the project as a tribute to Emirati heritage. With more than 150 palm trees on the family farm, the Al Badwawi estate supplies the dates used to produce the beverages and food items served at the cafe. More than a cafe It's usually location that draws a crowd, but in the case of this cafe, it was the site of operation that proved to be the challenge. (It is located inside Dubai Municipality's Al Wadi Park at Hatta.) However, a collaboration with the local municipality helped turn the cafe into a visitor attraction. 'It was difficult to design a marketing plan that would draw people into the park to visit the cafe, but the municipality cooperated by placing a sign for the cafe inside the park,' he said. The venue functions as both a cafe and a restaurant, featuring two floors and an outdoor space. It was established to serve local products. The cafe blends traditional and modern atmospheres, and offers a unique dining experience suitable for all ages, including traditional breakfasts and other meals. Services include dine-in, online ordering, and soon, a new branch in Mirdif, Dubai. The cafe also organises events and initiatives aligned with local culture, such as dedicating special hours for only women, where people can connect over snacks and a cup of safcha.
Broadcast Pro
14 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Co-Production Salon returns to MIPCOM Cannes for second year
Co-Production Salon will debut the 2025 MENA Co-Production Guidebook, host curated in-person and virtual networking sessions, and launch a year-round Virtual Networking Lounge to connect Arabic producers with global partners and showcase key industry insights and projects. Co-Production Salon, a platform dedicated to nurturing co-production partnerships and investment channels involving the Arab world, is set to return to MIPCOM Cannes for the second year in a row. Scheduled to run from October 13 to 16, 2025, at the Palais des Festivals, the initiative will feature an upgraded presence at the MIP Creative Hub, strategically positioned along the Cannes beachfront. The event underscores Co-Production Salon's growing role in linking Arabic content creators and investors with international distributors, broadcasters, and financiers to develop globally marketable content. Heba Korayem, Founder of Co-Production Salon, said: 'CoProduction Salon was created to bridge worlds — bringing Arabic production houses and investors together with international partners to create meaningful, marketable content. MIPCOM gives us the stage to make more of those connections happen.' A recent Omdia report predicts the region's VOD market will grow fivefold to reach $8.4bn by 2029, while Parrot Analytics data points to a dramatic rise in demand for Arabic content — up 400% in Saudi Arabia, 300% in Morocco, and 200% in Iraq since 2020. Since its inception, Co-Production Salon has facilitated over $12m in partnership deals. For 2025, the platform is introducing several new initiatives aimed at deepening engagement and insight. These include the launch of the MENA Co-Production Guidebook (2025 Edition), offering in-depth analysis of market trends and investment opportunities, and a Networking Power Hour, designed to foster real-time, curated meetings between Arabic and international stakeholders. Additionally, a Virtual Networking Lounge will provide continuous access to industry data, professional connections, and project highlights throughout the year. The initiative invites participation from a wide array of industry players, from production companies and distributors to investors, broadcasters, OTT platforms, and advertising agencies, all seeking to tap into one of the fastest-growing, youth-driven content markets in the world. Participants will gain access to premium projects, vetted partnerships, and curated networking opportunities. The Virtual Lounge already features over 200 verified profiles from top-tier MENA content entities, including Saudi Broadcast Authority, Thamaniya, Sadaf Media Production, Rise Studios, Cedars Art and Pixitoon. The physical lounge at MIPCOM will serve as a key venue for face-to-face engagement with these and other leading industry names. With its enhanced presence and expanded programming, Co-Production Salon is positioning itself as a central force in the internationalisation of Arabic content. Visitors can connect with the team at PALAIS C12 HUB 6, explore ongoing projects, or join high-level networking events at MIPCOM. 'Our goal is to make those partnerships not just possible but profitable,' added Heba Korayem.
