Social Education offers national identity programme to children
The initiative aimed to instil national values in children and familiarise them with Emirati customs and traditions through an engaging educational approach that combines learning with enjoyment
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Emirates Woman
2 hours ago
- Emirates Woman
11 elegant Emirati designers to shop from in the UAE
Talented Emirati fashion designers are growing year after year. As we're awaiting Eid Al Adha in a few days, finding the right Abaya or silhouette for the occasion to celebrate with family, can come by supporting the myriad of Emirati designers based in the UAE. The abaya has evolved from a simple cover-up to a centre piece of fashion, thanks to local influencers and designers who've redefined what this traditional garment means today. From the quaint streets of Riyadh to the bustling fashion scenes of Dubai, here are ten abaya brands that will make you the style star of every Eid celebration. With the UAE's strong entrepreneurial spirit, female Emirati fashion designers are paving the way for future designers through their avant-garde pieces. From haute couture pieces to innovative accessories, each label is a byproduct of years of hard work and a tribute to the founder's heritage. Overall, the UAE has a burgeoning fashion scene with several local designers and brands making their mark both locally and internationally. From Bouguessa to Taller Marmo, the options are endless. For any occasion, Emirates Woman takes a look at all the inspiring Emirati designers that have made a mark in the world of fashion. Gabi Infused with strong Emirati traditions, Gabi has quickly become the go-to fashion brand in the region. Founded by sisters Waad and Sheyma Al Hammadi, the pieces are designed for all occasions as it has adopted a one-size-fits-all mantra. With the less is more approach, each piece makes a striking impact through clean lines and structured tailoring. For more information visit Al Mraikn Taking a leap of faith 10 years ago launching their own fashion brand Al Mraikn, Muna and Maryam Saeed have gone from strength-to-strength. The abaya brand creates modern designs to empower women and make them feel confident. With immaculately tailored silhouettes that are crafted to perfection, Al Mraikn has made its name as a renowned abaya label in the region. For more information visit Epiphany Founded by Asma Al Matrooshi and Maitha Al Shamsi, this minimal abaya wear brand focuses on incorporating pastel hues. Designed with cotton blends and pure linens, this brand has broken classic stereotypes by designing the first coloured abayas in the region. With minimalism at its helm, this refined brand comprises of other free-flowing silhouettes such as jumpsuits, kaftans and co-ord sets. For more information visit Kamin View this post on Instagram A post shared by KAMIN (@kamin) Born in the UAE, Kamin has quickly made a name for itself in the Middle East. Prominent personalities such as Nouf Al Tamimi, Nia Amroun and more are constantly adorned in it. By deviating from the classics, this brand gives abayas a contemporary touch with luxe textiles and layered fabrics. These are sure to make anyone stand out, no matter what the occasion. From satin to organza, each set glistens with an unmissable shine. For more information visit Odeem Founded in 2018 by Emirati designer, Fatma Al Otaiba. The vision for the brand has grown bountifully over the years with several A-listers around the globe carrying her products. This Dubai-based luxury accessories brand specialises in leather goods. Focused on creating timeless pieces, with varied textures that provide a unique style to its wearer. With over 10 years in the making, this luxury brand tells a story with a unique design aesthetic that reflects the brand's strong ethos of uncompromising quality. For more information visit Serrb View this post on Instagram A post shared by Serrb – سِرّب (@serrbofficial) Born from the creativity of three Emirati sisters Noor, Sarah and Budoor Al Khaja, SERBB has beautifully created designs with sophisticated cuts and intricate designs. This homegrown Emirati brand offers minimal kaftan designs that are crafted with finesse and make women feel their best. For more information visit Manaal Al Hammadi Adopting an avant-garde approach, Manaal Al Hammadi opted for a different route in the field of modest wear. After founding the label in 2006. She bases her pieces around comfort and movement to ensure each silhouette is effortlessly incorporate into any wardrobe. For more information visit @manaalalhammadi Twisted Roots Founded by designer Yasmin Al Mulla in 2014, this ready-to-wear label produces handmade garments designed in house. With fine craftsmanship at its helm, each design is carefully monitored from start to finish. 'I always make sure my designs reflect my culture in a modern way,' she told Emirates Woman in an interview. 'I aspire to elevate our traditional pieces, yet retain a timelessness – to design garments to be worn 20 years from now.' For more information visit @twisted_roots YNM Founded by designer Yasmin Al Mulla in 2014, this ready-to-wear label produces handmade garments designed in house. With fine craftsmanship at its helm, each design is carefully monitored from start to finish. 'I always make sure my designs reflect my culture in a modern way,' she told Emirates Woman in an interview. 'I aspire to elevate our traditional pieces, yet retain a timelessness – to design garments to be worn 20 years from now.' For more information visit @ynmdubai – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @
Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranks 1st in Middle East and 8th globally in 2025 TripAdvisor report
8 Aug 2025 11:08 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (SZGM) in Abu Dhabi has achieved a new global milestone by advancing to higher ranks on the list of the world's most prominent landmarks, according to leading travel and tourism platform TripAdvisor's 2025 global the Top Attractions category, the SZGM ranked eighth globally among 25 distinguished landmarks, climbing two places from its 2024 ranking. It also retained its position as the number one attraction in the Middle East in this category, topping a list of the region's ten most iconic global ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of more than eight million landmarks worldwide. It ranked within the top one per cent of all sites reviewed, reflecting its distinguished status both regionally and internationally, and reaffirming its leading role in promoting cultural tourism in the United Arab another notable accomplishment, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah was ranked among the top 10 per cent of landmarks worldwide, according to selections made by travellers from across the globe. This achievement is particularly remarkable given the recent activation of visitor services at the mosque. These milestones, achieved by both mosques, affirm their leadership as cultural destinations on the global tourism map. Both have become prominent international landmarks, drawing visitors from diverse cultures around the Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC), said: 'The global recognition attained by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi reflects the visionary leadership of the UAE. It is the outcome of the centre's strategic plan, which focuses on enhancing services and providing exceptional experiences for its guests. This success crowns a continuous series of outstanding initiatives and services offered throughout the year. These efforts have included the development of both cultural and physical infrastructure, enhancement of facilities, excellence in specialist staff, and the empowerment of Emirati youth by qualifying them to deliver cultural tours and host the mosque's diverse visitors through distinguished programmes that embody the mosque's civilisational message.'His Excellency added: 'These accomplishments open new horizons for the centre, through which we anticipate the future with strategies and plans that enable it to continue fulfilling its civilisational mission with greater efficiency. They also allow us to consistently enrich the guest experience through religious and cultural programmes, exhibitions, and initiatives that reflect the mosque's message - presented in innovative formats and a refined manner that meets aspirations and fulfils our vision.'The high international rankings achieved by SZGM in Abu Dhabi underscore its global distinction as a unique model among places of worship and cultural landmarks, serving as a benchmark in the region and beyond. Its role extends beyond that of a religious site hosting prayers and rituals - it stands out as a beacon of civilisation and culture, advancing the UAE's message of peaceful coexistence and SZGM also revives and celebrates the elements of Islamic civilisation, embodying a distinctive architectural representation of Islamic art and heritage. It has established itself as a singular cultural tourism destination, welcoming more than seven million visitors and worshippers annually from across the globe. Within its serene spaces, people of different cultures and faiths come together, forming a human tapestry framed by values of fraternity -within a sanctuary of peace and coexistence. Shared human values bind them, and the language of civilisational dialogue becomes the bridge through which they transcend all SZGMC is steadfast in its continuous development of diverse, integrated services across all its landmarks and facilities, maintaining the highest standards to meet the evolving needs of its guests. At the SZGM in Abu Dhabi, visitors can spend an entire day enjoying a wide array of offerings - from the visitor centre, which includes exhibition halls, an auditorium, and a library, to Souq Al Jami', featuring shops, recreational spaces, and restaurants catering to all age groups. These facilities offer moments of rest and enjoyment within a unique atmosphere, further complemented by the mosque's jogging track that invites community members of all backgrounds to engage in physical activity while taking in the breathtaking exterior views of the SZGMC operates under a strategic plan, implemented through a cohesive system led by highly skilled professionals across various disciplines. These national talents work to provide exceptional cultural experiences to visitors from around the world. Among the most distinguished of these are the cultural tours, which are delivered by a select group of Emirati Cultural Tour Specialists who represent the UAE's civilisational identity and promote its message of peace and to its prestigious global standing, the SZGM has become a key destination for high-level dignitaries visiting the UAE. Overseas visitors account for approximately 82 per cent of its total guests. In the first half of the current year, the SZGMC continued to expand its innovative services and experiences, contributing to a notable rise in visitor numbers. Among the most prominent offerings are the general cultural tours and the 'Unseen Glimpses' tours - guided experiences delivered aboard custom electric club cars that offer guests exclusive insights into areas previously unexplored by the experiences are part of an integrated set of high-standard services and activities, including Souq Al Jami, the mosque's jogging track, and the Sura evening tours, which grant visitors access to the mosque 24 hours a day. The Sura experience is designed for visitors to Abu Dhabi and the UAE who are on short transit stays or unable to visit during regular hours. It offers them an opportunity to witness aspects of the mosque not typically accessible during the day, such as scheduled maintenance and extraordinary cleaning SZGMC also provides El-Delleel, a multimedia device that offers immersive cultural tours in 14 international languages, including a dedicated sign language tour designed for guests who are deaf or have hearing impairments, as well as tailored tours for children -ensuring an inclusive visitor the SZGMC's continuous expansion in offering distinguished cultural experiences, the Dome of Peace at SZGM has emerged as a leading cultural destination in Abu Dhabi, providing visitors with a comprehensive and immersive journey that blends authenticity with innovation, all within a single, integrated SZGMC has played a pivotal role in reinforcing the SZGM's standing as a global hub for cultural dialogue, through diverse facilities that include the specialised Al Jami Library, a cultural auditorium, and a series of permanent and temporary exhibitions that spotlight ancient civilisations. Among the most notable exhibitions are Al-Andalus: History and Civilisation, Coins of Islam: History Revealed, Islamic Coins: Civilisational Testimonies, Artistic Characteristics – Elegant Calligraphy and Inspiring Features, and the Hajj: Memories of a Journey, exhibition. Additionally, the Light & Peace Museum offers a dynamic, interactive space that fuses art with knowledge, while the Diya – A Universe of Light immersive experience invites visitors on a sensory journey. Presented in a 360-degree format with sound, visual, and wind effects, the experience takes guests from a celestial realm illuminated by starlight to the very heart of the UAE's heritage, visually narrating the SZGM's enduring message of coexistence and peace.
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
How Dubai's 'AI family' forms part of a global conversation
When people are asked to describe the UAE, one of the words that crops up time and again is 'futuristic'. Although it is true that the country has long established a reputation for embracing cutting-edge technology, Dubai's recent introduction of an AI 'family' is a particularly eye-catching moment. So far, we have met only one member of this digital clan, a remarkably lifelike little girl – dressed in traditional attire – who is shown in a short video smiling at the camera as she plays in a park. To help encourage community participation, she invited the public to help select her name from three options – Dubai, Mira or Latifa. The project will introduce more members of the family − including the girl's father, mother and brother − to form a complete digital representation of an Emirati household. The interactive cast of characters will operate as brand ambassadors for Digital Dubai, an organisation that promotes the integration of online services and advanced technology in everyday life. Although such lifelike anthropomorphising may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is undoubtedly a smart way of getting residents to engage with the myriad digital and AI services that the emirate has invested so much in setting up. More importantly, it is also an significant contribution to the global conversation about this pivotal technology. In a week during which the EU introduced a wave of new rules and regulations to govern artificial intelligence across its 27 member states, the arrival of Dubai's first digital family is just the latest step in the UAE's AI journey, one that provides valuable experience and insights into how this rapidly developing technology is shaping our everyday lives. In June, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced that a National Artificial Intelligence System would become an advisory member of the UAE Cabinet, starting in January next year. And as Dubai's AI family was making its debut, a new report found that the emirate ranked in the top five world cities for AI, beating San Francisco, widely considered the birthplace of the modern tech industry. In a week during which the EU introduced a wave of new rules and regulations to govern artificial intelligence across its 27 member states, the arrival of Dubai's first digital family is just the latest step in the UAE's AI journey Seeing how citizens and residents interact with AI in the public realm of municipal services and government policy offers real-time feedback, providing more substance to a debate that can sometimes seem nebulous, focused as it often is on data centre megaprojects, technical innovations or international deals. Giving AI a human face is often an emotive subject, but there is little doubt that the practice will continue. In 2023, a Kuwaiti media outlet unveiled a virtual news presenter generated using AI, with plans for her to read online bulletins. In April this year, Dubai AI Week heard how the technology's rapid evolution may soon result in digital replicas of employees in workplaces, potentially reshaping job roles and intellectual property rights. Given this, the more we can learn about how society and AI interact, the better. And learning more about how 'digital families' and 'AI ministers' operate in a complex, dynamic and multi-cultural society – such as the UAE's – will be instructive.
