Watch: This Fujairah road creates music as cars pass by in first-of-its-kind project
The "Musical Street" extends over a distance of 750m on Sheikh Khalifa Street, at the entrance to Fujairah city before the Fujairah Court.
Launched by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, this innovative project comes as part of the Academy's initiatives to promote arts in public spaces and integrate music into the details of daily life.
'We believe that music is a universal language capable of creating exceptional moments even while driving,' Ali Obaid Al Hafiti, Director General of Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, said.
Al Hafiti added that this project connects art with life and embodies the Academy's mission to spread beauty and creativity in every corner of the emirate, especially in artistic fields.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
From clinical depression to life coach in Dubai: Robin Uthappa on his 'second innings'
On a classic Dubai evening, sunlight spills gently through the windows of Robin Uthappa's home, casting a golden-hour glow over spacious hallways and framed family moments. The space feels lived-in, unpretentious — the kind of home where laughter has echoed, stories have been shared, and more than a few games of catch have definitely been played. Perhaps prompted by Robin Jr., who unhesitatingly comes over to join us as we settle in for the conversation. 'He [Robin's 7-year-old son, Neale Nolan Uthappa], plays cricket, tennis, and football. He goes to Danube Academy for cricket and football, and also plays at Juventus Football Club here,' Uthappa tells Khaleej Times. A far cry from the thunder of packed stadiums, yet Robin carries the same stillness here that once steadied him at the crease. He's calm, collected, grounded, and yet, when he speaks of cricket, the passion flickers in his eyes like it always has. 'You can't ever become a former cricketer,' he says with a smile. 'You stop playing professionally, yes, but cricket never leaves you. I still feel like I'm playing.' For more than a decade, Uthappa was known for his flamboyant strokes and crucial innings — a World Cup winner, an IPL champion, a player who made his mark in every tournament India offered. But today, his 'second innings' is unfolding in a much more intimate way, away from the nation's piercing gaze that once followed his every move: helping people heal. 'I recognised very early on that my purpose in life is to add value and serve people,' says Uthappa, who today works as a life coach, helping people through corporate training, one-on-one coaching, and team-building sessions, with a focus on peak performance, relationship coaching, mental resilience, and a lot more. 'Initially, I thought coaching cricket would be it, but my calling felt bigger. I had a lot more to give.' His journey towards service, however, didn't begin on a cricket pitch. Uthappa remembers a cold Bangalore morning in 1993, when his mother handed him a two-rupee coin for canteen lunch — at the time, a huge deal. On the way to school, he saw an old woman begging. 'I gave her the coin, and her eyes lit up. She blessed me, and I felt joy I can't even describe. That day I thought: 'I want to feel this way every day of my life.'' From then on, he reveals, serving others became his inner compass. 'Even in cricket, I always put my team's interests ahead of mine. I enjoyed it, and I have no regrets.' That sense of selflessness brought him multiple cricket championships, which he still regards as a reward for having the right intentions. Battling suicidal thoughts & depression But while his career soared, his inner world was spiralling. In 2009, during the IPL in South Africa, he found himself on the ledge of a 23rd-floor hotel room. 'I had almost committed suicide,' he recalls. 'I had a huge fear of heights, and yet I was sitting there. Something pulled me back and I immediately called my parents and said, 'Something is wrong, I don't know what it is, but come to South Africa.'' And this wasn't his only bout. 'By 2012, I was depressed again. I attempted suicide a few more times. Each time, I got to that point, something inside me stopped me. I heard a voice saying, 'Not yet'. Not 'don't do it', not 'stop'... just 'not now'. And that got me curious. Why not now? Why did it say that? That voice gave me the strength to hang on.' What followed was years-long battle with depression, whilst being in the limelight as a professional cricketer. 'I went through counselling, therapy, medication. I've spoken about it because I believe the stigma around mental health must be broken, especially for men. Back then, nobody spoke of depression. It was taboo, even career-ending. It was seen as madness.' The work it takes Recalling the painstaking work it took to bring himself out of the inner turmoil, he adds, 'For a whole year, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror because I was ashamed of who I had become. I couldn't make eye contact with myself. And then I reached a point where I thought, no, I need to take control of my life. I started going back to my counsellor, and I began the journey of earning my own self-respect.' His road to recovery, then, became rooted in rebuilding the relationship with himself. 'I asked myself: what kind of man do I want to be? What kind of friend, what kind of athlete, what kind of husband, father, brother, son? And then I set my values and principles by which I would live,' says Uthappa. 'It took me two-and-a-half years of trauma healing, of making peace with my inner child, of setting my standards and living by them. It wasn't easy. I put in the hours, did the time.' By 2014, he adds, he started feeling a shift. 'I was okay. But I was still on medication and stayed on them until 2017. Just before my son was born, I finally went off them completely. That's when I felt free.' But recovery is never final. 'Even after the medication stops, it's still a daily practice. Every day is a new day and you have to deal with that day. It's intentional.' That sense of daily discipline, he explains, is also why he feels so strongly about men's mental health. 'We're not raised with the ability to process emotions. As boys we're told, 'Don't cry. Be tough. Take it on the chin'. And then we carry that suppression into every part of our lives. We don't know how to process or articulate what's inside us.' It was this realisation — born out of his own struggle — that ultimately led Uthappa to begin his journey as a life coach. 'I wanted to create spaces where men can be vulnerable, where they can learn that balance.' Building 'True' Together with his wife, Sheethal Goutham, who is a trained NLP practitioner and hypnotherapist, Uthappa has now co-founded 'True', a platform dedicated to life coaching and community building. 'I realised I wanted to empower people with tools for life — not just athletes, not just men, but anyone looking for balance, growth, and healing.' Performance coaching, men's mental health, and what Uthappa refers to as 'modern masculinity' form some of the core pillars of his work at 'True'. 'We want to help people understand their energies — the masculine and the feminine — and how to balance them. Balance isn't a one-time achievement. Like a seesaw, it's going to swing up and down. The key is awareness, to catch yourself when you're off balance and bring yourself back,' he adds. 'I know what it feels like to be lost in that darkness. And I also know what it feels like to walk out of it. If I can help even one person find that light, I feel I'm living my purpose.' Dubai and beyond Moving to Dubai, he says, was another exercise in stepping out of his comfort zone. 'In Bengaluru, traffic was stealing childhood from my kids. We wanted a better quality of life for them, so we moved here. For me, it meant pulling myself completely out of my comfort zone. But Dubai gave us safety, opportunities, and, as a gift, incredible friends. I think that was God's way of rewarding me for choosing my family.' Alongside his coaching, Uthappa has also discovered a new sporting passion: paddle. 'I play four to five times a week. It gives me the same joy cricket did — the competitiveness, the tactical sharpness, the agility. Anything that brings me joy, I won't deny myself.' A message to the next generation For someone who has lived through the highs of stadium glory and the lows of clinical depression, his message to young people is rooted in his own self-awareness. 'Prolonged sadness is not the same as depression. Sometimes it's unresolved issues you're avoiding. Address them with awareness and reverence, and they won't compound. Ignore them, and they will.' And always, he insists, listen to your inner voice. 'The instinct we feel inside, even something small, when you're doom-scrolling and you hear the inner voice say, 'What are you doing?' That's your inner voice. Listen to it. It'll always guide you to the right path,' he adds. 'Growth can never happen inside your comfort zone,' says Uthappa. 'But if you walk out with awareness and joy, even the hardest transitions can turn into your greatest purpose.'
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Sandstorm Comics makes bookstore debut and expands to digital platforms
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Sandstorm Comics, Abu Dhabi's leading comic book studio, has officially made its highly anticipated retail debut through Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center owned digital platform 'Kalima'. The studio's captivating titles will be available through the The comic books will also be available through 'Kinokuniya' stores across United Arab Emirates. This launch cements Sandstorm Comics' position as a leading creative force in the region, while expanding its reach to wider audiences both within the UAE and internationally. Bringing its innovative stories to readers across the nation and beyond, the launch features four standout titles under Sandstorm's newly unveiled children's imprint, Little Storm. These are Solarblader Vol.1, Acro and The Cat, All Upon a Time and The Foxes and the Dragon. Showcasing the studio's commitment to delivering world-class storytelling crafted by local and regional talent, these titles offer audiences fresh, authentic narratives that reflect the region's creativity and cultural richness. Sandstorm Comics' books are currently available at Kinokuniya stores across the UAE, with plans to expand into additional retail outlets soon to ensure its stories reach an even wider audience. 'Since the inception of Sandstorm Comics, our vision has been to bring locally produced comic books to life and make them accessible to everyone,' said Mo Abedin, Editor-in-Chief at Sandstorm Comics. 'Today, that vision becomes a reality with our titles now available across the UAE's largest bookstores, as well as online through 'Kalima' website and mobile application. This marks a significant milestone for the UAE's creative community, and we take great pride in sharing stories that reflect the richness and diversity of our region's culture.' This debut is more than just a retail milestone - it's a testament to Sandstorm Comics' steady rise. The studio has already captured international attention with a high-profile presence at New York Comic Con 2024 and a celebrated showcase at Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025. With plans to expand its offerings throughout the year, Sandstorm is poised to make its mark in the global comic book industry while staying true to its roots in Abu Dhabi. Supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Sandstorm Comics exemplifies the emirate's commitment to fostering a thriving creative ecosystem. As part of Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to elevate its cultural industries on the world stage, Sandstorm is paving the way for the next generation of storytellers and creators from the region. A New Era for Regional Storytelling Unlike anything seen before in the UAE, Sandstorm Comics is setting a new standard for originality and innovation in the comic book medium. By prioritizing local and international talent and developing groundbreaking intellectual properties, the studio is reshaping how stories from the Middle East are told and received both regionally and globally. For fans eager to experience the magic firsthand, Sandstorm's debut titles are now available at Kinokuniya stores across the UAE, the Kinokuniya website, and the Kalima mobile app. Stay tuned for additional releases later this year, as Sandstorm continues to expand its catalog and inspire readers of all ages. About Sandstorm Comics Sandstorm is a dedicated comics studio that focuses on developing local talent, investing in new and unique home-grown IPs, advancing the work of content creators, and using the comic book platform to showcase authentic and unique stories from the region. About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fueling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi's wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organizations that define the emirate's position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate's potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries. DCT Abu Dhabi's vision is defined by the emirate's people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi's status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. For more information about the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit: and
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Zawya
The UAE AI Camp concluded its seventh edition with over 70 diverse workshops
Dubai: The UAE Artificial Intelligence Camp concluded its seventh edition, organized by the National Program for Artificial Intelligence in collaboration with the National Program for Coders. The camp aimed to prepare a new generation equipped to keep pace with digital transformation, armed with future-ready skills, most notably the ability to develop and apply AI solutions, and harness them in technological innovations that drive progress and sustainability across vital sectors. Running from mid-July to mid-August, the camp wrapped up with over 70 knowledge sessions, interactive workshops—including 9 virtual workshops—hackathons, challenges, and lectures. It engaged all segments of society—from children, school and university students, and young professionals, to AI and coding experts—offering a comprehensive learning journey built around seven key themes: the future of AI, data science and machine learning, smart applications in education, healthcare and finance, web and robotics development, AI governance and ethics, cybersecurity, and virtual and augmented reality. The camp was organized in collaboration with numerous government entities, private organizations, and leading technology companies, including: the AI and Emerging Technologies Working Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Emirates Global Aluminium, Abu Dhabi Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Dubai Future Labs, Farjan Dubai, Sheraa, Fujairah Police GHQ, Microsoft, Meta, Huawei, Dell Technologies, Bidaya Media, TODA, SREO Launchpad, Cyber Net, Standard Chartered Bank, Deep Creativity Studio, Jeel Code, Brainy n Bright, Roboland, JTRS, Pennant Education, VR Academy, 01 Gov, Waka Tech, the Unreal Engine community, Heuristic, MathWorks, House of Hype, NovaDreamers, Decoding Data Science, Oli Oli, ItegrAI, Loco Bear, Think Media Labs, ISKY TECH, Voice AI, EdTech Academy, EdRuption, Spectrum Networks and prominent influencers. Saqr binghalib, Executive Director of the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office highlighted that the camp is a leading national platform focused on developing the UAE's youth in digital skills. It offers an innovative learning environment where theory meets hands-on practice, inspiring young minds, empowering national talent, and nurturing a culture of innovation for the next generation. He added that the camp opens new horizons for participants, giving them a deeper understanding of AI tools and their applications, and preparing them to contribute to a smarter, more sustainable future. The UAE AI Camp embodies the leadership's vision that investing in people is the nation's greatest investment for the future. The seventh edition of the camp featured a wide range of workshops covering essential topics such as creative AI, the readiness of government entities for global advancements, AI agents, leadership in emerging technologies, future skills, and how AI can contribute to environmental protection, sustainability, education, and other priority sectors. The camp also included cybersecurity awareness sessions for all age groups, including children and parents, addressing both challenges and opportunities. Additional workshops explored emerging technologies, AI security, and cybercrime, alongside sessions on entrepreneurship and prompt engineering to boost productivity and performance. A central focus of the camp was providing interactive, hands-on AI experiences for young learners. Children engaged with intelligent robotic kits equipped with AI-powered sensors and cameras, exploring how AI responds to real-world inputs. They also participated in fun, educational activities alongside their parents, including interactive games and exercises in storytelling, robotics, design, and other AI-related fields—enhancing creativity and preparing them with skills for the future. Since its launch, the UAE Artificial Intelligence Camp has attracted strong interest and broad participation from all segments of society. Over 34,000 participants from various educational levels and academic backgrounds took part in its events, workshops, and discussion sessions, all designed to develop their skills with the latest technological innovations.
