Latest news with #MAYSIBRAHIM
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Artist Azza Al Qubaisi: Liwa Date Festival is an opportunity to reconnect with UAE heritage
20 July 2025 23:00 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)For visual artist and designer Azza Al Qubaisi, the Liwa Date Festival is more than a harvest celebration; it is a conscious act of cultural preservation and remembrance. For over two decades, she has returned, blending desert stories, ancestral echoes and modern artistry into works that speak of who she is and where she comes from Al Qutuf, Al Dhafra, Al-Qubaisi views the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with her heritage and to reflect the evolving identity of the UAE through her contemporary artistic creations. "This festival is not about selling or marketing my products," she told Aletihad. "It is about saying I belong. I am here to present my identity." At this year's festival, Al Qubaisi is exhibiting a range of works that fuse traditional Emirati elements with modern design. Among them are chairs made from palm fronds, artistic pieces inspired by the desert landscape, and silver and gold accessories shaped like the Emirati burqa, traditionally worn by women in the region.A highlight of her exhibit is the design of the festival's award trophies, which incorporate palm frond motifs and, for the first time this year, feature one of Liwa's iconic castles. She also designed the rutab (fresh date) hangers used across the festival – pieces that turn functional objects into cultural statements."I don't like to see things without design and intention," she said. "We have a wealth of ideas and creativity. I like to make sure our traditional motifs are part of our everyday experiences."Al Qubaisi's work is inspired by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's words: "A nation without a past is a nation without a present or a future." She channels this philosophy into each of her creations, transforming heritage elements into pieces that are both visually compelling and culturally significant."My goal is to reflect my identity through my artworks, and at the same time present and preserve it for the future," she said. "A simple object like a hanger can become a visual connection for children, something that carries emotion, history and identity."Arabic calligraphy is another signature feature of Al Qubaisi's work. By incorporating letters into her designs, she hopes to inspire a renewed appreciation for the Arabic language among younger of her pieces are produced locally, and collaboration remains central to her artistic philosophy. This year, she is working with fellow Emirati artist Moosa Al Halyan, who contributed illustrations on palm stalks for a joint exhibition."I always try to move away from 'me' and focus on 'we.' Collaborating with other artists helps develop the local artistic experience and contributes to a shared cultural vision," she said. "As individuals and institutions, we must give and create together."
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Union Pledge Day celebrates UAE's historic path to unification
17 July 2025 22:14 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The UAE marks Union Pledge Day on July 18, celebrating a national occasion that honours the past, inspires future generations, and reaffirms the shared values that have shaped the country since its Pledge Day commemorates the pivotal meeting held on July 18, 1971, when the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers, the Rulers, signed the declaration of the Union and announced the official name of the UAE. This historic moment laid the foundation for the formation of the United Arab Emirates later that year on December occasion was introduced last year by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation's values of unity, ambition, and determination.'On this day in 1971, the Founding Father and his brothers the Rulers signed the declaration of the Union and the UAE Constitution while announcing the name of our country: the United Arab Emirates. In preparation for the nation's establishment on 2 December, it was a historic day on which they laid the foundations of the Union. Today, we declare 18 July as Union Pledge Day, a national occasion to celebrate the history of our country and the blessed journey towards establishing the Union,' His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed wrote, announcing the occasion last Pledge Day is now officially the first major celebration on the UAE's annual calendar of national is followed by Flag Day (November 3), Commemoration Day (November 30), and Eid Al Etihad, or National Day (December 2).While not yet a public holiday, Union Pledge Day is designed to be a reflective and educational occasion, inviting citizens, residents, and visitors to pause and honour the country's aims to deepen awareness, particularly among the youth, about the UAE's formation and the dedication of its leaders and its people to achieve unity. The observance also reinforces national values laid down by Sheikh Zayed, which continue to guide the UAE's path toward progress and prosperity.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Irrigation goes smart as AI-powered ‘Falaj' optimises water usage at UAE farms
17 July 2025 22:09 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)Innovators in the UAE have brought the ancient falaj irrigation system into the age of AI — this time as a tech-driven solution that promotes smart, sustainable farming amid climate and water United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), a team of experts has developed a next-generation 'Falaj' — a smart irrigation system that integrates advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise water usage. Mansoor Al Hosani, a horticulture student from the UAEU's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, walked Aletihad through its features at Liwa Date Festival in Al Dhafra Region. The system is designed to optimise greenhouse irrigation through a seamless combination of smart sensors, AI algorithms, and remote-access capabilities, Al Hosani said. It operates on three main functions: monitoring, control, and alarm. The monitoring feature collects real-time data from sensors that measure soil moisture, temperature, pH levels, and electrical conductivity — metrics crucial for maintaining soil health and crop productivity. This continuous stream of information enables farmers to understand the needs of their crops and apply the precise amount of water at the right time, Al Hosani said. How It Works The control system is managed through a user-friendly mobile app that gives farmers full oversight of irrigation processes. 'This way, you don't need engineers or workers on-site all the time,' said Al Hosani. 'You can manage everything from anywhere in the world.'Users can choose to automate water delivery or make manual adjustments, and the app's intuitive interface ensures accessibility even for those with limited technical experience, he adjusting water flow or responding to changing environmental conditions, farmers have complete flexibility at their is also equipped with an alarm system, which immediately notifies users when environmental conditions deviate from optimal levels. Alerts for issues like excess heat or humidity allow farmers to take timely action before such changes can harm crop Hosani noted that this intelligent infrastructure is supported by several key components, including a soil moisture monitoring station known as the 'watchman.'A smart valve ensures efficient water distribution based on real-time pressure data, while a solar-powered system reduces reliance on the electric grid. The system also includes a frequency converter cabinet that helps maintain stable water pressure throughout the irrigation of this data is presented in real-time through a centralised dashboard, which enables fast, informed decisions, enhancing overall farm management and in collaboration with NAWA, a technology company specialising in agricultural innovations, Falaj supports various communication technologies, including 4G, Wi-Fi, and LoRa wireless protocols. Al Hosani also noted that the irrigation system ensures farming information is protected through robust data encryption.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Business leaders trust AI in decision-making as UAE vision boosts confidence
16 July 2025 22:09 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Seventy-nine percent of business leaders in the UAE trust artificial intelligence (AI) to make budget decisions and manage talent functions, covering key aspects like compensation, hiring, and performance evaluation, according to a recent research, conducted by next-generation technology services provider Endava in partnership with 3Gem, surveyed 300 UAE business leaders across various industries to explore their views on AI in business, personal life, and survey revealed broad confidence in the technology's capabilities, with 80% of respondents saying they would feel comfortable with AI-driven systems overseeing critical health and safety functions at UAE businesses, adopting AI emerged as the top strategic priority, followed by enhancing client services and investing in other trust extends beyond the workplace into personal decision-making, according to the in five respondents said they would rely on fully automated AI systems for major career decisions, including salary progression and timing for promotions or job equally high percentage trust AI for personal financial management, such as investment and retirement planning, as well as for automated health study also showed that 74% of respondents agree that access to AI is as essential for UAE society as access to utilities like water and energy. Moreover, 79% believe that successful AI implementation will significantly improve the quality of life in the country. National Strategy The UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a global AI leader with billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and innovation announced this momentum appears to resonate with the public, as 46% of those surveyed feel the UAE is ahead of the world in AI adoption and asked to rank global AI leaders, the Middle East was placed third, after the US and China."Trust is the critical enabler of any AI strategy. The UAE's clear national vision, its youthful and tech-savvy demographic, and its digital-first mindset give organisations a unique opportunity to innovate with confidence," said David Boast, General Manager for UAE and Saudi Arabia at Endava."While other regions remain cautious, weighed down by debates over job displacement, our research shows that businesses in the UAE can move forward with certainty, knowing their workforces are not only ready for AI, but actively embracing it."The study's findings indicate optimism about AI's impact on the job market. Nearly 75% of business leaders say their organisations have already created or plan to create dedicated AI roles, such as 'Head of AI.'The same percentage believe AI will improve employee job satisfaction, while 71% report AI has directly boosted their company's is also a sense of urgency: 66% of respondents think their organisation risks losing market share within two years if it fails to advance its AI capabilities, while 35% warn this could happen in less than a year. According to Endava, around 30% of companies plan to significantly increase AI investments in 2025 compared to 2024.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Now, farmers get expert agri-advice at their fingertips
16 July 2025 21:25 MAYS IBRAHIM (LIWA CITY)Questions about crop care are part of every farmer's day, but the answers are often buried in academic papers or require bringing in experts who are miles away. This Emirati entrepreneur is changing that by providing timely and reliable expert guidance at farmers' Al Kirbi spent the past five years developing Fesilah, a mobile application that cuts through the barriers of distance and complex scientific literature. In an interview with Aletihad at the 21st Liwa Date Festival in Liwa City, he explained how this tech-solution operates as an all-in-one agricultural knowledge base. Its vast repository of resources includes more than 3,700 scientific articles, carefully curated and summarised to just two pages for easy reading - a crucial feature for busy farmers who may not have the time to sift through lengthy research range from seed selection and irrigation techniques to sustainability, plant diseases, post-harvest practices, and even agricultural app also catalogues over 750 varieties of domestic, foreign, and seasonal crops, along with details on more than 750 international and local agricultural exhibitions, and over 650 global conferences and information access, the smart application provides a virtual "Dr. Fesilah" service, according to Al allows farmers to communicate with a team of expert agricultural engineers for tailored advice on cultivation methods, irrigation systems, fertiliser use, pruning techniques, post-harvest handling, or diagnoses and treatments for plant health launched only five months ago, the application has already attracted over 15,000 agricultural users across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, with plans to expand globally and support additional languages. Inspiration Behind the App The idea was born from Al Kirbi's experience working in an administrative role in the public sector, where he witnessed firsthand the difficulties farmers face without immediate access to expert guidance."It's hard for agricultural engineers to be onsite all the time," he said. "Fesilah solves that by bringing expert advice directly to farmers' phones."Al Kirbi believes the app can play a vital role in bolstering regional food security. By offering accurate, localised guidance, Fesilah empowers farmers to increase yields, reduce waste, and adopt more sustainable practices, he said. The app's name, Fesilah, is derived from the Arabic word for a young offshoot of a date palm. According to Al Kirbi, the concept is also inspired by a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which encourages planting trees even if the world were coming to an end.
