Manal Dowayan - Landscape of the Mind

‘Maraya Art Centre’ welcomes public to capture remarkable experiences in ‘Regarding Borders’ exhibition

Sharjah, August 28, 2010:  Al Qasba—the premier tourist, cultural and entertainment destination in the emirate of Sharjah—has announced that registration has begun for an exciting new photography exhibition, ‘Regarding Borders’, which aims to reveal and depict the social, cultural and geographical frontiers of the Arabian Peninsula.

Open to the public at large, residents and visitors alike are invited to explore the region’s rich natural environment and examine the interplay between its many contrasting cultures.   All lens-based art including photography, photo-collage, and film & video works will be considered for inclusion in the exhibition as long as they are received ahead of the September 25th deadline.

It is the hope of exhibition curators at ‘Maraya Art Centre’ to collect a “visual record” of this particular time and place in Middle East history, creating a snapshot of the Arabian Peninsula in the modern era while promoting a greater appreciation for the treasures that define the region today. ‘Regarding Borders’ exhibit will be finalized this autumn and appear to the public before the end of 2010, hosted at ‘Maraya Art Centre’ in partnership with ‘The Shelter’.

‘Regarding Borders’ is an open invitation for local artists to express their unique perceptions of life in the Gulf”, says ‘The Shelter’ Curator, Madeline Yale.  “This is an ever-changing region where ancient traditions are kept alive in a modernizing global system, and that balance sets the stage for an incredible insight into the character of Arabia and its people.”

‘Maraya Art Centre’ frequently hosts cutting-edge exhibits from all over the world, including recent shows from countries like Iraq, Italy and UAE.  Most recently, the Centre hosted ‘Life in Ramadan’ photography exhibition showcasing the works of 13 photographers from the region that express their view of the holy month.

For more information about the exhibition, please log on to www.alqasba.ae

Cooperative exhibition features creative works for 13 photographers

Sharjah, August 23, 2010:  Bringing colourful insights into life of UAE residents during the Holy Month of Ramadan, ‘Life in Ramadan’ photography exhibition was inaugurated yesterday (August 22), 10:00 pm at Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba. The exhibition which is held in collaboration with the Emirates Photography Society will run from August 22nd – September 18th showcasing photographic works of UAE’s talented photographers. The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of H.E. Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Al Qasba; H.E. Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting General Director at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and Mr. Peter Jackson, Architect Advisor, HH The Ruler’s Office along with other distinguished guests.

Featuring the works of 13 photographers, 10 of which hold the UAE nationality, the ‘Life in Ramadan’ exhibit gives visitors the chance to discover a local perspective on the many unique traditions and customs that characterize this very special time of the Islamic year.  With predominantly local photographers, organizers say that they are also working to promote photography within the UAE while strengthening the connection between art foundations and local communities.

Open to the public at large, Life in Ramadan is one of several cutting-edge exhibits from across the globe being featured at Maraya Art Centre. Recent projects have included partnerships with institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation and award-winning pieces on display from the 2009 Abraaj Capital Art prize.

AROUND 13 photographers from different parts of the UAE have gathered to bring colourful insights into the life of UAE residents during the holy month of Ramadan. The ‘Life in Ramadan’ exhibition started at Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba on Sunday.

The exhibition, which will continue till Sept. 18, is being held in collaboration with the Emirates Photography Society to showcase the photographic work of the country’s talented photographers.

The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of CEO of Al Qasba Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal, Acting General Director at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Saeed Al Nabouda, and Architect Advisor- The Ruler’s Office Peter Jackson, along with other distinguished guests.

Local perspective

Featuring the works of 13 photographers, 10 of whom are UAE nationals, the exhibition gives visitors the chance to discover a local perspective on the many unique traditions and customs that characterise this very special time of the Islamic year.  With predominantly local photographers, organisers say that they are also working to promote photography within the UAE while strengthening the connection between art foundations and local communities.

Talking to The Gulf Today, Ammar Al Attar, one of the photographers who has displayed a unique project of photography, said that he had been taking part in various exhibitions and showcased his work throughout the UAE.

At Maraya Art Centre’s exhibition, Al Attar has displayed his work “Untitled” - a combination of 500 still images covering the “Taraweeh” prayers in a series - through a video. “Taraweeh is one of the important prayers during Ramadan and through this project I am showing the importance of this to the world,” said Al Attar. “I had completed this project in  two days to capture 500 pictures. I then combined them to use a timeless technique and am showcasing it in the exhibition to highlight the different aspects of Ramadan in the UAE.”

He noted that it was not an easy task for him, but  he managed to do so with the help of his associates.

Al Attar said that last year the theme of Al Qasba exhibition was mosques and before it was prayers in which various photographers under the banner of Emirates Photography Society took part. “Photography is a way of documentation of various accounts and sharing with other people,” he added.

Young photographer

The exhibition is also showcasing the work of a 16-year-old Emirati photographer, Naser Ali Naser, entitled “Some people in Ramadan,” which drew attention of almost every visitor.

Naser resides in Abu Dhabi and came to Sharjah to take part in the exhibition. He is a student of Grade 12 and is self-taught in terms of photography techniques. This is his third exhibition to showcase his work.

“I have captured every mood of life but love landscape photography very much to help me explore nature,” he said. “I will continue my hobby of photography to capture more and more scenes and will display them in other exhibitions.”

Open to the public at large, Life in Ramadan is one of the several exhibits from across the globe being featured at Maraya Art Centre. Recent projects have included partnerships with institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation and award-winning pieces on display from the 2009 Abraaj Capital Art prize.

Ducab sponsors high-achievers from across the company in overseas immersion course, part of company’s National Development Program

Dubai, August 21 2010: As part of the company’s long-term investment in developing its UAE national workforce, Ducab—the leading manufacturer of power cables in the Middle East—has sponsored a team of six Emirati employees to complete a month-long practices and training course in Perth, Western Australia.  Selected on the basis of their exceptional performance, attitude and commitment, the group was recognized for their demonstrated professionalism with the opportunity to expand their talents at C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE and at various independent businesses and organizations.

According to Dr. Saeed Mohd Al Barwani, General Manager of HR and IT at Ducab, the six employees were chosen in recognition of their drive to explore leadership roles within the manufacturing sector and their excellent performance while at the company.  After reviewing the program’s applicants, Laila Marafi, Amal Bin Ghelaita, Maryam, Al Naqbi, Fahad Khalifa, Abdulrahman Al Mansoori and Aqeel Al Awady were chosen for this year’s journey.  The Australia trainees work in roles from the shop-floor level through to engineers, representing a diversity of internal departments such as QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety & Environment), Manufacturing, Finance, HR, Metals, Technical and Testing.

The Australia initiative is one of the many sponsorship development initiatives within the company’s National Development Program (NDP), and included a comprehensive curriculum aimed at enhancing technical, business and communication skills of employees.  This included tours of local government, manufacturing and engineering companies around Western Australia, enabling the trainees to gain valuable insight into their chosen industry and use it to promote leadership skills upon their return to the UAE.

Dr. Al Barwani says that Ducab’s commitment to attracting local talent has seen a significant increase in the number of UAE nationals among its staff, hence the creation of training initiatives like those in Western Australia.  Founded in 2008, the NDP had its first international posting in Australia during 2009, boosting career prospects for UAE nationals at both the experienced and student levels.

“This delegation won’t be the only ones who benefit from the secondment as this unique opportunity to learn about overseas practices and ethics has equipped them with knowledge that can be shared with co-workers back home, contributing to the further development of a talented local workforce and leaders of the future” adds Al Barwani.  “We are fortunate to have many self-motivated individuals in our organization, and this is but one of the ways for us to reward such leadership within our team.”

Fostering talent among younger UAE generations is one of the specific goals of the NDP, and has seen Ducab team up with a number of leading academic institutions across the country. The objective is to provide work placement training for UAE nationals from various leading colleges and institutions including UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), IAT and VEDC

Al Qasba

All-inclusive destination records nearly a quarter of a million visitors in first half of the year as Ramadan festival gets underway this month

Sharjah, August 17, 2010:  Now celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Ramadaniat Al Qasba festival, officials at Sharjah’s premier entertainment destination Al Qasba have revealed high attendance number pushing almost a quarter of a million visitors in just the first six months of 2010.  One of the leading cultural destinations in the Emirate of Sharjah, the company’s mix of leisure attractions and business facilities has proven to be an attractive combination not only for UAE residents but a growing tourism industry in the Emirate.

Situated in the centre of “new Sharjah”, location has become a key factor in driving places like Al Qasba to diversify their offerings to attract a combination of leisure and business visitors in 2010.  “Here families can find a lively evening’s entertainment, friends can share in five-star international cuisine, and business people can take advantage of stylishly sophisticated conference facilities all within a single picturesque setting,” says Hazem Sawaf, Sales and Marketing Director at Al Qasba Development Authority.

A number of events have made this an especially rewarding year for Al Qasba, including a community walkathon to support the children of Palestine, an Earth Hour event supporting energy conservation, and the recently concluded ‘Scream for Your Team’ event held during the FIFA World Cup this year.

According to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the Sharjah tourism industry has maintained a steady growth as the number of tourists and hotel occupancy rate rose in the first half of the year. 

“As Sharjah’s popularity increases, we have worked diligently to offer leisure and business customers not only excellent amenities, but a combination of attractions unlike any other available in the Emirate,” adds Sawaf.

The venue has proven widely popular with people of all ages with notable attractions such as the Etisalat Eye of the Emirates—the largest Ferris wheel in the Middle East having alone drawn almost 40,000 visitors during the first half of the year.  Other cultural ventures include traditional Abra boat rides along the Sharjah’s waterfront, with creatives also getting a flush of inspiration at the Maraya Art Centre, presenting three distinct galleries and a number of monthly workshops and lectures. Plenty of cafes and restaurants also line the Al Qasba waterfront, offering guests everything from European bistros to relaxed Arabian coffeehouses. 

Inspired by the success of the first six months, the Sharjah destination is determined to bring even more action to the latter half of 2010 as the Holy Month of Ramadan kicks of this week.

“This is typically one of our busiest times of the year as people across the region seek to capture a glimpse of the past while exploring the many wonders of contemporary Islamic society.”  We are especially thrilled this year to be extending Ramadaniat Al Qasba under the collective Sharjah Ramadan Festival, supporting the time-honoured values and traditions associated with Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr,” concluded Sawaf.

Giving visitors the chance to walk away with something special this Ramadan, Al Qasba is sponsoring a series of giveaway promotions for all visitors spending AED 100 or more at any of Al Qasba’s facilities.  Through the Scratch & Win campaign, customers will be able to take home any number of fantastic prizes including Al Qasba Value Vouchers, free attraction tickets, and or course instant prizes.

Additional information about the seasonal and permanent activities at Al Qasba can be found online at www.alqasba.ae
 

Training program part of larger aswaaq strategy to ensure highest level of customer care through knowledge-exchange initiatives with DCD

Dubai, August 15, 2010- Building on its reputation for exceptional customer care, aswaaq has recently concluded a fire awareness and prevention workshop in cooperation with Dubai Civil Defense (DCD), marking the second consecutive year that the two organizations have come together in support of greater employee and customer safety.  The partnership follows a MoU signed between aswaaq and DCD earlier this year in which both organizations recognized their mutual interest in promoting public safety campaigns in high population areas throughout Dubai.

Focusing on fire safety, the most recent workshop was led by corporals Mohammed Kalil and Shehab Badawy from the DCD and requested by aswaaq as the company updates it fire safety guidelines. More than 55 employees from various departments at aswaaq attended the day-long course, which included practice drill on responding to emergency situation, different types of fires, evacuation procedures, as well as key information that must be relayed to DCD in case of emergency.

“These courses are very important as we continue to instill a sense of responsibility amongst our staff that we can all play an active role in taking care of our valued customers,” says Yousuf Sharaf, Deputy CEO at aswaaq.  “We have built a great relationship with DCD through these kinds of workshops and look forward to further developing initiatives outlined in the MoU shared earlier this year.”

To maximize safety, Sharaf says that aswaaq will continue knowledge-sharing programs with DCD to provide aswaaq with expertise on a number of security and emergency-response measures.  Part of that includes new employee training initiatives and licensing aswaaq facilities with voluntary building-safety guidelines. Sharaf indicated that aswaaq would even look into extending these programs to local customers and residents in the future.

Al Qasba Mosque

Sharjah’s leading cultural venue to host series of Islamic lectures, entertainment events & grand Ramadan banquets

Sharjah, August 3, 2010: Sitting in the heart of downtown Sharjah, Al Qasba—the Emirate’s leading tourist, cultural and entertainment destination—has announced preparations to welcome in the Holy month of Ramadan with an expanded agenda for its annual Ramadaniat Al Qasba program, held this autumn for the sixth consecutive year.

Representatives at Al Qasba say that they are thrilled to be extending Ramadaniat Al Qasba under the collective Sharjah Ramadan Festival—a   program aimed at supporting the time-honored values and traditions associated with Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.  The Sharjah Ramadan Festival will be spread across the Emirate of Sharjah from Ramadan tents to shopping festivals, accompanied by a series of family activities and promotions attracting people from all age groups and backgrounds.

One of the many unique events planned at Al Qasba will be the ‘Eman Oasis’, hosting notable clerics from across the Islamic world as they come together to support a remarkable schedule of religious lectures dealing with issues affecting modern Islamic society.  The schedule will include nineteen lectures covering various topics from August 12 – 26, including a number of events for non-Muslims. Held within a classical Arabian tent, the air-conditioned venue will be fitted for visitors of all ages with a special area for ladies only.

Dina Al Nakhi, events manager at Al Qasba, says that her team is excited to be putting all the final touches on what is typically one of the largest and most anticipated events of the year. “We are incredibly proud to be hosting Ramadaniat Al Qasba once again and welcoming audiences from across the region to enjoy the many activities present for all age groups,” adds Al Nakhi.

In the spirit of fun and giving, visitors to Al Qasba will also have the chance to win great prizes during the Holy Month. 

Al Qasba is preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan Modern with a distinctive Islamic feel reflecting the identity of Al Qasba and the Emirate of Sharjah, complete with palm trees, bridges and buildings in Al Qasba being lit with special Ramadan lights.  Al Qasba restaurants and cafes will be adding a special touch to family meetings as visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere with a wide range of Iftar and Suhour meals with extended hours and menus.  For younger visitors, the Al Qasba Kids Fun Zone will be featuring some special educational events aligned with the theme of Ramadan.

Cooperative exhibition to reveal joyful spirit of “Life in Ramadan” from across the UAE with features from over 20 local photographers

Maraya Art Centre

Sharjah, July 28, 2010:  Bringing colourful insights into life of UAE residents during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Maraya Art Centre is proud to announce a new alliance with the Emirates Photography Society for an upcoming art exhibition titled Life in Ramadan, running from August 22 – September 18 at Al Qasba. 

Supported by a variety of both young and experienced photographers living in UAE, the Life in Ramadan exhibition gives visitors the chance to discover a local perspective on the many unique traditions and customs that characterize this very special time of the Islamic year.  With predominantly local photographers, organizers say that they are also working to promote photography within the UAE while strengthening the connection between art foundations and local communities.

“The treasured moments shared between family and friends during the Holy Month of Ramadan are fantastic memories to capture as part of our modern Emirati history,” says Ammar Al Attar, Manager of Emirates Photography Society. “It is the hope of Maraya Art Centre that this will be the first of many collaborations with Emirates Photography Society as our two organisations share mutual ambitions for supporting artistic creativity in the Emirate of Sharjah.” 

Open to the public at large, Life in Ramadan is one of several cutting-edge exhibits from across the globe being featured at Maraya Art Centre. Recent projects have included partnerships with institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation and award-winning pieces on display from the 2009 Abraaj Capital Art prize.

Company recalls an exciting period of landmark ventures and new advancements in UAE manufacturing facilities

Andrew Shaw, Managing Director of Ducab receives ‘Superbrands’ award

Dubai, July 26, 2010- Following a year marked by business expansions, Ducab—one of the leading manufacturers of power cables in the Middle East—has been honoured for the second consecutive year by the Superbrands organisation for its marketing and branding excellence.  The honour is a powerful endorsement that recognizes Ducab’s exceptional work in positioning the brand while strengthening business relationships from its UAE headquarters. Ducab has been chosen for second time as a UAE “Superbrand” against stiff competition and as one of the very few recognised industrial brands.

Andrew Shaw, Managing Director of Ducab, says that as one of the leading companies in the UAE’s manufacturing sector, Ducab is very proud to have been recognised & honoured by the local business community and its industry peers.  “Focusing on client relationships coupled with the development of reliable & high quality products has taken us far in the past thirty years,” comments Shaw.  “As a joint venture between the governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, our success is a testament to the remarkable achievements that can be realised by mutual cooperation and the visionary leadership of UAE as a whole.”

Ashish Chaturvedy, Marketing Manager at Ducab, says, “Our products are supplied to partners around the world including Middle East, Asia & Africa from a series of UAE factories and business offices.  The company has consistently gained ground over the years, capturing a market share of over 50 per cent in the UAE and with strong ambition to expand within the GCC region over the next few years.” 

With two factories in Jebel Ali—one of which is a cable factory and the other a PVC compounding plant—the company also operates two cable manufacturing facilities in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, and the UAE’s first copper rod casting plant also located in Abu Dhabi.  Looking to the future, Ducab is also preparing to launch a high-voltage cables factory jointly owned by ADWEA & DEWA (known as Ducab HV) which is currently under construction in Dubai and due for completion during 2011.

This last year, Ducab’s advanced cable solutions have laid the foundation for world-renowned projects including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Metro and the Yas Marina Circuit, amongst many other landmark projects within the region and overseas.

Aswaaq and Desert Group aim to develop local environment to bring neighbours closer together and develop staff expertise

Dubai, 24 July, 2010:  Expanding its pledge to communities throughout Dubai, Aswaaq—the leading UAE local brand with international standards—is continuing its focus on CSR and the environment with the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Desert Group, a premium provider of value landscaping and outdoor apparel. The memorandum will see the two companies work together to promote special events within local communities encouraging both city beautification and environmental sustainability.

Aswaaq has previously partnered with Desert Group in hosting special events at Aswaaq community centres in Umm Suqeim and Warqaa, and has voiced their intention of hosting future activities at other Aswaaq locations across Dubai.  Customers and residents of these areas will have the chance to learn more about their neighbourhoods while taking part in a wide range of sporting, cultural and social activities. Aswaaq and Desert Group will cooperate in organising and arranging sponsorship for these activities.

This most recent MoU will also see Aswaaq showcase the Desert Group’s select range of seasonal plants, organic soils and quality garden furniture in its stores, with Desert Group making an effort to equip special needs workers at Aswaaq with pre-employment training as well as rehabilitation and recreational programs.

In addition, Wafa Loyalty Cards will be issued for Desert Group employees as the two companies work to implement Wafa customer loyalty programs at Desert Group point-of-purchase locations, with Wafa customers benefiting from special offers and prices in Desert Group outlets.

“The MoU highlights our dedication to partnering with various companies and organizations in providing local communities with excellent services while taking responsibilities towards the environment seriously,” comments Yousuf Sharaf, Deputy CEO at Aswaaq. “Our agreement is further aimed at increasing Aswaaq’s capacity to serve as a genuine community centre for Dubai’s diverse and ever-expanding population.”

The two companies have actually demonstrated their commitment to the environment on a number of previous occasions, including the recent “Plant a Tree” campaign with Aswaaq employees and 40 special needs volunteers working together to protect and nurture landscapes in designated local areas. 

Naseer Talib, CEO at Desert Group, expressed great enthusiasm when signing the agreement with Aswaaq. “We are proud to partner with Aswaaq as it is a great opportunity to help the communities we serve,” says Talib. “Both our staffs will benefit from collaborative projects as we exchange experiences and perspectives on environmental development in Dubai.”