MAGNAV Emirates

Hafsa Qadeer

Exclusive Interview with Maya Nassar Maalouf

Exclusive Interview with Maya Nassar Maalouf

Exclusive Interview with Maya Nassar Maalouf Ms Fitness Universe 2025 | International Fitness Model | Virgin Radio Host | Founder of Start Living Right By Hafsa Qadeer Maya Nassar Maalouf, crowned Ms Fitness Universe 2025 in Las Vegas, is more than a global champion, she is a pioneer in Arab fitness, a successful entrepreneur, and a powerful voice on the airwaves. As a mother of four, international athlete, and media personality, her journey continues to inspire a generation of women across the Middle East and beyond. Having lived in the United States, Nigeria, England, and Lebanon, Maya’s outlook on fitness and discipline has been deeply shaped by her global experiences. Each culture brought a unique philosophy toward health and lifestyle, broadening her understanding of fitness beyond physical appearance. The variety of environments taught her how to adapt, remain motivated, and stay disciplined no matter the circumstances. Her fitness journey began in 2010 during a time of personal challenge, which sparked a desire for transformation. What started as a personal goal soon turned into a passionate pursuit of bodybuilding. Through this process, she discovered not just physical strength, but deep mental resilience. Competing was a natural next step, allowing her to push her limits and redefine her sense of self. A defining moment came when she became the first Lebanese athlete officially endorsed by the government to compete in an international bodybuilding event. That endorsement represented more than personal recognition, it marked a breakthrough for Lebanese women in sport. It was a proud, symbolic moment, signalling to women across the region that they, too, could claim space on global athletic stages. Winning first place at the 2014 Pure Elite UK Championships was a pivotal achievement that validated years of dedication and sacrifice. It established Maya’s credibility in the international fitness community and opened the door to further success. Most recently, she added another crowning glory to her career, being named Ms Fitness Universe 2025 in Las Vegas. That moment was especially meaningful, a culmination of years of commitment achieved while raising four children. Her platform, Start Living Right, was born out of a desire to empower others. The goal was to make fitness accessible and enjoyable, offering structured resources and expert guidance. Today, it stands as one of the region’s top-ranked fitness apps, with official endorsement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The app’s success is a testament to its positive impact on the community and the growing appetite for credible wellness solutions in the Arab world. Transitioning from athlete to entrepreneur was not without its challenges. Navigating the business world required Maya to learn about operations, marketing, and finance, territories she hadn’t explored as a competitor. Running a business meant shifting her mindset and embracing continuous growth, all while staying connected to her roots in fitness. Balancing that with motherhood and media responsibilities has been demanding, but rewarding. Maintaining personal motivation and consistency amidst so many commitments comes down to prioritisation. Maya treats her workouts like any essential meeting and sets realistic, achievable goals. Finding joy in the process has helped her stay grounded and committed to her own wellbeing, even when time is scarce. Media has played a vital role in expanding Maya’s platform. Her features in publications such as Women’s Health, Oxygen Magazine, and Muscle & Fitness have helped reshape perceptions of Middle Eastern women in fitness. Through her visibility, she continues to challenge outdated stereotypes, showcasing the strength, capability, and ambition of Arab women. Her work in broadcasting, most notably as a radio host on Virgin Radio, gives her the opportunity to reach an even wider audience. Through on-air discussions and community engagement, she spreads awareness about health and wellness in a way that’s both relatable and inspiring. Media, in this context, becomes a catalyst for cultural change, encouraging people across the Arab world to adopt healthier lifestyles. As Maya continues to grow and evolve, her ambitions remain rooted in impact. She is exploring new business ventures and community-based wellness initiatives designed to reach more people, particularly women seeking empowerment through health. Personal development remains a constant focus, as she seeks to refine her leadership skills and continue inspiring others to pursue their own journeys toward balance, fitness, and self-belief. Maya Nassar Maalouf’s journey is not just a story of success, but of transformation, leadership, and purpose. She continues to inspire, not only through her achievements, but through her unwavering commitment to helping others start living right.

Why ADNOC Sees Opportunity in Covestro Acquisition

Why ADNOC Sees Opportunity in Covestro Acquisition

Strategic Alignment Why ADNOC Sees Opportunity in Covestro Acquisition By Hafsa Qadeer When ADNOC first unveiled its plan to acquire Covestro last October, it surprised many observers. Here was a national oil company, long synonymous with crude exports, reaching into Europe’s advanced chemicals sector. Now, as Brussels opens an in‑depth probe under its new Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the deal is under the microscope, but the reasons behind ADNOC’s enthusiasm remain as clear as ever. At its core, the Covestro acquisition is about strategic alignment. ADNOC has spent the past decade moving “downstream,” shifting from raw oil and gas production toward higher‑value industries. Covestro, a German firm spun off from Bayer in 2015, specializes in high‑performance polymers and coatings used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, and more. By bringing Covestro into its fold, ADNOC isn’t just buying assets; it’s buying expertise, global customer relationships, and a direct ticket into fast‑growing clean‑tech markets. Why Polymers Matter Imagine you’re designing the next generation of electric cars. You need strong, lightweight plastics for body panels, durable insulators for high‑voltage wiring, and eco‑friendly coatings for interiors. Covestro already supplies those critical materials to automakers around the world. For ADNOC, owning that supply chain means more than diversifying revenue; it means shaping the products that will define tomorrow’s mobility and energy systems. Oil demand may slow as the world decarbonizes, but the appetite for advanced materials shows no sign of ebbing. Batteries, solar panels, hydrogen infrastructure, and electric vehicles all rely on specialized polymers. By investing in Covestro now, ADNOC is hedging its future, ensuring that its earnings aren’t tied solely to barrels of oil but also to the broader industrial transformation underway in clean technology. Scale, Capital, and Speed Another powerful draw is scale. ADNOC’s sovereign backing gives it access to capital at costs that few private companies can match. Covestro, by contrast, must tap Europe’s capital markets for funding. That difference matters when it comes to financing new production lines or cutting‑edge research centers. Under ADNOC’s ownership, Covestro could accelerate projects that might otherwise be delayed by tighter budgets. Whether expanding a plant in Germany to produce bio‑based plastics or funding recycling initiatives that turn old polymers into new ones, ADNOC’s financial muscle can translate into faster innovation and greater capacity, benefits that ultimately reach European customers and industries. Navigating the EU’s New Rules Yet regulatory scrutiny was always part of the picture. The EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, in force since mid‑2023, empowers Brussels to examine whether state‑backed buyers gain an unfair competitive edge. The Commission’s preliminary concerns center on two points: an “unlimited financial guarantee” from the UAE government and a “committed capital increase” into Covestro. These measures, regulators argue, could have enabled ADNOC to outbid rival suitors. ADNOC has pushed back firmly but respectfully, noting its track record of transparent, market‑based deals in Asia and Europe. Covestro, for its part, has welcomed the review and pledged full cooperation. Both sides stress that the probe’s opening does not prejudge the outcome, and that all options, from unconditional approval to conditional commitments, remain on the table. A Potential Win‑Win If approved, the transaction could deliver benefits on both sides. Europe would gain fresh capital for research, new local jobs, and strengthened supply chains in critical materials. ADNOC would secure technology and market access that bolster its own sustainability goals, from recycling waste plastics into new products to developing bio‑based alternatives. That synergy is exactly the strategic alignment ADNOC had in mind. It’s not simply an oil company buying a chemical maker; it’s two businesses combining strengths for mutual gain. Europe gains a partner committed to long‑term investment; ADNOC gains the industrial know‑how and customer networks vital for the next decade. What to Watch Next The Commission has until December 2, 2025, to reach a decision. In the coming months, technical teams from ADNOC, Covestro, and Brussels will conduct market impact studies, clarify financial arrangements, and negotiate any necessary remedies. Observers will be watching closely: a green light could encourage further Gulf‑to‑Europe partnerships, while a blockage might signal a tougher stance on foreign state‑backed investment. Regardless of the outcome, ADNOC’s Covestro move has already sent a clear message: national oil companies can, and must, evolve. Energy and advanced materials are increasingly intertwined, and success will favor those who align capabilities with market needs. In the high‑stakes game of global industry, that kind of forward‑looking strategy may prove to be the strongest currency of all.

Arab Bank Group

Arab Bank Group Posts $535 Million H1 Profit, Driven by 6% Growth

Arab Bank Group Posts $535 Million H1 Profit, Driven by 6% Growth By Hafsa Qadeer Arab Bank Group’s financial results for the first half of 2025 reflect both resilience and strategic clarity. The Amman‑headquartered lender reported a net income after tax of USD 535.3 million, up 6% from USD 502.8 million in the same period last year. This impetus was driven by a concerted effort to grow core lending while preserving strong liquidity and capital buffers, a balance that management has deemed essential amid ongoing regional economic headwinds. Balance‑Sheet Expansion and Funding Strength Over the six‑month period, the Group’s total assets increased by 9% to USD 75.2 billion, underscoring robust demand across its credit portfolio. Net loans rose by 6% to USD 39.8 billion, fueled primarily by corporate and institutional clients seeking trade‑finance and project‑funding solutions. At the same time, customer deposits climbed by 9% to USD 55.3 billion, reinforcing Arab Bank’s reputation for stability and its ability to attract and retain client funds even in a competitive market for deposits. This deposit growth not only underpins the bank’s liquidity profile but also enables a conservative loan‑to‑deposit ratio of 72%. By ensuring that a majority of lending is funded through stable client deposits, Arab Bank has guarded against funding volatility and sustained its capacity to support client activity across a range of sectors. Capital Adequacy and Asset‑Quality Discipline Maintaining a fortress‑like capital position remains a cornerstone of Arab Bank’s strategy. As of June 30, 2025, total equity stood at USD 12.5 billion, delivering a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 17.1%, comfortably above regulatory requirements. Management’s prudent approach to credit risk was equally evident in its provisioning philosophy: provisions against non‑performing loans continue to exceed 100%, ensuring that potential future losses are fully cushioned. This dual emphasis on capital and credit quality has allowed the bank to pursue measured growth without compromising resilience. By proactively provisioning against stressed exposures, Arab Bank has fortified its balance sheet and ensured that episodic market shocks do not erode its core capital base. Strategic Expansion: The Swiss Private‑Banking Merger A highlight of the first half was the completion of a landmark merger in Switzerland. Arab Bank Switzerland finalized the integration of Gonet & Cie SA and ONE Swiss Bank SA, creating a unified private‑banking platform with assets under management totaling CHF 18 billion. This consolidation strengthens Arab Bank’s position in Europe’s competitive wealth‑management landscape and deepens its service offering to high‑net‑worth clients with ties between the Gulf and Switzerland. By bringing together the heritage and networks of both Gonet and ONE, Arab Bank Switzerland is positioned to leverage synergies in client service, cross‑border advisory, and digital onboarding. The enlarged platform will allow the Group to capture new flows of wealth and to offer a seamless suite of investment, trust, and fiduciary services under a single, integrated brand. Leadership Insights: Strategy and Resilience Commenting on the half‑year results, Chairman Sabih Masri emphasized that the bank’s achievements stem from the “effectiveness of our integrated strategy and the resilience of our operating model.” He noted that, despite regional geopolitical uncertainties and uneven economic recovery, Arab Bank continued to execute on its long‑term vision, delivering sustainable growth and healthy returns for shareholders. Chief Executive Officer Randa Sadik echoed this sentiment, pointing to a 5% increase in Group revenue for H1 2025 as evidence of robust underlying performance. She highlighted the bank’s unwavering focus on maintaining high liquidity and preserving asset quality, “Our balance‑sheet strength remains our greatest asset,” she said, “allowing us to serve clients effectively while safeguarding stakeholder interests.” Guarded Optimism: Outlook and Strategic Priorities Looking ahead, Arab Bank’s leadership has signaled a commitment to deepening its core franchise while exploring selective growth avenues. The bank plans to leverage its strengthened capital base to support financing in sectors poised for expansion, including infrastructure, energy transition, and trade corridors linking the Middle East to global markets. At the same time, it will continue to invest in digital capabilities designed to enhance client experience and operational efficiency. The successful Swiss merger also opens the door to further international collaboration, enabling Arab Bank to offer integrated banking solutions that span retail, corporate, and private‑banking segments. By aligning its Middle Eastern heritage with European wealth‑management expertise, the Group seeks to capture synergies and deliver differentiated value to a broadening client base. Recognition of Excellence In addition to its financial achievements, Arab Bank was honored as the “Best Bank in the Middle East 2025” by Global Finance magazine. This accolade reflects both the bank’s market leadership and its consistent delivery of risk‑adjusted returns. It also underscores the industry’s recognition of Arab Bank’s strategic execution, capital discipline, and customer‑focused culture. Final Words Arab Bank Group’s first‑half performance in 2025 exemplifies a rare blend of growth and stability. By growing net income, expanding assets, and reinforcing capital and liquidity metrics, the bank has demonstrated that disciplined strategy and prudent risk management can coexist, even in a challenging regional environment. As the Group advances through the remainder of 2025, its ability to sustain these fundamentals while pursuing strategic expansion will be central to its long‑term success and its continued role as a pillar of the regional banking sector.

Freelance and Digital-Nomad Visas

The Real Accessibility of UAE’s Freelance and Digital-Nomad Visas

Static Success or Hidden Cost? The Real Accessibility of UAE’s Freelance and Digital-Nomad Visas By Hafsa Qadeer The UAE has reinvented itself not just as a luxury destination, but as a hub for the global workforce on the move. With Dubai now ranked among the world’s top two destinations for digital nomads, it’s easy to be dazzled by the skyscrapers, tax incentives, and smart city buzz. Yet beneath the shimmering surface lies a quieter question: Who is this freedom really for? On paper, the freelance and digital-nomad visa schemes offer a progressive, future-forward model. These visas promise flexibility, location independence, and access to world-class infrastructure without the burden of local employment. However, in practice, the system reveals structural gaps that challenge the very foundations of accessibility, inclusion, and long-term sustainability. The main issue lies in the paradox between the policy’s intent and its lived reality. While the government positions these visas as part of its economic diversification efforts, the framework appears to favor well-resourced expatriates with stable foreign incomes. For the average freelancer or remote worker, especially those from emerging economies, the UAE presents a costly, high-maintenance environment that’s difficult to navigate without institutional support. One of the first friction points appears at the bureaucratic level. Obtaining a visa may be relatively straightforward, but accessing everyday essentials, like bank accounts, health insurance, mobile services, and long-term rentals, often involves a labyrinth of paperwork, expensive premiums, and inconsistent regulation. The freelance tag, while officially recognized, still lacks social legitimacy in many service sectors. This disconnect forces many into gray zones of temporary workarounds or co-living setups that strain both finances and mental health. Another challenge is financial sustainability. Despite the appeal of tax-free earnings, the high cost of living in cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi rapidly neutralizes any perceived benefits. Many freelancers struggle with unpredictable cash flow, client payment delays, and limited access to financial tools such as credit, loans, or subsidies. In essence, they operate as one-person businesses, bearing all risks without the protections afforded to traditional employees or even licensed SMEs. Moreover, healthcare, a vital concern for any mobile professional, remains a major blind spot. Although basic health insurance is a prerequisite for visa approval, the coverage is often minimal, expensive, and lacks continuity across Emirates. For digital nomads with chronic conditions or families, this becomes a major obstacle. The absence of affordable, comprehensive healthcare options puts into question how truly sustainable these freelance lives are, especially over the long term. Then comes the issue of permanence, or the lack thereof. These visas are largely temporary, renewable annually, but without a clear path to permanent residency or integration. While this may suit short-term digital tourists, it creates long-term instability for those who wish to build roots, contribute to the local economy, and participate in social life more meaningfully. The UAE’s vision of becoming a magnet for global talent must reconcile this tension between flexibility and belonging. There is also the risk of building a two-tier freelance economy, where high-earning consultants, tech entrepreneurs, and digital creators thrive in elite coworking lounges, while mid-level professionals, educators, and creatives struggle in isolation. Without social support networks, inclusive pricing, or access to policy dialogue, this imbalance could deepen existing inequalities in the labor market. The Emirates’ push for digital work is a commendable step toward modern economic frameworks. But ambition must be matched by infrastructure, and inclusivity must go beyond invitation. For these visa programs to succeed beyond numbers and headlines, they need to address the everyday realities of freelance life: affordability, access, legal protection, and human dignity. As the country positions itself at the center of the remote work revolution, it must decide whether to build a model of digital migration that is equitable and resilient, or one that is selective, precarious, and ultimately unsustainable. The visa is not just a document; it’s a promise. And it must deliver more than entry; it must deliver opportunity.

UAE Announces Unified School Calendar

UAE Announces Unified School Calendar Here’s What It Means for Students and Families

UAE Announces Unified School Calendar Here’s What It Means for Students and Families By Hafsa Qadeer The UAE’s Ministry of Education has announced that, starting from the 2025–26 academic year, all schools, public and private, will follow the same academic calendar. It’s a simple change on paper, but for many parents, teachers, and students, it’s a big deal. For years, families with children in different school systems have had to navigate a patchwork of term dates. One child might be starting exams while another is already on holiday. Some schools followed government schedules, others followed international boards. Planning a family trip, or even just a weekend, was a constant juggling act. With this move, all that changes. A Welcome Change for Parents “I have three kids in three different schools,” said Sana Rahim, a mother living in Dubai. “Trying to line up their holidays was like solving a puzzle. I’m relieved. Finally, I won’t have to explain to my boss why I need leave three times in two months.” Under the new calendar, all schools will start and end terms on the same dates. Public holidays, breaks, and exam periods will now follow a national schedule. While the content and curricula won’t change, the rhythm of the school year will finally be the same. Why Now? Officials say the change is part of a broader effort to create more consistency across the education system. It’s also about fairness. “We want to give every student, regardless of which school they go to, the same structure,” the Minister of Education said during the announcement. “This is one way we can support families and improve coordination across the board.” What It Means for Schools For teachers and administrators, the change may take some adjustment, but many are on board. “It makes staff training easier. It helps with organizing national events and exams. And honestly, it helps us feel more connected to the education system as a whole,” said Aliya Mansoor, a teacher at a private school in Sharjah. Of course, not everyone is thrilled. Some international schools worry about how this might affect alignment with external exam boards. But so far, most schools appear ready to adapt. A Step Toward Simplicity The UAE’s education landscape is one of the most diverse in the world. This move doesn’t erase that; it just tries to bring a bit more order to the chaos. No more mismatched calendars. No more scattered term dates. Just one school year, for everyone. It may not sound revolutionary, but for thousands of families, it’s a long-overdue relief.

Al Madam Ghost Village

Al Madam Ghost Village When the Desert Reclaims the Dream

Al Madam Ghost Village When the Desert Reclaims the Dream By Hafsa Qadeer On a flat horizon of wind-brushed dunes southeast of Sharjah, a dozen pastel-toned houses and a small mosque sit quietly, half-swallowed by the desert. Known as the Buried Village, or Al Madam Ghost Village, this forgotten outpost is more than a curiosity for offbeat travelers. It is a mirror held up to the UAE’s early experiments with modernity, one that reflects not failure, but an unfinished story. A Settlement Meant for a New Era Built in the late 1970s, Al Madam was part of a government initiative to settle Bedouin tribes, particularly the Al Kutbi, into permanent homes. The concrete houses were simple, functional, and arranged around a modest mosque. It was a microcosm of the national ambition of the time: to shift from nomadic life into structured community living, as the newly formed UAE rushed toward a modern statehood. But within a decade, life in Al Madam quietly unraveled. Families left behind furniture, toys, and open doors as they migrated toward cities with better infrastructure, jobs, and services. The desert, unbothered by time, returned to reclaim the settlement, filling living rooms with sand, burying courtyards, and wrapping the minaret in its soft, patient grip. Why Was It Left, and Why Has It Stayed That Way? Harsh environmental conditions played their part. Sandstorms often rendered daily life unbearable. Water supply was inconsistent. The houses, though practical, were not designed to withstand the full force of the desert’s slow invasion. As urban centers like Sharjah and Dubai boomed, Al Madam was gradually emptied, not by disaster, but by disinterest. The bigger question today, however, is why the site has remained untouched in a country where real estate is often measured in millions of dirhams. Why has no one repurposed, restored, or even claimed these ready-made homes? The answer lies in a blend of legal, environmental, and cultural hesitation. The land likely falls under protected heritage jurisdiction or sits in a bureaucratic grey zone with unclear ownership. There are no utility lines or paved roads. The cost of retrofitting this remote area far outweighs any commercial return. And unlike other abandoned villages, such as Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Jazirah Al Hamra, which has been partially restored for tourism, Al Madam has been left to exist on its own terms. Preserved or Forgotten? There are no visitor centers or ticket booths. No curated signs or glossy brochures. Just wind, sand, silence, and stories, if you know where to look. In this untouched state, Al Madam offers something rare in the UAE: authenticity. It has not been stage-managed into a heritage attraction. Instead, it stands as a quiet, decaying relic of the nation’s formative years. Some locals whisper about jinn, blaming the supernatural for the mass departure. But the more grounded truth lies in the slow bureaucracy, environmental impracticality, and perhaps an unspoken national choice: to preserve this place as a living memory rather than a revived destination. What the Desert Tells Us Al Madam is more than a ghost village. It’s a reminder that not every planned community, no matter how well-intentioned, becomes a success story. It’s a meditation on how ambition meets nature, and how not all of the UAE’s past can, or should, be glossed over with development. In a country defined by hyper-modern skylines and luxury lifestyles, this buried village is a quiet monument to resilience, abandonment, and the fragility of vision. For those who make the hour-long drive from Dubai or Sharjah, it offers something no mall or tower can: a raw encounter with a chapter of the nation that time didn’t quite erase, but chose not to rewrite.

Interactive Arts Arenas

Interactive Arts Arenas When Concerts, Installations, and Gaming Collide

Interactive Arts Arenas When Concerts, Installations, and Gaming Collide By Hafsa Qadeer The crowd doesn’t just watch, it participates. Gone are the velvet-rope barriers of old-world entertainment. In the UAE, the stage is melting into the screen, the screen into the audience, and the audience into the art. From Alserkal Avenue to Abu Dhabi’s immersive domes, the new arena is one where concerts meet gaming, installations breathe with AI, and the line between spectator and performer blurs into pixels and participation. This is entertainment 3.0, and it’s deeply interactive. Suppose, A DJ spins under a digital sky programmed to respond to the crowd’s collective heartbeat. A holographic dancer joins an Emirati rapper mid-performance. Nearby, gamers in VR suits co-create a live narrative projected on a 360° dome, while an AI-generated orchestra swells to match their pace. We are no longer just viewers. We are the co-authors of the spectacle. The UAE’s cultural institutions are not merely adapting, they are pioneering. Expo City Dubai now moonlights as a live gameworld arena. Saadiyat Island’s future-forward performance halls are being designed with modular walls that shift with the tempo. Even Sharjah’s biennials now host playable exhibitions, soundscapes you can walk through, digital poems that answer back. At the heart of this evolution is convergence. Art meets tech. Music meets code. Theatre meets game engines. It’s not about distraction, it’s about immersion. And in a region where storytelling has always been sacred, this new format revives the majlis spirit in unexpected ways. Only now, the storytellers speak in shaders and scripts, and the guests wear headsets or hold NFC-enabled wristbands. The goal? Presence. In a world fatigued by screens and passivity, these interactive arenas remind us what it means to feel something together. The collective gasp when a projection reacts to your movement. The adrenaline rush when your decision shifts a storyline mid-play. The quiet awe when a digital dervish spins only for you. This is not just next-gen entertainment, it is emotional architecture. As boundaries dissolve between genres, mediums, and realities, the UAE finds itself uniquely positioned. With its appetite for innovation and reverence for story, the country becomes not just a host, but a heartbeat of global interactive culture. Here, art is no longer something we watch. It’s something we enter.

Emirati Artists Are Programming

How Emirati Artists Are Programming the Nation’s Next Heritage

How Emirati Artists Are Programming the Nation’s Next Heritage By Hafsa Qadeer Art, in the UAE, no longer sits solely on canvas or stone. It pulses through LED walls, whispers in algorithms, and lives in the invisible syntax of code. In a land where museums rise beside mosques and data centers hum beneath heritage sites, a new generation of Emirati creatives is forging a future where tradition is not archived, but reprogrammed. This is not a rebellion against heritage. It is a redesign. Culture, in their hands, becomes a living codebase, continuously compiled across mediums, minds, and machines. The Digital Majlis Where elders once gathered beneath tents to share poems, today’s artists meet inside digital forums and NFT galleries. The majlis has migrated to the metaverse. Here, traditional Nabati poetry is visualized through VR. Calligraphy curves into 3D animations. Music composed with oud and AI-generated beats streams through headphones in global cities. Yet the soul remains Emirati. Artists like Maitha Al Khayat and Ammar Al Attar use augmented reality to revive ancestral crafts. AI artists remix archival photos with machine learning to create speculative histories. The past is not lost, it is remixed, rendered, and reintroduced. Museums Without Walls Culture in the UAE no longer needs walls to be displayed. It lives on screens, in apps, and on-chain. The House of Wisdom in Sharjah offers immersive installations where books talk back. Alserkal Avenue hosts exhibitions that blur art and interface. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s digital twin allows global access to Emirati heritage. In this shift, the definition of art expands. A line of code becomes calligraphy. A blockchain ledger becomes a registry of oral histories. A data visualization of desert winds becomes poetry in motion. This is not just digitization, it is a new dialect of tradition. Heritage Hackers and Cultural Coders These creators are not just artists. They are cultural coders, writing scripts that preserve identity in languages the world can now understand. Their studios look more like labs. Their canvases are sometimes touchscreens. Yet their work holds the same intent: to remember, to reflect, and to reshape. Projects like the UAE National Archives’ AI oral history translators, or the Ministry of Culture’s blockchain art certification initiative, point to a state-sponsored belief: that the future of heritage depends on innovation. Even the oldest stories must sometimes wear new skins. When AI Learns Our Stories Perhaps the most profound shift is not just in the tools but in the tutors. Emiratis are now teaching artificial intelligence to speak their culture. From training large language models in Arabic dialects to inputting Emirati metaphors into generative systems, this is more than technical, it’s philosophical. What should a machine know about a people?  How can a dataset carry the scent of oud, the weight of ghutra, the silence of a desert dawn? In the UAE, these questions are not theoretical. They are the foundation of a new creative movement: one where machines become memory-keepers, and where Emirati culture evolves, not in opposition to tech, but through it. A Nation Written in Light and Language Art here does not choose between fiber and fiber-optic. It chooses both. Because in the UAE, technology is not erased. It is illumination. And the artists who move between realms, tradition and innovation, camel hair and code, are not bridging a gap. They are building a bridge. A bridge to a culture that never stays still.  A bridge to memory that you can scroll, remix, and still feel in your bones.  A bridge to a future that remembers where it came from. And on this bridge, the UAE walks forward, poet, programmer, and preservationist, all at once.  

The UAE’s Rise as a Destination for Eco-Spiritual Retreats

The UAE’s Rise as a Destination for Eco-Spiritual Retreats

The UAE’s Rise as a Destination for Eco-Spiritual Retreats By Hafsa Qadeer Not all pilgrimages are religious. Some are made in silence. Others, in search of silence. In the UAE, where dunes ripple like golden prayers and the stars still speak in ancient patterns, a new form of journey is calling. One not toward temples or cathedrals, but inward. Welcome to the era of eco-spiritual tourism, where seekers come not just for sightseeing but for soul-searching. And in the heart of the desert, they are finding what cities rarely offer: space to remember who they are. Where Silence Becomes Sacred In a world addicted to noise, the Empty Quarter, the Rub’ al Khali, is becoming full again. Not with caravans, but with consciousness. Wellness travelers now hike into these vast landscapes not to escape, but to connect. To walk barefoot on sands older than civilization. To trade Wi-Fi for wisdom. Retreats near Liwa and Al Marmoom offer no televisions, no schedules, no distractions. Just yoga mats under acacia trees. Stargazing after dates and Arabic coffee. Quiet mornings where even thoughts arrive gently. Here, the desert does not demand. It invites. Faith in Nature, Not Away from It In the UAE, faith and nature were never separate. Bedouins once charted routes by stars and prayed by the movement of the sun. That rhythm remains. Only now, it is being reintroduced through curated experiences, Quranic reflections under the night sky, eco-conscious iftars during Ramadan, and guided hikes that incorporate Islamic philosophy and sustainability. The desert is not merely a backdrop. It’s a spiritual teacher, reminding us of scale, humility, and patience. And as the climate crisis deepens, these retreats also teach reverence, for land, for balance, for the future. From Luxury to Legacy This is not luxury wellness in the Western sense. It’s not about detox juices or infinity pools. Instead, it’s minimalism with meaning. Solar-powered tents, plant-based Emirati meals, heritage storytelling around campfires. Retreats are run in partnership with local tribes, blending ancestral wisdom with modern mindfulness. Tourists are no longer just guests. They become part of a preservation story, of dunes, of traditions, of values. Because healing, in this part of the world, comes not from excess, but from returning to what matters most. The New Global Seeker The UAE’s positioning as a spiritual retreat hub isn’t accidental. In a post-pandemic world, travelers seek more than Instagrammable moments. They want transformation. They want to unplug, but not from meaning. They want space, but not emptiness. And the Emirates, with its openness and infrastructure, offers both solitude and safety. From German therapists to Indian yoga instructors, the country is now a melting pot of healing traditions, attracting seekers from East and West alike. All drawn to the same thing: peace, in its most elemental form. Tourism with a Soulprint The desert does not sell you a version of peace. It quietly hands it back to you. And in the UAE, this has become tourism’s newest and most powerful currency. It is not mass-market. It is soul market. A journey measured not in steps or souvenirs, but in stillness and surrender. And so, as the world spins faster, the UAE remains one of the few places bold enough to say: Come. Slow down. Let the sand carry what you can no longer hold. Let the silence remind you, you are already whole.  

Beyond the Itinerary: The Rise of Gig Tourism in the UAE

The Rise of Gig Tourism in the UAE

Beyond the Itinerary The Rise of Gig Tourism in the UAE By Hafsa Qadeer In the glowing corridors of Dubai’s Media City and the vibrant alleys of Abu Dhabi’s creative districts, a new kind of traveler is checking in, not with suitcases, but with laptops, lighting kits, and USB mics. They are not tourists in the traditional sense. They are creators. Coders. Musicians. Digital freelancers. And they’ve turned the UAE into something unexpected: a temporary home for global gig workers on the move. This is the quiet ascent of gig tourism, where the traveler isn’t escaping work but carrying it with them, and where leisure and labor no longer sit in opposition but fold into one hybrid experience. It is a response to a world reshaped by remote work, borderless business, and the craving for lifestyle mobility. In 2025, the UAE’s tourism strategy reflects this shift. With streamlined remote work visas, pop-up co-living hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, and desert co-working retreats near Al Ain, the country is not just welcoming gig tourists, it is designing for them. These visitors come for a month, sometimes six, merging weekend dives in Fujairah with weekday UX workshops for global clients. They blur timelines, cultures, and currencies, and they are drawn not only by luxury but by possibility. Dubai’s DIFC cafes have turned into daytime studios. Ajman’s beachfront resorts host creative sprints. Sharjah’s heritage homes now house digital nomads working on podcasts, zines, and virtual galleries. In this gig tourism wave, the UAE becomes less a stopover and more a canvas, one where workspaces look like glass domes in the desert and inspiration flows from both the skyline and the souk. But this is not just economic opportunism. There is something soulful in the exchange. Artists collaborate with Emirati designers. Musicians sample the echoes of old mosques. Developers build blockchain solutions while sipping qahwa beneath mashrabiya windows. The country’s centuries-old rhythm of trade and hospitality simply adapts to a digital tempo. And in this dance of gig and glide, a new narrative is emerging, one that celebrates not escapism, but belonging on your own terms. A tourism not defined by ticketed attractions but by lived, working moments. It’s the sound of a Zoom call from a date farm. A design sprint at a Bedouin tent. A photo shoot in a recycled shipping container turned studio. Gig tourism, at its core, invites us to imagine a different kind of movement, one that isn’t seasonal but fluid. Not leisure-first but life-first. It transforms the UAE from a place you visit into a platform you build from. In the end, what draws people here isn’t just sun or spectacle. It’s the promise that in this country of speed and stillness, you don’t have to choose between career and calling. You can have both.