The winners were revealed in a ceremony at Paris Design Week on Thursday. Photo: Arts AlUla
The winners were revealed in a ceremony at Paris Design Week on Thursday. Photo: Arts AlUla
The winners were revealed in a ceremony at Paris Design Week on Thursday. Photo: Arts AlUla
The winners were revealed in a ceremony at Paris Design Week on Thursday. Photo: Arts AlUla

AlUla Design Award winners take modern twist on ancient history


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

The five winners of the second AlUla Design Award have been announced.

The prize supports retail goods inspired by the landscape and heritage of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla region.

Here are the top picks announced by Arts AlUla at Paris Design Week on Thursday.

Tawa

Tawa by Shaddah Studio. Photo: Arts AlUla
Tawa by Shaddah Studio. Photo: Arts AlUla

The winning projects include Tawa by the Saudi Arabia-based Shaddah Studio. The work was conceived as an ideal observing chair from which to enjoy AlUla’s landscape, particularly how the horizon meets the sky. Tawa can also be refashioned as a rug. The work uses a black powder-coated steel frame, a water-resistant backing and a cotton rope.

Naba Tea Tiffin

Naba Tea Tiffin by Ikkis. Photo: Arts AlUla
Naba Tea Tiffin by Ikkis. Photo: Arts AlUla

Naba Tea Tiffin by Indian designer Gunjan Gupta and her studio Ikkis is inspired by Hegra’s position on the Hajj route. It comprises copper lids coated in terracotta powder, paying homage to the architectural elements of the ancient city. The set blends design elements from the lota container in India and beak spouts found in Nabataean pottery. It is made up of two sizes of jugs, for tea and milk, as well as sugar and biscuit bowls.

AlUla Terrains: Dates Serving Set

AlUla Terrains: Dates Serving Set by Teeb. Photo: Arts AlUla
AlUla Terrains: Dates Serving Set by Teeb. Photo: Arts AlUla

AlUla Terrains: Dates Serving Set by the Saudi design company Teeb takes its cues from Harrat Khaybar's lush palm fields. The stackable set is made from stone and has a bottom container in which to store dates, whereas the upper part is designed for dips. The top cover is a receptacle to discard seeds.

Incense Heritage Collection

Incense Heritage Collection by Sarra Hafaiedh. Photo: Arts AlUla
Incense Heritage Collection by Sarra Hafaiedh. Photo: Arts AlUla

Incense Heritage Collection by Tunisian designer Sarra Hafaiedh fuses contemporary production techniques with ancient designs. The wood grains and clean lines of the incense holder pay homage to Hegra’s rocks and its engraved symbols.

Oil Lantern

Oil Lantern by Imane Mellah. Photo: Arts AlUla
Oil Lantern by Imane Mellah. Photo: Arts AlUla

Finally, Oil Lantern by French architect Imane Mellah is a new twist to the Byzantine oil lamp found in Hegra. While the traditional aspects of the lamp were retained, it has been refined for modern use. Made out of ceramic, the lamp features a mesh placed in the centre, emphasising its handle.

Turning ideas into reality

The five winners were selected from a pool of 10 finalists. Prototypes of the shortlisted projects are being showcased in a Paris exhibition. It was conceived by Herve Sauvage, a set designer who has worked for several luxury brands, including Diesel, Hermes, Dior and Givenchy. Taking place at the Rue De Turenne, it is running until September 16.

The AlUla Design Award will also be commissioning some of the winning designs, supporting their production process and promoting them within events under the AlUla umbrella, both regionally and internationally.

"The winners of the AlUla Design Award have brilliantly interpreted the landscape and heritage of AlUla through their designs,” Nora Aldabal, executive director of Arts and Creative Industries Royal Commission for AlUla, said.

Each of the designs takes inspiration from AlUla's unique natural landscape and cultural heritage. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla
Each of the designs takes inspiration from AlUla's unique natural landscape and cultural heritage. Photo: Royal Commission for AlUla

The award is one of several initiatives aiming to make AlUla a regional design hub, including the launch of the area’s first arts and design centre Madrasat Addeera, which was formerly an old girls’ school. A show related to the centre, Madrasat Addeera Editions, is also being exhibited during Paris Design Week, which concludes on September 16.

AlUla also recently revealed the Design Residency, which begins in October, as well as Design Space AlUla, which is slated to open early next year.

“These initiatives exemplify AlUla's commitment to pushing the boundaries of design in dynamic and innovative ways whilst fostering creativity and cross-cultural connections,” Aldabal said. “We look forward to nurturing these ambitious initiatives which are making AlUla a design hub in the region, engaging local and international design communities alike."

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Dates for the diary

To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:

  • September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
  • October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
  • October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
  • November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
  • December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
  • February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Forced%20Deportations
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Violence%20
%3Cp%3EInstances%20of%20violence%20against%20Syrian%20refugees%20are%20not%20uncommon.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJust%20last%20month%2C%20security%20camera%20footage%20of%20men%20violently%20attacking%20and%20stabbing%20an%20employee%20at%20a%20mini-market%20went%20viral.%20The%20store%E2%80%99s%20employees%20had%20engaged%20in%20a%20verbal%20altercation%20with%20the%20men%20who%20had%20come%20to%20enforce%20an%20order%20to%20shutter%20shops%2C%20following%20the%20announcement%20of%20a%20municipal%20curfew%20for%20Syrian%20refugees.%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThey%20thought%20they%20were%20Syrian%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20the%20mayor%20of%20the%20Nahr%20el%20Bared%20municipality%2C%20Charbel%20Bou%20Raad%2C%20of%20the%20attackers.%3Cbr%3EIt%20later%20emerged%20the%20beaten%20employees%20were%20Lebanese.%20But%20the%20video%20was%20an%20exemplary%20instance%20of%20violence%20at%20a%20time%20when%20anti-Syrian%20rhetoric%20is%20particularly%20heated%20as%20Lebanese%20politicians%20call%20for%20the%20return%20of%20Syrian%20refugees%20to%20Syria.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab

Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

Rating: 4/5

THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

Liverpool's all-time goalscorers

Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
RESULTS

Manchester United 2

Anthony Martial 30'

Scott McTominay 90 6' 

Manchester City 0

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Pakistan T20 series squad

Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

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While you're here

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Updated: September 08, 2023, 10:23 AM