When David Neild arrived in Sharjah in 1959, he soon learnt the importance of cool.
Neild, an officer with the Trucial Oman Scouts, worked from a barasti office without air conditioning, suffering from endless heat, perspiration and soggy writing paper.
And it was when posted to Al Ain that he learnt just how far some would go to stay cool without air conditioning.
To escape the midday heat, Neild’s commander got into his Land Rover, locked the steering wheel to make a gentle turn and set the vehicle to a low speed.
“The Land Rover would then proceed slowly, rotating on a large circle with Ian sitting at the wheel fast asleep, catching any passing breeze and enjoying his siesta,” Neild wrote in his memoir, A Soldier in Arabia. “It was a truly unforgettable sight.”
By the 1970s, however, air conditioning was widespread and people didn’t have to resort to such extremes. They were a fixture in homes, offices and businesses and assisted the frenzied growth of the country’s cities. They simply made life easier.
But it is the lesser-considered cultural impact of air conditioning that is the subject of a new exhibition at MiZa, Abu Dhabi’s new arts space in the port area of Mina Zayed.
50 Years of Cool marks the moment in 1973 that the UAE cooling company Taqeef teamed up with O General, the Japanese air-conditioner brand, to deliver hardy AC units to homes and businesses across the UAE. Owned by Fujitsu General, O General units became so popular, the name effectively became shorthand for air con.
The exhibition, opened last week by Zaki Nusseibeh, the Cultural Adviser to the President, and curated by Gulf Photo Plus, shows just how interwoven air conditioning is with the country’s urban landscape. Through the lens of four artists — three commissioned for the exhibition — it traces the ways AC is so pervasive and present in the UAE that residents barely even notice any more.
“Many people don’t realise they are sitting under an O General air conditioner,” says Raz Hansrod, general manager at Gulf Photo Plus. “But they are everywhere.”
The four artists are all different in their approach. Emirati Hussain AlMoosawi’s photographs showcase the architectural qualities of buildings adorned with AC units; a short film by Emirati Fatema Al Fardan traces the impact the first air conditioners had on life in modern-day UAE; portraits of Taqeef employees by Filipino photographer Augustine Paredes shed light on the human faces behind those who made air con possible; while a series of evocative photographs by Bahraini photographer Ahmed Al Kuwaiti conveys the street life that happens under these ever-present units.
Hansrod says the challenge of curating this one was to translate the fact air conditioning is necessary and ubiquitous into a meaningful story. Through the work of the four artists, this is accomplished in different ways.
AlMoosawi’s photographs, for example, bring an intriguing beauty to the split air conditioning units dotted on many of the country’s buildings. The series elevates what some would consider ordinary industrial into something more, paying tribute to their ability to add geometric flourishes to industrial and residential buildings.
The short video by Fardan — Then, a different breeze blew — holds the exhibition together. In the video, her great aunt, Narjes Hassan Makki, recalls living in the Trucial States in the 1950s and how the arrival of the “electricity machine”, then ceiling fans and finally, air conditioning, changed life for ever.
“When ACs were first introduced, there wasn’t an AC in every room,” she says in the video. “Maybe two rooms had an AC or one room had an AC. But most people used bankat, which are ceiling fans. They were everywhere even if ACs weren’t. Fans were indispensable. Every room had a fan. When electricity was first introduced, everyone relied on fans. And then everyone relied on ACs.”
Al Kuwaiti’s works show the life that goes on under these AC units around UAE cities. His street scenes show crumbling buildings, faded shopfronts and decades-old restaurants that are all punctuated by the same thing — an air conditioner somewhere on the wall or over a counter.
One brilliantly evocative shot peers inside a small restaurant. A man sits at the counter as a TV flickers. On the wall is a small menu and a sign for the wash basin, while a fan whirs overhead beside an old air conditioner. You can almost hear the low conversations among friends at tables, people quietly eating and the quiet hum of the fan and AC unit.
This exhibition, then, celebrates quiet but important moments. It is the triumph of the personal that is sometimes missed by the grand arc of history or culture.
“The installation of an air conditioner may not be a huge stamp in the calendar,” says Hansrod. “It may not make it into the history books but it is a super important moment and memory for people who grew up here. It is such a cool project and such a UAE story.”
Hansrod says people in the UAE are responding to more nuanced ways of storytelling that explore themes and events that are not just big dates on the calendar. This approach is clearly seen here. On the walls of the arts space hang portraits of Taqeef's employees, dealers and early customers.
Taken by Filipino artist Paredes, who lives in Dubai, they show the human side of the air conditioning boom along with quotes from those photographed.
Others recall the hardships before AC arrived, the employment opportunities brought by the air con boom and how it transformed life.
“My father bought our first window AC from O General in 1988,” reads one recollection. “The thing I remember most is the sound of the window AC at my parents’ house. It was like music to my ears.”
50 Years of Cool runs at MiZa, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi until March 9. Admission is free. More information is available at 50yearsofcool.com
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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RESULT
Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')
Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
