Al Burda Awards has announced the 33 winners across eight categories of its 18th year celebrating Islamic arts and culture.
In a ceremony at Louvre Abu Dhabi tonight, the winners were recognised for their contributions to the richness and diversity of Islamic arts, with key figures from around the world showcasing their talents.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, presented the awards at the event, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Youth.
The prize is usually open to poets, calligraphers and artists whose works are inspired by the Prophet Mohammed, the Quran and Hadiths, across three main categories: poetry, Arabic calligraphy and ornamentation.
These categories also include subcategories. Poetry includes classical, Nabati and free verse. Arabic calligraphy includes classical, contemporary and typography design. Ornamentation includes traditional and contemporary. Free verse poetry, Arabic typography and contemporary ornamentation are new to this year's awards programme.
This year’s artists were asked to submit work that explores the theme of Al Noor, which translates to the light. The theme was inspired by verse 15 of the fifth chapter of the Quran titled Surah Al Maida. The chapter delves into various important themes and focuses on the ideas of faith and belief and refers to the Prophet Mohammed. The concept of light is integral to these themes where the Prophet’s message is seen as a beacon of truth and message for humanity.
Yassine Hazguer was the winner in the category of classical poetry, Awad Alawd was the winner in the Nabati poetry section and Ahmed El Hattab won in the free verse category.
Meryem Nevruzihalilani won first place in the classical Arabic calligraphy category. Daoudi Abdelkader won for contemporary Arabic calligraphy.
Yasmin Naeem won first place in typographic design, Afsaneh Mahdavi won in classical ornamentation and Mahboubeh Mahdavi won in the contemporary ornamentation category.
This year, the award also hosted Morocco as the guest of honour and presented the Moroccan National School for Arts with an award of appreciation.
Winners in the three main categories receive a prize of Dh210,000 which will be distributed among the top five winners. The winners in the new sub-categories including free verse poetry, Arabic typography and contemporary ornamentation, will each receive Dh160,000.
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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
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Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
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Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets