Britain's Victoria and Albert Museum has announced the finalists for this year's Jameel Prize, which celebrates art and design inspired by Islamic tradition.
The Jameel Prize was founded in 2009 as a partnership between the V&A and Dubai’s Art Jameel foundation.
It showcases the influence of Islamic tradition on art, with this year’s exhibition – Jameel Prize: Poetry to Politics – the first to focus on contemporary design.
The UAE’s Hadeyeh Badri was named among eight finalists for her textile work that features Arabic writing taken from the diary of her deceased aunt.
Judges praised Ms Badri’s highly personal work for the way it provides “intimate, imperfect monuments to loved ones”.
Among the other finalists, Saudi Arabian art and maths teacher Ajlan Gharem was commended for his installation Paradise Has Many Gates, which depicts a traditional mosque made of chicken wire.
“Although the wire feels uninviting, even frightening, it also renders the mosque transparent and open – even welcoming,” the judges said.
Lebanese graphic designer Farah Fayyad was recognised for bringing “Arabic typography into the public and political sphere”.
During the 2019 protests in Lebanon, Ms Fayyad printed artwork and slogans by local designers on to the clothing of demonstrators.
Iran-born American designer Golnar Adili was shortlisted for her piece portraying a letter that her father wrote to her.
British architect Sofia Karim made the cut for her work using photographs from Nepal Picture Library printed on her mother’s old songwriting notes. The piece explores the 2019 protests against the Indian government’s Citizenship Amendment Act, legislation described by critics as Islamophobic.
The other finalists are: India's Kallol Datta, Lebanon's Jana Traboulsi and Pakistan's Bushra Waqas Khan.
Organisers said more than 400 designers across the world entered the competition, which has a £25,000 ($34,285) prize.
The works of the eight finalists will be on display in London's V&A from Saturday, September 18 to Sunday, November 28.
The winner will be announced at the start of the exhibition.
V&A director and Jameel Prize jury chairman Tristram Hunt said this year’s competition attracted a record number of entries.
“From poetry to politics, those on the exceptional and diverse shortlist were selected for their innovative and imaginative projects, with strong links between Islamic traditions and contemporary design,” he said.
“The V&A is delighted to continue its partnership with Art Jameel with this prize, and celebrate contemporary practitioners inspired by Islamic traditions.”
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
