The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will be “a place of wonder” when it opens.
In an exclusive interview with The National at the library’s pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Isobel Abulhoul, a board member and chief executive of the Emirates Literature Foundation, says an opening date for the library will be announced soon, but that the waiting won't go on much longer.
The building is located on the banks of Dubai Creek in Al Jaddaf and shaped like a bookstand to hold the Quran. Construction began in 2016.
The library spans 54,000 square metres and contains seven thematic sections spread across as many levels.
A 550-capacity indoor theatre and an outdoor amphitheatre will be in place, in addition to a large courtyard with plenty of greenery.
“The outdoor area will be developed as time goes on,” Abulhoul says.
“There will be a two-storey cafe which will have a seating area for the cooler months.
“There is a garden with distinct Arabic features, and the amphitheatre will be a marvellous space for outdoor activities.”
Accessibility has been considered, too. Al Jaddaf Metro station is 2.5 kilometres away, so a shuttle service is planned to pick up and drop off library visitors using public transport.
When it comes to its collection, Abulhoul says there are nearly a million physical and digital titles in various languages, in addition to a Treasures exhibition, home to first editions by the likes of William Shakespeare and French playwright Moliere.
A membership scheme will be in place for UAE residents to borrow books.
Overall, Abulhoul says, the library is intended to be a cultural hub for families and book lovers, as well as another stop on the UAE cultural tourist trail.
“The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will be a tourist destination,” she says.
“If you're a tourist or not, it will become iconic in the way people go to the Museum of the Future and the House of Wisdom.”
That sense of occasion, Abulhoul says, will be immediately felt upon entry.
“When you go inside there is this feeling of calm. The design is unbelievable and each part of the library has a different colour scheme,” she says.
“We want this place to be a haven for families, book and study groups and for anyone who wants to be inspired.”
There will be special sections dedicated to children, young adults, geography, science and periodicals, media and visual arts and special collections.
Also expect a cultural programme, as the venue promises to host regional and international authors.
Abulhoul says the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will host some of its sessions at the new venue next year.
“We cannot wait to have some of our literary events of the highest calibre in this library,” she says.
“What is better than that? Writers and books in this great space. What else could we ask for?”
Abulhoul says the library is a further sign of the UAE's commitment to culture and knowledge.
“It shows how important culture is for human beings and literature is at the heart of that. It helps us to understand the past, ourselves and other countries, cultures and religions.
“The written word is often the start of the most creative processes and it connects us all together.
“I view the UAE literary landscape as similar to a jigsaw puzzle with libraries playing a huge part in the middle of that.”
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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
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.
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
