One of the nation’s leading poets, Ahmed Al Asem, has returned to the Emirates from abroad after battling illness.
He has made a full recovery, Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE’s Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, wrote in a tweet.
“The poet Ahmed Al Asem returns to his home unharmed,” Al Kaabi wrote.
“His words express a longing and affection for his home, and for his pen, that has not dried up .... We thank God for the safety of our poet.”
Arabic newspapers have made references to his health since 2011.
In 2018, he spoke to Al Bayan about undergoing heart surgery and his dealings with the surgeon that inspired some of his poetry.
Who is Ahmed Al Asem?
Al Asem was born in Ras Al Khaimah in 1964 and has played a role in developing the UAE’s cultural landscape, both as a poet and leader.
One of the country's most revered poets and cultural figures, he has led central associations over the years, including the Ras Al Khaimah chapter of the Emirates Writers Union, and is the founder of the literary magazine Multaqa, while also working with RAK Autism Centre. Yet, it is through his literary work that he has made the greatest impact.
Al Asem has published more than a dozen poetry collections in various types of prose – from classical Arabic to colloquial. Important works include 1998's Mashed Fi Ra'ti and 2010's Sawt Al Zaman.
Last year, he was the subject of a short documentary, Aminah, directed by Becky Beamer, assistant professor of art and design at the American University of Sharjah. The film explored the life of the poet through a series of interviews.
Poetic itself, the short follows Al Asem as he cruises around his district and favourite spots in Ras Al Khaimah.
"The film calls on viewers to tour with Ahmed Al Asem on a trip around Ras Al Khaimah," Beamer said in an interview with Emarat Al Youm.
“We see the places and neighbourhoods that inspired and influenced his speech, addressing topics such as family, feelings of loss, love and the homeland.”
The poet also made an appearance at last November's Sharjah International Book Fair, at which he launched his latest poetry collection, Isfah Doyoufan La Arafhoum fi Al Dhalam (Shaking the Hands of Guests I Don't Know in the Dark).
When it comes to his writing, Al Asem views poetry not only as a source of nourishment, but as a way to process life’s beauty and traumas.
"When I suffer a lot, I try to weave that into a poem, so that I can feel comfortable," he said in a 2011 interview with Middle East Online.
“Then I forget about illness and pain and I smile.”
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
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
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
