Saudi Arabian teenager Dania Al Sabban is smashing stereotypes and creating smash hits, all at once.
The singer, 15, has become something of a sensation on social media, thanks to her stirring renditions of popular Arabic tracks.
Her recent cover of Hussain Al Jassmi's Bel Bont el Areed in particular caused a splash, as she transformed the Emirati superstar's fast-paced number into a more soulful track.
"That's what makes me special, I sing the songs in my own way," Al Sabban tells The National.
And despite being known for her soft vocals, the teen doesn’t just stick to one style. “I offer songs in different ways, so I can appeal to different tastes," she says.
Al Sabban’s family discovered her talent at a young age, as her mother would sing to her at bedtime.
"She noticed I had a nice voice,” Al Sabban says.
However, it took years until the teen felt ready to share her voice on social media. With the support of her family, she decided to chase her dreams and began uploading videos 18 months ago.
Her cover of Ashofak Yom was the first song she shared on Instagram, with the video garnering 100,000 views within a matter of days.
"I didn’t expect that much engagement and interaction, it truly pushed me to upload more songs," she says.
Al Sabban's health struggles were the reason behind her hesitation to share her talent. She suffers from ichthyosis, an incurable condition that affects the appearance of the skin, resulting in dry and flaky areas.
"Of course I faced bullying, but my parents warned me of this before I was on social media," she says.
In fact, past experience had prepared her to face these comments.
"Ever since I was a child, people have scrutinised me," she says. "I used to cry in front of people, but my family told me not to get upset. In the end, we are all human."
Her parents' comments inspired her to stop letting her condition hold her back.
"I became convinced that I should live my life and show people that this is normal. People who have the same condition, or any other condition, should go out and enjoy their time. In the end, we only live once.
"I should be happy about being different to everyone else."
In her short career, Al Sabban has already released 11 of her own songs, as well as a number of cover tracks.
“I have worked with different composers and writers," she says.
In 2019, her Saudi National Day song grabbed the attention of Turki Al Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, who asked her to be part of Riyadh Season.
“It was an amazing feeling to sing on stage; I was nervous but excited," Al Sabban says.
Although she planned to perform seven songs, the audience pushed her to continue.
“I ended up singing 20 songs," she says.
Her next goal is to create a hit album and she hopes to duet with some A-list stars. "I dream of the day I will sing with Ahlam, Al Jassmi and Balqees," she says.
But beyond singing with her heroes, Al Sabban also hopes to send a positive message to those battling their own insecurities.
"It is good to show people that you are strong."
ASHES FIXTURES
1st Test: Brisbane, Nov 23-27
2nd Test: Adelaide, Dec 2-6
3rd Test: Perth, Dec 14-18
4th Test: Melbourne, Dec 26-30
5th Test: Sydney, Jan 4-8
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
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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
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20Profile
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
