Born in Tanzania, Rahma Himid moved to the UAE as a young girl when her father was recruited by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to work on the newly opened Port Dubai.
Now a successful businesswoman and an Emirati citizen, the 42-year-old owner and director of Dubai’s Grace & Garbo public relations is in her professional element.
“Since I left high school, I’ve been working constantly,” she says. “I’ve done everything. I built myself that way – I started from the bottom up. When I started working in advertising, I finally found what I was really, really passionate about. A lot of entrepreneurs aren’t lucky to have the 360-degree experience that I had.”
Himid has had a busy few years. After a successful first series last year, she's currently working on the second series of the food TV show Served, which explores the history and influences of foods from around the world.
"I like to be creative all the time – we are constantly coming up with different ideas," she says. "Served isn't your typical cooking show, because they are overdone really. It's about the history of food and the influences on different foods around the world; is it the geography, the climate, or is it the imagination of people from different parts of the world?
“We are blessed with people from different cultures in the UAE, but, honestly, we hardly sit down and exchange cultural stories. We don’t take advantage of our backgrounds.”
Himid, her siblings and mother followed her father to Dubai in 1977. Growing up in the UAE, she says, has given her a unique perspective as both a national and an expatriate.
“I grew up here, so I can relate to a lot of things; both on the Emirati side as well as the expatriate side. It has taught me the ability to adapt to any situation.”
Do you collect anything?
Vinyl records. Every time I travel, I always go to the markets where I can buy them. Or I ask friends to pick them up for me. My favourite song is All Night Long by Lionel Richie.
How do you relax outside of work?
My life revolves around my work. I work every single day for 14 to 16 hours – I just love it. When it’s time to unwind, I like to hang out with girlfriends – nothing intense.
Where do you like to travel?
I went to Iceland and it was amazing. The people were very funny and the food was amazing. We went to Reykjavik and a few other areas. It’s not a very popular tourist destination, but I’d love to go back.
How do you like to keep fit?
I go through bursts of “I think I need to do something” and recently I’ve started going jogging. But I love Bikram yoga, I really, really love it.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
There’s a place on Sheikh Zayed Road near my work called Shang Thai. I could eat there every single day of the week. The steamed fish with hot sauce is to die for.
What do you like to read?
Recently I needed some inspiration, but I didn't want to do the clichéd Richard Branson thing. I picked up The Miracle in the Ant by Harun Yahya. Ants have such structure and everything is so basic. People think it's weird, but if I'm going to learn something, it's OK.
Who gives you inspiration?
This might sound clichéd, but I’m tuning into the way Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum thinks. He is a visionary and we have seen the kinds of things he promotes and the energy that he tries to bring to the people.
What sorts of music do you like?
Old-school music, when music was music. I love MC Hammer, LL Cool J and Luther Vandross.
MUnderwood@thenational.ae
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The specs: Fenyr SuperSport
Price, base: Dh5.1 million
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm
Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
