In the small village of Saqiyat Abu Sharah, in the Menoufia province of Egypt, the rhythmic clatter of looms once defined daily life.
Known for its intricate handmade carpets, the village was a hub of artistry, its rugs coveted around the world. But today that work has slowed, replaced by the hum of machines and the whispers of an uncertain future.
Atef Salah Abdel Razek, 42, owns one of the few remaining factories for handmade-carpets in Saqiyat Abu Sharah. The village, he recalls, was once synonymous with exquisite silk carpets.
“Ten or 15 years ago, every carpet produced here was made of pure silk,” Mr Abdel Razek says. “Now, due to economic changes, particularly the currency devaluations, we've had to turn to alternative materials like cotton and synthetic blends.”
Egypt, alongside Iran and Turkey, has long been a major player in the global handmade carpet market. But a series of economic upheavals, including the devaluation of the Egyptian pound, has profoundly altered the industry.
Since 2016, when Egypt floated its currency as part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund, the pound has plummeted through five separate devaluations, the latest in 2024.
The cost of raw materials has rocketed, pricing out many craftsmen and buyers. Pure silk, once the hallmark of carpets from Saqiyat Abu Sharah, is now a rare luxury, Mr Abdel Razek explains.
“A square metre of pure animal-fibre carpet today can cost up to 30,000 Egyptian pounds [$600],” he says. In contrast, synthetic alternatives cost as little as 180 pounds a metre.
In 2010, a square metre of a high-quality handmade rug was sold for 2,000 Egyptian pounds. That was about $500 given the exchange rate at the time.
“The kind of customer we need is someone who values things in US dollars,” he says. “For them, 5,000 Egyptian pounds is $100, so it doesn’t feel as expensive.”
This pricing disparity has shifted the industry’s focus. Mr Abdel Razek says that up to 90 per cent of the village’s carpets are now exported to international markets, where customers can afford such luxuries.
Thest are sold locally, primarily to wealthier Egyptians or tourists, at bazaars in cities such as Cairo, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh.
Mr Abdel Razek’s factory, like many in the village, relies heavily on international exhibitions to showcase its wares. “The state organises regular fairs and so does the private sector,” he adds. “These channels are essential for us. Selling directly to international buyers is rare.”
But even as exports sustain the industry, the craft is in decline. In the 1970s and 1980s, Saqiyat Abu Sharah thrived as a hub for handmade carpets, a legacy that dates back centuries.
The origins of the craft in Egypt can be traced to pharaonic times, with evidence of weaving techniques evolving under the Fatimid dynasty, from 969 to 1171, when silk was introduced as a primary material.
During the Mamluk period, from 1250 to 1517, complex geometric patterns elevated Egyptian carpets to works of art, a tradition that persisted through Ottoman rule, which brought its own augmentations.
By the mid-20th century, Egypt’s post-revolutionary government, under Gamal Abdel Nasser, sought to revive and industrialise traditional crafts, turning villages such as Saqiyat Abu Sharah into production centres. But today, that legacy is fraying.
Rashed Areeda, 49, has been weaving carpets since he was six years old. “It is a laborious craft and it has worsened my eyesight over the years,” he says. “But I love it. It is an art form and an important heritage.”
In Mr Areeda’s youth, nearly every household in the village had someone trained in carpet weaving. “When I was growing up, there was a palpable sense of community,” he recalls. “Workshops were everywhere and the craft was our main source of income.”
But today rising costs and dwindling demand have driven many craftsmen out of the industry. “In order to make money, you have to be taught as a child,” Mr Abdel Razek says. “When you’re young and dependent on your parents, you learn. Then, as an adult, you are proficient enough to earn.”
But with the craft no longer considered a viable career, many young people in the village are turning to other jobs, moving to cities to work as security guards, cleaners and labourers.
Mr Abdel Razek has cut his factory’s operations in half because of a lack of skilled workers. For those who remain, it is not a lucrative job. “Day workers’ wages haven’t increased nearly enough to offset their rising cost of living,” he admits.
But the village’s carpets remain highly regarded abroad, a testament to their quality and craftsmanship. In 2023, Egypt’s handmade carpet exports accounted for more than 6 per cent of the global total, with sales reaching $360 million, the Observatory of Economic Complexity has said.
Turkey led global exports that year, contributing 41 per cent, followed by India and China.
Iran, once the uncontested leader in handmade rugs, has seen its industry falter under international sanctions, accounting for 0.3 per cent of global exports in 2023. This has given Egypt an opportunity to capture a larger share of the market, Mr Abdel Razek says.
But the future of the craft remains uncertain. Today, carpets are often made using synthetic fibres, which are cheaper but lack the richness of natural silk or wool.
This shift has also affected design trends. Until 2020, many of the village’s weavers copied classical Iranian styles, such as those of Isfahan or Kashan. But with the advent of social media, modern designs now dominate the industry.
“The upside of modern designs is that they don’t follow specific rules,” Mr Abdel Razek says. “There’s less symmetry and more chaos is acceptable, which makes them less tiring for workers. There really isn’t a wrong way to do them.”
Still, the industry faces stiff competition from machine-made rugs, which cost far less. “It is understandable that a customer would buy a machine-made carpet that costs a fraction of the price,” Mr Abdel Razek says. “After all, what we’re selling is first and foremost a luxury item.”
This is why many producers, including Mr Abdel Razek, have begun selling machine-made carpets alongside handmade designs. But he remains committed to preserving the traditional craft.
“It is undoubtedly an art form,” he says. “Matching colours, creating intricate details – it requires the same skills as oil painting.”
For Mr Areeda, the craft is a livelihood and a passion, but he acknowledges its challenges. “The hardest part of this job is selling the carpets,” he says. “You’re at the mercy of the market and demand can drop suddenly and you could be left with unsold wares for months on end, or are forced to sell them cheap.”
As Saqiyat Abu Sharah faces these challenges, its future seems tied to its ability to adapt. For now, its carpets remain a symbol of a heritage that spans millennia, a tradition that its craftsmen hope will endure, even amid the relentless hum of modern machines.
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Short-term let permits explained
Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.
Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.
There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.
Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The years Ramadan fell in May
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
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
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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