Latest news with #AlHashemi
Al Etihad
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
'The piano allows me to communicate feelings that I might not be able to say out loud'
12 June 2025 22:58 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Diagnosed with autism, 15-year-old Ahmed Al Hashemi found his voice not in speech, but in the sound of the piano - its touch, tempo, and journey with music began at seven years old, when he surprised his mother by playing "Happy Birthday" on a piano after hearing it just instantly recognised his musical gift: perfect pitch, a rare skill that allows him to identify and reproduce any note without he's an award-winning composer, using music to articulate what words can' Emirati teen doesn't view his condition as something to overcome; instead, he embraces it as a unique lens that shapes the way he hears, feels, and composes original autistic, Al Hashemi finds it difficult to verbalise his feelings and experiences, but at the piano, his inner world comes alive. "The piano allows me to communicate feelings that I might not be able to say out loud," he told Aletihad . "Each note carries meaning, and I use music as my voice." The young musician wrote one of his earliest and most personal compositions, "A Day Without You", when his brother left for military service."Instead of telling my mother how much I missed him, I expressed it through music. That was when I truly understood the power of composition," he Hashemi's music has travelled far beyond the Emirates, earning him international accolades like the UNESCO Award and the Mother Teresa Award."These awards remind me that my music has an impact beyond just performance," he said. "It's not just about recognition – it's about proving that music can transcend barriers and bring people together."As both a composer and performer, Al Hashemi finds joy in connecting with a live audience but treasures the intimate silence of solitary creation."Composing is deeply personal – it's where I can express myself without any limitations," he shared."Sometimes a feeling triggers my creativity, and I sit at the piano to translate that emotion into sound. Other times, I hear a melody in my head and work on developing it into a full composition."Al Hashemi attributes his success to the unwavering belief of those closest to him, especially his mother."She believed in me when others doubted my abilities. Her dedication helped me find the right teachers and opportunities to grow as a musician."Looking ahead, Al Hashemi has no plans to slow down. His dream? To play piano on stages across the world and collaborate with musicians who inspire him."Every performance is a chance to share my story and connect with people through music."He hopes that his music inspires "perseverance" and "passion" in those who listen to it."Music is not just sound – it's emotion, storytelling, and connection. I want my journey to show that challenges can be overcome with dedication and belief."Al Hashemi feels a strong responsibility to represent the neurodivergent community in the arts."I want to show the world that autism is not a limitation – it's a different way of experiencing life," he said. "Through my music, I hope to inspire others to embrace their unique abilities." To young people with autism, Al Hashemi says: "Never stop believing in yourself. Your talents and passions are valuable, and with the right support, you can achieve incredible things."
Sharjah 24
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Nahyan bin Zayed honours Emirati runner Salem Al Hashemi
Al Hashemi successfully completed all six races in the series with an average finish time of under three hours. The major marathons in which Al Hashemi participated include the New York Marathon in November 2023, the Boston Marathon in April 2024 where he achieved his fastest time of 2 hours and 53 minutes, followed by the Berlin Marathon in September 2024, the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, the Tokyo Marathon in March 2025, and the London Marathon in 2025. In addition to these achievements, Al Hashemi also participated in several other international and regional races, including the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, the Dubai Marathon, the Barcelona Marathon, and the Valencia Marathon — reflecting a distinguished and accomplished athletic career. During the meeting, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed praised Al Hashemi for his exceptional dedication and efforts, noting that this achievement embodies the spirit of determination and perseverance that defines the Emirati people and their ability to represent the nation at the highest international levels. He emphasised that Al Hashemi's outstanding performance in this elite global series serves as an inspiration to young athletes and further strengthens the role of both community and competitive sports within the UAE. He affirmed that supporting national talents across all sectors — particularly in sports — remains a top priority for the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in line with the vision of the wise leadership, which continues to invest in empowering athletes and promoting excellence. He further stressed that success stories like that of Al Hashemi reflect the fruitful outcomes of investment in grassroots and professional sports alike. They also serve as evidence of Emiratis' ability to compete and succeed in the world's toughest athletic arenas, thanks to the nation's supportive environment and strategic direction. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed also received members of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council team and commended their exceptional efforts in organising impactful community events. He highlighted the important role such events play in raising awareness about the benefits of sport, encouraging active and healthy lifestyles, and discovering and nurturing local talent within a motivating and supportive atmosphere. He expressed his appreciation to all teams and departments for their unwavering dedication and commitment to fulfilling the emirate's ambitious sporting and social objectives. For his part, Al Hashemi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed for the honour, affirming that the unwavering support of the UAE's leadership and the continuous encouragement of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council played a vital role in turning this sporting dream into reality. He described his participation in the marathons of New York, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, Tokyo and London as a unique experience and a significant challenge that contributed immensely to his athletic development and global exposure. Al Hashemi also acknowledged the importance of the support and encouragement he received from his teammates in the Abu Dhabi Running Team, in addition to his regular participation in the community races organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. These races, he noted, offer an ideal environment for nurturing talent and are a major driver for excellence and commitment in sport. Al Hashemi, who works as an engineer at TAQA Distribution, began his athletic journey as a football player in the youth categories of Al Wahda Club, before transitioning into recreational running. Over time, he has evolved into one of the UAE's leading marathon athletes, successfully balancing a professional career with sporting achievements — making him a role model in combining personal ambition with national pride.
Al Etihad
22-04-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi launches first-of-its-kind project in region to survey, evaluate and restore traditional oyster habitats
22 Apr 2025 15:07 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)As part of its efforts to preserve marine habitats and ecosystems and protect cultural heritage, and within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched a project to survey, evaluate, and restore traditional oyster habitats in the emirate. The project, which is the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf region, aims to reduce the effects of climate change and improve seawater quality by expanding the area of oyster habitats that help to absorb and store carbon dioxide from seawater during shell formation. The project also seeks to enhance the marine environment and biodiversity, as well as preserve the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi. EAD's database will be enhanced via a comprehensive survey and assessment of traditional oyster beds to create a modern interactive digital map. The project also aims to increase environmental awareness about the importance of protecting and restoring marine habitats by involving school students under the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) to assemble the artificial new initiative represents a step toward strengthening the emirate's leadership related to studies and research regarding the restoration of oyster habitats and associated the project's first phase, which focused on collecting data on traditional pearl diving sites, EAD was able to identify 335 diving sites using multiple scientific sources, including maps, historical books, and the agency's database, as well as consultations with traditional fishermen in the emirate. After completing the survey of the identified sites and assessing the status of their oysters, the EAD will begin formulating a plan to restore the degraded sites and design rigs using oyster shells produced at the Abu Dhabi Pearl Centre in the Mirfa area, while developing an updated digital map of the current oyster habitats in the the second phase of the project, EAD completed evaluation of 150 traditional beds out of 335, discovered 200 new oyster habitats and developed a plan to restore the affected beds. Among the assessed sites, the agency selected Umm Al Salsal, a degraded traditional diving site near the eastern side of Marawah Island, for oyster restoration part of the oyster restoration plan, EAD designed, developed, and installed 64 differently shaped structures at Umm Al Salsal. Around 30 students from Al Marfa schools participating in the SSI helped assemble the structures made from sustainable materials, including oyster shells from the Abu Dhabi Pearl Centre. A monitoring plan is currently underway to assess the progress and success of the selected site for Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: 'Before the advent of cultured pearls and the discovery of oil, the Arabian Gulf was a major centre for the pearl trade, famous for producing the finest, world-renowned pearls. Diving was not only a profession or a means of livelihood, but also an integrated social system that had a profound impact on the region's culture and traditions. However, this industry required the extraction of thousands of oysters to obtain a few precious gems. Today, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi seeks to revive this rich cultural heritage in a modern and sustainable way by supporting and adopting pearl farming practices.'We are keen to expand aquaculture activities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and, through the pearl oyster restoration project, we seek to benefit from its great benefits, such as enhancing biodiversity, supporting various marine species, and improving the health of the ecosystem in general. In addition, pearl oysters have historical and cultural significance to Abu Dhabi and their restoration enhances this connection. Pearl oysters also contribute to water purification and help maintain the balance of marine ecosystems, which directly impacts environmental sustainability,' he added. The EAD's future plans for the Pearl Oyster Restoration Project include a wide range of environmental, and community initiatives and will see a gradual expansion of restoration sites as initial efforts demonstrate success – identifying additional suitable sites and increasing the number of oysters being cultured and rehabilitated. In the long term, these efforts may stimulate investment in scientific research to develop more efficient and effective restoration techniques, which may include genetic studies of pearl oysters, advanced breeding programmes, and innovative aquaculture techniques.
Al Etihad
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Special Olympics UAE delegation to participate in Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025
7 Mar 2025 23:55 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)A UAE delegation represented by Special Olympics UAE will participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, which will be held from March 9-15 in Italy. Led by Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of the Special Olympics UAE, the delegation includes 30 members, among them 11 Athletes of Determination with intellectual and developmental disabilities, competing in six winter sports—the highest number a delegation from the Middle East and North Africa will compete six winter sports are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, alpine skiing, short-track speed skating, and snowboarding. This level of participation reflects the UAE's growing commitment to expanding opportunities in winter sports for people with intellectual and developmental Al Hashemi, National Director at Special Olympics UAE, said: "Our athletes have shown exceptional dedication throughout their training, and we take great pride in their journey to Turin 2025.' He added, 'The participation in the 2025 Winter Games is part of our ongoing mission to provide global sporting opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring they are empowered to compete, succeed and inspire. Our leadership fully supports them, and we stand behind them as they represent the UAE. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our strategic partners and supporters, whose contributions have been instrumental in making this journey possible."The athletes were selected from leading clubs across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, Ajman Club for Disabled and Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination. The delegation has received strong institutional backing, with Majid Al Futtaim as the official partner and the UAE Winter Sports Federation as a supporting partner. Journey to Greatness Mohammad El Etri, Managing Director at Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, said: 'At Majid Al Futtaim, we take immense pride in having played a key role in shaping the UAE delegation on their journey to greatness. Through dedicated training led by our coaches — both at home and abroad — we have witnessed the unwavering resilience, determination, and heart of these athletes. Our partnership with Special Olympics UAE is about more than just competition; it is a commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and breaking barriers. As they set their sights on Turin 2025, the coaches will be there, cheering them on every step of the way. I look forward to celebrating their achievements and witnessing the incredible moments that will inspire generations." Extensive Training Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President at UAE Winter Sports Federation, said: "We are honoured to support the UAE delegation as they prepare to participate in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025. The athletes have undergone extensive training, refining their skills across all six sports. Sport remains one of the most powerful tools for inclusion and empowerment, and this participation is a testament to the limitless potential of People of Determination. We hope their performance will inspire even greater engagement with winter sports across the UAE."The Special Olympics UAE organised an intensive training programme in collaboration with the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Majid Al Futtaim (Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi), ensuring that the athletes are fully prepared for competition. Team preparations included two training camps, the first of which was held in Uzbekistan in January, while the second concluded recently in Dubai. Preparations also included winter sports coaching development programmes in November 2024 to enhance training the first World Winter Games since the landmark Special Olympics UAE World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Turin 2025 represents a new chapter in the UAE's leadership in inclusive sports. The delegation's participation builds on previous international successes, including Special Olympics UAE's record-breaking performance at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, where the UAE team secured the strongest results in the Middle East and North Special Olympics UAE athletes selected for the upcoming World Winter Games Turin 2025 include Yousef Al Mulla, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS); Mouza Al Hamed, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination; Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Ras Al Khaimah Club for People of Determination; Mina Al Mazrouei, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination; Khalifa Al Ameri, Dubai Club for People of Determination; Zulekha Al Mansoori, Ajman Club for Disabled; Kholoud Al Khoori, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination; Salma Al Salami, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination; Ahmed Al Jilani, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination; Hamda Al Hosani, Abu Dhabi Club for People of Determination, and Hazza Al Mehairbi, Abu Dhabi Club for People of October 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced Special Olympics UAE as an independent organisation dedicated to changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Her Highness Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was appointed as the Honorary President, and Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrui as Chairperson of the Board of organisation aims to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sports while providing them with leadership opportunities to help them display their talents and integrate them with mainstream Special Olympics UAE has launched a variety of community programmes, including those focused on families and young athletes. It has also introduced a number of initiatives to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create a more inclusive society. The Special Olympics of the UAE received international recognition from the International Special Olympics Foundation-USA in December 2017. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Observer
09-03-2025
- Observer
Cyber Security Week begins in Al Batinah
AL RUSTAQ: The Directorate-General of Education in Al Batinah South Governorate has launched Cyber Security Week, an initiative running until March 13, aimed at enhancing awareness of cyber threats, strengthening digital security practices and promoting safe online engagement. Sultan bin Hamad al Hashemi, Director of the Information Technology Department at Al Batinah South Education Directorate, emphasised the significance of the event in educating students and the wider community about the growing risks associated with social media, electronic transactions and cybersecurity threats. He highlighted that the initiative seeks to improve knowledge and response strategies for handling digital security challenges while promoting the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence applications. Al Hashemi further noted that Cyber Security Week plays a crucial role in instilling strong cybersecurity principles and values among school students across the governorate. By fostering awareness, the event aims to equip students with the necessary skills to protect themselves from online risks, ensuring a safer digital learning environment. The week-long programme includes various awareness activities, workshops and exhibitions across schools in the governorate. These sessions cover essential topics such as cybersecurity fundamentals, data protection, safeguarding personal information, preventing electronic hacking, artificial intelligence security, and best practices for safe social media use. - ONA
