• ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
    ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from ‘The Fishing Trip’ thobe, which captures old Jaffa (pronounced as Yaffa) port, once a great fishing and trade hub on the Mediterranean. The focus here is on the fishermen in their small boats, using a minimalist design in white and gold thread to really capture the beauty of the harbour. Victor Besa/The National
  • 'Akka (Acre)' thobe is stitched in bright red and gold thread, once more depicts the boys waiting their turn to leap form the cliffs in a show of masculinity. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
    'Akka (Acre)' thobe is stitched in bright red and gold thread, once more depicts the boys waiting their turn to leap form the cliffs in a show of masculinity. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Akka (Acre)' thobe, whcih is stitched in bright red and gold thread. The wonderful, eclectic use of contrasting colours, styles and materials make this thobe stand out and perfectly reflect the experience of living in vibrant Akka. Victor Besa/The National
  • ‘My Journey’ thobe is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. To the top right there is a brass sculpture of one young man suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
    ‘My Journey’ thobe is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. To the top right there is a brass sculpture of one young man suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
    Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
    Detai from ‘My Journey’ thobe, which is focused on the mental journey of the boys about to leap from Akka’s cliffs. This is about the internal monologues which must be taking place as the boys stand waiting and contemplate the dangerous feat. Victor Besa/The National
  • 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe imagines a world where there is complete freedom of movement. This thobe depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. On the reverse of the dress you can see a dove, the symbol of peace. The women of Gaza often turn flour and sugar sacks into embroidered garments, so this thobe is made from similar material in tribute. Victor Besa/The National
    'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe imagines a world where there is complete freedom of movement. This thobe depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. On the reverse of the dress you can see a dove, the symbol of peace. The women of Gaza often turn flour and sugar sacks into embroidered garments, so this thobe is made from similar material in tribute. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which depicts a woman bearing a basket of Gazan fruit and goods on her head, taking them home to her family across the border in Jordan. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which shows the different embroidery colours used on the shoulder and sleeve of the dress. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Wa Mashat (So She Left)' thobe, which shows the different embroidery colours used on the shoulder and sleeve of the dress. Victor Besa/The National
  • 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe takes a minimalist design. The simple black fabric is wonderfully embellished with rich gold thread, showcasing some of the most intricate tatreez work imaginable. The focus here is on the boats which used to cross to the famous trading port, and to the top right there is a solid brass vessel. Victor Besa/The National
    'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe takes a minimalist design. The simple black fabric is wonderfully embellished with rich gold thread, showcasing some of the most intricate tatreez work imaginable. The focus here is on the boats which used to cross to the famous trading port, and to the top right there is a solid brass vessel. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of a solid brass vessel sculpture. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of a solid brass vessel sculpture. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Yaffa (Jaffa)' thobe of intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
  • In 'The Wait' thobe, we see a line of boys waiting patiently, building themselves up to the leap from the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
    In 'The Wait' thobe, we see a line of boys waiting patiently, building themselves up to the leap from the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from 'The Wait' thobe, where a line of boys wait patiently before jumping off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from 'The Wait' thobe, where a line of boys wait patiently before jumping off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from 'The Wait' thobe that shows the intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from 'The Wait' thobe that shows the intricate tatreez work. Victor Besa/The National
  • In the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, boys jump from the famous cliffs of Akka to prove their manhood. In this thobe we see one young man suspended in mid-air, a splash beneath showing another boy has taken the plunge just before him. Layer upon layer of intricate tatreez have been woven to capture the jagged rocks, giving this thobe a beautiful texture. Victor Besa/The National
    In the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, boys jump from the famous cliffs of Akka to prove their manhood. In this thobe we see one young man suspended in mid-air, a splash beneath showing another boy has taken the plunge just before him. Layer upon layer of intricate tatreez have been woven to capture the jagged rocks, giving this thobe a beautiful texture. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where one young man is suspended in mid-air. Victor Besa/The National
  • Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where boys stand wait their turn before they jump off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National
    Detail from the 'Leap of Faith' thobe, where boys stand wait their turn before they jump off the cliffs. Victor Besa/The National

Art

More than clothes: Palestinian stories stitched in new collection of traditional thobes

A collection of 10 garments is on show at Manarat Al Saadiyat as part of Abu Dhabi Art

The National

November 26, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The traditional thobe has been transformed into a canvas, embroidered with memories of Palestine for a new showcase on display in Abu Dhabi this week.

A Thobe Story is on show at Manarat Al Saadiyat as part of Abu Dhabi Art's community exhibitions. Hand-stitched in a traditional Palestinian embroidery style called tatreez, the works are created by Palestinian refugee women, in collaboration with the UAE's 81 Designs and design studio Naqsh Collective.

These traditional garments tell stories of Palestinian memories in three major cities – Jaffa, Akka and Gaza.

A national attire in many Arab counties, the thobe is a loose-fitting garment worn by both men and women, with designs that vary according to geography. Palestinian thobes typically bear patterns with florals and geometric figures.

A Thobe Story is on show from 10am to 8pm until Thursday, November 26, 2020. Scroll through the gallery above to see the designs.

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

SPECS
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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

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Profile of RentSher

Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE

Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi

Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE

Sector: Online rental marketplace

Size: 40 employees

Investment: $2 million

Art