• At nearly 60, musician Naseer Shamma is still in awe of the short-neck, stringed instrument, the oud. All photos: AFP
    At nearly 60, musician Naseer Shamma is still in awe of the short-neck, stringed instrument, the oud. All photos: AFP
  • Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma plays the oud during rehearsals at the Iraqi National Theater in Baghdad on January 17, 2022. - Long uprooted from his native Iraq, Shamma, an icon of the Arabic oud, has returned home to help rekindle the flame of Iraqi music, snuffed out by decades of conflict. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
    Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma plays the oud during rehearsals at the Iraqi National Theater in Baghdad on January 17, 2022. - Long uprooted from his native Iraq, Shamma, an icon of the Arabic oud, has returned home to help rekindle the flame of Iraqi music, snuffed out by decades of conflict. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
  • His latest performances educate and entertain. 'Now we're playing to help education. We need to help Iraqi schools,' Mr Shamma says.
    His latest performances educate and entertain. 'Now we're playing to help education. We need to help Iraqi schools,' Mr Shamma says.
  • Mr Shamma hopes ' music... will change the soul of people'.
    Mr Shamma hopes ' music... will change the soul of people'.
  • While Iraq is still far from its cultural heyday of the 1970s and '80s, it has recently seen a fledgling renaissance, with art galleries opening and book fairs and festivals held.
    While Iraq is still far from its cultural heyday of the 1970s and '80s, it has recently seen a fledgling renaissance, with art galleries opening and book fairs and festivals held.
  • Despite the sluggish pace of Iraq's recovery and the political disputes that always threaten to erupt into violence, the musician is hopeful for change.
    Despite the sluggish pace of Iraq's recovery and the political disputes that always threaten to erupt into violence, the musician is hopeful for change.
  • "We need to close the bad past and start again a new life with a new memory and a new vision for the future," Mr Shamma says.
    "We need to close the bad past and start again a new life with a new memory and a new vision for the future," Mr Shamma says.

MENA

Arabic oud star seeks to 'change soul' of Iraq with music - in pictures

Long uprooted from his homeland, Naseer Shamma returns to Iraq to help rekindle the flame of Iraqi music

The National

January 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

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Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

RESULTS

5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Sean Kirrane (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

5.30pm: Falaj Hazza – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Arim W’Rsan, Dane O’Neill, Jaci Wickham

6pm: Al Basrah – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Kalifano De Ghazal, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

6.30pm: Oud Al Touba – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Pharitz Oubai, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: Sieh bin Amaar – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Oxord, Richard Mullen, Abdalla Al Hammadi

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: AF Ramz, Sean Kirrane, Khalifa Al Neyadi

8pm: Al Saad – Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Sea Skimmer, Gabriele Malune, Kareem Ramadan

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Updated: January 19, 2022, 9:03 AM
PhotographyIraq