ABU DHABI // Sumaya Al Hadrami was one of many recognised for contributing to the benefit of her society.
Her project, displayed at the Youth Festival in Abu Dhabi over the weekend, helps people with special needs visit beauty salons in the UAE.
“This salon is equipped to be able to serve the disabled,” said the 33-year-old Emirati. “We have a special host to carry them from the chair to the bed and they’re able to do their hair, nails, facials and everything related to beauty.”
She was among 46 “achievers” at the festival themed Eshi Biladi – long live my country in Arabic – held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre by the Emirates Foundation on Friday and Saturday.
“I got the idea from my sister, who is handicapped,” said Mrs Al Hadrami. “She is in a wheelchair and it’s very difficult when we want to get her to a beauty salon. When staff come to our home they double their price, so it becomes very expensive.”
She opened her first shop, called Jeunesse Spa Ladies Centre, in Khalifa City A last year. “We seek to carry the honour of putting the UAE in the first position worldwide of providing personal and beauty care for special needs people,” she added.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Emirates Foundation chairman, attended the event. “This national occasion is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements during the last four decades of the march of the union, including the distinguished contributions and achievements of Emirati youth in all sectors,” he said.
“These achievements are an important part of enhancing the march of the union and the progress and sustainable development of the country.”
Hamad Al Zaabi, from Abu Dhabi, took part in the Ship for World Youth programme, sponsored by the Japanese government.
Every year, 12 countries around the world send their youth to Japan to take part in cultural and social activities for 10 days.
“Then we cruise around Asia with different nationalities for 45 days,” he said. “The aim is cultural exchange to let the youth understand different cultures. We also presented our heritage and culture to them for an hour and the whole experience was amazing. If you want to visit 12 countries and know about their culture, you need more than a year. This brings different cultures in a nutshell.”
Farah Al Fardh, a 33-year-old Emirati, showcased her artwork representing the UAE.
“I’m an artist in a very niche part in the Arab world, which is called paper quilling,” she said. “It’s the art of rolling paper strips, shaping them and then connecting them in a certain way to make artwork.”
She represents the UAE in annual exhibitions. “Most of the time, I’m the only Arab in those exhibitions,” she said. “I make different necklaces with the UAE flag and the Expo 2020 sign.”
Visitors enjoyed live performances by Emirati youth, camel and horse rides, musical bands, singers, poets from the UAE and local food cooked by five Emirati women.
“I came here to celebrate my country with my sisters,” said Marwa Al Dosary, a 21-year-old Emirati. “We make traditional clothing in Sharjah, so my sisters are wearing them to take part in a traditional dance in the festival. It’s very important for people to see how our culture is, both for Emiratis and expats. Khalifa University was teaching people how we wear the abaya and how men wear the kandura.”
Martine Beachboard, from the US, said she was impressed with the professional presentation of the festival. “I feel a little hesitant to come to these things sometimes because I’m not from here, but it’s always wonderful. People are friendly and proud.”
Tanujit Medha, a 29-year-old Indian, said these types of festivals should be promoted.
“It’s a good experience to see lots of things here which I haven’t seen about this country,” he said. “I’ve been here for two-and-a-half years, yet I’m still learning so much about it. It’s not as promoted as it should be, so they should really showcase more of this.”
cmalek@thenational.ae