• From right, Luma Adnani, Ibrahim Taha, Lina Adnani and Lutfi Zayed in the studio where they are recording their for songs Arabic their entertainment and educational cartoon Adam Wa Mishmimish in Amman, Jordan, on March 13, 2017. Salah Malkawi for The National
    From right, Luma Adnani, Ibrahim Taha, Lina Adnani and Lutfi Zayed in the studio where they are recording their for songs Arabic their entertainment and educational cartoon Adam Wa Mishmimish in Amman, Jordan, on March 13, 2017. Salah Malkawi for The National
  • The Adam Wa Mishmimish cartoons teach children the alphabet, numbers, colours and shapes – and also good behaviour, such as going to bed when they are told and the importance of being polite.
    The Adam Wa Mishmimish cartoons teach children the alphabet, numbers, colours and shapes – and also good behaviour, such as going to bed when they are told and the importance of being polite.
  • Arabic language experts are concerned that Arabic, the sixth official language of the United Nations since 1973, is at risk in Jordan and other Arab countries. Here, Ibrahim Taha and Lina Adnani are in the recording studio for Adam Wa Mishmimish. Salah Malkawi for The National
    Arabic language experts are concerned that Arabic, the sixth official language of the United Nations since 1973, is at risk in Jordan and other Arab countries. Here, Ibrahim Taha and Lina Adnani are in the recording studio for Adam Wa Mishmimish. Salah Malkawi for The National
  • Lina, seen here, says globalisation and the influence of western culture and pop music has also contributed to deteriorating attitudes towards the Arabic language among her generation. Salah Malkawi for The National
    Lina, seen here, says globalisation and the influence of western culture and pop music has also contributed to deteriorating attitudes towards the Arabic language among her generation. Salah Malkawi for The National
  • Ibrahim, 37, who has played the guitar since he was a child, composes tunes with a combination of Middle Eastern, Western and Latin flavours. Salah Malkawi for The National
    Ibrahim, 37, who has played the guitar since he was a child, composes tunes with a combination of Middle Eastern, Western and Latin flavours. Salah Malkawi for The National
  • The team working with producer Chris Mullender in the studio where they record their Arabic songs for Adam Wa Mishmimish. Salah Malkawi for The National
    The team working with producer Chris Mullender in the studio where they record their Arabic songs for Adam Wa Mishmimish. Salah Malkawi for The National
  • Luma, Ibrahim and Lina have plans for even more seasons. ‘We are planting the seeds for children to love their language,’ says Luma. Salah Malkawi for The National
    Luma, Ibrahim and Lina have plans for even more seasons. ‘We are planting the seeds for children to love their language,’ says Luma. Salah Malkawi for The National

Behind the scenes with Arabic cartoon ‘Adam Wa Mishmish’ - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

A collaborative family effort by Luma Adnani, her husband Ibrahim Taha and her younger sister Lina, the project aims to make learning Arabic a pleasurable experience in a region where many young people prefer the English language.

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite

 “I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy

“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)

Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon

UK%20-%20UAE%20Trade
%3Cp%3ETotal%20trade%20in%20goods%20and%20services%20(exports%20plus%20imports)%20between%20the%20UK%20and%20the%20UAE%20in%202022%20was%20%C2%A321.6%20billion%20(Dh98%20billion).%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThis%20is%20an%20increase%20of%2063.0%20per%20cent%20or%20%C2%A38.3%20billion%20in%20current%20prices%20from%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20was%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%2019th%20largest%20trading%20partner%20in%20the%20four%20quarters%20to%20the%20end%20of%20Q4%202022%20accounting%20for%201.3%20per%20cent%20of%20total%20UK%20trade.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores:

Day 1

Toss: India, chose to bat

India (1st innings): 215-2 (89 ov)

Agarwal 76, Pujara 68 not out; Cummins 2-40

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying

Ammar 808:
Maghreb United

Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat 

Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)