SBA presents traditional Ramadan competitions
Returning this Ramadan on Sharjah TV, 'Al-Nishan' offers an engaging experience with a fresh look and a new location. This season, the programme is set in the heart of Aljada, a vibrant destination in Sharjah, featuring a fully equipped studio that mirrors the area's modern character.
The 'Al-Nishan Market' within the programme supports young entrepreneurs by providing specialised outlets for coffee, food, desserts, and other creative fields, enhancing their reach to a broader audience.
Hosted by Ismail Al Sheibani, with contributions from Naji Khamis and Abdullah Al Hammadi, the show interacts with Aljada visitors, posing heritage-related questions for a chance to win valuable prizes.
Additionally, Rashid Ali Al Naham and Mouza bint Rashid join as regular guests, sharing their extensive knowledge of Emirati heritage through audience-engaging competitions and questions. The programme airs daily at 11:00 PM for an hour.
'Al-Souq Al-Qadeem' Interaction with a Heritage Spirit
On Al Sharqiya from the Kalba channel, 'Al-Souq Al-Qadeem' combines direct audience interaction with authentic traditional atmospheres. The programme features three main segments: a studio segment hosted by Khaled Al Dabit with guest interviews; an audience interaction segment led by Omar Ahmed, Mohammed Al Baloushi, and Yaqoub Youssef, offering intriguing questions and valuable prizes; and a cultural heritage segment highlighting traditional crafts and historical artefacts from locations such as Sheikh Saeed's House in Kalba, the personal museum of Rashid Al Naham, and the Crafts Museum in Khor Fakkan. These segments provide viewers with an enriching cultural and educational experience.
'Al-Husn': Ramadan Majlis Merging Heritage and Interaction
Airing daily at 10:00 PM on Al Wousta from Al Dhaid channel, 'Al-Husn' presents an authentic Ramadan majlis reflecting the social and cultural fabric of the central region. The programme hosts local figures in engaging discussions, shedding light on customs and traditions integral to the Emirati identity.
Segments like 'Jalsat Shuwabna' delve into the lives of the elderly in the central region, exploring past lifestyles, professions, and societal norms. 'Umhatna' (Our Mothers) highlights the vital role of women in Bedouin life, traditional cuisines, and notable female figures from the area. The competition segment offers participants exciting heritage and cultural challenges, with 12 valuable prizes awarded daily throughout Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. The programme also engages with digital media by posting daily questions on social media platforms, allowing viewers to participate and compete for additional prizes, thereby strengthening audience connection.
'Najm Al Majalis' (Majlis Star) and 'Ma' Jamal wa Hassan'
Sharjah Radio's challenge and competition programmes aim to strengthen relationships and bring people closer, offering everyone a chance to win prizes and rewards. Leading the competition programmes is 'Najm Al Majalis' (Majlis Star) in its fifth season, in partnership with Sharjah TV, offering participants and the audience prizes totalling half a million dirhams, including 70,000 dirhams and a car for the first-place winner. 'Ma'a Jamal wa Hassan' is a challenge and competition programmes filled with fun and humour between presenters Jamal Al Smiti and Hassan Rajab. Winning depends on accumulating points from answered questions, with average prizes of about 5,000 dirhams per episode. Additionally, Sharjah Radio offers a series of social media competitions titled 'Fawazeer Ammi Jamal' aimed at children.
'Ramadan Nights' on Pulse 95
Pulse 95 Radio, broadcasting in English, accompanies its audience during Ramadan with the interactive competition programme 'Ramadan Nights,' offering callers the chance to participate and win prizes totalling 30,000 dirhams. The programme airs daily except Sundays from 9:00 to 10:00 PM, hosted by Hassan Dannaoui, known as 'Big Hass,' providing listeners with a direct and engaging interaction filled with challenge and excitement. 'Ramadan Nights' is part of Pulse 95's Ramadan programming, aiming to enhance communication with its audience and add an element of entertainment and interaction during the holy month.
Through this diverse array of programmes, SBA seeks to offer enriching and engaging content that resonates with the spirit of Ramadan, fostering community bonds and celebrating Emirati heritage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
What's On
an hour ago
- What's On
Artist spotlight: Emirati soul singer, Arqam Al Abri
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations – these are just a few of the legends who shaped soul music. With roots in gospel, rhythm and blues, the genre carries strong associations and even stronger expectations. But prepare to have those expectations upended – Arqam Al Abri is here to challenge the preconceptions of what a soul singer looks and sounds like. We stumbled upon singer Al Abri during a random doomscroll on Instagram and were blown away by his voice. We watched as the Emirati/Omani gentleman, who was born and raised in Dubai, effortlessly belted out Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. Arqam al Abri Dressed in a navy-blue kandura and a white ghutra, the Emirati soul singer easily evoked goosebumps. And clearly, it's a common feeling, because the singer has over 60,000 followers on social media, and every comment was nothing but praise. We just knew we had to reach out to him to get to know the man behind the stunning voice. When asked about his inspiration, Al Abri tells us he grew up in a house full of music. 'My dad was a musician and had a massive music collection that we used to listen to. Music from legends such as Elvis, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and more. We used to sneak into his room to listen to his music and I think that inspired us.' The singer also shares that his first memory of music is hearing his father sing. When asked when he realised he could sing in that way, he laughed and said 'sing like what?' However, he added he had no formal training and had a voice coach for just a couple of weeks. It's a constant learning curve, Al Abri admits. 'I like to think I learn from every musician I've jammed with – from guitarists and keyboard players to drummers and singers. Every rehearsal, every performance is a lesson.' Other singers who strongly influenced him include his own brother Abri, and other prominent names in the soul singing business including Sam Cooke, Lauryn Hill and Bob Marley. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is an album Al Abri tells us he can listen to on repeat. When asked if he faced any challenges being a soul singer in the UAE, Al Abri shared 'The early days were difficult, I can't complain though. Challenges are what makes you who you are.' However, it looks like his hard work and dedication has paid off, because he has not only performed in some top venues here in the UAE, he also sang alongside internationally acclaimed pianist, Lang Lang. When asked if being Emirati influences his music, he said 'To a certain extent, I add some elements of our music into my songs. I've sampled the Ayala in one of my songs Towards the Light… slipped in some Oud into another original Leaving, and I often perform live with an amazing Oud player – Nezar Omran.' Al Abri also writes his own songs which the world can listen to on Spotify and Apple Music. According to the singer, he is hoping to do more to merge Khaleeji music and soul music in his next EP (extended play). And it looks like his dreams will soon become a reality, because Al Abri happily shared that he was 'fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Ministry of Culture to produce and EP.' He added, 'It will be a fusion of Emirati/Khaleeji music and soul music – around four or five songs.' He is working on a few campaigns and is excited to share them with us soon. Al Abri said that he was fortunate enough to sustain himself through his music during the Covid-19 lockdown when he was unsure of his decision to leave his job, he wrote a song called Heavy. 'It starts off fairly sad, but then becomes more hopeful and determined towards the end. It's also the first song where I played guitar on my own track.' When asked what's something that people might be surprised to learn about him, he chuckled quietly and shared, 'I am fairly reclusive… very demure… very mindful…' He also shared that one of his favourite songs to perform is Creep by Radiohead. 'It's such a beautiful song. For someone like me that isn't necessarily comfortable being around a lot of people, I can relate with the song.' 'It's been an incredible journey to be able to do something that, I hope, is able to touch people and make a decent income from,' he said. However, when he is not dabbling in music, Al Abri unwinds by spending time with his cats. For emerging artists in the region, Al Abri has one simple piece of advice: 'Find out who you are. It'll show in your music.' Follow Arqam Al Abri on his musical journey on Instagram @
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAEBBY events unveil shadow theatre, story art
The UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) is running a series of interactive events for children and young adults throughout July. Organised in collaboration with House of Wisdom in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi Children's Library, the summer programme is part of the ongoing 'Read. Dream. Create.' campaign. It aims to nurture storytelling skills, encourage creative thinking and self-expression, and offer a joyful, value-driven educational experience inspired by the power of stories. A key highlight of the programme is a weekly shadow theatre series hosted under the title Kalila wa Dimna Summer Camp, held every Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at House of Wisdom. These storytelling sessions introduce children aged 8 to 12 to selected tales from the classic Kalila wa Dimna, presented through shadow puppetry and live narration. Designed to spark curiosity and convey values such as wisdom, courage, and cooperation, the performances invite children to reflect and engage directly with the stories. Emirati and Arab storytellers including Mohammed Dashti and Samia Ayish lead the sessions, each presenting a new tale every week. Children are encouraged to take part in retelling and reconstructing the narratives in their own way, promoting active learning through creativity and imagination. The book Kalila wa Dimna is a cornerstone of classical world literature, known for its enduring wisdom told through animal fables. Translated into dozens of languages and deeply rooted in Arab cultural heritage since the 8th century, its symbolic tales deliver life lessons in a simple, impactful style. The stories remain a valuable educational reference for promoting moral thinking and ethical decision-making among young readers. In Abu Dhabi, the board marked World Youth Skills Day with an art workshop titled A Ship Towards Dreams, held at the Abu Dhabi Children's Library. Led by Fatima Al Ameri, the session invited children aged 6 to 14 to design symbolic ships that reflect their dreams, personal values, and aspirations. Through guided artistic exploration, participants were encouraged to visualise their goals in a creative, supportive setting. These initiatives are part of the board's broader commitment to creating safe, enriching learning environments where children can explore their identities, imagine freely, and develop important life skills. By combining literature with hands-on artistic tools, the programme reconnects young audiences with the values of storytelling, wisdom, and creativity in a way that is both fun and transformative. WAM
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah panel explores directing styles in Emirati theatre
Opening remarks: celebrating a dedicated critic Magdy Mahfouz introduced Said Ahmed as one of the most dedicated observers of Emirati theatre, known for his consistent presence at festivals and performances. He noted that Said Ahmed's longstanding involvement in theatrical critique has given him deep insight into the evolution of theatre in the UAE, particularly in the field of directing, which Mahfouz described as the foundation of any successful performance. Early stages of Emirati theatre directing Mahfouz outlined that theatrical direction in the UAE began in the 1970s with the founding of clubs and theatre troupes. In its early days, Arab directors and trainers played a key role in developing the local scene by training young Emiratis and guiding them from amateur productions to professional theatre. Defining a directing style Mohamed Said Ahmed began his talk by defining a director's style as a personal, recognisable approach that emerges through experience. He explained that such a style is shaped by a fusion of influences from various directing schools and methodologies. The challenge, he added, lies in synthesising these influences into a cohesive artistic language that balances inspiration with originality. Pioneers and early contributors Said Ahmed paid tribute to Arab theatre pioneers who laid the foundation for directing in the UAE, including Saqr Al-Rashoud, Ibrahim Jallal, Yahya Al-Hajj, Youssef Eidabi, Abdelilah Fouad Al-Shatti, Youssef Khalil, Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, and Zaki Tulaimat. Abdullah Al Mannaei and the 'theatre of image' He highlighted Abdullah Al Mannaei as a founding figure in Emirati theatre directing, known for his 'theatre of image' style. Al Mannaei prioritised non-verbal storytelling through gesture, movement, and visual composition. His legacy paved the way for his students and younger directors to explore new artistic directions. Three leading Emirati directors Mohammed Al Ameri: visual imagination and collaborative writing Said Ahmed described Mohammed Al Ameri's directing style as visually driven, where the director imagines scenes as individual images and then weaves them together through the story. Al Ameri places strong emphasis on scenography, group dynamics, and actor performance. He often develops scripts through a workshop approach, working closely with playwrights to shape both the text and the visual concept before staging. Naji Al Hai: human-centred and minimalist direction Naji Al Hai, a distinguished playwright and director, is known for his emotionally resonant, socially rooted works such as A Grain of Sand, Zacharia My Love, and Bab Al Baraha. His minimalist aesthetic focuses on the actor as the central element, supported by simple sets and costumes. Despite the local themes, his work carries a broader humanist message. He was the first Emirati director to present plays in Europe, including in France and Spain. Hassan Rajab: academic discipline and visual appeal The third director profiled was Hassan Rajab, whose academic training at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait influenced his structured and visually rich directing style. His productions, such as Red Dust, Father for Sale or Rent, and Ashoofak, show a blend of directorial schools, a controlled rhythm, and a strong sense of visual design. Rajab often employs innovative staging devices and integrates humour drawn from the Emirati dialect. Experimentation and innovation in stagecraft Said Ahmed praised Rajab's inventive techniques, such as using spotlights to signal scenes before they begin, or seating an actor on a fixed chair to represent theatre within theatre. In Hamiha Haramiha, he placed actors in symbolic wooden boxes representing social hierarchy, illustrating his creative approach to stage composition. Closing reflections and tributes Mohammed Al Ameri concluded the session with a heartfelt message of thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unwavering support of theatre and the arts. He also confirmed many of the observations made by Said Ahmed about his own directing approach—particularly his focus on image, scenography, and integration of digital and natural elements. Al Ameri paid tribute to the Arab directors who helped lay the foundations for theatre in the UAE, including Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, Saqr Al-Rashoud, Fouad Al-Shatti, Yahya Al-Hajj, Ahmed Abdel Halim, and Qasim Mohammed, acknowledging their lasting influence on the local scene.
