1. Free ISSUe
eNTeRTaINMeNT I FOOD I FasHION I lIFesTYle I aRTs
the rhythm of your city A U G U S T 1, 2 010
THe cOOlesT MaGazINe IN THe Uae NOw wITH MObIle TaGs
JONes
IN abU DHabI
CRAZY
STUNTS
K’NAAN SKATE
space walkING caNaDIaN-sOMalI BOARDING
IN THe capITal MUsIc seNsaTION ABU DHABI
p.6 p.9 p.27

2. cONTeNTs
VOLUME15 | AUGUST 1, 2010
FROM THe eDITOR
Hello Abu dhabi, eNTeRTaINMeNT
The capital has succumbed to summer, and a peaceful transition into ramadan begins. 4 Uspace
The wonderful thing about the rhythm of the cosmos, and the energy of all living
things is the periodic opportunity for rebirth and renewal. 6 cRazY sTUNTs
For Muslims, ramadan carries the promise of spiritual realignment. It is a time to look
8 wHaT’s HOT
inward; to review your life; your work, your contributions, and think of how you can 9 beaT wITH kaRaM
become a better person. ramadan is a chance to refocus your energies on things
that matter most. It engrains the values of caring, patience, truthfulness and giving-- 10 HaNGOUTs
hopefully not just for the month, but for a long time afterwards as well.
FasHION
These hot months may offer little to do outdoors, but they are also a great time to
come together indoors. To focus on family, friendships and our communities. 12 TReNDseTTeR
It is a breaking of a fast, and a breaking of bread together. With great hope, gratitude 13 MY sTYle blUepRINT
and forgiveness.
FOOD
embrace spiritual renewal, Abu Dhabi. 14 cITY bITes
lIFesTYle
eDITOR MaGazINe DesIGNeR eDITORIal cONTRIbUTORs 19 peOple MeTeR
saNa baGeRsH pRaveeN pRabHakaRaN kaRaM bUkaIR
20 NeIGHbOURHOOD
MaXINe GUaRNIeRI
FeaTURes eDITOR websITe DesIGNeR
RIzwaN peRvaIz OMaR el TeMTaMY 22 RaIsING THe baR
alMa kaDRaGIc
RaNDY paRkeR
MaRkeTING cOORDINaTOR 23 YaNk IN saNDlaND
eDITORIal cOORDINaTOR
MaNJUl abHIsHek
sITHaRa seTHUMaDHavaN 24 sOcIal NeT
pRODUcTION cOORDINaTOR
RIzwaNa sHaHID
25 TecH Talk
26 MY abU DHabI
Address 28 MakING a DIFFeReNce
To reach editorial at Abu Dhabi Tempo email: editorial@abudhabitempo.com
If you need to find out where you can pick up your copy call: 02 6673349 or check out the list of
Tempo distribution points on our website.
aRTs
NoTe To ADverTIsers: Advertisers get free brand tagging with all advertisements. To reach 29 aRTIcUlaTe
advertising call 02 6673349 or email: advertising@abudhabitempo.com
30 classIFIeDs
disclAimer: 31 FUN paGe
Tempo is a publication of BrandMoxie. Although Tempo Magazine does its best to ensure the
authenticity and accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for
errors, mistakes and inaccuracies. The publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part
of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of
the publisher.
Published by:
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3

3. Dear ed,
SPACE around, especially for families. It’s informative
Free ISSU
e
ENTERTAINM
ENT I FOOD I FASHION
I LIFESTYLE
I ARTS
saY
I’m a tourist to Abu Dhabi and I took my kids
swimming to the Corniche late afternoon,
and fun to read. I like the colourful design and
the pictures. the rhy thm
of your
city
J U LY 16
IMpORTaNT FacTs abOUT RaMaDaN
what I’ve learned about this special month
- 31, 2 010
thinking that the best time to go to the beach - Asmi
is after temperatures cool off. I was extremely
TAgS
disappointed when the lifeguard and security by sithara sethumadhavan
H MObILE
guards told us we couldn’t swim after 7pm. Dear Ed
NOw wIT
The beach should stay open, I believe, as the My brothers and I are at home in summer. It’s
early evening is actually the best time to enjoy hot outside and we’re getting really bored. Imagine spending a whole month in prayer and reflection, while refraining from food, drinking,
IN THE UAE
We really need more things to do than go NEw YORk
the Corniche!! gUggEN ’S
HEIM gIRLS smoking and any excesses from dawn until sunset. That’s exactly what the Muslims do during
MAgAzINE
Samira Shardi to the malls....there need to be more events, AMAL & AF
competitions and fun challenges. ALL ABO
RA
Ramadan. Fasting is meant to teach patience, modesty and spirituality...
THE cOOLEST
SHAF RAIUT
TEn REA
SI spain Wosons
Dear ed,
n the
Dave S
TELLING
p.8 World Cup THE WOR
LD ABOU
THE UA T
p.24 E
p.10
I enjoy reading Abu Dhabi Tempo because it express your thoughts and views. email us: ramadan is the ninth month on the feelings of Muslims during the month, to God, and the fast reminds them of
tells me about the things that are happening editorial@abudhabitempo.com islamic calendar since the fast involves refraining from their devotions. The idea is that only
“moisture” and sustenance -- like drink Allah knows who breaks their fast and
The Islamic calendar is different from
Review
and food -- during the daylight hours. who fulfills their obligations with full
the Gregorian calendar used in the
devotion. However, in certain countries,
West. Whereas the Western uses the
if you’re sick, you get a fasting Muslims caught not fasting during
solar calendar (based upon the sun’s
by karam bukair exemption. ramadan can be punished.
movements), the Islamic calendar is a
lunar calendar and each month begins The fast is obligatory for all mature
Yo, basketball fans, check out this shoe! I just couldn’t resist buying it when I saw it in New York City. It is manufactured eid al-Fitr is a three-day celebration
with the sighting of the new crescent adult Muslims. Children get a pass,
by Nike and known as ‘six rings’. The ‘six rings indicate how many times Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won the moon. While the Western calendar has although parents usually begin eid is an Arabic word meaning
championship. The story behind ‘six rings’ is very interesting: every time MJ won a championship he took the colours of 365 days in a year, the Muslim calendar teaching them to refrain from eating or “festivity,” while Fitr means “to break
the team he defeated in the play offs and put them on his shoe. so basically he has a pair of shoes representing each of
has 354 days. Because the lunar year is drinking for certain periods of time to the fast.” It begins on the first day
the opponent teams.
shorter, each date on it falls about 10 or prepare them for the ritual later in life. of shawwal, the month following
This particular shoe represents Chicago Bulls’ defeat of the seattle supersonics in 1996. If you look 11 days earlier than the solar calendar. People who are mentally handicapped ramadan. People who can afford to
closely, you will see little clues and hints on which team the shoe is about. There is a blurred since each month begins upon the or sick are exempt, so they do not have donate rice, barley, dates, and money
image of the iconic building in seattle, the ‘space Needle’. There is also a silhouette of one of sighting of a new crescent moon, the to fast. If you’re pregnant or nursing you to people in need do that so everyone
Jordan’s famous dunks against seattle. There is a picture of a glove with it labeled ‘The beginning of ramadan can only be are also excused from fasting. can have a holiday meal. This donation
Glove’ on the picture, referring to one of seattle supersonics top player’s predicted then. This why atmospheric is known as "sadaqah al-fitr" (charity of
nickname. There also is rain everywhere within the design and weather conditions can delay ramadan is a time to remember fast-breaking). That first morning of eid,
because seattle is known as ‘The rainy City’. There are sightings. religious devotion Muslims gather in outdoor locations
several dates around the shoe, some saying ’96 which or mosques to perform the eid prayer.
Chapter 2, verses 183-203 of sura
is the year when the sonics were beaten. The main ramadan means "scorched earth” Afterward, they break off to visit various
Al-Baqarah in The Qur'an speaks of
clue is the colors of the shoe; yellow and green family and friends, exchange gifts, call
which are the supersonic team colors. There are less The word is derived from an Arabic the need to fast during ramadan as
distant relatives with holiday wishes,
obvious clues such as a coffee cup with the Jordan root ramad, which means ashes or a way to develop “taqwa.” This is an
and feast. These activities traditionally
Logo on it and this is because starbucks Coffee is depending where you look, it means: Arabic term for “God-consciousness”
continue for three days. In most Muslim
from seattle! scorched ground, shortness of rations, or being aware that Allah is watching
countries, the entire three-day period
scorching heat, parched thirst, or sun- even if the person is not aware. People
is an official government or school
baked ground. Those are the general develop “taqwa” through obedience
holiday.
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4 Tempo August 1, 2010 5

4. CrazyStunts Karam
“The thrill it gave us as we were
lifted off our feet was incredible”
spacewalk IN abU DHabI
ever since the sPACeWALK in Abu
Dhabi Country Club opened, all I’ve
by karam bukair & Omar el Temtamy been hearing from my friends was how
breathtaking it was, and how everyone
photos by abdul Rahman
should get the chance to have such an
experience. so my friend omar and I
Summers can get boring especially when all your friends are holidaying in the cooler parts of the
decided to go together to see what all
world and sometimes frustrating when they get back and tell you of all the cool stuff they did. Well
the hype was about!
then we have news for you. There is something that Tempo recommends everyone this summer- the
SPACE WALK! Eliminate gravity and fly! Human flight can be accomplished by everyone!
The thrill it gave us when we first leaned
into the 90km/h wind and it lifted us off
At sPACeWALK the emphasis is
our feet was incredible. At that instant
on FUN, it is perfect for first time
I felt fear, shock, and excitement. The
flyers looking for some adventure
experience was definitely worth every
to experienced skydivers wanting
penny (Mom’s, that is—she paid for it).
to improve their skills. It is
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect.
recommended that people with high
It’s a feeling you’ll never get anywhere
blood pressure and heart conditions,
else! Totally recommended by me!
pregnant women and people with
shoulder neck and back injuries avoid Karam on top!
taking part in this activity.
sPACeWALK is not a ride or a Omar
simulator. You can actually fly on a
“We left the building feeling proud
column of air and you require no
and tall”
prior experience. This is achieved by
the propellers fixed at the top of the My excitement was over flowing especially when I
tower sucking the air in the tunnel. saw the massive structure standing bluntly in the
Abu Dhabi Country Club, seeming like a rocket
“sPACeWALK can be enjoyed by ship ready to take off any second. The structure
anyone from the age to 4 to 99 years is an eye-catcher standing almost 50 feet above
and we can guarantee that the time the ground. It certainly made me wonder about
you are spend sPACeWALK will be how technologies have become so advanced in
cherished for life long, “ says Ihab the past decade. But right then, the thought of me
Mahfouz, Marketing Manager at the flying in it sent a chill down my spine.
Omar taking his safety class before the SPACE WALK
Abu Dhabi County Club. “All flyers
must attend a 15 minute safety When Karam and I first entered the building, we
FAcTs precaution video before the flight felt curious, like astronauts ready to explore space
• SPACEWALK is inspired by parachute skydiving. and then the instructor will take you for the first time. We geared up in their grey “space
• This sport gained prominence in the ‘50s in the United States. through it.” suits.” The trainer Jason russell taught us all the
• Compared to actual skydiving, the risks involved in this is minimal. safety tips we needed.
• Ideal for people over 18 to engage in this sport. The first flight experience includes
• The popularity of indoor skydiving or SPACEWALK grew after it was all equipment rental such as a We then entered the colossal air vent, and within
used in military applications. flight suit, goggles and helmet and minutes were totally airborne, flying against
• A Canadian Company, Aerodium was the first company to built private after an introduction video and the gigantic fans. It was certainly an amazing
tunnels for this fun sport. personal briefing by one of the experience that I loved, and was definitely worth
flight instructors you will be ready to the price! We left the building feeling proud and
Omar with the adreline rush
sPACeWALK Abu Dhabi is a vertical wind tunnel (vWT) enabling almost experience human bodyflight! tall. But we also felt a little wobbly.
everyone to experience the thrill of free falling or skydiving, without Tempo tried the sPACe WALK and is
jumping out of an airplane. It can be done by almost anyone regardless of absolutely excited about it, read on. sPACeWALK is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 11 pm.
age, gender or experience. However, last possible arrival is 10: 15 pm. For information call 02 657 7601
6 Tempo August 1, 2010 7

5. What’sHOT Beat withKARAM
by karam bukair
Abu Dhabi residents will now witness the The main entrance will have a traditional
NIGHT spirit of sharing and fellowship at Al Wahda
Mall starting from August 11th onwards
entrance arch with stone effect pathways.
This meandering paths will lead visitors k’NaaN: caNaDIaN-sOMalI vIbes
sOUQ
this ramadan season. Al Wahda Mall says through a bazaar-like atmosphere in which
that the Night souq will have a colourful open fronted shops and galleries spill onto “Born to a throne, stronger than Rome The World Cup buzz must be over but He credits learning english from the
and vibrant ambience that would resemble the paved walkways. separate souqs will be But Violent prone, poor people zone, the world is yet not over with it! rap legends Nas and rakim, and so
a market of an Arabian city for shoppers placed along the pathways with merchants But it’s my home, all I have known, now we know the reason for his unique
Where I got grown, streets we would Cheers and claps, curtain up, and here style. From there he went on to make
When: From 11 August to experience the spirit of this season. selling traditional & cultural wares inside
roam. But out of the darkness, I came you go! contacts with record labels and landed
Where: Al Wahda mall The mall will be thematically designed the mall.
with the traditional bazaar look & feel. the farthest, Among the hardest doing albums before touring with
survival. Learn from these streets, People, we present to you K’naan- the Damien Marley and others.
it can be bleak, Except no defeat, poet, rapper, singer, musician- all rolled
surrender retreat, into one. He who has been called “a K’naan aka Keinan Abdi Warsame
cIRcUs FUN IN capITal So we struggling, fighting to eat and
sound that fuses Bob Marley, conscious
American hip hop, and brilliant protest
doesn’t fit the bill of a typical rapper
nor the stereotypes of a gangster,
poetry” has a style that has also been despite his past.
From 23 July to 3rd August We wondering when we’ll be free,
compared to eminem. or maybe we
So we patiently wait, for that fateful
straight from the New York City, the Big Apple Circus makes its debut in day, It’s not far away, so for now we say” should just say the guy who presented K’naan makes urgent music with a
Middle east as a part of summer in Abu Dhabi. Founded in 1977, the Big the World Cup Anthemn! message, talking about the situation
-Song Waving Flag in his homeland somalia and calling
Apple Circus is now one of the world’s largest, most exciting attractions;
Keinan Abdi Warsame, somali - for an end to violence and bloodshed.
complete with a stellar cast of international stars from europe and russia.
Canadian, spent his early years in He denies that he is overtly political,
New York’s acclaimed social web site whomyouknow.com calls it, “Nothing
somalia during the civil war. As a boy, but instead he says that he shows “the
short of spectacular.” our take on it...especially cool for the little ones. his father used to gift him American state of the world [and] if you call it like
rap music, and K’naan was amazed it is, you’re being political.”
cost: Adults 200 Dhs, Children 75 Dhs
though he didn’t understand a word.
Venue: ADNeC Later on when he had relocated with This is what he thinks about his own
his family to Canada, American hip-hop music – it’s a “mix of tradition and kind
continued to intrigue him. of articulation of my own life and my
past experiences.”
knaan’s lyrics
Knaan’s lyrics are already winning
many accolades, and attracting
comparisons to rapper greats.
“Do you see why it’s amazing,
When someone comes out of such a dire
situation And learns the English language,
RaMaDaN IN sUMMeR FUN
Just to share his observation!”
Song: SOMALIA
kHalIDIYa! kIDs caMp “Mother knows; my mother she suffered
blows
From 12th August, Venue: Khalidiya mall 21st July to 11th August, Venue: Khalidiya mall I don’t know how we survived such violent
episodes”
Khalidiya Mall offers than shopping this August. The mall Lulu presents a happening summer camp at Khalidiya Song: Take A Minute
is organizing special ramadan event with lots of activities Mall. The kids will be treated to fun activities such as magic
including fun camel and pony rides, a special falcon display shows, collage painting, language games, treasure hunts, “This is K’naan and still reppin’ the S
show (the latter on the weekends only) and an exhibition face painting, cookery shows, kids film screening and lots Comin’ out of Mogadishu and still draped in
on wool weaving. What’s more, you can catch the Freej of sporting activities. especially considering this is all on the mess”
characters roaming in the mall (who will surely love to pose offer for free....should make parents happy as well. Song: Take A Minute
for a photo with you), techno dabke and andalusian dance.
8 8 Tempo August 1, 2010 9

6. Abu DhabiHangouts
At a table for four on the side sat Mohamed
Al Amimi, an engineer with emirates Nuclear
energy Company who works in Al Mamoura,
JONes THe GROceR with Ihad Husseini from Canadian Xpert
Marketing solutions and rana Traboulsi
from Kiwi Properties. Ihad and rana
by Alma Kadragic • photos by abdul Rahman
don’t come that often because they work
elsewhere. However, Mohamed is a regular
Jones the Grocer opened on 29 September 2009, and in less than a year has become the premier hangout in who comes every day to collect takeout to
the UAE capital which is why we're launching this new Tempo feature with Jones. Every issue or as often as eat at his desk or to eat at Jones if he has
we can, we'll feature another Abu Dhabi hangout where people go to meet, to relax, to eat, and sometimes to working lunch. “on weekends,” he added, “I
get their photos taken by Tempo. come with my family.”
Nearby, Daniela Assaad who works at the
Abu Dhabi education Council - not in Al
Mamoura but on the other side of the alley
- was lunching with husband Ziad. They’ve
lived in Abu Dhabi seven years and found
Jones to be “something Abu Dhabi needs,
canteen style with healthy food.”
Daniela was enjoying the tuna with egg
sandwich, Ziad a salmon bagel. They were
about to leave on vacation and squeezed
in a last visit to Jones. They would be back
after ramadan.
Paul Langsdon, an architect, and his wife
Kathryn ryan, an artist, came to Abu Dhabi
30 months ago. since then they have
alternated living in sydney and Abu Dhabi
Location plays a big role. Jones the Grocer in Al They learned about Jones the Grocer coming
Mamoura B, on 15th street and Muroor (also known as to Abu Dhabi through Facebook. Australians
4th street). our cover (and above) shows Dr. erin Brady here and at home “spread the word,” and the
who came for lunch with James and sarah LeMesurier ones here or about to be here were waiting at
from Good Harbor Consulting. They were at Jones the door when Jones opened. Why? Paul says,
before a business meeting at Mubadala, the anchor “we came here because the coffee is exactly
tenant of Al Mamoura. erin says she lunches at Jones like in Australia.”
weekly. James and sarah who are married come even
more often, he daily, she with him sometimes during
the week and together with their baby on weekends.
There’s no way in the space available to show
everyone who was at Jones that day. At a corner
“I like it because it’s multi cultural,” said James, and
table in the back were the Thompsons, an
“has great buzz.” He also likes the mixing that goes
Australian family who live in the UAe. steve and
on. “It’s the one place you can come in and sit next
daughter Lucy came to Jones to have lunch
to emiratis,” because of the long tables that allow
with Jane who works at the Al Jazira Football Jones the Grocer is open:
people who don’t know each other to sit together, and
Club. They say Jones here is “very similar to Sunday to Thursday 8 am to 10: 30 pm
sometimes start a conversation. James also likes the
sydney.” The only “challenge” was finding it the Friday and Saturday 9 am to 10:30 pm
“competent and well informed staff.”
first time. For information call 02 443 8762
10 Tempo August 1, 2010 11

7. TrendSetter My Style BLUEPRINT
Guys its summer, and NaUTIca at al wahda Mall has a cool collection for summer 2010!
belT Dh 169 Tempo spots fashionable
and smart dressers around
Age:
the ecity.do
: nan
Namha Fer
mal
s 20
na lity:
Natio nkan
a
to sri l
ory
l ac
cess fit
vita e it
wU
,a Mak pris Forever 21
ello ade ith ca
Y e sh best w Dh 72
ke ep th
caps Dh 89
y
Trend
nt Cool n
eme
Stat wHITe sHIRT
Style Dh 309
What do you do?
i am a medical
student
Your most valued
fashion possessions? Splash
bROwN walleT my handbag Dh 60
Dh 89
FlIp FlOps The one Thing I regret
Dh 109 Buying:
Nothing, really.
OUr FAsHiON
blUe sHOes eXPerT sAYs:
The one Thing I Dream
Dh 349 of Buying:
malsha, you’re right
Jimmy choo shoes
on the money, with
kHakI sHORTs Penny’s comfort as your
style inspiration: Dh150
Dh 309 driving philosophy!
magazines mostly but
i wear what i like With this look you
prove that one can
My style Philosophy: be comfortable and
yet utterly stylish!
or and i like to be
ks f s-on comfortable.
, wor Step
Of f Coo
l
Show ell ch
r as w e bea
l wea of f th
casua
12 Tempo August 1, 2010 13

8. City Bites PeopleMeter
by sithara sethumadhavan People Meter is an offbeat way to learn more about our community and its people, who come from
different backgrounds, cultures and walks of life.
e
GOlDeN TOweR bipimol saban
Nationality: India
some people never get tired of Chinese, and we Occupation: Head Nurse
wouldn’t blame them especially after feasting at Time in abu Dhabi: 3 years
Other places lived: India
Golden Tower’s food. This restaurant located right
in between the hustle bustle of Madinat Zayed is
What brought you here? if Abu dhabi were a coffee, what
especially recommended place for Chinese seafood....
A better standard of living kind would it be?
and it’s not at all pricey, like some of the fancier strong black coffee (stronger than
eateries. some of the regulars we spoke to swear What were your first
expresso shots)
impressions of this city?
by the Hot n sour Chicken soup. We recommend
Cool but hot Any advice to a new arrival?
the steamed dim sims dumplings (also healthy and Get all your cotton clothes to
tasty), for starters followed by the famous chicken Where can we find you hanging
this place. You will need them all
out?
prawn noodles. The good news however is that all the QUIck HITs through the year
shopping malls and cinemas
items in their menu are also available in a vegetarian
shawarma or Falafel? ....... shawarma How has living here changed
version, which has made this place a hit among the
vegetarians in the town. Another dish you surely beaches or sand dunes? ..... beaches you?
Well much happier and of course
don’t want to miss after visiting this place is their Dates or chocolate? ........... chocolate extremely hectic
special toffee bananas, the perfect way to end your
Do you speak arabic?........ shweya
Chinese feast fare. And for apple lovers, they also offer shweya
toffee apples.
bITe RITe Maliha enam
Nationality: bangladesh
It’s summer and most of you are on diets... boring Occupation: Insurance professional
and tasteless eating regimes that are driving you Time in abu Dhabi: 23 years
up the wall! Well, we have found a nice option Other places lived: No where else, abu Dhabi is home
that allows you to stick on to your diet but still
enjoy real food (that tastes like food). This What brought you here? How has living here changed
you?
eat out provides you with tasty options Dad’s working here....I spent all my
which of taboo items like rolls and life here Hopefully I am growing everyday
pastries, but offered in healthy and What were your first if Abu dhabi were a coffee, what
sensible versions. (Think of sweets impressions of this city? kind would it be?
made of double skimmed milk and Well I don’t remember my first Café latte (I suppose)
QUIck HITs impression but I am amazed at the
sugar substitutes). You can even go Any advice to a new arrival?
way it is progressing and I love the
for a plate of fries to pep up your shawarma or Falafel? ........ shawarma fact that I am progressing along Apply sunscreen and drink loads
meals. Yes, real fries, but fiber rich beaches or sand dunes? ........ beach with it. of water
alternatives that appeal to your taste buds
Dates or chocolate? ........ chocolate Where can we find you hanging
as well please your dietician. And the best part is out?
that the menu offers a counter so you know Do you speak arabic?........ No
Any of the malls
can keep a count on those calories!
14 Tempo August 1, 2010 19

9. Around the Neighborhood
by alma kadragic
around the Neighborhood: a Fast visit to Doha
Doha, Qatar, is 35 minutes from Abu Dhabi on etihad are many international hotels in Doha, more than in
or Qatar Airlines and makes a perfect weekend Abu Dhabi.
getaway. The city is similar to what we’re used to here
but at the same time different. I left Abu Dhabi at 9 Besides seeing my friend and getting an orientation
am on a Friday and arrived in Doha at 9 am - because to the festival, I was especially interested in visiting
Qatar is one hour behind the UAe. I returned on the the Museum of Islamic Art, a beautiful building
610 pm flight saturday and arrived in Abu Dhabi designed by I.M.Pei that overshadows the collections
at 810 pm, making up for the lost hour. That’s long inside. However, inside and out, it is worth a visit.
enough to get a good sense of the city which seems
I spent close to three hours there Friday afternoon.
smaller than Abu Dhabi although it combines Dubai
It wasn’t crowded although there were families with
and Abu Dhabi in being capital and economic center Porto Arabiya
small children, mainly Indian or Arab expats with
at the same time.
some Qataris. exhibits are labeled in english and
I stayed at the W Hotel because a friend of mine who Arabic, and each room is identified at either end by
Highlights of the collection for me are the Persian it will look like, a huge area with traditional low
is working in Doha for the Doha Tribeca Film Festival a small poster that explains the links between the
carpets with intricate designs of people, animals, buildings where the Film Festival’s offices will be
lives in the residential part. I can recommend the W as displays.
and plants in colors that remain strong today even located and other non profits, along with a mosque,
very comfortable with extraordinary service, but there Souk Waqif after 500 years. exquisitely tooled and inlaid wood theater, restaurants, and gift shops. At the center is
doors and shutters are displayed as well as numerous the amphitheater stadium that will seat 5000 people
bowls, plates, and other earthenware from Iran, syria, for various big events.
Iraq, egypt, and spain which maintained a tradition
of Islamic art long after the armies of King Ferdinand As you drive back to West Bay where most of the
and Queen Isabella conquered the last Moorish hotels and new office towers are located, you
stronghold in 1492. pass one tower that exemplifies old and new.
superimposed on the outside are window and
The Museum typifies what I found in Doha that corniche motifs that recall traditional construction
surprised me: the old along with the new. None of and in front is a low wall that exemplifies it.
the examples of Islamic Art date from later than
early 1800s, and most seem to be from the 11th-16th
centuries. They live in an iconic one-year old building: Museum of Islamic Art
state of the art modern to preserve state of the
art old.
I first saw the Museum from across the road at the
souq Waqif which was completed three years ago
but looks traditionally Arabic, two stories at the most
with alleys upon alleys of tiny shops selling tourist
items; coming out of any alley, I see long rows of cafes
and restaurants with outdoor tables and chairs. The
urban planners of Doha seem to be committed to
expressing traditional culture in public spaces.
Another example is the Cultural village that is under
construction. I was able to get a preview of what
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