Exhibition hosted at Al Qasimia University for UAE National Day
- Last updated: November 29, 2025 | 09:52 ..
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
To commemorate the UAE’s 54th Eid Al Etihad National Day, Al Qasimia University, Sharjah, inaugurated the exhibition Emirates of Glory. With a soft launch on November 20, it was formally opened on November 25 by Professor Dr. Awwad Al-Khalaf, University Chancellor, in the presence of Vice Chancellors, Deans, Officials from the Academic and Administrative Departments, and a large number of students.
The two-day exhibition featured the works of eighty artists, both citizens and residents from across the Emirates, in addition to the artworks of over 40 students from Al Qasimia University, who had participated in the National Day competition hosted by the University.
The event was organised by Abdul Jabbar Weiss, Art Supervisor, Al Qasimia University, and concluded with an honouring ceremony, where certificates and commemorative shields were presented to the participants in recognition of their distinguished contributions to the exhibition and the celebrations. “Through their artworks,” Abdul Jabbar Weiss said, “the participants express their deep love, loyalty and sense of belonging to this generous nation.”
Among those taking part was Rawa’a Tartour, who showed a painting titled The Spirit of the Nation. The work celebrates the UAE through the joyful spirit of a young girl, holding the national flag. Set against a backdrop inspired by the country’s heritage and landscape, it reflects hope, tradition, and the strength of the Emirati identity.
Rawa’a is a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and has participated in numerous exhibitions across the UAE. She also holds a degree in interior design and has worked in the field professionally. Her paintings have been acquired by collectors worldwide. Dr. Alzahraa Soliman presented Doors of Emirates, a painting done in acrylic on canvas. “I recently become so fascinated by the history of doors,” Dr. Alzahraa said, “I never realised how every country has its own unique doors, their designs and patterns reflecting their culture and history.
“When I started looking into the doors of the Emirates, I found so much history behind them. Before the discovery of oil, Emirati doors were made of wood - even their size had significance. Large, imposing doors, often indicated the owner of the house was someone of status or wealth. Inside the doors, a smaller door was built - the one used by the household. It was intentionally kept low, so anyone entering had to bend their head, a gesture of respect. A man entering it would softly make a sound while bending his head, serving as a gentle alert for the women in the courtyard to cover themselves before being seen.”
After the discovery of oil, Dr. Alzahraa added, doors shifted from wood to metal. “But the symbolism remained rich. Motifs like the falcon and the flag expressed national identity, while floral patterns represented prosperity and growth. And throughout all the changes, the doors stayed vibrant and colourful, each one carrying its own character and story. Each city would carry signature signs and designs, representing the town’s character.” The more she researched UAE doors, she said, the deeper she appreciated them. “They are more than entrances,” she said.
“They are pieces of history, culture, and identity.” She said her artwork aimed to bring that heritage forward, to honour the meaning behind every pattern, symbol and door, that once opened into a different time.
“I created this artwork to shine a light on the things we see every day, but don’t always notice,” she concluded. “The more I learned about the symbols and history behind the doors, the more I appreciated the depth they carry in terms of identity, heritage, memory.” Dr. Hadeer El Manhrawy presented her work A dream under the Emirati Van Gogh sky. It is a visual tribute to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his sons, capturing their continuing role in shaping the nation’s cultural and humanitarian identity. The central scene portrays Sheikh Zayed seated with his children, symbolising leadership that guides with compassion, guidance, and family values.
“Their presence is rendered in a serene, spiritual manner, emphasising the emotional bonds and foundational principles on which the UAE is built,” Dr. Hadeer El Manhrawy said. “The expressive swirling sky inspired by a reinterpretation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, infuses the composition with energy, movement, and a sense of visionary foresight — reflecting Sheikh Zayed’s view of a bright, evolving future. The luminous patterns in blue and yellow echo the country’s spirit: hopeful, dynamic, and ever-growing.
“Below the image, a stylised architectural landscape of domes, towers and palm trees, evoke the essence of Emirati heritage, grounding the artwork in the land that Sheikh Zayed nurtured. The harmony between the vibrant sky and the rooted landmarks, personifies the union between heritage and progress. Through its layered symbolism, bold textures and vibrant palette, the artwork celebrates the timeless legacy of Sheikh Zayed and the values he instilled in the generations that followed.”
Labiba Ferhat offered a painting of the Dallah or the traditional Arabic coffee pot, embodying hospitality. Born in Algeria and based in the UAE, the self-taught artist began painting during the Covid pandemic. Through her compositions, she narrates stories of people, their histories, culture and emotions. She works with different mediums and techniques and her works have been exhibited widely, including at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai, India, and in Paris, France, at the Carrousel du Louvre, the underground shopping mall which organises an art salon every year.