An Emirati photographer’s striking series of images capturing the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi has caught the attention of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Sheikh Abdullah has shared Khalid Al Hammadi photos on X and praised him for his vision. The highly anticipated Zayed National Museum, already an Abu Dhabi landmark thanks to its architecture, is set to open in December.
"That moment was very special and it’s not his first time, he is always supporting and encouraging me to be the best," Al Hammadi, who is from Abu Dhabi, tells The National. "We are lucky to have such leaders, may Allah bless them all."
Featuring more than a dozen images, the photo series captures Zayed National Museum from several vantage points and at various times of the day. It took Al Hammadi months to put together, having started in December.
"Whenever I had the chance, I would go there, scout the place and take some shots," he says, adding that he took some of the photos as recent as earlier this month. "I wanted the right angle, timing and frame."
One notable shot frames a crescent moon between the towering steel structures shaped like feathers and inspired by the UAE's tradition of falconry.
"The moon shot was quite challenging as aligning that phase of the moon with the museum was tricky," he explains. "I had to park on the main road because no alternative angle was possible. What I liked most was how the moon phase facing upwards harmonised beautifully with the steel structure facing downward."
A personal favourite of Al Hammadi's is a distant shot of the museum with a wild Arabian red fox in the foreground.
"The area from which I planned to shoot was closed for construction, so I couldn't go any further. It’s one of my favourites, because I went there several times and then managed to capture the few shots with the fox."
Some photos required permits, such as the one with the sea and the museum faded on the horizon, he adds.
While he uses editing software, "to remove some undesirable elements such as cranes and distractions", his striking photos are a result of a lot of patience and seeking the right moment, says Al Hammadi.
"That’s the path I always follow. Of course, it takes time and effort to reach the most desirable shot, but that’s the joy of photographing natural elements alongside static architecture," he says. "The authenticity, the challenges, the failures and the eventual satisfied result, these are what make the journey fun and memorable."
For this series, Al Hammadi used a Canon R5 and various lenses, some up to 500mm. He chose Zayed National Museum because it's one of his favourite structures and also because he wanted to create a buzz ahead of its opening.
"If you check people’s replies on my post, you’ll notice that we all can’t wait to witness the opening ceremony and take a closer look at this national museum. It will showcase our traditions, our history, and tell our story as the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wanted it to be told."
Named after the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum was established to preserve local culture and heritage. It will tell the story of the UAE in full, over a timeline spanning 300,000 years.
Besides Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Al Hammadi's photos have been shared widely on social media. On Instagram, the post has received more than 20,000 likes.
This is not the first time his work has received wide praise. Besides Instagram, where he has more than 67,000 followers, his photos of UAE landmarks have featured locally as well as internationally several times in the past.
The UAE as a whole is a heaven for anyone interested in buildings and cityscapes, with so many amazing landmarks, he says.
"My work on Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has a special place in my heart due to the countless adventures and stories behind each shot, which gained recognition both locally and internationally and by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah," he says.
"Also, my mangrove photos from Reem Island and the shot of a man standing above the clouds were published by National Geographic global, one of the sweetest moments of my journey."
Al Hammadi started taking photos in 2013 and began shooting more professionally in 2015.
"Since then, I’ve worked to improve my vision and skills every year," he says. "I don’t post frequently, but I share only what I truly like, not just what keeps me active online. Along the way, people started noticing my work, and many major platforms have published it over the years.
"All the hard work truly paid off when I saw my work exceed even my own expectations," he adds.
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
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An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE
