Top 10: Catch the opening of Hajj: Memories of a Journey, see a performance of Dastangoi, The Art of Urdu Storytelling

Abu Dhabi Exhibition Catch the opening of Hajj: Memories of a Journey , an exhibition that documents the legacy of the arduous and challenging routes pilgrims travelled across continents to take part in Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. Included are rare photographs of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE, who made his personal journey to the holy sites in 1979, as well as an interview with him about the purpose of Hajj that also addresses political issues of the time. The exhibition is held at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of its opening, when the first prayer was held during Eid Al Adha in 2007. Opens today and runs until March 19, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Abu Dhabi, 02 419 1919, www.szgmc.ae Abu Dhabi Concert Attend a performance by the students of Bait Al Oud, a music academy that teaches young Emirati musicians the art of traditional instruments such as the oud, qanun and the Middle Eastern cello. The evening recital features instrumental music but also some singing. Tonight, 7pm, Atrium, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, 02 656 9555 Abu Dhabi Oktoberfest Le Méridien Abu Dhabi is to host its 14th annual Oktoberfest celebrations with all the celebrated Bavarian traditions. Enjoy live music from the Münchner Buam Trio and a buffet of specialities such as pretzels, sauerkraut, homemade sausages, potato salad and more. October 26 to 27, from 7pm on October 26; 12.30pm on October 27, from Dh120, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, 02 644 6666, www.thevillageatlemeridienabudhabi.com Dubai Art workshops Register to take part in an art history course with Rose Balston at XVA Gallery. Signs and Symbols of the Italian Renaissance: Decoding the World’s Greatest Cultural Boom is an eight-week class led by Balston, founding director of Art History UAE. Each session can be taken individually. Starts October 4, 10am to noon, from Dh250 per class; Dh1,600 for all eight classes, XVA Gallery, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, 04 353 5383, xva@xvagallery.com Dubai Performance Catch Dastangoi, The Art of Urdu Storytelling, featuring narrators Sunil Mehra, a Delhi-based author and actor, and Askari Naqvi, a human rights activist and lawyer, who will present the 16th-century folklore tradition with Ismat Chughtai's Gharwali and Mughal Bachcha , stories about bold women who live by their own rules. Tonight, doors open at 7.30pm, show starts at 8pm, from Dh150, The Junction, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.platinumlist.net __________________________ Read more: Sheikh Zayed Mosque Hajj exhibition is one of many examples of regional heritage preservation Art lecture at XVA Gallery explains the historical connections between East and West The Chemical Brothers join Party in the Park line-up __________________________ Abu Dhabi Fitness fun Register to take part in the Neorun, a neon night-time fun run with plenty of splashing UV paint, fancy dress and glowing zones along a five-kilometre Halloween-themed route. There will be plenty of surprises and a dance party at the main stage at the end, by which time runners will be glowing from head to toe. October 27, from 5pm, from Dh165 and Dh185, ages 10+, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, www.neorun.com/halloween Abu Dhabi & Dubai Language classes Eton Institute has two back-to-school offers this month. Take part in a free IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation course over the next three Saturdays. Take part in a free trial of LiveOnline this Saturday and explore the platform that offers classes in 160 languages, including a sample lesson. Saturday and September 30 and October 7 for the IELTS course, noon to 2pm in Dubai; 1pm to 3pm in Abu Dhabi; Saturday for the LiveOnline free trial class, 3pm to 4pm, register at etoninstitute.com Dubai Exhibition Grisaille , a 19th-century term for a monochrome painting, is a group exhibition that takes a monochromatic grey palette as an organising principle and features works in various media by renowned artists. Pictured: Headdress for an Empress by Afruz Amighi Daily until October 14, 10am to 7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays), Leila Heller Gallery, I-87, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, 056 831 3520, www.leilahellergallery.com Dubai Concert Party in the Park returns to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre and is headlined by former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher. Expect tracks from his new album As You Were as well as Oasis classics such as Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger . Electronica band The Chemical Brothers will also perform. November 10, from 2pm, from Dh295, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai, www.platinumlist.net Dubai Exhibition Measure and Excess showcases works by 17-year-old Moroccan artist Hiba Khamlichi, which are sharp and bold, yet mystical and spiritual, with futuristic and historical attributes, expressing a dreamlike journey. Pictured: Le Festival Daily until October 5, 10am to 8pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed Fridays and Saturdays), Art Space, The Gate Village Building 3, Level 2, DIFC, Dubai, 04 323 0820, www.artspace-dubai.com

Top 10: Catch the opening of Hajj: Memories of a Journey, see a performance of Dastangoi, The Art of Urdu Storytelling

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