A museum can tell the story of a community effectively only when the community is at its heart. Museums have long been seen as repositories of history and knowledge, places where artefacts and stories are preserved and displayed. At Zayed National Museum, our mission extends beyond showcasing history to fostering authentic connections between the museum’s narrative and every member of the community.
The driving force behind our mission is the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who recognised the historical and cultural richness in this land. His vision was to share this heritage with future generations, instilling a sense of pride and awareness of our roots. The museum represents this vision, not only in preserving the past but also making it relevant and accessible to all.
A museum is, at its core, a place for human connection. It is a bridge that links past and present, people and ideas, cultures and experiences. When people see themselves in the exhibits, they develop a personal bond with the museum, making the experience an active engagement with culture.
At Zayed National Museum, whether exploring galleries that showcase 300,000 years of human history, or learning about the early settlements of the nation, visitors will find echoes of their own experiences in the stories on display.
The concept of inclusivity in museums requires effort to reach communities that may have previously not been able to engage with cultural institutions or initiatives. Our teams have researched communities who may benefit from a connection with our museum.
One example of this is our work with Al Amal Hospital and our engagement with elderly people living with dementia through the Al Dhuha Hour programme. Through specialised programmes, we have been able to bring the museum experience to them, providing opportunities for engagement with storytelling and creative activities. Similarly, our initiatives for People of Determination reflect our dedication to making the museum accessible to all by making the physical space a natural extension of their environment.
Instead of assuming what accessibility looks like, we engage directly with those who are affected to create solutions that truly work for them. The development of Braille signage for the museum is an area we have worked on. To properly execute it, we needed to understand the nuances of Arabic Braille and so we worked closely with the visually impaired community to ensure its effectiveness.
We also have trained and licensed sign language interpreters, who will provide guided tours of Zayed National Museum for the hearing-impaired community. These efforts are not mere accommodations, they are fundamental steps in making the museum an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
We are exploring new ways to create immersive experiences tailored to different communities
Inclusivity is not just about accessibility; it is about fostering a sense of belonging. Addressing the diverse needs of people with different abilities is not a simple task, but it is a necessary one. We consult experts to ensure our programmes cater to varying requirements, and we have formed partnerships with institutions that share our vision of inclusivity. Through these efforts, we have established working groups with the communities that we are trying to engage with. These groups provide feedback on our policies, ensuring that our efforts align with the needs of the communities we aim to serve.
As part of our commitment to expanding accessibility, we are exploring new ways to create immersive experiences tailored to different communities. One such initiative is the development of multisensory tours, allowing visually impaired people to engage with museum content through tactile exploration.
Additionally, we are implementing sensory maps that identify high-stimulation areas within the museum, helping neurodiverse visitors navigate the space comfortably. A particularly exciting project is the introduction of a designated calm room, a safe space designed to accommodate visitors who may experience sensory overload. These efforts aim to ensure that everyone can enjoy the museum experience without exclusion or discomfort.
Inclusion is not an afterthought; it is a strategic objective. We are committed to building bridges, reaching out to those who feel unheard, and ensuring that every visitor, regardless of ability or background, finds a place in our museum. The stories housed within our walls are not just artefacts of history, they are testament to the interconnectedness of our world and the instilled values of the UAE. And through them, we invite everyone to be part of our shared journey of connection, understanding and belonging.
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
More on Quran memorisation:
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
The specs
Price, base: Dh228,000 / Dh232,000 (est)
Engine: 5.7-litre Hemi V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 552Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.5L / 100km
Gertrude Bell's life in focus
A feature film
At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.
A documentary
A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.
Books, letters and archives
Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
