The 99 names of God are written in an elaborate Arabic script and protrude from the surface of the mosque. The National
Mosques of the UAE: Al Aziz's futuristic design is even better by night

Technology is fused with traditional Islamic and modern architecture to create a show-stopping exterior in Abu Dhabi

October 18, 2024
Fifty most important Arabic novels of the 20th century
Fifty most important Arabic novels of the 20th century

From the ashes of collapsed empires in the region, rose literature that resonate as masterpieces today

October 16, 2024
There's a diverse range of books to choose from this autumn season. Photo: The National
10 new novels to add to your list this autumn

These books will keep you on the edge of your seat

October 14, 2024
Zineb Sedira's exhibition will feature her acclaimed video installation Mother Tongue. Photo: Cultural Foundation
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Sediria and Palestinian landscapes

Plus, solo exhibitions from leading Spanish and African artists

October 11, 2024
Culture Bites
Which Arabic traditions will Love is Blind Habibi capture?

Maan also explores NYUAD’s new exhibition showcasing the GCC arts scene

October 10, 2024
Manolo Valdes's works are both whimsical and funny. Pawan Singh / The National
Manolo Valdes brings his whimsical sculptures to solo Dubai show

Domesticity will demonstrate his mastery at manipulating material and form through craftsmanship

October 09, 2024
The 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair will run between November 6 and 17 at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Photo: Victor Besa / The National
Sharjah International Book Fair 2024: Authors and guestlist revealed

Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov and actress Huma Qureshi to join top authors and historians at this year's event

October 07, 2024
The Arabic word for ink is hibir. The National
‘Hibir’ has a deep well of other meanings

Its root can refer to embroidering fabric, beautiful handwriting or making an object appear more decorative

October 04, 2024
Estimated to fetch up to $390,000, it is a copy of an original from a series of portraits of Ottoman sultans. Photo: Christie's
Ottoman sultan's 17th-century portrait on sale at Christie's

Painted in 1600, the work is part of the auction house's Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds sale

October 04, 2024
Al Noor Mosque has 34 domes, with the largest central one weighing approximately 100 tonnes. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Mosques of the UAE: Sharjah's Al Noor inspired by Ottoman grandeur

Completed in 2005, it can accommodate more than 2,000 worshippers at a time

October 04, 2024
Green Art Gallery's Bound: Textiles Between Loss and Repair is an exploration of our relationship with fabric. Photo: Green Art Gallery
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Ancient Islamic art on display

Also, get to know more than 20 of the gulf’s most interesting creatives from the past five years

October 03, 2024
Sharjah Biennial is set to return in February and will run until June. Photo: Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Biennial 2025 dates, artists and theme revealed

Art festival will explore relationship with time, culture and migration and feature works by more than 140 participants

October 02, 2024
Unusually, the Umayyad-era bronze buck is signed with the name of the maker and previous owner. Photo: Sotheby's
Yours for £3 million: Ancient bronze buck on display in Dubai

Sotheby's to put sculpture - one of Islamic art's earliest pieces - under the hammer next month

September 30, 2024
Several words in Arabic come from the same root word of 'maarifa', linking to self-awareness, fame and smelling nice. Photo: The National
An expression of knowledge - and enlightenment

It is linked to the concept of learning and encyclopaedias

September 27, 2024
Emirati poet Afra Atiq's new collection blends elements of Arabic and English poetry and language. Photo: ELF Publishing
Emirati poet Afra Atiq gets raw and vulnerable in her first book

Of Palm Trees and Skies centres around themes of identity and heritage, blending traditional Arabic forms with contemporary expression

September 27, 2024