Life

How has this community scaled in growth since its inception?
Alserkal Avenue is an inclusive space, a cultural inventory assembled from various industries and disciplines in art, design, architecture, literature, film, performing arts, lifestyle and food, all in the context of the industrial area of Al Quoz. The Avenue’s grassroots evolution was spearheaded by risk-takers driven by tenacity and creative ambition in a city that has always embodied potential. While we might be just over 10 years old, we have, individually and collectively, contributed to the cultural ecosystem of the UAE and beyond, reflecting our polyphonic identities, artistic commitment, and diverse knowledge paradigms. As a collective of over 70 creatives, cultural thinkers and makers, we have always been driven to challenge the conventional and see the boundless possibilities of the work we do.

What have been the biggest hurdles to date and how did you overcome them? What key lessons are you grateful for in business?
It is never easy to be the ‘first’ or a pioneer because there is no model or playbook you can follow. I take comfort in ad- vice someone once gave me—‘don’t be afraid of uncertainty, it means you are innovating’. To be honest, when we started, I feel like the West didn’t know what to do with us because we didn’t fit any of their ‘boxes’, in terms of art paradigms. We began as an arts neighbourhood in the Al Quoz industrial area, then through Alserkal Avenue’s expansion in 2015, we extended our platform to welcome a curated community of entrepreneurs across various industries, acting as a building block for the creative economy locally and through our commitment to artistic production, residency programmes, scholarship and research we evolved further as an institution, forming the Alserkal Arts Foundation. It created a context-specific and organic model that responds to our city, our history and public. Alserkal and its initiatives are everyone’s community commons: collaborative, open, experimental and flexible by nature.

Why do you think Alserkal Avenue has holistically grown as a centre for the arts and design?
How has the concept of culture and heritage in Dubai grown over the last few years? Despite the rapid commercial growth that Dubai has seen, our arts and culture scene is still young, and the potential that it offers to young artists is immense. We need only to look at the growth that has taken place over the last decade to realise that the momentum will continue to pick up the pace. Dubai’s arts ecosystem, which started with just a few commercial art galleries a decade ago, has grown to become a holistic art scene. We’ve witnessed the development of robust education programmes, not-for-profit spaces with active community programming, and the emergence of new collectives and homegrown concepts within the creative industries. Locally-based talent is more eager and more able than ever to develop their artistic practices locally now that there is the infrastructure to support that; the Alserkal Arts Foundation space was a big step in further enhancing the Alserkal family’s commitment to the arts. The next step, as our founder Abdelmonem Alserkal always reflects, ‘Is not about physical expansion, but about legacy building through nurturing artists, not-for-profit programmes and research endeavours.’
How does this cultural district continue to celebrate homegrown talent?
We grew to become the region’s most influential arts and culture destination over the last few years, and for that we are indebted with gratitude to the home-grown art galleries and the new international spaces that have chosen Alserkal Avenue as their home. With our expansion in place, it was essential to protect our cultural integrity by creating an environment for knowledge-sharing amongst the best talent. We are continuously building an arts infrastructure with many ‘firsts’ along the way. In order for the ecosystem to flourish, it was essential to create a space where culture is produced and consumed and driven further through artistic discourse. I cannot help but remember an old TV interview of Leo Castelli’s (the famous collector and gallerist in New York in the 70s), where he was asked on what basis he selected his artists and his answer was ‘I pick them not because they are good, but because they are the leaders of a new movement’. I think the same applies to our community members at Alserkal. We take the risk on the risk-takers and through our collective efforts further grow the impact of the arts in the city and beyond. Alserkal Arts Foundation forms an important pillar of our public promise at Alserkal. As a non-collecting foundation, we are committed to artistic production, residency programmes, research grants, and alternative learning through colloquia and other forms. Supporting a new generation of thinkers to challenge the conventional leading to new forms of knowledge is what lies at the heart of our mandate.

This is ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – what are you grateful for?
Community. The erosion of boundaries through shared compassion is something I will carry with me from this pandemic. Over the past year, the aspects of collectivity, togetherness and giving back that are an intrinsic part of our community ensured that we never felt alone. More

April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now Sheikha Latifa Al Khalifa is transforming the way children learn and live in Bahrain and the wider GCC one incredible sacrifice at a time.Can you talk us through your career?I’m a two-time STEM certified professional and educator. Prior to co-founding Clever Play, I worked in Government for a few years, in Research and Security. I did my undergraduate degree in Melbourne, Australia with a double major in Politics and International Studies and a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the UK. All my life it seems I have been learning how to serve. Schooled by life experiences and educated in Global Politics and International Studies, I sought the big picture – global problems – aspiring to be an ambassador for my country [Bahrain] and found my special space in the company of children – transforming the way they learn and live, empowering them to serve the future with their best.What inspired you to launch Clever Play?My nephews, Ali and Mohammed. They were six and four at the time and we wanted a space for them to be able to explore their interests and discover their passions outside of the conventional classroom. A space that would celebrate their curiosity, spark their creativity and value hands-on learning by giving them the opportunity to try new things, build valuable skills, and take control of their own learning. We didn’t find what we were looking for, so we decided to start one!Can you talk us through the initiatives on how you give back to the community?As a socially-driven startup, giving back is very much in our DNA. We believe that companies can and should do more than just make money. They should also serve others in the process. We are a proud member of Pledge 1% – a network and movement of companies committed to making giving back a priority. My colleagues and I pledged one per cent of our time to volunteering opportunities. For example, I help young entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds gain skills and experience through mentorship. My colleagues are very much involved in their own communities and look for opportunities to give back and be of service. We also recently ran a Girls for Tech Camp to teach and train 1,000 young Bahraini girls between the ages of eight to 14 years coding and digital skills with the support of Zain Telecomm and the Supreme Council for Women. Additionally, in 2020, I was selected as one of only 100 Meaningful Business leaders worldwide for our efforts combining profit and purpose to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal #4 (Quality Education) by Meaningful Business in the UK.You’ve achieved so much throughout your career – what are you most proud of?I am most proud of what we were able to achieve for our biggest source of inspiration: children. To us, children are the most important people in the world. We know that when children are educated, encouraged and empowered, they have the power to change not only themselves but their communities and the world at large. Championing children is one of our core values at Clever Play and being in the business of empowering them through foundational STEAM skills early on is key to unlocking their promise and potential. Despite overwhelming evidence in support of early childhood education, high-quality, playful STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs have not yet been incorporated into early childhood education. We are slowly but surely changing that. I am proud of the progress we have made on that front, and for making STEAM accessible to over 14,000 children to date.Who would you say your mentors are in life?My sister and co-founder, Muneera, is my biggest mentor. She has allowed me to see the hope inside myself and provides me with direction, encourages me when I am down and pushes me when I need to be challenged. She has given me the tools I needed to navigate the challenges I was faced with at each stage of the business journey. She is a constant source of inspiration and support but also challenges me to grow in new and very uncomfortable ways. I continue to learn from her every single day. My gratitude for her contribution to my success personally and Clever Play’s business success is immeasurable!What does it feel like being a woman in this region that is paving the way for others?I am beyond thankful to have strong female role models in my family from my grandmother, to my mother and sisters. They taught me that “real success” is not defined my financial wealth, or status, but by becoming the person you have the potential to be and serving others in the process.I am thankful for the brave, trailblazing women who went before me and inspire me to embrace ambition and push for more.So often I get contacted by women who praise my journey- I’m so grateful to them for elevating me and giving me the confidence to continue. But I also want to say that to every woman who thinks they can’t do the same, I’m here to tell you that you can.What are your hopes for women in the future?I’ll quote T.E. Lawrence who said, “All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes and make it possible.”My hope for women is to be dangerous dreamers of the day, who act on their dreams with open eyes and make it possible. My hope for them is not to break someone else’s ceiling, but their own!How do you want to inspire others?Through my personal story and everyday actions. I stumbled into entrepreneurship very reluctantly. I didn’t have a formal business or education background when I started. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done at that point in my life, and yet, I didn’t let that stop me. I started before I was ready, I surrounded myself with a great team, and I committed to embracing a white-belt mentality – learning as I went. I am living proof that you don’t need to go to college for business to start one. I want to inspire others not only to do more, but to be more.What have been the biggest hurdles launching throughout your career?As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced a lot of hurdles. The biggest ones are wrestling with bouts of doubt, uncertainty, instability and balance. I doubted myself and my capabilities at the start because I never saw myself as a “businessperson” and I didn’t have the formal qualifications or experience to fall back on. In fact, it took my co-founders and I almost two years to finally take the leap and launch Clever Play. At the start of our business, uncertainty was around every corner. It was definitely a roller coaster ride – and sometimes still is!What have been the key milestones?In our short business life so far, we have had plenty of milestones that we are proud of, namely: receiving local, regional and international recognition for our work, and also preparing Clever Play to be franchised across the GCC. This has been a milestone we were working towards ever since we started, and now we are happy to say, almost three years later, that we are ready to expand to the region! We are excited to offer our top-notch STEAM programs to pre-schools, schools and individual partners who believe in our mission and want to help us change the face of education in the region by making STEAM education a fundamental part of early childhood education!This is ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – how do you practice gratitude in your life?I keep a gratitude journal and write down three things I’m grateful for every morning. I also handwrite letters to individuals who have had an impact on me whom I’ve never properly thanked. I actively look for gratitude in any challenges I am experiencing and I try to do random acts of kindness as often as possible.April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

With the incredible algorithm that TikTok has, it’s easy for a new trend to go viral overnight.One such trend which has recently been popping up everywhere is in the health sphere, with many users of the social media platform raving about the benefits of liquid chlorophyll.With bountiful transformations being posted on TikTok, users showcase that the liquid chlorophyll liquid drops are either bought in-store or online and then mixed with a glass of water to have every day for a minimum period of seven days to start seeing its benefits or ready-made chlorophyll water bottles can also be purchased.
@elenaaa.sofiathis has to be a joke♬ Heat Waves – Glass Animals
Found in plants, chlorophyll gives them a green tone while allowing them to convert sunlight into nutrients, via a natural process termed photosynthesis, this plant pigment actually comes with a host of benefits from providing cleared skin, reduced bloating and weight loss.As per NBC News, a 2001 study from John Hopkins done by Thomas Kensler in his PhD., claimed that taking chlorophyll in or eating green vegetables that are rich in chlorophyll is a “practical way of reducing the risk of liver cancer and other cancer caused by environmental triggers,” with an added claim that there still might not be enough data to support the benefits.Meanwhile, Healthline suggests that this natural technique of intaking chlorophyll supplements dates back to the 1940s to overcome any body issues such as body odours to neutralize the smell, with this ancient technique making its way back now as a popular fad.Similarly, in a recent video, Steph Grasso, TikTok and clinical dietitian, suggests that there’s still limited research to support its benefits, highlighting that the intake of green vegetables is better as one cup of spinach is equal to 24mg of liquid chlorophyll, while you also receive a myriad of other benefits such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibres.
@stephgrassodietitianSee comments for my OPINION on liquid chlorophyll #liquidchlorophyll #chlorophyll #dietitian #learnontiktok♬ Happy (Instrumental) – Happy I’m Me
Also read: The viral TikTok ‘honeycomb pasta’ we all need to tryIf you might need some validity on these TikTok claims, it’s always advised to receive some expert guidance from a professional before hopping on the bandwagon yourself.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeatured image: Unsplash More

April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now Saif Al Tunaiji, General Manager of ‘Experience Sharjah’ – the tourism division under Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) – shares his insight into the region’s ancient Bedouin culture at the outstanding Mleiha Archaeological Centre.Mleiha is known for its experiences. What gives it archaeological uniqueness?This UNESCO nominated World Heritage site is one of the UAE’s most important archaeological areas which offers plenty of opportunities to explore the nation’s civilizational past, including its key cultural elements along with flora and fauna. It offers an insightful world into the pre-historic world of our ancestors. While being one of the most ancient incubators in the region’s civilizations with archaeological treasures, a treasure to Mleiha allows the visitor to step back in time and learn a whole host of information about the settlers in the region during the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze, Iron, pre-Islamic, Islamic and modern ages while discovering this time through their history, social order, rituals, pathologies, trade and commerce, art and jewellery and much more. The well-curated exhibitions, interactive displays and artefacts at Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism Project providing a detailed introduction to the past which allows the visitor to travel back thousands of years to see the UAE in its nascent stages of existence.What inspired the development of Mleiha Archaeological centre as part of a wider Eco-tourism project?Mleiha used to be known as a small village which is located around 20 kilometres south of the Al Dhaid region and 50 kilometres east of Sharjah city. After more than 30 years of thorough excavation and extensive research by the Sharjah Archaeological Authority, its historic aspects have been discovered about the secrets of life in that region.  The Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project was developed by Shurooq as one of Sharjah’s premier archaeological tourism and outdoor adventure destinations, due to its natural beauty, diversity of wildlife and archaeological discoveries. Nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site itself reflects the region’s rich cultural and archaeological heritage. The details of designing the project were also inspired by the story of the Umm an-Nar tomb and the archaeological discoveries which date back to over 130,000 years ago – In short, it was the rich heritage and knowledge of the past, that inspired us to design a futuristic project.What values from history in the region can we carry forth today?All our achievements and success stories are deeply rooted in our tradition and history. What we learned from our forefathers have enabled us to be more sensible, aware and open to diversity. The historical importance and unique discoveries of Mleiha also shares insightful thoughts and values. The trade-related artefacts excavated from the region points towards the diversity that we had in the region in the past and the strong connections that we maintained around the globe. It is something that proves the value of tolerance and openness that the region always upheld as knowledge about our past makes us more humble and respects the deep-rooted values and seek to sustain them.What is your role at Mleiha and what has been the most surprising thing about the role?As the General Manager of ‘Experience Sharjah’, which is the tourism division of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), I lead a team of experienced professionals and ensure the best exposure to the destination to create a memorable and exciting experience to the visitors. The surprising and energizing element about the role is its adventurous nature. Working at one of the most picturesque destinations in the UAE, where history, tradition and exhilarating experiences come together is truly unique.With Mleiha being nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, how does it continue to preserve its heritage?Mleiha is retracing the history of the earliest settlers of the region. Graves of humans and animals that have been excavated in and around these archaeological sites make for a surreal moment when one feels deeply connected with people of the past through sociocultural norms that have lived on for countless generations.  At Mleiha, we have enlightening lessons on some of the greatest migrations in history and archaeological evidence to support them. Visitors can go through carefully crafted chapters of history, and in the end, understand how the human settlement of the region began. We take our visitors on memorable journeys on which they will learn, make spectacular discoveries and unravel secrets that Mleiha and adjoining regions have been safekeeping for an incredible 130,000 years. Through this, we aim to give our guests a truly authentic taste of our forefather’s traditions, values and history, To enhance people’s knowledge and understanding of the Arab region’s history – shaped through the ages.  Saif Al Tunaiji, General Manager of ‘Experience Sharjah’How does the venue contribute towards environmental protection and sustainability?Mleiha is a lot more than just archaeology and experiences. The region has a plethora of flora and fauna including some rare plants and animals that are not easily found elsewhere. One of the major reasons why these diverse elements have survived and flourished in the area is due to the foresight of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism Project. Along with protecting the natural elements of the site, we also ensure that awareness is passed to the visitors. The Flora and Fauna Workshop organised by the centre is one fine example. It helps the visitors to increase their understanding of the region’s plants, trees, and wildlife. While being educated about the region’s diversity, they also discover plant species indigenous to the region and perhaps see some of the local fauna as well.What are the other major experiences and activities of Mleiha?While providing an educative platform to explore UAE’s ancient history, Mleiha is also known for offering a lifetime experience to the visitors that not only gives them an adrenaline rush but also invigorates their senses with breathtaking activities in the picturesque landscape. From experiencing the beauty of Mleiha’s landscape on horseback to overnight camping under the stars along with exhilarating Mleiha Landscapes adventure to a sunset lounge experience, there is a lot to discover at Mleiha. The Sunset Lounge package is one of the popular visitor’s choices – It includes an off-road drive to catch the sunset in the desert; a barbeque dinner in the desert and stargazing assisted by astronomy experts. Buggy Self-Drive Adventure, another favourite allows the visitors to feel the adrenaline rushes as they pass through landmarks like Fossil Rock and Camel Rock, exploring dune-scapes and landscapes in their buggy. Archaeo-MOG tour, Jebel Buhais trek, Mleiha adventure package, Archaeological tour, and star gazing are some other experiences that Mleiha offers.This is ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – what are you grateful for?I’m grateful for being part of the rich history and tradition of this place – I truly consider it a blessing to be part of a place that connects the past with the present in perfect harmony. Thanks to the visionary leadership of the authority and Sharjah for making this possible.April’s – ‘The Gratitude Issue’ – Download Now – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More