Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Eid Al Etihad celebrations come alive once rhythms and melodies fill the air in a tribute to the spirit that has bound the nation since 1971. Award-winning composer Dr Eman Al Hashimi has always looked forward to this time of the year, an opportunity to express her love for her homeland and touch people's hearts in the process.
"When a melody is crafted with genuine patriotism, it transforms into an emotional experience that resonates with the audience throughout the celebration, becoming an emotional language that reminds everyone of the UAE's history, symbolism, and deeply rooted values," Dr Al Hashimi told Aletihad.
She is participating in a series of national events this year, playing new melodies she has crafted for the occasion. This music has been inspired by authentic Emirati heritage and blended with modern orchestral elements, creating a distinct and sophisticated identity, said Dr Al Hashimi, who is also the Founder and President of the Board of Directors of the Auto-Immune Association (AIA).
She will also showcase special pieces that are closely tied to her association and its members.
"The audience will also hear the 'Autoimmunity Anthem,' which I had composed and arranged for nation on this occasion," she said.
"Additionally, there will be the 'March of Love and Appreciation,' composed by Dr. Laila Bastawi and performed by members of the Autoimmunity Association, a collaborative work expressing gratitude and belonging on UAE National Day."
Dr Al Hashimi underlined that her compositions are guided by a clear message and a sense of responsibility to the next generation.
"I strive for my melodies to carry a message of hope and optimism, and to reflect gratitude for the sacrifices and achievements upon which this great nation was built," she said.
"I am keen for my music to showcase the image of the UAE as a country that combines human strength with an ambitious vision that inspires the world. Through my work, I also aspire to inspire the new generation, especially girls, and encourage them to enter the fields of composition, arrangement, and musical creation, so that they may be part of the creative future that the UAE is proud of."
For her, art and music shape how national events are "felt and remembered and felt through time".
"When the public listens to national melodies together, their feelings are unified, and belonging becomes more present and genuine. Music has the power to preserve national memory and solidify the values of the Union in a way that no other language can," she said.
This Eid Al Etihad also marks a personal artistic milestone for Dr Al Hashimi.
"This year, I had the honour of participating in the national anthem and singing with the Arab Choir for the first time, a collaboration I cherish and which will pave the way for larger national works in the future, deepening the presence of music in the hearts of the public during these occasions."
She considers being part of the celebrations a great honour, one that comes with "profound emotional and artistic responsibility".
"A national anthem is not merely a musical work, but rather a part of the people's memory and the nation's conscience. To be able to present a melody that remains present in the hearts of listeners is the greatest gift an artist can offer their country; it is a genuine connection between art and identity," Dr Al Hashimi said.
