• Home

Al Ain fest highlights challenges to Muslims

AL AIN - The second Al Ain School Theatre Festival, organised yesterday by the Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Centre in collaboration with Al Ain Educational Zone at Al Ain Municipality Auditorium, addressed various religious, social and political issues of concern to the Arab and Islamic world.

Eleven of Al Ain secondary and higher secondary schools are taking part in the three-day event by staging different theatre productions in a preliminary competition for the National School Theatre Festival, to be held in Sharjah later this year. The spectators were asked to stand one minute for mourning those killed in Iraq and Palestine.

Addressing the event, Mozzah Al Gibaisi, director of the centre, said: "In spite of the suffering of our Islamic and Arab nation, we stand here today to say that our thirst for knowledge and creativity is still alive and that our determination to build a better future for our coming generations is still strong and not hindered yet".

She confirmed that the plays in the festival are of good quality and adhere to the elements of modern drama.

She extended her gratitude to Dr Shaikha Shmmah bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan for her support for the different cultural and social activities.

The students of Makkah Primary School struck the first note in the festival by presenting the 'School Drama Song', written by Samyyrah Ahmed Madi and music given by Amyyrah Hesballah.

On the first day of the festival, which was dedicated to girls' school, the students of Atykah bin Abdulmutalab School won the applause and admiration of the spectators by presenting the first play in the competition, titled Gadymoon, we are coming, written and directed by Afra Al Kutibi.

The play is based on the central issue of the nation, which is the occupation of Palestine by the Zionists, from historical, social and political prospective. The splendid blend of sound, including one song from the famous Lebanese singer Fayrouz, music and light effects added flavour to the play.

Boys' schools will be presenting their plays in the competition today. Valuable prizes, trophies and cups will be presented tomorrow to the best play, actor and director.

The competition is judged by a committee of a number of drama professionals, headed by Sultan Al Nyadi, from Al Ain Public Theatre.

The event was attended by Dr Ahmed Saad Al Shareef, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Youth, Suhail bin Rakad Al Amiri, Director of Al Ain Educational Zone, a number of officials and students.

• UAE