Residents of the United Arab Emirates who listen to their usual radio stations during the morning commute or daily travels may have noticed changes: the usual mix of music, host discussions, contests, and live entertainment has been replaced by a quieter and more somber broadcasting format.
These changes occurred because radio stations are adjusting their programming during the ten-day official mourning period in Dubai following the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as Ruler of Dubai, expressed condolences to his younger brother in a social media post. He wrote: 'May God have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. May God have mercy on you, my brother. You have found the Merciful and Great Lord. You are absent from our sight, but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmed.'
Sheikh Ahmed was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, former Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. He held the position of Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Safety, and was also the president of Al Wasl Sports Club.
For many residents of the UAE, the first sign of change might appear during a regular commute. Usually upbeat music, host-led segments, and entertainment programs that fill the airwaves are temporarily suspended. Stations typically adopt a more restrained tone appropriate for the mourning period.
This is not a new practice in the UAE. Radio stations have previously altered their schedules during official mourning periods following the deaths of members of the UAE ruling families. Regular entertainment shows were suspended or significantly reduced, while stations switched to more solemn formats, including classical or instrumental music and religious programs.
For example, during the mourning period after the death of the late UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2022, radio channels suspended their usual programming. Some stations broadcast Quran recitations, while others played classical music.
During official mourning periods, radio and television broadcasters in the UAE traditionally adapt their content to reflect the event. This can mean foregoing upbeat music, contests, entertaining talk shows, and other regular programming. News bulletins continue to provide information, while the overall tone of broadcasting becomes more subdued.
The 'Silk Road' route has served as a link between East and West for centuries, facilitating the exchange not only of goods but also of science, art, and culture. Today, the historical spirit of this route continues in modern cinema.
The XIII International 'Silk Road' Film Festival, which launched in the city of Xi'an, China, is a contemporary embodiment of this ancient tradition and has brought together filmmakers from different countries.
The film 'Ang', set against the backdrop of Nagaland, has achieved significant international success. This feature-length work, which is director Tejia Rio's debut feature film, won a prestigious award in the Platform Competition at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2026. The film received the top prize in this category on Sunday.
Thanks to this victory, 'Ang' automatically qualified for consideration in the 'International Feature Film' category at the 2027 Academy Awards ceremony. It is worth noting that 'Ang' was the only Indian film selected for the Platform TIFF competition this year.
The Platform Competition is one of TIFF's key sections, known for focusing on directors and films with a unique cinematic language and a distinct narrative style. Starting this year, winners of the Platform Competition are automatically qualified for consideration in the Academy's 'International Feature Film' category.
'Ang' tells the story of events in Nagaland during the 1960s. The plot centers around the elder of a Konyak village and his son. Both characters are part of the last people trying to preserve their traditional beliefs and way of life amidst a rapidly changing world. Tejia Rio produced this feature film based on his short film of the same name, released in 2021.
Shot on 16mm film, the movie features local Naga indigenous actors and BAFTA laureate Douglas Henshell. The central themes of the film are tradition, faith, family, memory, and the transforming cultural landscape. The film was produced by Nancy Nisa Beso and Tejia Rio. Before its world premiere at TIFF, Jungle Book Studios acquired the international distribution rights, and this studio is responsible for the film's international and domestic release.
Following the triumphant recognition, 31-year-old director Tejia Rio called this moment extremely important both for himself and for everyone involved in creating the film. He noted that receiving such recognition for a debut film is rare. According to Rio, he created 'Ang' with love for his place, his people, and his culture, from where he originates.
He added that the film focuses on the relationship between father and son, but also touches upon themes of letting go, connection to home, and the transience of life. Rio emphasized that these feelings are universal and understandable to everyone. For him, it was very moving to see the film resonate with audiences outside of his community.
Nancy Nisa Beso, the film's producer, stated that collaborating with Tejia has been one of the longest and most significant in her career. She shared that they accompanied 'Ang' from a short film to a feature-length format over many years. Throughout this journey, she maintained confidence that this story needed to be told and should be presented in its own form.
Executive Producer Gaurav Dhingra shared that when he first saw footage from 'Ang', he felt like he was witnessing something rare. He noted that such a film, created by indigenous filmmakers from Nagaland, brings the voice of a community to the world's big screens, a community that usually does not have the opportunity to see itself under such circumstances. Dhingra stressed that winning the Platform Competition and gaining automatic direct entry into the Oscar's 'International Feature Film' category is hugely significant for 'Ang', its creators, Nagaland, India, and independent cinema. Gaurav Dhingra previously worked on films such as 'Peddlers', 'Faith Connections', 'Stolen', and 'Angry Indian Goddesses'. He expressed pride in the ability to bring a story deeply rooted in heritage to a global audience.
A solo exhibition by artist Nilufar Khidayatova titled 'Arab Tango' has opened in the exhibition hall of the Ikho Hirayama International Cultural Caravanserai at the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan. This exposition is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the renowned singer, artist, and prominent representative of Uzbek popular art, Botir Zokirov.
The exhibition features over 50 paintings and graphic works created by Nilufar Khidayatova over the years. In 2021, Nilufar Khidayatova participated in the city competition 'Botir Zokirov - National Patron of Art' and received the Grand Prize.
According to the exhibition's research fellow, one of the distinguishing features of the artist's work is the harmony between music and visual art. He noted: 'In Nilufar Khidayatova's work, music and painting are always interconnected. The image of Botir Zokirov appears in her works not only as a portrait but also as a symbol of music, memory, and spiritual connection between generations.'
The employee also emphasized that the exposition demonstrates the artist's broad creative interests. Nilufar Khidayatova was born in Tashkent in 1964. She graduated from the P.P. Benkov Republican Art College and the A. Ostrovsky Institute of Theater and Art Education.
For many years, she worked in Tashkent theaters as a decorator and set designer, engaged in book graphics, and collaborated with several magazines. From 1998 to 1999, the artist worked at the 'Aladdin' youth experimental theater in Tashkent, where she also showed her talent as a performer and singer. Since 2009, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of the Academy of Arts of Uzbekistan.
The exposition reflects Nilufar Khidayatova's multifaceted creativity and her desire to unite visual art and music. The exhibition 'Arab Tango' will run until September 27, 2026.
