Aldar Education, one of the leading education providers in the UAE, and largest private education providers in Abu Dhabi, proudly hosted the fifth edition of the Al Sard Al Emarati Creative Writing Competition winners’ book signing ceremony on Thursday, 12 June 2025. The event celebrated students’ creative achievements and showcased the winning stories as part of the inspiring initiative.
The Al Sard Al Emarati Creative Writing Competition book signing ceremony, held at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, brought together students, school principals, Arabic Department Heads, family members, and VIP guests including Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, Dr. Aisha Al Shamsi, Head of Arabic Language and Literature Department at Mohamed Bin Zayed University, and Aisha Al Zaabi from the National Library and Archives to honour the 35 winners. This year, approximately 40,000 participants from 170 schools across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, and the Northern Emirates participated in the competition, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for the initiative.
A distinguished panel of writers, including Dr. Abdullah Al Sharhan, Afra Al Banna, Abeer Hamed, Saeed Al Badi, and Ameen Al Qudat, alongside representatives from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, carefully reviewed the submissions. The winning stories were selected based on creativity, cultural relevance, and language proficiency. Each winning story was published as an individual booklet, complete with an ISBN, marking a significant milestone in the students’ academic journeys. Since its inception, over 150 such booklets have been printed, highlighting the inspiring programme’s continued success in showing young Emirati talent.
Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the event was a theatrical operetta adapted from one of the winning stories, Nakhlet Jiddi (My Grandfather’s Palm), written by student Sarah Al Muhairbi. Performed by 200 students from Mubarak Bin Mohammed School, the operetta featured scenes and performances reflecting Emirati traditions and values, including Nakhil Jiddi (The Palm of My Grandfather), Rouh Al Ittihad (Spirit of the Union), and a national dance to the song Allah Ya Dar Zayed. Guests also enjoyed a traditional Arabic coffee experience curated by Fanjan Al Arab, celebrating the UAE’s renowned hospitality culture.
The success of the event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Aldar Education with participating schools, and partners including Mubarak Bin Mohammed School and Fanjan Al Arab, who contributed towards the meaningful and memorable evening for students and their families.
Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, expressed her pride: “This initiative strengthens our commitment to preserve the Arabic language and empower students to embrace their identity, culture and heritage. Through creative storytelling, our students are not only enhancing their skills but also contributing to the UAE’s enriched cultural fabric. We are honoured to provide a platform that recognises their talents and inspires a lifelong bond with their language.”
Al Sard Al Emarati is part of Aldar Education’s year-round programme dedicated to embedding Arabic language and culture throughout its schools, in alignment with the priorities set by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). As part of a broader strategy to integrate Arabic into every aspect of school life, the initiative sits alongside programmes such as Sha’er Al Dar, which promotes Nabati and classical Arabic poetry, and the Centre of Excellence for Arabic Language, which supports professional development and curriculum innovation.
In 2024, Aldar Education was honoured with the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Award for the Arabic Language, under the category Best Initiative for Teaching Arabic in School Education (Year 1 to Year 12), a milestone that underscores its leadership in advancing Arabic education and nurturing cultural identity among students.
Established to foster a deep-rooted understanding of the Arabic language and Emirati culture from early childhood, the competition serves as a powerful tool for preserving national identity and providing students with a nurturing platform to express their cultural heritage through an enriched Emirati narrative. The competition nurtures a deeper connection to Emirati values, encourages creativity in Arabic writing, and supports the development of creative Emirati talent from across the UAE.
For further information about the competition and Aldar Education initiatives, please visit: https://www.aldar.com/education
