UAE

From the UAE to Antarctica

Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi has achieved a historic milestone for the Arab world after reaching the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, on Tuesday, 6th January 2026.

Standing at 4,892 metres, the ascent makes Al Awadhi the youngest and first Arab to reach the summit at the age of 18, marking the third major peak in her ambitious quest to conquer the Seven Summits — the highest mountains on each continent.

Al Awadhi dedicated her unprecedented achievement to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), in recognition of their unwavering support for Emirati youth and women, and their continued efforts to empower new generations to realise their ambitions and raise the UAE’s profile on the global stage.

The expedition was sponsored by Palms Sports, a globally recognised sports management and training company based in the UAE, known for its longstanding commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati youth across sporting and life disciplines.

The historic ascent followed a gruelling expedition in one of the world’s harshest natural environments, with Al Awadhi enduring temperatures plunging below minus 40 degrees Celsius, severe weather conditions and powerful winds. The climb demanded exceptional physical and mental preparedness, resilience, self-reliance and endurance.

Speaking about the experience, Al Awadhi said, “Mount Vinson is a huge step up compared to my previous summits. It is far colder and far more isolated, requiring a high level of self-reliance and mental strength. The expedition can last up to three weeks in extreme cold that reaches minus 40 degrees Celsius, surrounded by endless snow. At first, Vinson’s challenges frightened me, but once I stood at the summit and looked out over a sea of ice pierced by sharp peaks cutting through the horizon, I realised the mountain did not make me suffer — it made me much stronger. I know I will return to Antarctica one day; I am completely captivated by the vastness and beauty of this continent.”

Al Awadhi also expressed profound gratitude to the UAE and its wise leadership for fostering an environment that nurtures ambition and supports bold dreams.

“Raising the UAE flag with pride on the world’s highest peaks represents 54 years of a nation built on opportunity and inspiration,” she said. “It is a country I am deeply grateful to have grown up in, and I hope to give back. Without the continuous support the UAE offers its youth, this journey would have been far more difficult.”

She stressed that hoisting the UAE flag atop Antarctica’s highest mountain carries a powerful national message — that Emiratis, with the support of their leadership, are capable of reaching the highest summits and overcoming the toughest challenges, regardless of how extreme the conditions may be.

“Beyond pride, I feel immense gratitude towards my leadership, my country, my sponsors and everyone who supports me — especially my family,” she added. “I am fortunate not only to dream, but to have the support and resources that allow me to turn those dreams into reality. Everyone deserves the right to dream, and everyone deserves the chance to pursue those dreams, no matter how distant or impossible they may seem.”

Currently a university student majoring in Economics, Al Awadhi emphasised the importance of balancing ambition with education and career development.

“It’s not just about summits,” she said. “I want Arab youth — especially young women — to answer the call to climb their own mountains. We are not just the generation of the future; we are the generation of today. So why wait to pursue our ambitions when we can start now and aim for the highest peaks across all fields?”

The expedition also received sponsorship from Dar Al Takaful Finance, one of the UAE’s leading financial institutions, which had previously supported Al Awadhi in her successful ascent of Mount Elbrus (5,642 metres), Europe’s highest peak, on 6 July 2025, when she became the youngest Emirati to reach its summit.

Al Awadhi’s ascent of Mount Vinson marks another major step towards achieving the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam — a global challenge that involves climbing the Seven Summits and reaching both the North and South Poles — further cementing the UAE’s presence regionally and internationally in adventure sports and high-altitude mountaineering, while positioning her as an inspiring role model for youth and women alike.

WAM

COMMUNITY

Ammar bin Humaid attends group wedding in Ajman

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, attended the seventh mass wedding organised by the Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Charity Foundation for 55 grooms from the emirate, held on Monday evening at Ajman Museum.

The mass wedding forms part of the foundation’s initiatives to support young Emiratis intending to marry, ease financial burdens and promote family stability, in line with the objectives of the Year of the Family.

Sheikh Ammar congratulated the grooms and their families, wishing them a happy and stable married life founded on affection, compassion and cooperation.

He praised mass wedding initiatives for their role in supporting young people and reinforcing the UAE’s values of solidarity and social cohesion.

WAM

Culture

Sharjah Ruler opens 22nd Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the 22nd Sharjah Festival of Arabic Poetry on Monday evening. The festival, which runs for seven days, brings together more than 80 poets, critics, and media professionals.

H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees viewed a recorded presentation titled “Years of Poetry,” which highlighted His Highness’s efforts and initiatives in establishing poetry houses across the Arab world, which are now celebrating their tenth anniversary. The poetry houses have played a vital role in maintaining the Arab poetic movement and have become cultural hubs that promote the Arabic language, fostering creativity and facilitating connections among poets and critics.

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan honoured Dr Ahmed Balboula, the recipient of the Sharjah Prize for Arabic Poetry, alongside the winners of the Sharjah Prize for Poetry Criticism. The winners included Mahrez Ben Mohsen Rachdi from Tunisia in first place, Al Mahdi Al Araj from Morocco in second, and Al Hassan Mohamed Mahmoud from Mauritania in third.

H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan and the audience enjoyed poetry readings by Emirati poet Najat Al Dhaheri, Dr Ahmed Balboula of Egypt, and Hazbar Mahmoud of Iraq.

The 22nd Sharjah Festival of Arabic Poetry showcases over 80 poets, critics, and media professionals from across the Arab world and several African nations. This festival serves as a platform for open dialogue, enabling participants to engage in meaningful discussions and to interact directly. It not only facilitates the exchange of visions and experiences but also helps to spotlight emerging voices and foster their growth within the literary community.

The festival is scheduled to feature a series of poetry readings and evening festivities, along with a designated book-signing area featuring a select group of poets. Arab readers will also have the chance to explore the works of 12 new winners of the Golden Rhyme Award, whose poetry has been highlighted in the magazine’s 12 issues throughout 2025.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office; Rashid Ahmed bin Al Sheikh, Chairman of the Amiri Diwan; Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; and Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality. Several officials, poets, critics, and poetry enthusiasts also joined to celebrate this vibrant event.

WAM

Sports

Ajman Ruler, Crown Prince attend Arabian Horse Championship closing

H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, and H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, attended this evening the closing ceremony of the 23rd Ajman Arabian Horse Beauty Championship 2026, held in Al Jurf 2 area.

H.H. Sheikh Humaid expressed his appreciation to the UAE’s wise leadership for their continued support for equestrian sports and for preserving the heritage of purebred Arabian horses as a core element of the nation’s cultural identity. He noted that the championship celebrates the enduring value of Arabian horses in the region’s history and reflects Ajman’s commitment to safeguarding this legacy.

Sheikh Humaid highlighted the strong participation and high organisational and technical standards of this edition of the championsip, underscoring the confidence of owners and breeders in Ajman as a supportive hub for equestrian activities. He added that the event has grown beyond competition to become a community and family gathering reflecting the emirate’s authentic spirit.

For his part, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi said the championship has established itself as a prominent annual fixture on the UAE’s equestrian calendar, commending its refined organisation, competitive standards and growing international standing.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, sponsors, organising and judging committees, and winners were honoured. The closing programme featured heritage performances and a showcase of Arabian horses, followed by a fireworks display.

The final-day competitions saw notable victories across several categories. In the senior stallions championships, “D Jibran” claimed gold, while top honours in mares, fillies, colts and foals were awarded to leading horses from prominent UAE stables.

The ceremony was attended by a number of sheikhs, senior officials, representatives of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and officials from Ajman government departments.

WAM