A Scholar and Researcher in Ancient Arabic Literature and Islamic Studies

Lebanese academic and researcher specialised in Arabic and Islamic studies. He is currently a Lecturer within Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan Chair for Islamic and Arab Studies at the American University of Beirut.

He is the author of a number of books and peer-reviewed articles in both Arabic and English and is considered one of the leading scholars in the field of classical manuscript editing. Among his works are "Maqamat of Badi’ Al-Zaman Al-Hamadhani" and "The Art of Selection: Abu Mansur al-Tha’alibi and his book Yatimat Al-Dahr".

Dr Orfali plays a significant role in reviving Arab heritage and bringing it to the global academic stage.

Author and Artist Specialising in Arts and Cultural Heritage

Emirati poet, critic, researcher, and visual artist. Ali Al Abdan has been a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society since 1989. He has produced numerous artworks in various styles, including collage work and oil paintings, and has participated in exhibitions both within the UAE and internationally. He also held two solo exhibitions in 1991 and 2010.

He has written critical articles on art in the UAE, published in magazines such as Al Tashkeel and the Cultural Supplement of Al Khaleej Newspaper. His book, "The New Century: Fine Art Trends in UAE After the Year 2000", won The Sharjah Award for an Emirati at the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2010. He was also selected among 15 artists featured in an introductory book on Emirati art, sponsored by the Emirates Competitiveness Council.

Additionally, he has several unpublished manuscripts on art, including a book on the history of sculpture in the UAE, another on the sculptures of Kuwaiti artist Sami Mohammed, and a study on the evolution of caricature art in the UAE.

Media Professional

Media professional at Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, known for hosting and producing the award-winning cultural show "Maktabat", which received the 2023 Al Owais Award for Creativity.

She holds a degree in International Relations from the American University of Sharjah and the University of Wollongong in Dubai, where she focused her thesis on cultural diplomacy as a means of bridging cultures.

Her interests lie in literature, social sciences, and the humanities.