Director of the Arabic Language Education and Research Department at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre

Director of the Arabic Language Education and Research Department at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. He is an Iraqi academic and translator who has held several academic positions and served as a visiting professor at various universities.

Dr El Sheikh has published more than twenty-five peer-reviewed scientific papers, along with numerous critical studies in comparative literature, literary criticism, novels, and autobiographies. He has also translated many critical and intellectual studies, as well as creative works from German language. Additionally, he has translated dozens of texts for children and young adults, including "Kafka’s Diaries", the novel "The Fox Was Ever the Hunter" by Nobel Prize-winning German novelist Herta Müller, "Adam and Evelyn" by Ingo Schulze, as well as the book "Goethe and Napoleon" by German scholar Gustav Seibt and "Beyond Utopias" by German critic Helmut Böttiger.

Musician, Composer, and Performer

A musician and researcher specialising in traditional Arabic music, he is known for his unique approach to reviving and preserving authentic musical heritage through research, composition, and performance.

He serves as the Director of the Asil Ensemble for Arab Contemporary Classical Music, where he explores traditional musical styles and reintroduces them in ways that preserve their authenticity while adding contemporary creative touches.

Dr Mustafa Said received the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the category of Arts and Critical Studies in recognition of his in-depth research in the field of Arabic music, where he has produced specialised academic studies that shed light on the artistic and historical dimensions of this rich heritage.

In addition to his scholarly work, he is also known for his distinguished musical performance, singing and playing in a style that blends authenticity with innovation, making him one of the leading voices in preserving and developing Arabic musical heritage.

Media Professional and Author

A prominent Bahraini poet, critic, and media personality, Dr Parween Habib began her media career at an early age, working as a presenter on Bahrain TV in 1981 before moving to Dubai TV in 1999. She hosted various programmes, including "Birds Magazine" for children and other entertainment shows.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Arabic literature and education from the University of Bahrain and then proceeded to achieve a master’s degree in Arabic literature and stylistic studies on Nizar Qabbani’s poetry from Ain Shams University in Cairo. She later obtained a PhD in literary criticism, focusing on "The Language of Women’s Poetic Texts in the Gulf", from the Arab League University in Egypt.

Dr Habib founded the "House of Culture" and "Athar Association" and has contributed to cultural programmes such as "Sawari", "Wujuh", and "Ahl Al-Ma’rifa" in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.

In 2011, she received the Dynamic Women Award from George Washington University in the United States.

Dr Parween Habib is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Gulf cultural and media circles, with significant contributions to the development of cultural media and the promotion of intellectual dialogue in the region.

Poet and Author

An Egyptian Author and researcher specialising in literature and language, known for his in-depth analytical approach to literary and linguistic topics, offering fresh perspectives on the aesthetics and intellectual dimensions of Arabic literature.

Abada’s work focuses on exploring classical and modern texts, shedding light on linguistic evolution and stylistic expression in Arabic. Beyond his research, he actively contributes to the Arab cultural scene through critical essays that address literature, poetry, and language, blending academic precision with accessible analysis for a wide audience.