www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Al Suwaidi Foundation FAMILY FIRST
RESPECTING OUR PAST, SHAPING OUR FUTURE We aim to manage and preserve the legacies and projects of the Al Suwaidi family from one generation to the next.
About Preserving and continuing the development and growth of the cultural and artistic heritage of the United Arab Emirates
Family Counsel
House of Al Suwaidi
Abu Dhabi Arts Society Abu Dhabi Tie Diwan Qasr Al Hosn Fatat Al Arab Tabla Tartan
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Located in the heart of Al Mariyah Island in the city of Abu Dhabi, the Al Suwaidi Foundation focuses on preservation and the continuing development and growth of the cultural and artistic heritage of the United Arab Emirates. Founded by Dr. Hamed Bin Mohamed Khalifa Al Suwaidi in 2019, the Al Suwaidi Foundation manages the enduring legacies of its late family members and undertakes projects designed to further the cultural heritage and identity of the nation. Vision
About
Inspired by the life and work of leading cultural figures within the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world, the foundation aims to archive valuable historic data and support new generations of creative thinkers. Mission The foundation seeks to promote creative collaborations & encourage research from one generation to the next. Core principles
Preserve heritage related to historical and cultural projects Develop new cultural & historic projects Build a database of talents contributing to the art, music & poetry scene in the UAE
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Family Counsel Founding Patron & President The Most Honorable Father Al Suwaidi of the United Arab Emirates & the Union His Excellency Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi The Personal Representative to His Highness the President of the United Arab Emirates
Founding President of the Family Council Father of the House of Al Suwaidi Founder of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation Founder of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Founder of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Born in Abu Dhabi in 1937, His Excellency Ahmed Bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE and the Personal Representative of the President of the United Arab Emirates. He played a significant role in the unification of The United Arab Emirates and was the first to read the statement of the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. www.al-suwaidi.ae Advisory Committee Honorary President & Chairman The Honorable HE Mohamed Khalifa Bin Yousef Al Suwaidi Vice President of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi, Chairman Bin Yousef Group & Founder Bin Yousef Trust & Museum Born in Abu Dhabi in 1949, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Bin Yousef Al Suwaidi had a long and illustrious career serving mainly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates. In the early years of his career, H.E occupied the position of Chief of Staff in Abu Dhabi’s Defence Force (ADDF) where he held ranks from Major to Brigadier. From 1967 to 1971, he was appointed Vice Chairman of The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court and Defence Department, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who later became Ruler of Abu Dhabi, president of the United Arab Emirates and the Supreme Commander to the UAE Armed Forces in 2004. From 1972 to 2001 and after the inception of the United Arab Emirates, he served as the Director General of Economic Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE Foreign Affairs where he achieved the Diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary.
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
As part of his duties, he served as member and Chairman of the Diplomatic Council of the UAE Foreign Affairs which contributed towards expanding the diplomatic missions across the globe. Throughout his career with the diplomatic corps, he was the UAE Governor to The African Development Bank where he founded and chaired both The UAE/ Sudan Joint State Corporation and The Joint Arab Corporation – UAE & Egypt. From 2001 to 2005, H.E. served as Minister of State as First Advisor to the Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to his retirement in 2005. Besides having full-time duties, H.E. contributed largely to the UAE banking industry. H.E. had a major role in building the international network of The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) of which he was a Board Director for 12 years, before the bank joined forces with First Gulf Bank to become known today as the First AbuDhabi Bank. In addition he founded and served on the boards of the National Bank of Ras Al Khaima (RAK-BANK) and the AlKhazna Insurance Company. www.binshama.com The Honourable HE Mohammed Bin Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi Vice President of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi, Founding Secretary General Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Founder Dar Al-Suwaidi & the Electronic Village Mohammed Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, a UAE poet and man of letters, is considered one of the innovators in the vernacular Gulf Arab dialect, popularly known as Mahki. Mohammed Al Suwaidi is well-versed and has many interests. He has contributed a lot to the Arab culture. Culture is his profession. Arabic poetry, literature and history envelop him. He travelled around the world and visited Italy, UK, Spain and explored the Renaissance Arts, the antiquities of the Industrial Revolution, and Islamic Arts. Mohammed Al-Suwaidi is known for his early interest in Information Technology and employing it to serve culture. Mohammed Al Suwaidi worked as Director of Culture and Arts Department – Cultural Foundation in 1983. He became secretary General of the Cultural Foundation in 1990 until 2006. He was selected as a member of UAE University Supreme Council in Al-Ain. Currently, he is chairman of many private companies and cultural and economic institutions, such as Dar Al Suwaidi and the Electronic village. Moreover, he is a member of Businessmen and Economists Society, UAE Writers Union and many public societies. http://www.electronicvillage.org/electronicvillage-mobileapps.php?languageid=2
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Mouza Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi Member of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi (Mother Al Suwaidi), Founder Majlis Mouza Bint Ahmed, Founder Al Suwaidi Organic Dates Farming and Shepherdesses Mouza Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi is the eldest child to H.E Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the Personal Representative of the UAE President, who was the first to read the historic statement of the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971 and the first UAE Foreign Minister for several years until he was appointed to his current post. www.mouzaalsuwaidi.com HH Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi Member of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi, Founder Khawla Art, Founder Sheikha Khawla Cultural Majlis, highly revered poetess of the United Arab Emirates Prominent Emirati artist and member of the Al Nahyan royal family, Her Highness Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi grew up in a culture-oriented house and artistic household of her father, H.E. Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi who was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, and the founder of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation; the home of the first National Library, and the Theatre and Community Arts Centre in the UAE. Ever since childhood, Her Highness has possessed an unquestionable affinity for reading, and has been enriched by a great deal of literature and poetry, thanks to her father’s influence and the encouragement of her husband, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. http://www.khawlaart.com/ Ahmed Mohamed Khalifa Bin Yousef Al Suwaidi Member of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi, Founder Mouzana Art, Founding Member of Abu Dhabi Arts Society, Founding Member Bin Yousef & Sons www.alsuwaidipvt.ae
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Board Members Dr. Hamed Bin Mohamed Khalifa Al Suwaidi Founder, Member of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Arts Society, Founder of the Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi Foundation, Managing Director of Bin Yousef Group Dr. Hamed Bin Mohamed Khalifa Al Suwaidi was born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on the 6th of July 1983 into an eminent, culture and arts oriented Emirati family with profound influence in the development and growth of the United Arab Emirates. He currently resides in his family house in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Al Suwaidi graduated in 2004 from Regent’s University, London with a dual degree (BBA) in International Business and a BSc (Hons) in Business Administration. He also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance & Banking and an MSc in Strategic Business from the University of Portsmouth, UK as well as completing his PhD in Economics & Finance from the University of Portsmouth in 2014. The prominent businessman whose passion is cultivating the cultural identity of Abu Dhabi is an avid art enthusiast who enjoys spending time with family, collecting antiques, reading books, and meeting new people from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Hamed bin Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Art Foundation, was inspired by his upbringing in an environment full of thought leadership and creativity, and was a natural at appreciating the arts. www.hamedalsuwaidi.com www.drhamed.org
Alanood Ahmed Khalifa Ahmed Al Suwaidi Member of the Family Council & House of Al Suwaidi www.alsuwaidipvt.ae
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Abu Dhabi Arts Society Established in 2019, the Abu Dhabi Arts Society (ADAS) aims to create a connection between arts and those who have strong passion to it in the UAE. ADAS is a hub that hosts different types of arts, including poetry, painting, music, and crafts. www.abudhabiart.org
Abu Dhabi Tie Lapel and Cufflinks
Expressed in a Benson and Clegg tie, the dark-blue necktie embroidered with Abu Dhabi’s emblems of red, white, and black coloration finds the superb balance between classic design and modern styling. Exuding timeless quality, threads are woven on traditional looms at one of the oldest silk weavers in England, and then cloth is skillfully hand-cut and hand-sewn. From classic collegiate striped designs to more current and quirky motifs, a Benson & Clegg tie produces a smart finish for a well-dressed gentleman. The custom made patriotic necktie reflects an authentic image of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi’s emblem, which goes back to 1968, reinforces the identity of the emirate and reflects its distinctive history. The emblem shows a falcon staring to the right with its wings spread, its claws clutching two daggers, and surrounded by a white and red flag on both sides, and a banner at the top states “Abu Dhabi” in Arabic script. The emblem is considered one of the most recognizable symbol of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Diwan Qasr Al Hosn Diwan Qasr Al Hosn was the official hub and home for many of the occupancies governed by Khalifa bin Yousef. The Diwan of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi & Commander of Bani Yas Alliance occupied two buildings situated within the courtyard of Qasr Al Hosn, one of which had two master desks used for the day to day operations and the other a the Office of the Ruler & his Governor. Fatat Al Arab The late Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi is widely recognized as one of the great Nagati poets of the 20th century. She was highly influential on the nation’s culture and left a vitally important mark on Arab literature. Story of Table and the late Sheikha Hamda Bint Ahmed Al Otaiba
Containing verses from the Holy Qu’ran, a tabla and was often worn by a child as a symbol of protection. This gold tabla dates back to the early 1900’s. It was first owned by Sheikha Hamda bint Ahmed bin Khalaf Al Otaiba (1938-1958) and was given to her infant daughter, Mouza bint Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, upon her mother’s death a few days after giving birth. This precious tabla was then passed on to Mouza’s daughter, Dr Hamda bint Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi who gave it the name “Tabla Hamda” in memory of her late grandmother. The Arabic calligraphy on this tabla contains mysteries and secrets that yet needs to be discovered. Read normally, it says Malik Al Mulk (one of the 99 names of God). Placed in front of a mirror the text reads "La illah il Allah" or "There is no god but Allah". Sheikha Hamda was the daughter of Ahmed bin Khalaf Al Otaiba and Fatima bint Khalfan bin Masood Al Muhairbi. She was married to H.E Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi Personal Representative of H.H. the President of the United Arab Emirates, but died few days after giving birth to her only child Mouza bint Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi.
www.asf.ae
Founded in 2019
Al Suwaidi of Abu Dhabi Tartan (1st UAE Tartan) The tartan “Al Suwaidi of Abu Dhabi” is made up of the traditional Pan-Arab Colours that form The United Arab Emirate’s flag. The official flag was adopted on the 2nd December, 1971 and hoisted by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan; the Ruler, declared the establishment of the United Arab Emirates as an Independent Country. The colours combine to form and symbolize Arab Unity (red, green white and black). The designer who originally created the UAE flag was inspired by verses of a poem describing the citizens’ acts as white (representing peace and honesty), plains as green (representing hope, goodness & agriculture), battles as dark (representing strength of mind, courage and power) and swords as red (representing bravery & sovereignty). Just like any other flag, each colour was selected precisely to reflect an important concept to the natives of the country and hence, the choice of the same colours have been used in the design of this piece. The tartan was designed in a symmetrical manner to give equality and importance to each choice of colour and what it symbolizes. The red colour was chosen to be a little bit more dominant and significant on the design because it resembles the original and authentic flag of Abu Dhabi; the capital Emirate and the largest city in the UAE.