DUBAI-The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) has officially launched the Al Oula radio station at the frequency of 107.4 FM. Al Oula, meaning “The First” in Arabic, is the first-ever radio station in the GCC region that will broadcast programmes to promote national cultural values and that appeal to young people. The vision of Al Oula is to be the official radio station for the nurturing and dissemination of the UAE’s heritage.
The great technological development in the media and communication industry forms the strongest challenge that is facing the national institutions to deliver their messages and grant the United Arab Emirates heritage utmost attention .Through their programmes, Al Oula seeks to strengthen the national identity of the community, by documenting and disseminating subject matter pertaining to the rich heritage of the UAE and in line with the nature of modern life in the country and the Gulf region.
One of their primary objectives is to promote and increase awareness of the indigenous Emirati values, customs and traditions, passed on from generation to generation, and communicate these effectively to the new generation-. Further to this, the radio station will serve to encourage interaction about the UAE’s national heritage, deepening the community’s role in maintaining national identity, and promoting the spirit of belonging as well as national pride in being heirs to the country’s enduring legacy.
On this occasion, Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, commented: “Al Oula Radio is the latest of upcoming initiatives that represent the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, and taken by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC). The mission of the Center is to be a reliable and authentic source for culture preservation and dissemination among the community in a genuine and modern way.”
Bin Dalmouk added: “Al Oula is considered as the first modern platform for heritage media through which we seek to instill the culture of ancient Emirati heritage in the new generation, as well as to promote awareness about values, customs and traditions, deepen nationals’ role, and activate their participation in preserving the national identity and reach out to the public in a rapid way.”
Fatma Aarif Al Bannay, Head of Al Oula Radio Station, stated, “Culture is the most important aspect of one’s national identity and, through Al Oula, we seek to familiarize the new generation about the UAE’s culture, heritage, folklore and history. Al Oula will serve as a platform not only to promote the different aspects of our national identity, but also to share experiences and knowledge, thereby facilitating greater understanding about the culture and heritage of the country. Al Oula will highlight the UAE’s deep-rooted traditions and heritage through a variety of shows that demonstrate how UAE’s culture is still being upheld in the midst of rapid modern developments in the country.”
The founding team of the Radio consists of Mr.Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, in addition to some of the notable media personalities to be featured on the radio station like Hessa Al Aseeli, the “Mother of the UAE Media”,first Emirati announcer and appointed to hold the position of general supervisor of the programmes in Al Oula Radio station,; Salem Al Zamer, author and Cultural Advisor of Studies and Popular Literature in the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center; and Ibrahim Juma’a, former member of Dubai Cultural Council, former head of the Music Department at the Ministry of Information, and Chancellor of Heritage Folk Art Center in the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center.
As of now, there are a total of 14 radio programmes that are scheduled to go live on Al Oula. These 14 programmes will cover a variety of topics by dealing with various aspects of knowledge, awareness, history, culture, heritage, poetry, sports and coverage of Championships for the young and old alike. Al Oula plans to launch many more programmes that will captivate listeners across the UAE and help them to gain a better understanding of the different elements of the UAE’s national identity through the light yet informative medium of airwaves by hosting the most influential figures and prominent pioneers of the UAE renaissance.
Most of the programs in Al Oula Radio station will use social media platforms as an interactive manner with the listeners. Also interventions, SMS and calls will be received throughout the programs to stay updated with the listener’s opinions and points of views.