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Exhibition by UAE Royal Photographer inaugurated at the Ismaili Centre Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Majid inaugurates the exhibition. He is joined by prominent UAE businessman Juma Al Majid and Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid, as Ismaili Council President Naushad Rashid and other Jamati leaders and guests look on. Photo: Farhad R Ally / Akbar Hakim

One year after its inauguration, the Ismaili Centre Dubai is hosting the first in a series of important cultural events. Reminiscing Heritage is a photographic exhibition that provides a rare glimpse through the lens of Noor Ali Rashid, the acclaimed Royal Photographer of the United Arab Emirates.

The exhibition was inaugurated on 22 April 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The event was attended by government officials and diplomats, as well as influential businessmen.

Rashid, who was named Royal Photographer by the late former President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, captured five decades of the country’s history, photographing its leaders, the changing landscape and its people.

“Noor Ali Rashid was very passionate and intuitive about documenting culture,” commented Jassim Al Awadhi, the exhibition’s curator. He recalled Rashid once saying “Sheikh Zayed gave me his friendship, and I was a soldier. This is my duty, to capture the events.”

His Highness Sheikh Majid and Noor Ali Rashid pause at a photograph of the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Photo: Farhad R Ally / Akbar Hakim

The exhibition showcases the 1960s — an exceptional period for Dubai. It was a time when the Emirates were at their infancy and the economic foundation of the country’s future was being laid. Some came to admire the work of Noor Ali Rashid, while others yearned to learn more about the history and development of the UAE.

Naushad Rashid, President of the Ismaili Council for the United Arab Emirates accompanied His Highness Sheikh Majid during the exhibit. Sheikh Majid conveyed his regards to the Ismaili community and its leadership. He admired the collection of photographs and expressed appreciation that the heritage of the UAE was being showcased amidst the “timeless architecture” of the Ismaili Centre.

Equally impressed with the Centre and community volunteers, Nazneen R Shafi, Director of Art and Culture Strategic Development for Dubai Women Establishment felt that it could play a pivotal role in sharing and developing the cultural aspects of the United Arab Emirates. “The Ismaili community demonstrated dedication, selflessness, and warmth,” she said. “They have much to share.”

Reviewing a book published by Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid in the courtyard of the Ismaili Centre Dubai. From left to right: Vice President Wazir Ali Daredia of the Ismaili Council for UAE, Royal Photographer Noor Ali Rashid, His Highness Sheikh Majid, President Naushad Rashid of the Ismaili Council for UAE, and prominent UAE businessman Juma Al Majid. Photo: Farhad R Ally / Akbar Hakim

The photographs recalled the roots of Dubai, reflecting the land and people as they were prior to the growth of the emirate. The collection captures the circumstances and forces that would come to shape Dubai and impact the lives of those who live there.

Reminiscing Heritage is a cultural initiative supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), a governmental initiative launched in 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai Culture seeks to position Dubai as a dynamic cultural, heritage and arts centre by creating, driving, and supporting cultural strategies and activities, while preserving national identity.

In liaising with the Dubai Culture, the Ismaili Centre Cultural Series aims to promote the Dubai ethic of providing cultural inspiration and celebrating the historic identities of its people. In the future, the Cultural Series will showcase the work of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network.