Mahmood Al-Abadi brings Arabic calligraphy to global audience with Huawei Themes

Mahmood Al-Abadi
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Updated 17 July 2023
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Mahmood Al-Abadi brings Arabic calligraphy to global audience with Huawei Themes

Renowned artist Mahmood Al-Abadi’s successful collaboration with Huawei Themes has brought Arabic calligraphy to a global audience. This partnership has resulted in the creation of a captivating collection that seamlessly blends the beauty of traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern design elements, enriching the digital experience for users across various platforms.

“As an artist, I’m always seeking new ways to express my creativity and share my passion for calligraphy. Working with Huawei Themes has been an incredible journey. Together, we’ve created a collection that beautifully blends traditional Arabic calligraphy with modern design across digital platforms.”

The collaboration with Huawei Themes was driven by the aim to raise awareness of the rich Arabian culture and heritage and bring it to a wider global audience. During the Huawei flagship device launch event, Al-Abadi shared his artistic journey with the audience, highlighting the deep-rooted passion that drives him to create captivating calligraphy pieces.

“It’s been a privilege to have my work showcased in numerous art exhibitions and to see it appreciated by art enthusiasts,” he said. “I’m thrilled to introduce the Ramadan themes I’ve exclusively designed for Huawei devices, including pads, foldable phones, smartphones, watches, and always on display for phones. These themes capture the essence of the season and add a touch of artistic beauty to your device.”

The response from users has been overwhelming, with more than 500,000 downloads of Al-Abadi’s themes on Huawei Themes. This figure continues to grow as more individuals appreciate the unique blend of traditional calligraphy and contemporary artistry.

Al-Abadi introduced two themes: The “Soaring Falcon” and the “Sailing Ship.” These themes masterfully blend traditional calligraphy and contemporary art to create a visually stunning experience. The “Soaring Falcon” theme inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan’s quote, symbolizes the immense hope placed in the youth of the UAE, who are aware of their responsibilities, work diligently, and aspire for a prosperous future. 

This theme elegantly captures the graceful movements of a falcon in flight, skillfully entwined with intricate calligraphic strokes.

On the other hand, the “Sailing Ship” theme captures the essence of exploration and adventure while remaining deeply connected to the national identity, seamlessly combining the elegance of calligraphy with the dynamic energy of a sailing vessel.


Karl Lagerfeld and Aark Developers announce luxury beachfront residential project in Ras Al-Khaimah

Updated 16 December 2025
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Karl Lagerfeld and Aark Developers announce luxury beachfront residential project in Ras Al-Khaimah

Karl Lagerfeld and Aark Developers have signed a partnership to develop Karl Lagerfeld Residences, a beachfront residential project in Ras Al-Khaimah, ideally located on Al-Marjan Island. The signing ceremony took place on Dec. 10 in Paris at Karl Lagerfeld’s office, in the presence of Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of Karl Lagerfeld, and Rahul Kumar Gupta, chairman of Aark Developers. 

Valued at over $1.4 billion, this iconic ultra-luxury waterfront development is set to redefine beachfront living in the UAE and is scheduled for completion in 2028, delivering a collection of 663 sea view residences. The residences range from one to four bedrooms, with select residences offering private pools. The collection also comprises 20 podium villas, 10 ultra-exclusive sky villas/penthouses, and 11 rare beachfront villas, each with its own private pool. Residents will enjoy access to a fully curated lifestyle featuring two signature cafés and restaurants, a destination beach club, and a spectacular sky bar with an infinity pool, offering its own 1,000-feet private beach, creating an address defined by architectural excellence, exclusivity, and resort-style living at an unprecedented scale. 

Set within Ras Al-Khaimah’s fast-growing development landscape, Al-Marjan Island continues to establish itself as a luxury hub for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment in the region. The area’s outlook is further strengthened by the upcoming Wynn Al-Marjan Island integrated resort, set to open in 2027 and expected to elevate the emirate’s international profile. 

“This project marks a defining expression of how the Karl Lagerfeld universe can redefine modern living,” said Righi. “With Aark Developers, we are creating a signature landmark on Al-Marjan Island, one that brings Karl’s visionary design language into a breathtaking large-scale residential experience. It is a project we are genuinely proud to share with the region.” 

Gupta added: “What brought Aark Developers and Karl Lagerfeld together is a mutual commitment to detail, refinement, and creating spaces with purpose. We believe that great design goes beyond aesthetics — it shapes how people feel, interact, and live. This project on Al-Marjan Island embodies that vision, offering a living experience rooted in quality, harmony, and enduring elegance.” 

This is Karl Lagerfeld’s second branded project in the Middle East. A launch event in Dubai is planned for Q1 of 2026.

Karl Lagerfeld continues to expand its presence in hospitality and branded living, with projects including Karl Lagerfeld hotels in Macau and Marbella, Dubai Villas, and Lisbon Residences.