Fujairah Crown Prince Attends Lecture The Memory of Music: How Has Music Evolved Through the Ages? and Highlights Its Role in Cultural Dialogue and Connecting Nations

Fujairah, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, emphasized the role of music in shaping cultural identities and enriching human heritage throughout history, noting its importance in fostering intercultural dialogue and strengthening communication among societies.

This came during His Highness’s attendance at a panel discussion held at Al Rumaila Palace in Fujairah, hosted by the “Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Council, under the title “The Memory of Music: How Has Music Evolved Through the Ages?”. The lecture was presented by Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Tai, researcher, music author, and advisor at the Royal Opera House in Oman, and Dr. Hayaf Yassin, professor of musicology and specialist in music education sciences from Lebanon.

His Highness also pointed to the attention given by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, to supporting the arts in all forms through initiatives and cultural programs, fostering and nurturing national talents, and broadening the horizons of musical creativity among younger generations, thereby contributing to strengthening the cultural, artistic, and creative industries sector across the UAE.

The session explored multiple dimensions of music as a mirror of cultural identity and a bridge for civilizational interaction. The speakers reviewed the stages of music’s evolution from its origins and its role in early civilizations, with a particular focus on the Islamic civilization’s contribution to the development and transfer of this art to the West, as well as the mutual influences between Western classical music and Eastern music.

Discussions also highlighted the role of Andalusian Muwashahat in enriching human heritage, the depiction of the East in Western classical music, and the interactive relationship between Eastern and Western musical traditions across the centuries.

The speakers further addressed the current state of music in Arab capitals, the contemporary challenges it faces in preserving identity while innovating, developing musical content, and nurturing new talents in line with social and cultural transformations, thus reinforcing the Arab presence in the global artistic scene.

For his part, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Nayeh Al Tunaiji, Director of the Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Council, affirmed that organizing such sessions reflects the Council’s commitment to addressing diverse cultural topics that enhance community awareness of the importance of the arts and highlight elements of cultural identity through hosting distinguished experts, intellectuals, and artists.

The lecture was attended by H.E. Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah; H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; along with a number of academics, intellectuals, artists, and those interested in cultural and musical affairs in the emirate.