The Hamdan bin Mohammad Heritage Centre (HHC) has officially launched a radio station dedicated to promoting national cultural values and the U.A.E.'s heritage among young people.
The Al Oula radio station is available on the 107.4 FM frequency.
Al Oula, which is Arabic for "The First”, is the first radio station in the GCC to broadcast programmes aimed at strengthening the U.A.E. national identity by centering its discussions on the country's rich heritage.
Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmouk, CEO of the Hamdan bin Mohammad Heritage Centre, said Al Oula Radio is the brainchild of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.
"The mission of the centre 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 that the new radio station aims to instil 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, said it will serve as a platform not only to promote the different aspects of the U.A.E. national identity, but also to share experiences and knowledge about the culture and heritage of the country.
"Al Oula will highlight the U.A.E.'s deep-rooted traditions and heritage through a variety of shows that demonstrate how U.A.E.'s culture is still being upheld in the midst of rapid modern developments in the country.”
So far, a total of 14 programmes have been lined up to go live on Al Oula. They will cover a variety of topics including history, culture, heritage, poetry, sports and coverage of competitions for the young and old alike.
Al Oula presenters will also use social media to interact with listeners.