Radio Al Oula has begun its twelfth season, continuing its work as a cultural and social voice for Dubai. The new programming brings Emirati heritage, family life, and government news into the daily routines of listeners, in line with Dubai's goals for cultural sustainability and social unity, as outlined by the Dubai Media Office.
This season, the station is focusing on content that is practical and relevant to everyday life. Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmouk, CEO of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, has said that the value of national media comes from its service to the community. He sees Radio Al Oula's job as building awareness, trust, and protecting cultural identity. This approach matches the UAE's ongoing work to preserve intangible heritage, as noted in recent UNESCO regional reports.
Programming shaped by community priorities
The new season is organized around three main themes: Emirati identity, heritage, and national values. Daily and weekly shows, along with short knowledge segments, are designed to reflect real life in Dubai. Topics include family relationships, government services, cultural memory, and environmental issues. The station also works with government and community groups. This direction supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which encourages knowledge sharing and strengthening local identity through media and public involvement.
Popular shows like "صباح الأولى" with Salem Mohammed keep listeners updated on government decisions and public services. "من داخل البيت" with Hessa bin Sobeih focuses on family topics, from parenting to health and sustainability. "رمسة العرب" with Aisha Al Badawi mixes current issues with traditional knowledge, covering agriculture, crafts, customs, and oral history. These programs reflect the UAE government's focus on community well-being and sustainable development, as reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Rather than adding more shows, Radio Al Oula aims to make each program purposeful and useful. Natalie Joseph Awadisian, Director of Radio and Corporate Communications at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, says the goal is to offer content that matters to listeners-whether it's about family, government services, or heritage. This approach supports wider media reforms in the UAE, which aim to build trust and transparency between the public and state institutions.
Preserving heritage for future generations
The station's weekly features go beyond nostalgia. "دفاتر بن سليمان" documents oral poetry, while "ترنيمة الفن" looks back at the work of Emirati music pioneers. "سوق لول" shares stories from veteran traders, and "الوارش" introduces listeners to Dubai's architectural heritage in partnership with Dubai Municipality's heritage department. Children also have a voice through "تراثنا أمانة", where they talk about traditional practices like yowla and camel riding. These efforts are part of a national push to protect intangible heritage, seen in the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre's support for events such as the Maktoum Al Sharqi Falconry Championship, which recently featured over 300 falcons in various categories, according to the Fujairah Government Portal.
Radio Al Oula's news section keeps the focus local, delivering reports in the Emirati dialect about Dubai's government departments, environmental projects, and cultural events. This helps the news connect with listeners' experiences and supports the UAE's commitment to cultural continuity, as highlighted by the Dubai Media Office and other official sources.
To launch the new season, the station is hosting a day of live interviews with leaders, officials, and community figures who have played a role in its development. This event celebrates Radio Al Oula's long-standing relationships and its place as a platform for national expertise and discussion. The participation of senior government officials shows the importance given to media as a tool for public engagement and nation-building in the UAE.
Dubai's media scene is changing, but Radio Al Oula's twelfth season stands out for its focus on meaningful, locally relevant content. By choosing substance over spectacle, the station offers programming that supports identity and meets real community needs. This direction matches Dubai's broader efforts to encourage knowledge sharing and cultural preservation, as reported earlier in the city's urban innovation initiatives. For Dubai residents looking for media that reflects their lives and values, Radio Al Oula's new season is a timely update.
