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Supported by the Ministry of Culture and co-produced with Abu Dhabi Festival, the Emirati musical work embodies the values of coexistence and cultural diversity while earning international recognition
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – August 2026: Harmony Under One Sky, composed by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, Founder and President of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, has won the Best Fusion Music Award at the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards in Los Angeles, marking another international achievement that reflects the continued growth of the UAE’s music and cultural landscape and the increasing global presence of Emirati creative talent.
The project was supported by the UAE Ministry of Culture through the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity and co-produced with Abu Dhabi Festival, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between government entities, cultural institutions, and the artistic community in supporting creative talent and enabling Emirati cultural and artistic projects to reach international platforms.
Harmony Under One Sky was launched in 2025 in celebration of the Year of Community, reflecting its values of social cohesion, belonging, and collaboration. Through the universal language of music, the work presents these values while portraying the UAE’s diverse and harmonious society, where people of different nationalities and cultures come together in an environment founded on respect, tolerance, and coexistence.
The project brought together 75 musicians, 16 singers, 12 soloists, and three orchestras, with artists representing 17 countries, united under one artistic vision that demonstrates the ability of the arts to transcend linguistic and cultural differences and strengthen dialogue and human connection.
This international recognition reflects the UAE’s growing position as a regional hub for culture and creativity and a global meeting place for artists and creative professionals. It also highlights the role of national cultural institutions in supporting talent and empowering artists to present works that carry Emirati identity and values to audiences around the world.
Ministry of Culture: Empowering Creatives and Strengthening the Global Presence of Emirati Culture
The Ministry of Culture’s support for Harmony Under One Sky forms part of its ongoing efforts to develop the UAE’s cultural and creative sector, empower talent and creative professionals, and support artistic and cultural projects that contribute to strengthening the presence of the UAE and its creatives regionally and internationally.
Through the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, the Ministry continues to provide Emirati creatives with the support and opportunities needed to develop their projects and transform creative ideas into works capable of reaching wider audiences and enriching the UAE’s cultural landscape.
Statement from the Ministry of Culture
“The international recognition achieved by Harmony Under One Sky demonstrates what Emirati creativity can accomplish when provided with the right environment, support, and opportunities to reach global audiences.
“At the Ministry of Culture, we believe that empowering Emirati artists and creatives, and investing in their talent and creativity, represents a fundamental pillar in strengthening the UAE’s position as a global centre for culture and creativity and expanding the international presence of Emirati talent.
“Achievements such as this reaffirm the ability of the arts to transcend borders and cultures, build new bridges of communication and understanding, and present an image that reflects the UAE’s values of openness, diversity, and the spirit of coexistence that distinguishes its society.
“We congratulate artist Ihab Darwish, the Emirati Musicians’ Association, all participating musicians, and the project’s cultural partners on this achievement, which we are proud to see as an important addition to the UAE’s creative landscape and further evidence of the ability of Emirati creatives to compete and establish a presence on leading international platforms.”
Abu Dhabi Festival: A Partner in Supporting Artistic Excellence and Cultural Exchange
Abu Dhabi Festival participated in the co-production of Harmony Under One Sky, continuing its longstanding role in supporting artistic projects and creative talent, fostering dialogue and cultural exchange, and contributing to the development of the UAE’s music and arts landscape.
Her Excellency Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said:
“We congratulate Emirati composer Ihab Darwish on this well-deserved international achievement, which adds to the UAE’s growing record of creative excellence and demonstrates the ability of our creatives to carry the voice of the nation and its human values to the world.
“The recognition of Harmony Under One Sky with the Best Fusion Music Award at the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards in Los Angeles is a celebration of the power of music as a universal language that transcends borders, brings cultures together, and builds bridges of dialogue and understanding between people.”
Her Excellency added:
“We are proud of our partnership in producing this exceptional work, which brought together artists from 17 countries under one creative vision embodying the UAE’s approach to coexistence, diversity, and human connection.
“We firmly believe that empowering Emirati creatives, investing in their talent, and strengthening the UAE’s international cultural presence represents a sustainable investment in the future of our culture and contributes to reinforcing Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as a beacon of creativity and a global meeting place for cultures.”
“Harmony Under One Sky”: The Musical Voice of the Emirati Musicians’ Association
Harmony Under One Sky serves as the official flagship musical work of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, reflecting its mission to support musicians, strengthen connections within the music community, and harness the power of music to serve society, promote cultural exchange, and enhance social cohesion.
The work was composed by Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, Founder and President of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, as a musical expression of the cultural diversity that characterises the UAE, bringing together different voices, musicians, and cultures within one unified artistic experience.
Ihab Darwish said:
“Winning the Best Fusion Music Award for Harmony Under One Sky is an achievement that I am deeply proud of and one that I share with every musician, singer, soloist, orchestra, creative professional, and partner who believed in this project and contributed to its success. Although I composed the work, its true voice belongs to everyone who took part in bringing it to life.”
He added:
“The work was launched during the UAE’s Year of Community 2025 with the intention of creating a living musical portrait of society in the UAE — where people of different nationalities and cultures stand together on one stage and communicate through one universal language: music.”
Darwish continued:
“I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Culture for its support of Emirati creatives through the National Grant Programme for Culture and Creativity, and to Her Excellency Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis and Abu Dhabi Festival for their support and co-production of this project.
“I would also like to thank all members of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, as well as the musicians, singers, soloists, orchestras, and cultural partners who contributed to this journey. This achievement belongs to everyone who played a role in transforming this vision into reality.”
From the UAE to the World
The recognition of Harmony Under One Sky marks the culmination of a journey that began in the UAE during the Year of Community 2025 and went on to achieve international recognition in 2026, demonstrating the strength of collaboration and integration between government entities, cultural institutions, associations, artists, and musicians.
Through the support of the Ministry of Culture, the co-production of Abu Dhabi Festival, the role of the Emirati Musicians’ Association, and the participation of artists and musicians representing 17 countries, the project transformed the UAE’s cultural diversity into a shared artistic message capable of reaching audiences around the world.
The achievement further demonstrates the power of culture and the arts to build bridges of communication between people, while strengthening the UAE’s position as a nurturing environment for creativity, culture, and the arts, and as a global model for coexistence, diversity, and social cohesion.
Many cultures. Many voices. One sky that brings us together through music.