Dubai, UAE – A celebration of Emirati theatre and literary achievement took place at the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation on Saturday, February 16th, 2026, honoring veteran actor Ahmed Al Jasmi. The event featured both the launch of a new biography, “Ahmed Al Jasmi… The Extraordinary Ambassador,” and a performance of the play “Baba” by the Sharjah National Theatre.
The evening began with a discussion surrounding the biography, penned by theatre critic Abdulilah Abdul Qader. Abdul Qader detailed the process of documenting Al Jasmi’s career, tracing his journey from early beginnings to his current standing as a prominent figure in Emirati theatre. He highlighted key works and collaborations with significant directors throughout Al Jasmi’s career. Al Jasmi himself offered reflections on his artistic path and the evolution of the theatrical landscape in the United Arab Emirates, expressing gratitude to the Al Owais Foundation for its recognition through the publication of the book and the honoring of Abdul Qader as a significant theatrical figure.
Following the discussion, both Abdulilah Abdul Qader and Ahmed Al Jasmi signed copies of “The Extraordinary Ambassador” for a large audience. The book is part of the “Figures from the Emirates” series published by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, a project dedicated to documenting the lives and contributions of influential Emirati personalities across various fields, including science, literature and the arts.
The second half of the evening was dedicated to a performance of “Baba,” a play written, directed, and designed by Mohammed Al Amiri. The production featured a cast including Ahmed Al Jasmi, Abdullah Masoud, Amani Bal’aj, Abdullah Al Khadeem, Hamid Abdullah, and Mohammed Al Ashti. Described as an aesthetically compelling work that engages with philosophical themes, “Baba” marks a significant addition to the Sharjah National Theatre’s repertoire.
The event, held at the Al Owais Cultural Foundation’s theatre in Dubai, drew a substantial audience eager to celebrate Al Jasmi’s contributions to the arts. The foundation hosted the event on February 14th, 2026, according to announcements made earlier in February.
