Amina Saleh, Guardian of the Loom at Sharjah Heritage Days
Sharjah-10/2/2026
In a quiet corner of Sharjah Heritage Days, amid the hum of visitors and the rhythm of traditional music, Amina Saleh sits patiently at her loom. Her hands move with confidence and care, weaving threads into patterns shaped by memory, patience and time. For more than two decades, the loom has been her companion—and her way of keeping the past alive.
A specialist in traditional loom weaving, Amina practices both nazzal and sadu. While the two techniques differ in structure and method, she believes they share the same essence. “The final piece always carries the spirit of heritage,” she says, her eyes fixed on the threads taking shape beneath her fingers. “If you have no past, you have no present.”
Her journey with the loom began years ago, driven by curiosity that grew into commitment. Today, she presents her work proudly to visitors, explaining each step and each motif, aware that every question asked is a small victory for a craft she once feared might fade away.
That concern has not disappeared entirely. Amina admits she still worries about the future of loom weaving in a fast-paced, technology-driven world. Yet her optimism has grown in recent years, fuelled by increasing international interest in traditional crafts. Her participation in heritage festivals outside the UAE has shown her that handmade traditions still resonate across cultures and borders.
Education, she believes, offers the strongest thread of hope. Amina regularly takes part in workshops at schools and student festivals, where traditional crafts have become part of educational curricula. Watching young hands attempt their first stitches reassures her that heritage can adapt without losing its soul.
With quiet gratitude, she speaks of Sharjah’s long-standing commitment to culture and heritage. She offers heartfelt thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his continued support of cultural preservation and for celebrating diverse traditions, including Iraqi heritage. For Amina, Sharjah Heritage Days is more than a festival—it is a meeting place for cultures, stories and skills passed down through generations.
As visitors pause to watch her work, the loom continues its steady rhythm. In each woven piece lies a story of endurance, identity and care—threads guarded by hands that refuse to let them unravel.