UAE Portrait of a Nation: Emirati entrepreneur turns to the stage

Abdullah Al Mismari, who has appeared in an Egyptian movie and many Emiratis plays, looks forward to developing an artistic and business career. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

FUJAIRAH // An Emirati entrepreneur has made his way into acting with a mission to spread peace and love among his peers and Arab youth.

Abdullah Al Mismari, 28, was a second-year business administration student at the Higher College of Technology when he took the first steps in his acting career and took part in a play about a martyr’s mother.

“In 2007, I was one of the student council members at the college when they offered me the chance to participate in a play about a mother of a martyr. The idea of standing on stage in front of a huge audience was scary but once I was on stage all my fears fade away,” says Al Mismari.

“I didn’t have a single clue that one day I would show my hidden talents to people, as only my family knew about it back then.”

He used to gather his siblings and create plays at home.

“We used to prepare a screenplay and start practising between each other and, when we were ready, we gathered the rest of the family and performed,” he says.

His father and some of his uncles and cousins were known for their beautiful voices.

“I was raised in an artistic family who appreciate talents and played a major role in developing it.”

The young actor participated in five plays while studying for his business administration degree. The plays were organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development centres in Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Dibba.

“I was an active member in the acting team of the ministry centre in Fujairah,” says Al Mismari.

“In most of our plays we introduced moral values in a comic way that leaves the audience entertained in a fun and purposeful way.”

After graduation, he worked as an events organiser at Fujairah Cultural Centre.

“I started working at the centre in 2010 and now I have my own events management company in Fujairah that focuses on Emirati youth, teaching them how to organise and plan events, as well as do volunteer work in the emirate,” says Al Mismari.

In 2013, he received an offer to play a starring role along with other Arab actors from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon in a movie called Zohor Bakya.

“The movie was shot in Egypt and talked about immigrants and how their life would change after moving to another country. It will be released soon,” he says.

“It’s such a great privilege to work in a huge production with stars from across the region and represent my country while doing the thing that I like most.”

Al Mismari was recently appointed as ambassador of peace and love by an Arab culture and social association called Roh Al Hob, located in Egypt.

“I always address the concept of love and peace through my plays and stress it during the association’s workshops and conferences as I’m also their representative in the Emirates.

"I have an offer to participate in another movie that includes Egyptian and Emirati actors called Al Hob Al Mostahel – The Impossible Love – and will start filming soon.

“In the meantime I’m focusing on my events company and how to engage more Emirati students and graduates in this field.”