The Art Maze – the first-ever art exhibition at the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s famous helipad – is being held from March 23 to March 27.
The show offers a new immersive art gallery experience. Hosted by artists Marcus Schaefer and Sacha Jafri, The Art Maze displays 30 oil and acrylic paintings that are inspired by 30 World Heritage Sites. UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The helipad is suspended 212 metres above sea level and has hosted a number of sporting and cultural events.
‘The Art Maze’ showcases 30 original paintings of Jafri that depict World Heritage Sites in a custom built 12-metre by 12-metre steel labyrinthine designed by Schaefer.
The Art Maze is an invite-only event for VIPs, celebrities, entrepreneurs, HNWI and art collectors.
The launch of the exhibition on the helipad sets off ‘The Art Maze World Tour’. The show will travel all across the globe over the next 24 months.
Schaefer said: “With this heartfelt project, I want to raise awareness, especially in uncertain times with a global pandemic and political instabilities, to remind and honour all people about the beauty of our world, nature, man-made monuments.”
Jafri said: “My vision and inspiration for my artworks for The Art Maze stems from the beauty, the spirit, the history and the anthropology of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Trying to depict the emotion of a culture, a building, a story, a vista, and most importantly, an energy, all inspired me to create this collection which is so special, almost spiritual and otherworldly. It has been an honour for me to celebrate these sites as part of UNESCO’s 50th Anniversary of World Heritage.”
Set against the backdrop of Khorfakkan’s mountains and coastline, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday inaugurated the new Khorfakkan Resort, a Dh700 million waterfront development designed to elevate tourism and lifestyle living on Sharjah’s east coast.
Stretching along Khorfakkan beach, the resort brings together 573 residential units, from one-bedroom apartments to spacious four-bedroom homes, many overlooking sweeping views of the sea, mountains, beach and city skyline.
Developed by Asas Real Estate, the project spans 330,000 square feet, with a built-up area reaching 1.4 million square feet, adding another landmark destination to the emirate’s growing hospitality and tourism portfolio.
What the resort features:
16 retail outlets
A private beach
Outdoor swimming pools
Elevated green spaces covering 100,000 square feet
Gym and sports facilities
Integrated hotel-style services
The luxury property is located close to Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and the city’s waterfall attraction, adding to its appeal for residents and visitors.
Officials said the project is expected to support Khorfakkan’s growing tourism sector while creating new investment opportunities through freehold ownership options.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed that June 30, 2026, is the final deadline for private sector companies with 50 or more employees to meet Emiratisation targets for the first half of the year.
Under current rules, companies must achieve a 1% increase in Emiratisation for skilled jobs by the end of June, with another 1% increase required in the second half of 2026.
Starting July 1, firms that fail to meet the required targets will face financial penalties.
The ministry urged companies not to wait until the last minute and encouraged employers to use the Nafis platform to connect with Emirati jobseekers across multiple sectors and specialisations.
Officials said more than 50 days remain before the deadline, giving companies time to speed up hiring plans and improve compliance.
Fake Emiratisation practices
The ministry also warned against fake Emiratisation practices, saying advanced monitoring systems powered by artificial intelligence are being used to detect violations and attempts to manipulate targets.
Companies found violating Emiratisation regulations could face penalties, downgrading of their classification status and legal action.
Compliant companies may benefit from incentives under the Nafis programme, including discounts on ministry service fees and priority within government procurement systems.
The UAE has launched Make it in the Emirates 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience and expand the country’s advanced industrial sector.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the platform reflects the UAE’s vision for a “more resilient and sustainable national industrial model”, with continued investment in industry, artificial intelligence and technology.
In a message shared on X, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE will continue to build strategic partnerships and strengthen local capabilities to boost global competitiveness.
The initiative comes as the UAE pushes to reduce dependence on global supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Officials said more than 150 strategic commodities have already been studied, with alternative sourcing plans identified to maintain supply during global disruptions.
A key goal of Make it in the Emirates 2026 is to encourage more local production inside the UAE while attracting industrial investment and advanced manufacturing technologies.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also attended the event in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the growing role of UAE-made products and Emirati talent in shaping the country’s industrial future.
The event has brought together around 1,200 exhibitors across 12 key sectors, including aerospace, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, mobility and sustainable materials.
