Fatima Al Hashimi and Ina Chareli Bring Classical and Arabic Music Together

Two virtuoso musicians create an evening of rarified fusion, melding the classical tradition with the melodic richness of Arabia.

The meeting of musical traditions is a conversation conducted across centuries. When two accomplished musicians sit down to perform together, especially when their training and heritage spring from different wells, something unexpected emerges in the space between them. On an evening in December, the stage at Zayed National Museum will hold such a conversation, as Fatima Al Hashimi and Ina Chareli come together for a performance that honours both classical refinement and the complex, deeply rooted traditions of Arabic music.

This is not merely a programme of alternating styles, but rather a genuine fusion, a meeting where each musician respects and enhances the other’s language. The evening promises to reveal the unexpected resonances that exist between these two worlds, the harmonic possibilities that open when virtuosity meets cultural openness, and the beauty that emerges when skilled performers choose to listen as much as to play.

The Musicians

Fatima Al Hashimi brings to the stage a deep connection to Arabic musical heritage, her artistry rooted in the sophisticated traditions of the region. Her mastery of classical Arabic instruments and vocal technique represents years of devoted study and refinement. Ina Chareli, meanwhile, approaches the evening as a classically trained musician whose work has demonstrated a genuine commitment to musical dialogue across boundaries. Together, they have chosen to create something that neither could perform alone, a collaboration that demands both artists surrender to the possibility of genuine artistic exchange rather than mere accommodation of difference.

The Venue

Zayed National Museum stands as one of Abu Dhabi’s most significant cultural institutions, a building whose architecture and design reflect the emirate’s commitment to preserving and celebrating its heritage whilst embracing contemporary artistic expression. Its spaces are designed for moments of genuine cultural encounter, and the venue’s acoustic and spatial qualities make it an ideal setting for music that demands both intimacy and resonance.

What to Expect

Over ninety minutes, the programme will unfold as a journey between two musical worlds, creating new pathways where audiences might not have expected them to exist. The evening sits comfortably within the broader landscape of global contemporary music, where artists increasingly reject the idea of hermetically sealed traditions in favour of genuine artistic dialogue. This is music made by musicians who have chosen to challenge themselves, to venture into unfamiliar territory and to trust in the universal language that exists beneath all cultural expression.

When and Where

The performance takes place on Monday 7 December 2026 from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM at Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. The venue is easily accessible and located in the heart of the capital’s cultural district.

Tickets and Admission

Admission is by ticket. Tickets are available online through the venue’s official booking channels, allowing audiences to secure their place for an evening that promises to be thoughtful, surprising and deeply rewarding.

For those who value music as a genuine medium of cultural understanding, this performance represents something increasingly rare: an occasion where two accomplished artists have chosen authentic dialogue over surface level eclecticism, creating an evening that will challenge expectations and expand understanding of what music can be when borders are crossed with intention and skill.

On Simply Luxury: Zayed National Museum