News

Anghami Lab Venue To Bridge Digital And Traditional Entertainment

The Dubai venue is scheduled to open in early 2022.

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2021

Joanna Melki

Anghami

During the last year and a half, we’ve seen more concerts canceled than performed. Unable to entertain their fans in person, many artists have embraced modern digital alternatives, taking full advantage of social media and music streaming platforms. But it seems that the entertainment industry is finally ready for reopening because Anghami, the leading digital distribution company in the Arab world, has announced its plan to bridge digital and traditional entertainment with its innovative entertainment venue named Anghami Lab.

The new venue will open in the heart of Dubai, and it will feature a studio where artists can work on their music and a venue where they can perform it. The resulting music will then be available for streaming on the Anghami app (available on Windows, Symbian, Windows Phone, Linux, BlackBerry OS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, OS X, MeeGo, and even PlayStation 4).

To give visitors one more reason to come in, Anghami has partnered with Addmind, the region’s market leader in hospitality, to serve a fusion of Arabic and International recipes that represent the different flavors of music available on the Anghami app.

“We are excited to partner with Addmind to create this unique, transformational experience for our users,” said Eddy Maroun, co-founder and CEO of Anghami. “Anghami Lab is an amazing and unique concept that embodies our rich Arab culture with an international twist, which we are thrilled to bring to fruition and scale,” added Tony Habre, CEO of Addmind.

Also Read: Anghami Review: The MENA’s Favorite Music Streaming Service

The Dubai venue is scheduled to open in early 2022, and more venues are planned to open not long after in Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Beirut, London, New York, Los Angeles, and other global cities.

The announcement of Anghami Lab comes ahead of the proposed merger with Vistas Media Acquisition Company, a special purpose acquisition company. The goal of the merger is to list Anghami on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Related Topics:Anghami Dubai United Arab Emirates

Up Next

Yela Secures Over $2M To Connect Fans & Celebrities Via Video Messages

Don't Miss

AI-Powered App Can Tell You How Your Cat Is Feeling

Click to comment

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.