AR Rahman to illuminate Sharjah’s Mleiha Desert at Tanweer Festival 2025
Three-day event will blend music, art, mindfulness, and desert adventure
SHARJAH – The golden sands of Mleiha are set to come alive once again as the Tanweer Festival returns for its second edition from November 21 to 23, 2025.
Following a spectacular debut in 2024, the festival will unite music, art, and mindfulness in an immersive desert setting. Leading the line-up this year is two-time Academy and Grammy Award-winning composer AR Rahman, who will perform on the festival’s opening night.
Joining him are Grammy-nominated sitarist Anoushka Shankar and Tunisian-American artist Emel Mathlouthi, alongside a host of international musicians, visual artists, and performers, all set to transform the Mleiha desert into a sanctuary of creativity and reflection.
Tanweer Festival 2025
This year’s festival is themed ‘What You Seek Is Seeking You’, inspired by the timeless words of Rumi. Under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Tanweer Festival 2025 continues to promote unity through shared cultural and spiritual experiences.
The three-day event will feature performances across three stages – the Main Stage, the Heritage Stage, and The Dome and Marketplace – each designed to offer a distinctive journey through sound and art.
The line-up
Opening night will begin with Heritage Band Al Nadba, followed by a traditional call to gathering welcoming Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. Visual artist Julien Breton will present a mesmerising calligraphy light show before Palestinian singer Aya Khalaf takes the stage. The evening culminates with AR Rahman’s signature blend of Eastern classical melodies and contemporary rhythms beneath the desert sky.
Day two brings the hypnotic sitar sounds of Anoushka Shankar, accompanied by artists such as Sandu, Nuria Rovira Salat, and Hanan Halwany, while the final day will see performances by Emel, Ecuadorian pan flute virtuoso Leo Rojas, and Mongolian ensemble Khusugtun.
Beyond the music
Tanweer Festival 2025 extends beyond performances, offering an array of interactive workshops and adventures in nature. Guests can craft pottery with Eman Al Shamsi, experience Sound Healing with Marko, or explore ancient rhythms at the Daff Workshop with Miraz. The Breathwork session with Walid Aboulnaga promises a mindful reset amidst the dunes.
Visitors can also embark on a UNESCO Faya Palaeolandscape Tour, enjoy stargazing, or take part in horseback adventures and fossil rock safaris across the Mleiha National Park. Sustainable practices remain central to the event, with zero-waste dining and eco-friendly initiatives throughout.
Ticket details
Festival passes start from Dh400 for general admission to the Main Stage, with additional packages available on the official website.