Two craftswomen standing in golden grassland beside black-and-pink woven sculptures

Irthi’sworld

Our beginning

Every great achievement begins with an idea

Irthi is a shining example. Born from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and championed by his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Irthi proudly celebrates the creativity of Emirati women.

Today, the Council brings this creativity to the global cultural stage, equipping women with the skills to excel, lead, and carry forward this remarkable legacy.

Craftswomen seated under a large ghaf tree weaving palm fronds

Five Emirati craftswomen in abayas and burqas standing in a mountain valley among black-and-pink Safeefa sculptures

Portrait of a smiling Emirati craftswoman wearing a burqa

Craftswomen beside a vintage green bus under palm trees

Craftswomen standing in a desert valley among black-and-pink woven columns

Living heritage

Not relics — stories waiting to be told

Our crafts are rooted in Emirati culture. They are not relics of the past, but enduring narratives that continue to inspire and find new life in the present.

They are the heritage passed down to us by our parents and grandparents, who lived on this land and shaped it through the ages.

Beyond the UAE

The Council’s impact reaches far beyond the United Arab Emirates — spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and Central Asia.

Through vocational and technical training, community development initiatives and skills exchange programmes, it is shaping a new generation aware of its responsibilities.

It champions the vital need to spread awareness of cultural identity throughout society, and celebrates the unique character of handcrafted products.

A pioneering institution dedicated to shaping the future of traditional crafts and preserving the enduring legacy of the UAE for generations to come.

“Our crafts… our identity”

Our crafts are the roots of our identity, and a bridge linking our present to our past. Preserving them is not an option but a cultural and national duty — an ethical commitment to future generations, ensuring they inherit a living legacy rich in authenticity.

Irthi’s mission

Authenticity, combined with innovation

Preserve & develop

A comprehensive vision to preserve and develop Emirati heritage. The Council sustains traditional crafts and enhances artisans’ skills, while conducting specialised research and documentation — academically and visually, using modern tools — to safeguard knowledge and give it a contemporary presence.

ii.

Transfer knowledge

Knowledge transfer as a bridge connecting generations and cultures — sharing expertise and providing environments that enable young craftswomen to learn, develop and innovate, and empowering them through advanced training that builds capability, confidence and competitive skills.

iii.

Sustain livelihoods

Craft-based projects that provide sustainable income for craftswomen and strengthen their role in society — connecting crafts to local and global markets and building strategic partnerships, while preserving their authenticity and cultural roots.

“إن حِرفنا التراثية هي الإرث الذي تركه لنا أجدادنا، ويتوجب علينا حمايتها والحفاظ عليها للأجيال القادمة”

سمو الشيخة جواهر بنت محمد القاسمي، مؤسسة المجلس

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