{
  "id": 2580273,
  "title": "Thousands of healthcare workers create giant Onam Pookalam in Abu Dhabi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/thousands-of-healthcare-workers-create-giant-onam-pookalam-in-abu",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T12:38:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/thousands-of-healthcare-workers-create-giant-onam-pookalam-in-abu-dhabi-1.500648972"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over 1,000 healthcare workers from 35 nationalities collaborated at Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi to create a massive Onam Pookalam, a traditional Kerala floral carpet. This year, the artwork carried a powerful message of resilience and strength, featuring a portrait of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The central theme read, \"The UAE is strong and resilient and emerging stronger,\" reflecting the leadership's confidence and the unity of the country.\n\nThe Pookalam symbolized the UAE's journey from its heritage to a bright future. Design elements contrasted traditional camel rides with modern Etihad Rail, representing the nation's progress. The floral design also showcased unity and care, highlighting healthcare professionals' significant role in contributing to the artwork.\n\nFor the nearly 1,000 participants, the event mirrored the UAE's values of resilience, unity, and progress. Dr. Mujtaba Ali Khan, CEO of BMC, emphasized how the diverse group of participants demonstrated the UAE's strength and shared sense of belonging. Dr. Malcolm Borg, a British national and consultant in emergency medicine, spoke of the personal significance of resilience in healthcare.\n\nOnam, traditionally a festival of renewal and hope, resonated with the UAE's story of overcoming challenges while advancing. The giant Pookalam became a vibrant portrait of the country's promising future, embodying the UAE's commitment to its core values.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Over 1,000 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have come together at Burjeel Medical City (BMC) in Abu Dhabi to create a giant Onam Pookalam, but this year, the colourful floral carpet carries a message that goes beyond the festival. Spread across 250 square metres and completed in almost 20 hours, the traditional Kerala floral artwork has featured a prominent portrait of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}