{
  "id": 5052514,
  "title": "Meet the two Emirati sisters from Al Ain turning UAE landmarks into building sets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/meet-the-two-emirati-sisters-from-al-ain-turning-uae-landmarks-into",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T08:15:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/people/meet-the-two-emirati-sisters-from-al-ain-turning-uae-landmarks-into-building-sets-1.500660442"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two Emirati sisters from Al Ain, Jawaher AlBlooshi and Reem AlBlooshi, have created the UAE's first building block brand called AlRon. The sisters describe AlRon as the first brand to feature UAE landmarks and symbols through LEGO-like building sets. Their first two releases are Shaheen, a set depicting Abu Dhabi's crest, and Desert Falcon, a model of the UAE Air Force's F-16.\n\nThe sisters' journey began when they were building a Taj Mahal set together and realized there were no dedicated building sets exploring UAE's symbols and identity. They chose the name AlRon, which means intensity or force in Arabic, to reflect the depth of Emirati identity and their determination to carry the country's stories forward. Before starting AlRon, both sisters worked regular jobs but had always wanted to create something together.\n\nThe sisters have no background in toy making, but they decided to pursue their vision of building a brand that showcases UAE's heritage. They emphasize that their sets are designed to be both enjoyable to build and collect. Each set comes with a booklet detailing the history of the UAE landmark or symbol, giving the building experience more meaning. The sisters assemble every early prototype themselves to ensure clear instructions, stability, and enjoyment throughout the building process.\n\nAlRon sets are priced at Dh250, with the sisters aiming to make the brand accessible while still feeling special. The sets are designed to be enjoyed by various ages, allowing children to build while adults appreciate the detail, story, and finished piece. The sisters credit trust and shared taste as their main advantages of working together, while openly discussing ideas and balancing work with personal time as their main challenges.",
  "summary": "Dubai: It started with a Taj Mahal. Two sisters from Al Ain, a pile of bricks, an afternoon spent assembling somebody else's landmark, and a fairly obvious question hanging over the table: where were the sets about UAE? Out of that came AlRon, which Jawaher AlBlooshi and Reem AlBlooshi describe as the UAE's first building block brand. Their first two releases are Shaheen, a 455-piece rendering 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."
}