Khamsa

In a year where the official theme for Emirati Women’s Day is “Together, We Rise Stronger and Better,” Bvlgari continues its six-year tradition of celebrating the region’s women not just through jewelry, but through storytelling. This year, the Maison partners with cultural visionary Butheina Kazim to present كل ما تتمنين (The Girl I Needed), an original short film that redefines empowerment as a journey rather than a destination.

This summer, as the “ghurbatliye“—the diaspora—returned to our shores for their annual visit, a familiar, heavy topic inevitably surfaced. It was not one of joy or reunion, but of scrutiny. A pervasive shift has occurred in our societal fabric: a growing tendency to look down upon those who think or act differently. One Egyptian creator Hana (@hana.hassan on Tik Tok) has commented on her trip that she was called “bi2a or falahia”all the time.

There’s a particular kind of image that stops you; not because it’s beautiful, though it usually is, but because it feels like it already knows you. That’s the space Taqwa Bint Ali works in.

That’s the first thing you notice, and the thing that’s hardest to explain to someone who hasn’t been. There’s no rush to impress, no chasing of attention; just mountains that go from white to brown mid-drive, frankincense in the air before you’ve even asked what it is, and a kind of hospitality that treats a stranger like they were always meant to be at the table.

Spoiler: Yes. Let’s be honest, if you open any of my WhatsApp chats, you’ll find one thing in common: memes. I send them to my brother when I want to bully him with love. I send them to my lover at 2AM when I want to say “I miss you” without saying I miss you. I send them to my mom when I want to soften the blow of “I’m not coming to lunch.” Memes are my emotional currency. They are how I process the world. And yes, I make my own. Often. Proudly.

Freshest news from the region and beyond, straight to your screens. Egyptian masked pop star Tul8te and Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna have released “Haneish” (We’ll Live), a duet that serves as the centerpiece of Tul8te’s third studio album, Sadeek El Bernameg (Friend of the Program). Released this August 2026, the track brings together two of the Middle East’s most distinct modern sounds, blending Tul8te’s enigmatic, rhythmic style with Elyanna’s soaring vocals.

Summer in the region is defined by long, golden evenings where the heat breaks just enough to make stepping outside a delight. It’s the season of al fresco dining, candlelit terraces, and meals that linger well into the night. But finding the perfect spot, one that balances good food with an undeniably romantic or charming atmosphere, requires more than just a reservation; it requires curation.

Nobody in the group chat ever formally agrees on this. There’s no vote, no house meeting, no shared Notion doc titled “Roles.” And yet by day two of every single trip (when everyone has finally arrived from the multiple different destinations) the same system quietly clicks into place – the one that’s been running, unspoken, since the first time this group of people got on a plane together. We’ve tested it across a lot of terrain.

In the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo coast, Christian Louboutin has expanded his hospitality vision with two new villas at his celebrated Vermelho Melides hotel. Among them, La Salvada stands out as a private retreat designed for those seeking beauty, tranquillity, and inspiration. More than a place to stay, it’s a creative sanctuary where the designer’s flamboyant imagination meets the wild poetry of Melides. All Images are courtesy of La Salvada.

Discover a carefully curated selection of great destinations with this edition of KHAMSA Discover This week on KHAMSA Discover, we explore exquisite locations that are some of nature’s best gifts to us. With their picturesque views, serene landscapes, and refreshing auras, these places are definitely bucket list material. Located in China, the Zhangye Danxia Geopark is a treat for the eyes.