Woman of the Year hopeful is a hit in Dubai

AWARD hope . . . Ismat “Izzty” abidi, originally from Oldhan, has been shortlisted in the Emirates Woman of the Year Award

A MUSIC lover with Oldham roots is hitting the right notes in the United Arab Emirates.


Ismat “Izzy” Abidi, who now lives in Dubai, has been shortlisted in the visionary category for the Emirates Woman magazine’s Woman of the Year Award.

Izzy founded Freshly Ground Sounds in November 2013, a small collective of local musicians. Since then it has flourished to become a UAE-wide platform for independent music.

The 29 year old also helps to coach young musicians and exchanges ideas with other musicians.

Before moving to Abu Dhabi, Izzy lived in Firwood Park, Chadderton and went to Hulme Grammar School until 1992. After graduating from the London School of Economics, she moved to Dubai.

Her goal is to create a community-based creative platform in the UAE, not only for the local residents, but also to put Dubai on the map as a city with a thriving cultural hub.

“Winning this award would be a significant milestone for the UAE’s art and culture scene. It would really shine a spotlight on the city’s galleries, designers, musicians, photographers, start-ups and entrepreneurs.”

Izzy comes back to visit her relatives in Oldham each year, with her most recent visit just a fortnight ago.

Her cousin Kashif Ashraf, from Oldham Business Leadership Group, said: “I’m proud that she has been nominated. She doesn’t realise how much of an inspiration she is.

Voting closes at the end of the month and the winners will be announced at a later date.