In celebration of World Music Day, which falls on 21 June each year, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library hosted an exceptional atmosphere filled with inspiration, as young Emirati pianist Ahmed Al Hashmi performed unique musical compositions that drew the admiration and awe of the audience with his remarkable performance at the piano. He showcased his talent as a person of determination, embodying in that experience how challenge can be transformed into creativity, and music into a message of hope that transcends the boundaries of difference.
Al Hashmi spoke in short, confident sentences that reflected his self-assurance and introduced him in the fullest sense: "I am proud to be an Emirati pianist and composer with determination, and even prouder to be a positive example that children of determination can dream, achieve, and inspire. My message to every mother who feared for her child, and to every child who felt the road was hard: do not be afraid to be different, for your difference may be the very door that leads you to excellence."
Al Hashmi, who lives with autism, has managed — despite the challenges he has faced — to overcome many difficulties that could have hindered the emergence of his singular musical talent. Instead, he turned that challenge into a strength and an opportunity that helped refine his creativity and enhance his artistic presence.
He is considered the first Emirati child of determination on the autism spectrum to compose award-winning musical pieces and perform internationally. Music marked a turning point in Al Hashmi's life: it helped him express himself, reveal his capabilities and the depth of his personality, and develop his talents for life and communication. He has gone from someone who struggled to express himself through words to someone who eloquently conveys his feelings, thoughts, and concerns through music.
He has excelled to the point of winning international and local awards, including a prize from UNESCO in Paris, along with more than 30 other awards. He has participated in numerous international festivals, performed on local and international stages, and presented compositions that have won great admiration from music lovers.
Al Hashmi's story began within a loving family that embraced his talent from an early age and regarded autism as a difference in personality rather than an obstacle or deficiency in ability — which strengthened his self-confidence and gave him space to create. This family support helped shield him from the hesitation or anxiety that can accompany being different, particularly in childhood, and he grew up confidently repeating: "I am different, but I am no less than anyone else."
Al Hashmi grew up in a home that had a toy piano, and he would spend his childhood pressing its keys at random — a scene that appeared at first to be nothing more than innocent play. This continued until his mother noticed him and took the initiative to guide him and teach him the first two pieces he mastered: "Happy Birthday to You" and the UAE national anthem. From that moment, the contours of his talent began to take shape, the doors of music opened before him, and he embarked on his journey with the piano, moving from spontaneous play to deliberate solo performance.
Ahmed Al Hashmi's record includes participation in many prestigious international and Arab festivals, among them the Arab Music Festival in Cairo alongside artist Ali Al Haggar, as well as other festivals in Egypt, in addition to participations in South Korea, Azerbaijan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Canada, and Italy. He has also performed at various concerts and events, including official celebrations and jazz festivals. Al Hashmi dreams of his music spreading on a global scale and reaching different cultures and people everywhere; he also hopes that a film will be produced to document his inspiring journey, so that it may serve as a source of inspiration for children and their families.
Through his story, he hopes to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorder and to deliver a message of hope to children of determination and their families — that challenges can be transformed into opportunities for success and creativity.