sami
True Ouddict
Mashallah mabrook and all the best Akhi!Assalamu Alaykum and Hello Everyone!
For as long as I can remember, scent has held a fascination for me, as I grew up in a culture that prizes fragrances and confers a deep sacred significance to their use and possession.
Since childhood, I have been surrounded by scents in the form of mysterious Ouds, fine perfumes, swirling bakhoor smoke and mukhallats and dreamed of becoming a perfumer in order to share my experiences and culture with others.
Alkhadra Oud was a short-lived project that I started last year to realise this vision and through it, I released a limited, but well-received selection of incenses and Oud oils (Alhambra and Kumathra V.). The success of this small venture was due to the support from some great customers who gave me a chance and bravely decided to try what I had to offer. They were not left disappointed and I am dearly indebted to all of them for the welcoming kindness they showed me. They trusted me enough to give me a chance, even while there were several other more well-known vendors that had a longer standing and history in the Oud world.
After the initial success, Alkhadra Oud had to be placed on hold while I focused on graduating from my degree in Mechanical Engineering which I accomplished last December. While completing my degree, I was constantly thinking about how things would play out after I relocated to my home country of Saudi Arabia. Alkhadra Oud was a product of my experiences with artisanal online Oud, but after being reintroduced to the Gulf Market, I was pleasantly surprised to see a wide variety of products, ranging from run-of-the-mill cultivated oils, to high end artisanal oils.
More important than the wares on offer over here in the Middle East, was the passion of the people for Oud that made a huge impression on me. It is difficult to describe in mere words, the integral part that Oud plays in people’s lives over here. It is a functional product that belongs on the skin and not the shelf and people over here cherish Oud by using it to it’s fullest extent. Even those who were considered to be connoisseurs enjoyed Oud to a much greater degree than I experienced in the West. One vendor who kindly showed me his favorite oils, offered me some and to my shock and amazement, literally swiped 3 huge swipes of it, liberally dowsing my wrist and sleeve in Oud oil. It was this moment that I understood, even their most precious Ouds were to be used, not to sit on a shelf and collect dust, unless it be for the purpose of ageing.
It got me thinking. What is the secret behind the central role that Oud occupies in the cultures of the Middle East? To me, the value we place on this precious oil is in the everyday role it plays in our lives and the unique way it provides a constant connection to the spiritual in an otherwise mundane existence. This reintroduction has been a humbling experience for me and also stirred deep nostalgia and respect for an ancient tradition that I had forgotten about.
These recent experiences have inspired me to collaborate with a couple of friends who share the same desires that I have. There is a word in Arabic that has characterised the creation of Middle Eastern scents throughout history until recent times. Namely, Ihsan, or in English, excellence of the higher order. Our mission is to faithfully re-kindle the ancient and famous Arab tradition of Oud and perfumery that emphasises the use and enjoyment of scent. To realise this vision, I am proud to announce the launch of Al Oud Al Hashimi, through which we will offer a genuine representation of the exquisite Arabian tradition of Oud and Perfumery, while refusing to comprise one iota on quality. We hope you will join us on our exciting new journey.
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