From a kitchen in Dubai to Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, the UAE-grown fragrance brand is building an international presence with a philosophy that places spirituality, culture and meaningful experiences at the heart of perfumery.
By Rajni Rani, Chief Editor, EmiratesReporter.com
Dubai, UAE– For Naila Rahim, founder of Light of Sakina, fragrance is far more than a combination of aromatic notes. It is an expression of spirituality, a connection with the soul and a way of bringing greater meaning into everyday life. What began as a personal journey in her kitchen around six years ago has grown into a UAE-based fragrance brand with a presence in some of Dubai’s prominent shopping destinations and ambitions to reach international markets.
Speaking to Emirates Reporter at Beautyworld Dubai 2026, Naila Rahim reflected on the journey of Light of Sakina, the cultural significance of fragrance in the Middle East and Asia, and her vision of taking the brand beyond the UAE.
The journey has been one of steady growth. From its beginnings at home, Light of Sakina expanded into Mall of the Emirates and Nakheel Mall before establishing a store at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue. Having built its presence primarily in the UAE, the brand is now preparing for its next phase, with international expansion becoming a key priority.
For Naila Rahim, however, this next chapter is about more than opening stores or reaching new customers. She believes the world needs greater soulfulness and a deeper connection with fragrance.
“I think the world needs Light of Sakina, needs scents for healing, needs a bit more soulfulness,” she said, explaining that the brand’s journey is not merely commercial but also connected to humanity.
When Fragrance Becomes a Spiritual Experience
At the heart of Light of Sakina is a distinctive understanding of scent. Rather than viewing perfumery simply as the creation of fragrances through individual notes and ingredients, Naila Rahim sees it as a medium that can connect with a person’s inner world.
“For me, scent is not just notes and perfumery. I see scent as a portal for spirituality,” she explained.
She believes fragrance can influence how people feel, help them connect with their emotions and offer a sense of spiritual grounding as they navigate their lives. This philosophy shapes the identity of Light of Sakina, giving its fragrances a purpose that extends beyond conventional perfumery.
The creative process behind the brand reflects this approach. Sometimes an idea begins with a scent; at other times, a story or concept comes first. As creative director, Naila Rahim develops concepts and narratives before collaborating with her founding team member, Samani, and the wider creative team to bring the ideas to life.
She also describes her creative inspiration as deeply connected to her faith, acknowledging Allah as the source of many of her ideas. The result, in her view, is a collaborative and harmonious process in which fragrance, storytelling and spirituality come together.
Bringing the Middle East’s Fragrance Heritage to the World
Light of Sakina’s identity is also closely connected to the rich fragrance traditions of the Middle East and Asia. Naila Rahim believes that the historical relationship between these regions and perfumery deserves greater recognition internationally.
She points to the long-standing place of scent in royal courts, palaces and cultural traditions across the region, arguing that fragrance has been an important part of its heritage for generations.
For her, taking Light of Sakina to international markets represents an opportunity to reconnect global audiences with these roots through a contemporary yet authentic perspective.
“This is a return to source,” she said, describing the brand’s ambition to share the region’s fragrance culture with the wider world.
At a time when consumers are exploring more distinctive and meaningful fragrance experiences, Light of Sakina aims to offer an identity shaped by its own philosophy and stories. Naila Rahim believes that authenticity is essential to creating a lasting connection with customers.
A Community Built on Shared Stories
The fragrance industry is a vast and diverse marketplace, bringing together brands with different creative approaches, traditions and identities. Yet Naila Rahim does not view the industry solely through the lens of competition.
Reflecting on her experience at Beautyworld, where she noted the presence of approximately 2,000 exhibitors, she spoke about the support and cooperation she has witnessed among fragrance entrepreneurs.
In her view, every brand has its own story and identity, leaving room for different voices to succeed and contribute to the industry.
Her perspective reflects the broader philosophy behind Light of Sakina: fragrance can be a means of connection rather than simply a product to be purchased. By celebrating individual stories and cultural influences, brands can contribute to a more diverse and collaborative fragrance community.
Dubai: A Home for Entrepreneurship and Ambition
Dubai has played a central role in Naila Rahim’s personal and entrepreneurial journey. Having called the city home for 25 years, she sees it as a place where people from different backgrounds can build businesses, pursue ambitions and turn ideas into reality.
She also recognises Dubai’s established relationship with the fragrance industry and its multicultural environment as important elements in the development of Light of Sakina.
As a woman founder, Naila Rahim believes the UAE offers an encouraging environment for female entrepreneurs, highlighting the support she has received from the community and the welcome extended to her brand at Dubai Mall.
Her message to aspiring women entrepreneurs is straightforward: take the opportunity, believe in the vision and work towards making it happen.
For Naila Rahim, entrepreneurship is not only about building a business but also about creating something meaningful while drawing strength from the environment and community around it.
WATCH NAILA RAHIM’S FULL CONVERSATION WITH EMIRATESREPORTER.COM-
Looking Ahead: A Global Journey with a Purpose
The next phase for Light of Sakina is expected to focus on international growth. Naila Rahim identified Saudi Arabia as a priority market, with a particular aspiration to establish a store in Medina. She also expressed interest in London and Malaysia, while indicating that an Oman store was expected to open soon, insha’Allah.
The brand’s experience at Beautyworld has further encouraged her ambitions. Naila Rahim said she had encountered visitors from countries including Poland, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan who expressed interest in Light of Sakina.
These interactions have strengthened her excitement about reaching audiences beyond the UAE and introducing the brand to new markets.
Looking towards the future, Naila Rahim described her hopes in terms of “more barakah, more abundance”. Her outlook reflects a belief that the right opportunities emerge through a combination of purpose, faith, collaboration and a willingness to grow.
As Light of Sakina moves towards its next chapter, its journey offers a perspective on how a homegrown UAE brand can build its identity around more than commercial ambition. By bringing together fragrance, cultural heritage, spirituality and personal storytelling, Naila Rahim is working to take a deeply personal vision to a wider international audience.
For Light of Sakina, the journey from a kitchen in Dubai to the global fragrance market is not simply about expanding its footprint. It is about sharing a philosophy in which scent becomes a language of the soul, connecting people with memories, meaning and the cultures from which fragrance traditions have emerged.
- AS TOLD TO EMIRATESREPORTER.COM
