General

Islamic New Year holiday for private sector in UAE

ABU DHABI, 19th August, 2019 — Marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has declared Muharram 1st, 1441, an official holiday with full pay for all private sector employees in the UAE.

Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, extended his sincerest greetings and blessings to the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses, the Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates.

He also congratulated the government, Emiratis and residents of the UAE on this glorious occasion and wished further progress and prosperity to the UAE and to Arab and Islamic nations.

The announcement is made based on a relevant Council of Ministers Resolution.

Middle East’s first dinosaur skeleton auction initial value of AED 14 million to be held in Dubai

DUBAI,16th August 2019 (WAM) – A massive 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton will be up for grabs for lovers of rare collectibles as Emirates Auction announced it will organize the Middle East’s first auction to sell the giant dinosaur skeleton.

The online auction will be staged by Emirates Auction, the leading company in the field of auctions in the Middle East which specialises in organising and managing public and electronic auctions, at a starting value of Dhs 14.6 million and will end on August 25.

The 24.4-meter-long by 7-meter-high skeleton, which dates back to the Jurassic period, is the first of its kind in the world to be installed at the Dubai Mall. Back then the 25-year-old dinosaur weighed up to five elephants and was one of the long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs and has a tail tapering to a long, thin whip-like end to defend itself against predators.

The dinosaur belongs to the Diplodocus longus variety, deriving it from the Greek words “diplos,” meaning “double,” and “dokos” meaning “beam.” Interestingly, the displayed bones belonging to the same auctioned animal, which makes it exceptionally special. In addition, nearly 90 per cent of the fossil’s bones are original, making it a stunning discovery in the history of palaeontology.

The remains of the adult dinosaur were discovered in a sleeping position in 2008 at the Dana Quarry in the US state of Wyoming.

The auction will be an ideal opportunity for those looking for excellence to supplement their collections with a historic masterpiece rarely found around the world.

Liwa To Protect wild plants

LIWA, 15th August, 2019 — The Liwa City Services Division launched a range of initiatives to protect wild plants in the desert and promote cultivation of the rare desert plants found in Liwa.

The initiatives included the establishment of a wild plant nursery in Liwa, on an area of 313,960-square metres. The first phase of the nursery covers an area of 900-square metres and hundreds of thousands of wild plants will be cultivated at the nursery, which supplies official and non-official authorities and individuals.

The nursery cultivates over 20 species of wild plants, such as arta, thamam, ghadeh, marsh, tribe, hala, hanga and ghaf. It also collects and classifies seeds.

The division, represented by the region’s planning, community relations, parks and entertainment facilities administration, recently implemented numerous initiatives, including the distribution of 1,000 ghaf seedlings during the Liwa Dates Festival, to encourage local people to cultivate indigenous plants.

Shortest, longest fasting days in UAE during Ramadan 2019

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department at Government of Dubai called on all residents of Burj Khalifa and other tall towers to mind the time difference depending on the floor they are living on.

Apparently, it has become a popular fact in recent year that Dubai’s skyscraper residents have to fast slightly longer than others, up to 6 minutes more before breaking their fast.

The department issued a circular saying that residents who stay between 60th and 120th floor will fast for 4 minutes more than others in Dubai.

The time difference at such heights will result in dawn prayers being held 2 minutes earlier than the rest of Dubai, and will delay sunset and evening prayers by another 2 minutes.

Moreover, the department added that people who live on 121st floor and higher, will have to fast 6 minutes more, as the dawn prayer will be 3 minutes earlier, and sunset and evening prayers will be 3 minutes later than normal timings on the ground below.

The Ramadan calendar prepared by the department revealed that the shortest fasting period will be on the first day of Ramadan, as the dawn prayer will be at 4:16 AM, and sunset prayer at 6:55PM.

On the other hand, the longest fasting period will be on the last day of Ramadan, where the dawn prayer will be at 4:59 AM and sunset at 7:09PM.

Ramadan moon sighting panels convene in Gulf countries

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on its citizens and residents to inform the nearest court if they spot the Ramadan crescent with a naked eye or through binoculars on Saturday, May 4.

For the purpose, the Supreme Court has issued an online statement which read: “The ministry invites citizens and residents to explore the vision of the holy month of Ramadan for this year on Saturday Sha’ban 29, 1440 – May 4, 2019. If the moon was not visible then look for it on Sunday, Sha’ban 30, 1440 – May 5, 2019.”

The court also urged people who spot the crescent to join the committees formed in the area for this purpose.

Bahrain
The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has announced that with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, the moonsighting Panel will convene today (May 4) at the council’s meeting hall to receive news and testimonies on seeing the crescent in Bahrain or other Islamic countries.

The council called in its statement on anyone who has information about seeing the crescent to contact immediately the panel.

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What factors should you consider with Arabic translations?

Arabic can be considered as one of the oldest languages that you can find out there in the world. It is also referred to as a holy language. You will be able to find Arabic writings in the museums that are scattered all around the world.

From the recently conducted statistical experiments, it has been identified that more than 200 million people who live out there in the world speak Arabic language. People who speak Arabic can be found in every country out there in the world as well. Hence, you will come across the need to go for Arabic translations in a variety of instances.

When you want to get such services, you are strongly encouraged to go ahead with the Arabic online translation services company Protranslate.net. Then you will be able to make sure that you are receiving the best translation services that you want.

When you do a simple research on the internet, you will come across thousands of Arabic translators. However, all those Arabic translators are not in a position to help you with getting a high quality translation job done. That’s mainly because Arabic is a complicated language and a special understanding is required to get a perfect translation job done. In fact, only the people who were born in Arabic speaking countries will be able to help you with getting such a perfect translation job done at the end of the day.

Due to this reason, you need to double check and verify that your translations service provider is offering the translation services that you want along with the assistance of professional translators, who are from the Arabic speaking countries. They are not just familiar with the Arabic languages. They have a clear understanding about the Arabic vocabulary. In addition, they know how to use the Arabic slangs and dialects. With this, you will be provided with a superior translation job at the end of the day. Your translations would read naturally as well.

UAE hotel rates ‘out of sync’ with global prices, says Dubai Properties

Hotels in the UAE will no longer be able to charge guests $1,000 a night for a ‘mediocre room’ according to the vice president of hospitality asset management at Dubai Properties Hotels in the UAE have been overcharging guests as local rates have been ‘out of sync’ with global room prices, leading to increased discounts in the market, according to the vice president of hospitality asset management at Dubai Properties Group.

Speaking to Arabian Business at the Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit (GIOHIS), Stuart Etherington said hotels in the UAE will no longer be able to charge guests $1,000 a night for a ‘mediocre room’ as the market matures and discounts decrease. “If we look at the UAE as a business marketplace, we’ve seen a discount culture in the last 3, 4 years primarily because we’ve been out of sync with what the market is paying globally. If we start to look at the maturity of our industry, and the maturity of the guests coming in, we won’t discount,” Etherington said. “We just need to price accordingly.

No longer will you be able to charge $1,000 a night to stay in a mediocre room in a B-grade location just because we’re the UAE.” While new hotels with various price points have generally lowered market rates, Etherington said some hotels have maintained their rates. “What we’re seeing is diversification in our market.

The market itself is maturing. What we’re seeing is diversification within multiple channels, with 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels coming. This is statistically driving our rates down because of the blend, however, it’s not all doom and gloom out there,” he said. “A 5-star hotel on a beach is still a 5-star hotel on a beach, and is still achieving similar rates it was achieving 5 years ago,” he added.

Dubai Properties Group is part of the Dubai Holding Company, a global investment conglomerate which operates across 12 countries and includes the Jumeirah Group, which is known for iconic projects such as the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Al Naseem.

Pearl of Sharjah Project in Sir Bu Nair Island launched

SHARJAH, 6th January, 2019 — Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority, EPAA, Emirates Nature-WWF, and the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, EMEG, have launched the Pearl of Sharjah project on Sir Bu Nair Island, a three-year project aimed at preserving the island’s marine ecosystems, a natural biodiversity reserve to raise awareness about the environmental, cultural and heritage of the island.

This came during a community launch for Sir Bu Nair Project, and was well-attended, as it raised awareness about Sir Bu Nair’s environmental, cultural and traditional significance.

Regarding the project, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, declared Sir Bu Nair Island a protected nature reserve in 2000. Formerly a haven for pearl divers and fishermen, this island is of ecological, historical, cultural and political significance.

“The goal is to use Sir Bu Nair Island as a model for the management of the UAE’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We also plan to emphasise the socio-economic and ecological benefits of conserving marine environments. This project will benefit the environment, society and future generations of Emiratis,” explained Mrs. Al Suwaidi.

At the launch, the public was invited to upload images to Instagram using the hashtag #pearlofsharjah. These images were then used to create a digital mosaic of the pearl-shaped island. One of the participants was given an opportunity to win 2 tickets to Sir Bu Nair Festival to witness the natural legacy of the Pearl of Sharjah. The attendees thanked EPAA, Emirates Nature-WWF and EMEG for organising the event, which gave them an opportunity to learn about Sir Bu Nair Island and its ecosystems.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, who was present on the day of the event, said, “We are thrilled to have joined the Sharjah community with EPAA and EMEG on Friday to shine the spotlight on Sir Bu Nair island and share details of our exciting new expedition. Our research in the field will commence in early 2019 with exploration and surveying of critical marine species and habitats, including sharks, rays, fish, birds and corals. Our aim is that our efforts on Sir Bu Nair will be showcased as a national blueprint for Marine Protected Area Management in the UAE”.

Recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, SBN Island has rich and diverse habitats and species, including turtles, birds and coral reefs.

Dubai shoppers guide for 2019 events

The calendar showcases 18 events spread over 247 days, versus 12 events over 178 days in 2018.

The Department of Economic Development and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment have jointly announced the 2019 Retail Calendar. Featuring more city-wide events, activities and experiences throughout 2019, the calendar showcases 18 events spread over 247 days, versus 12 events over 178 days in 2018.  These events also offer broader and more diverse range of product categories and brand segments, while raising competitiveness in the global retail market. So, it’s time to get the pen or open your app and mark your calendar.

26 Dec 2018 – 2 Feb 2019

DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL (DSF)

The Dubai Shopping Festival was launched in 1996 and is a global attraction today, offering an unbeatable combination of shopping, winning and family entertainment to visitors from all over the world.  Celebrating its 24^thanniversary, DSF 2019 will offer Dubai’s residents and visitors rewarding shopping experiences including the opportunity to win mega prizes and watch concerts, musicals and shows.

4 – 12 January

RUSSIAN HOLIDAY

This is a new retail initiative with the objective of increasing spend and driving visitation from Russians and the resident community. It is the perfect opportunity for Russians to avail of timely shopping savings for the festive & holiday season.

3 – 13 February

CHINESE NEW YEAR (CNY)

Dubai is a fantastic place to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The celebration includes activities such as launching Union-credit discounts targeting Chinese visitors in partnership with key retailers, hosting events targeted at Chinese visitors, concentrating offers on high valueadded luxury deals that are highly appealing to Chinese visitors.

21 February – 9 March

DUBAI FOOD FESTIVAL

Dubai Food Festival is the only truly citywide food festival in the Middle East. Held every year, it celebrates Dubai’s emergence as a gastronomic destination. The festival offers a calendar of exciting food-related events and promotions, highlighting Dubai’s unique food scene, its personalities, world-class dining experiences, F&B outlets, plus exclusive deals on kitchen and dining segments.

28 Feb-16 Mar / 8-24 Sep

COLLECTION LAUNCHES

The Collection Launches are inspired by fashion trends. This period of activation is to position Dubai as the destination that offers the most ‘up-to-date’ shopping proposition, where consumers are likely to see the most exclusive products and have the opportunity to be the first ones in the region to own looks that are fresh ‘off-the-runway’. Spring/Summer collection is from Feb. 28 to March 16, while fall/ winter is from September 8-24.

18 April – 1 May

HOME FESTIVAL

This Home Festival will provide a great platform to offer fantastic savings on a range of home furnishing products, as well as boost the overall home ware retail category. The home wares segment will be activated through engaging with home stores in the city who will create special promotions.

5 May – 8 June

RAMADAN AND EID IN DUBAI

Ramadan in Dubai is a time of enlightenment and reflection. This special period calls for cultural activities, family gatherings as well as gifts for the near and dear. While Eid in Dubai which follows the holy month brings a great deal of buzz and excitement, featuring retail promotions at malls and souks, as well as special holiday packages offered by hotels across the city.

(Eid Al Fitr – From 1^st Day of Eid till 8 June)

(Eid Al Adha – 12 – 15 August)

 21 June – 3 August

DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES (DSS)

In the summer season, Dubai Summer Surprises presents wonderful experiences for residents and visitors alike with amazing bargains and incredible entertainment throughout the city. This summer shopping extravaganza offers everything from spend-and-win promotions to exciting competitions, plus daily deals featuring world-famous brands at unbeatable prices, entertainment and much more.

16 Aug – 7 Sep

BACK TO SCHOOL

Back to School is an exciting time of year, and parents can share in their children’s enthusiasm. This season positions Dubai as the best place to do back to school shopping and also encourages parents to spend time with kids while teaching them smart shopping habits.

18 Oct – 2 Nov

DIWALI

The Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a time for celebration, family and positivity. The festival is a period for gift giving and shopping, with many of Dubai’s top retailers offering exciting shopping promotions on gold & jewelry, bridal wear, fashion accessories and home décor.  The city’s shopping malls and entertainment destinations put on an array of festive themed events and activities.

18 Oct – 16 Nov

DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE

The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a city movement towards health and happiness for all with an action-packed public engagement programme that includes fitness events, classes, sporting activities, plus exciting deals and promotions across a wide range of retail, sports and fitness providers, and healthy F&B concepts.

18 Oct – 2 Nov

DIWALI

The Indian Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a time for celebration, family and positivity. The festival is a period for gift giving and shopping, with many of Dubai’s top retailers offering exciting shopping promotions on gold & jewelry, bridal wear, fashion accessories and home décor.

The city’s shopping malls and entertainment destinations put on an array of festive themed events and activities.

12-14 December

GIFTING WEEKEND

Gifting weekend is a pre-festive event aimed at increasing spend as well as the footfall across Dubai and allowing the visitors as well as the resident community to have a wide range of gifts at special promotions.

3-DAY SUPER SALE

Dubai aspires to retain its top position and ranking as an important international shopping destination. Among the many initiatives that supports this endeavor is the Super Sale weekend. This aims to increase spend and boost tourism from shopping oriented segment with discounts from 25 to 90 per cent on an array of items.

New UAE visa rules ease the transi entry and 6 months visa

The Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted a number of visa facilitations for visitors, residents, families and people overstaying their visa to cater for a wider segment of the society.

The Cabinet approved a new legislative package, including a review of the current residency system to allow a two-year extension of the residency period for the dependents of their parents after finishing their university studies.

Transit visa

1. A new decision has also been approved to exempt transit passengers from all entry fees for the first 48 hours.

2. Transit visa can be extended for up to 96 hours for a fee of only Dh50.

3. Obtaining transit visa will be facilitated by a number of express counter at the passport-control hall across UAE airports.

Visa for overstayed job seekers

In the same context, the Cabinet adopted a decision to grant people overstaying their visa a chance to leave the country voluntarily without a “no entry” passport stamp.

. A new 6-month visa will be introduced for job seekers who overstayed their visa but wish to work in the country.

. The temporary visa enhances the UAE’s position as a land of opportunities and a destination for talents and professionals.

. As for Individuals who entered the UAE illegally, they will have the chance to leave voluntarily with a “no entry” stamp for two years given that they provide a valid return ticket.

. In a step aimed at simplifying the process and easing the financial burden on individuals wishing to adjust or renew their visa, they can now do so for a fee without having to leave and re-enter the country.

Close Sharjah Light Festival shines brilliantly

The annual Sharjah Light Festival (SLF) 2018 is wowing visitors once again showcasing 24 artists from 10 different countries hosting the most beautiful displays under the direction of the French director Mathieu Felix

Al Qasimia University receives delegation of international balloon pilots

SHARJAH, 20th September, 2017 – Al Qasimia University of Sharjah received Captain Pilot Abdulaziz Nasser Al Mansouri, President of the UAE Hot Air Ballooning, with a delegation of international pilots who will operate Hot Air Balloon of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which is expected to be launched on the 46th UAE National Day.

The balloon will fly over several countries during its first international mission, with the aim of promoting Sharjah’s social and scientific stature that was established by Sheikh Sultan, which has enabled it to compete with major international scientific institutions.

The visiting delegation, which was accompanied by Dr. Rashad Salem, Director of Al Qasimia University, and several other officials, toured the university and viewed its main sections, including the Islamic Manuscripts House that was recently inaugurated, which houses a collection of rare and valuable Islamic manuscripts.

Dr. Salem stated that officials from the university, which was founded in 2014, briefed the visiting delegation, which includes pilots from many countries, about its vision, mission and international goals, as well as its achievements in promoting the values of moderate Islam, such as brotherhood and tolerance, which were achieved through the considerable support of Sheikh Sultan.

Al Mansouri stressed that the national balloon mission is a realisation of the wise directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as the efforts and sacrifices of the UAE’s founders. He also highlighted the obvious contributions of Sheikh Sultan in placing the UAE among the most advanced countries in the world.

Al Mansouri added that the inauguration and launch of the balloon of Sheikh Sultan, who is loved by all UAE nationals and residents, will witness a large international turnout during its first launch on the 46th UAE National Day.

The balloon of Sheikh Sultan, which carries his image along with the UAE flag, is equipped with various technical equipment from the United Kingdom, enabling it to ascend and fly over high mountains, including the Alps.

Camel-racing, modern art in UAE Ambassador in Singapore

Favourite destination: For many, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is synonymous with oil, iconic skyscrapers, mega malls and beach resorts.

However, there are many surprises to be discovered in the seven emirates forming the country, and Abu Dhabi, the capital, is a city of culture, heritage and more for people who want to escape the stresses of life, enjoy the beauty of nature and have a relaxing and exciting break.

SEE

Heritage and culture are central to the UAE’s national identity and there is a deep awareness of the need to preserve the indigenous culture on which Emirati society is based.

Take a tour of historical landmarks such as Qasr Al Hosn (www.qasralhosn.ae/en), or White Palace, which dates back to 1760 and is the oldest stone structure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It housed the ruling Al Nahyan family for generations and is the spiritual symbol of the UAE. It is now home to a permanent museum and an annual cultural festival.

Another highlight of the city is the wonderful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (www.szgmc.ae/en), also known as the Grand Mosque – the largest mosque in the UAE and the eighth largest in the world.

It can accommodate more than 40,000 people and you will be astonished by the spectacular domes and minarets of its vast white marble edifice. Inside, the mosque offers an awe-inspiring display of Arabic and Islamic architecture and art.

DR MOHAMMED OMAR ABDULLA BALFAQEEH, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN SINGAPORE, 52
He and his wife, Mrs Wafa Mohamed Jabran, have lived in Singapore since June last year.

Modern art can be found at the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi (www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae), an island 500m off the coast of Abu Dhabi, where world-class museums and exhibition halls are located.

It was just announced last week that the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum will open its doors to the public on Nov 11.

The museum will highlight artwork curated by themes and stories that are shared across cultures – from prehistorical objects to modern commissioned artworks. It will be the first museum of its kind in the Arab world.

In addition to the galleries, it will have exhibitions, a Children’s Museum, a restaurant, a boutique and a cafe.

The Manarat Al Saadiyat artistic venue – which hosts international exhibitions and houses three major galleries, a central events gallery, a 250-seat theatre and a restaurant – has been open since 2010.

The Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which will focus on contemporary art from across the globe, will open in a few years.

If you love water, you should visit Corniche Beach. With pristine sand and clear blue water, it is usually bustling with people, particularly on weekends.

Also enjoy the spectacular Sir Bani Yas Island (www.sirbaniyasisland.com), located 170km southwest of Abu Dhabi. The island, which has a bird sanctuary and wildlife reserve, offers activitiessuch as archery, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, snorkelling, land sailing, horse riding and falconry.

About half the island is dedicated to the Arabian Wildlife Park, where more than 13,000 animals, including the Arabian oryx, Somali ostrich, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs, roam freely. Visitors can go on guided nature and wildlife drives or walks, do horse riding or mountain biking.

The park was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of modern UAE, who loved the desert. He used to spend several days in the middle of the desert hunting, and the falcon was both his companion and hunting tool.

Despite the modernity of the UAE, he thought it was important to revive and protect the UAE’s heritage. Thus, the falcon is an official symbol of the country.

Sheikh Zayed also established the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (www.falconhospital.com), the first and largest of its kind. You can tour the hospital and learn more about the magnificent birds, the history of falconry, and see some falcons up close.

EAT

Visitors from Singapore will not have to worry about missing biryani, laksa or teh tarik because you will find plenty of shops and restaurants in Abu Dhabi serving these delights and other familiar dishes.

If you want to try something local, head to Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe (alfanarrestaurant.com/en), a chain owned by a young Emirati who wanted to offer tourists and expatriates a taste of authentic Emirati culture and cuisine. The restaurants are designed to revive memories of Dubai in the 1960s, when it was still a small town on the shore of the Arabian Gulf.

Try the machboos deyay, chicken cooked with yellow rice simmered in chicken stock, special Arabic spices and dry lemon; jesheed, crumbled baby shark cooked with onion and mixed spices served with white rice; hobool, deep-fried roe; and legaimat, golden and crisp fried dough balls coated with date syrup. A meal here costs $15 to $40 a person.

PLAY

Learn more about the UAE’s 4,000-year-old falconry and hunting traditions at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (www.adihex.com), the only dedicated consumer and trade event in the Middle East for safari, hunting, equestrian, outdoor and marine sports, arts and antiques, and culture and heritage. It takes place in Abu Dhabi every September.

To see the UAE’s falconry traditions, attend the Fazza Championship for Falconry (hhc.gov.ae/en/championships), which typically takes place every January in Dubai. Hundreds of young and old Emirati falconers gather to show their skills in handling the attractive yet intimidating birds.

Getting there

Etihad Airways offers daily direct flights between Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

TIPS
• You will be surprised by how easily you can interact with the Emiratis. The people are friendly, generous and ready to offer their unconditional help at any time.

•Some Emirati families may invite you to their homes for lunch or dinner. Don’t hesitate. It will be an opportunity for you to experience local hospitality and delicious local dishes cooked at home.

•Try as much as you can to dress appropriately while in public places, which typically means being covered from your shoulders to your knees. Emiratis love etiquette and pay a lot of attention to their image at home and abroad.

•Visitors can use the common greeting “Assalamu alaikum”, which means “may peace be upon you”, but they can also just say “Ahlan”,’ which means “hello”.

•Avoid consumption of alcohol and drunkenness in public. Consume alcohol only in the hotels and restaurants that serve it.

•While taking pictures in public places, ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially women.

•Tipping is not an obligation in restaurants or for those who provide services. However, it is seen as a gesture of generosity.

Camel-racing is another unique part of the UAE’s heritage and the traditional lifestyle of its people. The races were mainly held to mark important social occasions such as weddings.

Nowadays, races can take place all year round, but the primary racing season is from October to April, mainly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Al Wathba, Al Maqam and Al Ain camel race tracks.

Camel festivals are also held throughout the year. One of the best takes place during the annual HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Heritage Festival (bit.ly/2xjAj6u), where events include camel races, camel beauty contests, camel milking and a Saluki (Persian greyhound) race.There are also traditional games, Yolla (national dance), falconry, a souk (market) and other traditional activities.

Dubai, which is 140km from Abu Dhabi, shines with its luxury, modern buildings and streets. Visit Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 824m. Take the high-speed elevator to the 124th-floor viewing point.

A little farther north in the Emirate of Sharjah,visit the oldest market place in the UAE, the Souk Al Arsah, and the most famous market in Sharjah, the Blue Souk. You will see colourful shops and get bargains on gold, silver, precious stones, jewellery, carpets and rugs.

Then go to the Emirate of Ajman, less than an hour’s drive from central Dubai, for white-sand beaches, rolling desert dunes, craggy mountain backdrops and thriving mangrove forests; or to the Emirate of Umm al-Quwain for its historical houses, mosques, streets and the people, who always have wonderful smiles.

SHOP

Pleasant, air-conditioned malls make it easy to enjoy shopping in most of the UAE. Especially in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, malls housing theatres, cinemas, game zones, food courts and children’s play areas cater to every customer’s needs under one roof.

Yas Mall (www.yasmall.ae/en-us) is one of the biggest malls in Abu Dhabi. It is attached to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (ferrariworldabudhabi.com), a Ferrari theme park with rides, games and roller coasters, and the Yas Marina circuit, where the annual Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place.

Another shopping highlight is The Galleria on Al Maryah Island (www.thegalleria.ae), a mall with luxury fashion and jewellery boutiques sitting on the waterfront promenade.

STAY

Located in Abu Dhabi and only 40 minutes from the airport, Emirates Palace (www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace) is grand in both its design and offerings. With landscaped pools and a private marina overlooking a natural bay, the luxury five-star Kempinski hotel is perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime holiday.

If you do not mind being far from the city, stay at the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara (qasralsarab.anantara.com), about 300km from Abu Dhabi. There, guests can enjoy luxury and comfort surrounded by the mesmerising Rub’Al Khali, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world.

Date for Eid ul Adha in Dubai for 2017

Dubai: It’s never too early to plan for the next long weekend, the soonest one happening will be in September. Ebrahim Al Jarwan, an astronomy expert and general supervisor at Sharjah Planetarium, has already made his calculations, and predicts that this year’s Eid Al Adha will fall on Friday, September 1, 2017.

The Eid ul Adha celebrations will last for three days, giving residents a three-day break from work.

Al Jarwan explained that the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijja 1438 will start on Wednesday, August 23, which means that Arafat Waqfa Day will fall on Thursday, August 31. Arafat Day takes places on the ninth of the month.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid Al Adha takes place on the 10th day of the 12th month.
At the end of the Hajj – annnual pilgrimage to Makkah – Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid Al Adha, which is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.

During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Ebrahim.
Prophet Ebrahim, the Quran said, had a revelation that Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son to Him, and he informed the son, who told his father to carry out the command of Allah.

It was while carrying out the wish of Allah that a ram was sent down to Prophet Ebrahim as a sacrifice for his son, Esmail. It is that act that Muslims celebrate till date to show submission to Allah.