Students from the Rashid Centre for People of Determination joyously marked Union Day on Tuesday.
In addition to the families of the students, Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum and other dignitaries were also in attendance.
Upon entering the centre, a lively and festive scene greeted guests; men dressed in kanduras held sticks that rhythmically moved as they danced in harmony with the traditional UAE folk music.
The air was filled with the fragrance of bakhour, mixed with the aroma of dates, which were handed out to guests.
A dazzling tribute to leadership
The backdrops on the stage featured vintage videos of Sheikh Zayed and scenes highlighting the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in a tribute to their leadership.
This visual journey not only celebrated the Spirit of the Union, but also showcased the dedication of determined students, who spent a month practicing their dance and songs, inspired by the poems of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. They performed Sheikh Mohammed's O My Country, Be in Peace and Sheikh Hamdan's The Pride of the Generations, all while waving UAE flags in harmony.
The UAE Oscar band accompanied the students on stage. The band's male members wore kanduras paired with ghutras, while women donned vibrant jalabiyas featuring colourful patterns and embroidery.
Empathy in action
In a powerful demonstration of empathy and solidarity, Emirati Ali Hussein, a Rashid Centre graduate, took a moment at the start of the show to convey his thoughts and concerns for the children in Gaza, highlighting awareness and compassion for global issues.
"I wish our beloved country a happy 52nd National Day, filled with success and development. Today, I address you with a heavy heart, turning our attention to the children of Gaza and Palestine, who are chased by death, living in constant fear under the shadows of war," Hussein said.
"I speak of children who have lost their lives, families, loved ones, schoolbooks, pens and ambitions.
"The children of Gaza have nothing left in this world but us. Let us stand beside them, offering our support, even if it's just through a small gesture or a comforting smile, to reignite hope within their hearts."
Empowering hope
Emirati Mariam Othman, who has six daughters and two grandsons, founded the centre in 2016 and has helped it grow to become a symbol of hope and empowerment for pupils of all nationalities facing unique challenges.
"We believe in allowing our students, which also includes some from Palestine, to fully engage in every aspect of life, whether it's the National Day or a country's cause, fostering their integration into society," Othman told The National. "We approach these experiences with care, explaining that despite their challenges, their situation is better than that of children in war-torn Gaza who lack basic necessities."
She also praised Hussein's speech, adding: "Ali's expression of love when addressing the children of Palestine is a beautiful example of promoting empathy. It's crucial to instil these concepts in students to nurture a mindset of compassion and co-operation."
Othman also said that through her experience interacting with students, she has "encountered a purity unparalleled elsewhere". She praised her time spent with them by saying they became her "solace when stressed" and offer relief.
An inspiring month-long journey of growth
Waseem Faris, the Iraqi composer behind the musical compositions inspired by the poems of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, dedicated a month to training students and overseeing the show.
Reflecting on his experience with the students, Faris expressed the positive nature of the collaboration.
"Despite the challenges, I find joy in working with them, because through them I learnt a lot of things, particularly in witnessing the authentic performances reflected in their emotive voices. There's a profound truthfulness and purity in their work that sets them apart from others. They hold a unique identity," he says.
"My prayers for strength extend to them and their parents, who tirelessly supported and collaborated to create this exceptional work."
Dreams illuminated
Under Faris's mentorship is Emirati student Hassan Al Shawab, 21, who shared his aspirations for the future.
"My experience today had a profound impact on me. It not only brought me immense happiness performing on stage, but also ignited a passion within me. I am inspired by the captivating world of stage production; therefore, I want to become an expert in stage lighting effects in the future."
Following the performances, the celebration extended beyond the auditorium with a bazaar and family-friendly activities.
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
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The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
HOW TO WATCH
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
