One hundred people will be invited to take part in a 1,000-kilometre trek across the UAE desert, designed to explore and reflect on the country’s heritage, customs and traditional craftsmanship.
Organised by the Emirates Foundation and Active Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the journey will be completed on foot and by camel over the course of 30 days later this year.
The initiative, titled Misrah, is open to UAE citizens and residents aged 18 to 25. Participants will undergo a two-month training programme in Abu Dhabi before setting off on an expedition that will take them across the country’s dunes, coastal edges and mountainous terrain.
With the full itinerary to be revealed closer to the date, 500 shortlisted applicants will begin their training at Abu Dhabi's Police Camel Camp from August 19 to September 21 with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.
The programme includes introductory courses in camel care, saddle assembly and Emirati oral storytelling, as well as folk dances including the Ayala, Al Harbiya and Taghrooda. Other sessions will cover aspects of Emirati traditional practices, including campfire gatherings and coffee preparation.
Upon completion of the course, 100 participants will be selected for the journey. Registration is open to those already signed up on volunteers.ae.
“Misrah marks an inspiring milestone in our efforts to empower youth and reinforce their connection to national identity,” said Active Abu Dhabi chairman Mansour Al Dhaheri. “We encourage young citizens and residents to take part in this exceptional experience, which will help shape their character, enhance their skills and deepen their appreciation for the richness of Emirati heritage.”
Misrah follows last year’s Walk 1000, a community initiative that saw 10 athletes trek 1,000 kilometres over 30 days, from Al Sila to Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi. Along the way, participants passed more than 30 cultural landmarks across the emirate. A documentary chronicling the journey is currently in production.
“Misrah is more than just an initiative; it is a message to every young man and woman that our past serves as a source of inspiration for our future,” Al Dhaheri said when announcing the programme in May. “Health is not only physical, but also resides in the soul, connected to a strong identity and authentic community awareness.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Brief scoreline:
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
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WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
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T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
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Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
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Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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The biog
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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COMPANY PROFILE
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
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However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
