There are many opportunities throughout Ramadan to spend time diving into a good book.
Whether it is during fasting hours, after iftar or just before suhoor, reading a novel that deals with themes of family and faith is just another opportunity to reflect on our place in the world.
From historical fiction to love stories and complicated family reunions to spiritual journeys, here are 10 novels that make for an excellent Ramadan read.
The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami
The Moor's Account is a beautifully told historical fiction novel that reimagines the memoirs of Mustafa Al Zamori, also known as Estevanico, the first African explorer of America.
The Moroccan slave was part of the ill-fated Narvaez expedition in 1527 and chronicles his – and four other survivors' – dangerous expedition across America.
Laila Lalami, who is Moroccan-American, wonderfully captures Al Zamori's voice while also transporting the reader into a pivotal time in the history of America and the story of black explorers.
The Family Tree by Sairish Hussain
Sairish Hussain’s moving novel is a portrait of the many facets of a British-South Asian Muslim family across 24 years.
The story first follows the journey of widowed Amjad, who is dedicated to his children Saahil and Zahra, as he deals with the grief of losing his wife
As the children grow into their own, they also learn to navigate life’s challenges. Saahil has to come to terms with a devastating incident that has marked his youth. Meanwhile, Zahra tries to balance her own passions and dreams as well as supporting her father as his only source of comfort.
This Green and Pleasant Land by Ayisha Malik
Bilal Hasham has an idyllic life with his wife Mariam in their small, picturesque village. But everything changes when his mother’s dying wish is that he reconnects with his Muslim roots and builds a mosque in their English village.
As Bilal attempts to turn the promise into a reality, his wife is shocked by the decision and the villagers in the quaint town are unimpressed. However, Bilal must find a way to work through his grief, honour his mother’s last wish and also preserve the village he calls home.
A Pure Heart by Rajia Hassib
Rose and Gameela are sisters who are not very much alike. Gameela is a devout Muslim who lives in Egypt, while Rose is an Egyptologist married to an American journalist who lives in New York City.
The story unfolds as Rose returns to Egypt to investigate all the things Gameela left behind after her death. Through this exploration, Rose uncovers secrets about her sister's life, including mysterious relationships, her patriotism and her faith.
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
Turkish writer Elif Shafak’s novel is one of the few fictional accounts of the famed 13th-century poet Rumi.
The novel has two parallel stories across different times, places and cultures. One narrative follows Ella Rubenstein, 40, a homemaker whose first assignment as a literary agent’s reader is a novel titled Sweet Blasphemy about Rumi and his Sufi teacher, Shams of Tabriz.
The second narrative is the novel she is reading, which explores the relationship between Rumi and Shams along with the politics and cultural conventions surrounding Rumi’s family and community.
As Ella delves into the novel, she questions her conventional life and embarks on a journey of transformation that also involves the relatively mysterious author of the novel.
The Baghdad Clock by Shahad Al Rawi
Set in war-torn Baghdad in 1991 during the Gulf War, Iraqi writer Shahad Al Rawi’s novel centres around two young girls who meet and become best friends in a bomb shelter.
But something strange happens as they share their hopes and fantasies; a stranger from the future arrives, bearing prophecies of a deserted city.
The friends decide to write the secret history of their neighbourhood to preserve it from a future oblivion that the time-travelling stranger predicts, all while they grow up against a backdrop of political unrest and war.
The Parisian by Isabella Hammad
In 1914, a young Palestinian man arrives in France to study medicine, where his life changes.
Isabella Hammad’s novel follows the story of Midhat Kamal, a young man from Nablus who is dealing with the complexities and impact of First World War within French society.
As the Ottoman Empire comes to an end and with the rise of Palestinian nationalism, Midhat navigates his own identity as a Palestinian man in France. Upon his return home, political upheavals and social transformations are changing people’s mind sets.
Minaret by Leila Aboulela
Najwa is a Sudanese woman who flees to London with her mother and brother after her father's execution during the Second Sudanese Civil War.
Sudanese-British writer Leila Aboulela’s story spans more than 20 years, covering Najwa's life as she navigates through the challenges of exile, the loss of her family's affluence and her own spiritual journey. The tale is poignant and powerful, detailing both the life of Najwa and a particular part of Sudan’s history.
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza
How does one find the balance between tradition and modernity? This is the central theme explored in Fatima Farheen Mirza’s novel about an Indian-American Muslim family.
As the family gathers in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter Hadia's untraditional wedding, it’s the return of the youngest sibling Amar that creates the most tension.
Amar has been estranged for three years, and his parents Rafiq and Layla must now face the choices that lead to their broken relationship. Meanwhile, their children balance who they want to be and who their parents expect them to be.
The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem
Leila Abid has three months to find a husband – or her traditional Indian parents will match her with one.
As she approaches her 26th birthday, Leila is on a mission to find love on her own terms and starts speed dating, online dating and going on blind dates.
However, as the idealistic and Bollywood-obsessed Leila carries out her search, her parents' expectations of an arranged marriage and her own dreams of romance constantly clash.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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ARGYLLE
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more from Janine di Giovanni
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Day 3, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage, the Sri Lanka pace bowler, has had to play a lot of cricket to earn a shot at the top level. The 29-year-old debutant first played a first-class game 11 years ago. His first Test wicket was one to savour, bowling Pakistan opener Shan Masood through the gate. It set the rot in motion for Pakistan’s batting.
Stat of the day – 73 Haris Sohail took 73 balls to hit a boundary. Which is a peculiar quirk, given the aggressive intent he showed from the off. Pakistan’s batsmen were implored to attack Rangana Herath after their implosion against his left-arm spin in Abu Dhabi. Haris did his best to oblige, smacking the second ball he faced for a huge straight six.
The verdict One year ago, when Pakistan played their first day-night Test at this ground, they held a 222-run lead over West Indies on first innings. The away side still pushed their hosts relatively close on the final night. With the opposite almost exactly the case this time around, Pakistan still have to hope they can salvage a win from somewhere.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
WWE TLC results
Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins
Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles
Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax
Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match
Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre
Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match
Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match
Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day
R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
Read more about the coronavirus
Kibsons%20Cares
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Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
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Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
