As well as the exchanges of goodwill and cheer, Eid also marks the return of live concerts after a short hiatus during Ramadan.
A slew of performances and festivals has been announced over the coming days and weeks in a range of musical styles, including Arabic pop, hip-hop, dance, rock, Hindi and Filipino pop.
The venues are equally eclectic, from nightclubs and jazz bars to the massive Meydan Racecourse and the picturesque Nasimi Beach at Atlantis the Palm.
The fun all kicks off tomorrow with the inaugural Shoppiesta festival. Held from August 31 to September 4 at Dubai's Meydan Racecourse, the event offers stalls and exhibitions showcasing the latest in electronics, home appliances, health and beauty brands. But for those more interested in sampling sounds than sales, the fair also offers a nightly concert series, each with a different musical theme.
The concept of mixing shopping with music is not a unique one, according to festival spokesman Radhesh Menon.
He explains that festivals similar to Shoppiesta have been held for decades in Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
"They have been going on for a long time in places like Brunei and India where they are called Melas, and they all incorporate live music," he says.
"Melas are all about making the event something for everyone, so it's not only shoppers coming here but music fans as well. It's definitely something for the whole family."
However, he says music artists playing in such fairs are carefully chosen to appeal to the most punters.
After a shaky start with the cancellations of the hip-hop star 50Cent and Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal, Shoppiesta settled on an eclectic lineup. Headlining Arabic night tomorrow is Lebanese pop sensation Nancy Ajram. Powered by hits Sehr Ouyouno, Mashi Haddi and Fi Hagat, the 27-year-old singer has already sold more than 30 million records of her signature blend of world music, Arabic balladry and western pop.
For audiences who prefer their Arabic pop with an extra kick, Lebanese singer Melhem Zein, who rose to stardom by coming third in the inaugural series of the American Idol-inspired pan-Arabic competition Super Star, should deliver with his energetic performance.
Filipino night on Thursday will find the boy-band South Border and the all-girl group Mocha Girls singing their hits. Adding a touch of class on Friday is the Iranian songstress Googoosh, who continues to command a loyal following among young and old in Iran.
Indian night will boast separate performances by Bollywood singer Shankar Mahadevan, followed by Hariharan, who is renowned as one of the pioneers of the Indian fusion scene.
Those still smarting from 50Cent's cancellation should be soothed, however, with the triple bill of R&B star Kelly Rowland, dance-hall artist Sean Paul and rapper T-Pain slated for the festival's final night.
Menon says the trio will perform separately in one-hour slots with their own bands.
And although replacing the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor is a tall order for any Indian musician, Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Malaika Arora Khan should do a capable job finishing off the festivities by covering some of Bollywood's current hits as well as classics in Sunday's programme.
Another Arabic star celebrating Eid with fans is Wael Kfoury. The Lebanese singer, who made headlines in 1996 for suspending his successful career to rough it up as part of his mandatory military service, will perform his hits Omri Killo, Osset Oshaq, Bhinn and more at the Bustan Rotana on Thursday. Performing the following night is Rola Saad and Fares Karam.
Katrina Halili, the Filipina singer, actress and model seeking a comeback from a public scandal in her homeland last year, will give an intimate performance on Friday at Club 7 and Saturday at the Marco Polo Hotel.
The end of Ramadan also marks the reopening of some of the country's liveliest venues.
Those who have been missing dancing in the sands of Nasimi Beach now have two reasons to celebrate: with the return of a new instalment of the Sandance Festival and the inaugural dXb Beach Festival.
The September 30 beach festival, produced by Live Nation, boasts the likes of party stars LMFAO, former Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and more than 20 DJs who will perform across three stages.
Live Nation Middle East director Tyler Mervyn says the event marks the company's 50th global festival.
He says that with the great weather and picturesque locations, the UAE is a perfect place to launch big music festivals.
"With the large number of European expatriates in the UAE who have grown up attending classic European festivals, we felt there was a void in this market," he says.
"Providing the option of three stages running simultaneously for 12 hours featuring a choice of 27 artists will allow a much broader musical experience than a 90-minute set by a band."
Regulars at Sandance concerts will not be surprised by the high calibre of musicians on offer. On October 14, dance heavy weights Sasha and David Morales will play alongside former Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, who will perform an acoustic set.
His friend and fellow Briton Liam Gallagher will also be gracing the UAE stage with his new band Beady Eye - set to play a storming set at Flash Forum on September 16.
Since the acrimonious split of Oasis, Gallagher wasted no time in assembling the new band, releasing the debut album Different Gear Still Speeding and touring Europe's biggest festivals. By the time his group hits the stage in Abu Dhabi, they should be a well-oiled machine.
Jazz fans are not left out of the mix either, with Dubai's The Fridge launching its new live season with acclaimed Swedish violinist Hugo Ticciati, who will be collaborating with UAE-based musicians and dancers during his recital on September 8.
R&B and hip-hop fans can also rejoice with Dubai club Chi@The Lodge hosting the smooth tones of Omarion on September 2 and energetic rapper Mann on September 9.
Trance fans still recovering from the marathon set by Armin van Buuuren at Flash Forum in June had better dust off their glow sticks for the arrival of his Dutch compatriot Ferry Corsten. He will be commanding the decks at the Dubai World Trade Centre on September 9.
And for the more mature set of music fans, those who pine for a time when songs didn't feature a thunderous riff or yapping rappers can relive the old times with Abba-tribute act Bjorn Again, who will set feet tapping at Abu Dhabi's Adnec on October 7.
But that's not all. Still to come: announcements for the Formula One Grand Prix concerts and the 2012 Yas Island Show Weekends. Which simply proves that there are plenty of live thrills on the way.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
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
The%20specs
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
READ MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
