Few items of clothing are as misunderstood as the burqa. Frequently confused with the niqab or the all-enveloping garment associated with women in Afghanistan, the burqa worn here is unique to this region.
Video: 37. Burqa - 2011
The burqa worn here is unique to this region. While these days it is worn mostly by older women, and only occasionally seen in public, the burqa still retains huge cultural significance.
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While these days it is worn mostly by older women, and only occasionally seen in public, the burqa still retains huge cultural significance. Even the young are familiar with the burqa-clad grandmothers from the hit TV cartoon series Freej, while the "bq" range of sunglasses, launched in Dubai two years ago, used the traditional design as the inspiration for fashionable eyewear.
This particular example comes from the Abu Dhabi General Women's Union, where many of the women working at the handicrafts centre still wear the burqa.
Ateeja Abdullah Al Mansouri, who works at the centre making burqas, says that while it was once used to cover the face, these days it has a more decorative function. As a result, the burqa is smaller these days.
Despite the simplicity of its design - said by some to be inspired by the falcon - the burqa incorporates a number of elements. The thin line that runs along the nose is called the saif, or sword, while the burqa itself is held in place by a thin cord called al shubug.
The gold-coloured cloth on the outside of the burqa is imported from India, while the material behind the mask is polished with a smooth stone or oyster shell and treated with a blue indigo dye that leaves a mark on the skin but is said to be good for the complexion.
In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the "Zabeel cut" has a narrower top and a wider curved bottom. In Al Ain, the bottom of the burqa is smaller with a shape that resembles a moustache.
The Emirati burqa adheres to the Islamic principle that a woman should not be displayed for all to see, but also has a practical application by protecting faces from the harsh desert environment. It was said by Sheikh Zayed that to preserve tradition, he would not attend a wedding unless the bride wore a burqa.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Notable cricketers and political careers
- India: Kirti Azad, Navjot Sidhu and Gautam Gambhir (rumoured)
- Pakistan: Imran Khan and Shahid Afridi (rumoured)
- Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan (rumoured)
- Bangladesh (Mashrafe Mortaza)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
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Rating: 4/5
Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
