CELEBRATE the Holy Month at The Dubai Mall with an array of cultural, traditional and charitable initiatives. The atrium is adorned with ornaments, the sculpture Encyclopaedia (pictured) by the Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej is showcased in the Waterfall Atrium, oud and qanoon music is performed across Fashion Avenue from 9pm until midnight, Dubai Cares presents a children's area and iftar packs are available. From 10am to 1am, food and beverage from iftar until 2am, restaurants on the Waterfront Promenade are open until 3am, www.thedubaimall.com
ENJOY a Mexican iftar at Cantina Mariachi, featuring the restaurant’s daily menu of soups, hot and cold appetisers, main courses such as fajitas, and desserts. Following the buffet, diners can choose from the à la carte menu. From sunset, from Dh90, The Dubai Mall, 04 330 8358; World Trade Center Mall, Abu Dhabi, 02 627 1137
GET together with family and friends to share in the spirit of Ramadan at the Al Fanous Ramadan Tent at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. From Dh185 per person for iftar, suhoor includes an individually priced menu, from Dh2,000 for a private majlis, book at 02 498 8888, reservations.saadiyat@stregis.com
TREAT your nails to a manicure and pedicure at Spaces Salon. Women can choose rose or citrus and men can enjoy the citrus treatment. Manicure from Dh130 for women, Dh120 for men; pedicure from Dh150 for women, Dh140 for men, Oasis Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, book at 04 515 4400
SIGN up the kids for summer camp with Gulf Star. Children ages 3-13 will enjoy the multi-activity camps, while little ones ages 2-5 can attend the toddler camp. From 9am to 2.30pm for multi-activity camps at Jebel Ali Primary School and Repton School, Dubai; 9am to 1pm at Dovecote Nursery, Dubai, Sundays to Thursdays; info@gulfstarsports.com, 050 429 4860
listings@thenational.ae
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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
