Pratiksha Prabhu, a money, banking and finance student at the University of Birmingham Dubai, receives a monthly allowance of approximately Dh200 ($54), which she uses prudently to manage her budget.
“I live with my parents and they cover the rent and food expenses, but if I go outside to some events, they give me a certain allowance,” says the Indian resident, 18, who is an aspiring financial analyst.
“I did an internship over the summer and received some income from it. I find it easy to budget because I’m a finance student.
“Before I go out, I set myself a budget that I’m going to spend only Dh50. If I go over that threshold, it’s fine since I have excess balance, but if I don’t, I can use that money for something else later.”
Ms Prabhu’s family is also finance-focused and they taught her how to manage money well and to invest.
Research has shown that children begin to develop money habits from an early age. Early financial education can help to foster strong money management skills in adulthood, experts say.
However, only 53 per cent of 30,000 students from more than 440 colleges across the US said they felt prepared to manage their money, according to a 2019 survey by digital education platform Everfi, sponsored by AIG Retirement Services.
Only 35 per cent of students reported having ever taken a personal finance course in high school, the survey found.
When asked what they plan to accomplish in the next year to help manage their finances and prepare for the future, only a third (34 per cent) reported they would balance their cheque book while 32 per cent said they would start building an emergency fund, the findings showed.
A 2019 financial literacy survey by Visa showed that 43 per cent of respondents in the UAE aged between 16 and 24 felt they were not ready to manage their own money, while 53 per cent said schools did not prepare them enough to take care of their finances.
Ms Prabhu say she was taught the basics of personal finance in high school, such as how to budget and what is a credit card and debit card.
Her university brought in financial education provider KFI Global to teach students on how debit cards and credit cards work in the UAE.
She recalls learning how credit cards are among the most expensive loans on the market as they charge a 24 per cent interest rate annually.
“Ever since I was 10 years old, my mum talked to me about budgeting for groceries. By involving me in the process, my parents taught me that money is something that can be managed and not to be scared of,” she says.
“When I had money from my internship, I gave it to my father, who keeps it in different savings accounts. Once I start earning, I plan to give part of it to my father to invest. I’m trying to learn about stock market investments.”
The teenager, who is collaborating with a few friends to create a financial education blog called FinSolers, is also participating in the Bloomberg Global Trading challenge from her university.
“Now I realise that investing in the stock markets requires so much research. You cannot just dump the money and expect it to grow,” she says.
Although Ms Prabhu has a debit card and account with Liv, Emirates NBD’s digital-only bank, she prefers to use cash.
“I’ve noticed that if you have a card, you won’t be able to track your expenses and cannot do the mental maths,” she says.
“If I need to have a credit score, then my bank account should not be linked to anyone else’s. I persuaded my parents that I want to have a separate bank account, so that I'd be able to learn money management skills effectively.”
She also feels that the importance of building a good credit score is not talked about a lot in the UAE, while there is a lot of discourse around it in the US.
Ms Prabhu says she does not succumb to peer pressure. When she feels something is beyond her budget, she admits it to her friends and may consider buying the item later. Occasionally, she and her friends also split expenses when they visit restaurants, bowling centres and arcades.
“My friends and I discuss many money topics. We usually talk about how things are very overpriced, especially food, how inflation is affecting the economy, what to do if we win money in a draw, among other things,” she shares.
She also tries to avoid falling into the trap of buying items on sale.
The teenager also shares one of her saving strategies. Although Ms Prabhu loves croissants and sodas, she stops herself from buying them when the craving comes and, instead, saves the money in a cash box or separate account.
She says the idea also works with big purchases.
“For instance, if I want to buy a cute dress but feel this is not the right time, I set aside that money in a separate account and if a sale comes up and the dress is available for a cheaper price, I will buy it,” she says.
Similarly, Arooha Khan, a final-year journalism student at Middlesex University Dubai, says having a priority list helps her stay within budget and not overspend.
The Pakistani resident, 21, took up two internships and now works as a freelance copywriter for a beauty products retailer.
“I don’t depend on my parents any more. They try to encourage me to save money for my further education,” she says.
“I save money in two student saving accounts with Liv and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.”
Ms Khan’s top spending priority is transport to and from her university, so she makes sure she has enough to pay for Metro rides, petrol or parking.
Since she is a creative writing and journalism student, she also needs to purchase books frequently, so she spends on a library subscription instead.
The Gen Zer makes a spreadsheet every month where she divides her money according to her priorities. Before this, when she received an allowance from her parents, she used the envelope technique to budget.
“It was easier to manage money that way since it helped set clear boundaries for spending. I exercise the same discipline now with a spreadsheet,” she says.
“I learnt the envelope technique from YouTube and the 50:30:20 method from university. Under this method, I spend 50 per cent of my money on my needs, 30 per cent on my wants and then 20 per cent for savings.
“I try to incorporate this method because I want to be more financially responsible. When you have a clear division, you know where your money is going and you’re much more responsible.”
Ms Khan also recalls how she was a victim of peer pressure. She noticed that she had become a hoarder while moving homes and her bank account was near zero.
“I realised that succumbing to peer pressure would only make me broke. I also want to be more minimalistic,” she says.
“Peer pressure is difficult to get out of, but when you surround yourself with the right company, you’ll realise that it’s not worth it. We need to put ourselves upfront and realise what our needs, wants and priorities are.”
Ms Khan saves money by only buying items, especially clothes, on discount. She buys all her clothes during Christmas or New Year sales because they are heavily discounted.
“I’m trying to avoid fast fashion, in general, since it’s not sustainable to buy clothes all the time. I buying fewer pieces per year,” she says.
She also tries to save money for other priorities such as birthdays and concert tickets.
We asked personal finance experts to share their top tips on how college students can manage their finances more effectively.
Create a budget and set up an emergency fund
While budgeting may not be fun, knowing how much you have to spend can help you avoid most financial mistakes that people make, according to Will Rainey, founder of Blue Tree Savings, a company that helps parents teach their children about money, and the author of Grandpa’s Fortune Fables.
At the very least, students should have a spreadsheet to capture how much money they have in each of their accounts on the first of the month and see the difference each month, he suggests.
Make sure you include “saving” as part of the budget and save before you start to spend, he adds.
“Start by outlining your monthly income, which may come from sources like part-time work, allowances or scholarships,” says Sophia Bhatti, director of Dubai-based Wimbledon Wealth.
“List your monthly expenses, including tuition, rent, groceries, transportation and leisure activities. Allocate a portion of your income to each expense category and stick to your budget.”
She also suggests using apps or spreadsheets to monitor expenses regularly. This will help identify areas to cut back.
Students should also set up an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses such as medical bills or urgent repairs. They should aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses, she adds.
Find ways to earn money
While living off a student loan is nice, there is a risk that this money is seen as “free” and, therefore, not valued, Mr Rainey warns.
Working a part-time job or finding ways to make money helps students understand the value of money and, therefore, makes them more likely to look after it, he suggests.
“If you have student loans, be sure to understand the terms and repayment options. Consider paying off high-interest loans first,” Ms Bhatti recommends.
Avoid credit card debt
Be cautious with credit cards. If you use one, pay off the balance in full each month to avoid high-interest charges, Ms Bhatti says.
“Before making a purchase, especially for non-essential items, ask yourself if it’s a need or a want. Avoid impulse buying,” she says.
Credit card and buy now, pay later companies will highlight their products’ benefits, but all students need to spend time learning about the downsides, Mr Rainey instructs.
Most people don’t appreciate how many scholarships are available to them – they aren’t just for gifted or underprivileged students
Will Rainey,
founder, Blue Tree Savings
If not, it is easy for students to start spending money they do not have and forming poor spending habits, he warns.
Be cautious with student discounts
Take advantage of student discounts offered by local businesses, transport operators and online retailers, Ms Bhatti says.
“But remember that you are only saving money if you were going to buy the discounted item before you knew it was discounted,” according to Mr Rainey.
“If you weren’t going to buy it before the discount, don’t buy it. Companies want you to spend all your money and, hence, provide these discounts.”
Apply for scholarships
Apply for as many scholarships as you can, Mr Rainey suggests.
“Most people don’t appreciate how many scholarships are available to them – they aren’t just for gifted or underprivileged students. Spending a weekend searching and applying for scholarships could save thousands,” he advises.
Learn about money
Students must invest time in learning about personal finance. There are many online resources, books and courses available, experts say.
Spend time reading books such as Rich Dad, Poor Dad, The Richest Man in Babylon and The Psychology of Money, Mr Rainey suggests.
These books can be life-changing and ensure that the money you earn with your degree is put to good use, he says.
Other money-saving tips
Cooking your meals at home is often cheaper than eating out or ordering takeout, according to Ms Bhatti.
Look for cost-effective housing options such as shared accommodations or on-campus housing, she says.
Start thinking about your long-term financial goals, such as saving for retirement or higher education. Even small contributions early on can make a significant difference, says Ms Bhatti.
“Remember that good financial habits developed during college can set the foundation for a secure and prosperous future. Tailor these tips to your specific circumstances and financial goals, and consistently review and adjust your financial plan as needed.”
The finalists
Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho
Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson
Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid
Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola
3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
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
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%20turbo%204-cylinder%20%2F%202.0%20turbo%204-cylinder%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20148bhp%20%2F%20328bhp%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20250Nm%20%2F%20420Nm%20(S3)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20TBA%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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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5
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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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AWARDS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Male%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELucas%20Protasio%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20female%20black%20belt%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJulia%20Alves%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Masters%20black%20belt%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Igor%20Silva%20(BRA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Asian%20Jiu-Jitsu%20Federation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kazakhstan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20Academy%20in%20UAE%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECommando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBest%20International%20Academy%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Commando%20Group%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAfrican%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKatiuscia%20Yasmira%20Dias%20(GNB)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOceanian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAnton%20Minenko%20(AUS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEuropean%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rose%20El%20Sharouni%20(NED)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENorth%20and%20Central%20American%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlexa%20Yanes%20(USA)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAsian%20Player%20of%20the%20Year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZayed%20Al%20Katheeri%20(UAE)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERookie%20of%20the%20Year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)Rui%20Neto%20(BRA)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
Bio
Age: 25
Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah
Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering
Favourite colour: White
Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai
Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.
First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
New schools in Dubai
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
The five pillars of Islam
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
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.
