Mashreq bank, Dubai's second-biggest lender by market value, is marking the Holy Month of Ramadan with a range of offers through its dining programme.
All Mashreq cardholders will be able to take advantage of discounts of up to 25 per cent at selected Iftar buffets and tents across the Emirates, including at the Shangri-La hotel in Dubai and Al Raha Beach hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Customers can also break their fast with Arabian dates and their favourite dishes at Souq Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, the Yas Island Rotana in the capital, Movenpick Ibn Batuta Gate hotel, the Millenium Plaza hotel, Layali Zaman Solidaire, Bastakiah Nights and Jumeirah Rotana Hotel, the bank added.
"We are delighted to bring this unique flavour to the Holy Month of Ramadan and share it with our customers in our special way," said Nimish Dwivedi, the head of payments at Mashreq.
"We have put together a whole new set of benefits across restaurants that our customers frequently visit to break their fast with family and friends and share the blessings of Ramadan." Customers will also go into a special draw to have the chance of winning back the cost of their Iftar and Suhoor meals through the dining programme if they use their Mashreq credit or debit cards at participating outlets.
Forty customers will have their winning transactions credited back to their Mashreq debit or credit cards if they win.
Go to www.mashreqbank.com for more information.
•••
Although working hours during Ramadan are usually shortened, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has announced that 15 of its branches across the Emirates will increase their operating hours during the Holy Month.
The second-largest Sharia-compliant lender in the UAE says selected branches in malls will open from 10am to 2pm and will reopen at 9.30pm until 11.30pm from Saturday to Thursday.
"The decision to let some branches follow these new timings during the Holy Month of Ramadan demonstrates the bank's commitment to make it easy for customers to avail of Islamic banking services at their own convenience," the bank says.
Go to www.adib.ae for details.
pf@thenational.ae
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Dunki
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rajkumar%20Hirani%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Taapsee%20Pannu%2C%20Vikram%20Kochhar%20and%20Anil%20Grover%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
