Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) will focus on its financial literacy campaign, launched in April, during the holy month of Ramadan in a bid to boost customers' knowledge of responsible fiscal management.
As part of its campaign, ADIB, the second-largest Sharia-compliant lender in the Emirates, this week launched its Financial Health Check programme, an easy-to-use financial assessment that is aimed at helping users to change their financial habits.
"Ramadan is a special time of the year when people change their habits," says Tirad Mahmoud, the chief executive of ADIB.
"As a bank, we believe our role is to provide them with the right information and education that help them live a more balanced financial life. Our financial health-check application will help them to see where they are now and give them simple tips on how to manage their finances."
Customers can take the test at any of the six ADIB stands in major shopping malls in the UAE. It is also accessible online through the bank's website and through the its Facebook site.
The financial health check is free and can also be done via iPads, other touch-screen computers as well as PC's or Macs. Anyone can know their financial health irrespective of whether they are a customer of the bank or not.
In April, ADIB launched its financial literacy campaign as part of a long-term strategy to educate customers on the basics of money management, planning and making responsible financial decisions.
The bank kicked off its campaign in April with the release of Smartmoney, a financial booklet that covers topics such as how to budget, manage debt and investments, understand risks and help to create personal wealth.
For more information, go to www.adib.ae.
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Emirates NBD (ENBD), the country's largest bank in terms of assets, is offering UAE nationals a lower interest rate on personal loans during Ramadan.
The lender has cut its personal loan rate to 6.99 per cent per annum, down from 8.99 per cent previously.
"We understand that a number of household expenses may increase in the run up to the holy month, to account for traditional gifts, food and hospitality," says Abdulehah AlKindy, the general manager of retail banking at ENBD.
"This special offer will mean more value and choice for our UAE national customers this Ramadan. As families prepare for traditional festivities, this pricing promotion is aimed to ease the financial pressure on household budgets, allowing more time for enjoyment and celebration."
The promotion finishes on August 31 and is available to salaried UAE nationals only. For more information, visit the bank's website at www.emiratesbank.ae.
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Al Hilal Bank, the Islamic lender fully owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, has announced a payment deferment scheme for customers during Ramadan to lessen their financial responsibilities during the holy month.
The bank says that monthly instalments due between July 26 and August 10 will be postponed for one month free of charge for customers with personal or car finance accounts.
"Ramadan is a time to show compassion and charity towards others," says Mohamed Jamil Berro, the bank's chief executive. "This is our humble way of contributing to the meaningful celebration of the Holy Month."
Visit the bank's website, www.alhilalbank.ae, for more information.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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
UAE FIXTURES
October 18 – 7.30pm, UAE v Oman, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 19 – 7.30pm, UAE v Ireland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 21 – 2.10pm, UAE v Hong Kong, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 22 – 2.10pm, UAE v Jersey, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 24 – 10am, UAE v Nigeria, Abu Dhabi Cricket Oval 1
October 27 – 7.30pm, UAE v Canada, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
October 29 – 2.10pm, Playoff 1 – A2 v B3; 7.30pm, Playoff 2 – A3 v B2, at Dubai International Stadium.
October 30 – 2.10pm, Playoff 3 – A4 v Loser of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Playoff 4 – B4 v Loser of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 1 – 2.10pm, Semifinal 1 – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Semifinal 2 – A1 v Winner of Play-off 2 at Dubai International Stadium
November 2 – 2.10pm, Third place Playoff – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; 7.30pm, Final, at Dubai International Stadium
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Full Party in the Park line-up
2pm – Andreah
3pm – Supernovas
4.30pm – The Boxtones
5.30pm – Lighthouse Family
7pm – Step On DJs
8pm – Richard Ashcroft
9.30pm – Chris Wright
10pm – Fatboy Slim
11pm – Hollaphonic
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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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
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
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Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
