Dubai is globally acknowledged as a top shopping destination and Al Ghurair Centre is synonymous with that reputation as the region’s original modern mall.
And as we hit one of the busiest shopping seasons, the centre has unveiled a vibrant mix of new retail, dining and experiential offerings to draw visitors all year round.
Brands4U, Retold, Onezone and Mizale add to a potent roll call of stores in Al Ghurair Centre, while food lovers can discover fresh flavours from dining arrivals Monkey Pizza, Maalem Shawarma, Bloomsbury’s, and Abu El Araby.
Celebrating its 40th year, this Deira landmark mall continues to thrive as a significant address for shoppers seeking newer concepts, and long-term favourites.
So what can they expect from Al Ghurair Centre’s latest retailers?
Brands4u - a “one-stop outlet shopping destination for all” - presents an extensive range of international and local products under one roof alongside in-house brands.
“People who visit Brands4u are looking for something new at prices that would not burn a whole in their pocket”, says Vijay Samyani, founder and chairman of Concept Brands Group.
“Typically people at Brands4u gear more towards the purchase of fragrances and footwear as we have the biggest collection for both.”
Currently the store has great deals on ladies footwear, with new sunglasses and watch collections added recently, alongside new cosmetics brands.
“The beauty of Brands4u is that it keeps giving more and more variety to customers,” continues Mr Samyani.
“With summer fading, people start to divert their attention towards winter shopping.
“Brands4u has that covered as it will showcase some top winter products at outlet prices…we are here to make sure they are fully ready for the winter season.”
Established across various UAE locations, Onezone has now added its popular shopping lifestyle experience to Al Ghurair Centre.
Operations manager Sayid Jawad says Onezone “serves the finishing touches to life”, providing vivid colours and pocket-friendly prices not seen before in the market.
He says best-selling items vary store to store, and person to person.
“While we customise the products as per the need of the season, it always depends on seasonal demand.
“However, commonly, kitchen, health and beauty, digital and fashion products, and children’s toys, are bestselling items at all times,” adds Mr Jawad.
Al Ghurair Centre has long been popular with diners - as well as shoppers - and visitors both new and regular can explore exciting additions for all appetites.
Bloomsbury’s - a UAE home-grown boutique café and artisan bakery brand - has enjoyed popularity for more than a decade, serving a varied all-day menu, from snacks to main meals.
Sajan Alex, Vice President, Tablez Food Company, says Bloomsbury’s fits the UAE’s vibrant food culture seamlessly with its “avant-garde concept inspired by London cafés”.
“It also caters to the increasing populace of health, calorie-conscious and vegan diners with a wide range of health, sugar-free and keto options.
“The gourmet fare at Bloomsbury’s is handcrafted with fresh and best quality ingredients for all bakery and hot food items…chef driven recipes are created from scratch using the finest ingredients available seasonally. “
That embraces myriad flavoursome dishes, from all-day breakfast, soups and salads, sandwiches and burgers to authentic pastas, pizzas and risottos, beside an array of home-made pastries, desserts, cupcakes, cakes, cookies, tarts and more.
Current favourites, says Mr Alex, include The King Breakfast, with an assortment and portion size suitable for sharing, while recently introduced “The B.B.C”, is a breakfast underpinned by Bloomsbury’s ‘baked fresh each morning’ flaky croissants.
Another hunger-busting concept finding new fans is Monkey Pizza.
Founder and chief executive Saif Al Mansoori says it “demonstrates the art of modern-pizza making” with specials not found elsewhere.
He explains: “With a feverishly high-burning oven and handpicked ruby red tomatoes to make our authentic tomato sauce, we craft the most delicious crust pizzas that drive customers jungle wild.
“Customers have various and different tastes in food…our menu was designed to make everyone happy.”
The All American Pizza and Monkey Fever Pizza are among the top sellers.
Mr Al Mansoori is also founder of Maalem Shawarma - another culinary mall newcomer, it aims to charm shawarma aficionados with “real, genuine and delicious shawarma”.
Maalem means “The Master”, says the CEO.
“It’s not easy to master something and earn the title…we have put in a lot of hard work, passion, and dedication to develop the best products and services.
“This includes creation of the finest shawarma recipes, training our staff, developing the menu, and always improving standards,” says Mr Al Mansoori.
Alongside Lebanese, Syrian and Greek shawarmas, Arabic dishes feature, including Mashawi - tawouk, beef, kebab - plus breakfast favourites such as manakish, foul, falafel, and omelettes, and latest addition, the Signature Shawarma Burger.
The Maalem founder describes Al Ghurair Centre as “a city landmark” in an area that is home to a broad population.
“It is rich in cultural and traditional diversities, thus different tastes and preferences when it comes to food,” adds Mr Al Mansoori.
“Al Ghurair Centre seemed the perfect place to reach these new market segments - that’s why we chose to come and serve the best shawarmas, in one of the best locations in the city.”
Diners craving prime seafood will find variety at Abu El Araby - one of Egypt’s most famous seafood restaurants, now operating in the mall.
“The bottom line is the whole experience of seafood from Port Said City, one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean that has its own taste and flavour,” says Ossama Hassouna, general manager, Abu El Araby Restaurants.
“We are specialists in seafood and have special dishes related to our original city.”
The most celebrated include El Oudwan Eltholathy Tajin, Mebakbaka, Abou Alaraby Seafood Bucket, Harb 56, and El Shaheed Abou Elaraby.
Mr Hassouna says diners can admire a “new taste experience”, new seafood cooking ideas, a different atmosphere, and “our traditional music and amazing fire show”.
Completing the new retail arrivals are Mizale and Retold.
The latter is a homegrown business that brings pre-owned fashion at purse-friendly prices.
The boutique resells carefully selected, perfect condition items from high-street through to luxury in a sustainable way; helping Dubai dress up at a nice price while giving garments longer life.
Manager Jelena Dancetovic says Retold is trying to promote change by diverting textile waste from landfills, helping customers make “hard earned money go further” and giving clothes “a second chance”.
She is excited about presenting sustainable fashion to a wider population, “especially in such a well known establishment as Al Ghurair Centre”.
Meanwhile, if your feet need a new look, Mizale provides shoes from brands everyone loves at “super affordable” prices, including latest footwear trends and the newest designs.
For folk seeking a new venue for fitness with mental health benefits, Senseis Martial Arts Club could be the answer.
Part of United Karate Group International, one of the oldest martial arts institutes in the UAE (since 1979), it teaches Okinawan Karate, Kobudo, Aikido and Muay Thai to children and adults.
“We chose Al Ghurair Centre because it has been a landmark shopping destination in Dubai since its inception,” says V.A.M Iqbal, Chief Instructor for Shorin Ryu Seibukan Karate. “With the UAE celebrating its 50th anniversary, we got an opportunity to return to the roots of its retail culture.
“We are proud to become part of it, and have a dojo here - in a location that is not just iconic, but surrounded by thousands of families who could benefit from martial arts training.”
Find out more on all the above at www.alghuraircentre.com/
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE DEALS
Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m
Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m
Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m
Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m
Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m
TOTAL $485m
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFirst%20match%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2020%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%2016%20round%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%203%20to%206%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuarter-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%209%20and%2010%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESemi-finals%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2013%20and%2014%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinal%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDecember%2018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
More coverage from the Future Forum
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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)
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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.
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
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Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
