President Sheikh Mohamed has called on the nation to draw on its rich heritage and history to build a more sustainable future.
In a message to mark National Environment Day, Sheikh Mohamed said on X that the nation can "draw inspiration from our history of sustainable progress and renew our determination to protect the environment and preserve its resources for future generations".
"The UAE remains committed to supporting international climate action efforts and promoting collective responsibility towards shared global challenges."
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also took to social media to express his wishes for the annual national occasion.
"We call on everyone to play their part in preserving a nature-friendly lifestyle...and we call on everyone to preserve our national gains in the field of sustainability." said Sheikh Mohammed on X.
New theme
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has announced the theme of the 28th National Environment Day as ‘Our Heritage … Our Future’ - with the aim of drawing on historical sustainability practices to inspire future generations.
National Environment Day falls on February 4 each year, and this year’s theme builds on Sheikh Mohamed’s declaration of 2025 as the Year of Community, underscoring the role of communities in driving national progress.
Announcing the theme of this year's National Environment Day, Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said that "the community is the cornerstone of the country’s long-term development plans, and every individual must be fully aware and equipped to contribute to enhancing the UAE’s position as a global leader in sustainability and the future."
Ancient practices drive sustainability
From sustainable farming methods, to natural "air conditioning" - throughout history, Emiratis have engaged various methods based on their environment to live sustainably.
In response to extreme temperatures, the people of the UAE in the past built sustainable structures such as wind towers, known as barajeel in Arabic. These are tall towers constructed above buildings with openings at the top to catch wind to cool the rooms below - serving as a natural form of air-conditioning.
Other traditional practices include industries such as "safeyat" or palm frond crafts. This craft has traditionally been used to create everyday items such as baskets, bags, and food covers.
Sustainability in action
To engage the community in this year's National Environment Day theme - the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will host community events and activities in collaboration with relevant authorities up to World Environment Day on June 5th.
These initiatives aim to highlight traditional sustainable practices of the UAE community and bridge them to apply in a modern context, addressing today's environmental challenges.
In a statement, the Ministry said the key focus areas of this initiative will include small-scale farming, sustainable mobility, sustainable waste management, responsible consumption of products and services, and efficient use of electricity, water, and food.
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Tonight's Chat on The National
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
