Among the changes in the kingdom over the past five years, since Vision 2030 was announced, is the choice and freedom to celebrate love on Valentine's Day.
“I remember like less than 10 years ago, everything red was frowned upon be it attire or even red roses that were banned, or rather sold in secret at flower shops. In schools, students were exchanging red roses in secret - it was funny - or we were asked to hide anything that symbolised Valentine's Day, which honestly added to our curiosity more than anything,” said Banan Hafeez, a Saudi fashion student in Jeddah.
“Today you see chocolate shops to lingerie brands promoting 'red products' before Valentine's day in malls.”
Malls, hotels and local businesses across the kingdom are celebrating February 14 with special offers and products designed for Valentine's Day this year.
Local bakeries, such as Munch, Alia's funky kitchen, Rimbo's and many others are creating special cakes and desserts. Floward, the express flower delivery service, has collaborated with Saudi brands to mark the occasion. Even Saudi spas and gyms are celebrating, including SheFit, a local female gym in Jeddah that has announced special rates for Valentine's Day.
The huge corporate adoption of the once frowned upon celebration shows the rapid pace of change in Saudi Arabia.
“Prices of red roses are tripled on Valentine's Day, it's one of our most profitable days,” said Saad Karim, a local florist in Jeddah. “All other prices for coloured roses and flowers remain the same. People have already sent their orders that go out for delivery on February 14,” he said.
Located along the Red Sea coast with views of the Jeddah fountain, Park Hyatt hotel in Jeddah is offering a “Romance Package” that offers a honeymoon set-up; dinner for two, a couple's massage and a gift for your loved one. The offer is valid till February 19 for those wishing to celebrate, said a Park Hyatt official.
“I am gifting my wife a gold necklace with red roses and chocolates. Of course, that's standard,” said Abdul Wahab, a Saudi shopper. “I don't need an occasion to celebrate the mother of my children. This is just another occasion to do so,” he added.
“My friends and I are planning to watch Marry Me on Valentine's Day. You know a feel-good romantic movie is always a good fit to enjoy ourselves. Since our teen years we have given our friends red roses, just a symbol of love and appreciation for each other,” said Mona Sindi a postgraduate student in Riyadh.
Since our teen years, we have given our friends red roses, just a symbol of love and appreciation for each other
Mona Sindi,
postgraduate student in Riyadh
“I'm getting a perfume for my husband, who's taking me out to dinner for Valentine's Day. But I also got myself a gift, you know love yourself first,” says Reham Ihsan, a Syrian citizen living in the kingdom.
Places, a local lifestyle brand founded by Hala Khallaf and Shatha Batterjee, is selling a “love dose box” - comprising a heart-shaped cake, heart candle, bouquet, “love”-inscribed stationery and tote bag in Jeddah.
“This box was created to inspire and spread love all around. Filled with seven unique locally-made pieces, some are even handmade by us! All pieces aim to be your reminder that love is a divine feeling that makes our life much more beautiful and meaningful. It also comes with a love letter written by us that talks about love and encourages keeping your heart open for it. Our target was to make it suitable for anyone including yourself. Because love is that, for everyone,” Ms Batterjee said.
“As we are approaching Valentine's Day, we are excited that the box is moving quite quickly. People are buying it for their partners, best friends, and sisters. Our favourite part was the notes people left to be included in the box, it is indeed heart-warming. We are showcasing the box at different venues to increase more awareness. And our wish is to lead with love and inspire others to do so".
How it works
A $10 hand-powered LED light and battery bank
Device is operated by hand cranking it at any time during the day or night
The charge is stored inside a battery
The ratio is that for every minute you crank, it provides 10 minutes light on the brightest mode
A full hand wound charge is of 16.5minutes
This gives 1.1 hours of light on high mode or 2.5 hours of light on low mode
When more light is needed, it can be recharged by winding again
The larger version costs between $18-20 and generates more than 15 hours of light with a 45-minute charge
No limit on how many times you can charge
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
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.
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Juventus 1 Ajax 2
Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
