Saudi folklore artists perform Taashir, a traditional dance of the people of Taif, about 65 kilometres to the east of the holy city of Makkah. AFP
Saudi folklore artists perform Taashir, a traditional dance of the people of Taif, about 65 kilometres to the east of the holy city of Makkah. AFP
Taashir is a war dance performed by carrying a weapon stuffed with gunpowder, which turns into a flame under the dancers' feet. AFP
Taashir is a war dance performed by carrying a weapon stuffed with gunpowder, which turns into a flame under the dancers' feet. AFP
Barefoot and in their traditional thobe and ghutra headdress, Taashir performers dance to traditional music in Saudi Arabia's western city of Taif. AFP
Barefoot and in their traditional thobe and ghutra headdress, Taashir performers dance to traditional music in Saudi Arabia's western city of Taif. AFP
A Taashir dancer bounces up and down with his knees pressed close together, as he fires at the ground, resulting in a blast of sparks and smoke under his feet, in Saudi Arabia's western province of Taif. AFP
A Taashir dancer bounces up and down with his knees pressed close together, as he fires at the ground, resulting in a blast of sparks and smoke under his feet, in Saudi Arabia's western province of Taif. AFP
Taashir requires some degree of training as the dancer has to jump, aim and shoot while in mid air. AFP
Taashir requires some degree of training as the dancer has to jump, aim and shoot while in mid air. AFP
Young boys also take part in the Taashir dance, but train with an unloaded weapon until they are able to handle a gun. AFP
Young boys also take part in the Taashir dance, but train with an unloaded weapon until they are able to handle a gun. AFP
The Taashir dance, originally performed before battle to motivate fighters and intimidate opponents, has been passed down from generation to generation. AFP
The Taashir dance, originally performed before battle to motivate fighters and intimidate opponents, has been passed down from generation to generation. AFP
Tasshir is a popular legacy and many in Taif want their children to learn the dance to preserve their tradition. AFP
Tasshir is a popular legacy and many in Taif want their children to learn the dance to preserve their tradition. AFP
A tribal tradition believed to date back hundreds of years, Taashir is now performed at weddings, festivals and on other special occasions. AFP
A tribal tradition believed to date back hundreds of years, Taashir is now performed at weddings, festivals and on other special occasions. AFP

Gulf

Gun jumping in Saudi Arabia: dancers perform Taashir folklore dance in Taif - in pictures

The traditional war dance involves barefoot men in traditional thobes leaping and jumping over guns while firing them

The National

April 14, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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NINE WINLESS GAMES

Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)

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Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)

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Manchester United v Liverpool

Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)

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The Settlers

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6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
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Dr Graham's three goals

Short term

Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


Long term

A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness  

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

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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