I’m lucky to work in a diverse office with people from all walks of life, with different cultures and backgrounds.
Being an Emirati, I often get asked questions by colleagues who are new to the UAE and intrigued by the country's customs and traditions. While I can give insight into most subjects – from culture to cuisine – I don’t think I can be considered an example of the typical Emirati man.
One of the most common points of discussion is marriage – the process itself, the steps of the engagement and the wedding, leading to the quirks of married life.
Mine wasn't all that different from other Emiratis. But in one particular departure from custom, I chose to move out and live with my wife in an apartment in downtown Abu Dhabi.
Remaining at home after marriage is not strictly an Emirati tradition, of course. Across the Arab world, many young couples remain in either the man or even the woman's parents' home. But as more Arab societies become urbanised, and houses become smaller and more modern, the tradition has receded for some.
In my case, moving out wasn’t easy. My mother tried her best to convince me to stay for at least the first three years. Financially speaking, it would have been the better choice. I wouldn’t have had to pay rent during a time I was building a new life with my partner. But the main consideration was not money. It was having a place to call our own from the start.
As I was growing up, it became more apparent to my family that I valued my solitude and own space. While my siblings shared rooms, I always had my own. When it was time to prepare for life after the wedding, my wife and I agreed that it was important to make the big step and get our own place.
Being from Kuwait, she was moving here to be with me. I didn’t think it was fair to move her from one family house into another. Getting married is a massive stride towards independence, and we felt it needed the appropriate accompaniment of having one’s own abode.
The timing was somewhat fortuitous, all things considered, given that we secured an apartment two weeks before the world shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While I do love my family, I think it made it easier to go through lockdown in my own space.
Location was a major factor in making the decision, too. My family lives in the outer suburbs of Abu Dhabi. And while there are advantages to that, such as the quiet atmosphere and large empty spaces, being out there was starting to feel dull. My wife and I prefer to be in the heart of a bustling city and chose to live by the Corniche instead.
Since we moved into our own place, more advantages have become apparent. Visiting family at weekends proves that, for me, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Having pets would also not have been easy if I lived in my parents’ house. They don’t like having animals in the house and my sister is afraid of cats.
It is not always going to be the best option for everyone. Most young couples will opt to save money and live in a free space despite the restrictions, with some even choosing to stay to strengthen the nuclear family, but there is no substitute to earned freedoms.
Wonka
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EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
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The years Ramadan fell in May
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
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Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
