On the importance of proverbs, and a cool history of the traditional barjeel.
Dear Ali: What is the significance of proverbs in the Arab world? SA, Japan
Dear SA: Are you kidding me? Half of our daily conversation is based on proverbs! In almost every Emirati house there is someone who is really into Arabic literature and poetry. Historically, Arabs were known for being good poets and storytellers. That was our culture and our way of life; therefore, such characteristics and attributes were highly valued by our ancestors, and made their way into our hearts and minds as well.
This storytelling flourished during the onset of the Islamic era, as people used to memorise words, sayings and messages of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in order to preserve, spread and show their devotion to Islam. Arabic proverbs became one of the main forms of communication, partly because of their educational value and ability to add wisdom to day-to-day conversations.
Proverbs were quoted from the Holy Quran and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophets). Although most of our proverbs are in classical Arabic, we in the Emirates have our own proverbs. They are inspired by daily observations, local folklore and our faith; they are mostly in our local Khaleeji (Gulf) dialect.
Go to my website, www.ask-ali.com, to read some of these lovely proverbs, such as this one, which is one of my favourites: "Those who don't know the shaheen, grill it." Shaheen is a type of falcon, and as we all know, falcons are not edible, but are often used for hunting food. This proverb means that those who don't know what a Shaheen is would probably grill it! So in other words, those who are practising a trade in which they have no experience or perform a task in which they have no skills are bound to do more harm than good.
Dear Ali: I'm a student at a local school, and we are working on a project about architecture in the Gulf region. I'm wondering what would be your best subject to tackle for such an assignment? NH, Abu Dhabi
Dear NH: I love it when smart students ask me for suggestions, rather than asking me to do their homework for them. I'm going to share with you what I consider to be unique architectural objects of the region, and without a doubt one of the top structures is the barjeel, or wind tower. It dates to ancient times, and was our air conditioning back in the day.
The barjeel is a traditional air ventilator that does not require electricity, and is used to create airflow and bring breezes into homes and other buildings. Barjeels are constructed as towers rising a few metres above the roofline, and are open on all sides; like a chimney, they catch and direct the air downwards and into the living space. The air is a little cooler even a short distance above the ground, and this air is funneled down into the buildings where it makes being indoors bearable in the hot summer months.
As my German colleague Heike Mockel tells people on the tours she conducts, studies have shown that barjeels can cool the air inside by as much as 10C!
If you want to learn more about these and other historical structures, go to the Heritage Village in Abu Dhabi and tour the traditional Gulf house; it has a barjeel, and if you stand under it you will be refreshed by the cool breeze that flows down it. But hurry, because the weather is already getting cooler!
Language lesson
Arabic: El omr kella inshalla
English: May you/they live a long life
This is a popular phrase used mainly after someone tells you his or her age. For example, if your friend tells you his grandmother is 89, instead of showing surprise say, "El omr kella inshallah", may she live a long life, God willing. This phrase will show respect, instead of envy of her long life.
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Poacher
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group H
Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)
CREW
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Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5