Much of the chatter around the office water cooler and at my favourite Abu Dhabi coffee shop this week was dominated by the abolition of the buffer zone that allowed drivers to travel 20 kilometres per hour faster than the posted speed limit on the capital’s roads.
At work, my colleagues fully supported the move, particularly the new arrivals who have never really understood the buffer zone concept to start with. “That’s not a buffer zone,” one exclaimed. “That’s a huge chasm.”
However, in my go-to shisha cafe in the heart of Khalidiyah, the ruling – while supported for its safety benefits – was greeted with solemnity.
While the usual crew at Anoud Cafe – who are mostly Egyptian, Sudanese and Lebanese – saluted the decision to curb the need for speed, their lament about the new traffic changes is attributed to something far deeper than the speed limits.
“Khalas, the days of mercy are over,” mused Magdi. “I am still getting used to it. I don’t know where to look at times: the road or the speedometer.”
I tended to agree with him, as I too found myself with this problem to and from work since it kicked in on Sunday, and I must admit, I did fall foul of the limit a few times. “Be careful, bro,” was Magdi’s reply to this admission. “That’s it, you will get fined, there is no more majaal.”
Magdi’s comment went some way to explaining the dour manner in which some of us received the news of the new rules. It was indeed more to do with the increasing loss of “majaal” in our daily life.
What is majaal? The Arabic term can be loosely defined as a range of space, encompassing both the physical to the emotional.
As I chatted with the group, they made me realise how majaal has always played a subtle yet important role in my Abu Dhabi experience. Having the freedom to pay my bills at Anoud, the local grocery store, and the launderette by way of a weekly tab is a form of capital majaal.
The express lanes I often use at the Yas Island amusement parks is majaal in action. Giving the benefit of the doubt is what majaal is about.
The discussions I have with my Arabic friends are often underpinned by a refreshing sense of calm and forgiveness. As life gets busier, the chances of frustrating those close to us gets easier. In our group, though, that is rarely the case. Forgiveness for real and perceived slights is easily given.
In short, majaal is sort of life’s buffer zone. It is the principle of allowing space – whether it’s between yourself and others, or yourself and any given situation – to give you better perspective and decision-making capabilities.
Thinking even more deeply on the issue, it’s a philosophy that can be found in Islamic spiritual literature, with plentiful verses from the Quran encouraging us to reflect before taking action.
The UAE is the most majaal-friendly country I know. Compared to those in Australia, the UAE authorities are positively generous when it comes to providing us time and space to get our act together. Back in Melbourne though, uh uh. I once paid a parking fine a day late and as a result, the amount increased by as much as 30 per cent.
In Abu Dhabi, you can pay outstanding traffic fines months later. There is greater sense of flexibility here when it comes to resolving issues. From the municipality employee to the Mawaqif officer, often it just takes a smile and an open mind to come up with a solution that is satisfying to all. However, as the UAE undertakes measures to diversify its economy, one of the unintended consequences is the limiting of that majaal space.
My grocery store and launderette have ditched their tab systems, while Anoud Cafe has put a two-day limit on my tab. That’s OK, I am not too worried. Like most things here in Abu Dhabi, I know that most challenges can be solved by way of a good old-fashioned chat.
_____________________
Read more from Saeed:
Domestic workers who take care of our families and homes are 'silent heroes'
Part-time work in the UAE: What working at a video store when I was 15 taught me about life
The WhatsApp council of candid friends that keeps me grounded
Chinese soaps on TV dubbed into Arabic? Bring it on
With the World Cup about to end, the UAE summer is really about to beg
_____________________
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The years Ramadan fell in May
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
Ramy%3A%20Season%203%2C%20Episode%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAri%20Katcher%2C%20Ryan%20Welch%2C%20Ramy%20Youssef%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERamy%20Youssef%2C%20Amr%20Waked%2C%20Mohammed%20Amer%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
