I was lying back in the reclining chair when my Indian dentist asked if I'd be employing a maid when I moved away from the UAE.
When we were told of my husband's new project destination in India, I was apprehensive about many things. But one thing I did not worry about was hiring a maid. I had never lived without one before and it seemed an exciting prospect.
Both my own family and my in-laws employed a maid and it seemed logical for them. Both families had lived without maids before but the heavy onslaught of work for a household of 10 members or so, even for a mother who doesn't work outside the home, is daunting.
Employing a maid is a luxury, but a learnt one. I have never felt completely comfortable with the presence of an unrelated stranger in our household. It might have been a different story if she were a work-by-the-hour cleaner but no, in the Gulf you get a live-in maid at a reasonable price. And not only do we Emiratis employ maids, but head to any mall and observe the vast number of expatriates also with their maid or nanny in tow.
I am not a big fan of housework (who is, really?) but for the sake of privacy and peace of mind I will take the household chores upon myself any day. With the conveniences of modern electric appliances, most of the housework is automatic and - almost - painless.
One rule of mine is to wash dishes before they pile up. For backbreaking work such as ironing, the Emirates have always offered cheap services and for that I am thankful. Here in Gurgaon my husband has already found a laundry/ironing service that delivers to our apartment. Mopping and bathroom cleaning are aided by powerful chemical solutions, and the windows and curtains can be dusted and wiped easily with their respective tools.
Of course, the burden does not fall on me alone. I am fortunate to have a cooperative husband who shares my no-maid view and who does what he can when he can, which is enough for me. I am also teaching my son to put away his dishes in the kitchen, throw away whatever wrappers he has opened, and other small things here and there. There's no male superiority complex in my house.
Actually, to put it in an Islamic point of view, our Prophet Mohammed says: "The best of you is the best of you with their family and I am the best of you with my family." The Prophet patched his own clothes, repaired his shoes and helped his family with the housework. The idea that men do not share household chores or that it is shameful is strictly cultural and one I am adamant to crush, at least under my roof.
There are other reasons I do not wish to employ a maid. I can't get past my fear that a stranger in the house could prove dishonest, steal valuables and flee even after having agreed to a written contract. I also fear a stranger who might harm children, a prospect that gives me the shivers and is simply a risk too heavy for me to take.
Of course, my social anxiety plays a big role in my refusal to employ someone, but I think personal privacy is a blessing not to be taken lightly.
Mostly, though, I like getting up on a lazy weekend and sitting on the couch with my husband and my son. And something tells me a simple and relaxed domestic atmosphere is hard to maintain with a maid in the background.
Iman Ali is an Emirati English literature graduate from Zayed University. Raised in Scotland, she is now living in Gurgaon, Haryana, India and is writing The Great Emirati Novel.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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