With Ramadan set to begin this weekend, now's a good time to reflect on how we approach the holy month.
This mindset does not only apply to those fasting, who refrain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, but to those – such as our dear friends and colleagues – not observing Ramadan.
There are a number of small and common-sense things to bear in mind, to accommodate the month's change of pace, as well as the physical and psychological state of those fasting.
Here are seven potential faux pas to avoid in the workplace and at home during the holy month, for those not observing Ramadan.
1. Keep the food and drink aside during online meetings
Just because Zoom is our new best friend at work, it shouldn't mean Ramadan etiquette is discarded online.
It is advised to refrain from eating and drinking in front of fasting colleagues, whether in person or on a computer screen.
If you simply must have that coffee, then ensure you turn off your camera before getting your caffeine hit.
2. Keep conversations on point
Everybody loves a bit of banter. However, even if the spirit is well-intentioned, it is best to avoid such exchanges during the holy month.
This is not because your fasting friend or colleague has suddenly lost their sense of humour during Ramadan.
Rather, the cumulative spiritual and psychological effects of fasting can only be realised by maintaining a clear mindset throughout the month. This means limiting idle chatter and absolutely refraining from any vulgar conversation.
3. No such thing as smoke breaks during Ramadan
The first few days of Ramadan are the most difficult – and that's not only for those fasting. Even non-Muslim colleagues will take some time to adjust to the different social rhythms of the month – one of which is the smoke break.
Smoking is banned for those fasting.
So, if you value those few minutes spent outside chatting with your fasting friend, not to mention your health, then go on that stroll but keep your cigarette pack stashed away.
4. Don’t engage in unnecessary arguments
A common Arabic phrase heard during the holy month is "ana sayim".
Fasting is not merely an act of refraining from food from dawn to dusk. It is about abstaining from things and behaviours deemed not spiritually enriching
Translated as "I am fasting", it is more of a courteous excuse than a statement of intent. The phrase is often used as a handy circuit-breaker when a discussion becomes uncivil.
This illustrates the importance of not engaging in or instigating arguments or heated discussions.
If such a situation does occur and you are met with a brisk “I am fasting", don’t be offended. It is just a way to say "I need to cool off".
5. Cancel that early morning and late-afternoon meeting
The last 10 days of Ramadan are viewed not only as the most spiritual period of the holy month, but a time when many Muslims transform to night owls as they partake in extra prayers held in the early hours.
Therefore, it is recommended not to schedule unnecessary work meetings in the morning. The same thing goes for planning any work events in the late afternoon at any time during the holy month, as those fasting prepare to go home for iftar.
Rescheduling that late-afternoon meeting is not only considerate, but also a responsible decision to avoid a rush on the roads.
6. Never refuse an iftar invitation
Want to upset your fasting friend in the blink of an eye? Then decline their invitation for iftar.
Understand this: an iftar request is not the same as being asked to pop over for a lazy lunch.
While the meal could be simple, the request to share that reverent moment when the first date is eaten and a glass of water sipped at the end of the fasting day is a sign of how your relationship is valued.
Say yes and leave with your heart and belly full.
7. Keep the volume low on the roads
While the weather remains breezy enough to lower the car roof and cruise down the Abu Dhabi Corniche with your favourite track blaring from the speakers, keep the noise to a minimum.
Once again, the fast is not merely an act of refraining from food from dawn to dusk – it is about abstaining from things and behaviours deemed not spiritually enriching.
This is why you may find the melodious recital of the Quran or evocative lyrics of nasheeds heard from cars during the day as opposed to pop tunes.
Don’t be the person who ruins that vibe by pumping Justin Bieber at full volume.
At the very least, pull your windows up.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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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
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Second Test, Day 2:
South Africa 335 & 75/1 (22.0 ov)
England 205
South Africa lead by 205 runs with 9 wickets remaining
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The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
THE NEW BATCH'S FOCUS SECTORS
AiFlux – renewables, oil and gas
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Greener Crop – agriculture
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Lune Technologies – fibre-optics
Monak – delivery
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Nybl – machine learning
Occicor – shelf management
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Pivony – user-generated data
PowerDev – energy big data
Sav – finance
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
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15 years, 235 days old
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About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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