Some people will do anything to get their hands on something they really, really want.
Tooshank Sharma is such a person. He woke up in the middle of the night to make sure he was front of the queue to bag the adidas x Ravi Restaurant trainers when they went on sale at 10am at The Dubai Mall's flagship adidas store on Thursday.
"I have been here since 4am," he tells The National. "This sneaker gives me a lot of nostalgia. I have been in Dubai for 10 years and I believe this is a piece of history, one you have to have."
His patience has paid off. He's the first inside the store and is able to grab a pair of the limited-edition trainers for Dh549.
For the launch, the flagship adidas store has been transformed into a Ravi Restaurant, complete with faux kitchen, table and chairs, chai cups and even a tuk-tuk, decked out in Ravi's famous green and white.
The walls are lined with adidas x Ravi T-shirts, with face masks and paper waiter hats on display; they are the same as those staff wear at the beloved Satwa institution.
One whole section of the store is given over to those wanting to customise their purchases, with patches and stickers laid out.
Buyers are able to have Ravi stickers pressed on to the T-shirts, including the same snippet of Ravi's menu and price list that is on the tongue of the shoe, from Dh129.
The collaboration has taken more than 18 months to bring to fruition, from conception to execution.
Another shopper, Sabi, explains why he finds it so attractive. "I think this is a one of a kind. It was the collaboration with Ravi Restaurant that prompted me to come here, as this is something to collect," he says.
A self-confessed "sneakerhead", Sabi saw this as a unique chance to get hold of something special. "I am sure we are never going to get this opportunity again, and that's why it's special. I actually only wear Nikes, so I am buying this pair to collect," he says.
Unlike with other brand tie-ups, which tend to draw a teenage crowd, the mixed demographic buying this shoe is noticeable.
When we visit the store, there are Emirati women, twenty-somethings in shorts, middle-aged men and even an elderly German couple looking mildly perplexed by the whole thing — all waiting patiently for their chance to be allowed in.
Another shopper, Saeed, joined the queue by accident. "I learnt about these trainers on Instagram a few days ago, but wasn't really paying attention. Then, by sheer coincidence, I was just walking past, so here I am. I am very happy," he says with a broad smile.
While adidas will not disclose how many pairs are available, the range is expected to sell out on Thursday.
Although an informal policy of five pairs per customer is in place, the general mood is less stressed and more laid-back than other high-profile drops. Everyone is content to wait their turn, and there is no pushing or shoving. People are politely snapping up one or two pairs each, and all are leaving with big smiles.
It's a nod to the role Ravi's has played in Dubai society for so many years.
Heena, who only recently moved to Dubai, sums it up. "This restaurant was recommended to us so many times," she says. "And then, this month, the whole campaign started and I realised this has some sort of cultural significance. So here I am."
Scroll through the gallery below to see pictures of Ravi Restaurant in Satwa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE SQUAD FOR ASIAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP
Men’s squad: Faisal Al Ketbi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Kathiri, Thiab Al Nuaimi, Khaled Al Shehhi, Mohamed Ali Al Suwaidi, Farraj Khaled Al Awlaqi, Muhammad Al Ameri, Mahdi Al Awlaqi, Saeed Al Qubaisi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi and Hazaa Farhan
Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The%20specs
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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
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
The%20specs
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