Ramadan draws to a close this week, but there is still time to visit some of the many special events hosted for the holy month. Eid Al Fitr celebrations will begin at the end of the week and they're expected to last up to five days.
Here, The National rounds up seven things to do this week, from April 17 to 23.
Monday
Monday is the final day of Charlotte Tilbury's pop-up majlis at Society cafe, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi.
Aside from a limited-edition menu, the majlis also features games, a live qanun player and various beauty-related activities and tutorials. Visitors can also take home gifts and prizes from the cosmetics brand.
Today; 8am-1am; prices vary; 02 886 7735; Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi; societyuae.com
Tuesday
Qasr Al Watan is hosting the Palace in Motion light and sound show.
The picturesque venue will give visitors a glimpse of the UAE's past, present and future through an audiovisual spectacle projected on its facade. It consists of three acts and features traditional Emirati music with a futuristic twist.
Until Friday; 7.30pm; Dh25 for adults, Dh12 for children; Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi; qasralwatan.ae
Wednesday
Mercato Mall is bringing its Ramadan festivities to a close with a final flurry of activities.
A variety of events for children are taking place on the mall's main stage, including live shows, lantern-decorating workshops and face painting. Several designated donation areas have also been set up, where visitors can bring in books, clothes, toys and other non-perishable items.
Until Thursday; 4pm-10pm; free; Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai; 04 344 4161
Thursday
Fontana, the first travelling water circus in the Middle East, will perform at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi.
A musical fountain is the centrepiece of the performance, as water jets and colourful lights dance together. Fontana's name was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, a famed attraction where visitors often toss in a coin for luck.
Until Sunday; doors open at 8pm; from Dh90; Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi; abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net
Friday
A handpan orchestra is playing at the Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai, combining Arabic calligraphy and hypnotic music.
The audiovisual show, called Tranquillity 360°, features the works of calligraphy artist Diaa Allam, accompanied by Anas Al Halabi’s orchestra. Allam's collection, Layers, which will be the show's main focus, is inspired by the “different layers of life”, and is meant to make audiences rethink their outlook.
Meanwhile, Al Halabi is one of the early teachers of handpan in the Middle East. The musical instrument consists of two convex sheets of steel glued together.
Friday; 9pm; from Dh180; Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 277 4044
Saturday
Visitors can sign up for culinary masterclasses or tuck into discounted dinners as part of the Dubai Food Festival, which begins on Thursday.
Events include Etisalat Beach Canteen, Dubai Restaurant Week and the 10 Dirham Dish. Restaurant offers and special menus aside, there are close to 40 foodie experiences to book, including cooking demonstrations and children's workshops.
Until May 7; various venues and prices; visitdubai.com
Sunday
Emirati singer Eida Al Menhali will lead Eid celebrations at Dubai Festival City Mall on Sunday.
Known for the hit Motasoa, Al Menhali is a dynamic performer with sets blending Khaleeji pop with spoken-word poetry.
Sunday; doors open 7pm; from Dh299; Dubai Festival City Mall; dubai.platinumlist.net
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.
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
The years Ramadan fell in May
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Scorline
Iraq 1-0 UAE
Iraq Hussein 28’
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m. Winner: Majd Al Megirat, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Shehhi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: Dassan Da, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Heba Al Wathba, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Harbour Spirit, Adrie de Vries, Jaber Ramadhan.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Key 2013/14 UAE Motorsport dates
October 4: Round One of Rotax Max Challenge, Al Ain (karting)
October 1: 1 Round One of the inaugural UAE Desert Championship (rally)
November 1-3: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Formula One)
November 28-30: Dubai International Rally
January 9-11: 24Hrs of Dubai (Touring Cars / Endurance)
March 21: Round 11 of Rotax Max Challenge, Muscat, Oman (karting)
April 4-10: Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (Endurance)
