Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel launched attacks against Gaza after two months of pause last week, in the middle of Ramadan. The renewed violence has killed 896 people, leaving families grieving during a period which is traditionally about prayer, reflection, spending time with family and fasting.
In the coming days, the spotting of the crescent moon will bring Eid Al Fitr, the festival which celebrates the end of the holy month. It is usually a time for visiting friends and family, prayer, eating together and giving gifts. But most in Gaza are struggling to find the joy required when destruction has ruined entire neighbourhoods.
But parents told The National they were determined to help their children enjoy the celebrations, in the hope of bringing some normality to their devastated lives. Weaving through markets, many of which stand upon rubble, they try to buy goods to make traditional sweets.
Noha Abu Hani, 47, has been displaced from Jabalia camp by the war and now lives in an Unwra camp. This Eid, for the first time in two years, she will bake.
“Before the war, Eid Al Fitr in Gaza was a time of cherished traditions,” Noha told The National. “One of the most beloved customs was baking ka’ak [a type of biscuit in the shape of a ring] and ma’moul [a date-filled biscuit], filling the streets in the last days of Ramadan with the sweet aroma of freshly baked treats. It was a time of joy, togetherness.”
But last year, joy was unimaginable, she says. “I was trapped in northern Gaza with my family of five. We couldn’t bake, couldn’t celebrate. There were no ingredients, no way to make anything."
Traders have raised prices, sparked by the resumption of an Israeli blockade on goods coming into the enclave on March 1, But Noha says she is grateful nonetheless to be able to buy a few small ingredients. She decided to bake, "not because it feels like Eid, not because it brings happiness, but to remind the children that life still exists, even in these ruins”.
In Gaza, Eid has become a day of contradictions between pain and resilience, between grief and the stubborn insistence on life. Some Gazans were able to return to their hometowns in the north of the enclave for the first time in months during the ceasefire which began on January 19.
This city may never experience joy again unless a miracle happens
Mohammed Al Sawarka
For Randa Abu Al Foul, 35, this Eid carries a glimmer of hope, despite the breakdown of the ceasefire. Unlike the past two Eids, she is no longer displaced in the south. She has returned to the north, to what remains of Gaza city.
“Yes, the war has resumed, and innocent lives continue to be lost, but many people are trying to push away the thoughts of death and war, to create an Eid atmosphere especially for the children.”
Randa, a mother of three sons and a daughter, did her best to uphold the traditions of Eid. “I took them to Al Rimal market and bought them Eid clothes, along with some chocolates and nuts."
“What makes me happy is that after leaving behind the life of displacement and returning to Gaza, I found that, despite the destruction, life still exists. The markets are open. People are wounded, grieving, but they are trying to live because they have no other choice.”
Randa’s home in Al Nasr neighbourhood was destroyed in the war. Now, she and her children live in Tel Al Hawa with her family. Her husband was injured in the war but she counts herself lucky.
Others, like Mohammed Al Sawarka, have lost more than their homes – more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war broke out on October 7, 2023. For the 44-year-old, Eid is a cruel reminder of losing three of his children in an Israeli air strike. Originally from Beit Lahia, he now lives in a tent in Jabalia Camp.
“We just want our lives to return to what they were before to celebrate Eid like we used to, far from the suffering of displacement and loss,” he told The National. “Every detail of our lives has become heartbreaking.”
“Eid is not for us. It is not for our children. I have two sons and three daughters, and I cannot even buy a single shirt for one of them. How can I think of new clothes or sweets when we barely have enough to eat?”
His voice heavy with grief, he continued, “Eid in Gaza is a nightmare. There are no celebrations because people are sick, displaced, struggling to survive. Everywhere we look, we see the scars of war destruction, death, piles of rubbish. This city may never experience joy again unless a miracle happens.”
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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SCORES
Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)
bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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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
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
The%20specs
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RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
PRISCILLA
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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