Welcome to The National's weekly newsletter Beshara, where we share the most positive stories of the week
Designer Rami Al Ali poses backstage before his haute couture show in Paris on July 10. Reuters
Dear reader,
Fashion designer Rami Al Ali this week became the first Syrian to join the prestigious ranks of haute couture at Paris Fashion Week.
For his debut show, he presented a collection that pays homage to his homeland's handicrafts, which had been endangered and almost forgotten during Syria's long civil war.
Al Ali explained why reworking Syrian heritage was important for him in a statement before the show,
“Every step forward, especially when you're coming from a place that’s underrepresented or misunderstood, is an act of quiet defiance,” he said. “Success is a form of resistance.”
While Syria continues to navigate an uncertain future, voices such as Al Ali's prove that its spirit, culture and talent are far from broken.
Mazin Muntassir Hassan with relatives and Dr Naveed Ahmed and members of the cardiology team at Aster Hospital Mankhool in Dubai. Photo: Aster DM Healthcare
A Sudanese teenager has received critical surgery for a congenital heart defect that had gone undetected.
UAE resident Mazin Muntassir Hassan, 14, was found to have a congenital condition that could have been fatal if left untreated.
It was diagnosed at Dubai hospital after his symptoms raised the alarm among the medical team. Mazin said the doctors have helped him "get his life back".
“Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn’t play or do normal things like other kids," he said. "Now I feel healthy and strong again.”
QUOTED
'I never ever dreamed that a door like this would open for me. To receive a scholarship to play in the US is a life-changing opportunity'
– Jordanian athlete Omar Suleiman is one of three players scouted by SUNY Adirondack university in New York for a two-year football scholarship
An Emirati aid convoy of 13 lorries arrived in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night. Photo: Wam
The UAE has announced plans to supply water to Palestinians in Gaza through a new pipeline.
Under the project, water will be piped from a desalination plant built by the Emirates in Egypt to displaced families between Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza.
The project, part of the Gallant Knight 3 campaign, aims to serve 600,000 people, providing 15 litres of desalinated water per person each day.
More than 80 per cent of water facilities in the enclave have been destroyed, leaving many Gazans facing dehydration every day.
SNAPSHOT
A family uses a plastic sheet to protect themselves during heavy rains in New Delhi, India. Reuters
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties) Esperance: Belaili 38’ Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
