As the National Day long weekend approaches with perfect weather expected, the UAE is getting ready to enjoy one of its favourite holidays in the calendar. However, it takes place for historically profound and symbolic reasons.
December 2 is National Day, which celebrates the date the UAE was unified in 1971. It began a remarkable story of rapid development, which made a tangible contribution to all who live and work in the Emirates and beyond.
This journey should be celebrated. It has provided citizens and residents with a stable, prosperous home, coupled with a safe, entrepreneurial environment. It also should not be taken for granted, particularly in a region that has been turbulent throughout the entire lifespan of the country.
It is fitting, therefore, that prior to National Day a more sombre public holiday takes place every year: Commemoration Day, which officially falls on November 30, although it has been marked with a public holiday on December 1 in recent years.
It is no coincidence that the two are so close together. Commemoration Day falls on November 30 because it was on that day in 1971 that Salem Suhail bin Khamis became what is believed to be the first Emirati killed in military service, on the island of Greater Tunb. The timing of his death could hardly be more symbolic of the sacrifice and bravery some are called on to demonstrate for a country to flourish and be safe.
Many have served since, and this year the country lost one of the most longstanding leaders in its history, President Sheikh Khalifa. Many will be remembering him and his work for the country this year.
President Sheikh Mohamed has said November 30 is a moment to affirm the strength and cohesion of society in the Emirates. It is important to note that this applies to all who live in the country. National Day might be based in Emirati culture, but across the country people from all the UAE's many communities have the chance to share in the celebrations, and feel gratitude for the prosperity the country enjoys.
And on Commemoration Day – indeed at any time – the vast complex of Wahat Al Karama, or Oasis of Dignity, which tells the stories of the UAE's heroes, should be visited. Its features include the central Pavilion of Honour that commemorates those who have given their lives for the country. Names are engraved on metal recycled from military vehicles. Surrounding the structure is symbolism to deepen the sense of commemoration, including verses from the Quran and poetry from the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Many more people are set to be a part of the UAE's National Days, as the country consolidates its position in the region and the world. Tragically, that success and security will sometimes require great sacrifice. The Emirates can be proud of the people willing to risk it, and mourns those who are no longer here because of this duty.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
Alita: Battle Angel
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz, Keean Johnson
Four stars
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
