UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed once said those blessed with good fortune would never be truly content unless they used it for the benefit of those in need. And as 2017's Year of Giving came to an end, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid echoed the sentiment when he said: "Real giving lies in making a difference in another person's life or the life of a community or in the journey of a nation. That's the meaning of real giving." As we approach Ramadan in the Year of Zayed, it behoves us all to remember and uphold that same spirit of charity and altruism that formed the building blocks of the UAE and is one of the pillars of Islam. It carries a particular resonance during the holy month, when actions should be beyond censure and be imbued with only honourable intentions.
The spirit of giving is all around us. It is there in the mega-projects coordinated by the UAE to get aid to the victims of war and persecution across the region. And it is there in the simple kindnesses of people such as former police chief Saqer Al Mehairbi, who for 25 years has offered iftar in the cool shade of a tent in his Abu Dhabi neighbourhood to thousands of strangers observing the fast, and Dubai Women's Association, which collects clothes and housewares every year for those most in need. It is there, too, in the understated donations to charitable causes, made without calling attention to the act, by the likes of Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah.
Last week saw the launch of the Abu Dhabi-based Tabah Foundation, which enshrines the principle of zakat – in which Muslims are obliged to donate a percentage of their salary in almsgiving – by offering the option to donate online to help refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. It opens another avenue to alleviate one of the biggest human tragedies of our time with a sharia-compliant way of helping the tens of thousands of families in need on our doorstep – an issue which raises strong emotions in the UAE but previously the fear of alms being absorbed in red tape, bureaucracy or ending up in the wrong hands was a concern. The foundation, which has already helped 14,000 families in Jordan, promises a vetting procedure to ensure the money goes where it is needed most.
The UAE is already the world's largest donor of development aid relative to national income and gave more than Dh19 billion to causes last year. Dr Anwar Gargash, the UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, pointed to the plight of the Rohingya as an example of a cause worthy of aid for all Muslims and humanitarians. Tragically, they are not alone in needing help. In a world where humanity's most base, destructive instincts are too often visible and inflict unspeakable suffering, every gesture to counteract violence and hardship with kindness and generosity counts.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Real estate tokenisation project
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.
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
