Following on from the Grand Prix, the World Air Games will boost the UAE’s global appeal
When German driver Nico Rosberg claimed first place in the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, there might have been a temptation to think that the sporting calendar of the UAE had peaked for another year, along with the Formula One season.
While the three days of motorsport certainly captivated the attention of fans here and across the world, the next major event is already lined up: the 2015 World Air Games. This 12-day event, known as the Olympics of aviation, starts in Dubai today and will feature more than 1,200 participants from 56 countries. With spectators converging on Dubai to watch the tournament, it reflects an importance to the UAE's economy that goes beyond its purely sporting merit.
Big international competitions provide a huge boost to the country’s hospitality and related sectors. Everyone who travels to this country as either a spectator or a participant will use our hotels, restaurants and shops. Away from the tournament, they are overwhelmingly likely to visit local attractions and enjoy what the country offers. This will help the entire sector to grow and flourish.
In Abu Dhabi, for example, the entertainment was not restricted solely to the Yas Marina Circuit. Related events were going on right across the city, including concerts provided for free on the Corniche as a counterpoint to the world famous artists at the after-race performances on Yas Island. This is in addition to Yas Island’s permanent attractions, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Yas Beach and Yas Mall.
These kind of events are not only good for the economy but they also further raise the profile of the UAE as a world-class sporting and recreational destination. As we remarked yesterday, the improved recognition of Abu Dhabi’s brand since its first Formula One in 2009 is obvious. This can help the country even politically, by giving us more “soft power” in the international arena, showing this is much more than simple entertainment.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
