There is nothing that lights the UAE up like its leaders, citizens and residents coming together to celebrate the rich history and people whose hard work has given the Emirates the prosperity and dignity we pride ourselves on. Thanks to the phenomenal work of the Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, the Qasr Al Hosn Festival, centred around Abu Dhabi's oldest building, has done just that.
For those who know Qasr Al Hosn, it is an opportunity to remember. For those who don't know, they can learn. And for those just visiting, they can experience. A country's culture is the backbone of its identity; it shapes what this country has become, and hopefully everything it will become, which is why preserving culture is of the utmost importance, both socially and economically.
Socially, when you think about how we live and operate as a society, and how our ancestors lived just 50 years ago, day and night have more similarities. Which is why places like Qasr Al Hosn are so important: they remind us of what was, what might have been and what is possible with determination and hard work.
Symbols of the UAE's recent successes, such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, have made their marks on the world. But ancient and historic symbols of past prosperity are what motivate and drive people today; we must protect them with as many resources as possible.
Emirati culture, unlike say that of Egypt or Turkey, is not infrastructure heavy. Nevertheless, the UAE does have centuries-old monuments and buildings that bring history to life. As bedouins most of our culture is made up of our journeys, stories, thoughts and poetry. This is why those tangible pieces of history must be preserved, embraced and celebrated above all the high-rise buildings, plush cafes and fancy hotels.
Economically, the UAE's tourism industry generated Dh22 billion in revenues last year, according to the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities, which is approximately 7 per cent of GDP. Tourism has worked wonders for the UAE, Dubai being the standout example; there, tourism contributes to about one third of its GDP.
If finance has taught me anything it is that any project is based on how much you spend initially, and how much cash you gain from that investment over the future life of the project. The UAE's tourism industry has come on the back of heavy government investments into contemporary attractions. But a more inward approach to tourism, focusing on genuine Emirati culture and spirit, could reap even greater rewards and give the Emirates a competitive edge for generations to come.
These are beautiful times for the UAE; the nation has an opportunity to invest in the past to bring it forth for the world to see. By nurturing and preserving both the tangible and intangible forms of our history, we will guarantee that our true wealth is maintained for generations to come.
Khalid Al Ameri is a social affairs commentator studying for his MBA at Stanford University in California
On Twitter: @KhalidAlAmeri
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
