Sharjah's leaders set out the new four-day working week on the same day they launched a new winter tourism campaign. 'Find Your Sharjah' seeks to attract visitors with special hotel packages and day trips. All photos: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Sharjah's leaders set out the new four-day working week on the same day they launched a new winter tourism campaign. 'Find Your Sharjah' seeks to attract visitors with special hotel packages and day trips. All photos: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Buhais Geological Park looks more like the Martian landscape than sunny Sharjah. This cluster of science buildings is built on a former seabed that runs through an area of great geological significance.
Buhais Geological Park looks more like the Martian landscape than sunny Sharjah. This cluster of science buildings is built on a former seabed that runs through an area of great geological significance.
Sharjah's 10-week winter tourism campaign challenges visitors to explore everything the emirate has to offer.
Sharjah's 10-week winter tourism campaign challenges visitors to explore everything the emirate has to offer.
Sharjah's east coast and mountain areas offer a glimpse of a different side of the emirate.
Sharjah's east coast and mountain areas offer a glimpse of a different side of the emirate.
Outdoor adventures are highlighted in Sharjah's 10-week tourism campaign.
Outdoor adventures are highlighted in Sharjah's 10-week tourism campaign.

UAE

Sharjah to adopt three-day weekend

Public sector workers in the emirate will work just four days a week

  • English
  • Arabic

Sharjah's public sector will adopt a four-day working week and a three-day weekend - giving employees an extra half day off than the rest of the country.

Sharjah's Executive Council announced the decision on Thursday. It will come into effect on January 1, 2022.

Employees will work from 7.30am to 3.30pm, which is 60 to 90 minutes longer than they do at present.

The decision follows the federal government's landmark shift to a Saturday-Sunday weekend, with a half day of work on Friday. The UAE's labour minister said the private sector will receive no official instruction to make the change, and can do so at their own discretion.

It makes Sharjah's government sector the first in the Gulf and Middle East to fully adopt a four-day working week. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah's local governments have all committed to a 4.5 day working week.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, announced the move after instructions from the Ruler of Sharjah.

Schools throughout the country are already braced for the new Monday to Friday working week, with schools expected to open with a new timetable on Monday, January 3. There is an extra national holiday on Sunday, January 2, 2022.

'More quality family time'

Sheikha Tariq, an Emirati public sector employee, told The National she and her colleagues were elated by the news.

She said it was clear that more work will have to be got through during the working week in return for the extra time off.

“This will not only give us more time to spend with our families in a way that will boost the emirate’s efforts of preserving the family unit, but will also encourage employees to perform better at work,” she said.

“It's a great decision in terms of more family bonding, religious commitment and increased productivity."

Abdul Jaleel Al Bloushi, who works for a government HR department in the town of Kalba, said employees would need to show they could make a four-day week work.

"You see by the working hours, you will notice they have been extended. And now employees including myself have an incentive to do better performance," he said.

He said many will appreciate the chance to be "more present in the lives of our children and families".

School situation not yet clear

Although it would appear likely that schools could fall in line with government work hours, headteachers said it was too soon to say whether pupils would attend classes on Fridays or not.

The country's public schools, largely attended by Emiratis, are overseen by a federal authority, while Sharjah's private schools are regulated by a local education authority.

Ibraheem Barakeh, director of the Al Shola group of private schools, said there were many factors to consider.

"We haven’t received anything official related to this decision, in terms of the shape of the school week," he said.

"We are eagerly waiting for details in order to be able to coordinate not only the new school week but also what’s connected to it, such as school holidays, final exams in each of the terms.

"We expect all of these factors were taken into consideration before the decision was taken."

Sharjah's ancient Egypt exhibition dazzles visitors - in pictures

An interactive exhibition at the Sharjah Archeological Museum teaches children about an ancient Egyptian village where hundreds of craftsmen who worked on and decorated Valley of the Kings tombs lived. All Photos: Ruel Pableo/The National
An interactive exhibition at the Sharjah Archeological Museum teaches children about an ancient Egyptian village where hundreds of craftsmen who worked on and decorated Valley of the Kings tombs lived. All Photos: Ruel Pableo/The National
The focus of the exhibition is the discovery of the 3,400-year-old Deir El Medina village, home to the artisans and craftsmen who built and decorated the royal tombs.
The focus of the exhibition is the discovery of the 3,400-year-old Deir El Medina village, home to the artisans and craftsmen who built and decorated the royal tombs.
Children at the exhibition.
Children at the exhibition.
The exhibition teaches children about royal tombs, pharaohs and life in ancient Egypt.
The exhibition teaches children about royal tombs, pharaohs and life in ancient Egypt.
Visitors learn about major archaeological discoveries through workshops, hands-on activities and touchscreen games.
Visitors learn about major archaeological discoveries through workshops, hands-on activities and touchscreen games.
The exhibition was organised by Sharjah Museums Authority in partnership with the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy.
The exhibition was organised by Sharjah Museums Authority in partnership with the Egyptian Museum in Turin, Italy.
The exhibition tells the story of the builders, artists, and painters who worked on Egypt’s pharaohs’ tombs in 1,500 BC.
The exhibition tells the story of the builders, artists, and painters who worked on Egypt’s pharaohs’ tombs in 1,500 BC.
"We are proud to organise this first-of-its-kind children's exhibition. It helps our young audience to explore the rich ancient Egyptian history and learn about archaeology,” said Manal Ataya, director general of SMA.
"We are proud to organise this first-of-its-kind children's exhibition. It helps our young audience to explore the rich ancient Egyptian history and learn about archaeology,” said Manal Ataya, director general of SMA.
Short movies are played on large screens about the Deir El-Medina village, the excavation missions that led to its discovery, and methods of restoring and preserving artefacts.
Short movies are played on large screens about the Deir El-Medina village, the excavation missions that led to its discovery, and methods of restoring and preserving artefacts.
Children use mock-up excavation tools and are introduced to techniques used by archaeologists.
Children use mock-up excavation tools and are introduced to techniques used by archaeologists.
Christian Greco, director of the Egyptian Museum in Italy, said: "The exhibition allows children and their families to remotely visit one of the most iconic sections of the Egyptian Museum’s collection."
Christian Greco, director of the Egyptian Museum in Italy, said: "The exhibition allows children and their families to remotely visit one of the most iconic sections of the Egyptian Museum’s collection."
The Sharjah Archeological Museum.
The Sharjah Archeological Museum.
The exhibition runs until August 31, 2022.
The exhibition runs until August 31, 2022.
The Sharjah Archeological Museum.
The Sharjah Archeological Museum.
Children learn how to restore objects as part of the exhibition.
Children learn how to restore objects as part of the exhibition.
The exhibition helps its young visitors gain an insight into archeology.
The exhibition helps its young visitors gain an insight into archeology.
Ancient Egypt is brought to life at the exhibition.
Ancient Egypt is brought to life at the exhibition.
A child uses a touchscreen to learn about Ancient Egypt.
A child uses a touchscreen to learn about Ancient Egypt.
Children can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities.
Children can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities.
Displays help young viewers learn about Egyptian history.
Displays help young viewers learn about Egyptian history.
Children can also learn about the history of Ancient Egypt.
Children can also learn about the history of Ancient Egypt.
Things Heard & Seen

Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis
On Women's Day
Polarised public

31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views

19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all

Source: YouGov

On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Whiile you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Results

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)

5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard

While you're here
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Imperial%20Island%3A%20A%20History%20of%20Empire%20in%20Modern%20Britain
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Charlotte%20Lydia%20Riley%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Bodley%20Head%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20384%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Courses%20at%20Istituto%20Marangoni%2C%20Dubai
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUndergraduate%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EInterior%20Design%3B%20Product%20Design%3B%20Visual%20Design%3B%20Fashion%20Design%20%26amp%3B%20Accessories%3B%20Fashion%20Styling%20%26amp%3B%20Creative%20Direction%3B%20Fashion%20Business%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Fashion%3B%20Foundation%20in%20Design%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EProfessional%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20e-Commerce%20%26amp%3B%20Digital%20Marketing%3B%20Fashion%20Entrepreneurship%3B%20Fashion%20Luxury%20Retail%20and%20Visual%20Merchandising%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShort%20courses%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFashion%20design%3B%20Fashion%20Image%20%26amp%3B%20Styling%3B%20Fashion%20Trend%20Forecasting%3B%20Interior%20Design%3B%20Digital%20Art%20in%20Fashion%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20is%20at%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.istitutomarangoni.com%2Fen%3Futm_source%3DLocal%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3Dgmb%26utm_content%3Ddubai%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Ewww.istitutomarangoni.com%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
While you're here
On Women's Day
While you're here
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELong-range%20dual%20motor%20with%20400V%20battery%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E360kW%20%2F%20483bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E840Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20touring%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20628km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh360%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeptember%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia

Three Penalties

v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)

v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)

v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)

Four Corners

v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)

v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)

v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)

v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)

One Free-Kick

v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Plastic tipping point
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Our commentary on Brexit
PRESIDENTS CUP

Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:

02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The%20trailblazers
%3Cp%3ESixteen%20boys%20and%2015%20girls%20have%20gone%20on%20from%20Go-Pro%20Academy%20in%20Dubai%20to%20either%20professional%20contracts%20abroad%20or%20scholarships%20in%20the%20United%20States.%20Here%20are%20two%20of%20the%20most%20prominent.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeorgia%20Gibson%20(Newcastle%20United)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20reason%20the%20academy%20in%20Dubai%20first%20set%20up%20a%20girls%E2%80%99%20programme%20was%20to%20help%20Gibson%20reach%20her%20potential.%20Now%20she%20plays%20professionally%20for%20Newcastle%20United%20in%20the%20UK.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMackenzie%20Hunt%20(Everton)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAttended%20DESS%20in%20Dubai%2C%20before%20heading%20to%20the%20UK%20to%20join%20Everton%20full%20time%20as%20a%20teenager.%20He%20was%20on%20the%20bench%20for%20the%20first%20team%20as%20recently%20as%20their%20fixture%20against%20Brighton%20on%20February%2024.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

Updated: December 09, 2021, 2:52 PM