Warm tributes have been paid to a long-serving Federal National Council member who died on Monday.
Ali Jassem Ahmed represented Umm Al Quwain on the consultative body and was general manager of Umm Al Quwain Broadcasting Network.
The Court of Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, expressed its deepest condolences to his family, in a statement carried by state news agency Wam.
His age and cause of death were not stated.
Ahmed was first elected to the FNC in February 1990, serving as an important voice for his emirate for more than 32 years.
Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, said he was a loyal servant of the nation.
“I knew him as a brother, a friend, a patriotic man who persevered in the service of his country and a loving, honest, kind-hearted, good-natured, and pure-hearted person,” Dr Gargash said on Twitter.
Praise for a man generous with his knowledge
Yousef Al Batran, FNC member for Ras Al Khaimah, said Ahmed was always happy to share his wealth of knowledge with others.
“Whatever I say will not do him justice. He was a father and a brother to all,” said Mr Al Batran.
“We were constantly learning from him and he used his knowledge to teach, mentor and advise us.
“He will forever hold a special place in our hearts.”
Mr Al Batran said his colleague would send out morning greetings each day to his friends.
“I would respond with a thank you," he said. "He spoke to all of us and treated us like his children. He’s left a void in our hearts and lives.
“[He was] a gentle and experienced father figure, who dedicated his life to serving his country and people.”
Khalfan Rashed Al Shamsi, an FNC member for Abu Dhabi, echoed those sentiments.
"He was a man who dedicated his life to serving his country and his people. He supported everyone with his advice and guidance,” he said.
“He was a champion of Emirati rights and would work on public policies and laws. I’ve rarely met a more esteemed and knowledgeable man than him. He will be missed by all. “
Sara Mohammad Falaknaz, an FNC member for Dubai, said Ahmed's loss had brought great sadness.
She said he was a colleague fellow FNC members had learnt much from due to his many years of parliamentary experience.
FNC honours parliamentary stalwart
The FNC offered its sympathies over the death of a man it described as the "doyen of Emirati parliamentarians".
It said Ahmed had enjoyed a "life full of giving".
Saqr Ghobash, FNC speaker, said Ahmed made valuable contributions to parliamentary diplomacy and hailed his dedication to the UAE's leadership and its people.
During a distinguished political career, Ahmed served as second deputy to the FNC Speaker and under-secretary of the Executive Committee for the Emirati Parliamentary Division.
He also chaired several FNC committees and was appointed the Inter-Parliamentary Union Vice President for the Arab Group Affairs, as well as being a representative of the Arab Group at the IPU Executive Committee.
He also received the Arab Parliamentary Excellence Award in 2017.
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Price, base: Dh145,000
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Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
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- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
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- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
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- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
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