A Day in the Life allows you to step into the shoes of a UAE resident to experience a typical 24 hours in their work and home life.
As the cell door shuts with a bang and the heavy bolt slams into place, Ayman Abdelrhman prepares for another day as the UAE’s most crafty jailer.
The Sudanese businessman has made a living out of locking up “inmates” – who pay him for the pleasure.
As the managing director of adventure experience Prison Island – Beat the Bars, Mr Abdelrhman, 42, spends his days dreaming up adrenalin-inducing challenges that unfold across 26 cells, each testing the brains and brawn of brave participants.
Inspired by hit TV shows Fort Boyard and The Crystal Maze, the series of challenges require quick thinking, sharp logic and teamwork – with Mr Abdelrhman personally testing out each cell.
Here, The National joins the father-of-two on a typical day in the slammer to see why life is better behind bars.
6.30am: Porridge and push-ups
Prison Island can be gruelling both mentally and physically, and to prepare for the day ahead, Mr Abdelrhman starts his morning with a hearty breakfast and gym session – though he typically swerves prison gruel.
“I have two kids so the family usually eat a nutritious breakfast together and then I’ll hit the gym,” he says.
“Prison Island is a franchise across three branches with more than 60 challenges and I’ve tried most of them.
“It’s a mixture of mental and physical challenges that test fitness, tactics and technique so it’s important to stay in shape.”
9am: Morning patrol
Mr Abdelrhman starts his duties with a quick inspection of the cells, which often leads to an impromptu game of Whac-A-Mole between staff.
“Every day I check that everything is in working order and often that means getting involved in a game myself,” he says.
“I have multiple favourites but I particularly like a fitness challenge, though nothing gets me more fired up than a game of Whac-A-Mole.
“Currently I have the second-highest score, and if no one else is around then I’ll use the opportunity to practise.
“We also get very competitive with Riot, which is a maze where you have to run around hitting flashing buttons as the strobe lights of security forces try to hunt you down.
“We’re always playing and that’s the favourite part of my working day.”
1pm: Inmate surveillance
Customer feedback and interaction are vital for Prison Island’s success and in the afternoon, Mr Abdelrhman mingles with the “inmates” to see how they are enjoying their yard time.
“One of my favourite things to do is interact with customers, taking their feedback and making sure none of the cells are too easy,” he says.
“Our biggest demographic is young adults, though we also see a lot of workplace teambuilding, school trips and family outings.
“No one ever gets locked in a room, though once the competitive spirit takes hold there’s no telling how long a group might be in there thrashing it out.”
4pm: New cells and strategy
The late afternoon is often dedicated to team meetings, discussing anything from marketing and strategy to coming up with new concepts for the types of prison cells.
“We’re always looking for new concepts to challenge our customers and keep them coming back for more,” says Mr Abdelrhman.
“Last year, we created a portable escape room that could be placed at various events, as well as Laser Island, which is one of my daughter’s favourite games.”
For Mr Abdelrhman, no idea is too big or too bold and the set for every cell is painstakingly designed and hand-painted.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting ideas up our sleeve and new concepts for the region, though they’re currently top secret,” he says. “We’re always trying to get ahead of the game.”
6pm: Detective work and lights out
Mr Abdelrhman’s final task of the day is “computer sleuthing”, which involves trawling the websites of his competitors to make sure he isn’t missing a trick.
“We make sure that we're ahead of the competition and scope out any new openings or offers that can compete with us,” he says. “It’s important to stay ahead of the curve and offer something our competitors are not.”
After lights out, he heads home to spend the evening with his family, enjoying the freedom of the great outdoors before preparing for another day under lock and key.
“I can’t imagine many people look forward to another day in prison,” he says. “But for me, there’s no place I’d rather be.”
Company%20profile
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
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List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
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Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
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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.
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
