Numbers. We use them to count, calculate and communicate.
Numbers are also technology, the key to a better, more sustainable future.
And numbers are art.
Siemens has teamed up with calligrapher and artist Wissam Shawkat and Know Creative to present Fabric, a unique perspective on the beauty, magic and vitality of numbers. With Fabric, Shawkat and Know Creative have woven the Arab heritage of numbers into Expo 2020 Dubai's vision for the future ― a world in which cities are safe, efficient and in harmony with the natural environment.
The Middle East is the birthplace of the numbering system that most of the world uses today. Numbers are a link to this region's history, but they also connect us to tomorrow. No city embraces the future like Dubai, and this year's Expo was a showcase for the transformative power of digitally connected smart cities.
Today we work, play, study and entertain ourselves immersed in an invisible sea of numbers. Our modern lifestyle is possible thanks to basic code strings of zeroes and ones. The vast amounts of data that we generate and use each day relies on this binary coding, which flows ceaselessly around us to power our digital era.
“It’s incredible to think that behind something as complex as today’s modern digital world is something as simple as a chain of numbers," says Siemens Middle East chief executive Helmut von Struve.
''Every time we pick up our phone, get on a train or switch on our TV, this binary code makes things happen. Numbers are the lifeblood of modern life, creating a connected world.”
For Fabric, Shawkat and Know Creative created a series of 10 calligraphic images on separate panes of glass. Each illustration depicts part of the blueprint of the Dubai Expo site. When viewed in their entirety, the layers of images overlap to form a complete Expo blueprint, embedded in an intricate pattern of zeroes and ones. The art represents the basic code of digitalisation and celebrates its link to Arabic culture.
“All 10 digits that we know and use ― from 0 to 9 ― were first created in the Arab world over 1,000 years ago,'' Shawkat says. "This numbering system spread from North Africa into Europe, eventually becoming almost universal. So, the zeroes and ones of modern digital code actually have their origins in Arabic history.”
Arabs, inspired by even older Hindu numbers, developed their own numbering systems. During the 10th century, Arabic numbers spread into Europe from North Africa and Andalucia in Spain. They won converts with their graceful simplicity. As a logical system, Arabic numbers marked a huge improvement over complex Roman numerals. And as calligraphic forms, they held an immense aesthetic appeal.
This appeal reflects the importance that Arabic culture has always placed on the artistry of writing. In Arabic numbers and script, flow and rhythm are paramount, with simple elegance to the fore. They combine function and form in an ideal union.
Arabic numbers have also been a catalyst for economic and technological progress through the ages. The Arabic system enabled rapid calculation, a necessity for surveying, navigating and financial record-keeping. From commercial booms to creative bursts such as the Renaissance, numbers played a vital role.
Numbers have more recently served as the medium for computers and code. Since the 1940s, the "number strcreae to transfer it.
Dubai and other digitally connected cities have now entered a new era, one of almost infinite possibilities for data and digitalisation. Siemens is building intuitive bridges between physical and digital realms. Its goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of industries and power grids, ease the strain on resources, and create an urban infrastructure that keeps people safe, comfortable and healthy.
"Digitalisation is central to creating sustainable environments that connect technology and people with major, lasting benefits," Mr von Struve says. "We believe anything’s possible with this approach, with this fabric of digital code running through everything.”
Dubai aims to ensure a legacy for Expo 2020 by reconfiguring the site into a vibrant new urban district. The area will be home to about 145,000 people and serve as a magnet for sustainable businesses and investment.
“A city like Dubai has a unique energy that Know Creative and I have looked to capture in this Fabric project for Siemens," Shawkat says. "No other city is so enmeshed with digital code. At the same time, Dubai is central to the Arabic world, where numbers took their globally familiar forms. There’s a beauty and power in that combination ―of past and present, of art and technology ― that we hope will really inspire people.”
Siemens Fabric celebrates this achievement with a story unique to this region, the story of numbers; how they have inspired and sparked innovation in our world for centuries and will continue doing so into the future as our cities become smarter and more sustainable.
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
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
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
THREE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
