AL AIN // The "Garden City of the Arabian Gulf" is today also an oasis of Emirati culture among the urban centres of the UAE.
The wave of development and immigration that has engulfed and transformed Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah has yet to sweep the country's fourth largest city. The traditions of the Gulf are more visible in Al Ain, and the higher proportion of nationals living here gives it a more authentic Emirati look and feel.
The city is rich in historical sites, since the area, known as the Buraimi Oasis, has been inhabited for almost 5,000 years. There are the remains of several villages dating back to the Iron Age, many forts, including Al Jahili and Muraba'a, and a still functioning irrigation system of underground tunnels known as "aflaj".
Al Ain is also a date growing centre and produces more than 100 varieties. There is a large plantation in the centre of the city, close to the Al Ain National Museum.
The nation's founder, the late Sheikh Zayed, and his sons were born in Al Ain, and his home in the city from 1937 to 1966 is today the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum.
Al Ain had the region's first hospital, which was set up in 1960 by two American doctors, Pat and Marian Kennedy, at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed. The Oasis Hospital served Bedouins for hundreds of kilometres around and is now the city's main maternity hospital.
Sheikh Zayed also set up a major university, the UAE University, in Al Ain in 1976.
The city also hosts the country's most important camel market.
The sand dunes around Al Ain are known for their distinctive red colour, imparted by the iron oxide content. Another nearby natural attraction is Jebel Hafeet, at 1,240m the nation's second highest peak, that straddles the border with Oman.
ealghalib@thenational.ae
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
Three tips from La Perle's performers
1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.
2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.
3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.
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
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