DUBAI // A kaleidoscope of colours, music and cultures greeted visitors to a school as part of an event to mark International Day.
Nibras International School in the Green Community has children from 89 different nationalities. Parents were on Thursday treated to a variety of activities celebrating that multicultural mix.
Classrooms were decorated in themes that highlight the culture of different countries and hundreds of people enjoyed an afternoon of food and dance from around the world.
“Our class was representing Costa Rica, so we decorated the room in a way that would give people an idea of what the country is like,” said Salma Moussa, 18, from Egypt, who was wearing the Central American country’s national dress.
Pupils made models of volcanoes and displayed some of the foods and traditions associated with the country.
“I didn’t know much about the country before we prepared for International Day, but I’ve learnt a lot over the last couple of weeks,” said Salma.
A classmate even taught her a few phrases in Spanish.
“We have also arranged for a short video to be shown to visitors so that they can find out more,” she said.
Visitors to the Iran-themed classroom were greeted by a typical Iranian home showing a pool and courtyard scene.
It is the 10th year that the school has run an international family fun day, with the event becoming bigger each year.
“One of the things we’ve changed over the last couple of years is to get the kids to learn more about other cultures and traditions,” said Karen Robinson, the school principal.
“We have a very diverse group of children, including a class of 18 children with 17 different nationalities.”
The centrepiece to the event in the afternoon was held in the school’s main hall and about 700 people were expected to attend.
Visitors enjoyed a display of traditional Pakistani dance on the main stage from the nursery children along with performances by the Grade 11 pupils in Syrian, Lebanese, Egyptian and Bollywood dancing.
Visitors to the classrooms were also treated to traditional sweets and coffees associated with different countries.
Most of the school’s 900 pupils, from KG1 to Grade 12, were involved with helping to organise the day and took pride in the work they had done.
“We feel it’s very important that we not only celebrate the rich mix of nationalities that we have at the school but also encourage the children to learn more about other cultures,” said Habib Habib, the school’s co-director.
“We’ve been celebrating International Day in some form for a decade now and it gets bigger each year.”
International Day celebrations were also marked in other schools across the emirate, including Mirdif Private School.
nhanif@thenational.ae
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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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.
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Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
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Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
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Name: Dukkantek
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Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
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Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
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T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
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2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
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2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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