The all-women Firdaus Orchestra will be making its stellar debut performance at Expo 2020 Dubai with a tribute to space explorers.
Closing out Expo's Space Week, the ensemble, led by AR Rahman, will delight listeners on October 23 with a space-themed repertoire comprising western classical music and an original composition by Mr Rahman.
The concert will begin at 7pm on Saturday at Expo's Jubilee Park, and will be led by conductor Yasmina Sabbah. The evening will give visitors a taste of musical talent from across the Arab region.
Lasting one hour, the orchestra's inaugural performance will include Also Sprach Zarathustra, the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as music from Star Wars and E.T. – Adventures on Earth.
It will also feature Karl Jenkins’ Palladio, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and a grand finale performance by AR Rahman, who will present an exclusive new composition, Humanitas-Proorismós-Al Amal – an ode by the composer to explorers of space.
‘Al amal’ is the Arabic word for ‘hope’, which is also the name of the first Arab mission to Mars.
“To know the unknown is the quest of life, and by exploring space we explore ourselves," said Mr Rahman.
Music fans hoping for a seat in the park are encouraged to arrive early as capacity is limited.
Expo 2020 Dubai's Space Week began on October 17 and has hosted astronauts, experts and leaders in the field, highlighting the latest technology in space research and travel.
Tickets for the world's fair are available at expo2020.com.
Planets light up at Expo 2020 Dubai: in pictures
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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
