The Comoros might not possess the largest pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, but you would be hard-pressed to find one more colourful.
Visitors are greeted by Rahma Elarif, who left her home in the Indian Ocean archipelago to seek a new life in Dubai.
For her, the biggest draw of working at the pavilion is the long-awaited opportunity to tell all about her country, having spent more than a decade listening to people say they have never heard of it.
“Since I’ve been in Dubai and told people where I am from, they always look puzzled and say ‘Where is that?’” she said.
What I like best about the Expo is that you get to be part of a fusion of so many different cultures from around the world
Rahma Elarif,
Comoros pavilion
Ms Elarif, 33, revels in greeting visitors to the world’s fair with tales about the history and culture of the land she was born in.
As she spoke to The National, a choir performed in the background to mark the Expo’s Comoros Islands country day.
“It means so much to be part of the team welcoming people to the Comoros Islands’ pavilion, and also it’s an honour to be part of the Expo as well,” said Ms Elarif, who earns a living by coaching people on how to speak on camera.
“What I like best about the Expo is that you get to be part of a fusion of so many different cultures from around the world.
“It’s an amazing thing, to be honest.”
The Comoros Islands, with a population of less than 900,000, has a proud history and culture, Ms Elarif said.
She said the country’s presence at Expo was apt, given her homeland was itself a cultural melting pot.
“There are so many different cultures in the Comoros Islands and we vary in so many ways, from how we celebrate our weddings right down to the languages we speak,” Ms Elarif said.
“The main languages we speak are Arabic and French.”
Ms Elarif said her highlight of Expo 2020 so far was being able to find out about other nations.
“What I like the most is you can learn about all the other countries and be educated about the differing cultures,” she said.
“There is a feel-good factor as everyone is blown away that they can come into one place and learn so much.
“It’s important to be able to bring people together and show them about the other cultures from around the world.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
SPECS
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
