An Expo 2020 Dubai super fan has visited every pavilion at the mega event during a remarkable trip around the world's fair.
Faris Aziz Ahmad, 48, has walked through Expo's gates more than 70 times since October, making sure to sample each and every one of the more than 200 pavilions on show.
The mechanical engineer from Syria even took time off from his government job to allow him to pay daily visits during Expo's final three weeks.
Despite his many experiences, he still finds something new to enjoy each time.
“I get knowledge,” is his answer to why he is among Expo’s most fervent supporters..
“Expo gives me information. It gives me more power to look to the future, makes me strong, give me more ideas. I find something new each time.”
Before pavilion staff began to recognise the familiar face in the line, he would wait in queues for hours.
He recalled spending 12 hours spent in queues across three days.
Mr Ahmad has been a UAE resident for more than 16 years and said the world's fair has given him the opportunity to learn about countries that he had not known of before.
Nations in Africa and island nations have captured his attention apart from the big pavilions that are on most to-do lists.
Special pass
Fiji, Angola, Papua New Guinea, the Bahamas are some pavilions he enjoys revisiting apart from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Italy.
His repeated visits have caused some, such as the German pavilion, to give him a special pass for quick access so he does not have to stand in queues each day.
His all-time favourite is the Germany pavilion as it gives him pointers about wind, solar, thermal energy that will be an asset in his job.
German pavilion staff confirmed that Mr Ahmad has visited the pavilion about 50 times.
Each day he has gained insight into innovative recycling such as re-using construction material in building construction and sustainable waste water treatment.
He has collected Expo yellow and white passports filled with stamps of the pavilions he has visited.
The white passport is available for fans who have amassed 100 or more pavilion stamps in the yellow passport.
“I visited Germany many times because I understand how to re-use damaged material, how you should not throw [it away] and that can benefit the climate,” he said.
“I learnt how to use bacteria to kill other bacteria. I visited all the pavilions in Expo many times. Some pavilions I visited maybe 20 times, and Germany 50 times.”
He hopes to use the information to think of ways to save money and energy in cooling and construction.
'I will miss everything'
Mr Ahmad is among the thousands at the Expo site in the event's final few weeks. He has been spending close to 10 hours absorbing green solutions to make the world a better place.
"When Expo is gone, I will miss it too much," he said.
"I will miss my friends. I will miss the pavilions. I built friendships with the pavilion staff. I will miss everything."
Expo 2020 Dubai began in October last year and ends on Thursday.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Company%20profile
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AL%20BOOM
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Sunday, December 8, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v USA
Monday, December 9, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – USA v Scotland
Wednesday, December 11, Sharjah Cricket Stadium – UAE v Scotland
Thursday, December 12, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v USA
Saturday, December 14, ICC Academy, Dubai – USA v Scotland
Sunday, December 15, ICC Academy, Dubai – UAE v Scotland
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
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AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
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- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
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Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
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World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
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Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
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7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,400m.
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8.15pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,200m.
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8.50pm: Handicap (85-105) Dh 210,000 2,000m.
Winner: New Trails, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
9.25pm: Handicap (75-95) Dh 190,000 1,600m.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
Company%20Profile
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
