Visitors flock to reopening of Al Wasl Dome on first night of Expo City Dubai


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

Visitors have turned up in their droves for the first light show at Al Wasl Dome since Expo 2020 Dubai ended earlier this year.

The theme of the colourful display was "Reveal" and it was designed to celebrate the first day of the site’s new incarnation as Expo City Dubai.

Many of those in attendance had waited until sunset, strategically avoiding the heat.

As images were projected on to the roof of the dome, visitors could have been forgiven for thinking they had been transported back in time to the world's fair as familiar sounds and sights filled the auditorium.

Among those in attendance was Umair Jamil, a warehouse manager from Pakistan, who had brought a jacket covered in 700 Expo-themed badges.

Umair Jamil and his jacket featuring more than 700 Expo-themed badges.
Umair Jamil and his jacket featuring more than 700 Expo-themed badges.

“I have been here since 9am this morning. I couldn’t sleep last night as I was so excited about coming back again,” Mr Jamil said.

“I started collecting the badges last year when I was a volunteer at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“Last time, I was here as a volunteer, but this time I am a visitor, so I am looking forward to experiencing it all again but through new eyes.”

Alongside him at Al Wasl Dome was Zameen Mohammed, an interior design student from India, who had taken along a book full of sketches of the pavilions, which he began in March — as the original Expo event drew to a close.

Zameen Mohammed with his book of Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion sketches, outside Al Wasl Dome on Saturday evening.
Zameen Mohammed with his book of Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion sketches, outside Al Wasl Dome on Saturday evening.

“It was last March that I realised I was going to miss the place so much. I decided to come in the mornings and start drawing sketches of the pavilions,” the University of Dubai student said.

“I am hoping that I will be able to complete the set now. The Expo was very dear to my heart.”

Saturday was the official opening of Expo City Dubai, with free entry for visitors. Four pavilions were open as well, each costing Dh50 to enter — unless a Dh120 day pass was purchased.

A soft opening took place at the beginning of September with two of the pavilions open to visitors.

Although the vast majority of the many pavilions from the world’s fair were no longer open, visitors were still free to wander around the entire site.

One guest said he could not wait to attend on Saturday because worries about Covid-19 had kept him away from the initial event.

“We decided to play it cautious as we were concerned over the pandemic and wanted to avoid large crowds,” said Ghamer Adala, a Filipino physiotherapist living in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s great to be finally here and witness the light show here in the Al Wasl Dome as I saw so many photos and videos of it throughout the duration of the Expo."

Joanna Selcott, from England, who was visiting her daughter in Dubai, said she was delighted that Expo’s second lease of life had given her the chance to witness it for herself.

“I am having a wander around and it’s fantastic. I’ll definitely be back again as well before I go back,” she said.

Sushil Kumar and his sister Surya Chandran wait for the display at Al Wasl Dome in Expo City Dubai.
Sushil Kumar and his sister Surya Chandran wait for the display at Al Wasl Dome in Expo City Dubai.

For one Sharjah resident it was all about the light show at Al Wasl Dome.

“I never managed to get to the Expo first time around,” said Sushil Kumar, a procurement manager from India.

“I really wanted to see the display at the Al Wasl Dome for myself and it’s amazing to be finally here.”

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

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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.

Key developments

All times UTC 4

SPECS
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RESULT

Australia 3 (0) Honduras 1 (0)
Australia: Jedinak (53', 72' pen, 85' pen)
Honduras: Elis (90 4)

T20 World Cup Qualifier

October 18 – November 2

Opening fixtures

Friday, October 18

ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya

Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE

UAE squad

Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan

Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed

Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

Updated: October 02, 2022, 10:41 AM`