A programme has been launched in Dubai to encourage young Emiratis to get married.
The Dubai Wedding Programme offers citizens incentives to help reduce wedding costs – including marriage planning services and holding parties in modern halls across the emirate.
Family counselling for newlyweds will also be provided, as will marriage planning, family management and financial advice for young couples.
Dubai's Community Development Authority launched the programme on Monday and said it aimed to reduce the financial burden on citizens, as well as provide them with stability and a higher quality of life.
Wedding hall locations will include venues in Al Barsha, Al Lisaili, Hatta and soon Al Twar Hall.
Hessa Buhumaid, director general of the CDA, said the immediate goal for the programme was to provide financial and social support to young people to encourage them to get married.
She said the aspiration was to change stereotypes related to exaggerated wedding ceremonies, as well as help a larger segment of young men and women to marry at an early age, aimed at increasing the number of Emirati families in the country.
Those on the programme, she said, will be provided with educational courses on how to build their new life and plan financially.
The programme is part of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, a Dh208 billion ($56.6 billion) plan announced last week by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
“Family is the cornerstone of the nation and the foundation of all development plans,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Our ultimate objective is to enhance the quality of citizens’ lives for a brighter future.
“Its budget is Dh208 billion over the next decade, aiming at the citizens of our families in Dubai – providing housing, improving living standards, identity, values, social cohesion, health care, and developing future skills in our upcoming generations.”
Sheikh Mohammed earlier this month announced a plan to double the number of Emirati families in Dubai within 10 years and approved a series of projects to build more homes for Emiratis.
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
