Jews living in the Emirates have created a formal alliance to unite people of the faith in all six GCC states.
The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities brings together residents of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Its headquarters will be in the UAE, where it hopes to establish the first Beth Din, or Jewish court of law, to adjudicate on personal disputes.
It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions
One of the association’s senior figures, Rabbi Dr Elie Abadie, said there was historical precedence for Jewish rule of law in Arab countries.
“Since the Treaty of Umar 1,400 years ago, Islamic countries have recognised the autonomy of religious communities, and therefore given those faith-based communities autonomy in their internal affairs,” he said.
If permitted by the UAE, the Jewish court could issue certificates of marriage and divorce.
“Also, individual members could be adjudicated if they have any business issue or family dispute,” Rabbi Abadie said.
“However, criminal issues will continue to be dealt with by the courts of the land in the [Gulf] countries.”
Members of the community welcomed the move to formalise Jewish collaboration.
Alex Peterfreund is the board member of the new association in the UAE, where he has lived since 2014.
“We feel grateful that we have been able to build a nice little Jewish community here in the UAE, and we would like to assist Jewish people that are living in the Gulf, in order for them to have the same services that we have.
“It seems a shame that somebody in Bahrain who wants to get married should have a rabbi flying over from London or from Canada, if we have someone in the same region.”
The board of the association will include one representative from each of the six Gulf states.
UAE and Israel sign landmark agreement:
High on their agenda is the creation of an Arabian Kosher Certification Agency to ensure the same set of standards is met when food products are categorised as suitable for Jewish consumption.
“Kosher food is of paramount importance for Jewish people, it’s biblical in origin. It’s not just tradition, but Jewish law that we should eat kosher food,” said Rabbi Abadie.
“Now, the beauty of it is that Islam also has similar food restrictions, which is the halal food. Kosher and halal differ in a very minor way.”
Jewish people are not allowed to mix meat and milk together, and they only eat fish that has fins and scales, so crustacea like prawns or lobster are not allowed.
Like halal, kosher food requires the animal to be slaughtered in a painless, quick way so the beast does not suffer.
But kosher food requires the salting of the meat after the animal was slaughtered, and the removal of all the blood.
The UAE normalised its relations with Israel on August 13, 2020, when both countries signed the Abraham Accords, along with the US.
Since then Israeli and Emirati politicians and business leaders have met and made multiple deals. Defence, technology and energy have been particularly popular sectors.
In September, Israel’s Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said: “Within 3 to 5 years trade between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will reach $4 billion.”
On Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, oversaw the swearing-in of the UAE's ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Al Khaja, at Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Many Israelis also travelled to Dubai for holidays in November and December, in particular during the week of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.
Rabbi Abadie said he saw this tourism trend accelerating, in particular once the pandemic is over.
“We need to build up the infrastructure to serve the local Jewish community, and also all the Jewish tourists who will be coming [to the GCC] from all over the world,” he said.
His optimism for the continuance and expansion of the Accords is boundless.
“This region will embody the idea of living in tolerance and the peaceful co-existence of all the people, and all the nations, in all communities of faith.
“Having that in mind, the Jewish community will increase in number in this entire region.
“So as leaders in the community, we have to look to the future and to make sure that all the infrastructure will be in place, once that growth starts.”
Mr Peterfreund said he has always felt safe and welcome in the Emirates.
“We are getting to a point where as a Jew you feel more comfortable in the UAE than in Paris and in Brussels,” he said.
“It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions.
“Everybody’s living next to each other, and it’s something beautiful.”
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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
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
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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More from our neighbourhood series:
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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.
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
