Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has praised the work of volunteers in the UAE. Wam
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has praised the work of volunteers in the UAE. Wam
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has praised the work of volunteers in the UAE. Wam
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, has praised the work of volunteers in the UAE. Wam

Government

Sheikh Abdullah thanks volunteers who stepped in to help during pandemic

Foreign Minister says people of all nationalities had banded together in the most challenging of times

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan
Dubai

December 10, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation praised the efforts of volunteers during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UAE.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed said the role played by them during the crisis had been of “sublime humanitarian value and a major component of the social fabric between Emiratis and residents alike”.

The minister, who also serves as chairman of the Supreme National Committee for Volunteerism During Crises, said volunteering was a “hallmark of the UAE’s track record of success in confronting crises and a testament to the Emirati society’s ability to turn challenges into opportunities”.

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Volunteers are the true strength of our societies, says Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Dubai's mega-church produces free meals for 6,000 families in need

At the height of the pandemic, thousands of volunteers worked with restaurants to deliver free meals to people who had fallen on hard times.

In Dubai, 500,000 meals were given to families, many of whom had their wages cut or lost jobs, while churches and mosques continue to support people in difficult times.

He made his comments after the committee was declared winner of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences.

"This international award is a significant achievement and adds another feather to the UAE's cap and crowns the efforts of every volunteer who has performed, and is still performing, their tasks in confronting the repercussions of Covid-19,” Sheikh Abdullah said.

“We sincerely salute each and every volunteer and dedicate this prestigious award to them in acknowledgement of their colossal efforts and to further motivate them to continue to give for the sake of humanity at large.”

Dubai's free meals drive - in pictures

A worker holds a food pack from Dubai's Beit Al Khair Society, as part of the Ruler of Dubai's 2020 campaign to deliver 10 million meals to low income residents. This year, the campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
A worker holds a food pack from Dubai's Beit Al Khair Society, as part of the Ruler of Dubai's 2020 campaign to deliver 10 million meals to low income residents. This year, the campaign will expand to 100 million meals in 20 countries in the region. All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Volunteers distribute food packages in Dubai in May 2020, as the social and economic impact of the pandemic is felt
Volunteers distribute food packages in Dubai in May 2020, as the social and economic impact of the pandemic is felt
Restaurants across the city joined the campaign to feed workers in the absence of daily Ramadan iftars at mosques and in light of job losses and salary reductions
Restaurants across the city joined the campaign to feed workers in the absence of daily Ramadan iftars at mosques and in light of job losses and salary reductions
Staff at Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira, Dubai box up fresh and dried food
Staff at Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira, Dubai box up fresh and dried food
This box contains biryani, laban, fruit, dates and water
This box contains biryani, laban, fruit, dates and water
Staff and workers practise social distancing
Staff and workers practise social distancing
Staff at Al Nadeg in Deira prepare fresh produce for the campaign
Staff at Al Nadeg in Deira prepare fresh produce for the campaign
Fresh roasted chicken is prepared for the next batch of boxes
Fresh roasted chicken is prepared for the next batch of boxes
The 10 million meals project was brought in to replace the free iftars run by mosques across the country, which were halted due to the coronavirus
The 10 million meals project was brought in to replace the free iftars run by mosques across the country, which were halted due to the coronavirus
Staff of Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira prepare the food to be delivered
Staff of Al Nadeg restaurant in Deira prepare the food to be delivered
1,000 boxes were readied for this particular camp
1,000 boxes were readied for this particular camp
Roast chicken is prepared for delivery
Roast chicken is prepared for delivery
Restaurants across the city are volunteering their kitchens and staff as part of the campaign
Restaurants across the city are volunteering their kitchens and staff as part of the campaign
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Rating: 2/5

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons

Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page

 

Hawks

Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar

Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish

 

Falcons

Coach: Najeeb Amar

Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh

 

 

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Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

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Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m
Winner: AF Mozhell, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Majdi, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Athabeh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: AF Eshaar, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi

4pm: Gulf Cup presented by Longines Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Al Roba’a Al Khali, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Younis Al Kalbani

4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
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The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours. 

The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.

When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend  are  January-February and September-October.  Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.

Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

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Opening weekend Premier League fixtures

Weekend of August 10-13

Arsenal v Manchester City

Bournemouth v Cardiff City

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Huddersfield Town v Chelsea

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Leicester City

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton v Burnley

Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton

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Centre Court

Starting at 10am:

Lucrezia Stefanini v Elena Rybakina (6)

Aryna Sabalenka (4) v Polona Hercog

Sofia Kenin (1) v Zhaoxuan Yan

Kristina Mladenovic v Garbine Muguruza (5)

Sorana Cirstea v Karolina Pliskova (3)

Jessica Pegula v Elina Svitolina (2)

Court 1

Starting at 10am:

Sara Sorribes Tormo v Nadia Podoroska

Marketa Vondrousova v Su-Wei Hsieh

Elise Mertens (7) v Alize Cornet

Tamara Zidansek v Jennifer Brady (11)

Heather Watson v Jodie Burrage

Vera Zvonareva v Amandine Hesse

Court 2

Starting at 10am:

Arantxa Rus v Xiyu Wang

Maria Kostyuk v Lucie Hradecka

Karolina Muchova v Danka Kovinic

Cori Gauff v Ulrikke Eikeri

Mona Barthel v Anastasia Gasanova

Court 3

Starting at 10am:

Kateryna Bondarenko v Yafan Wang

Aliaksandra Sasnovich v Anna Bondar

Bianca Turati v Yaroslava Shvedova

Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

 

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