Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has wished everyone around the world a happy Diwali.
Sheikh Mohammed sent his greetings to mark the Indian festival of lights in a tweet on Friday afternoon.
Diwali gets under way on Saturday and this year’s celebrations are expected to be scaled back due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was joined in his well-wishes by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Indian residents in the UAE told The National earlier that the typically lavish parties that take place during the festival would make way for smaller, more intimate celebrations with family members this year.
Ashu Madan, an Indian resident in Dubai, will be painting diyas, oil lamps, with her five-year-old daughter and will be teaching her about the festival through stories.
"This year is unusual, but we are trying to keep our spirits up. Usually, we go meet friends, exchange gifts and have parties, but we can't do that. We are not going out. We are buying gifts and sweets for ourselves instead of for others."
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
