The Christian monks that established a monastery on Sir Bani Yas around 600AD survived for more than a century. There was no violent end: the spread of Islam combined with the unwillingness of some members to follow the rules of their own church contributed to their decline. The sand of 1,400 years then covered what remained of their church, tower bell and houses. It seemed lost to time. But soon, the sand was going to give up its secrets.
It was a small group of enthusiasts that first learned something lay under the sands at the site. The President, Sheikh Zayed, in 1991 invited members of the Emirates Natural History Group to visit Sir Bani Yas to study the plants and wildlife there. It was on this trip that pottery sherds were unearthed dating to the 1st millennium AD. Very little archaeological work had been undertaken on the islands at this time. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the current Minister of Tolerance, took this news to Sheikh Zayed who proposed a survey of Sir Bani Yas.
This took place in the spring of 1992 with the UAE Air Force providing logistical support. Clear evidence of buildings was detected at the site which would later be confirmed as a monastery, along with decorated plaster and more pottery sherds.
It was this 1992 survey that led Sheikh Zayed to start the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey. Peter Hellyer, then chairman of the ENHG, became co-ordinator and more surveys of the Sir Bani Yas site were undertaken. These were directed by Dr Geoffrey King of London University but the real breakthrough came in 1995.
“Site director Dr Joe Elders picked up a small fragment of plaster and turned it over to discover a fine Christian cross,” recalls Mr Hellyer.
In the years since, several digs have taken place at the site revealing more and more about the lives these monks led, how they survived and coexisted.
“This is information we cannot get from documentary evidence,” said Dr Richard Cuttler, an archaeologist at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, which is now leading the work.
“Now we have a wide range of scientific techniques — like radio carbon dating. We can slice through bones of fish to see what season they were caught in. We can do analysis on pottery to see what they are cooking.”
Now the monastery has been reopened and made more accessible. But it is worth remembering the long road to its discovery and the early work undertaken by those pioneers.
“I remember well the discovery of the first plaster cross in 1995, which proved that we had found the UAE’s first early Christian site and I remember as well the way in which we informed Sheikh Zayed of the discovery and his response,” says Mr Hellyer.
“He was delighted — he saw it as an important part of the country’s history and heritage and also as evidence of a religious tolerance that survives until today.”
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The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m
Winner: Mamia Al Reef, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m
Winner: Jaahiz, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m
Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.
Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.
54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
Look%20Both%20Ways
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Project Power'
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback
Director: Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Rating: 3.5/5
