DUBAI // Car Free Day will on Sunday help Dubai to become the most environmentally friendly city in the world, organisers say.
Hussein Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said adopting sustainable solutions to air pollution and global warming was the way to achieve that.
“We now have the huge responsibility to take this initiative further in all ways possible to achieve the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, [Vice President and Ruler of Dubai] to be the most sustainable in all areas of our society,” Mr Lootah said.
Today is the municipality’s seventh annual Car Free Day, during which residents are encouraged to leave their vehicles at home and use public transport.
Alya Al Harmoodi, director of its environment department, said the campaign’s objectives were air quality, preserving natural resources and awareness.
“The main source of air pollution comes from vehicles, while demand for fuel affects our natural resources,” Ms Al Harmoodi said. “It’s also very important that people understand these effects and are aware of the repercussions the world is facing.”
She had a message to those who were reluctant to use public transport: “It’s a very nice experience to feel like you are part of a bigger community and contributing to a good cause, no matter how small the contribution.”
Tasnim Al Falasi, head of environmental awareness, hoped the campaign inspired people to change to a healthier, greener lifestyle. “We’re not saying cars should be banned but we are encouraging people to use public transport as much as they can,” Ms Al Falasi said.
“We want the people of today to lead by example and encourage future generations.”
The municipality’s Ibrahim Juma said: “This is not only a responsibility we have towards our country, but one everyone has towards the environment.”
It is hoped a record 1,000 organisations will take part this year.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
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
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.