ABU DHABI // A degree in engineering and a three-decades long career in the oil and gas sector may not seem like the obvious credentials to become one of the pioneers of meditation in Abu Dhabi but that is exactly what Abbas Al Khoori did.
Mr Al Khoori, 62, born in Abu Dhabi on a rainy day in a traditional Emirati date palm frond home, is co-founder of the Inner Space Centre for Training in Meditation and Self Development.
It is regarded as the first official mediation centre in Abu Dhabi and provides a space where Emiratis and expats can learn the ancient practice of observation and training the mind.
“I honestly think everybody needs meditation,” says the father of seven children and grandfather of seven.
“We have reached a stage now where we cannot control our mind, it is too occupied, even in our sleep.
“You need a way of slowing the mind down, as they say, and mediation is one way.”
In 1972, at the age of 19, Mr Al Khoori travelled to England to study engineering as one of the first Emiratis to do so overseas.
Before learning to embrace meditation, he put in more than 30 years in the oil and gas sector, where he remains today as the chief executive of Maqta Bridge Engineering, a recruitment company.
He says he would have never discovered meditation if it was not for his daughter Noura, who was using the practice after being taught it by Australian expat Sona Bahri.
In 2011, Noura arranged a meeting between her father and Ms Bahri.
“It was January 27,” says Ms Bahri. “I just had this intuition that something amazing was going to happen.”
It did. The seeds were sown for the creation of Inner Space – a collaboration between Mr Al Khoori and Ms Bahri.
While he took care of the administrative duties and obtained the necessary Government approvals, Ms Bahri provided more training in meditation – not just for Mr Al Khoori but his family.
Inner Space – now in the Bain Al Jessrain Coop Building – was born.
The not-for-profit meditation centre offers classes for Arabic and English speakers and has done outreach work – with workshops being held at a number of companies, including Adco, Gasco, Cleveland Clinic, Anantara Eastern Mangroves, ADIA, and Etihad.
It is also still a source of peace for Mr Al Khoori. “I still continue,” he says, revealing that he frequently visits the centre for meditation sessions, seminars, and also attends retreats in places such as Madhubani, India.
Reaction to his new path, from friends and the local community has been positive, he says, with some coming to visit the centre.
Meditation is not always an easy concept to grasp, though, he says. “Nowadays, people like to speak, they like to see their WhatsApp and Instagram,” he says. “The mind is all the time occupied with the external. It’s only free when you can sit and meditate.”
While helping him in everyday life, Mr Al Khoori says meditation can also had a positive effect on how people view each other.
“Another thing meditation does is you treat everyone equal,” he says.
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MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
WISH
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The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
