For the first Friday prayers of the holy month, worshippers gathered in large numbers in mosques across the Emirates without having to worry about following Covid rules
On the first Ramadan in three years to be held without Covid-19 restrictions, people greeted one another with hugs, handshakes and congratulatory messages.
When the first call to prayer was heard, Muslims stood shoulder-to-shoulder in mosques to pray in gratitude and appreciation of the holy month.
Friday prayers have been taking place without any restrictions since November 2022, so for most Friday prayers across the emirates, the event went by smoothly surrounded by neighbours and friends.
But for some who have been avoiding crowds due to worry of infection for a long time, enjoyed the uplifting mood of children and adults wishing each other a blessed Ramadan before the start of the sermon.
"I have been coming back slowly to attending Friday prayers since the start of the year, but it's this reminiscent and heart warming feeling of praying in large groups in a mosque during Ramadan that's irreplaceable," said Kamal Gomaa, a 76-year-old retiree, who had been weary of large crowds since the pandemic began.
Mohyeldin Al Habbal, an Abu Dhabi resident, said the Friday sermon was expectedly Ramadan-themed. "The mosque's imam's voice washed over the congregation as it listened intently to the many blessings this month will bring us, and there was this sense of calmness and peace among the crowd."
After shifting to the same working timetable as the West and non-Arab western and following Friday-Saturday weekend, the UAE set up a half day at the end of the week to enable Muslims to attend Friday prayer.
This Ramadan, federal government departments have allowed 70 per cent of their staff to work from home on Fridays.
Umm Al Quwain officials have said that government employees will work a four-day week during Ramadan.
Last year when some Covid restriction were still in place, people were encouraged to invite only family members during Ramadan and Abu Dhabi had advised people to limit gatherings to family members living in the same house for iftar and suhoor.
Masks remained mandatory in all indoor places, with only licensed entities allowed to have Ramadan tents in the emirate in 2022.
This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours and 45 minutes.
As the days lengthen, the fasting time increases. By the last day of the holy month the fast will be about 46 minutes longer than on the first.
Veere di Wedding
Dir: Shashanka Ghosh
Starring: Kareena Kapoo-Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania
Verdict: 4 Stars
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
BABYLON
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
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Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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LIVERPOOL%20TOP%20SCORERS
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
