In the height of pandemic lockdowns, Haroon Mota could not wait to escape his four walls for the fresh air and freedom of the outdoors.
Having tackled Everest, Machu Picchu and Kilimanjaro on Muslim charity treks, it was during the pandemic that the former European kickboxing champion realised he wanted to share his love of outdoor fitness with his community.
With Covid-19 severely affecting Muslims, having the highest mortality rates by faith group, he realised encouraging healthier lifestyles was more important than ever.
It led to him forming Muslim Hikers in September 2020.
“Hiking isn’t something Muslims traditionally consider doing, it’s not in our culture or DNA,” he told The National.
“You rarely see people from our community out on the hills and I wanted people to see what they were missing.
“So I put up an Instagram post to see if there was any interest in people wanting to go out hiking and the response was overwhelming. It has grown really rapidly. The treks sell out within 24 hours and I have thousands of members now.”
Only 1% of national park visitors come from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
The 36-year-old, who was the European kickboxing champion at 17, isn’t wrong, latest figures by the countryside charity CPRE reveal only 1 per cent of national park visitors come from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and only 20 per cent of BAME children go to the countryside compared with 40 per cent of white children.
“I want to change that,” he said.
“Muslim Hikers is a grassroots initiative to encourage people to get outside more to get healthy and to enjoy the countryside. I wanted to grow people’s awareness of the countryside and give them a sense of empowerment and independence and be part of a group and build friendships.
“I started it in lockdown as a way of bringing people together in a healthy way and to break down barriers. Now we have a mix of ages taking part and the momentum continues to grow.
“All are welcome regardless of religious background or ability. Whether you're a seasoned mountaineer or a first time walker.”
The former Penny Appeal charity worker is based in the northern English city of Coventry and his walks span the length and breadth of the country as do the locations of those taking part.
His latest endeavour saw him take 130 members to the highest peak (736 metres) in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Dozens braved the rain and minus 5°C to climb Yorkshire’s highest peak
On a cold rainy morning, exposed on the moorland beside the formidable mist covered peak of Whernside in the distance, women stood in hijabs bracing the elements with their walking poles poised.
As the cruel wind battered the walkers brave enough to make the journey to the Ribblehead Viaduct, a third of the large group raised their hands when asked “Is this your first time hiking?” as the mountain guide prepared them for the worst.
“There will be gusts of up to 35mph, the chill factor will be minus 3° to minus 5°C,” he said chirpily.
“When you get to the summit there are stone benches, sit on the side where there is no wind. It is really important you stay as warm as possible, stay hydrated, avoid getting cramps and look after each other.”
It was a typical March day in the Yorkshire Dales, a few weeks earlier there had been snow and floods.
But the (nervous) laughter and banter among those taking part didn’t abate.
“It’s my 60th birthday and I’ve driven 240 miles [386km] up from Luton with my son and son-in-law to do my first ever hike,” Intikhab Mahadik chuckled as the rain lashed down.
“I’ve never done one before. It’s just something I’ve never considered doing. We don’t have views like this in Luton.
“My family persuaded me to do it after seeing the post.”
Teacher Aaminah Nisa travelled from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, to the hike on her own to make new friends.
“I like hiking, I’ve been to Iceland hiking,” she said.
“I came on my own and to make new friends who are interesting in walking too. There isn’t anything like this for the Muslim community.”
Nur Nasser, 28, works at Coventry University and has hiked before.
This time she persuaded two of her friends, Siti and Musa, to join her – it was their first time.
“We saw the post for Muslim Hikers and thought it was an opportunity to meet new friends,” she said.
“I like hiking but there isn’t much opportunity for me to do it as my friends are not interested. It is hard to go by myself for safety reasons.”
Teacher Siti had been busy conducting research into hiking equipment.
“I hope the weather improves,” she said.
“It’s my first hike but I’ve done lots of reading about what we need so we are prepared.
“I’m looking forward to getting to see new places I’ve never been to before.”
Online trolls targeted the group with racist abuse
The camaraderie among the group was endearing but only a few months ago those taking part sadly had a different experience when trolls posted racist comments on social media after a hike in the Derbyshire Peak District.
“The abuse we received was not very pleasant,” Mr Mota said.
“These type of comments, racist comments, only make it more problematic for those from our community who feel less empowered to get outside.
“For people who might be joining for the first time, they might think ‘oh wow, is this what people actually think?’
“One of the reasons why we set up Muslim Hikers was so that we could stand together and for greater diversity and inclusion.
“We’ve been working extremely hard to create a culture of confidence in the outdoors.”
However, those braving the English weather, were not deterred, and were more determined than ever to continue.
“You would think comments like we received would deter us, we know issues like this exist in minority parts of the community but in response to what they did we were overwhelmed by supportive comments,” he added.
“You can see by the turnout in Yorkshire, it’s united everyone. The group isn’t about religion, it is open to everyone.”
Hikers determined to walk during Ramadan
Their next hike is set to be held next month during Ramadan and Mr Mota and his team of guides are presently planning the feasibility of the walk.
“We haven’t finalised the details yet but there will be a hike,” he said.
“We have had a lot of interest. Instead of the longer hikes we have been running I think it will be a shorter one.”
Mr Mota is no stranger to tackling endurance missions during Ramadan.
During lockdown he ran the length of six marathons (253km) in his local area, running 10km a day throughout Ramadan while fasting with no food or drink for 18 hours.
His achievement raised more than £50,000 for the Penny Appeal, which helps people in poverty globally.
But for those considering the next trek, Mr Mota can reassure them it will be a pleasurable experience.
“It’s important to listen to your body and walk gently and to reduce the intensity of the hike,” he said.
“It will be challenging but we are here to have a good time.”
It seems that the members agree and already he has been inundated with requests to take part in the hike.
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
The five pillars of Islam
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The%20specs
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
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3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m
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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.
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'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
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Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
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Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
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Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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