It is October 1972 and symbols of nationhood for a 10-month-old UAE have already begun to fall into place.
The year began with the last piece of the UAE jigsaw in place: Ras Al Khaimah joined the federation in February and six became seven. The country's first passports were issued, and the first stamps and national postal service soon followed. Plans were also set in place for a new currency, the dirham.
In New York, the UAE took its place on the international stage at the United Nations with Adnan Pachachi as its first ambassador.
And now the country was celebrating its first Ramadan. The holy month fell largely in October that year, with Eid beginning on November 8.
One had the feeling that an explosion of development was about to occur
Charles Cecil,
American diplomat
The rate of growth in Dubai, and especially Abu Dhabi, the new capital, was accelerating with astonishing rapidity.
Abu Dhabi, as a city, was barely five years old. Since becoming Ruler, Sheikh Zayed, now President of the UAE, had transformed what had previously been little more than a fishing village.
A window into this year of the UAE's first Ramadan is offered in a series of photographs from 1972 taken by Charles Cecil, an American diplomat-turned-photographer, who lived for nearly 25 years in the Arab world and Africa.
His images capture a new city emerging from the desert. “The gridiron of urban, if not always urbane, development is slowly being filled in; concrete and tarmacadam already have the upper hand on the island’s sand and sabkha,” a visitor’s guide to the UAE from the period observed.
“With roundabouts, service roads and sidewalks; modern hotels and 12-lane corniche; supermarkets and parades of shops … Abu Dhabi town though lacking in antiquity is at least now acquiring a character of its own.”
Mr Cecil, now 82, had been sent to the Gulf as part of his US foreign training, which involved learning Arabic and visiting countries in the region.
He arrived in the UAE before the opening of a US embassy.
“My main memory of Abu Dhabi was the unexpected hospitality I encountered when I arrived and the facilitative assistance I was given by the local government officials,’’ he said.
“The terrain was in the early stages of development. One had the feeling that an explosion of development was about to occur. As my photos show, I noted the religious tolerance that allowed the building of Christian churches.
“I gained the impression that the UAE was more tolerant of religious practices and other non-Arab social customs. I suspected this more cosmopolitan attitude would provide a good foundation for future economic development."
He also spent a few days in Dubai, staying at a modest motel near the Creek.
“I was impressed with the very active commerce there, lots of dhows and modest, more modern vessels coming over from Iran carrying all kinds of things back and forth, carrying refrigerators from Dubai over to Iran and bringing I don’t know what from Iran into Dubai. It was a vibrant economy.”
One of Cecil’s photographs captures the last few stall holders in the old souq, goats wandering among the crates of produce in the shade of an old ghaf tree.
Near by is its replacement, a much larger market of concrete and glass that would service the city until it burnt down in 2003.
A newly built row of identical villas serves the needs of the growing population of expatriate professionals, as do the Roman Catholic Church and, still under construction, the Holy Trinity Church in Dubai with its striking three-pointed roof.
The needs of the city’s Muslim population, also growing, are met with the building of new mosques. Another photo appears to show the construction of Al Fahim Mosque on the roundabout of Airport Road where it meets the Corniche.
A view along the new Abu Dhabi to Al Ain road is noticeably empty of traffic, while another down a main street, possibly Airport Road, has the Corniche in the distance, framed by the first high-rise buildings.
The city 50 years ago began at Mohammed bin Khalifa Street, with Mushrif Palace, reserved for visiting dignitaries, one of the few buildings on the outskirts.
Even more distant, nearly six kilometres into the desert, was the first Abu Dhabi International Airport, now Al Bateen Airport.
Photographs from Dubai also capture the contrast between old and new, with dhows unloading cargo on the Creek to a backdrop of modern offices and apartment buildings.
Eid in 1972 fell on the evening of November 8. A time for personal spiritual reflection was also a moment for assessing the state of the new nation – and how much had been achieved.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
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
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.
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
