Much of the chatter around the office water cooler and at my favourite Abu Dhabi coffee shop this week was dominated by the abolition of the buffer zone that allowed drivers to travel 20 kilometres per hour faster than the posted speed limit on the capital’s roads.
At work, my colleagues fully supported the move, particularly the new arrivals who have never really understood the buffer zone concept to start with. “That’s not a buffer zone,” one exclaimed. “That’s a huge chasm.”
However, in my go-to shisha cafe in the heart of Khalidiyah, the ruling – while supported for its safety benefits – was greeted with solemnity.
While the usual crew at Anoud Cafe – who are mostly Egyptian, Sudanese and Lebanese – saluted the decision to curb the need for speed, their lament about the new traffic changes is attributed to something far deeper than the speed limits.
“Khalas, the days of mercy are over,” mused Magdi. “I am still getting used to it. I don’t know where to look at times: the road or the speedometer.”
I tended to agree with him, as I too found myself with this problem to and from work since it kicked in on Sunday, and I must admit, I did fall foul of the limit a few times. “Be careful, bro,” was Magdi’s reply to this admission. “That’s it, you will get fined, there is no more majaal.”
Magdi’s comment went some way to explaining the dour manner in which some of us received the news of the new rules. It was indeed more to do with the increasing loss of “majaal” in our daily life.
What is majaal? The Arabic term can be loosely defined as a range of space, encompassing both the physical to the emotional.
As I chatted with the group, they made me realise how majaal has always played a subtle yet important role in my Abu Dhabi experience. Having the freedom to pay my bills at Anoud, the local grocery store, and the launderette by way of a weekly tab is a form of capital majaal.
The express lanes I often use at the Yas Island amusement parks is majaal in action. Giving the benefit of the doubt is what majaal is about.
The discussions I have with my Arabic friends are often underpinned by a refreshing sense of calm and forgiveness. As life gets busier, the chances of frustrating those close to us gets easier. In our group, though, that is rarely the case. Forgiveness for real and perceived slights is easily given.
In short, majaal is sort of life’s buffer zone. It is the principle of allowing space – whether it’s between yourself and others, or yourself and any given situation – to give you better perspective and decision-making capabilities.
Thinking even more deeply on the issue, it’s a philosophy that can be found in Islamic spiritual literature, with plentiful verses from the Quran encouraging us to reflect before taking action.
The UAE is the most majaal-friendly country I know. Compared to those in Australia, the UAE authorities are positively generous when it comes to providing us time and space to get our act together. Back in Melbourne though, uh uh. I once paid a parking fine a day late and as a result, the amount increased by as much as 30 per cent.
In Abu Dhabi, you can pay outstanding traffic fines months later. There is greater sense of flexibility here when it comes to resolving issues. From the municipality employee to the Mawaqif officer, often it just takes a smile and an open mind to come up with a solution that is satisfying to all. However, as the UAE undertakes measures to diversify its economy, one of the unintended consequences is the limiting of that majaal space.
My grocery store and launderette have ditched their tab systems, while Anoud Cafe has put a two-day limit on my tab. That’s OK, I am not too worried. Like most things here in Abu Dhabi, I know that most challenges can be solved by way of a good old-fashioned chat.
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Read more from Saeed:
Domestic workers who take care of our families and homes are 'silent heroes'
Part-time work in the UAE: What working at a video store when I was 15 taught me about life
The WhatsApp council of candid friends that keeps me grounded
Chinese soaps on TV dubbed into Arabic? Bring it on
With the World Cup about to end, the UAE summer is really about to beg
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
RESULT
RS Leipzig 3
Marcel Sabitzer 10', 21'
Emil Forsberg 87'
Tottenham 0
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last-16, second leg:
Real Madrid 1 (Asensio 70'), Ajax 4 (Ziyech 7', Neres 18', Tadic 62', Schone 72')
Ajax win 5-3 on aggregate
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
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THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
HOW TO WATCH
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Company%20Profile
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UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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