Almaz by Momo Harvey Nichols Mall of the Emirates Dubai, Tel: 04 409 7788. Iftar buffet is Dh165 per person, including juice.
Just after sunset, a mass of shuffled feet buffed the zellige floor tile mosaics at Almaz by Momo. They padded a determined course underneath bulbous glowing lanterns, and through an atmospheric dining room to a brightly lit chamber decked with ornamental curios and swooping chandeliers. Running around the room in a broken horseshoe were tables laden with Arabic food, a bounty of dishes from the Levant and Morocco. Only minutes ago, the sound of prayers had echoed through the restaurant, yet now the murmur of people breaking the fast melded with the sound of glasses being filled with fruit juice and the clink of cutlery. As people carried food back to their tables, they sat down to the sweeping music and powerful voice of Umm Kulthum, which burst from the speakers like friction sparks in the night.
We may have been in a contemporary Moroccan restaurant for iftar, but the sound of the Egyptian singing legend's distinctive outpouring of emotion signalled that the evening's gathering transcended mere national boundaries. It was a time for Muslims from all over the Arab world and beyond to meet, congregate, reflect and dissect their day at the beginning of the holiest of months. Tonight, Almaz by Momo seemed a million miles away from its glitzy, celebrity-infested London counterpart, Momo, which has become a byword for North African chic. Instead we saw families, couples, friends and colleagues celebrating iftar in an environment that was perfect for amplifying the unique atmosphere of Ramadan.
Though some remained at their tables to break the fast the traditional way, with dates and juice, most flocked to the buffet in the adjoining room. We duly followed, and began with a bowl of thick harira soup. It was crammed with chickpeas and finely chopped vegetables, sprinkled with lemon juice and soaked up with chunky Moroccan bread. Soon it was time to sift through the salads, where we discovered Lebanese tabbouleh and fattoush alongside smoky moutabel and creamy hummus. I also grabbed a couple of fried kibbe, which were delicious, with moist granules of minced lamb and pine nuts in a crisp shell. And we'd hardly got started.
I had to try the berber tagine, which was lined up next to two more overflowing clay pots of slowly simmered delights. Among the boulders of soft potato, carrot, onion, green beans and peas were hunks of unfathomably tender lamb. There was more melting meat to be savoured with the shoulder of lamb. And on the side, I spooned heaps of crumbly couscous from beneath flapping white cabbage leaves and a further haul of steamed vegetables. And yet, there was still the tender and flavour-packed koosa mahshi (stuffed courgettes with rice, minced lamb, garlic, cinnamon and mint) to enjoy.
A landslide of tumbling baklava, pastries and Arabic sweets led us to the spongy berber pancakes with syrup, which were devoured alongside fresh slices of pineapple and melon. Around the gently lit dining room, the sorties to the buffet were becoming less frequent. And as the sated diners settled down for the evening, Umm Kulthum's cries continued to wash over us in dramatic, heartfelt waves.
@email:jbrennan@thenational.ae
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Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Mar 10: Norwich(A)
Mar 13: Newcastle(H)
Mar 16: Lille(A)
Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)
Apr 2: Brentford(H)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
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- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
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- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
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Padmaavat
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3.5/5
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
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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