Last week, I had the rare opportunity of introducing a first-time visitor to the Emirates. Not just to big cities, but across the country, traversing deserts and gravel plains and over the mountains, from coast to coast. In so doing, I have viewed the country afresh and observing it alongside my visitor, I have shared, to some extent, in the surprises.
The visitor, Senator John Le Fondré, Chief Minister of the British Channel Island of Jersey, my other home, was visiting for a few days to bolster the existing UAE-Jersey relationship and to see whether there might be scope for diversification into different fields, away from the well-trod path of financial services.
Beginning in Dubai, our first port of call, naturally, was Expo 2020 Dubai, with two objectives in mind. One was a number of meetings with senior UAE government officials, to discuss the nitty-gritty details of bilateral collaboration. Without divulging any details, it is fair to say that amongst the topics were some of the very latest innovations in financial services at a global level, very much something in which both the UAE and Jersey are international leaders.
The other was to take a quick look at a small selection of the national pavilions on show, including, of course, the UAE Pavilion. Here, I learnt an important lesson.
It was easy for me, a long-time resident of the Emirates with some knowledge of the country’s history and heritage, to find little points to criticise about the presentation. Senator Le Fondré, by comparison, for whom everything was fresh, found the architecture and the audio-visual presentation to be remarkably impressive, giving a rapid glimpse of the modern Emirates. Being too close to something, or too familiar with it, we agreed, provides a very different view. A visitor’s perspective is not necessarily the same as that of a resident.
From the innovative ideas portrayed at the Expo, not just at the UAE Pavilion, but in others which we visited, we moved to the modernity of Dubai, with its high-rise buildings, plush hotels, freeways and the like, evidence of the stage of development reached by this global commercial hub. I have observed its growth for over four decades, so it’s no surprise to me. For my visitor, though, it was visible evidence of the way in which this part of the UAE is on a par with other major global cities.
The next stop was at the Buhais Geology Park near Mleiha, the rolling sand-dunes of the desert dividing it from the Dubai-Sharjah conurbation. Here we went into a different world. The buildings of the park are designed to sit quietly and unobtrusively in the ancient landscape of the crags of Jebel Buhais.
The interpretative centre, managed by Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), aims through film and interactive displays to explain something of the remarkable and fascinating geology of the area, dating back over 65 million years.
In Fujairah, a highlight for my visitor, we visited a modern hi-tech dairy farm, complete with pedigree Jersey cows, signifying a direct link between the Emirates and Jersey
Designed to provide an educational experience, for young and old alike, the buildings are linked to an outdoor trail past fossils protruding from the rocks and fascinating archaeological sites.
For a first-time visitor, the dramatic landscape provides an impressive contrast to the dunes and the big cities on the coast that lie beyond them. This geology park, moreover, displays not only the EPAA’s desire to protect the landscape, but also its determination to educate people about it. That commitment was certainly taken on board by my visitor, since the concept of a possible Geopark is also something being examined at home in Jersey. The Buhais Park has offered some useful thoughts.
From Buhais, we went over the mountains to Fujairah, a fairly frequent trip for me. Most first-time visitors like Senator Le Fondré, though, arrive here expecting sun, sea and sand and magnificent modern cities, with world-class shopping opportunities and a thriving business community. Rugged mountains, with glimpses of little farms in the wadis with their terraced fields, are generally a bit of a surprise, helping to give a slightly more complete idea of the Emirates as a whole.
And then in Fujairah, a highlight for my visitor, we visited a modern hi-tech dairy farm, complete with pedigree Jersey cows, signifying a direct link between the Emirates and Jersey. For a change, this link was not in the usual field of financial services but in agriculture, a small but important component in the diversified economies of both countries. One topic of conversation here was whether there was scope for Fujairah to join Jersey in an innovative and highly successful programme to increase milk yields for dairy farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
It was, all in all, a thought-provoking visit. I have definitely benefited from trying to see the Emirates through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Going from Expo’s aspirations for the future to the modernity of Dubai and then over the deserts to mountains full of fossils and to hi-tech agriculture has reminded me of the country’s diversity and ancient heritage. It has reminded me, too, of the variety we have to offer for those overseas seeking to build closer ties with us. I must do it more often.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
India squads
T20: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed, Shivam Dube, Shardul Thakur
Test: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant
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
SPIDER-MAN%3A%20ACROSS%20THE%20SPIDER-VERSE
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20Joaquim%20Dos%20Santos%2C%20Kemp%20Powers%2C%20Justin%20K.%20Thompson%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Shameik%20Moore%2C%20Hailee%20Steinfeld%2C%20Oscar%20Isaac%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Looming%20global%20slowdown%20and%20recession%20in%20key%20economies%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Russia-Ukraine%20war%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Interest%20rate%20hikes%20and%20the%20rising%20cost%20of%20debt%20servicing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Oil%20price%20volatility%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Persisting%20inflationary%20pressures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Exchange%20rate%20fluctuations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shortage%20of%20labour%2Fskills%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20A%20resurgence%20of%20Covid%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
