In the Middle East, there has long been a special association with the night sky. For millennia, stories of star-filled inky skies have been told by explorers, pilgrims and trade caravans, all of whom used the celestial map to navigate these desert lands.
Hundreds of stars have names derived from Arabic, including some of the brightest in the sky, like Achernar (which comes from Akhir al-nahr, meaning the end of the river) in the Edidanus constellation, and Deneb (from Dhanab with means a tail of any animal), a first-magnitude star in the constellation of Cygnus.
This connection is as old as time, and is one of the reasons why The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious regenerative tourism destination, is on a mission to become one of the world’s largest dark sky reserves.
Stretching 28,000 square kilometres along the north-west of the kingdom, the coastal region is surrounded by sand dunes and pristine waters. It’s also one of the least light polluted places in the country, something that the team at Red Sea Global not only want to preserve, but to enhance.
“When people who haven't really seen the night sky before visit our sites, it’s amazing to watch them seeing the stars for the first time,” says Andrew Bates, associate director of lights at Red Sea Global. “It’s really quite special.”
By cutting light pollution to almost zero across the region, the destination is on track to become the world’s second largest international dark sky reserve, behind only the Greater Bend in Texas which is a staggering 38,850 square kilometres. Having received a visit from the chief executive of non-profit organisation DarkSky International, the destination is making steady progress.
“We’re working closely with DarkSky International but there hasn’t been a category on this scale before,” reveals Bates. “Typically, dark sky certificates are given to national parks and smaller scale areas so there was nothing really that we could compare to because we're constantly building on a huge scale.
“Our designation is currently under review on the second submission, and we're looking to get the certification via our phase one projects before the end of the year, either in the third or fourth quarter. When awarded, we will be given the same category of certification as the 22 existing International Dark Sky Reserves however the text behind the award will explain that our development is unique, in that it was the only one to be built as an International Dark Sky Reserve from the outset."
While the certification is certainly sought-after, as a means to recognise the destination as a pioneer in the Middle East for dark sky tourism, it’s the reserve itself that is the most magical.
“People don't realise how many stars you can see when you are in a very dark environment,” says Bates. “The idea of people being able to come to this destination and reconnect with the stars is beautiful, and something most don't get to see in everyday life.”
He’s not wrong. According to data from the World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness, more than 80 per cent of the world’s population live in places where the night sky can’t truly be seen thanks to light pollution. The world’s most light-polluted country is Singapore, where the entire population lives under skies so bright the eye can’t fully adapt to night vision. In the Middle East, it’s a similar situation for 98 per cent of people in Kuwait, 97 per cent in Qatar, 93 per cent in the UAE and 83 per cent in Saudi Arabia.
What exactly is light pollution?
But what exactly is light pollution? While many people are familiar with what constitutes water, air and land pollution, light pollution is slightly less tangible.
According to DarkSky International, it is defined as “the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally”, and it consists of several components, namely glare, sky glow, light trespassing (where light reaches places it is not intended to) and clutter (excessive groupings of light sources).
Achieving its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve requires Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination to cut light pollution to almost zero across the entire destination, no easy task given that it’s an area almost three times the size of Lebanon and an ambition to become one of the country’s most sought-after tourism hotspots.
“We're designing our lighting schemes very carefully, we're keeping lights very warm, very low, very subtle. And this creates an ambient level of comfort for our guests,” explains Bates.
Reduced lighting comes with its own challenges, especially in a destination that will cater to luxury travellers staying at resorts from some of the finest names in hospitality including St Regis, Six Senses and the soon-to-open Nujuma, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the first reserve in the Middle East from the hotel group.
Because most of the world’s population has evolved to exist in a luminous fog, taking away or reducing that illumination could leave travellers, especially luxury ones that typically want for nothing, feeling a little uneasy.
“There’s a constant discussion between the two elements, the dark sky focus of having very low-level light, and then traveller safety,” says Bates. “It's a fine line between the two and it's a balance, but it's about creating just enough light to allow the guests to safely move around.
“A lot of our resorts plan to have travellers moving around via buggies, and they have their own localised lights. Lighting contrast also plays a huge part, you don't necessarily need a lot of light to see where you're going if it's used in the correct way.”
Travellers visiting the destination are also encouraged to get on board with turning out the lights. Both in a literal sense, switching off lights when they’re not in room and not leaving outside lights on overnight or using mobile phones during stargazing sessions. It calls for embracing the concept.
Keeping the nocturnal natural for sea turtles, migratory birds and bats
When it officially becomes the world’s second-largest international dark sky reserve, The Red Sea hopes to attract tourists from around the world seeking solitude, but the set-up should also benefit indigenous wildlife.
Over-lighting destinations with artificial sources or even specific colours of light can lead have an impact on animals that rely on the night sky for survival. From migratory birds to photoperiodic creatures, like sea turtles and bats, the changing cycles of light and darkness can cause confusion.
That’s particularly true for sea turtles that reside in the warm waters off the coast of The Red Sea, and come ashore to lay their eggs.
Bates explains: “If there’s a lot of light when the turtles are hatching on the beach at night, they might be drawn inland as opposed to being drawn out to the sea by the moonlight, which then means they’re more susceptible to predators.”
Carefully considered lighting can prevent this from happening, leaving animals to thrive in natural nocturnal scenes. It’s not just The Red Sea destination that is going to benefit. Developers at the project are also working closely with local authorities and municipalities in nearby Al Wajh and Umluj to enhance lighting in both towns.
“It’s about educating the communities and we have a team focusing on that outreach project. The plans include replacing façades and retrofitting new lighting fixtures across these towns to try to enhance those areas,” says Bates, who has been impressed at how well the project has been received by the local population.
“I think it’s because of that important cultural and historical link of people’s ancestors having used the stars at night to navigate,” he offers.
And while much of the world continues to develop in brightness, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination is on a mission to turn out the lights, restoring an old as time relationship between people and the stars and creating an inky canvas from where travellers can find inspiration in the solitude of darkness. After all, as American novelist Isaac Asimov said in Nightfall, “in the presence of total darkness, the mind finds it absolutely necessary to create light”.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Mobile phone packages comparison
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Central%20Bank's%20push%20for%20a%20robust%20financial%20infrastructure
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ECBDC%20real-value%20pilot%20held%20with%20three%20partner%20institutions%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20buy%20now%2C%20pay%20later%20regulations%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPreparing%20for%20the%202023%20launch%20of%20the%20domestic%20card%20initiative%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPhase%20one%20of%20the%20Financial%20Infrastructure%20Transformation%20(FiT)%20completed%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
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)
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
UAE SQUAD
Omar Abdulrahman (Al Hilal), Ali Khaseif, Ali Mabkhout, Salem Rashed, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Zayed Al Ameri, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Khalid Essa, Ahmed Barman, Ryan Yaslam, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmin (Al Wasl), Adel Al Hosani, Ali Hassan Saleh, Majed Suroor (Sharjah), Ahmed Khalil, Walid Abbas, Majed Hassan, Ismail Al Hammadi (Shabab Al Ahli), Hassan Al Muharrami, Fahad Al Dhahani (Bani Yas), Mohammed Al Shaker (Ajman)
The Old Slave and the Mastiff
Patrick Chamoiseau
Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
