Before the formation of the UAE, it was not uncommon for people to resolve disputes by pleading their case with the head of their tribe.
The tribes would often gather in a majlis to discuss issues of the day and socialise with each other.
While the UAE is now a very much a modern and forward-thinking country, renowned for the speed of its growth and development, the old ways still have a valuable role to play.
In 1999 Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, ordered the creation of a department for District and Village Affairs.
We are the bridge between the people and the government
Ahmed Al Naqbi
Each area has its own majlis under the department, serving as a local council where people can have their voices heard.
It's the first port of call for many when they need their issues resolved.
There are 15 majlis throughout Sharjah, with each covering several communities.
Another key facet of the set-up is that it allows a certain discretion for peoples' problems to be heard.
"Our work in the majlis is very sensitive, we must assure people that their problems won't be discussed as examples of our achievements in radio or TV," said Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the District and Villages Affairs Department.
He made his comments at the Sharjah International Government Communication Forum, which took place last month.
"We want people to come to us knowing that their problems will be solved secretly [discreetly]," he added.
Addressing local issues
The purpose of the Sharjah Majlis project is to ensure everyone still has a voice.
"We raise the voices of the people to the Ruler and government departments," said Amir Mohamed Al Zarooni, a member of the Al Mughaider majlis.
Members are encouraged to fully focus on the peoples' problems and not be distracted from the main purpose of the majlis.
"We had an order that came from Sheikh Dr Sultan to reduce the number of events and focus on people's problems," said Mr Al Zarooni.
"Today we doubled our efforts to reach to those in need."
The head of events at the department, Ahmed Al Naqbi, explained how each majlis often works as a mediator to solve family disputes, and even disagreements between neighbours.
"We as members can solve these smaller issues. However, if we received a complaint regarding a road that needs to be fixed, or a park that needs to improve their services, then we take the complaint to the government department," he said.
"We are the bridge between the people and the government."
Each majlis is given the freedom to serve the community as it sees fit, some giving away food and water for families with low income.
"Majlis Al Khalidiya gives to elderly people and those that are retired," said Shaikha Alsuwaidi, a resident in Al Khan.
Residents are also allowed to use a majlis to host weddings and memorials free of charge.
"When I spoke to the people in charge to book Majlis Al Mughaider for my wedding, they were extremely co-operative," said Mohamed Alshamsi, a resident in Al Khazamiya.
"They handed me the majlis early in the morning, which gave me all the time I needed to get it the way I wanted.
"They even brought people that would serve my guests tea and coffee for a reasonable price.
"The booking was for free, I only gave them Dh2,000 [$544] in advance for insurance and then they returned it back to me.
"If I haven't held my wedding in the majlis, I might have spent around Dh50,000 dirhams in another place."
Bringing communities together
During Ramadan some of the majaalis host iftars, with people going to break their fasts free of charge.
Each majlis is also used to hear new ideas and suggestions from the people of Sharjah to help improve quality of life in the emirate.
"We received more than 100 suggestions in one year that were taken into consideration, but we only approved the ones that we were capable of implementing," said Ali Altaneji, vice president of Majlis Al Bustan.
The majlis often have members who also work for government departments, which can be invaluable when it comes to connecting the community with the right people, he added.
"Our mission is to take the complaint or suggestion to the government department in charge, whether by visiting the department or directly speaking to the head of the department," said Mr Altaneji.
While the concept of a majlis is steeped in ancient tradition, that is not to say modern technology is not being embraced.
"The majlis has used social media platforms to reach out to people," said Hassan Al Balghouni, a member of the Al Rahmania majlis.
Despite the prevalence of social media, the majlis have a strong ethos of ensuring people are met in person in their homes, not least because not everyone has access to newer forms of technology, especially older generations.
"Although we use social media platforms to reach out to people, we still use the traditional methods of visiting people in their homes to hear their problems," said Mr Al Zarooni.
Match info
Arsenal 0
Manchester City 2
Sterling (14'), Bernardo Silva (64')
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Equaliser 2
Director Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders
Three stars
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
%3Cp%3E1%20Esha%20Oza%2C%20age%2026%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E2%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20age%2020%2C%2066%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E3%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20age%2021%2C%2065%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E4%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20age%2021%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E5%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20age%2023%2C%2016%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E6%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20age%2018%2C%2034%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E7%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20age%2017%2C%2053%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E8%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh%2C%20age%2017%2C%2068%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E9%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20age%2017%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E10%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20age%2018%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E11%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20age%2018%2C%2046%20matches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Super Bowl LIII schedule
What Super Bowl LIII
Who is playing New England Patriots v Los Angeles Rams
Where Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, United States
When Sunday (start time is 3.30am on Monday UAE time)
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
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Borussia Dortmund, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap | Dh85,000 | 2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap | Dh70,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Nawwaf KB, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
The years Ramadan fell in May
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
