• Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali on the day before Ramadan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali on the day before Ramadan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan lights in the Greens Community in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Ramadan lights in the Greens Community in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The sun rises over Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of Ramadan. Mosques remain closed due to Covid-19, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The sun rises over Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of Ramadan. Mosques remain closed due to Covid-19, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • An evening with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    An evening with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations on Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
    Ramadan decorations on Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Pre-Ramadan at the Public Slaughter House in Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National
    Pre-Ramadan at the Public Slaughter House in Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National
  • The installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
    The installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
  • First day of Ramadan. A canon is fired to mark the beginning of iftar at the Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    First day of Ramadan. A canon is fired to mark the beginning of iftar at the Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A Moreish Sweets saleswoman with some Ramadan sweets at the Al Raha Mall reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
    A Moreish Sweets saleswoman with some Ramadan sweets at the Al Raha Mall reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
  • People line up in Bur Dubai to receive an iftar package from volunteers of the Kerala NGO Markaz. Reem Mohammed/The National:
    People line up in Bur Dubai to receive an iftar package from volunteers of the Kerala NGO Markaz. Reem Mohammed/The National:
  • The Imam of Port Saeed Masjid in Al Muraqqabat calls the Maghreb prayer. Reem Mohammed/The National
    The Imam of Port Saeed Masjid in Al Muraqqabat calls the Maghreb prayer. Reem Mohammed/The National
  • Workers queue for free iftar meals at Dubai Investment Park. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Workers queue for free iftar meals at Dubai Investment Park. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Volunteers at the iftar distribution in Dubai Investment Park, inside a small mosque, pick up their iftars. Reem Mohammed/The National
    Volunteers at the iftar distribution in Dubai Investment Park, inside a small mosque, pick up their iftars. Reem Mohammed/The National
  • Ramadan decor inside the Al Fateh Plaza shop at the Dhow Harbor and Al Mina Souk. Victor Besa / The National
    Ramadan decor inside the Al Fateh Plaza shop at the Dhow Harbor and Al Mina Souk. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque without Ramadan visitors during the Coronavirus pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque without Ramadan visitors during the Coronavirus pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

Eid Al Fitr 2020 in UAE to begin on Sunday


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  • Arabic

Eid Al Fitr will begin on Sunday in the UAE, the state news agency Wam announced on Friday.

The date was confirmed by the moon-sighting committee, who convened remotely after maghrib prayers to deliberate the end of Ramadan and beginning of Shawwal.

They agreed it was not possible to see the new crescent moon, which would indicate the start of the next Islamic month. This means Ramadan will last 30 days this year and the first day of Eid, Shawwal 1, will fall on Sunday.

The committee was formed under the chairmanship of Minister of Justice Sultan Al Badi and includes a number of senior officials.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation previously announced that public and private sector workers would have Ramadan 29 (Friday May 22) to Shawwal 3 off as a holiday. Friday's announcement means workers will have until Tuesday, May 26, off, resuming work on Wednesday, May 27.

On Friday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, congratulated President Sheikh Khalifa, ahead of Eid, wishing him good health and the country prosperity.

He also also congratulated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Rulers of the Emirates, as well as Emiratis and residents.

The committee typically uses a two-pronged approach when determining the start of a new Islamic month. First, they searching for the new moon using telescopes and then confirm it by sighting the moon with the naked eye. This year, the committee is meeting through video conference to avoid breaching precautionary measures taken by the country to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

Images are sent to them from astronomers on the ground and local courts across the country.

They deliberate together and make a final decision.

On the first day of Eid, Muslims typically wake up just before dawn to perform Eid prayers at mosques. Muslims tend to wear new clothes and visit family and friends. This year's celebrations will be muted, with mosques closed and gatherings limited to no more than five people in homes, as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities have implored families not to visit each other, to protect one another from potential infection.

Celebrations tend to last for three days. In recent years, it became common practice to travel during Eid but, this year, no one will be able to travel internationally because flights have been grounded. Instead, many have booked into hotels across Dubai and the Northern Emirates for staycations.

Ramadan 2020 around the world:

  • Jamil Kaydee, Niina Kaydee and daughter Amelia during afternoon prayer, known as Asr, at their home in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Jamil Kaydee, Niina Kaydee and daughter Amelia during afternoon prayer, known as Asr, at their home in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • An aerial view shows the deserted Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan. AFP
    An aerial view shows the deserted Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan. AFP
  • A deserted Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta on the first day of Ramadan. AFP
    A deserted Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta on the first day of Ramadan. AFP
  • Ramadan is an opportunity to learn something new and reflect. EPA
    Ramadan is an opportunity to learn something new and reflect. EPA
  • Children read the Quran at a Mosque in Herat, Afghanistan. EPA
    Children read the Quran at a Mosque in Herat, Afghanistan. EPA
  • People visit the Imam Ali mosque in the central Iraqi city of Najaf, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. AFP
    People visit the Imam Ali mosque in the central Iraqi city of Najaf, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid the novel coronavirus pandemic crisis. AFP
  • A Kashmiri Muslim checks his cell phone after praying outside a closed Muslim shrine in Srinagar. AP Photo
    A Kashmiri Muslim checks his cell phone after praying outside a closed Muslim shrine in Srinagar. AP Photo
  • Iranian women wearing face masks pray during a religious ceremony called Laylat Al Qadr in a mosque at the Tehran's university, in Tehran. EPA
    Iranian women wearing face masks pray during a religious ceremony called Laylat Al Qadr in a mosque at the Tehran's university, in Tehran. EPA
  • Displaced Syrian family break their fast together for the sunset iftar meal during Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
    Displaced Syrian family break their fast together for the sunset iftar meal during Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
  • A Sunni cleric wearing protective protective gloves, prays at the Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut. AFP
    A Sunni cleric wearing protective protective gloves, prays at the Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut. AFP
  • People wearing protective face masks read verses from the Quran in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA
    People wearing protective face masks read verses from the Quran in Sanaa, Yemen. EPA
  • Muslims pray before breaking their fast in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. REUTERS
    Muslims pray before breaking their fast in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. REUTERS
  • A Muslim singer wears his sufi clothing before singing Islamic songs at his home in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
    A Muslim singer wears his sufi clothing before singing Islamic songs at his home in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
  • Volunteers clothed in personal protection equipment prepare iftar meals in Ankara, Turkey. AFP
    Volunteers clothed in personal protection equipment prepare iftar meals in Ankara, Turkey. AFP
  • A canon is fired at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to mark the beginning of iftar. Victor Besa / The National
    A canon is fired at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to mark the beginning of iftar. Victor Besa / The National
Allardyce's management career

Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)

Countries (1) - England (2016)

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

'Laal Kaptaan'

Director: Navdeep Singh

Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain

Rating: 2/5

Tips on buying property during a pandemic

Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.

While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.

While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar. 

Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.

Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities. 

Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong. 

Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

New schools in Dubai
MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

If you go

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.

The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.

The biog

Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."

Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell 

Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')

Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')

Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
'Hocus%20Pocus%202'
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Anne%20Fletcher%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Bette%20Midler%2C%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%2C%20Kathy%20Najimy%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Masters%20of%20the%20Air
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cary%20Joji%20Fukunaga%2C%20Dee%20Rees%2C%20Anna%20Boden%2C%20Ryan%20Fleck%2C%20Tim%20Van%20Patten%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Callum%20Turner%2C%20Anthony%20Boyle%2C%20Barry%20Keoghan%2C%20Sawyer%20Spielberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyperPay%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhannad%20Ebwini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2455m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AB%20Ventures%2C%20Amwal%20Capital%2C%20INet%2C%20Mada%20VC%2C%20Mastercard%2C%20SVC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Rebel%20Moon%20%E2%80%93%20Part%20Two%3A%20The%20Scargiver%20review%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sofia%20Boutella%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Sir%20Anthony%20Hopkins%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The lowdown

Bohemian Rhapsody

Director: Bryan Singer

Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee

Rating: 3/5

Profile of VoucherSkout

Date of launch: November 2016

Founder: David Tobias

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers

Sector: Technology

Size: 18 employees

Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake

Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars” 

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Fulham 0

Aston Villa 3 (Grealish 4', Hourihane 15', Mings 48')

Man of the match: Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)