Ras Al Khaimah // Ahmed Bin Shaiban and his son, Shaiban Bin Ahmed, did not wear their thick National Day scarfs for style Thursday morning.
They set off before dawn to cross the mountain of Jebel Janas and the village of Al Sel to hang a 40-metre UAE flag from a cliff face over their father’s home in Wadi Qada’a.
As they ascended in the predawn light, their only warmth came from the scarfs and the heat generated by their quick footsteps.
The father and son were among thousands of mountain tribesmen who dangled themselves over cliffs to place enormous satin flags above their mountain villages in the week before National Day.
“If the flag is high, the country is high,” Ahmed told his son. “When the flag is down, the country is finished.”
The first famous mountain flag was planted in 2006 and it quickly became a National Day tradition. Today, every mountain in RAK bears a flag.
Shaiban, age 10, is named for his grandfather, the revered leader of the Habus mountain tribe, who extend from Khatt to Al Rams and the Oman border.
This was his first trip to the top of the mountains. He wore velco trainers and a fatigued smile. His father’s footsteps were more certain: Ahmed, 35, visited these mountains every week until he began work in Abu Dhabi.
They were joined by Ahmed’s brothers Mana, 21, and Waleed, who is in his 40s. Mana carried the 10kg flag in a plastic bag slung over his shoulder.
The hike was a history lesson for Shaiban. The family crossed trails that lead between stone houses used for hundreds of years until they were abandoned 40 years ago. The trails are invisible to most but the polish of the rocks suggests their importance.
The most spectacular is the winter village of Al Sel, an area of cultivation and water source for hundreds who lived in hamlets of the surrounding mountains. The village, a metropolis by mountain standards, is said to be 400 years old.
“The first men in these mountains were the Habus and the Shehhuh [tribes],” Ahmed told his son.
Shaiban climbs a sidr tree said to be 1,000 years old and a favourite sitting place of his grandmother. In his grandmother’s time, the mountains were famous for the citrus grew cultivated and their indigenous figs.
The stones turn gold and pink as the family descend into the wadis. Ahmed points out caracal droppings. Atop another mountain, the ground is covered in small crystals that resemble clumps of brown sugar.
When they reached a cliff overlooking Wadi Qada’a, Ahmed pointed out his grandfather’s house, hundreds of metres below, and those of his family. There are many; he has 20 brothers and sisters.
At first attempt, the flag wouldn’t hang properly. It was caught on an outcrop. Ahmed bundled it under his arm and carried it to a plateau that overlooks the city.
“It’s a gift for the people of RAK and the UAE,” said Ahmed. “Good idea? Forty metres for 40 years.”
His brother Waleed recited a poem he wrote that speaks of union “from the wadis to the plains” and the “paradise of trees” that the country has become.
Afterwards, the men went their separate ways down the trails they know so well.
On the way down, Ahmed spoke about which mountain he will choose for next year’s flag.
It will be even bigger.
azacharias@thenational.ae
Business Insights
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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