ABU DHABI // The normally bustling cafes and restaurants in Abu Dhabi's shopping malls are quiet during the day for Ramadan, but people are flocking to them late into the night.
This year most malls are on new schedules for the Muslim holy month, with many shops closed for several hours in the afternoon but reopening until 2am - well past the normal closing time of 10pm.
The facade at the entrance of Marina Mall has been lavishly decorated with intricate designs for Ramadan, and inside, people step off an escalator through a decorated archway.
Stores in Marina Mall are required to be open from 10am to 2pm and 8pm to 1am Saturday through Wednesday. On Thursday, the shops remain open until 2am. On Friday, shopping hours are 8pm to 2am, although stores can get permission to open earlier.
Shops in Abu Dhabi Mall are open from 10am to 1.30pm, 8pm to 1am Saturday through Thursday and 8pm to 1am on Friday. Al Wahda Mall is open 10am to 2pm and 7pm to 1am during Ramadan.
With shoppers still turning out despite the afternoon closings, some stores remain open all day.
Bateel, the luxury brand of Saudi dates, is among the stores open from 10am to 1am in Abu Dhabi Mall, because of the surge in demand for its products. "We are busy during Ramadan as so many people are getting their dates from us for iftar," said Rena Dominguez, a store employee.
In Abu Dhabi Mall, people browsed and took respite from the heat. Families strolled through the cavernous halls, where large gold and silver decorations in the form of camels, coffee pots, lamps and stars hung from the ceiling.
Among the many shoppers was Shamma al Khamari, 25, a teacher from Abu Dhabi who said she was already preparing for Eid al Fitr.
"Shopping is a need and we normally do it on the weekends," she said. "In the evenings during Ramadan we have to be with our families, so we come during the day."
THE SPECS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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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.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
PAKISTAN SQUAD
Pakistan - Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Aamer Yamin, Rumman Raees.
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295