Sports
$90 million to breathe new life into QE2
$90 million to breathe new life into QE2 Muaz Shabandri (muaz@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 July 2013 Dubai’s plan to build a majestic floating hotel from the retired ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) finally seems to have hit the right note with a change of ownership and new project completion dates. The cruise liner will now be owned by QE2 Shipping, a Dubai Government entity which will oversee the project’s development and take over operations from Istithmar, the private equity arm of Dubai World. Plans to restore the massive ocean liner are expected to be complete by late 2014 as a private group of investors will finance the project estimated at a cost of $90 million (Dh330 million). Refusing media speculation questioning the ship’s future, a senior official from the company confirmed the project would continue as planned and restoration would start soon. “We received many emails speculating the future of QE2. We will not respond or react to any speculation nor reveal our plans to any third party,” said Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of QE2 Shipping and QE2 Holding Limited. He refused media reports speculating a possible sale of the cruise liner as he said: “There is no need to sell the QE2. We are not scrapping or destroying it. The ship is ours and we will take care of it. We will deliver an iconic project for the world to romance and relish.” A consortium of ‘big investors’ are expected to fund the ship’s transformation as part of a 15-year renewable deal under the QE2 Holdings Limited. Details about the investors were not released at a press briefing hosted at Dubai Maritime City. Currently, the ship is undergoing repair works at the Drydocks World in Dubai. So far, seven of the ship’s nine engines have been restored and technical teams from the Drydocks World are working on bringing the vessel back into class to enable her sail on her own steam to the Far East. “This is going to be an iconic concept in the global market. There is huge potential in Asia and the Far East and many countries would like to host such a ship,” said Khamis. Unveiling plans for the future he noted that the original design had been slightly modified to increase capacity to a 400-room all suite hotel on board the liner. “Requests for proposals have already been sent to design houses and the intention is that submitted designs will be placed on the website where public opinion will be invited against set criteria to choose the best design,” he added. Once technical works are completed by mid-August, a major sail-off party will be hosted in Dubai on October 18 to bid farewell to the QE2. It is expected to reach Singapore on November 1 where it will be berthed for three days before proceeding to Hong Kong and finally reach a shipyard in China where the transformation will be completed. Restoration works are expected to take between 8 to 12 months. Once complete, the ship will be maintained at an annual cost of $2.5 million. The final destination of the floating hotel has not yet been decided. “We are in discussions with different governments and negotiations are ongoing to decide the location,” the official said. Special memorabilia from the ship’s interior have been removed and shipped in air-conditioned containers to Singapore where they will be stored at a secured warehouse. These memorabilia will be reassembled after renovation works have been completed. Continue reading
Cannons ready in nine Sharjah locations
Cannons ready in nine Sharjah locations Afkar Abdullah (afkarali@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 July 2013 The Sharjah Police have placed cannons in nine locations in the city to be fired to announce the Iftar time during the holy month of Ramadan. The locations are: near Sharjah Cultural Palace, Al Juraina, near Al Sari Mosque, Al Nour Mosque at Sharjah Waterfront, Al Mirgab, Musallah Al Badee in Al Talla, Bukhari Mosque at Khorfakkan Corniche, Tarif Mosque in Kalbam and near Al Dhaid police station. Speaking to Khaleej Times, a top police officer said that firing cannons to announce the Iftar time was an old custom followed by Arab and Muslim countries. A large number of people, including non-Muslims of various nationalities, gather near the cannons to enjoy the proceedings. Police patrols provide free Iftar to the gathering watching the firing of cannons. He explained that the tradition of firing cannons dated back to the early days of Islam, when it was decided that a cannon should be installed at the highest points of every city so that all Muslims could hear the shot signalling the time to end fast each day. In the UAE, this custom started in Sharjah in 1803, during the rule of Sultan bin Saqr. The Imams were instructed by the Ruler not to call for Iftar until they heard the cannon shot. The timing was determined by the Ruler upon the recommendation from a group of religious scholars. The firing of the cannon became the responsibility of the Sharjah Police later, and has remained under their supervision until now. Historically, military cannons were used. These have now been replaced with sonic cannons. Today, there is no practical reason for firing a cannon, but it is still continued in an effort to preserve the tradition. The Ramadan cannon has become symbolic and an integral part of the UAE tradition. The cannon firing team consists of one sergeant, one traffic officer and three soldiers. They arrive about an hour before sunset. A soldier loads a blank charge into the cannon and sets the safety switch to prevent any mishaps. A few minutes before the cannon is fired, a huge crowd gathers around the cannon to witness the firing, before going to the mosque to break their fast and pray. They wave to the cameras and call their friends and family at home to watch them live on TV. The Sharjah Government also provides Iftar meals to people who come to witness the cannon firing. The officer urged the people coming together to watch the cannon firing not to park their vehicles in the middle of the road leading to traffic jams. Continue reading
RAK Ruler pardons 210 prisoners
RAK Ruler pardons 210 prisoners (Wam) / 8 July 2013 His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has ordered the release of 210 prisoners, on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. The pardon covers inmates in Penal and Correctional Institutions in RAK who have so far served different jail terms. Released expatriate prisoners will be deported. Shaikh Saud’s gesture aims to give freed prisoners another chance to start a new life and ease the suffering of their families as well. Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the RAK Judicial Council, instructed the competent authorities to implement the orders of the RAK Ruler in coordination with the General Headquarters of the RAK Police. Counsellor Hassan Saeed Muhaimmed, Public Prosecutor of the RAK, said the kind gesture of the Ruler would grant the released prisoners an opportunity to get rehabilitated into the community. Continue reading
