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Out in the heat without a shade
Out in the heat without a shade Staff Reporter / 12 July 2013 Commuters waiting at bus stops, carrying bags and shielding their faces with sunglasses and scarves is not an unusual sight. But, what is being done about the lack of bus shelters at key traffic junctions in the city? Air conditioning of all shelters has not yet been achieved, and most stops do not have tinted glass to shield them form direct sunlight. When Khaleej Times asked the Roads and Transports Authority why there were neither sunshades nor a place to sit at many stops — including the one opposite Deira City Centre which is used by hundreds of passengers daily — acting director of planning and business development Essa Al Hashemi said: “We are currently installing shades in most of the heavy passenger generation points. Waiting platforms at bus stations will be totally sun-protected during hot months.” He assured Khaleej Times that “robust criteria has been developed to ensure effective utilisation of current shades and many reallocation and installments have occurred to cover the main bus stops including Al Ghubaiba, Al Qouz, Al Karama and Gold Souq.” Miriam Khan, a 32-year-old receptionist at the head office of a beverage distillery in Deira says she faces a problem getting buses because her office was away from the main route. She said she took the metro to work from her Karama home. “But I have to change to the bus. At one stop, the bus comes to the metro station at Baniyas, so I don’t feel the heat … it’s alright because of the air conditioning in the metro, but my neighbour who has to go to office in Ghusais says she has to be even careful about what she carries for lunch, as waiting for a bus in the heat ruins the food.” While the RTA has in the past promised to expand the number of air conditioned shelters, Al Hashimi said: “superior design and technology are adopted for the AC shelters and more than 650 such shelters are located across Dubai. RTA has planned to expand this project to cover other bus stops categorised by passenger volumes and availability of infrastructure.” Dubai buses The Dubai bus fleet consists of 1,574 buses that operate on 22 Dubai Metro Feeder routes out of the 86 inner routes covering 85 per cent of Dubai’s urban districts. The Dubai bus fleet covers over 5,759,116 kilometres (as of February 2013). Service volumes are adjusted on Fridays and public holidays in relation to the passenger demand. Around 309,992 passengers travel per day. The bus fleet made of custom-built and equipped with comfortable seats dedicated for ladies and children, air-conditioning, special needs facilities, electronically operated destination display system and computerised fare equipment. nivriti@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Shaikh Mohammed receives Rulers, CPs and Shaikhs
Shaikh Mohammed receives Rulers, CPs and Shaikhs (Wam) / 11 July 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes at Zabeel Palace here on Thursday. RAMADAN GREETINGS: His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, received Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes at Zaabeel Palace in Dubai on Thursday. Shaikh Mohammed and his guests exchanged greetings on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; other Shaikhs and senior officials were also present on the occasion. — Wam They performed Maghreb prayer, led by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi of Sharjah, as imam. They asked Allah in their prayers to protect the leadership from harm and sustain the UAE’s stability and national cohesion. Present were Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Shaikh Mohammed and his guests exchanged greetings on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. Shaikh Mohammed also hosted an Iftar banquet in honour of the guests. Besides Shaikh Sultan, the event was attended by Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah; Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi of Fujairah; Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla of Umm Al Quwain; Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman; Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; Shaikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Shaikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; Shaikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; and other Shaikhs. The UAE Vice-President also received Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council; Shaikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor; Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; and Shaikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation. Among those present also were Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates airline and Group; Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Shaikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and a number of Shaikhs. Continue reading
‘Prophet more merciful than people are to themselves’
‘Prophet more merciful than people are to themselves’ Ahmed Shaaban / 11 July 2013 Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), known for good ethics, has shown mercy not only on Muslims but the mankind and all creatures. This was affirmed by Saudi scholar Dr Sheikh Nasir Al Zahrani in his lecture ‘Peace be upon you Prophet Muhammad’, on Wednesday night. The preaching, the first in a series of 22 lectures, is part of the 17th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Prophet Muhammad, the master of all Adam’s children and the first to enter paradise, is more merciful to people than they are to themselves.” He added that the Prophet, who has taught true peace to humanity, was known for truthfulness and honesty. “The Prophet was saluted by stones, shaded by clouds in the open desert, greeted by mountains, honoured by trees, and supported by God.” Prophet Muhammad, whose name is associated with the name of Almighty Allah five times a day, led all prophets in prayer in the Aqsa Masjid in Jerusalem. “Prophet Muhammad who was mentioned in the Holy Quran over 4,000 times in name and by character was a role model in tolerance with all his enemies and those who hurt him and his followers,” he said, noting that he never took revenge. He said Prophet Muhammad was very modest, refused flattering, and showed utmost tolerance and behaviour to his companions, relatives, neighbours, and even enemies. “He used to instruct his followers call for Islam in the nicest and easiest way.” Dr Al Zahrani said he has been working on a big project billed ‘Peace be upon you Prophet Muhammad, spanning museums, exhibitions, and over 500 volumes, of which 100 books have been already finished. “This record encyclopedia depicts every aspect of the Prophet’s biography.” The project, including a TV channel and social networks, makes use of the latest technologies. “The second round of the exhibition billed ‘Peace be upon you Prophet Mohammed’ shall be held in Dubai after the holy month of Ramadan.” The cultural programme of the Award which will continue until July 27, will see a lecture by renowned Syrian scholar Dr Mohammed Ratib Al Nabulsi on the humanitarian aspects of Prophet Muhammad on July 11 night, followed by a lecture themed ‘General aspects of the Prophet’s biography’ by popular Saudi scholar Dr Sheikh Abdul Wahhab Al Turairi on July 12. All lectures are slated to start at 10.30pm every night after the Taraweeh Prayer. Valuable prizes await attendees all along the 1 to 20 Ramadan Award,” he said, noting that more details are available at the website www.quran.gov.ae. The 11-category award, aimed to serve the Holy Quran and promote the general standard of the Quranic performance, is to see, as of July 17, 89 contestants of the over 160 countries contacted from across the world to participate in the competition held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
