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Sandy long weekend for UAE
Sandy long weekend for UAE Silvia Radan / 8 June 2013 Sand has been a common feature for people relaxing in the country over the long weekend. The increasingly popular and newly opened Saadiyat beach, a fancy hotel somewhere by the sea, a drive to Oman for some wadi exploration or just staying put with movies and malls for passing time were the top choices for Abu Dhabi residents on how to spend the three-day weekend, with the Islamic holiday Isra Wal Miraj falling on Thursday. Hamad Al Kharoosi (first right) with fellow UAE Offroaders. — Supplied Photo Apart from overseas tourists, very few people here said they would consider a desert trip over the summer but Emirati Hamad Al Kharoosi breaks the mould. He and his family chose to spend much of this weekend in the sand dunes of Al Khatem, between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. “I was there on Wednesday night for a night drive that ended with a barbeque (which lasted) until the wee hours and I’m going again on Friday afternoon,” said Al Kharoosi. He is a member of one of the biggest offroading clubs in the country —the UAE Offroaders. Recently upgraded to the topmost skilful level of driving -marshal- that comes with all sorts of responsibilities for the club, including organising trips for the fellow members, Al Kharoosi made sure to stay home this weekend to plan his desert trip. “It is the birthday of one of our UAE Offroaders’ founders and the club manager, so first of all I would like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ Lee Al Romaithi,” Al Kharoosi said. “To celebrate his birthday, I invited all club members who wish to join a desert drive in Al Khatem area. We will start about 4.30pm and stop at sunset, when we’ll have a barbeque, a big birthday cake and lots of laughs.” Al Kharoosi even undertook to prepare the barbeque by himself for the entire group, which are 16 drivers with their passengers. “One special thing about the UAE Offroaders is that we are very close to each other, always looking out for one another, so it feels like we are part of a family, not a club,” he added. Jane and Mathew Duplain, a young British couple enjoying the holiday on St. Regis Saadiyat hotel’s beach, said the long weekend had disrupted their plans. “We heard it’s a holiday for you here, but for us it’s a 10-day break. We came from London for our holiday here and we were actually planning a trip to Dubai (on Friday), but the concierge told us it would be very crowded, so we postponed it until (Saturday). We are going back to UK on Sunday,” Mathew said. “The beach today is pretty full, so I guess it didn’t really matter that we stayed here or went to Dubai. Mind you, the weather is lovely and even though the summer is slowly arriving in Europe as well, it will be a long time before we’ll enjoy such hot weather, so we are making the most of it,” added Jane. silvia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
UN rights body adopts review report on UAE
UN rights body adopts review report on UAE (Wam) / 8 June 2013 The UN Human Rights Council successfully adopted the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on the United Arab Emirates in Geneva on Friday, marking the conclusion of the UAE’s participation in the current cycle of the UPR. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash announced his country fully accepted 100 recommendations, partially accepted or noted 61 recommendations and rejected 19 recommendations made by UN member states during the UPR session in January 2013. Among the accepted recommendations is the decision by the UAE to establish a national human rights institution. Dr Anwar mohammed Gargash and the UAE delegation at the Geneva meeting. — Wam Dr Gargash noted with satisfaction that the council had recognised the significant progress achieved by the UAE in enhancing human rights protection and had applauded the UAE’s national process in compiling the human rights report. Dr Gargash thanked all those present for their valuable contributions and was pleased to note the encouraging remarks made in the majority of interventions as the UAE progresses on its path to peace and prosperity. In his statement to the Human Rights Council’s concluding session to adopt the UAE’s report, Dr Gargash emphasised the UAE’s commitment to the UPR process as a tool to support and enhance national capacity building and improve human rights amongst nations. “Our domestic and international efforts stem from our national values and cultural heritage, which enshrine justice, tolerance, equality, and international responsibility. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is an essential component of our principles, and we are proud of the progress we have made in improving the quality of life of our citizens,” he declared In addition to these values underpinning the UAE’s progress on human rights, he especially noted the continued solid improvement of the labour environment in the legislative and executive field and committed that the UAE will continue on this path of progressively enhancing labour conditions. Additionally, he emphasised the empowerment of women as a major objective in building a modern and progressive society with confidence in the future. In December 2012, the UAE’s Cabinet issued a decree to promote the participation of women on the boards of government agencies and companies, making the UAE the second country in the world with mandatory female presence in board rooms, and the first in the Arab region. The UAE will also serve on the Executive Board of UN Women until 2015. Furthermore, Dr Gargash emphasised that cultural and religious tolerance continues to be a hallmark of the UAE’s agenda and that this is an essential component in building a fair and attractive society. Dr Gargash subsequently stressed that the UAE will continue to protect its public security and stability in full compliance with the applicable legal standards of the country. He said: “Any violations of national laws will be investigated and dealt with in accordance with the laws of our country, and measures provided for by the law will be taken in case of violations.” Dr Gargash also highlighted the pioneering role of the UAE in combating human trafficking in the region, as he announced that the UAE became a formal member of the Bali Process in April 2013. Moreover, he discussed the UAE’s efforts to build institutional capacity within government departments to promote human rights, and to create improved legal protection for the expatriate labour force. In a bid to improve the protection of human rights across the world, once every four years the Human Rights Council holds a public review of each of the 193 member states of the UN to examine where they are doing well and where they can improve. This was the second such review process for the UAE since the UPR was instituted in 2006. With the adoption of thel UPR report, the UAE’s Standing Committee on the Universal Periodic Review will now strive to implement across the government the recommendations that have been accepted and continue to improve its protection and promotion of human rights. Continue reading
Student with low vision excels in Grade 12 exams
Student with low vision excels in Grade 12 exams Muaz Shabandri / 7 June 2013 Sitting close to the exam room window and reading his question paper with an electronic magnifier, Sajjad Kalam, comes across as any ordinary student taking his exams. A closer look at his paper and one gets to know the difficulty with which he has to read and answer the questions written on a sheet because of limited vision. “I have difficulties in reading and that’s why I have to put more efforts in reading and writing with clarity,” says Sajjad. Sajjad has a medical condition, which limits his vision by as much as 80 per cent. Having to wear thick glasses and still use an electronic magnifier, the student was given special provisions taking into account the extra time taken by him to read. Defying all odds, Sajjad, who is a student of The Millennium School, Dubai, scored 83 per cent in his Grade 12 exams and his results put a smile on the faces of friends and teachers who helped him through his studies. “I was very happy to hear his results and it reflects the hard-work of the student, his parents and the teachers who have taught him,” said Senior School Supervisor (Boys) Syed Ali. Simple tasks like finding a page in the textbook called for help from classmates, as the numbers were too small for his eyesight. Teachers at the school have also played a big part in helping Sajjad understand the curriculum. “From Grade 5 to 9, we used to give him a question paper on a larger sheet so that he could read easily,” said one of his teachers. Sajjad has always been popular among his friends because of his humble and loving nature. Ratan Koshy and Parmeet Singh, two of his close friends have made every effort to be by his side whenever there have been any difficulties. The two students have even been recognised by the school with special awards. While finishing the exams is the first step in stepping into the right career path, Sajjad has no qualms about taking up higher education. He plans to take up an undergraduate course in business administration and move ahead in life. muaz@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
