Tag Archives: dubai
3 die as car crashes into Dubai restaurant
3 die as car crashes into Dubai restaurant Amira Agarib and Ahmed Shaaban / 27 July 2013 Four people died and three have been left seriously injured following two separate car accidents in the UAE over the last 48 hours, with one intoxicated driver losing control of his vehicle and ploughing through the window of a restaurant in Al Barsha 3 area. In the early hours of Friday, a 21-year-old Angolan national, driving a car on an expired driving licence, killed two restaurant workers on-the-spot and injured three others when his car spun out of control from the right side of the road, before ramming into the restaurant, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution Salah Bu Farousha said. A third worker who sustained several injuries as a result of the impact later died in hospital. The driver has admitted to being under the influence of alcohol and a 21-year-old Brazilian lady, who was also travelling in the car, had a lucky escape with medium injuries. All six workers were in the restaurant’s kitchen when the crash happened. The Operations Room of Dubai Police received a call at 2.40am on Friday about a car that crashed into the restaurant in Dubai and police patrols from the Bur Dubai police station as well as public prosecutors rushed to the site. Upon investigation, it was learned that the car was being driven at a high speed minutes before the accident took place and the driver, who was not injured, was referred to the Traffic Public Prosecution. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and videos from several road cameras, which photographed the moments leading up to the deadly crash, will be used to identify the cause of the accident. In a separate accident on Thursday evening, a 24-year-old Emirati man, identified as S.A.K., died following a collision between two cars in Daqdaqa city, Ras Al Khaimah. According to a senior official, the 55-year-old motorist of the second car, identified as S.B.T., is to blame for the accident. Director of the Traffic and Patrols Department of the Daqdaqa Comprehensive police station, Captain Salem Burgiba, said the victim tried hard to avoid colliding with the second car, but failed. “He collided with such an impact with the second car that he sustained serious injuries.” Upon being alerted of the accident, the Central Operations Room immediately dispatched a number of traffic patrols to the scene along with ambulance and rescue teams. “The young man was shifted to the nearest hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” one official confirmed. “The second motorist, however, only sustained minor injuries, and received first aid assistance on the spot.” The accident file was then referred to the RAK Traffic Prosecution for legal action. “All motorists are urged to abide by traffic rules and regulations for the safety of all road users,” the official said. — news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Islamic personality award to be given to Zakir Naik
Islamic personality award to be given to Zakir Naik Ahmed Shaaban / 27 July 2013 The Dubai International Holy Quran Award, on Friday night changed the Islamic Personality of the Year, for the first time ever in the award’s 17-year history. Earlier, the award had announced Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayyeb as Islamic Personality of the year. Ibrahim Bu Melha, Chairman of the organising committee of the award, said due to the unstable situations and political unrest in Egypt, the award organising committee has decided to postpone honouring Dr Al Tayyeb to later years in response to his request. “Instead, the award has chosen the popular Indian scholar Dr Zakir Naik as the Islamic Personality of the Year in appreciation to his tireless effort in the service of Islam and Quran.” Dr Zakir, who is also a surgeon, is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation. He has written two books on Islam and comparative religion. He is regarded as an exponent of the Salafi ideology. In an interview with Khaleej Times last year, Dr Naik said all of his children – one son, 18, and two daughters, 16 and 14, have memorised the Holy Quran in full, have black belts, speak Arabic fluently, and study Islamic sciences. They are combining religious and world knowledge together. “My son is even better than me; I only give lectures in English and Urdu, but he additionally speaks Arabic and sign language fluently. He also fully memorised the Quran unlike me. Also, my wife is giving Dawa in English and Urdu. Thanks to Allah, all my family members are calling from Islam.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Kuwait votes amid boycott calls
Kuwait votes amid boycott calls (AFP) / 27 July 2013 Kuwaitis voted on Saturday in the country’s second parliamentary election in eight months with a less than moderate turnout after the opposition urged a boycott. Polling began slowly in the morning but increased slightly later to drop again at around noon. Turnout in some districts was under 20 per cent by 2pm, according to state-run Kuwait Television. Turnout was higher in some constituencies, especially in tribal areas, but no official figures were provided. The first results are not expected until after midnight (2100 GMT) as ballot papers are still counted manually. Information Minister Shaikh Salman Humoud Al Sabah said after visiting a polling station in Jahra west of Kuwait City that turnout was high. Besides opposition calls for a boycott, the sweltering heat of around 45 degrees Celsius combined with Ramadan fasting, also apparently contributed to a low turnout. It was the second time the opposition had called for a boycott in protest at an electoral law that it says enables the ruling Al Sabah family-controlled government to manipulate the outcome. The law was ruled legal in June by the constitutional court, even though it dissolved parliament on procedural flaws and ordered Saturday’s election. “I just hope this parliament completes its (four-year) term,” said civil aviation employee Bassam Eid, after voting in Al Qasia. “We are frustrated at the repeated dissolution of the house,” Eid told AFP. The last two parliaments were dissolved by the constitutional court on procedural grounds, while previous parliaments were dissolved by the Emir. “I am really concerned at the turn of events in the country as there will be no development without political stability which we hope will be achieved after this election,” Dr Jawad Abulhassan told AFP. Pensioner Umm Mohammad said she hoped for an end to the disputes plaguing the country, but was not optimistic. “We earnestly hope to see political stability in the country after this poll… We are still afraid that this might not happen,” she said at a polling station reserved for women in Jabriya, south of Kuwait City. Some groups that boycotted the last election — notably the liberal National Democratic Alliance and some of the emirate’s powerful tribes — did take part on Saturday. But only a few opposition members were among the 300 hopeful candidates. They include eight women, the lowest number since women won political rights in 2005. Around 30 Arab election observers visited polling stations and were assisted by monitors from the Kuwait Transparency Society. The opposition failed to mirror the support it mobilised ahead of the last election, but has remained adamant that it will not take part in a “corrupted” political system. Just days before polling day, the authorities arrested at least four candidates and dozens of their campaign staff on suspicion of attempted vote-buying. Of Kuwait’s population of 3.9 million, just 31 per cent are citizens and of that 1.23 million only 440,000 are eligible to vote. The voting age is 21 and Kuwaitis in the police or army are barred from taking part. Continue reading
