Tag Archives: dubai
Grand Imam of Al Azhar hails Khalifa’s release of 103 prisoners
Grand Imam of Al Azhar hails Khalifa’s release of 103 prisoners (WAM) / 30 April 2013 The Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif, Dr Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, today hailed the orders by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, yesterday to release 103 Egyptian prisoners, who were sentenced in different cases and his pledge to settle their financial obligations as a result of enforcing those sentences. In a statement to 24 news service, Dr Al-Tayyeb also expressed appreciation of the directives by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to fund projects worth AED250 million at Al Azhar Al Sharif. “This is extremely generous and the grant was expected from the UAE and its leaders. The move follows the construction of the Zayed Institute for Teaching Arabic for Non-Native Speakers, which was funded by the UAE to qualify students willing to pursue studies at Al Azhar University,” he added. He also said he was pleased to meet His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who sent a private jet to carry him to Dubai for the meeting. “This was a generous gesture by Shaikh Mohammed. We met, spent a good time and talked about Al Azhar, its relations and on the historic ties between the UAE,” Dr Sheikh Al-Tayyeb added. He noted that Shaikh Mohammed expressed willingness to support Al Azhar to enable it to spread the message of moderate Islam. Continue reading
Career fair to boost Emiratisation
Career fair to boost Emiratisation Staff Reporter / 30 April 2013 Emiratis interested in developing their skills to become the nation’s future leaders can sign for up to three key programmes at Careers UAE 2013 which will begin today. A third edition of the Majid bin Mohammed UAE Nationals Training Initiative, which provides national citizens with the necessary tools to succeed in a competitive labour market, has been launched by the private office of Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The announcement follows the declaration of 2013 as the year of Emiratisation. Qualified Emiratis have three platforms to apply to. A Career Training programme will see Emiratis supervised by experts in the field for at least three months to develop essential skills to succeed in international and national companies. The Workshops Training Programme will help UAE nationals develop specific skills in various disciplines in the fields of development and innovation, while the Events Training Programme will develop those interested in managing and organising leading events and initiatives held in Dubai in partnership with governmental entities and Maktoum’s private office. Eight new partners have joined the initiative this year, including Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, Zayed University, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Abbas Group, Union Cooperative Society, Serco Group, ABB and Al Jalila Foundation. This brings the total number of partners to 21, representing some of the biggest local, regional and international companies across various sectors. Director-general of the private office, Marwan Juma bin Beyat, said since the initiative started two years ago, it had provided “countless qualified individuals with the opportunity to excel professionally.” “This is all in line with promoting the competencies of our citizens and endorsing Emiratisation in various sectors.” Additional partners would help provide necessary managerial and leadership skills, ensure a qualified supply of nationals to the labour market, and expand the horizons of Emiratis “to allow them to become the nation’s future leaders,” he said. Nationals can register at the Pavilion of the Private Office during Careers UAE 2013. An awards ceremony will also be held on May 1 to honour those who participated in the second installment of the initiative. Careers UAE runs from April 30 to May 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Online sales under scanner
Online sales under scanner Staff Reporter / 30 April 2013 In an attempt to ensure better consumer protection, the Dubai Municipality is gearing up to prevent online sale of unsafe consumer products, especially cosmetics which could pose health and safety hazards. The Public Safety Section of the Public Health Department in the Municipality has called for a meeting with the people behind several local websites that thrive on online trading of different consumer products. “Dubai Municipality will meet shortly with a number of website traders to seek the means of cooperation and develop practical and effective mechanism in reducing the sale of consumer goods, which do not meet the health requirements adopted by the emirate which, in turn, harm individuals,” the Head of the Section Sultan Al Suwaidi said in a statement issued on Monday. “The move comes as a result of a number of complaints the municipality received against some of the websites which sold unauthorised consumer products that affected the public health in one way or the other. Such websites offer products the Municipality had banned after testing it as it contained materials to be avoided,’ he pointed out. The official said the civic body has been monitoring the excesses of local website traders and their curators, and controls the nature of consumer goods such as cosmetics, creams, shampoos and other items sold on those sites. Speaking to Khaleej Times , he said the move is aimed at preventing online sale of unsafe products from the site owners’ side and discouraging the public from online purchases of products that are not known to them or used by them. “If it is a product that they had used previously, it is a different thing. Similarly, there is no harm in buying approved products through trusted sites. But, we want to curb and discourage the online trade of products that are not approved and unsafe,” he said. Stressing that the municipality will cooperate fully with online dealers, he said it will also provide them with all updates regarding the banned materials in the domestic market, to take necessary action. ‘The consumers also have to bear the responsibility entrusted on them to protect themselves and their children. They must distinguish between good and dubious products, and do a simple study before buying any product,’ he reminded. ‘The self-censorship should be the basis of purchase for the consumer and every one should purchase from stores and places known and monitored by the Public Health and Safety Department at the Dubai Municipality. Nevertheless, in case of any damage occurred, the consumer can make a complaint clearly with supporting documents to catch offenders,’ he further said. Devices seized Last month, an inspection campaign by the department resulted in the seizure of 136 unauthorised electrical devices after 442 devices were inspected from 62 visits to the local market. ‘Some devices are classified as unacceptable as it has either two pin plugs, or they are not registered in the e-system of the Municipality, or it lacks production certificate. The total fines imposed during the last month amounted to Dh11,000,’ he said. ‘The municipal inspectors are keen to ensure the availability of registration certificates for each product, issued either by the Dubai Central Laboratory or the Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority, which means that it has been approved for display and sale after testing it. It is also essential to have a user guide about the use and operation of the product in both Arabic and English. All electric products should have three pin plug to ensure the safety of the user,’ he explained. The process of registering electrical and electronic appliances ensuring the safety requirements, gives the consumer high confidence in the quality of traded products and provides a safe environment free from hazards and accidents that may be caused by electrical devices not compliant with the standards. Products including electrical appliances, conductors, water heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, electric irons, hair dryers, grills, cooking utensils, steamers, ovens, washing machines and refrigerators should be registered. Dubai Municipality normally issues a circular to all retailers and suppliers to inform them that if there are new items of electrical appliances, they should be registered before four months to prevent the trading of any banned products. sajila@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
