Tag Archives: dubai
Jumeirah gets first smart mosque in UAE
Jumeirah gets first smart mosque in UAE Ahmed Shaaban / 11 February 2014 QR code technology helps people get general information about mosque launched by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. Can a mosque be smart? Yes, now through the Quick Response (QR) code technology, people can get general information about a mosque — its history, capacity, nature, area, prayer timings, lectures or courses offered by the mosque, as well as information about Friday sermon — round the clock. Dr Hamad Al Shaibani trying the e-services available at the smart mosque. –Supplied photo The first smart mosque in the country was launched on Sunday by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DIACA) in Dubai on Sunday morning. The Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mosque in Jumeirah 3, is now equipped with the QR code technology for the first time in government buildings and is part of Phase-I of developing smart mosques that also includes nine other mosques which will follow suit later this year. The move is in line with the Smart Government initiative announced by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in May 2013. Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director-General – DIACA, said the interactive services available are accessible through smart phones and tablets 24X7. “We are using the QR code technology to identify all mosques of the emirate to help develop and add more value to them, and make the electronic services easier and more accessible.” For comments on the smart services available, the public may call (04-6087844), mentioning the name and mosque code which is 74, he noted. Nassir Mubarak, head of IT section at DIACA, said the smart mosques project is a new channel that aims at better communication with the public. The public may also send their suggestions, remarks, feedback, complaints, or reports on any dysfunction through the smart mosque initiative. “Electronic donation – under development, shall also be available, along with more services in the future.” QR code is the trademark name for the two dimensional barcode system which was originally invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary, as a way to track vehicles assembled in a place, and to scan components at high speeds. QR codes have long since expanded their usefulness beyond the automotive industry. They’re used today in everything from inventory tracking, to shipping and logistics, to online ticketing. “The QR code technology allows mosque-goers to access a special webpage of the mosque by scanning its barcode with a smart phone or tablet which are automatically equipped with this technology; otherwise an app for QR code can be downloaded easily for concerned online stores.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Hamdan unveils Dubai’s hi-tech profile beyond 2021
Hamdan unveils Dubai’s hi-tech profile beyond 2021 Allan Jacob and Muaz Shabandri / 11 February 2014 The emirate offers a glimpse into the future with its vision of electronic and mobile governance where services and solutions are provided at the touch of a button. You can count on Dubai to think smart as it imagines what life would be like in 2021. On Monday, the emirate offered a glimpse into the future with its vision of electronic and mobile governance where services and solutions are provided at the touch of a button. Shaikh Mohammed flanked by other Shaikhs and officials at the Government Summit on Monday. -KT photo by Shihab Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, unveiled the ‘Dubai Government: Towards 2021 Initiative’, as His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; 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 Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister; Mohammed Al Murr, FNC Speaker; Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum; and other senior officials looked on at the second Government Summit. A video presentation showed the ease at which government services could be accessed from anywhere in the world — for people on the move, or from the comfort of their homes. Dubai’s vision for the future promises to be exciting as the city leads the way in providing facilities for its residents through technology, and Shaikh Hamdan signalled the emirate’s intentions of dreaming big and delivering on its promises. “We’re confident of the ability of leadership & staff of the Dubai gov to reach targets on time, always dedicated to working for the public good,” he tweeted. In another tweet, he said the government aimed to compete with the private sector in effiency and speed of delivery. “There should be no more talk of multiple departments & agencies. The govt works as one: one ID, one phone number, one center & one employee,” he said. He went on to say that “our ambitious & entrepreneurial, innovative ideas will be implemented by Dubai govt & the world will seek to learn from our experience”. The Crown Prince said 2021 would be an important year when the world would sit up and take notice of Dubai’s arrival as a city of excellence. Earlier in the day, Shaikh Mohammed arrived at the Madinat Jumeirah and took a keen interest in the interactive sessions by experts and officials from various sectors. Minister for Interior Shaikh Saif earlier said the UAE was a hub of peace and was fulfilling the dreams of its founding father Shaikh Zayed through innovative leadership. He offered words of support for Egypt and said “any enemy of Egypt was an enemy of the UAE”. Minister for Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Al Gergawi said the country was taking its pursuit of happiness seriously. “If we can make your life hassle-free and provide information and services on your mobile, we save your time. The aim of our government is to serve. We don’t want to just serve in a normal way, we want to excel,” he told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the event. news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai Police identify UAE-based hackers of its Twitter account
Dubai Police identify UAE-based hackers of its Twitter account Amira Agarib / 11 February 2014 Dubai Police have formed a technical committee that includes a number of specialised officers to find further techniques to protect and close all loops. The Dubai Police have identified a UAE-based Asian gang behind the hacking of its Twitter account on Sunday. The Dubai Police General Department of Electronic Services, within a few minutes, recovered its social account, said Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police. He said the UAE is taking legal action against the hackers. He also said that the Dubai Police have formed a technical committee that includes a number of specialised officers to find further techniques to protect and close all loops and gaps to prevent any future hacking. He said no harm or damage was caused to the Dubai Police websites. Dubai Police’s official Twitter account @DubaiPolice was hacked on Sunday at 7.15pm but all posted tweets had been deleted by 11pm. The gang named as @TheHosemenLulz tweeted: “The Dubai police is spying on you, Isn’t it fair that we the people do the same back?” This was added along with an image of horses and GuyFawkes masks. The gang has also claimed an earlier hacking attempt on the Dubai Police account and also claimed to have hacked websites of major banks and the UAE telecom authority. amira@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
