Tag Archives: entertainment
About Sharjah: The gold rush in Sharjah
About Sharjah: The gold rush in Sharjah Lily B. Libo-on / 6 July 2013 Varieties of gold jewellery change hands each day as hundreds of gold and diamond shoppers visit the Gold Centre located at Sharjah’s Al Wahda street to exchange and buy the latest designs. Opened in 1996, the centre has come to be known as the best place to bargain and exchange gold jewellery for the latest designs. Yet, for years, the outlets were not visible from the outside. Six months ago, the management redesigned the 52 shops to open directly onto the streets to lure people to stop and look at what is in store for them inside. Hossam Ali, general manager of the Gold Centre says that he made a study which resulted in the opening up of the shops directly on to Al Wahda Street. “The new setup has increased the number of customers, mostly Emirati families by 400 per cent. Before this, just a few hundreds would came to shop as nobody knew there were gold shops inside the centre. Now, people driving on Al Wahda Street stop and pull over as the gold and diamond jewellery collections beckon from a distance through the glass doors and walls,” Ali says. Yasmine, an Egyptian lady who loves buying gold jewellery for personal use, says that she started coming to the Gold Centre immediately after seeing the gold jewellery through the glass from the outside. “I felt even richer when the prizes of gold plummeted three months ago. With my Dh5,000, I can buy more gold, which is a good investment, gold being very cheap now. I am buying Italian and Bahraini gold every month,” she declares. The Gold Centre has for almost two decades been a bargaining point for exchanging old gold jewellery. Sahal, manager of Atlas Jeweller, says that more than 200 customers come during weekends to exchange necklaces, bangles, earrings and rings.” A jeweller at Al Romaizan Jewellery says that 25 per cent of his buyers are families, and the figure is growing with Syrian, Emirati, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Lebanese families topping the list. As the selling rate of gold plummeted, families particularly rush to the Gold Centre to exchange or sell their old jewellery. There are exquisite designs from Turkey, Korea, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, and India. Sought-after designs from India come from Kolkata, Rajastan and Kerala. Mohamed Saleem, store manager of Joy Alukkas, says that 99 per cent of the customers coming to his store walk out with gold daily. “Before, only a few bought at once; they just checked on specific gold designs and left. Now, majority buy what they check,” he said. Diamond jewellery is becoming increasingly popular among gold buyers in Sharjah. Polished diamonds from South Africa, Belgium and Poland are popular. The best diamond setting is from Hong Kong. Between 500 and 600 customers come daily during weekdays and more on weekends, sometimes reaching 1,000, and most are families. “The price of gold is the lowest in the last two years. So more people are coming in. Customers also buy 24k and 22k gold jewellery with uncut diamonds,” Saleem says. The positive response from Emiratis and expatriates has prompted jewellers at the Gold Centre to pile up stocks of new and exquisite diamond and gold designs. A new trend is also shaping up with people preferring fresh water pearls. Other favourite stones are blue sapphire, rubies, emeralds and Belgian diamonds. Most of the jewellery shops at the centre allow exchange after checking on the purity of the gold. This summer there is literally a gold rush at the Gold Centre. And it goes to the credit of the management of the centre that it is attracting more customers after the face-lift. lily@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Syrian opposition bloc urges world to protect Homs
Syrian opposition bloc urges world to protect Homs (AP) / 5 July 2013 Syria’s main opposition bloc is urging the international community to take action to protect civilians in the cities of Homs and Daraa, targeted by the military. The Syrian National Coalition is appealing to the United Nations and Western countries that have supported the opposition in Syria’s civil war “to intervene immediately” and provide food and medicine to the besieged, rebel-held areas of the central city of Homs and Daraa in the south, where the uprising against President Bashar Assad began. Assad’s forces have been bombarding Homs for five straight days, the SNC said in a statement Friday. It said clashes between rebels and troops flared up again in the morning, and shelling of Daraa resumed. The appeal comes as opposition figures are meeting in Turkey to elect a new leadership. Continue reading
Muslims prepare for 15-hour fast
Muslims prepare for 15-hour fast Ahmed Shaaban / 5 July 2013 As over 15-hour fasting is predicted this Ramadan, scholars have urged Muslims to be more patient, tolerant and maximise their effort to get closer to Almighty Allah, and be eligible for His mercy and forgiveness. Sheikh Mahmud, Imam of Al Huda Mosque, said Muslims all over the world are anticipating this month to start a new chapter of life because fasting awakens a new consciousness of a higher life in man, spiritually maintained rather than being supported by just food and drink. “This is the right time to repent, seek forgiveness for our sins, and change for the better; otherwise, we will be just losers as cited by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who has warned us against missing the holy month of Ramadan without having our sins washed away.” Umm Nada, Egyptian pharmacist, hoped that Almighty Allah would make fasting this Ramadan easier despite the sweltering temperature and humidity. “My family is a little bit worried about the long fasting hours this year, but God will help us all.” She added that her eight-year-old daughter is learning to fast this Ramadan. “I will do my best to cook and prepare vegetables and fruits filled with much water to all my family members.” Ramadan moon-sighting committee to meet on July 8 abu dhabi — Dr Hadif bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice, has issued a decision setting up the Moon-sighting Committee for the holy month of Ramadan in Hijri 1434. The committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice, includes Sultan Saeed Al Badi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and a number of officials. The decision called on all Shariah Courts nationwide to detect the crescent moon and inform the committee. The committee will hold the meeting after Maghreb Prayer on July 8 at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. — Wam Dr Essam Atta, Deputy Director of GMC Hospital, said Muslims are advised to avoid exposure to direct sun rays and drink as much liquids as possible during after breaking the fast. “Otherwise, they may feel exhausted, dizzy and imbalanced, vomit, and suffer headache.” He added that tea and coffee are not advised, particularly during late hours. “Such diuretics promote the production of urine, and hence the body loses much of the body liquids needed during fasting.” Imam of Al Rahma Mosque Sheikh Mohammed Saeed said Muslims should be more practical and strictly observe a spiritual agenda of good deeds during Ramadan. “For example, we should perform the five daily prayers in congregation in the mosque; recite, listen and mull over the Holy Quran in full at least once during Ramadan; keep ourselves busy supplicating and saying Zikr (remembrance of Allah); give for charity; exchange visits; attend lectures; and advise others.” “When fasting, we should all be careful about what we say and do. Muslims are highly advised to close their eyes and ears to anything impermissible and properly use them in a way that pleases our God,” said Sheikh Essam Habib, Imam of Al Rahman Mosque. Sheikh Yusuf, Imam of Al Radwan Mosque, said fasting makes us more conscious about our behaviour. “Being more mindful for 30 days does help us maintain better habits after Ramadan.” Echoing the same, Islamic researcher Dr Sheikh Mohammed Ashmawy said true Muslims do not wait for Ramadan to start, but rather get ready during the month of Shaaban (before Ramadan) and humbly ask Allah to keep them alive to better worship Him in Ramadan. “Fasting is never meant to deprive Muslims of food, beverages and sex. It is rather instructed to help Muslims be more pious, feel the need of others, and get rid of worldly desires to change for the better.” Imam of Al Isra Mosque Sheikh Tariq said fasting is basically prescribed to Muslims to learn piety and righteousness as clearly stated in the Holy Quran, Chapter 2. “Fasting provides us with motivation, self-control and firm will to give up bad manners and habits, otherwise such a vital worship will turn futile as affirmed in the prophetic saying: “Whosoever does not give up telling lies or acting in a false manner, Allah has no need for his giving up eating or drinking.” ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
