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Sharjah Light Festival to use latest technology
Sharjah Light Festival to use latest technology Lily B. Libo-on / 29 January 2014 Nine-day Sharjah Light Festival will run from February 6 to 12 in 12 locations across the emirate. The beauty of Sharjah’s architectural grandeur, monuments and heritage will again be in the limelight — literally — at the nine-day Sharjah Light Festival (SLF), which will run from February 6 to 12 in 12 locations across the emirate. For nine nights, from 7pm to 11pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends, Sharjah’s popular landmarks and tourist sites will be seen in a new light with specially designed shows using latest techniques in lighting, graphics and 3-D technology. It will be an experience that will take the spectators to a magical world of fantasy and creativity. Mohammed Ali Al Noman with SCTDA director-general Khalid Jasim Al Midfa during a Press conference to announce the festival at Al Majaz Water Front. — KT photo by M. Sajjad Organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) for the fourth time, the Sharjah Light Festival will be celebrated this year under the theme ‘Sharjah, the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014’. It is again held under the vision and leadership of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah. Mohammed Ali Al Noman, Chairman, SCTDA, said the fourth edition of the SLF will bring a richer and greater experience in presentations and designs. “SLF will start with an opening ceremony at the Sharjah Municipality’s grand new building that celebrates the best of Islamic architecture and heritage.” In a press conference on Monday night, Al Noman said the event features highly talented international artists and performers who use the magic of lighting and cutting-edge technology to narrate the story of Sharjah’s heritage and architecture. The first and largest of its kind in the Middle East, SLF is a landmark global event highlighting Emirati, Arabic and Islamic culture. Its new site in Dibba Al Hisn joins the SLF festivities along with Khorfakkan and Kalba on the East Coast in a symphony of lights, colours and melodious motifs. “Every year we have been trying to add new locations to SLF celebrations in order to cover the length and breadth of the emirate,” Al Noman said. A spectacular hour-long parade will start at the Flag Island, cover the expanse of Khalid Lagoon before heading to the Central Souq. It will be followed by another hour of an entertainment fiesta with popular fictional characters, which will transport visitors to a world of art, fantasy and humour. SLF 2014 sites include Sharjah Municipality, Kuwait Square, Cultural Palace Square, King Faisal Mosque, Al Majaz Mosque, Al Majaz Waterfront, Central Souk, Al Qasba (Internal facade), Dr Shaikh Sultan Al Qasimi Centre of Gulf Studies, Hamza bin Abdul Mottaleb Mosque in Kalba, and Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Khorfakkan. The aesthetic beauty of centuries-old Islamic calligraphy, poetry, maps and art, and intricate decorated plants and flowers will be celebrated at the festival, in order to bring out the finer detail of Sharjah’s majestic monuments and fine architecture, he added. Since its debut, the Sharjah Light Festival has been a grand success, attracting tens of thousands of families and visitors year after year. With the addition of new sites and several new features and presentations, this year promises to be even more special. lily@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Chopper drones with cams may pose threat to privacy
Chopper drones with cams may pose threat to privacy Staff Reporter / 29 January 2014 The Ministry of Interior is concerned about its use and the Consumer Protection Department will investigate sales of these machines at some shops in the country. It may be a sport for some, a professional tool for photography experts, but the miniature RC (radio-controlled) quadcopter can be a threat to privacy if fitted with a camera. The Ministry of Interior is concerned about its use and the Consumer Protection Department will investigate sales of these machines at some shops in the country. The Arabic daily Al Roeya reported that the ministry convened a meeting with the bodies concerned in order to set down regulations for selling and trading in such drones fitted with cameras that could be controlled by remote control through a cordless joystick or a smart phone. The Ministry of Economy confirmed that its inspection and control squads embarked on their visits to shops and markets that deal in such kind of quadcopters to stop their sale. Al Roeya quoted Lt-General Saif Abdullah Al Shafaar, Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior, as saying that these pilotless rotorcrafts, which are sometimes fitted with a high definition camera, are sold without any constraints in the US and Europe, and are promoted online as well. Al Shafaar affirmed that the Federal Aviation Authority is the body concerned in this regard. He called upon all concerned parties and security authorities to hold a meeting to lay down regulations on this issue. Al Shafaar went on to say that police could intervene and take action if it received complaints from citizens and residents. Meanwhile, Director of the Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi warned the community members against the hazards of using copters that carry an HD camera which could be guided and controlled from remote distance. He pointed out that the Consumer Protection Department has planned to dispatch its inspection teams to shops and markets famous for selling these RC drones in order to stave off selling them to the public due to the negative effects these drones have because of the HD camera they are fitted with. Radio-controlled four rotor copters using high definition (HD) camera can click pictures during the time it’s in the air The RC quadcopter can fly for a period of 25 minutes and a distance of one kilometre at an altitude of 300 metres. The most shocking thing is that this kind of RC chopper was found being sold at a shopping mall in Dubai. They can be used by amateurs in a rational way by taking photos from high altitudes, and can be flown at desert, open areas, and sea. However, some others might use such adult toys in an immoral manner, which has become a hobby for those intruders to infringe people decency and privacy. There are two kinds of RC quadrotor helicopters. The first one is unprofessional and is sold for Dh4,800 and can fly for 15 minutes covering a distance of 700 metres. The second one is a professional one which costs as much as Dh8,000. The latter can fly a distance of a kilometre for a period of 25 minutes. The RC quadcopter has Global Positioning System (GPS), which makes it easy to call the chopper home automatically when the battery runs out. A user can programme and preset the flight course back and forth in certain directions, and sets the HD camera either in photo or video modes. It can transmit photos and videos to a user’s smart phone. An RC chopper owner Mohamed said he uses his copter everywhere to record horse races, car race and for other sports. — news@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
European Parliament wishes Shaikh Khalifa good health
European Parliament wishes Shaikh Khalifa good health (Wam) / 29 January 2014 The Delegation for Relations, of the European Parliament’s Foreign Committee says Shaikh Khalifa is a role model of a successful leader. The Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula of the European Parliament’s Foreign Committee has expressed its best wishes for the good health of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They said Shaikh Khalifa is a role model of a successful leader, who placed his country among the ranks of advanced nations. The MPs made their remarks during a session of discussion with their UAE counterparts. Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), said the GCC and EU maintain strategic partnership and constructive cooperation in various areas including economic, political and energy fields. He cited the EU’s vital role in supporting security and stability in the Middle East in general and the Gulf in particular given its long experiences over centuries in promoting principles of justice, democracy and freedom. During the session, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Arab region with emphasis on the crisis in Syria and EU’s efforts to end it. Al Murr affirmed that the UAE backs regional and international efforts to achieve stability and security in the region. He explained the UAE’s respect and protection for human rights, which are grounded in the UAE constitution, has earned it membership in the UN Human Rights Council. The international community, he said, has recognised the UAE as a promoter and upholder of values of tolerance, cultural diversity and peaceful co-existence. Al Murr also spoke about the political and education systems, gender equality, empowerment of women and child rights among other topics of common concern. On the labour rights, he said the UAE adopts transparent policies and initiatives that ensure protection of contractual workers’ rights in line with international standards and conventions. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
