Tag Archives: horse-racing
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
Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars
Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars Sarah Young / 5 July 2013 An exhibition this weekend featuring works of artists as young as six, will showcase what parents say is an integral part of developing their children’s personality in the age of technology. The ‘Seven Artists, One Place’ exhibition being held today, organised by Urban Tribe Events, will feature paintings by children from Dubai and Sharjah, aged between six and nine, students of Iranian artist Afsoun Javadi, who is their private art teacher. Sharjah parent Noor Al Qassimi said the exhibition was a chance for her daughters Mahra, 8, and Alya, 6, “to shine”. They have been taking classes two or three times a week for two years. “Ever since they were scribbling all over my walls and doing their own art projects. I always felt their drawings had something to do with their personality, and I really wanted someone to explain what those drawings meant.” There are artists on both sides of their family, and Al Qassimi had always loved to draw so she began to take classes, which her children also joined soon after. It was wonderful to see her children improve and become more confident, with Alya having more of a classical art style, while Mahra “didn’t follow the rules”, she said. One of the artworks to be displayed at the exhibition. “This is a very good way to express their feelings, personality…at school they have to follow rules, guidelines. They can’t be themselves.” “They just love it. Since they were kids, it’s been the only activity they wouldn’t scream or cry about. I tried everything from horse-riding to gymnastics…and the only teacher they would look forward to seeing was Afsoun. She has this calmness to her.” Many of her relatives’ children took art tuition, she said. “Art is very important — they do stuff with their hands — especially in this generation of technology and iPads. You don’t see anyone shining with their personality through them. ‘It’s this game, it’s not me’. The ‘me’ is hidden.” Dubai parent Samah Aldhahri has also been taking classes with Afsoun Javadi for about a year, and her son Saif Ahmad Alghurair, 9, started a few months ago. “We wanted to encourage him, to help boost his self-confidence and see he is capable of doing things. “Art has a huge value for his personality and his life. Every person has to have a hobby. It’s good to live life like that. “They do some at school, but not much, and it’s just the normal things.” Art was also a good alternative to television and technology, she said. “Since he was a baby I haven’t let him watch much TV. I would rather he play with things like play dough, animals, do creative and athletic things…it’s better for his personality. A lot of small boys are just always in the mall or on electronics. “His dad and I are so proud of his work.” Saif, whose favourite things to paint are horses, said while art would not be his main career – “I want to be a businessman, like my dad” – he would continue doing it for a long time. He was “very excited” to have people come and see his work. “It’s a cool thing. I love the classes, it’s really fun to learn new colours and things.” Javadi came to Dubai in the year 2000 to initially teach in schools and universities – where she could have up to 145 students at one time- and then decided to work with individuals. “I can focus on them more and we get better results in a shorter period. They can explore more. Each artist has completely different personality. I’m trying to help them find themselves, their own style, their own interests.” The exhibition was the result of about a year’s worth of work. “We want to show them what they can do with their art…motivate them to keep pursuing it.” Some of the paintings, which feature animals and self-portraits, will also be on sale at the exhibition being held from 6pm to 10pm at Warehouse No 2, Street 17, in Al Quoz Industrial Area 4. sarah@khaleejtimes.com . Continue reading
UAE tops in Mena region in global innovation index
UAE tops in Mena region in global innovation index Haseeb Haider / 4 July 2013 The UAE ranks 38th on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2013 for its achievements in the socio-economic spheres. In the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, the nation is leading in the areas of political, regulatory and business environment, human capital and education. Tertiary education and efforts for research and development are other areas where the UAE has done remarkably, according to the index, which has rated the nations for their efforts toward innovations and the outcomes. Du CEO Osman Sultan addressing the Press conference in Abu Dhabi. — Supplied photo The nation has also scored well for its infrastructure ICT as well as physical, ecological sustainability, and business sophistication including knowledge workers, innovation linkages and knowledge absorption. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait lead the Middle East in overall innovation performance according to the GII 2013 Index, published by Cornell University, Insead and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo), a specialized agency of the United Nations. This year’s study benefits from the experience of its knowledge partners: Booz & Company, the Confederation of Indian Industry, du and others. Saudi Arabia ranked top in the Mena region in market sophistication (credit, investment, trade and competition), Kuwait in knowledge and technology outputs (knowledge creation, knowledge impact and knowledge diffusion), and Qatar in creative outputs (creative intangibles, creative goods and services and online creativity). The UAE got the top slot for ease of paying tax and scored third place for its intangible assets, and the 14th slot for intensity of local competition environment. The report has acknowledged the success of Dubai’s Vision 2010 and Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which will drive the regional business capital towards a knowledge-based economy and boost physical infrastructure. The GII 2013 looked at 142 economies around the world, using 84 indicators including the quality of top universities, availability of microfinance and venture capital deals – gauging both innovation capabilities and measurable results. Switzerland and Sweden’s performance reflects the fact that both countries are leaders in all components (pillars) of the GII, consistently ranking in the top 25. At a media briefing, Bruno Lanvin, the report’s co-editor and executive director of Insead’s European Competitiveness Initiative said that in the Arab world recent political and social changes have also underlined the importance of addressing the needs and expectations of the population in terms of growth and job creation, especially for the young. Under performing Mena countries can catch up with innovation leaders if they “learn” to innovate, said Hatem Samman, lead economist and director of Booz & Company’s Ideation Center. “In the Middle East, we are seeing governments focus on building innovation capabilities as a means of catalysing the growth and diversification of their economies,” said Rasheed Eltayeb, principal in the public sector practice at Booz & Company. “The unprecedented socio-economic momentum that has been created in the last few decades in the UAE makes this country very well positioned to continue to play a pivotal role in this exciting journey as a regional hub for innovation,” said Osman Sultan, chief executive officer of du. — haseeb@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
