Tag Archives: lifestyle
Khalifa receives Eid Al Adha greetings
Khalifa receives Eid Al Adha greetings (Wam) / 14 October 2013 Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes, GCC leaders and heads of Arab and Islamic countries greet President. The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has received cables of greetings from His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates, on the occasion of Eid Al Adha. The leaders extended their best wishes and prayers for Shaikh Khalifa on the occasion. Shaikh Khalifa also received similar cables from the Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers of the Emirates. Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers also sent similar cables to the GCC leaders, Crown Princes, leaders and heads of Arab and Islamic countries. Mohammed bin Zayed sends Eid greetings General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has sent a cable of greetings to Shaikh Khalifa on the occasion of Eid Al Adha. Gen Shaikh Mohammed in his note wished Shaikh Khalifa health and wellness and for the UAE people peace and prosperity. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince has sent similar cables to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and to Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers, wishing them good health and prosperity. In his cables Gen Shaikh Mohammed also felicitated Kings, GCC, Arab and Islamic leaders on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, wishing them good health and progress and prosperity for their people. Shaikh Hazza greets leaders on Eid Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, has also sent a cable of greetings to Shaikh Khalifa on the occasion of Eid Al Adha. The National Security Advisor wished Shaikh Khalifa good health and happiness and UAE’s people peace and prosperity. Shaikh Hazza dispatched similar cables to Shaikh Mohammed and to Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and the Rulers of the Emirates, General Shaikh Mohammed as well as other Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers of other emirates, wishing them good health, happiness and prosperity. Continue reading
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors
Dubai all set to welcome Eid visitors Mustafa Al Zarooni / 14 October 2013 Dubai and other emirates are decked up to receive visitors during Eid Al Adha as thousands of residents prepared for the annual Haj pilgrimage and holidays. With government offices and schools closed for the week, many residents left for their holiday destinations last week.The pleasant weather, combined with the UAE’s range of tourist attractions and shopping opportunities, is luring thousands of tourists for the festivities which is the longest in the region. Saudi officials say 400,000 Saudi citizens are expected to visit Dubai and other emirates during the Eid holidays. Eid in Dubai celebrations is attracting families from the region and malls will stay open for 24 hours as the city transforms itself as an entertainment hub during the season. “Three years ago we celebrated Eid in Dubai for the first time, and since then we regularly come to relive the experience. We are very busy, my husband and I; and we hardly go out together with the kids in our hometown — the holy city of Makkah. We love to shop all day, dine at different outlets and take the kids to theme parks. As a family, our favourite shopping mall is Dubai Festival City Mall,” said Um Mani from Saudi Arabia. Naseema Al Flaij from Kuwait is visiting Dubai with her sister, nieces and nephew. “Dubai has become a destination during school holidays and unites us as a family. To us Dubai is like a second homeland, it’s clean and organised,” she said. She says the kids are fascinated by the programmes and the entertainment is top notch. “Dubai is a safe place and enjoys a high level of security,” she adds. Naseema’s nephew Ali Al Osaimi loves the Zabeel Saray Hotel while Nawal enjoys shopping and dining at The Dubai Mall. The youngest sister, Hind who is only three, loves Wild Wadi Water Park. Expats have also been busy shopping and stocking up food and sweets for the big day. Many purchase gifts for friends and family, with retail outlets obliging with special rates and promotions. Hisham Kiwan, a Lebanese national, has spent 19 years in Dubai. He was out enjoying the holiday season with his wife and little daughters Reem and Sara. “Most of our relatives usually come over to stay with us to celebrate and also tour Dubai. We also spend a lot of time shopping. Reem, my eldest, loves the Dubai Aquarium and she never gets tired of observing the fish. My youngest just loves to visit the Burj Khalifa all the time.” Cem Ali from Turkey has convinced his parents to visit Dubai this year. “What I like most about Dubai is the blend of nationalities and that unique social fabric. The blend is like the colourful fireworks, which we have discovered by mere coincidence and that the show is on every day during the Eid in Dubai — Eid Al Adha celebrations.” -malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Dubai canal project to draw around 30m visitors
Dubai canal project to draw around 30m visitors Lily B. Libo-on (lily@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 October 2013 The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will be developing over 14 million square feet of retail, dining, hospitality and residential areas along an esplanade that borders the Dubai canal, which connects Jumeirah Beach to the Business Bay. To be known as the Dubai Water Canal Project, the development was signaled by the recent signing of an agreement on the RTA premises with two real estate developers, Meydan and Meraas, and is expected to attract 30 to 36 million visitors to Dubai yearly. The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA; Saeed bin Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Meydan Group; and Abdullah Ahmed Al Habbai, Group Chairman of Meraas Holding. The two companies will construct hotels, shopping mall as well as several retail and dining outlets, and residential units on the two banks of the Dubai Water Canal stretching from the Business Bay district and crossing the Shaikh Zayed Road up to Jumeirah Park with an extension to the existing park. The canal will pass across Al Safa Park, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2 district, and Jumeirah Road before ending at the Arabian Gulf near Jumeirah Beach Park. Al Tayer said the RTA will do the drilling works of the canal, as well as the construction of crossings, roads and pedestrian paths. “The project works have been divided into three contracts. The first and second contract relate to the construction of crossings over the canal linking with the key roads intersecting the canal course, which are the Shaikh Zayed Road comprising eight lanes in each direction, in addition to Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Road comprising three lanes in each directions apiece. Bridges rise 8.5 metres above the water level to allow free navigation 24/7.” He said the third contract is for the drilling and landscaping works in addition to the construction of pedestrian crossings, and four marine transport stations to ease the movement of the public and promote the mass transport and tourist business. “More than six million passengers are expected to use the marine transit transport every year.” Once completed, the Dubai Water Canal Project will add 6km to the Dubai waterfront, of which the Canal will have a depth of up to six meters on high tides. The entire length of the Business Bay Canal water will be automatically renewed without using water pumps. It will also renew the Dubai Creek water by 250 million cubic meters annually upon the linking of the Canal with the Business Bay District. The water movement during the tide process through the canal is also estimated to be 800 million cubic meters per annum. “The crossings rise more than eight meters to ensure the smooth and safe passage of large boats measuring 200 meters in length,” Al Tayer said. Several improvements will be made on main roads intersecting the canal as well as works in the surrounding areas of Jumeirah and Al Safa. A free and safe movement will be provided for pedestrians by constructing four pedestrian crossings over the canal, one of which will have retail and dining outlets. Lanes will also be provided for joggers and cyclists along both sides of the Canal. Landscaping works will also be undertaken on both sides of the canal offering greens, sitting areas and various types of relaxation and tourist facilities. Included in the development is the Canal Gate Tower at the intersection of Shaikh Zayed Road and the canal, connecting the canal and the shopping mall, comprising retail, F and B and entertainment venues. The Tower will have more than 3.5 million square feet of area that includes 468 apartments, 470 service apartments and 617 hotel rooms, as well as over 400,000 square feet of retail and 735,000 square feet of commercial office spaces. Other aspects of the Dubai Water Canal Development Project are the 1.5km of urban public beach front and space for public leisure and sports activity at Safa Park, an exclusive enclave of 19 water villas and 44 townhouses above retail outlets at Jumeirah High Street area, and an extended public beach front at Jumeirah Beach Park. Continue reading
