Tag Archives: lifestyle
Dubai Quran Award initial tests begin
Dubai Quran Award initial tests begin Ahmed Shaaban (ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com) / 18 July 2013 Eight of the 89 contestants participating in the 17th session of the Dubai International Quran Award sat for their qualifying tests in public at 10.30pm on Tuesday at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The contestants hailed from Nigeria, Qatar, Bosnia, Mali, Canada, India, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand. Eight other contestants from Chad, Indonesia, Rwanda, Oman, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Macedonia, and the Philippines participated on Wednesday. One of the contestants, Haruna Mohammed (19) from Nigeria recited the Holy Quran in the Hafs Rewaya (a school of recitation) in a professional way, yet he was alerted for minor mistakes. Ibrahim Bu Melha, head of the Award Organising Committee, said all contestants have already arrived in the country. “All participants need to first pass the initial qualifying tests to be eligible for reaching the final stage.” Bu Melha, who is also adviser to the Ruler of Dubai for Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs, said the youngest participant at the award this year is an 11-year-old. “The award has also for the first time ever seen a contestant from Norway this year.” Meanwhile, three panels of judges have been assigned for the competition. “The first panel will look after the initial qualifying tests to check upon memorisers’ performance whereas the second, the primary one, is to supervise final tests and the third — including two Emiratis, will decide on the most melodious voices.” Shaikh Ibrahim Al Akhdhar, head of the five-member arbitration committee, on Tuesday said all memorisers are examined twice a day; in the morning and evening. “Contestants are advised to be focused when answering all questions, pay due attention to the rules of recitation, and to recite verse by verse at a reasonable speed.” He added that a quarter mark is deducted against each and every recitation and memorisation mistake. “However, one full mark is deducted if a contestant is alerted three times about something wrong. Memorisers are also instructed to stop recitation when alerted by a bell ring.” Though voice recorders are allowed, participants are warned against carrying cellphones and headsets. Also the audience is urged to switch off their mobile phones or put them on silent, and avoid side talks so as not to distract the contestants. The 11-category award, which is aimed at serving the Holy Quran and promoting the general standard of the Quranic performance, has contacted over 160 countries to participate in the competition which is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. “Big prizes await toppers: the first winner will be awarded Dh250,000, the second will get 200,000, and the third 150,000. Winners from the fourth to the tenth are gifted Dh65,000 – Dh5,000 less each. The rest of the participants get Dh30,000 each,” he said. Continue reading
Liwa Dates Festival kicks off today
Liwa Dates Festival kicks off today Silvia Radan (silvia@khaleejtimes.com) / 18 July 2013 The ninth Liwa Dates Festival kicks off today in Mazeirah, the main town of Liwa oasis. In the morning, judges will be visiting the first competitors’ farms and inspecting their palm trees, while in the evening, from 8pm, the doors of the air conditioned tent will open to the public with the winners of the first round announced on Friday. This will be the format of this year’s festival, which, for the first time, falls during Ramadan. After Iftar and until 1am, visitors will get to sample the competing ratab (fresh, half-ripen dates), enjoy traditional shows, kids’ competitions, have a look at the exhibition featuring organisations representing dates and farming in general, and enjoy a bit of shopping in the Emirati souk. The dates competition itself, as well as the mango and lemon one will give away prizes totalling Dh5 million to the top 15 winners in each category, which include seven different varieties of dates. Since the festival falls during the holy month of Ramadan, a special atmosphere is expected, which will largely be created by the traditional souk. The 160 shops, which will financially benefit 306 Emirati families, will give an insight into the lives and traditions of this land’s ancestors. “The traditional market is a special event that reveals before the curious eyes of interested tourists our local heritage, which is rich in handicrafts related to the palm tree and dates. The visitors will find in the souk a model of the flourishing oasis decorated with palm leaves that are meticulously woven. They will have a chance to discover all products related to the lives of simple Bedouin families, such as Al Sadu — a traditional form of weaving — and knitting,” explained Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, director of the festival. Al Surood (a round mat made of palm leaves), Al Mukhrafa and Al Jahfeer (two baskets made of palm leaves), floor mats, Al Meshab (a table-mat made of palm leaves), Al Yrab (a large bag made of palm leaves and used to conserve dry dates), along with pastries made of dates and all varieties of ratab will be up for sale. “The market includes a number of majlis — traditional meeting places — that will be shared by women artisans to display their products. This will give visitors the opportunity to discover the splendour of the traditional products made by a group of Emirati mothers,” said Al Mazrouei. The majlis area is also an opportunity for younger girls to learn the art of handicraft making from their elders. The festival will continue until July 25. Buses from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to the festival grounds are available. Continue reading
Mohammed opens MBC studios
Mohammed opens MBC studios 16 July 2013 His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday, inaugurated Dubai-based MBC Group’s “O3” Drama Production Studios, a state-of-the-art facility running on an area of 15,000 square feet, being one of three sound stages to be launched at the end of 2013. Accompanying Shaikh Mohammed during the inauguration ceremony, was Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). In presence of MBC Group Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim and a number of senior officials and media leaders, Shaikh Mohammed reviewed the latest equipment that match the efficiency and capacity of the largest international production studios equipped with the latest audio/visual technologies that are in par with the best international standards; affirming Dubai’s leading position as a high-tech centre for delivering premium content of international standards and consolidating its statue as a favourable destination for major media institutions as well as a popular destination for Arab and International investment in various sectors. The ceremony was also attended by Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Ahmad bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General Of Protocol Department; Mona Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office; Sami Al Qamzi, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Media Incorporated; and Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO, Tecom Investments. Shaikh Mohammed was briefed about the production of TV programming and drama carried out by MBC Group, which has a portfolio of 12 TV channels and two Radio Stations. He was also briefed on the most important contents MBC Group channels offer. Shaikh Mohammed also toured the studios, located in the heart of “Dubai Studio City”, and was familiarised with the state-of-the-art technologies available, expressing his admiration over the advanced level of the studio. During the tour, Shaikh Mohammed watched a short 3-D film, especially prepared for the occasion that embodied a future panoramic view, inspired by the character, cultural and humanitarian components of the city of Dubai, and that projected the larger-than-life future outlook of the city. Later, Shaikh Mohammed was familiarised with the “Visual Backlot” technique compiled by “Stargate” global production technology of simulation visual multidimensional and the green screen technology that allows one to feature scenes from around the world without leaving Dubai. Extending his best wishes for the MBC Group and its staff, Shaikh Mohammed affirmed that the UAE will continue to support both private and government media sectors as well as provide the necessary requirements and space for local, regional and international media outlets operating in Dubai so as to be able to spread the media message and boost their role in building the society and making the future. His Highness also toured two mega sound stages, the largest in the Middle East and Europe, running on an area of 50,000 square feet and inspected the technologies and logistics set up to meet the best international standards before being briefed about the most important achievements and future projects. Shaikh Mohammed expressed his satisfaction over the great accomplishment by Dubai Studio City noting its impact in supporting Dubai strategy towards establishing a high-tech centre for audio-visual production to compete with the best centres established worldwide and, consequently, towards cementing Dubai’s position as a TV and film production hub attracting global production institution and facilitating their work offering cutting-edge services. On its part, the MBC Group expressed its appreciation to UAE’s leadership support for Media institutions and media persons. Continue reading
