Tag Archives: lifestyle
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
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
Permit must to display, sell Iftar snacks outside shops
Permit must to display, sell Iftar snacks outside shops Staff Reporter / 4 July 2013 The Dubai Municipality has issued strict instructions to the owners of food establishments who plan to sell snacks outside the shops during the holy month of Ramadan which is just a week away. The instructions issued by the Food Control Department have been directed to all restaurants, cafeterias, sweet shops, bakeries and catering companies in Dubai. Director of the Food Control Department Khalid Mohammed Sharief Al Awadhi said all food outlets that intend to display and or sell food outside their premises should take prior approval from the department. These permits can be obtained from the Dubai Municipality Centre at Al Twar for a fee of Dh210. “As we are preparing to observe the holy month from next week, we would like to boost up the mechanism already in place to ensure safety of the food items sold and served in the city,” Al Awadhi said. It’s a tradition to display and sell food items, especially snacks and sweets, outside the outlets during Ramadan. “Without prior and due approval from the Food Control Department, no food establishment would be allowed to display or sell snacks outside their premises. As people are very fond of snack items in their Iftar, there are chances (of them) forgetting from where the stuffs are bought and up to what levels of safety and hygiene they are kept,” the official said. Urging the public to be highly alert when purchasing food items from the displayed areas, Al Awadhi advised them not to buy food from people or businesses that are not authorised to sell them. He also urged the consumers not to store the food long after purchasing. It should be consumed as soon as possible. Health requirements for food sale The Food Control Department of the Dubai Municipality has published the health requirements specifically meant for the display and sale of food items outside the outlets during Ramadan. Published in Arabic, English, Urdu and Malayalam to ensure that message reaches several sections of the people, the main instructions include the following: Food establishments must adhere to the food safety requirements that are relevant to display and sale of foods All foods should be displayed in closed food cabinets that are suitable for food display and storage. Display cabinets must be located in a suitable place adequately protected from external contaminants Food establishments must refrain from preparing, cooking and reheating foods outside the food establishment Food items can be displayed and sold from two hours before Iftar time. No food should be displayed or sold outside the premises after Iftar time It is preferred that final cooking shall be done maximum two hours before the selling time Cold foods should be kept in cold display units and hot foods should be in hot display units. However, if temperature control is not used, the food should be consumed within two hours of preparation Food establishments should maintain temperature and time records for foods that are displayed. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
