Tag Archives: business
Sharjah Transport denies cab fare hike reports
Sharjah Transport denies cab fare hike reports Ahmed Shaaban (ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 July 2013 Sharjah Transport on Sunday denied reports that cab fares had been hiked in the emirate and the taxi meter calibration changed. Abdulaziz Al Jarwan, Assistant Director-General for Operations at the corporation, told Khaleej Times that taxi meters started ticking at Dh3 for all trips inside and outside the emirate. “Passengers are only charged Dh20 extra for cab trips to Dubai,” he said. All cabbies had been instructed to add the Dh20 additional charge for outside trips only at the end of the trip. This was because some passengers had complained that cabbies added the extra Dh20 at the beginning of the trip itself and those passengers who changed their mind on the way and did not cross the border ended up fighting with the cabbies. All passengers might now change their mind at any time of the cab trip. “All cabbies have been strictly ordered to add the extra Dh20 only at the end of the trip.” Besides Dh20, the Salik fee was added if the cab passed through any of the toll gates in Dubai. “Cab meters start ticking at Dh3 from 6am to 10.59pm and Dh4 from 11pm to 5.59am.” Al Jarwan said the poster stuck in all taxis displayed these facts. “All passengers are urged to keep in touch with the Sharjah Transport office round the clock at 600525252 to submit their comments, complaints and suggestions on the services being provided.” Continue reading
Cannons ready in nine Sharjah locations
Cannons ready in nine Sharjah locations Afkar Abdullah (afkarali@khaleejtimes.com) / 8 July 2013 The Sharjah Police have placed cannons in nine locations in the city to be fired to announce the Iftar time during the holy month of Ramadan. The locations are: near Sharjah Cultural Palace, Al Juraina, near Al Sari Mosque, Al Nour Mosque at Sharjah Waterfront, Al Mirgab, Musallah Al Badee in Al Talla, Bukhari Mosque at Khorfakkan Corniche, Tarif Mosque in Kalbam and near Al Dhaid police station. Speaking to Khaleej Times, a top police officer said that firing cannons to announce the Iftar time was an old custom followed by Arab and Muslim countries. A large number of people, including non-Muslims of various nationalities, gather near the cannons to enjoy the proceedings. Police patrols provide free Iftar to the gathering watching the firing of cannons. He explained that the tradition of firing cannons dated back to the early days of Islam, when it was decided that a cannon should be installed at the highest points of every city so that all Muslims could hear the shot signalling the time to end fast each day. In the UAE, this custom started in Sharjah in 1803, during the rule of Sultan bin Saqr. The Imams were instructed by the Ruler not to call for Iftar until they heard the cannon shot. The timing was determined by the Ruler upon the recommendation from a group of religious scholars. The firing of the cannon became the responsibility of the Sharjah Police later, and has remained under their supervision until now. Historically, military cannons were used. These have now been replaced with sonic cannons. Today, there is no practical reason for firing a cannon, but it is still continued in an effort to preserve the tradition. The Ramadan cannon has become symbolic and an integral part of the UAE tradition. The cannon firing team consists of one sergeant, one traffic officer and three soldiers. They arrive about an hour before sunset. A soldier loads a blank charge into the cannon and sets the safety switch to prevent any mishaps. A few minutes before the cannon is fired, a huge crowd gathers around the cannon to witness the firing, before going to the mosque to break their fast and pray. They wave to the cameras and call their friends and family at home to watch them live on TV. The Sharjah Government also provides Iftar meals to people who come to witness the cannon firing. The officer urged the people coming together to watch the cannon firing not to park their vehicles in the middle of the road leading to traffic jams. Continue reading
RAK Ruler pardons 210 prisoners
RAK Ruler pardons 210 prisoners (Wam) / 8 July 2013 His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has ordered the release of 210 prisoners, on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. The pardon covers inmates in Penal and Correctional Institutions in RAK who have so far served different jail terms. Released expatriate prisoners will be deported. Shaikh Saud’s gesture aims to give freed prisoners another chance to start a new life and ease the suffering of their families as well. Shaikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the RAK Judicial Council, instructed the competent authorities to implement the orders of the RAK Ruler in coordination with the General Headquarters of the RAK Police. Counsellor Hassan Saeed Muhaimmed, Public Prosecutor of the RAK, said the kind gesture of the Ruler would grant the released prisoners an opportunity to get rehabilitated into the community. Continue reading
