Tag Archives: cricket
Six rescued from burning building
Six rescued from burning building Nivriti Butalia / 4 August 2013 Six construction workers were rescued when the under-construction building they were working on caught fire, stranding hundreds of commuters as Dubai Metro services halted for several hours. Smoke billows from the building under construction that caught fire in Downtown Dubai on shaikh Zayed road on saturday. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar The all-male crew were working on the sixth floor of the building, located 200 metres away from The Dubai Mall metro station, early on Saturday morning, when the fire was detected. The commanding fire rescue officer said his men reached the location of the fire in a record four minutes, from the nearby Al Manara station. “We got the call at 5.54am and we were at the site at 5.58.” He said the six men were trapped in the building, on the same floor as the fire and blackened windows with smoke coming out of them were visible to the onlookers down below. “We faced obstacles getting to (the men), as the space was being used as a warehouse, so we had crates and boxes in our way, but we managed to rescue all six.” He confirmed no one was injured in the blaze. Meanwhile, Dubai Metro services between the Jafiliya and the Business Bay metro stations were interrupted for two hours due to the fire which broke out near the Burj Khalifa. The building is located right opposite a car showroom and a RAKBANK outlet. The Roads and Transport Authority rail operation director Ramadan Abdullah, who was at the site of the fire by 7am said this might be the first time Dubai Metro services were interrupted due to a fire. The extinguishing operation continued for about three hours and by 9am the situation was well under control with the fire put out. The metro services resumed by 10am. Due to the interruption in the metro services the usually desolate Business Bay metro station area was clogged with people and metro replacement buses. A flood of cabs from all five Dubai cab companies had been diverted to the area for people to carry on with their respective commutes. – news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested Staff Reporter / 4 August 2013 As many as 72 people of different nationalities have been arrested by the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Directorate for begging, with several found with thousands of dirhams. One of the arrested beggars was found with Dh22,000 on him while another had Dh14,000, the directorate said, noting the pair were both Arab nationals who had gained the large amount in a short period of time. Of the 72 arrested, of whom 64 were males and eight were females, 33 were residing in the country illegally or in violation of the residency law. Their ages ranged between 21 and 71. The clampdown and arrests was due to the efforts of the anti-begging teams during the holy month of Ramadan with the cooperation of members of the public. The Directorate said there would be no tolerance with people found begging. “Begging is absolutely unacceptable and we will strictly confront it by tracking down and arresting the (perpetrators),” said Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Director Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi. The anti-begging squads aim to raise awareness amongst the members of the society and urge them not to take pity on such people, who use different approaches and methods to gain sympathy and money. “Begging is an open door for committing crime due,” he said, referring to thefts often committed by beggars who gained entry or were invited into others’ houses. He urged Emiratis and expatriates not to allow beggars to enter their accommodation, and not to pity them. Brigadier Al Sharifi said the public were aware of the reality of beggars as a result of the awareness campaigns by police. He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting beggars by calling the Operations Room (999) or any police station during Ramadan and on normal days, round the clock. Meanwhile, Sharjah Police arrested 191 illegals including 56 Arab beggars as part of its campaign targeting those who practice illegal jobs, mobile vendors and infiltrators. The police arrested mobile vendors who walk around in the streets, squares and public areas selling fake products and expired food items. Some of the illegals arrested were gathering and collecting cans and cardboards. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
The Night of Power arrives
The Night of Power arrives Ahmed Shaaban / 4 August 2013 Want to have all your sins forgiven? Want to start a new chapter? Want to get closer to God? Want to add more than 83 years of worship to your life? It’s simple, by maximising worship on Lailat Al Qadr (The night of power). Though all days and nights of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status stressed in the recommendations and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), particularly the night of August 4 (27th night of Ramadan ) or Al Qadr Night that is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims. Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy said Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to keep himself and his wives busy in acts of worship during these blessed days which may lead to a man’s release from hell and help him secure a high position in Paradise. “These acts of worships are praying, supplicating, reading the Quran, performing Zikr (Remembrance of God), giving charity, and taking part in a spiritual retreat called ‘Itekaf’, where you spend all ten days in the mosque reading the Quran and praying.” Seeking Laylat Al Qadr, particularly on the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan, is highly advised by the Prophet. “That night of power, honour and grace is better in virtue and reward than a sincere worship of a thousand months as stipulated in Chapter 79/3,” Dr Ashmawy said. Shaikh Mahmoud Marei, Imam of Al Huda Mosque, said there are some signs by which the night of Laylat Al Qadr is identified. “As the Prophet quoted, it is a pleasant and bright night, neither hot nor cold, and the sun rises red, weak with no visible rays the following day.” Shaikh Mohammed Al Arabi, Imam of Al Tawheed Mosque, said Allah forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this great night — when the Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) — out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him. Certain Duas (supplications) are also recommended on this night. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
