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Heritage Village: Reviving a national legacy
Heritage Village: Reviving a national legacy Sudeshna Sarkar / 27 January 2014 The Heritage Village is a brainchild of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center that adds a new dimension to the Global Village. IGNORING A sudden downpour that has created puddles difficult to navigate and a sharp nip in the air, Hanifa Qureshi has come to the Global Village from Abu Dhabi chasing a hope. As her elder daughter Maria pushes her wheelchair, manoeuvring through the crowds and slush, and the younger, Sophia, struggles to keep an umbrella over the heads of all three, the 64-year-old matriarch scans the passing stalls anxiously to check if they are close to their destination. It’s a person rather than a pavilion that the trio is searching for. They want to meet Fatima Essa, one of the top-notch practitioners of traditional herbal medicine. In an initiative that adds value to the festival, Essa is available for chats with visitors, offering health tips. Hanifa Qureshi suffers from severe gout and friends who have consulted Essa with satisfying results have urged her to try out a traditional cure. Fatima Essa sits in a traditional hut in an area known as the Heritage Village. Though the Global Village, Dubai’s unique annual tourism and cultural event, was launched in 1997, the Heritage Village is a new initiative started this year. It is the brainchild of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center that was founded by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, in April 2013 to promote the Emirati national heritage, especially among the youth. “The Global Village has pavilions representing different countries,” says Sumaya Saeed Khalfan, marketing and corporate communication director at the centre. “We wanted to put up something that would showcase traditional life in the UAE as well as the region. There is a heritage village in Deira; we thought we would build another one at the Global Village. “One of the most important parts of a nation’s heritage is its people. So the Heritage Village brings you people who represent traditional arts and skills. We don’t want visitors to only hear of heritage or traditional lifestyle. We want them to experience it from people who know it firsthand.” The little clusters in the Heritage Village represent different kinds of traditional architecture. They were all built when the event started. Visitors admire the Saffa house, the hardy residence built of stone for mountain areas. A little farther is the Bait Al Sha’ar, the Bedouin shelter made of sheep’s wool. Three authentic Bedouins sit chatting at the shelter and visitors can walk in and share a cuppa with them. Another exhibit is the Kirin tent, built from palm leaves and supported by poles. Once found near the coast, now it could be a permanent exhibit to remind visitors of the resourcefulness of the traditional way of life. Besides the traditional architecture, artefacts and people, Heritage Village is also showcasing the fauna associated with the Arab way of life. Two Arabian horses stand patiently nearby. In the next enclosure a billy goat rears up on its hind legs, trying to cadge treats from passersby. But the most arresting animals are the two camels rigged up in an eye-catching gear. These are no ordinary beasts but celebrities in their own rights. Ghaiman and Dhafar have now become legends, taking part in Yemeni Odysseus Ahmed Al Qasimi’s epic 40,000 km trip to Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Al Qasimi has brought them back to Dubai as a thanksgiving gift for Shaikh Hamdan since the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center sponsored his last trip to Africa. Perhaps the most eloquent tribute to the Emirati’s pride in his country is the replica of the Union House, the history-making site where on December 2, 1971 the treaty to establish the Arab world’s first federation of states, the United Arab Emirates, was signed. “The Union House was the place where the UAE dream came true,” says Khalfan. “We wanted to show people that part of our history.” Though a replica, the “Union House” at the Heritage Village will remain a centre of nationalist activities as long as the Global Village continues. On November 6, the UAE Flag Day was celebrated here, National Day on December 2, and on January 4 the special occasion when His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the Ruler of Dubai eight years ago. sudeshna@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
RTA campaigns for safety during tram testing
RTA campaigns for safety during tram testing Lily B. Libo-on / 23 January 2014 Littering on the tramway line, crossing the tramway line from undesignated areas, entering a restricted area, interfering with the operation to invite fines. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is campaigning for public safety during the tram testing from January 26, until it finishes on November 10 this year. RTA, in coordination with the Dubai Police, will enforce fines in the event of an offence. The public is advised to stay alert and stay safe during the tram testing. Circumstances that call for fines are littering on the tramway line, crossing the tramway line from undesignated areas, entering a restricted area, interfering with the operation of the tramway or taking any action that would compromise the safety of the tram or the infrastructure, crossing the red light at the junction with the tramway and blocking the tramway without permission. In its brochure ‘Let’s Talk Safety, Your A-To-Z Guide to Dubai Tram Safety’, the RTA is urging everyone, especially those living near the tramway, to be aware of the signs and symbols to look out for. “The journey begins with safety,” RTA said. Among the signs the public is urged to be aware of and to follow strictly are the signs that say ‘Tram is under testing. Do not enter or use’, ‘Tram Right’, ‘Tram Only’, ‘Tram Ahead’, and ‘Tram Left’. RTA is cautioning the public, including drivers and cyclists, because Dubai Tram is sharing the road with pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. “If trams are running through the areas where you walk, you will need to take extra care and keep a look out for these signs,” RTA said. Driving cars alongside the tram is perfectly safe, the RTA said. “But, motorists should not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams, and should always give way to trams. Tramway at junctions is clearly marked.” lily@khaleejtimes.com fact box FOR CYCLISTS Do not cycle on the tracks as wheels may get stuck in the rail gap. Where trams run along the road, avoid following the rails to make sure they do not lead to a route reserved for the tram. Be extra careful where a track crosses the road as tram road users have their own traffic signals. When crossing the tracks, always check your surroundings and consider dismounting and crossing on foot. FOR DRIVERS You must not enter a road, lane or route reserved for trams. Always give way to trams. Be extra careful where a track crosses the road as trams have their own traffic signals and maybe permitted to move when you are not. You must not stop or park your vehicle where it would get in the way of trams or where it would force other road users to do so. Look out for pedestrians, especially children, running to catch a tram, getting off a tram or bus or crossing the road. FOR PEDESTRIANS Always cross the tracks using a pedestrian crossing and pay extra attention when the tram is approaching. Always look in both directions before crossing the tracks. Avoid using headphones or mobile phones near the tram. Tram corridor is fenced to prohibit crossing. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
From one father of an ailing son to another
From one father of an ailing son to another Nivriti Butalia / 23 January 2014 Ali’s father gives the money he had after paying hospital bill to another needy father for treating his son. On Tuesday, Sayed Bawazeer’s three-month-old son Mohamad was released from ICU after spending three months at Al Baraha hospital. Sayed, whose salary is just Dh4,000, couldn’t pay the hospital bill of nearly Dh2,000,00, and he had to seek donations in order to get his son home. Readers came forward and the amount was secured. On Tuesday, the bill was finally paid. There was even some extra money. What Sayed decided to do with that money is a story and lesson in rare magnanimity – he gave the excess Dh30,000 to another needy father, Mohamed Altaf. By Wednesday afternoon, Sayed was on his way to visit Dubai Hospital where Altaf’s eight-year-old son, who is also named Ali, has been admitted in Dubai Hospital since August. Ali, ailing from bone marrow cancer has just had his 9 th round of Chemotherapy. Doctors want a bone marrow transplant to take place in February and Altaf is worried about the expense. Sayed visited Ali at 3.45pm on Wednesday. Ali’s father first refused the money, telling Sayeed that his son still had a hole in his heart, you will need this money for treatment. But Sayed stuck to his guns, spent time with Ali. “He’s such a sweet loving boy. We made a plan to eat pizza and home food once he’s out of hospital.” To read Ali’s full story, click here http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?section=nationhealth&xfile=data/nationhealth/2013/December/nationhealth_December23.xml For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
