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On Eid, Muslims urged to unite and end bloodshed
On Eid, Muslims urged to unite and end bloodshed (AFP) / 15 October 2013 Top Saudi cleric urges Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism. Around two million Muslim pilgrims thronged Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Monday for the high point of the Haj, praying for an end to disputes and bloodshed. Helicopters hovered overhead and thousands of troops stood guard to organise roads flooded with men, women and children. Chanting Labaik Allahum Labaik (I am responding to your call, God), many of them camped in colourful tents and took shelter under trees to escape temperatures of around 40º Celsius. Special sprinklers were set up to help cool the pilgrims. In his annual sermon, top Saudi cleric Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh urged Muslims to avoid divisions, chaos and sectarianism. “Your nation is a trust with you. You must safeguard its security, stability and resources,” said the cleric, who heads Saudi Arabia’s highest religious body, in an address to the Muslim world. “You should know that you are targeted by your enemy… who wants to spread chaos among you … It’s time to confront this.” The cleric recalled the Islamic prohibition of killing and aggression, while insisting there is “no salvation or happiness for the Muslim nation without adhering to the teachings of the religion”. “I will pray the whole day to God to improve the situation for Muslims worldwide and an end to disputes and bloodshed in Arab countries,” 61-year-old Algerian pensioner Saeed Dherari said. “I hope that God will grace all Muslims with security and stability,” said 75-year-old Ahmad Khader, who hails from the Syrian province of Daraa. “The regime is tyrannical and I pray to God to help the oppressed people,” he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s embattled government. Egyptian Ahmad Ali, who is performing Haj for the first time, prayed for peace after hundreds were killed in recent months in fighting between security forces and Islamist supporters of ousted president Mohammed Mursi. “I pray for Egypt to enjoy security and stability and for the people to reach understanding and reconciliation,” Ali said. Continue reading
Eid excitement, mall offers bring joy to UAE residents
Eid excitement, mall offers bring joy to UAE residents Dhanusha Gokulan / 15 October 2013 The streets are decked up with sparkling lights; there are sales in practically every store in every shopping mall; and there’s a wide range of activities that families can pick from. Sarah Majid is all excited like any other six-year-old. No wonder as she has been shopping with her Pakistani parents all day long. Asked what she plans to do on Eid Al Adha, a bashful Sarah replied: “Wear my new clothes of course. And have lunch at my aunt’s house and I will also get lots of Eidi (gifts).” Sarah and her family, along with the several thousand families here in the UAE are all geared up to welcome the festival of Eid Al Adha. The streets are decked up with sparkling lights; there are sales in practically every store in every shopping mall; and there’s a wide range of activities that families can pick from. “The mutton has been marinated, the new clothes have been bought, and the house is sparkling clean,” said Nafisa Jehangir, Sarah’s mother. “The kids are really excited about the festivities and like all celebrations, I believe Eid is a wonderful time for families to get together,” added Nafisa. For those who don’t have a big family function planned, the Beach Family Fair Jumeirah in Umm Suqeim 2 provides a perfect place for a family gathering during Eid in Dubai — Eid Al Adha celebrations. The family gatherings at the Beach Family Fair has seen enthusiastic adults and kids participating in, and enjoying loads of beach and water-based activities daily from 10am until 9pm. These include entertainment workshops for children, inflatables and performances by roaming artistes including clowns and jugglers. A variety of food kiosks have also been set up at the event for the benefit of visitors. Families also get the opportunity to end their outing on a highly exciting note, thanks to the dazzling fireworks show that commences in the same location around 8.30 every night. The 6th edition of ‘Eid in Dubai — Eid Al Adha’ celebrations is being held under the theme ‘Eid Al Adha unites us in celebration’, and is organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Those who prefer a touch of tradition with their Eid celebrations can head out to the Heritage Village in the Shindaga area. The inaugural ‘Dubai Heritage and Touristic Season’, organised under the directives of Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, is hosting 50 traditional activities during Eid Al Adha. People taking sacrificial goats from Al Qusais cattle market in Dubai on Monday. — KT photos by Shihab, Grace Guino and Nezar Balout Dubai Culture will host a range of heritage and cultural events until April 2014 to educate visitors and residents of the UAE’s traditions and customs. The creek will feature an exhibit, including replicas of boats, insights on pearl diving and Arabian hospitality, and competitive fishing. The Shaikh Obaid bin Thani House will serve as a location for field trips for students, visits to the souk, roaming entertainment, carnivals and performances and arts and crafts for children. A hospitality tent will shed light on the facets of Emirati heritage, including the traditional Bedouin Camel Caravan used during weddings; wedding rituals and insights into the life of Bedouin dwellings. Khalid Gharib, Head of the Committee of the Dubai Heritage and Touristic Season, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “The Dubai Heritage and Touristic Season will shed light on the bold ambitions of the UAE, while educating and reaching out to audiences from around the world, making it one of the most sought-after events in the city.” The activities will bring to life the essence of the Arabian souk; traditional weddings and games, in addition to a delectable line-up of authentic Emirati cuisine from all three geographic regions. -dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Emiratis to manage public school canteens in Dubai
Emiratis to manage public school canteens in Dubai Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 15 October 2013 Under Khalifa Foundation initiative, 80 Emirati families will manage canteens in 40 schools in Dubai and Northern Emirates All school canteens across the country may soon be managed by UAE nationals following an initiative that aims not only to provide healthy and affordable meals but also to create jobs and provide sustainable income for needy Emiratis. The plan is to make healthy and quality meals available at school canteens in the price range of Dh3 to Dh7. — KT file photo used for illustrative purpose The initiative, launched by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF) this academic year, has tasked 80 Emirati families to manage 40 public school canteens in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in the first phase. “As part of our annual assessment of the aid we provide students, we realised that the pocket money we give them is not enough to buy food at school canteens. So we thought it best that instead of money, we provide them healthy meals that are affordable while supporting our citizens with limited income through the management of the school canteens,” KBZF director-general Mohamed Hajji Al Khoori told Khaleej Times. The plan is for the meals to be sold at prices of Dh3, Dh5 and Dh7, containing healthy ingredients and of a different variety every day. The foundation has partnered with the Ministry of Education to identify the schools. These include five schools each in Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah and 20 in Fujairah. “In the first phase, we will implement the project in select public schools. The plan is to include all public schools across the UAE and extend this to private schools at a later stage,” said Al Khoori. Three schools in Abu Dhabi have already expressed an interest in joining the programme, according to Al Khoori, who said the foundation was currently in talks with the Abu Dhabi Education Council. Several food companies are also supporting the initiative, providing sandwiches, juices and fresh milk for the school canteens. The Emirates Co-operative Society, which provides the sandwiches, is at the same time carrying out training for the families in catering processes, service and canteen management. While learning the trade, families are given a monthly allowance by the foundation. “At the start, the local families don’t need a capital as much as they need support from all quarters, to train them till they are ready,” Al Khoori said. For the pilot, two families were tasked to manage each school canteen. But for the long term, the plan is to either increase or decrease this depending on the number of students in each school. The number of families employed will also increase in the future as more schools join the initiative. “The Khalifa Foundation initiative of supporting these families goes hand in hand with the strategy of the UAE to privatise the education sector and create business opportunities for UAE nationals,” Al Khoori said. He added the families were selected from those who had worked with the foundation’s Iftar meals project in the past three years, who have enough experience in providing quality foods, underwent food hygiene and safety training, and who received an eligibility certificate from the Civil Defence. The Iftar meals initiative during Ramadan, which started in 2010, provides food for millions of fasting Muslims throughout the holy month while creating jobs for low-income Emiratis. Established in 2007, the foundation provides aid and assistance to people — both locally and internationally — regardless of race, sex or religion. The foundation is looking for ways to help low-income families by sourcing creative and sustainable projects that would provide them long-term financial support. – olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
