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Saudi cleric says abaya no longer necessary for women

13 Feb 2018

The National -- Saudi women need not wear the abaya, a senior member of the country's top clerical body has said.

The move comes amid reform attempts — including greater freedoms for women — being led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Sheikh Abdullah Al Mutlaq, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, said Muslim women should dress modestly, but that this did not necessitate wearing the abaya.

"More than 90 per cent of pious Muslim women in the Muslim world do not... Read More

Chinese New Year Celebrations at World's Biggest Mall

12 Feb 2018

This Chinese New Year, visitors will be able to explore China’s vast provinces through various region-specific artforms including music, traditional dance, arts, crafts and cultural demonstrations. With themed décor depicting art from various provinces ‘China Art’ at The Dubai Mall presents a culturally enriching programme this Chinese New Year.

The Star Atrium will be the hub of festivities where a giant Chinese pagoda – an iconic symbol of traditional Chinese architecture,... Read More

Her Excellency, Ms Li Lingbing Consul General of China to Open Special Chinese New Year Show on Festival Bay

12 Feb 2018

Celebrating the ‘Year of the Dog’, Dubai Festival City Mall is the place to be this Chinese New Year from the 15th to the 24th February with special offers and events across 90 outlets for shoppers to enjoy.

The two-time Guinness World Record breaking, show like no other - IMAGINE, will celebrate with a special not to be missed Chinese New Year show. ‘Festival Bay will turn red’ in celebration of the Chinese lucky colour, a symbolism for joy and fortune.

GRAZIA Middle East... Read More

Emirates firms up orders for 36 A380s worth US$ 16 billion

12 Feb 2018

Dubai, UAE, 11 February 2018 – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, today signed a contract for 20 additional A380 aircraft and 16 options, firming up the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was announced in January. The total agreement for 36 aircraft is valued at US$16 billion based on latest list prices. Deliveries are to start as early as 2020.

In the presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab... Read More

UAE women's national ice hockey team leaves lasting impression during US tour (Video)

12 Feb 2018

The National -- A year after Fatima Al Ali walked out onto the ice at Capital One Arena for a ceremonial puck drop, she returned to the arena, before cheering crowds, flanked by all her teammates from the UAE’s national ice hockey team.

A crowd of nearly 18,000 people roared as UAE team captain Fatima Al Qubaisi, dropped the puck, a ritual of ice hockey reserved for special guests, ahead of the game between the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.

The... Read More

World's new tallest hotel opens in Dubai

12 Feb 2018

The 356 metre high Gevora Hotel in Dubai, the world's tallest as a single building, will open to guests on February 12. Barely a metre taller than the previous tallest hotel, the 355m, 77-floor JW Marriott Marquis, the 528-room hotel is situated at 101 Sheikh Zayed Road, next the 333-metre Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, a previous holder of the record. The measurements are taken from ground level to the top of a hotel's mast.

The Gevora is a gold-coloured 75-storey tower with hotel rooms all... Read More

Dubai receives 15.8m international visitors in 2017

11 Feb 2018

Dubai recorded a strong 6.2 per cent year-on-year increase in international overnight visitation in 2017, accelerating the 5 per cent growth witnessed in the previous year and propelling the emirate’s momentum towards its 2020 goal of welcoming 20 million visitors per year by the start of the next decade. According to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), a total of 15.79 million tourists visited Dubai last year, setting a new... Read More

120,000 Chinese tourists to visit UAE in next two weeks

11 Feb 2018

The National -- Almost 120,000 Chinese tourists will visit the UAE over the upcoming Lunar New Year period, according to Colliers, an international consultancy with offices in Dubai. To put this into perspective, this many people would fill 240 large 500-room hotels - so expect Dubai's tourist attractions to be busy.

Ctrip, a major Chinese travel agency based in Shanghai, said the UAE was one of the top 20 most popular Chinese New Year destinations and that its holidays to Abu Dhabi... Read More

Abu Dhabi to phase out 20kph speed buffer on some major roads

11 Feb 2018

The National -- The buffer that allows motorists to travel at 20kph more than the advertised speed limit is set to be phased out on a number of Abu Dhabi roads, in a move welcomed by road safety campaigners.

A police official said the decision is intended to prevent confusion and improve road safety.

Motorists have spotted signs covered in plastic in recent days that will be unveiled as part of a new campaign.

This includes the main Dubai to Abu Dhabi Road - the E11.... Read More

Hindu stone temple to be built in Abu Dhabi by 2020

10 Feb 2018

The National -- The first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East will be built by 2020 and hand carved by Indian artisans.

The first temple in Abu Dhabi will be built at Abu Mureikha, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi highway, said a spokesman from the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha that will design, construct and manage the temple.

“The stones will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is both honoured and humbled to have... Read More