Day: March 3, 2024

SHARJAH: His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed, this Saturday evening, the opening of the 33rd edition of Sharjah Theatre Days, organised by the Department of Culture, at the Cultural Palace in Sharjah.

Seven theatrical performances will compete for the Awards of this edition, which concludes on March 9, and 12 theatrical performances presented by theatrical groups in the country, in addition to a wide participation of artists, playwrights and researchers from various countries in the Arab world within the intellectual programmes, dialogues and seminars accompanying performances.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah honoured the Emirati artist Abdullah Rashid with the ‘Honored Local Personality Award’ for this edition, and the Omani artist Fakhriya Khamis, the winner of the ‘Sharjah Award for Arab Theatrical Creativity’ in its seventeenth edition. His Highness also honoured the ‘Fawanees theatre’ from the Kingdom of Morocco, which won the
‘Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award for Best Arab Theatrical Work 2023’ for her show ‘Tekanza…The Story of Tuda.’ The award was received by the show’s director, Amin Nasour.

During the ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and the attendees, watched two visual presentations, the first of which included the biography of the Emirati artist Abdullah Rashid, who made great efforts and continuous giving through his activity in local theatre in the UAE as an actor, writer and administrator since his beginnings in 1984, and his contribution to the development of the theatrical movement.

The second show covered stations from the career of artist Fakhriya Khamis, and the immortal works she presented that earned her honour throughout her career in the Omani and Arab theatre.

The ceremony witnessed the introduction of the members of the jury for this edition comprising writer Hazza Al-Barari from Jordan as head of the committee, artist Walid Al-Zaabi from the UAE, director Dr. Masoud Bou Hussein
from Morocco, director Nasser Abdel Moneim from Egypt, and director and writer Ihab Zahida from Palestine.

A group of performances were qualified to participate in this year’s competition, which were selected through the viewing and classification committee. These performances are: ‘Marwad Kohl’ by the Dibba Society for Culture Arts and Theatre; ‘Iskan’ by the Ras Al Khaimah Theatre; ‘Estiyad’ by the Dibba Al-Hisn Society for Culture, Heritage and Theatre; ‘Walimat Eid’ by the Sharjah Public Art and Modern Theatre; ‘Al Tareq Al Akhir’ by the Dubai National Theatre; ‘Al Mashhad Sifr’ by the Khorfakkan Arts Theatre; and ‘ Kayfa Tusamihna’ for the Sharjah National Theatre team.

Two theatrical performances were chosen to be presented outside of this year’s event competition: ‘Zaghrouda’ by the Kalba Folklore and Theatre Society, and ‘Ramad’ by the Fujairah Theatre team.

The programme of the 33rd edition of Sharjah Theatre Days includes two performances from the tenth edition of the Kalba Short Play Festival, w
hich are: the work that won the Best Show Award, which is ‘The Chairs’ by director Hamid Mohammed, and the work that won the Best Direction Award, which is ‘The Last Choice’ by director Abdullah Al Ali.

A group of graduates of Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, and a number of graduates of Arab theatre colleges and institutes, are participating in the ’12th Sharjah Forum for Arab Theatre Pioneers,’ which annually celebrates outstanding Arab theatre academies, and gives them the opportunity to keep up with the activities of theatrical days and learn about the cultural scene in the Emirate of Sharjah. In addition to attending a group of lectures and training workshops presented by a group of Arab theatre professors, and a programme of introductory visits to the most prominent cultural edifices in the emirate.

The intellectual forum accompanying this edition is organised under the theme ‘Theatrical Directing between Impact and Influence’ with the participation of researchers and theatre practitioners from severa
l Arab countries.

The cultural programme accompanying the 33rd edition of Sharjah Theatre Days includes an interview with the artist Fakhriya Khamis on the occasion of her winning the Sharjah Award for Arab Theatrical Creativity, and another interview with the artist Abdullah Rashid on the occasion of his selection and honour in this edition. The programme also includes two cultural seminars, the first themed ‘Semantics and Aesthetics of Costumes in Theater Today,’ and the second under the theme ‘Authorship Techniques in Contemporary Theatre: The Bahraini Experience as a Model.’

The opening ceremony was attended, alongside His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, by Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Consultative Council of the Emirate of Sharjah; Major General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture; Dr. Mansour bin Nassar, Head of the Legal Department of the Government of Sharjah; Jamal Al Tarifi, President of A
l Qasimia University; and a number of senior officials, artists, intellectuals, media professionals, and theatre lovers and enthusiasts.

Source: Emirates News Agency

KINGSTOWN: More funding is needed to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) on the frontlines of climate change, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Saturday in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mr. Guterres visited a project that is helping the Caribbean nation to combat the effects of coastal erosion and rising seas – among the impacts of global warming, the UN News reported.

While commending the initiative, known as the Georgetown Sea Defence, he underlined the need for greater solidarity and financial support.

‘We must have stronger support from the international community – what we call climate justice – which means adequate financing at low cost, quickly decided, in order to allow for all these works that we have been seeing to protect the island against the sea, and against the floods and storms,’ he said.

Responding to a journalist’s question, Mr. Guterres said that SIDS must have quick and easy access to climate finance through the Loss and Damage Fund.

The long-awaited mechanis
m to help vulnerable countries offset the damage from droughts, floods and other extreme weather caused by climate change, finally became operational at the UN COP28 climate conference in Dubai last year.

Mr. Guterres explained that under the fund, small projects like the one he visited would not require the same level of bureaucracy as those costing billions.

They instead call for ‘quick decisions and quick operationalization of the money available, and much more funding,” he said.

“The people of the Small Island Developing States are on the frontlines of climate change. They did not contribute to global warming, but they are paying the price,’ he added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) employees have recycled 499,541 plastic bottles and aluminium cans from October 2022 until the end of December 2023. This is equivalent to diverting 7,108 kilograms of waste from landfills.

DEWA provides smart machines to recycle plastic bottles and aluminium cans in some of its buildings. These machines are operated using DEWA’s Smart Office app for employees. The machine reads the QR code on the smart app, and the employee receives points for each recycling operation to enter into a raffle draw to win valuable monthly prizes. Until the end of 2023, DEWA honoured 49 employees.

DEWA’s recycling initiatives support the UAE Circular Economy Policy and DEWA’s Circular Economy Strategy by focusing on optimising the use of resources and enriching social, economic, and environmental value. This is achieved by encouraging sustainable practices including recycling resources and reducing waste. These efforts also support the Dubai Integrated Waste Management St
rategy 2021-2041, which seeks to encourage innovation in waste management and recycling as well as converting waste to energy, in addition to providing practical solutions to environmental challenges.

DEWA organised 13 awareness activities for employees to highlight the importance of adopting a responsible and sustainable lifestyle by implementing sustainable practices at home and in the workplace, enhancing the efficiency of electricity and water consumption, limiting waste, reducing the consumption of plastic, and reusing and recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans.

Source: Emirates News Agency

GENEVA: Over 400 million people with hearing loss could benefit from using hearing devices, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on World Hearing Day 2024, warning that unaddressed hearing loss is a global public health challenge and incurs an estimated cost of over US$ 1 trillion annually.

For World Hearing Day, marked on 3 March, the Geneva-based UN organisation has released new technical guidance on hearing aid service delivery approaches for low- and middle-income settings. This document is designed to provide practical guidance to countries in developing hearing aid services in areas that lack human resources for assessing hearing, as well as fitting and maintaining hearing aids.

The guidance, developed with support from the ATScale Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, is based on the principle of task sharing among specialists and trained non-specialists. It includes two approaches, one targeting adults and the other for children 5 years and over, and is accompanied by resources with tips
for healthy ear care practices, use of hearing aids and how to support people living with hearing loss.

‘Over 400 million people with hearing loss could benefit from using hearing devices. However, less than 20% of these needs are fulfilled,’ said WHO Director for the Department for Noncommunicable Diseases, Dr Bente Mikkelsen. ‘Unaddressed hearing loss is a global public health challenge and incurs an estimated cost of over US$ 1 trillion annually. Given the global shortage of ear and hearing care specialists, we have to rethink how we traditionally deliver services.’

The release of the new guide coincides with World Hearing Day. The theme for 2024 is ‘Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all’, highlighting the importance of correcting misconceptions of hearing loss that are common among the general public and primary health providers.

The first of 2 key challenges in ear and hearing care is the lack of health system capacity for the provision of integrated ear and hearing care
throughout people’s lives, as evidenced by a lack of policies, human resources and dedicated finances. The service delivery approaches detailed by WHO aim to overcome this challenge by better utilizing non-specialists in providing hearing care to increase capacity.

The second key challenge relates to misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets about hearing loss and ear diseases, which are deeply ingrained within societies and often limit the success of efforts to improve hearing care. Common misperceptions include the idea that hearing loss is an inevitable part of old age and that hearing aids do not work well or are too expensive.

‘Common myths about hearing loss often prevent people from seeking the services they require, even where these services are available,’ said Dr Shelly Chadha, technical lead for ear and hearing care at WHO. ‘Any effort to improve hearing care provision through health system strengthening must be accompanied by work to raise awareness within societies and address stigma related to
ear and hearing care.’

Misperceptions are also prevalent among primary health care providers who may consider this to be a specialized or difficult to provide service, resulting in failure to identify and treat even those conditions that do not need specialist care.

Governments should take steps to integrate ear and hearing care within primary health care, implement community based approaches that bring services close to people and lead initiatives to raise awareness and mitigate stigma related to hearing loss. Health care providers must also play their role by ensuring they give due attention and care to people with common ear and hearing problems. Civil society groups, parents, teachers, and physicians can use WHO’s awareness materials and community resources to inform people about the importance of ear and hearing care.

Source: Emirates News Agency

NAIROBI: The UN Environment Assembly adopted a ministerial declaration as it wrapped up on in the Kenyan capital, together with 17 resolutions and decisions aimed at redefining the way humankind interacts with nature.

With more than 7,000 delegates from 182 UN Member States and more than 170 ministers participating in Nairobi, UNEA-6 adopted a package of action plans, from promoting sustainable lifestyles to the sound management of chemicals and waste and sand and dust storms, issuing calls for immediate steps to rein in overconsumption and take smarter, greener steps towards sustainability.

‘The world needs action, speed and real, lasting change,’ said Inger Anderson, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at the closing session on Friday.

A ministerial declaration affirmed the international community’s strong intent to slow climate change, restore nature and land and create a pollution-free world, she said.

She added that true multilateralism was prevailing with wide engagement from c
ivil society, indigenous peoples, international organisations, scientists and the private sector.

‘UNEA-6 has delivered an extra boost to help us deliver this change and to ensure every person on this planet enjoys the right to a safe and healthy environment,’ she said.

At a time when the world faces a triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change, action must be swift and concerted, said UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed.

She said the robust UNEA-6 discussions and outcome will accelerate the world’s common goals, including efforts to achieve both the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals.

‘We cannot afford to deplete nature’s resources without facing serious consequences,’ the Deputy UN chief said in a video message. ‘The decisions we make today will shape our destiny tomorrow.’

Known as the ‘world parliament on the environment’, UNEA-6 became the highest decision-making body in the field at its inception in 201
2. The goal is simple: to help restore the harmony between people and the nature.

During the five-day conference, UNEA-6 saw delegates debate everything from the use of artificial intelligence to solar engineering techniques.

Among the adopted resolutions, one provided guidance on how the world can do better on protecting the environment during and after conflicts, and another addressed how best to combat desertification.

Dozens of side events considered fresh initiatives and possible breakthroughs, including the use of artificial intelligence to fight climate change.

In the so-called fast fashion field, a UNEP and UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion exhibit featured stylish clothing showcasing a project aimed at stopping overproduction and overconsumption, eliminating hazardous chemical byproducts and scaling circular business models which benefit the environment.

Rich countries use six times more resources and generate 10 times the climate impacts than low-income nations, according to a UNEP report lau
nched on Friday at UNEA-6.

The 2024 Global Resource Outlook contains a wide range of evidence-based findings and calls for sweeping policy changes to close the divide between rich and poor at all levels, while growing the economy, improving wellbeing and minimizing environmental impacts.

‘The triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution is driven from a crisis of unsustainable consumption and production. We must work with nature, instead of merely exploiting it,’ said UNEP chief Ms. Andersen ahead of the launch.

Indeed, the report showed that natural resource extraction is expected to rise by 60 per cent by 2060 and could derail efforts to achieve not only global climate, biodiversity, and pollution targets, but also economic prosperity and human wellbeing.

‘Reducing the resource intensity of mobility, housing, food and energy systems is the only way we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ultimately a just and liveable planet for all,’ she said.

Source: Emira
tes News Agency

SHARJAH: In continuation of the agenda of Sharjah Consultative Council (SCC) in its fifth meeting, as part of its work for the first regular session of the eleventh legislative term, at its headquarters in Sharjah, headed by Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Chairman of SCC, the Council discussed the policy of Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority (SCTDA).

The meeting was attended by Khaled Jassim Al Midfa, Member of Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), Chairman of the Authority; Sheikh Salem bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director of the Authority, and their assistants from SCTDA, namely Iman Al Mahrezi, Director of the General Department of Institutional Services, and Ahmed Al Tunaiji, Director of the Tourism Standards Department.

Then, the Secretary-General of the Council, Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan said that the SCTDA works, through its roles, to strengthen the position of the emirate on the global travel and tourism map, in light of introducing the emirate’s potential, within its work system to develop stra
tegic plans that would develop the tourism sector in all its aspects, and defining general policies for participation in local, regional and international exhibitions.

On behalf of the SCTDA, Al Midfa thanked the members of the council, appreciating the SEC’s continued support of the Authority’s activities and events, which translate the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the generous patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, which was the greatest motivation in the Authority’s tireless pursuit of successes and achievements at all levels.

Al Midfa presented a video on the SCTDA’s activities, then touched on the Authority’s policies and services. He pointed out that it undertakes many tasks and responsibilities that play an important and effective role in supporting the tourism and commercial sectors.

Al Midfa, and his assistants from the Authority, respond
ed to members’ questions by emphasising what it has been keen to achieve since its establishment in 1996, to develop marketing and promotional plans for the Emirate of Sharjah.

Al Midfa confirmed that the SCTDA is keen to develop marketing and promotional plans for the Emirate, and formulate a policy of participation in local, regional and international exhibitions and events that have benefitted Sharjah’s tourism, travel and commercial sectors. This was evident by the increase in tourist arrivals to the emirate, whereas Russian tourists reached 16 percent of the total market and visitors from the Sultanate of Oman recorded growth rates of 25 percent compared to the previous year, while local tourism recorded a growth of 11 percent.

The sector saw a strong start in 2023, reflecting the sector’s recovery from the effects of the pandemic, achieving monthly growth rates averaging 19 percent. Rates declined during the Holy Month of Ramadan and the beginning of the summer, but it rose again with the beginning of
winter, achieving an 11 percent increase.

The main markets exporting tourism to the emirate according to geographical distribution and share of the total market – 2023: Europe 27 percent, Asia 27 percent, Arab countries 17 percent, Gulf countries 16 percent, UAE 11 percent, Africa 3 percent, and the Americas two percent.

Thanks to the continuous participation in these events, Sharjah was able to reserve a prominent place in many international destinations. It has three participations in international exhibitions and six promotional tours, and through these participations it has obtained many international awards that are added to the Authority and Sharjah.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Since its inception, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) has been promoting the mosque’s cultural message of tolerance and building bridges of rapprochement and dialogue between the world’s cultures. In addition to its role as a global centre for religious rites, the mosque has become a hub for tolerance and cultural and civilizational communication with various cultures of the world.

In 2023, the Centre continued its role in affirming the mosque’s position as a global cultural and tourist destination. The mosque achieved a remarkable increase in the total number of visitors in 2023, which recorded 70 percent compared to 2022. The total number of visitors to the mosque reached 5,501,420, including 1,409,947 worshippers, of whom 619,664 performed daily prayers, 310,609 performed Friday prayers, and 434,719 performed Ramadan and Eid prayers.

The total number of visitors to the mosque reached 4,033,552. Additionally, 57,921 people used the mosque’s jogging track. Individuals accounted for 7
4 percent of the total number of visitors to the mosque, with 3,000,880 visitors. Visitors in groups accounted for 26 percent of the total number of visitors to the mosque, with 1,032,672 visitors, as official delegations represented a number of government institutions, educational institutions, embassies, private sector entities, and hotels, and the number of their individuals reached 20,172 visitors to the mosque among 1,272 reservations, including 330 high-level delegations, which included 14 heads of state, 3 deputy heads of state, 10 parliament speakers, 8 prime ministers, 2 deputy prime ministers, 6 governors, 2 deputy governors and regional governors, 3 sheikhs and princes, 73 ministers, 14 deputy ministers, 39 ambassadors and consuls, 74 guests from the military sector, 12 representatives of religious denominations, and 64 visits by delegations from different entities.

The number of visitors from tourist companies was 1,012,500, within 54,555 bookings. All delegations learned about the mosque’s messa
ge of tolerance and cultural communication, and about the beauty of its unique Islamic architecture. The age group of 25 to 35 years old constituted the highest percentage of visitors to the mosque from different countries, reaching 34 percent.

Visitors from outside the UAE accounted for 81 percent of the mosque’s guests, while visitors from within the UAE accounted for 19 percent, consolidating the mosque’s position on the world tourism map and its prominent role as a cradle of values of tolerance and coexistence between peoples. In this context, Asia topped the list of visitors to the mosque from all over the world, with 52 percent of visitors, followed by Europe with 33 percent, North America with 8 percent, Africa and South America with 3 percent each, and Australia with 1 percent.

In terms of the nationalities of visitors to the mosque, the top ten countries were: India with 23 percent, followed by China with 8 percent, then Russia with 7 percent, the United States of America with 5 percent, followed b
y Germany with 4 percent, then Italy with 3 percent, followed by Pakistan with 3 percent, the United Kingdom with 3 percent, France with 3 percent, and the Philippines with 2 percent.

As part of the Centre’s efforts to improve and enrich the visitor experience, the Centre offered 5,538 cultural tours to its visitors during the past year, with 73,461 visitors. There were 3,653 public tours, with 51,447 visitors, and 1,363 private tours, with 19,975 visitors. There were also 474 “Hidden Glimpses” tours, with 1,709 visitors, and 18 special invitation tours, with 94 visitors.

Key Achievements in 2023

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has made significant achievements in 2023, reflecting its strategic vision, mission, and role as a leading centre for Islamic culture and civilization.

During the holy month of Ramadan, the mosque hosted a variety of events and witnessed a significant increase in the number of worshippers and visitors. The “Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed” hosted four Ramadan lectures at the mosque.
The mosque also hosted 18 lectures by prominent scholars who were guests of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Centre prepared and distributed 1,500,000 Iftar meals throughout the month, at a rate of 50,000 complete Iftar meals per day. This was done in cooperation with Erth Hotel, the strategic partner of the Centre. The Centre attracted more than 580 volunteers from the national workforce and the Centre’s employees, who all supervised the provision of the best services to the mosque’s guests during Ramadan.

As part of its mission to promote cultural rapprochement, the Centre organised a number of initiatives, including the ‘Jusoor’ programme, during which the Centre invited representatives of embassies and organisations from diverse cultures residing in the UAE to experience the holy month at the mosque. More than 150 people participated in the initiative, representing the US Embassy, the Australian Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, the New Zealand Embassy, the Danish Embassy, the
Mexican Embassy, the American Women’s Association, Al Dar Properties, the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, Al Raha International School, and a number of the Centre’s employees.

The Centre also invited the embassies and organisations participating in the “Jusoor’ programme to attend the “Zayed Humanitarian Work Day” event, which the mosque hosts annually. The Centre also organised a special programme that hosted 150 new converts, who learned about its message of peace and coexistence with others.

The total number of visitors to the mosque reached 852,714 worshippers and visitors during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al Fitr holiday. In detail, the number of worshippers who performed prayers in the mosque during Ramadan was 452,047, including 122,449 who performed Isha and Taraweeh prayers, and 180,896 who performed Tahajjud prayers.

The mosque witnessed the highest attendance in its history on the 27th night of Ramadan with 60,310 worshippers. As for Eid prayer, 42,771 worshippe
rs performed it in the mosque. The number of visitors to the mosque during the holy month reached 367,867 visitors from different cultures of the world.

New Initiatives

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre launched a series of new initiatives to enrich the visitor experience and promote cultural understanding.

The Centre has launched ‘El-Daleel”, a cutting-edge multimedia device that offers an exceptional guided tour experience to worshippers and visitors utilising virtual reality technology. Since its launch in October 2023, 7,113 visitors have used the device. ‘El-Daleel’ is available in 14 languages, including sign language for the hearing impaired and descriptive language for the visually impaired.

In December 2023, the Centre launched the ‘Sura’ Evening Cultural Tours, which provide visitors to Abu Dhabi and the UAE who have limited time due to international transit flights with the opportunity to visit the mosque. The tours are offered outside the Centre’s regular working hours, allowing visitors to
experience the mosque 24 hours a day. So far, 176 visitors have participated in the night tours.

In November 2023, the Centre opened the ‘Andalusia History and Civilization’ exhibition at the mosque’s Visitor Centre. Since it’s opening until the end of 2023, 14,506 visitors had seen the exhibition, and the Centre’s cultural tour guides had conducted 30 tours for more than 235 visitors from different cultures around the world.

The Centre also unveiled the ‘Bari Al Jami’ mural, which is displayed at the Visitor Centre and serves as a testament to its role in enhancing the tourism movement in Abu Dhabi.

To promote religious awareness, the Centre has launched a new video series called ‘Kursi Al Jamie”, and is preparing to launch another series called ‘Wamda Fiqhiya’. These two series will be added to the Centre’s existing collection of cultural series, which has already produced more than 250 video episodes.

The Centre launched the eighth season of the “Spaces Of Light” Photography Award, coinciding with the
International Day of Tolerance on 16th November 2023. The Award’s travelling photo exhibition also participated in the 2023 Global Media Congress held in Abu Dhabi, and at the National Archives and Library, as part of its tour of various landmarks and regions in the UAE.

Participations and Programmes

In 2023, the Centre participated in many global and local events, including the ITB Berlin 2023; the World Travel Market 2023, which was held in London; the Arabian Travel Market 2023; and the second edition of the Global Media Congress 2023. The Centre also participated in the silver jubilee celebration of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, and participated in the UAE pavilion at the World Cultures Festival 2023 in Ankara, Trkiye.

During 2023, the Centre continued to offer programmes under the umbrella of the “Young Builders”, which aims to invest in the energies and talents of young people and youth from the UAE. The number of graduates of the Ibn Al Dar programme since its launch has reached 190, of whom 4
4 have joined the Centre as cultural tour specialists, including 12 graduates who have joined the Centre on a full-time basis and 32 graduates who have joined the Centre on a part-time basis. The number of graduates of the ‘Junior Culture Guide’ programme has also reached more than 410. In addition, the Centre has completed the practical training of 155 university students specialising in tourism.

Projects

With the aim of sustaining and preserving the mosque’s facilities, the Centre has implemented a number of major maintenance and development projects, the most notable of which are:

– Dome maintenance project: The project involved the maintenance of the mosque’s 82 domes, including one of the largest domes in the world. The project was supervised by qualified national cadres and implemented according to the best international standards. 250 people participated in the implementation of the project, including 160 technicians specialised in scaffolding installation, and 90 technicians specialised in marble t
reatment. The project took approximately 200,000 hours to complete, at a rate of 10 hours per day.

– Golden crown maintenance project: The project involved the maintenance of the mosque’s 1,096 golden crowns. 12 specialised craftsmen participated in the implementation of the project, which took 20,160 hours to complete, at a rate of 8 hours per day.

– Signage project: In order to facilitate the visitor experience and ensure a safe visit for them, the Centre completed the design of 492 signboards. 304 signboards were also manufactured and 209 were installed. Thus, the work teams have completed 73 percent of the project.

– Visitor statistics system: The Centre has developed a system for counting its visitors through an integrated camera system that provides more accurate data on the number of worshippers and visitors to the mosque.

– Maintenance work: Last year, the Centre carried out 23,387 maintenance works, which were concerned with the sustainability of the safety and beauty of the mosque’s assets. The
Centre’s call centre, which operates around the clock, received 1,143 notifications requesting support and repair of damages to the mosque’s assets and facilities.

Media Coverage

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has achieved a prominent position as a leading religious and cultural platform, in addition to being a unique architectural landmark. This has made it the focus of attention for many local and international media outlets.

In 2023, the mosque’s Cultural Communication Department received more than 200 requests for media coverage. 2023 also saw the publication of numerous news stories about the mosque, including: More than 2,954 news articles published on news websites; More than 1,464 articles published on news networks and portals; More than 1,464 articles published in newspapers; More than 232 video reports broadcast on television and radio stations; and over 338 news reports prepared by news agencies.

Additionally, the Centre’s social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and X Platform) achieved a
remarkable presence, reaching 2,650,643 people from different cultures around the world through 587 posts published by the Centre throughout the year. Furthermore, tens of thousands of photos and posts by influencers and activists from different countries around the world were published on social media in various forms.

Accessibility

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre works to provide all the necessary facilities for worshippers and visitors to access the mosque and see its various facilities, corridors, and unique architectural details. This is reflected in the continuous increase in the number of visitors to the mosque from different cultures. The Centre provides them with a transportation service between its various parts using 42 electric cars, and a number of wheelchairs to serve the elderly and people of determination. To facilitate transportation to and from the mosque, the Centre has allocated parking spaces for taxis, with 8 parking spaces for charging electric cars, within the mosque’s parking s
paces. For the comfort of worshippers, 336 volunteers supervise the smooth flow of their entry for Friday prayers and provided them with comfort during their stay in the mosque.

As a leading hub and a standard reference for cultural and tourist destinations worldwide, the Centre provides its visitors with an integrated experience that allows them to spend a full day enjoying the mosque’s various facilities, including the “Souq Al Jami”, which offers all family members of different ages from more than 50 shops, in addition to a number of services that make their visit to the mosque a unique and unforgettable experience, such as photography service, various souvenir shops, and restaurants with a traditional Emirati character.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The National Guard Command, represented by the UAE Coast Guard Division, rescued a citizen and 3 people of Asian nationality whose boat capsized 17 nautical miles from the coast of the emirate of Sharjah – Hamriya Port.

The Coast Guard team was able to locate the boat, rescue all individuals, and provide them with first aid.

The operation demonstrated the firm commitment of the National Guard Command units to strengthening security and the safety of all citizens and residents in the UAE.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Dubai Municipality has initiated a new project within its agricultural beautification endeavours across the city.

This specific project is centred around the key hub where Al Meydan and Al Khail Streets intersect in the heart of the city. Covering 302,266 square metres, this project reflects the municipality’s commitment to increasing green spaces in Dubai and strategically planning and implementing beautification projects, to expand cultivated green spaces and elevate Dubai’s overall civil and aesthetic appearance.

This project includes state-of-the-art technologies leveraged by the municipality to implement sustainable irrigation systems and water drainage. These systems include fully automated irrigation mechanisms, eliminating the need for human intervention. Additionally, innovative wind-resistant spraying techniques have been integrated, resulting in water-saving of around 30 percent.

Implementing sustainable groundwater and rainwater drainage systems by the municipality has proven effective,
particularly during the recent rainfall. Furthermore, a pumping station with a capacity exceeding 280 cubic metres per hour and a tank with a capacity of 1,000 cubic metres has also been established. As part of the beautification efforts at the intersection, the municipality has also installed multi-coloured linear lighting systems.

Dawoud Al Hajri, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, emphasised the significance of the agricultural beautification initiatives and highlighted the efforts to expand green spaces across Dubai. These efforts reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as the best city to live in the world.

Al Hajri stated that increasing green spaces in Dubai is integral to the municipality’s strategies aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in the emirate. The goal is to establish a comprehensive environmental impact that preserves natural elements and resources while improving their o
verall quality. These efforts are expected to enhance Dubai’s attractiveness and aesthetic appeal while ensuring the highest standards of living and luxury for its residents.

Al Hajri said, ‘Dubai Municipality prioritises the development of agricultural beautification projects with a primary goal of enhancing the ever-renewing vitality of Dubai according to integrated world-class standards, in addition to fostering sustainability in Dubai by actively implementing innovative irrigation technologies that rely on fully recycled water.’

The patterns of horse hoof prints have inspired the design of the intersection. The outcome is a unique artwork that combines elements of wild nature with thoughtfully chosen ornamental plants. To elevate the city’s aesthetic appeal, the municipality has enriched the landscape by planting diverse evergreen tree species.

Additionally, the area where the two roads intersect will be adorned with ‘Chorisia’ trees (Chorisia Speciosa), marking its inaugural planting in Dubai. This tr
ee, belonging to the mallow family, features a broad, swollen stem that serves as a water reservoir. It also features large pink-red flowers.

The municipality consistently carries out agricultural beautification projects that adhere to the highest global standards. These efforts integrate innovative design elements and employ cutting-edge irrigation techniques utilising recycled water. The goal is to promote the sustainability of environmental resources.

In 2023, the municipality accomplished an exceptional milestone in tree planting within the emirate, with the successful planting of more than 185,000 trees, fulfilling the complete objectives of the Green Dubai initiative. This achievement led to the addition of an extra 234 hectares to the green area in Dubai. It further underscores the municipality’s commitment to afforestation, demonstrating a dedication to expanding vegetation and improving the per capita allocation of green spaces.

Source: Emirates News Agency