The Greater Eid

Eid Al Adha, is an auspicious occasion that takes place one day after Hajj is conducted, lasting for three days depending on the nation. The 27th November to 29th November 2009 marked Eid Al Adha in the Emirates. This festival is officially celebrated for the reason that when Muslims descended from Mount Arafat, also marking the end of Hajj at Mecca in Saudi. This ‘Greater Eid’ can be said to be an extension of the holy month of Ramadan.

Mrs. Qamar Rahab and her family have been residing in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates for 22 years. Each year, the Rahab family spends Eid with fervent zeal and vigour as it a festival of sacrifice and celebration.

‘Eid celebration is simply wonderful. The preparations, the prayers and the unity as a family makes us spend quality time together. Our celebrations are grand every year. We call guests and everyone dresses in their finest clothes. We also offer our prayers and then we invite and visit family and friends,’ said Mrs. Qamar Rahab.

It is a tradition during Eid that there is an exchange of greetings and gifts. Another ritual followed by the Muslims, is that they come together and remember Abraham's trials and thus with their own hands have to slaughter an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat as a sacrifice, thus the derivation of the name- ‘The Festival of Sacrifice’. Often this action is misinterpreted by those outside the faith. The sacrifice can be seen as a prayer where the animal being sacrificed is given to the poor as charity. Normally a part of that meat is also kept by the family. Although this isn’t an ordinary ritual either as certain verses are also recited during the procedure.

“It is a joyous occasion for us, as it is a time where we come together as a family. My in-laws and my parents have come from India to celebrate Eid. We unite during the special prayers. As a working mother, this time of year is indeed very special to me.” said Mrs. Qamar Rahab.

Charity is given a lot of relevance and Takhbir is said out aloud on the first day of Eid before the prayer as well as on the remaining four days after prayers. ‘Eid al adha, is a period of holiness, where we are again reminded of our religious values, since the holy month of Ramadan,’ said Mrs. Rahab's Husband, Mr. Aleem Rahab.

"I treat Eid Al Adha as a fresh start to the new year. I wash away my sins and begin life- ‘fresh’’," added Mr. Rahab.

Biryani, is the traditional food that is specially prepared by families during this auspicious festival

While Qamar’s children, Khashish Rahab and Rita Rahab who are aged 10 and 18 years old respectively, have their own perspectives to Eid. For little Khashish, ‘Eid is a chance for all of us to spend family time and ofcourse there are gifts and tasty food.’ she said, as she trailed behind her mother.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani

Expatriates Rejoice on National Day

Streets and landmarks all over the Emirates have been bedecked with colourful bulbs and UAE National flags as part of the arrangement made for celebrating the 38th National Day on 2nd December 2009. Cars decorated with national flags and images of the Rulers were a common sight on the Emirati streets.

The UAE National Flag held high

National Day instils patriotic sentiments among Emiratis as well to a majority of expatriates who feel no differently as they have lived here and have come to call this country their second home.

United Arab Emirates, known to be a melting pot of diversity and culture as it serves to more than 200 nationalities of diverse cultural backgrounds, residing harmoniously together.

Haque Esaham, residing in the UAE for the last 33 years has witnessed the Emirate evolve into the Emirate it is today.

“I have been living in the UAE for the last 33 years and I have never failed to see the patriotic feeling- a patriotic gene that National day brings to everyone. This auspicious day gives us a prestigious and nationalistic feeling. Every country celebrates its national day, but I think UAE takes it a step further, as it has a big image to live up to,” said Mr. Haque Esaham, a Insurance Manager from Bangladesh.

“By celebrating National we have come to realize how UAE has grown as a country and how we have grown with it,” added the 56 year old.

Apart from the peoples party on the Corniche with chanting, singing, dancing and of course engine revving and car horning, all the Emirates prepared for quite a few treats for the celebration of the UAE National Day. From extravagant shows to simpleton parks or picnics at the beach, local and expatriate families celebrated this special day unlike any other.

Usama Sayed spends time with his family and relatives on this joyous occasion

Usama Sayed, an Egyptian, who works as a Human Resource Manager, said “National day means a lot to me, it gives us a chance to unite, to spend quality time together with family, friends, relatives, acquaintances,”

“UAE has become a part of me, it holds great memories for me, my children were born in Dubai, the pleasant outings with my family such as these are things you remember for life and I am thankful for it,” reminisced Mr.Sayed, who has been residing in the UAE since 1997.

Mr. Ramzi and his two children, who love UAE as their very own

While Mr. Ramzi, 37 year old Jordanian shares a similar feeling, “I love UAE same as my country. I have been living in the Emirates for ten years now and it has offered me so much, that I am forever grateful. My two children were born and brought up here, even they treat UAE as their own,”

“UAE has given us, so many rights, treating us as equals, which I would not find in my own country, Palestine,” said Ms. Rima Khorshid, 19 year old Palestinian.

“Besides it being holidays, National day allows us to celebrate the day together, the locals want us to be part of the culture allowing us to be a part and participate on this special day,” she added.

Shakoufeh Khakipour is filled with enthusiasm on National Day

For Ms. Shakoufeh Khakipour, 21 year old Irani, “National Day is a day of joy and independence for UAE, it is not every day you get to see everyone come together to show their love for the country.”

It also gives us, Iranians a chance to show our love and respect for the country. It is also an opportunity for my family and friends to rejoice this special day with the Emiratis” said Ms. Khakipour.

Rawan Osama and her sister are filled with happiness as they celebrate National Day

While 8 year old, Ms. Rawan Osama from Sudan said “It is great to see the country so happy, that I feel so happy too. I was born here, so UAE is like my home as I have lived here my whole life,”
“There are lot of colours, shows and picnics for us and holidays for us to spend time together.” added little Rawan, frantically waving the National flag with her family.

2009 marks the 38th National Day for United Arab Emirates

National Day is traditionally celebrated every year, with more and more enthuse from the Emiratis as well as the expatriates. Expats have grown to love United Arab Emirates, as their own. For some expats, UAE is the only home they know while for others for Emirates could be a pedestal to their careers to even a holiday destination. All it matters is that expatriates slowly find themselves attached to the country, whether carrying good memories or bad.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani

A Tailoring Home

Sharjah is home to a vast number of tailoring shops. Tucked away in the gullies of the Irani Market, a Bazaar known for dry fruits, household items, textiles and tailoring, lies a small yet reputed tailoring shop that been serving customers since 1987.

Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House, founded in 1987

Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House, was the brainchild of one of the three Ahmed Brothers in 1987, when he first came to the Emirates. Mr. Zarfran Ahmed took up the tailoring business and then left it to his two brothers, Jamil Ahmed and Abishad Ahmed who man the shop, till today. “The idea of opening up a tailoring shop was not planned, when we came to the UAE. It just was just destiny, it just happened.” said Mr. Jamil Ahmed, 52 years. “It was easy to come to the Emirates and after my brother set up the shop, things just went on as it is today.”

Mr.Jamil Ahmed, one of the three Ahmed brothers, who founded Al-Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House in 1987

The two storey tailoring house was visibly busy, especially during this time of occasions such as Eid Al Adha and National Day. “We get most of customers during this time of year, as most of the celebrations take place like Eid, National Day, Christmas,” said Mr. Jamil Ahmed.

Mr. Jamil Ahmed, at work

Employed tailors that were assigned to their chores, hustled and bustled on the top floor as they worked on the imaginative and intricate embroidery, some were hemming pants, and then there were boys doing the ironing. “We specialize in embroidery be it of simple cloth, bed sheets or cushions,” said Mr. Jamil.

“We have recently opened another major showroom on the main street of Rolla, Sharjah. Al Rahlia Tailoring and Embroidery House, is our expansion from the Zarfran House, so we can reach more customers” added Mr. Jamil.

“We attract customers, from far and wide, that means there are a lot of dresses from different nationalities that we have improvised on, as tailors.” On one side of the shop, lay an array of dresses, shirts, skirts, Indian suits, abayas etc that were lined in a sea of hangers across the tailoring house, while the other side showcased different styles of embroidery for hankerchiefs, cushions, tablecloths, bed sheets etc.

Some of many designs from Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House

The number of styles were undoubtedly gamut, the only limit here seems to be the tailor’s imagination. “Older women are very choosy compared to men about their designs and give us specific instructions, which we follow. The secret to being a good tailor is to always keep your customers happy, which we, at Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House do.” said the proud Mr. Jamil.

Mr. Jamil with one of his finished products

“A good tailor should track it all together so that you can have a trying on session before the final stitching. When it is finished, we let the customers try it on again, until the customer is satisfied.” added Mr. Jamil, with a smile.

One of Zarfran's loyal customers, Mrs.Rokeya Begeum

“I have been coming to Zarfran Tailoring and Embroidery House since 1995, and I have always been happy with the results of my clothes.” said Mrs. Rokeya Begeum, residing in Sharjah.

When asked if tailoring has been his childhood passion, Mr. Jamil seems hesitant. “I never wanted to be a tailor, it just happened. I was a mechanic, working in Mumbai for ten years, then I came to the UAE, after that all I’ve done is tailoring,” he said, reminiscing his past. “Me and my brothers experimented and learnt all the lessons there are in the tailoring business. Whatever I am today is because of destiny...”

“This may be a shop to you or to any other customer, but to me and my brothers, this is our home. We have grown with this shop that we call ‘house’ which is actually home and is very dear to our hearts.” said Mr. Jamil, in a firm yet softened voice.

Whatever it may be, the knowledge and art of tailoring, of cutting and sewing cloth is one the most skilful and noble professions of its own kind.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani

Welcome to Al Shuwaiheyn

There are very few neighborhoods that make life convenient for bachelors, couples and families. One of the thriving arteries of Sharjah, Al Shuwaiheyn area provides residents and tourists everything that you could possibly need for day to day living.

Situated in the heart of Sharjah, just off the Corniche and on the north side of Burj Avenue (Bank Road), is one of our proud landmarks ‘The Arts area’. The Art area comprises five architecturally acclaimed heritage buildings and a mosque dating back to the end of the eighteenth century. Here you will find Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah Art Centre, Sharjah Art Galleries, Emirates Fine Arts Society and the Very Special Art Centre. There is also a café. Parking is easily available alongside the Creek (3 minutes walk) or in the basement below the Sharjah Art Museum.

Sharjah Arts and Heritage area

The Sharjah Art Centre is housed in the beautifully renovated three-storey Bait Al Sarkal that used to be the house of the British Commissioner for the coast of Oman and was later turned into the missionary hospital, where many prominent Sharjah residents were born. The Art Centre offers classes for all ages and abilities, conducted by qualified art teachers.

Sharjah Art Galleries -Bait Obaid Al Shamsi

Next door is the Art Cafe, which serves local meals, snacks and beverages. At the far end of the area, Art Studios are housed in the Obaid Al Shamsi house, where many artists have a place to work. Close by the house of Abdulla Al Sari has been transformed into an area where disabled persons can practice their art.

On the opposite side of the square is the Sharjah Art Museum, which was opened in 1997 and is the largest art museum in the Gulf. It has a total of 32 exhibition halls, of which eight are dedicated to the private collection of the Ruler who has donated them to the museum. This collection consists of eighteenth and nineteenth century oil paintings, watercolours and lithographs as well as modern paintings of local scenes.

The museum has a very active programme of rotating exhibitions, covering every field of art, both local and international. Currently showcased is ‘The Orientalist Collection’ displays the works of art in the Sharjah Art Gallery, which were personally collected by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah who takes special interest in his passion for art and culture. It is common for Sheikh Qasimi followed by tight security to make timely visits to the Museum and heritage area, especially during the winter (November – March), as most inauguration of art exhibits take place during this time of year.

The Arts Ground is used as a Play area by children and an exercising ground by the residents

The architecture of the new museum building blends very well with the old buildings in the square, and the whole area with its narrow alleyways and special lighting has a very special atmosphere. The ground is also transformed to a play area for all the neighborhood children, football and cricket are common sports as well as cycling. Adults use the ground for exercising and refreshing walks.

Irani Market (Bazaar), renowned for household items, dry fruits and textiles.

Another vital element of this area, is the Irani Market (Bazaar), a chain of household items, textiles, grocery and perfume shops are very hard to miss. The Irani Market is an necessary stopover during Eid, where shoppers come from far and wide to buy the delicious dry fruits.

Sarah Shopping Centre, Sharjah

Sarah Shopping Centre, Sharjah Additionally, essential amenities like the Emirates Post office is also provided, Stationary shops, Furniture Shops, Video Libraries, Supermarkets/groceries, Furnished flats/hotels, Laundries/dry cleaning facilities, Tailoring/ Garment, prayer halls/mosques outlets as well as Medical Centers and hospitals are easily available and in variety of numbers. Al Shuwaiheyn also has its very own Shopping Centre. Sarah Mall is a four storey that has wide variety of jewellery, clothing and food outlets.

When it comes to dining, Al Shuwaiheyn does not let you down, providing an array of relishing cuisines such as Afgani, Iranian, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani and Arabian, that too at reasonable rates.

Al Shuwaiheyn being a commercial area, one is bound to be exposed to traffic especially on weekends, as locals and expatriates love to spend limitless amount of time browsing through the shops.

Khalid Port / Abra

Al Shuwaiheyn also endows what no other neighborhood can, the sweet smells of the biscuit factory (Tiffany) that is opposite the Irani Market welcome visitors to the neighborhood. The factory is separated from the street by a narrow part of the Arabian Sea. The Khalid Port is a mini abra that allows trading through sea to occur easily. The most scenic view is when the sun sets, you can witness the sun sinking into the ocean from your balcony allowing you relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. Early morning and late evening most adults go for walks along the coast that leads to the Sharjah Beach.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani

Living in Abu Dhabi

Welcome to the Abu Dhabi!

Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the Gulf’s top destinations for expatriate workers, and once you’re settled in you’ll find that it is a city with much to offer.

Abu Dhabi offers a lavish lifestyle that is simply way beyond what many people could expect to enjoy back in their home countries thereby attracting expatriates to this haven of a place. With a high standard of living, tax free salaries and overall inexpensive living costs, life in Dubai allows your money to go a lot further than it would back home. Abu Dhabi ensures a safe living environment, with very low levels of crime, combined with year round sunshine, and its no wonder numerous people are seeking a move to the Emirates. With a large array of nightlife and dinning options from which to choose, and all located in some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, you will certainly be the envy of your friend and family back home.

The UAE's National Flag

Arabic is the official language although English is widely spoken. Most English-speaking expats find that they can get by with virtually no Arabic, especially those working in the major expat cities (e.g. Dubai). However, as in most countries, learning the local language can prove to be a valuable asset and will certainly be appreciated by UAE nationals.

Dubai is often recognised as being the most Westernized of UAE cities in terms of both appearance and attitude but some expats suggest that Abu Dhabi is even more so (accommodation is also slightly cheaper in Abu Dhabi). With the world financial crisis, certain employment fields such as property, construction and financial services sectors have all seen a reduction in manpower, but nevertheless, Abu Dhabi is, compared with most other countries, still booming alleged http://www.expatfocus.com/

Being a first timer to our Capital, there list of things you’ll have to deal with in the first few weeks can be a little daunting, and you may well be in for a lot of form filling, queuing, and coming and going. Try not to let it spoil things though, because you’ll hopefully soon be a fully fledged resident enjoying your new life, and all that boring bureaucracy will be a distant memory.

Some of the key issues you should be covering are listed below.

Residence Visa: If you wish to work and live in Abu Dhabi, an application to the Immigration Department for a residence visa has to be made, endorsed by your sponsor. A residence visa is issued for three years. An application for a residence visa must be accompanied by a health card issued by the Ministry of Health. Applicants testing positive for AIDS are not granted a visa. The residence visa or work permit can be applied for here. Officially, the residence visa is issued in 25 working days, but delays running into a couple of months are common.

Identity Card: A UAE ID card is in the process of being introduced for all residents, which will combine your labour, health and eGate cards in one. All expatriates in Emirates are required to register themselves with the Emirates Identity Authority and apply for an identity card. Foreigners should submit notarized documents with the application. Details of the process and the application form can be downloaded here. The ID card stores all your personal data and can be used in all dealings with the government.

Getting Around/ Travel: The primary means of local transport in Abu Dhabi is taxi hire. There are numerous car rental agencies and private companies operating in Abu Dhabi. Unbelievably cheap and available in profusion, taxis in this city are mainly white and yellow in color. The newly-introduced Al Ghazal Express taxi service is another feather in the cap of Abu Dhabi's local transportation

Bus services are called OJRA. OJRA truly lives up to its name - and symbolises the comfortable, affordable, way to use public transport across the city. The Monthly and Day ‘Ojra’ passes can be purchased at bus stands, and Ojra-branded kiosks at Marina Mall, Khalidiya Police Station, Central Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and other selected outlets.(For more information on Bus Services, Routes and Fares). The types of OJRA Bus Pass; One Trip Ticket, Day Pass, Monthly Pass, Senior Citizen and Special Need.

While an International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A local driving licence can be issued on presentation of a valid national driving licence, two photos and a passport.

Setting up a Home in Abu Dhabi

In 2005 Abu Dhabi introduced a new law allowing expats to buy property within designated investment areas of the city. If you want to avoid the financial uncertainty in the rental market, and your long-term future lies in Abu Dhabi, purchasing a home could be an attractive option. In the UAE, it can be a worthwhile investment, as any capital gains or rental income made on the property is all tax free in Abu Dhabi, but not necessarily so in your home country.

The real-estate market is expected to grow, and recent estimates suggest that 250,000 new homes will be needed in the next 10 years to cope with an expected 100% rise in Abu Dhabi’s population. The phenomenal economic growth in the capital and the expected boom in tourism are influencing potential buyers to take the plunge and invest. If you’re thinking of buying you need to seriously consider the extra costs involved, such as estate agent fees, which are usually 1% of the property value, and legal fees. You will also be charged for registering the property and for service and maintenance, which can add up to a substantial amount.

Buying an Abu Dhabi property does not guarantee you a residence visa; however, various visit or tourist visas can be granted subject to application or on arrival. There are currently two designated investment areas in Abu Dhabi available for sale to all nationalities – Reem Island and Al Raha Beach, which are still under construction. But even with the economic crisis prices are still very high: in February 2009 a very modest four bedroom villa with a small private swimming pool in Golf Gardens cost Dhs 5.5 million.

Rental is still the name of the game in the Abu Dhabi housing market, although the number of options to purchase a property is definitely on the increase. Prior to 2005, unless you were a UAE or GCC national, you could not own property or land in Abu Dhabi. When that law changed, the major real estate companies were quick off the mark to develop properties available for sale to non-nationals.

New residents arriving in Abu Dhabi on a full expatriate package may very well have accommodation included, but don’t be fooled by the charm of the ‘expat lifestyle’ – life here can be more expensive than you think. Rents shot through the roof in recent years, so much so that the government stepped in and put a cap on the amount a landlord could increase the rent by per year. Although they are beginning to fall again as a result of the global economic crisis, they are still proportionally high compared with many other cities.

If you are given the choice of arranging your own accommodation, the options are either to live in an apartment or a villa. There are several compounds of villas with facilities, but they tend to be very popular and the new ones are snapped up very quickly. They usually have higher rents than individual villas to cover the cost of security, the leisure facilities, which often includes swimming pools, gyms, and tennis courts. Many of the recently opened luxury apartment complexes also have health clubs and some even come fully furnished; handy if you’re ready to move straight in.

Renting In Abu Dhabi Employers are legally obliged to provide accommodation or an accommodation allowance, although no guidelines are given as to how much this should be. Some large organisations, like ADNOC, have their own compounds or residential complexes. Other companies have arrangements with particular apartment buildings or compounds and reserve a percentage of the properties for their employees.

Your contract may offer you the option of choosing company facilities, or taking a cash amount. Accepting company facilities will save you a great deal of time, effort, and stress in finding a place to live, and it will probably be well-maintained. Some expats use the company facilities for the first year, until they are settled, and then find something they are happier with.

In general, the rent for most property is paid annually, in advance. Some landlords may accept payment in more than one cheque, meaning that you provide them with an agreed number of post-dated cheques that will be cashed on their due date. There are a number of employers that will arrange to pay your rent payments directly from your salary, which can save a lot of hassle.

With the Rent Cap, rent can only be increased on an annual basis when you renew your contract. Prices have sky-rocketed during the past few years with some properties increasing by as much as 30-50%. In 2006, Abu Dhabi’s government introduced a rent cap to try to control the market. Rental increases are, in theory, limited to 5% or so a year so your annual rent should not rise beyond that. However some landlords get around this by evicting existing tenants, saying that urgent repairs need to be done, and then immediately bringing in new tenants at a higher rent, thereby avoiding the cap for another year.

With the economic downturn, rent-rises have slowed, but by early 2009 the swelling population and slowdown in construction meant rents were still increasing. Finding A HomeUsing an estate agent is the obvious choice to help narrow your search for a home, as they have a good idea of what is available on the market. Agents’ services come at a cost though: the usual commission rate is 5% of the first year’s annual rent. Sometimes dealing directly with the landlord can save you money, but many of them prefer to deal through agents, so you end up paying the commission anyway. Be aware of unscrupulous estate agents who pose as private renters and don’t ever pay a viewing fee – it’s illegal for agents or individuals to charge you to view a property.

To Let signs aid people looking for homes

When you’re looking for a home it is worth checking the classified ads in the local papers, the noticeboards at supermarkets such as Spinneys, websites such as http://www.expatriates.com/, http://www.propertyfinder.ae/ and http://www.alloexpat.com/, and driving round the areas you are interested in to find the ‘To Let’ signs. Properties nearing completion often do not have signs up, so talk to the watchman as they will be able to provide you with the landlord’s details. Older properties can only be viewed once they are empty, and may not have been cleaned or maintained. Don’t let this put you off as by the time you move in all the maintenance should have been completed.

Rental properties go very quickly therefore you need to move fast. Homes can be taken within minutes of you viewing them so if you’ve found your dream home try and make a decision on the spot. The LeaseIn order for you to get a lease the estate agent will need a copy of your passport and visa, and an initial signed rent cheque. To rent through your company, you will need a copy of the trade licence, a passport copy of whoever is signing the rent cheque and, of course, the cheque itself.

In addition to the financial terms, your lease will also state what you are liable for in terms of maintenance and what your landlord’s responsibilities are. Therefore it is important that you read the contract and discuss any points of contention before you sign on the dotted line.

You should check for the following:

Rent payment – do you have to pay a whole year up front or in regular installments.

Aree who is responsible for the maintenance. Some rents may be fully inclusive of all maintenance and repairs, or you may be able to negotiate a cheaper rent if you carry them out yourself.

Whether water and electricity are included. If not, will they will be billed separately? Some apartments will have a standard fee for electricity.

Landlords do not have to provide parking, so check first to see if there is an additional charge for underground or covered parking.

Whether there is a security deposit required (usually between Dhs.3,000 and Dhs.5,000).

Any restrictions on pets - although cats are usually more acceptable than dogs. There are seldom such restrictions on villas.

Disputes: If you have a disagreement with your landlord over rent you can lodge a complaint at Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties if your property is managed by them (and a great many are). The Department of Social Services and Commercial Buildings office, commonly known as the Khalifa Committee, no longer exists, and ADCP (http://www.adcp.ae/) is its successor.

The Abu Dhabi Rental Disputes Committee was created to oversee rent disagreements between landlords and tenants. If the case goes to court the Arabic copy of your lease will be referred to, so make sure you get it translated before you sign your lease agreement, in case there are any hidden extras. Full details about settling rental disputes are available on the Abu Dhabi Government's website http://www.abudhabi.ae/ (under 'Land Transactions') or call the committee on 02 407 0145.

Real Estate Agents

If you need to find your own accommodation, it is generally best to go through an estate agent as they will handle all the paperwork for you. Most of the ads for the larger, reputable companies can be found in the property sections of the newspapers, and will say ‘No Viewing Fee’. However, there are individuals who act as agents who will try to charge you a Dhs.50–Dhs.100 fee for every property they show you, even if it is totally unsuitable. They are not actually allowed to charge a viewing fee so do not pay it.

Real estate agents help people find homes according to their needs

Your employer may have a recommended agent who will help you find a suitable place. Some employers will also pay the agent’s fee, which is a small percentage of the annual rent (5% is the standard), but you need to confirm this beforehand. It’s worth noting that single women may sometimes have difficulty renting apartments, and if this happens to you, you can get around it by putting your employer’s name on the lease.

Al Jar Properties : 8002 5527
Asteco Property Management : 02 626 2660
Aztec Properties :02 645 1672
Better Homes : 02 60052 2212
Cassells Real Estate : 02 681 7666
Cluttons : 04 334 8585
Future View Real Estate : 02 627 2992
Hayatt Real Estate : 02 4480 518
Homestyle Property : 02 672 3220
LLJ Property : 02 495 0500
Sherwoods : 04 343 8002
Silver Lake Property Management :02 676 2465

Main Accommodation Options

Apartments : AbuDhabi apartments come in various sizes, from studio to four bedroom, with widely varying rents to match. Presently the mid-range is Dhs.140,000-Dhs.180,000 per annum. Newer apartments usually have central air conditioning and the older ones have the noisier window A/C where the unit is in the apartment wall or window. Central A/C accommodation is usually more expensive, although in some buildings the air conditioning charge is included in the rent. Top-of-the-range, central A/C apartments often come semi-furnished (cooker, fridge and washing machine), and boast 24 hour security, satellite TV, covered parking, gym and pool. Normally the more facilities that come with the apartment, the more expensive the rent. Depending on the area, parking could be a problem so check to see if you get a space with the apartment.

Villas: Most people’s dream of expat life is to have a beautiful villa where you can spend lazy days by the pool and balmy evenings around the barbie. This lifestyle doesn’t come cheap, and smart villas are snapped up pretty quickly. Average prices for a fairly new three bedroom villa on a compound in 2009 are Dhs.300,000–Dhs.450,000 per annum. The good news is that if you look hard enough and use the grapevine, you might find the perfect villa that won’t break the budget. Depending on the area, size, and age of the villa it may be cheaper than some apartments. Villas differ greatly in quality and facilities. Independent villas are usually older but often have bigger gardens, while compound villas are usually newer and often have excellent shared facilities like security, a pool, and even a gym.

Hotel Apartments: An alternative option is to rent a hotel apartment – ideal if you require temporary, furnished accommodation, although they are expensive. Apartments can be rented on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. They come fully furnished and serviced (maid service), and usually have satellite TV and excellent leisure facilities. Water and electricity are included in the rent. Rates vary hugely according to the area and facilities provided. They can also fluctuate depending on the time of year, but usually if you take a yearly lease your rate will be fixed for that year.

Apartment/Villa Sharing: For those on a budget, the solution may be to share an apartment or villa with colleagues or friends. Check the noticeboards in supermarkets such as Abela and Spinneys, or at sports clubs, for people advertising shared accommodation. The classifieds sections in the local newspapers also advertises accommodation. But beware, subletting is illegal without the landlord's specific written approval and you could come home one day to find all your possessions in the street.

Other Rental Costs. Extra costs to be considered are:

Water and electricity deposit of Dhs.1,000 paid directly to Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) - but if you personally own the residence there is no deposit. • Fully-refundable security deposit (Dhs.5,000+).

Some landlords also require a deposit against damage (usually a fully-refundable, one-off payment). Real estate commission – 5% of annual rent (one-off payment).

Municipality tax (sometimes) – 5% of annual rent - usually shown separately on the electricity bill.

If you are renting a villa, don’t forget that you may have to maintain a garden and pay for extra water. To avoid massive water bills at the end of every month, some people choose to get a well dug in their backyard for all that necessary plant and grass watering. Expect to pay around Dhs.1,500 to Dhs.3,000 to have a well dug and a pump installed.

Mortgages

If you want a mortgage in Abu Dhabi you’ll find yourself paying up to 9% per annum on an 85% mortgage, currently the norm as a result of the credit crunch. You’ll find the banks more welcoming if you have a stable job (preferably not in banking or property) and want to buy a house or apartment to live in rather than speculate with. The type of customer they don’t want now is the highly-leveraged speculator who bought four properties off-plan and is now woefully over-stretched. If you’re self-employed you have an uphill battle: you’ll need a minimum two years of locally-audited accounts to show you’ve a good track-record in Abu Dhabi.

Mortgage Providers

ADCB : 800 2030
Amlak Finance : 02 446 3770
Barclays :02 495 8555
HSBC : 800 4722
Lloyds TSB Bank : 04 342 2000
Standard Chartered : 04 313 8888
Tamweel : 02 681 8252

Other Purchasing Costs

In addition to the usual costs of buying a property there are other costs involved, such as monthly maintenance charges, property transfer fees, estate agent fees, insurance, pool maintenance and security bills. In a compound or apartment building you may also have to use specified service companies for maintenance tasks and satellite TV.

Real Estate Law

If you are buying property in Abu Dhabi you should certainly seek the advice of a real estate lawyer before committing yourself. The laws surrounding the registration and transfer of property in Abu Dhabi are a complex minefield and change frequently. Whether you are buying freehold and leasehold, a house or an apartment, you should know exactly what to expect. And you should certainly have a will made in both the UAE. Currently non-UAE nationals can purchase property in two Investment Zones, Al Raha Beach and Saadiyat Island.

The Other Basics

Setting Up a P.O. Box

There is no mail delivery to street addresses in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi; all mail goes to P.O. Boxes at the various post office locations. Most residents have mail delivered to their company's post office box, which is collected daily by most companies, and delivered to their employees. Your address is normally accepted as the company's P.O. Box in the UAE.

Private post boxes are situated at all post offices, shelters, a number of commercial buildings and some postal agencies. Any individual or company renting/buying an apartment or office in a commercial building can rent a private post box either from the owner of the building or from Emirates Post directly (In accordance with the conditions laid down in the contract between the building's owner and Emirates Post).

Most people who move abroad for the first time completely fail to plan and prepare adequately for one of the most challenging, stressful experiences imaginable. Even those individuals or families who do try to anticipate the hurdles they will need to overcome often encounter unexpected problems which could easily have been avoided if only they had known more about what to expect. The subscription fee for a new P.O. Box (Individual /company) AED 50.
As post box facilities are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, subscribers can check mail at their convenience.

Looking for Work

The allure of a tax-free salary still draws in expats. Although the increased cost of living means less disposable income, good packages can still be found. Basic benefits, regardless of employment package, usually include around 30 calendar days of leave a year, and most organisations include annual flights back to your home country. Working hours vary quite dramatically within the emirate, and are based on either straight shift or split shift timings. Split shifts are still common in Abu Dhabi; they allow for an afternoon siesta and timings are generally 08:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00. The working week generally starts on Sundays and ends on Thursdays with a two-day weekend.

Newspaper supplements are excellent resouces for people looking for jobs or properties.

If you do not have a job upon arrival, an employment supplement is published in Gulf News on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in Khaleej Times on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Walking into a job is not as easy as it used to be, with many expats now relocating to the Gulf. However, there are opportunities available, and you will find skill sets are not as rigid as some other countries, making a career move more of a viable option.

The UAE government is strongly encouraging the private sector to give preference to Nationals when employing staff for white-collar management positions – a process referred to as Emiratisation.

Word of mouth can be invaluable in Abu Dhabi when it comes to finding a job, so try to use expat websites and make as many friends as possible! There are a number of recruitment agencies working in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Many agencies only accept CVs via email and then contact you for an interview. For the interview, you will need your CV and usually two passport photographs. Invariably, you will also have to fill out an agency form summarising your CV.

Banking

There is no shortage of internationally recognised banks in Abu Dhabi, all offering the full range of standard services. It is always easy to access your money, with ATMs available at most banks, major shopping malls, supermarkets and a number of petrol stations.

Most cards are compatible with other UAE banks so can be used in the majority of machines across the country (a few also offer global access links). To open an account at most banks in Abu Dhabi, you need to have a residence visa or have your residency application underway. The majority of employers will recommend a bank to you and may even help you to open an account.

You will need to present the banking advisor with your original passport, copies of your passport (personal details and visa) and an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your sponsor. Some banks set a minimum account limit, so it’s wise to shop around.

Financial Planning

Many expats are attracted to the UAE for the tax-free salaries and the opportunity to put a little something away for the future. There are many options for saving that you may want to seek professional advice about before squirrelling (or squandering!) away your hard-earned cash. There are several banks in the UAE that offer offshore banking, together with independent financial advisors.

Health

The quality of medical care in Abu Dhabi is high, and residents should have little trouble getting appropriate treatment. The government has also introduced mandatory private medical insurance for foreign residents and their families, so, by law, all employers have to provide health insurance for staff. In essence, the only ’free’ medical care in Abu Dhabi is emergency treatment; everything else needs to be paid for or covered by insurance.

You can still get treatment in both government and private hospitals, but the fees will be similar regardless of which type of hospital you choose. Generally, dental care and screening tests aren’t usually provided as standard.

In Abu Dhabi, you do not register with a clinic or surgery on arrival in the city. If you are unwell, you can ring the hospital or clinic of your choice for an appointment, or you can just turn up and be seen by a duty doctor. You will need to show your insurance card and health card and you will be given a copy of the bill for your treatment.

Personal recommendations are the best way to find out which hospitals are best, but if you’re new to the city and do not know who to ask, try the Dr McCulloch Clinic. It offers sound advice in English, Urdu, French and Arabic (02 633 3900). The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi manages all government hospitals; for more information on the services provided, see www.health.ae/

Most pharmacies are open Saturday to Thursday, and some open with shorter hours on Fridays. There are a number of pharmacies which are open 24 hours a day – the locations and telephone numbers are printed in the daily newspapers. Many of the less harmful drugs that require prescriptions in the UK or the US can be bought without prescriptions in Abu Dhabi. However, some drugs, especially those containing addictive substances, may be hard to find.

Register with your embassy – this is often overlooked but it could be a life-saver.

Socialise – Once the hard part is over you can relax and meet people; consider joining a social group.

Till then, United Arab Emirates welcomes all, with open arms to the 'Land of Oppurtunity'.

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani

Worth a thousand words and more

Pictures have their own unique way of communicating a story to you than mere words. Do you still reminisce those days as a young kid, where waiting for the next issue of Superman or Phantom seemed ages away. Visiting bookstores, standing in queues filled with spasms of eagerness to grab your very own copy of your favourite illustration was one among a few things we all did as a youngster.

Comics play an influential role in children's lives.

Superman, Spiderman, Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, X-men, Archie, Tinkle all have one thing in common that they are popularly read with colourful, catchy imagery known as ‘Comics’.

Comics date back to the 19th century America, where comic strips began to appear in the Sunday supplements of newspapers. The first among these comic strips was Richard Felton Outcault's ‘The Yellow Kid’ which appeared in the February 16, 1896 Hearst New York American. In March 1897, these strips were compiled into Hearst's Sunday Journal and sold for 5 cents. From this humble beginning an industry was born, to evolve to what it is in our image-constructed world.

Comics play an influential role when it comes to within the educational establishment. Although, this wasn’t the case until the 1970's. Karl Koente, Author of Careful use of Comic books wrote that ‘Richard W. Campbell was among the innovative few, integrating comics into a fourth grade reading program.’ Comics are useful in the language arts, particularly in teaching dialect and characterization. In trade journals, educators Kay Haugaard (1973) and Constance Alongi (1974) recommended using comic books with reluctant readers, while Bruce Brocka (1979) enlisted comic books as a defence against a new enemy to literacy: Television.

Today, educators at all levels are designing new ways of teaching through comics. In 2002, the New York City Comic Book Museum released C.O.M.I.C.S., an eight-lesson curriculum for K-12 students teaching the reading and creation of comics. Dozens of schools across the nation ordered the curriculum before it was even complete. The National Association of Comics Art Educators evangelizes colleges and universities on the importance of comics-based courses. Their website (www.teachingcomics.org) features the syllabi of existing courses, instructional units written by cartoonists and professors, and an online community of comics educators. “Comics are a fabulous way to get kids thinking creatively.” said Mr. Johnson, a teacher at Our Own English High School.

Traditional newspaper comic strips are still a popualr read among students.

Many of today's teachers use comics to encourage the very abilities some educators in the 1940’s feared it would squelch: reading and imagination. “Not only are comics colourful, but it is funny and easy to read, indulging readers varying from ages as young as four to the sixties’ said Ms. Zahra Ahmed, a local librarian “Comic books useful in luring teenagers away from their televisions and video games.” she adds.

There are several strengths of having comics in an education curriculum. By far, the most frequently mentioned asset of comics as an educational tool is its ability to motivate students. Mrs. Sushma Menon, resident of Dubai shares that comics was the only way to motivate her son to read, "The first thing my oldest boy read because he wanted to was a comic book." She goes on to describe a similar phenomenon in her younger children. Mrs. Brinda Bhatia, a housewife residing in Sharjah also testifies to "the magnetic attraction comic books wield for children." She also found that comics' visual quality increases learning.

Comics have evolved with todays digital era, giving rise to Web-comics.

By inviting comics into their classrooms, educators can take advantage of the fantastic motivating power of comic books. Comics composed of pictorial and other images, is a fundamentally visual medium. This is seen to be more than a primary advantage over other literary forms. "Comics can have both words and visuals which can quite literally put a human face on a given subject resulting in an intimate, emotional connection between the reader and characters of a comic’s story.” said Ms. Neha , an avid comic reader.

United Arab Emirates got its own, first-ever comic book superhero in July 2007, with a mission to promote national identity and culture. "Ajaaj" is the brainstorm of Watani, the UAE's social development program as part of its efforts to "uphold the national identity and encourage a sense of good citizenship," said the group's general coordinator Ahmad Obaid al-Mansuri, on Al Arabiya. An ancient fictional character, "Ajaaj," which means sandstorm in Arabic, has been recast as a trim, young, Emirati man whose feats are set in the UAE in 2020.

Film and animation, in contrast to comics, are visual but time-bound. Language and actions in film and animation are fleeting. The medium, rather than the audience, dictates how quickly the viewing progresses. The text medium, on the other hand, shares comic’s “permanent” component but not its “visual” which is unique only to comics.

Comics can lead students towards the discipline of reading, especially those who don't enjoy reading or have a fear of failure. Comics can also scaffold to disciplines and concepts outside of the language arts. For example, Jay Hosler's Sandwalk Adventures, a comic book starring Charles Darwin and a talking follicle mite, introduces readers to evolutionary biology.

According to www.humblecomics.com, Comics have become a popular source of media, thereby increasing media literacy, encouraging students to “become critical consumers of media messages, having developed the ability through exposure to accurately appraise media content or quality and accuracy.”

Comics have come a long way and since then there no looking back- Comics have strived to become an intricate part of our lives and so it has.

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani

The Fight against the Pirates

Online piracy is a worldwide phenomenon. Ever since the advent of the Internet, illegal copying or distributing unauthorized software has become more of a natural process than a criminal offence. Users, just like you and me ignore the fact that they are stealing some or all operations including the advertising, offering, acquiring, or distribution of pirated software. ‘Don’t you think ‘Stealing’ is a harsh word, everyone I know is doing it, it’s easier, convenient and fast.’ said Ms. Zehra Ahmed, 18 years.

While the Internet vastly increases opportunities to sell products and services to its unlimited yet anonymous audiences, it also creates new opportunities to pilfer not only software but movies, music, videos and images as well. And this software theft and such distributions threaten to put jobs, technology and revenue that the Internet promises dangerously at stake. The Internet allows products to move from computer to computer, with no middle man transaction and little risk of detection. Some piracy schemes may even involve computers without the owner's knowledge. Piracy that once required an understanding of complex computer codes can now be done with the click of a mouse. And nearly 100 million Americans now have Internet access, according to recent estimates, supplying software pirates with a growing market.

Retail music sales are falling so quickly, in part because of file-sharing, that there may not be much of an industry to protect with the passage of time. And piracy is almost as tough to measure as it is to fight. ‘True, that piracy rips musicians and industries off their material, but it also gives back their share of publicity letting Users familiarize the unknown in our limitless media world, where every second something new is published!’ said Mr. Ali Hussain, a consultant to a business firm.

The continuous attempts to shut down file-sharing websites have resulted to the growth of others. The battle can never be won, Hollywood and the Pirates are always at head and neck with each other, the question is when will it stop? ‘Never’ says Mr. James Johnson, an avid internet user. ‘True this is a debate that is moot for now, but even if piracy is halted by the law, it will still continue somewhere or the other.’ He added.

Cutting people’s broadband connections, or slowing them down, is also much smarter than trying to imprison offenders; suing people has proven to be expensive, unpopular and ineffective.

‘The best way to wean people off illegal but free downloading is to educate them that it is illegal in the first place’ said Mr. Krishna Moorty, IT specialist.

But for now the battle continues...

Quirk, Quirkier and the Quirkiest

Have you ever noticed that it’s often the smallest, most mundane things in life that brighten up our world? Exotic holidays, supercars and a jet-setting lifestyle are all very well (don’t I wish), but the most unexpected and quirky things such as funny names, odd signs, funny menus and those little yet distinct human idiosyncrasies can make a difference to day-to-day living.

Living here in Dubai, amongst a melange of nationalities, the number of quirky things one can find can definitely tickle one’s chuckle button. ‘I spotted a sign-written van recently, obviously delivering its wares from factory to shop’ explained 32 year old Mr. Alan Andrade. ‘The company’s name was Shiny Shiny Utensils which really appealed to my sense of humour. Unfortunately, their warehouse went up in smoke shortly after that, so I imagine their utensils were more sooty than shiny.’ said Mr. Andrade laughing at the mere thought.

Quirkiness surrounds us, we are immersed in it. Most of the time, we fail to see it even when it slaps us in the face. But it exists, seamlessly like behind a curtain yet defining character in our lives. ‘I collect shoes!’ exclaimed Ms. Annie Picardo, 26 years old. ‘I simply love footwear, I own over 75 pairs of shoes and my mom hates me for it. But as much as I try, it can’t be helped the style, design even the smell just mesmerizes me to want more and more.’ She added, lost in notion as she speculated when her next shoe-shopping was.

All of us have quirky habits of some type, be it drumming our fingers, twirling our hair, biting our nails, humming a tune, SMS-ing at every given opportunity or even chewing gum. ‘I sectionalize my food during my meals, making sure nothing mixes while I eat.’ said Kaahini Vyas, a University student. ‘I concentrate on one type of food then tend to the other, that’s why I don’t do well at buffets’ added Ms. Vyas. While 6 year old Aditya Menon eats his share of servings in geometrical shapes. For he eats triangular chappatis, circular cut vegetables and fruits. ‘It’s more fun and easy for me to eat’ said little Aditya who nibbled away his dinner.

Unintentionally funny menus always provide an opportunity for a snigger or two. Businessman, Mr. Mullah shared his quirkiest experience ‘I once had a fit of giggles at “Stuffed Mixed Items”, much to the waiters mystification and still to this day I remember “Meat Pice”, “Dounts” and “Crepes Your Choice Of” from a Cafe proudly claiming, “It’s not only coffee shop”.’

You just can’t help but smile...

Behind Brown Eyes

As the scorching sun nestled into the ocean, the prayer call boomed out of every residential microphone, leaving the usually busy streets eerily empty. Time ticked away to the hour of iftar where Muslims ‘breakfast’, their first full meal of the day.

Kneeling amidst her family, eleven year old Najea Nassir offered her prayers and broke her fast with some dates and milk given by her mother. Excitements coupled with anxiety were clearly evident from her facial expression for this year was special to her, as it marked her very first Ramadan.

It was Day 19 of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims all around the world refrain from food and drink during daylight hours, donate to the unfortunate and - above all – devote themselves completely in prayer. Like Najea, children as young as ten are part of these customs bestowing values that are much bigger than themselves. ‘My first few days of fasting were plain tough, she explained reminiscing her initial days of fast. With school and the unbearable heat I almost thought it was impossible, but I saw some of my friends also following the fast and even my own sister did when she was my age. I knew that with some patience and encouragement I could complete my first Ramadan’ smiled Najea, the brown eyed sixth grader proudly revealing a big toothy grin. Besides fasting Najea does her bit by collecting coins or money to donate to the needy, help cook meals for breaking the day's fast and read Qur'an with the family in the evening.

Some children fast for a part of a day, or for one day on the weekend, especially in the shorter winter months. Children enjoy the "grown-up" feeling that they receive when they are participating in the special events of the family and community. But there is more to Ramadan than fasting itself, generosity, self-restraint, spirituality, discipline and self-actualization are traits that are naturally endured ultimately making a better Muslim.

Electronics Extravaganza

GITEX Shopper & Consumer Electronics Expo is the most awaited event in technology retailing in the Middle East giving visitors two weekends of shopping. The show, was organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, which ran from Saturday 17th October to Saturday 24th October, at Airport Expo Dubai, in order to meet growing demand from consumers from across the regions who visit the show.

The consumer IT and electronics market in the UAE continues to grow, according to figures from Business Monitor International. Sales of computing devices, mobile handsets, and video and gaming products are set to rise from US$2.9 billion in 2008, to US$4.5 billion by 2013.

In 2008, GITEX Shopper attracted 132,761 visitors, resulting in reported sales of AED 112 million (US$30.4m).

GITEX 2009 meets growing demand of consumers from across the regions.

This year, GITEX has earmarked its technological retailing craze during the 3rd week of October. Proving to be a pedestal for the biggest brands in consumer electronics which offers a wide array of mobile handsets, smart phones,mobile computers, LCD's and plasma TV sets.' GITEX, is one the eagerly awaited events- so we can best deals from big brands' said Mr. Hassan, a Dubai based Businessman. 'GITEX is a common marketplace for all electronic retailers to come under one roof and give consumers its best offers...as they are competiting for the consumers attention.' he added.

Buyers browse over the attractive offers at GITEX

Recognized as THE annual event for technology vendors, distributors and resellers, GITEX Shopper delivers a unique opportunity to launch the latest products and present the ultimate deals and offers to the region. On 22nd October 2009, GITEX launched the latest Windows 7, even prior its global launch. ‘Manufacturers are launching new models and products and are offering longer warranty periods while dealers are going ahead with expansion plans in the belief that market conditions in the UAE are improving.’ said Mr. H. Mohammad, a salesman from Panasonic outlet. The group recently launched the longest lasting alkaline battery in the UAE market. The Panasonic Evoia range are the first batteries to receive the Guinness World Records certification after stringent tests against competitors.

GITEX 2009: unique opportunity to launch the latest products and present the ultimate deals and offers to the region.

Now in its 19th year, GITEX Shopper has a well established track record of attracting buyers from the GCC, Iran, North Africa, CIS and the Indian subcontinent. With over 3300 stalls hosting of customer promotions, easy payment facilities, credit card promotions and instant rewards on purchases and with more than AED 2 million worth of prizes were given away. By spending just AED 500 visitors were entered into a draw, which had a top prize of a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, with other prizes including X-box consoles, digital cameras, camcorders and LCD TV’s.’ The offers at GITEX are mind boggling, each stall provides offer after offer that most of the time, I end up confused. But i've heard alot about acer, so i was thinking of buying that' said Mrs. Sheetal Rao, a housewife interested in buying a laptop for her son.

Branding over the invisibles

It’s human nature to thread over what’s familiar. We choose popular brands over the other invisibles. Jumbo, Jacky’s were two stalls that dominated the central hall of exhibition throughout week if GITEX. While Hp and acer didn’t leave a space unspared from advertising, covering the entrance to the exit ensuring consumers took note of the advertisers brands play important roles in our purchases, serving as an identity to our product. ‘GITEX itself is a brand that draws customers from all over the world, Gitex promises the best deals during this time unlike any other time of the year’ said Mr. Abdulla, an official from the information desk.

Each of the good brands was visibly competitive for the consumer’s attention. With attractive offers from each stall, even the brands didn’t miss out on that opportunity. With Jumbo tag lines reading 'jumbo is GITEX' providing free color printers and accessories with every laptop.
While Jacky’s had a hi5 hour which allowed visitors to win five LG Net books and five LG mobiles every hour.Plus a chance to win one 42 inch LG full HD Scarlet TV with Bluetooth everyday of the week of GITEX.

Dubai Municipality stall at Gitex gets tremendous attraction

Dubai Municipality stall at Gitex 2009 in the Sheikh Rashid Hall has started attracting tremendous response from the visitors, including VIPs from the very first day onwards.

The stall showcases a variety of online services offered by the various departments and sections of the civic body for traders as the number of e-service has reached up to 100.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said the Municipality has been able in record time to complete all the required plans and instructions, to implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as the number of services offered to customers has increased up to 95% and is expected to reach 100% by the end of the year.

Lootah said that this would enhance status of the Municipality at the local, regional and global levels, making it share its experiences with major international companies that have come from different places of the world to present the most important findings of the digital world, by virtue of the exhibition Gitex with a wide international participation, including 3,300 companies from 68 countries, which is the most important event within the specialized field in the Arab region, which attracts large number of visitors from all over the world, as Dubai is an oasis technology.

He stressed that the Municipality aims, through its participation, to spread the culture of e-transformation and the promotion of Municipal services available on its website. Lootah added that the civic body has endeavoured to present new and innovative e-services in every session of the previous exhibitions, most notably the idea of e-week launched by the Municipality in the last session.

The idea is simple: stop the paper-based transactions in one of the departments for a period of one week and to direct customers to accomplish their transactions electronically, either from their offices or homes or through the screens in the Customer Service Section at the Municipality headquarters.He added that the idea had a large positive effect, contributing to the increase in the proportion of e-transaction in the Municipality and this is what prompts in thinking about launching similar creative ideas within the framework of its commitment and the march to complete e-transformation.

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani

The FAT Truth: Young Lives At Risk

The popularity of multimedia and easy access to fast food has caused many UAE youngsters to become alarmingly sedentary, leading to Obesity. Statistics noted by the UAE Government programme to eradicate childhood obesity indicate 12 per cent of children in the country are overweight, with 22 per cent of them at risk of obesity. In light of such worrying information, all efforts are being made to raise awareness of the dangers of obesity and promote healthy eating and exercise, now more than ever.

According to Dr. Mandar Bichu, Paediatrician at Dr. Mandar Medical Clinic, Sharjah, an obese child is one between the ages of two and 18 with an excess of body fat as measured by their body mass index (BMI). Girls with more than 32 per cent body fat are considered obese, as are boys with more than 25 per cent body fat.

Dr. Mandar Bichu, practicing Paediatrician in Sharjah, UAE. Author of Right Parenting and founder of major web portal on parenting and child's health 'www.rightparenting.com'

‘The most common causes to this epidemic rise of adolescent obesity is eating too much and exercising too little.’ says Dr. Mandar V. Bichu, also a recently published author of Right Parenting as well as founder of rightparenting.com, a major web portal on parenting and child’s health established in 2007.

‘Children, unlike adults, need extra nutrients and calories to fuel their growth and development. So if they consume the calories needed for daily activities, growth and metabolism, they add kilograms in proportion to their growth. But children who eat more calories than needed, gain weight beyond what’s required to support their growing bodies.’ added Dr. Bichu, ‘Stress levels among teenagers, is yet another factor that escalates the growing concern of obesity among teenagers. With fierce educational competition among students develops incessant dependence over comfort foods.’ explained Dr. Bichu.

The UAE Government programme indicates at least 26 per cent of residents eat at fast food restaurant once a week. In addition, more than 40 per cent of children spend three hours a day in front of the television or on a computer. Warning parents about risks of excessive weight gain in youngsters, Dr. Bichu elaborated how overall health can be affected. “Child obesity complications can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer in addition to psychological problems,” he said.

Media: a contributing factor to epidemic rise of Obesity

So, the burning question here, is media the sole reason to blame? “Media influence plays a strong mediator to teenager’s dietary habits, sometimes not everything they see is reality. Teenagers are prime targets to advertisements that are continuously screened on Television, which I think is one of the powerful mediums today.” said Dr. Bichu.

Hence, what can be done to avoid unhealthy weight gain and promote a healthy lifestyle? “This issue can be addressed most effectively by modifications in the entire family’s diet and lifestyle habits,” says Dr. Bichu.

He recommends starting the day with a healthy breakfast to ensure your teen has high energy levels throughout the day and prevent binge-eating. For the rest of the day, he suggests eating five servings of fruit and vegetables everyday, including portion in each meal served. Teenagers should be encouraged to enjoy at least an hour of physical activity per day, while limiting ‘screen time’ spent in front of the TV, since that promotes overeating,” says Dr. Bichu.

“Limit consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, which include store-bought fruit juices, flavoured or sweetened water and sodas which are falsely endorsed in media. Encourage drinking water and low fat milk instead.”

Youngsters pick Junk food over healthier options when given a choice

He also comments on how teenagers are manipulated by appealing advertisements that are on television, newspaper and internet. “This not only, affects the pattern of nutrition of one regional and ethnic group, but all of them at one time. So great is the strength of media and because of this excessive exposure, the younger generation pick Junk food over healthy food when given a choice.” he says.

When asked, is obesity the only eating orders than a teenager suffers from? Dr. Bichu says, “I have had few anorexic and bulimic cases which are complete opposites of obesity. Obesity is the most common problem among the teenagers. This is because of the latest trend that the teenagers are following- watching television, playing games and surfing net, no physical exercises, eating lots of dairy products and maintaining eating habits.”

Teenagers are multimedia addicts

“Obesity is not an illness, but a lifestyle disease.” says Dr. Bichu. The average citizen can see that the problem of obesity among teens is real by reading newspapers and walking the streets, but neither the experts nor the general public have the solutions to the problem. Teens spend much of their time in front of their computers or watching television programs. The eating habits of teens have also contributed to the growing obesity among teens. Teenagers eat fast food that is more available than when their parents and grandparents were teenagers. Poor nutrition and the lack of activity seem to be the reason for the problem.

As the reasons for the problem of obesity among teens seem to be clear, and many experts have begun to offer solutions. Teenagers should be offered nutritious lunches at schools. The administrators in schools should carefully watch the menus, and the menus should be changed to provide foods that are not fattening. Parents must also be educated about nutrition and encouraged to feed their teenagers nutritious food at home. “Another factor that influences adolescent obesity is that parents have been taking the wrong steps and asking the wrong questions. Parents usually relate ‘health’ equivalent to ‘weight’ which is wrong!” exclaimed Dr. Bichu, Parents are fixated on the ‘perfect’ weight for their child, which is again influenced by media. Mothers concerned on how much my child is eating is wrong again, it’s what they are eating that is important.” explained Dr. Bichu.

Along with ensuring a healthy diet and exercise, Dr. Bichu feels parents should take care not to make their child feel that they have singled out in the family. “Parents should avoid targeting interventions only to their overweight child, since that may lead to a negative self-image and lack of confidence,” he adds. “Talk to your child about the importance of eating well and active being but make it a family affair that will become second nature for everyone. Focus on health rather than weight, and involve your child in making the healthy food choices.”

Programs should be offered to get teenagers away from their computers and television sets. There should be more sports and social activities that promote movement that teenagers enjoy. Dancing and tennis will both burn up calories much more quickly than watching television so these activities should be more readily available for teenagers.

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani

Repercussions of Recession

It’s been two years since the credit crunch hit Dubai affecting not only the economy but people’s lives. Here is one among a thousand tales of a once deployed man who faced the treachery of unemployment during recession.

‘I got a feeling of hitting rock bottom. One day I’m at my desk with a steady stream of income, and the next I’m on my laptop rewriting my CV,” reflects, 47, A.A (with held name by request) a highly educated Human Resource Manager, holding a British passport but originally from Pakistan. Mr. A, who has been residing in Dubai for the last three years was made redundant this August, a fate shared by up to one in ten workers in the UAE during the first six months of 2009, according to a recent survey by job sites Bayt.com and YouGov, an internet-based market research firm.

‘I read and heard about people losing their jobs; but I always regarded it was something that could happen to someone else. Not me.’ sighed A.A. ‘It’s quite ironical, as I was in charge of Human Resources, my job was to fire and hire, and the next thing I know I’m fired by my superiors. Losing a job was and still is unthinkable especially during this period of recession and when you have mouths to feed. I have two daughters, my wife and my mother to take care of...’ he adds.‘My company was cutting down on costs, I was told my position was no longer required and that was it, just like that I became unemployed. No complaints, No dissatisfaction, just unnecessary.’ said the outraged A.A.

Mr.A.A was made redundant in August 2009

‘It's insulting, even if you get the little speech on how it's due to economic conditions and not your performance, but the fact remains that you were let go and other people weren't. It's also frightening, because you're facing a bunch of unknowns just when you think you’re doing your job right for the last three years, just when you want your next pay check to pay off all those loans, the next school fees and to fix that leaking tap in the kitchen. Life takes this whole new turn leaving you in the ditch.’ said Mr. A filled with remorse.

Cutting down on costs had become primary. ‘The first thing I did was send my mother and children back home to London.’ said A.A, who reminisced them leaving this September, their school term was midway...but they had to leave, it was for the better. With what had happened, I didn’t know what to expect anymore. As for my wife, she stayed with me and I thank her for that, because without her I would have gone insane.’

When asked what the worst experience besides his redundancy he says, ‘It was the time when I had to tell my wife, my children and my mother. Being the bread-winner, your family depends on you for everything. So, me losing my job was the hardest to deal with.’

‘Then, as any normal unemployed person would do, I started looking for a job. I had a stipulated month to look for one before my visa expired.’ said A. ‘But in vain, he could not find one, recession has hit everyone pretty bad, even to this day.’, he added.

Mr.A has planned to return to London, to join his children and his mother. ‘I will be applying for an unemployment wages once I go back, till I find another job in London.’ said Mr. A.A

But unlike Mr.A.A, there are other Asian expatriates that do not have anything to fall on. No unemployment schemes to rely on, when they go back home, leaving them to start their living from scratch without any aid of any kind. Mr. A.A shares a word of advice to all the people out there, who find themselves in a similar plight like him. ‘Having a good spirit with a strong positive attitude will take you a long way. Everything happens for a reason, take each day as it comes and things will fall in its place.’

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani