The crowd is done dining, the summer breeze caressing their faces, stroking their hair. The whiff of karak tea swirls in the air like incense burning as the dhow hums its way across the Dubai Creek. 

Then, from the darkness came a silhouette of a man garbed in traditional costume. The light turns on along with the music and voila! He starts to do a whirling dance – slow and rhythmic that gradually gathers speed: a traditional Sufi dance.

Enthralled, the people was soon swaying with the music as if in hypnotic trance, and exploded in a loud applause as the man concludes his performance.  

“This is my professional work,” says 48-year-old Mohammed Elamray, who has been doing the Sufi dance since 1984. “I feel happy and excited seeing people entertained with my dance,” he added.

Elamray arrived in Dubai from Egypt in 1998 and has bragging rights to being the city’s first Sufi dancer. He does nightly performances on board dhow evening cruises and at times, in the Global Village.

Entranced by a 700-year-old ritual, the whirling dervishes perform the Sufi dance  steered by rhythmic breathing and chants of “Allah”, as they seek to become one with God. 

Their white robes rise and fall in unison, spinning faster and faster. The right palm is raised to the heavens to receive God’s blessings, which are communicated to earth by the left hand pointing to the ground. 

As they continue turning in a spiritual trance, the dancers float between the two worlds. They are now in a deeply personal and intense form of meditation.

Dervishes dance is an ancient classical dance.

A mystical form of Islam, Sufism shuns all forms of materialism in pursuit of asceticism. In most historical accounts, Sufis are commonly known as persons of religious learning whose aspirations revolve around being close to Allah.

And I love my work. I’ve been doing that for many years.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirate: It’s the moment the world has been waiting for – Dubai Holding confirmed that, Ain Dubai, the ultimate celebration destination that has captured the imagination of the world, is set to open on Oct. 21, 2021, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Ticket sales are now open to the public on www.aindubai.com.

Ain Dubai is the latest addition to the extensive Dubai Holding entertainment portfolio and plays a strategic role in supporting Dubai’s long-term vision as set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen its global position as a key tourism hub, continuing to build on the emirate’s reputation as a leader in the global leisure and entertainment landscape.

From sundowners, dining in the sky and exclusive celebration packages to bespoke corporate and event offerings, Ain Dubai brings 19 truly unique and customizable experiences, all against the backdrop of Dubai’s dazzling skyline for breathtaking land and seascapes. Open both day and night, Ain Dubai visitors will experience two very different sides of Dubai from stunning Bluewaters views to a host of night-time entertainment. Gaze at the sunset’s golden rays glittering across the skyscrapers or watch Dubai’s spectacular LED lights switch on as darkness falls.

Offering unique views of Dubai’s iconic landmarks from indoor, air-conditioned cabins and a huge range of entertainment to keep visitors coming back for more, the experiences are split into three main categories: Observation Cabins, Social Cabins and Private Cabins, with experiences starting with one rotation of approximately 38 minutes, up to two rotations of approximately 76 minutes.

The Observation Cabins provide the perfect platform for those never-seen-before Instagrammable 360-degree views of Dubai as guests climb steadily through the sky on the world’s tallest observation wheel to create a magical photobook memory of one of the world’s most iconic cities and all its incredible landmarks.

Experience a uniquely fun way to relax into the end of a busy day or start an incredible night out, with the Social Cabins which feature beverage-inclusive packages that offer something for everyone. Step into a premium cabin for the VIP treatment or get the best social vibes at the Ain Dubai Sky Bar cabins with beverages to toast the sunset over Dubai.

Visitors can reach new heights with an Ain Dubai Private Cabin providing exclusivity. Discover unique celebration packages for birthdays, engagements, weddings, business functions and more. The private cabins can be customised to cater for all sorts of events, from intimate celebrations to cultural festivities to treat VIP guests.

Ronald Drake, General Manager of Ain Dubai, said: “Ain Dubai offers first-of-its-kind experiences catering to all audiences including luxurious special event cabins; nightlife and party experiences; unique dining and culinary options; family-friendly cabins and customizable romantic experiences for special moments. We are the ultimate celebration destination, so it was only fitting that we celebrate the opening in style. Stay tuned for more exciting details of what to expect from our grand opening, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Ain Dubai.”

Mohamed Sharaf, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said: “Dubai continues to be a leader in the travel and tourism sector, with a reputation for delivering pioneering projects and landmarks. Ain Dubai is a testament to one of the many innovative initiatives developed by Dubai to further enhance its competitiveness as a key international tourism destination in continuation of Dubai’s drive to achieve new global heights. We can’t think of a better time to open this unique and celebratory asset than during the UAE’s Year of the 50th.”

The magnificent Ain Dubai sits at the heart of the unique, must-visit lifestyle destination, Bluewaters, where the charm and exclusivity of island living meets the exuberance of a sophisticated urban lifestyle. Bluewaters boasts hospitality, lifestyle, residential, and leisure and entertainment opportunities.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  Forty-seven-year-old Dmitry Belokurov came out of Dubai International Airport a few years back with just a bag of clothes and a guitar.

“I went to Dubai to teach how to play the guitar,” Dmitry says.

He had been playing the stringed instrument since he was 11 – and has grown good at it.

“I like to do what I do well – playing guitar and teaching people how to do it,” he said.

As a kid, Dmitry was taught by a private teacher. 

“Later on, I went to a music academy and it was a great experience. It changed my life,” he said, which apparently was why he has embarked on a journey to spread the good guitar vibes and, in a way, also change people’s lives the way the music changed his.

“Classical music is my specialty but I can also teach different styles like rock,” he said.

Teaching the guitar, said Dmitry, is not easy. “It’s a very hard and complicated profession…very intellectual work but very interesting,” he said.

Happy with his job, Dmitry says it pays to be kind and “treat people well as you would want them to treat you.”

Dubai, he said is an amazing place. “You can compare it with London or Moscow and you’ll see that in Dubai, you’ll feel very safe,” Dmitry said.

It was a fantastic surprise to welcome Tom Cruise at Asha’s Birmingham, indeed! 

Asha’s was born at Wafi, UAE in 2012 and now has 15 restaurants across the Middle East and the UK. 

The 59-year-old Hollywood actor is currently in the Midlands filming the seventh installment of “Mission Impossible” and was spotted out at Asha’s at Newhall Street in Birmingham on Saturday night, this past weekend, as he enjoyed a Chicken Tikka Masala Curry with his friends.

Cruise dined with film director Christopher McQuarrie at the Birmingham eatery and loved the curry so much that he ordered a second one, which he shared with his friends.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai-based shopping, entertainment, hospitality, and leisure destination Wafi City is hosting an eight-week festival of fun and engaging interactive exhibits and games that will run from 1 September to 31 October 2021.

Dubbed, “Wonderlab,” the event features an exciting mix of science, art and technology exhibits that promises to make Wafi City the go-to destination for the entire family this autumn. 

To add even more excitement to the activation, there will be competitions with winners receiving special gifts and a big prize courtesy of Wafi City and its retail partners. 

Spread across six zones throughout the site, Wonderlab combines both educational and fun challenges where visitors can test their skills and knowledge of science and technology concepts, or simply enjoy the games. “The event is an expanded concept of WAFI’s Science Factory which was held in 2019 and overwhelmingly received by our loyal patrons and new customers, so we decided to bring it back; only this time, it’s bigger and better,” said Stephanie-Alexandra Chartier, Head of Central Marketing at Wafi Property.

Chartier says Wafi City’s Wonderlab is an event aimed at giving its visitors an entertaining and educational experience through the activations that were developed in cooperation with scientists and technology experts as well as gaming enthusiasts. “We are adding to our visitors’ shopping experience with a variety of innovative and exciting activities that will cater to people of all ages and backgrounds,” she added.

Wonderlab will take visitors through various concepts in science, maths, physics, astronomy, biology, music, the environment, arts, culture and more for a thrilling adventure filled with discovery and excitement. 

Visitors get to experience gravity with the Moon Jump or do some physical exercise like riding a bike while generating energy. They can learn how sound is created and play with musical pipes or discover how their favourite cartoons are made with the Animation activation.  These are just some of the exhibits guests will enjoy when they visit Wafi City’s Wonderlab. 

Wonderlab will also be part of Wafi City’s 30th anniversary offering and will mark the occasion with a special celebration.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  Eyad Abbas moved to Dubai from Cairo in 2005. His wife, Mai, whom he married back in Egypt in 2007, arrived in 2008. 

On July 16, 2021, the couple opened what would soon become the city’s top destination for authentic Egyptian culinary sensation: Zeit W Lamoon.

“Zeit,” explains Mai, “means oil.”

“Lamoon,” she added, “is lemon.”

“It’s a mix that we use in our famous dish. We put it on top to give it a yummy taste.”

Eyad and Mai, you may say, is the zeit and lamoon that spice up life in Dubai.

The two met at a friend’s birthday party back in Egypt; it was 2003. The couple has since settled in Dubai where, aside from running Zeit W Lamoon Restaurant, is raising a family of three kids – a 12-year-old; a seven-year-old; and the youngest at three.

“Dubai is a lovely place. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Dubai. It’s a safe place. All nationalities are here. My kids were born here and they go to school here,” says Mai, who’s into admin office work and has spent half her life in the city.

Shared Eyad: “I agree that Dubai can be an expensive city. But, you get the best quality service. I have been in a lot of European countries and it’s super expensive back there; even more expensive than Dubai.

“But if you compare the service, you’ll never get the kind of service that you’ll have in Dubai. That’s why a lot of Europeans, Americans…everyone…love to live in Dubai.”

Eyad said they thought about a lot of options on whether to do their restaurant business in other countries. “After thinking deeply and studying different markets, we decided to do it in Dubai,” he said.

Eyad, whose first job was in IT sales, said opening a restaurant has always been his dream. “We kept delaying and delaying it for some reasons. Then we felt it was finally the right time and we didn’t want to delay it some more,” he said.

The couple’s advice for those wishing to open a restaurant? “Just believe in yourself, believe that you can, and do the right step; think about it very carefully, make your calculations. Once you’re confident, go ahead then make an evaluation.”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a transportation plan to serve visitors of Expo 2020 from around the United Arabi Emirates (UAE). 

According to a report from the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the plan specifies nine locations across UAE in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. A total of 70 dedicated buses will be deployed to run 193 daily trips during weekdays, and 213 daily trips on Thursdays and Fridays.

Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), reiterated RTA’s commitment to facilitating the movement of visitors from various emirates to and from Expo 2020. The plan aims to make public transport the ideal mobility choice of Expo visitors.

“As part of its master operational plan for transporting Expo 2020 visitors, RTA has dedicated a full fleet of public buses compatible with the low carbon emission standards of Euro 6 buses, which will be making their debut in the MENA region. The plan illustrates RTA’s keenness to reduce the carbon footprint of these buses. Each bus has a low-floor entry to make it easily accessible to people of determination. Buses are designed to deliver premium services to mass transit riders thanks to the high-class finishing works, roomy seats, dedicated seats for children, WiFi service, USB charging ports and an array of smart systems,” said Al Tayer.

Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

“The plan specified four stations in Abu Dhabi for transporting Expo 2020 visitors. The first is at Abu Dhabi International Airport. RTA will deploy 10 buses to run 31 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 33 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday,” announced Al Tayer.

“The second is Abu Dhabi Main Bus Station. RTA will deploy 10 buses to run 26 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 29 daily trips in both directions on Thursdays and Fridays.

“The third is the Marina Mall Station. RTA will deploy 10 buses to run 27 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 28 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday.

“The fourth is Al Ain Bus Station. RTA will deploy 9 buses to run 22 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 25 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency at the four locations is every 20 minutes,” he explained.

Sharjah

“RTA has specified 2 locations for transporting Expo 2020 visitors from Sharjah. The first is Al Jubail Bus Station. RTA will deploy 10 buses to run 29 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 33 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency at this locations is every 20 minutes,” stated Al Tayer.

“The second location is Muwaileh Station, where RTA will deploy 10 buses to run 32 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 37 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency at this location is every 15 minutes,” he added.

Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman

“RTA has identified one location to transport Expo 2020 visitors from Ras Al Khaimah, which will be Ras Al Khaimah Bus Station. Similarly, visitors from Ajman will be served from Ajman Bus Station. The RTA will deploy 7 buses to serve both locations and the service will start from Ras Al Khaimah and head to Expo via Ajman. The RTA will run 17 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 18 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency at both locations is every 60 minutes,” said Al Tayer.

Fujairah “RTA will deploy 4 buses to serve Expo 2020 visitors from Fujairah, which will be nearby City Centre Fujairah. RTA will run 9 daily trips in both directions from Saturday to Wednesday, and 10 daily trips in both directions on Thursday and Friday. The service frequency at this location will be every 2 hours,” concluded the RTA Director-General. (WAM/Hatem Mohamed/Tariq alfaham) 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: It’s a family affair indeed for Ganesh Rana and his daughter, Shweta who have teamed up to run a chic dining destination in Dubai named after one of the coolest animal on earth – the zebra.

“The zebra is very calm animal and it’s one of my favorites,” says Ganesh. “So, after a discussion with my partners, we came up with the idea of creating a zebra-themed café,” he added.

Ganesh, specifically referred to Hadi Sulaiman, a business partner, whom he described as “one example of a good human being; the man behind all this undertaking.”

Forty-six-year-old Ganesh, who arrived in the UAE from Mumbai 26 years ago, is Zebra Café’s CEO and managing partner; his daughter Shweta handles the operations –  from supply chain to customer service…the whole nine yards.

“Food and beverage business is my passion,” says Ganesh. “Zebra Café is my first concept,” he also said, adding that he intends to open branches and franchises across GCC.

Shweta came into the picture one day when she told her father about her plans. “She asked me, ‘Dad, can I work as barista?’ And I said, ‘No. We will open our own café.’ So, when we opened Zebra, she started as a barista, herself,” Ganesh said.

Shweta, who also has her own clothing store and is into modeling, said she could not have asked for more working with her father.

“I think it’s the best thing in the world. I get to learn so much. My teacher is my father. I can just call him anytime and wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions that I’d otherwise be scared to do if he had been another person and my boss,” Shweta said.

“He always treats me like a staff. I actually like it. It keeps me on the ground. It’s a blessing to be able to work with my father,” Shweta added.

Shweta said growing up and seeing her father work so hard keeps her going. “That’s my motivation, definitely. I have seen him having sleepless nights because of work,” she said.

Ganesh, for his part, said he owes his success to his wife – the two have been married for 33 years. “I would give 90% credit to her,” he said.

He said he learned the art of cooking from her wife, sharing that the first phone call he made to her shortly after he arrived in Dubai years ago was how to prepare fish curry.

Ganesh was, at the time, planning to cook meals for at least two days’ food for lunch at work as he was new in the city and had to minimize expenses. “But my colleagues finished the fish curry in 30 minutes,” he happily recalls.

And thus began his journey in the kitchen, apparently realizing he has the knack for cooking.

“So, what you see at Zebra Café is 100% my recipe, what I have learned in my 29 years of career,” Ganesh said.

“Learning never stops. When I first came to Dubai I told myself, I am going to be general manager (GM) of one of the companies here. Within eight years, I became GM of an international restaurant chain.

“I have had failures in my life. I have fallen down many times, but I never gave up. Giving up is not the solution,” said Ganesh.

Zebra Café offers international cuisines – from the US to Italy; from India to the rest of Asia. Check it out.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: British mountaineer George Herbert Leigh Mallory was once asked why he wanted to climb Mt. Everest and he said: “Because it’s there.”

That three-word phrase soon evolved to become the most famous expression in the mountaineering world.

And it apparently kept ringing in Dubai-based resident Naila Kiani’s mind, decades after it was uttered.

Kiani, a banker, is the first Pakistani woman to have successfully climb Gasherbrum-II, the world’s 13th highest peak at over 8,035 meters above sea level, according to a Khaleej Times (KT) report.

Gasherbrum II is the third-highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, and is located in the Karakoram on the border between Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan, and Xinjiang, China.

“Gasherbrum-II was my first expedition,” Kiani told KT in an interview. 

“I (have) received a lot of appreciation as the 8,000-metre peak is very significant in mountaineering because the death zone starts above 8,000 level. It was risky and challenging mountaineering. No Pakistani female has ever climbed the top five peaks in Pakistan,” KT quoted her as further saying.

Kiani said she had initially thought of climbing a 7,000-meter peak, which would take four to five weeks; an 8,000-meter one, on the other hand, takes five to six weeks. 

“I thought, why not attempt an 8,000-metre peak because it will give me an experience of what exactly the world’s top mountaineers endure when they attempt these high peaks that stand above the death zone,” KT also quoted Kiani as saying.

Kiani made her climb last month. According to the KT report, she aims to conquer all of the world’s top peaks in Nepal and Pakistan. There are 14 mountains higher than Gasherbrum II, mostly in Nepal and five are in Pakistan.

A fitness and adventure enthusiast, Kiani has set her sights on another 8,000-meter peak around June next year. “I’ll reveal the name of the peak later. I aim to conquer all peaks in Pakistan as well as Mountain Everest in Nepal. My other objective is to promote tourism and the natural beauty that Pakistan offers to foreign tourists,” KT quoted her as saying.

Mallory went missing with a climb partner while on an expedition in 1924. His remains were found on May 1, 1999.

There have been 20 mountaineers who have died attempting to conquer Gasherbrum II, the latest being a Polish national, Aleksander Ostrowski who was killed in an avalanche. Eight other fell to their death while two have disappeared. (Supplied photo)