Authorities in Sharjah have announced plans to revamp the old areas of the city and give it a fresh and modern look while still retaining its picturesque appeal. Soon the city’s old quarter will not only be filled with museums, but will boast a hotel and a promenade too.
“Construction on the first phase of the plan includes reconnecting Saqr Souq with Al Arsa Souq, by rebuilding Al Shanasiah Souq, which disappeared as a result of building extensions in the 1970s,” Marwan Jasem Al Sarkal, chief executive officer of Shurooq, or Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, announced on Tuesday.
Construction of the ‘Heart of Sharjah’ project began last week, and the first phase is due to be completed in 2012.
As part of the first phase of the project, renovation work began last week at the Sharjah Art Foundation, in preparation for the Sharjah Biennale 2011… MORE
More than two million national ID cardholders will soon be able to renew their cards at certified typing centres, cutting out the need to go to Emirates Identity Authority (Eida) registration centres, a top official told Gulf Newsyesterday.
The advantage of the new renewal system is that ID cardholders will not have to make an appointment or check the working hours of Eida centres, Dr Ali Al Khoury, Acting General Manager of Emirates Identity Authority (Eida), said.
“Instead they can visit any certified typing centre which mostly work long hours,” he said.
He said the new renewal system was expected to be operational by next month.
At present ID cardholders have to visit Eida registration centres for renewal with separate counters set aside for them… MORE
Dr Khaled Abdelalim, an Islamic preacher who has a show on Ajman TV, argued that Ramadan should be the high season for worship because it is a time when the rewards are unlimited compared with the rest of the year.
“During Ramadan the doors of heaven are open and the doors of hell are closed,” he said. “So not a single breath should be wasted with anything that does not please Allah.”
He said people do need to release their stress with some “fun” but suggested they focus on positive, “halal” fun.
“For example, one could play sports, go out and enjoy nature, visit relatives,” he said. “These activities are fun and are encouraged in Islam, which makes them a form of worship as well.”
Watching soap operas during Ramadan not only wastes time, but no true joy can come from doing so as real happiness comes from doing what pleases God and helping others, he said.
“Even those who watch comedy shows are not truly happy, they are just laughing hysterically,” he said… MORE
A likely increase in fuel prices within the next few weeks will exert greater inflationary pressures on the UAE economy as producers and suppliers will pass on the increase in transportation costs to the consumers, experts cautioned Sunday… MORE
Petrol prices in the UAE are set to rise a third time this year. Sources from oil company Adnoc told Gulf News that the fuel distribution companies are about to increase price on fuel… MORE
he mother of the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Maryam bint Ghanem bin Salim Al Shamsi, has died at the age of 95.
Funeral prayers were performed yesterday after Isha prayers at Ahmed ibn Hanbal Mosque. Her body was laid to rest at Al Jubail cemetery, the royal cemetery of the Sharjah royal family, situated in the heart of the city… MORE
Residents, arriving back from their summer vacation, have been shocked to find that their electricity bills have more than doubled — despite a power cut last month, which left much of the emirate without power for days.
“I was on holiday in Egypt for a month and when I came back here I had to pay the electricity bill for Dh1,000, even though I usually pay Dh500 at the most,” said Ahmad Mansoon… MORE
The Government of Dubai may have to convert its US$1 billion (Dh3.67bn) loan to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Investments into shares, the US investment bank JPMorgan says.
DIFC Investments, which owns the infrastructure and property of the DIFC, has more than $3bn in liabilities.
It is in the process of putting together a restructuring and disposals plan to reduce this debt… MORE
Ajman: An Emirati man has been interrogated by police for attempting to organise an illegal march in the country, and subsequently fired from his job, Gulf Newswas told on Monday.
A top Ministry of Interior official said the man, who apparently circulated messages though a Blackberry Messenger (BBM) in an attempt to organise the march, in response to the recent fuel price increases, worked for Dubai Police.
“If anyone wants to organise such a peaceful protest they can but they should do it through the legal channels,” Brigadier Ali Abdullah Alwan, Chief of Ajman Police, told Gulf News on Monday.
He said a number of people were also questioned in other emirates about the issue. He said a group of men from various emirates were detained briefly after they circulated messages via the BBM, “calling for 400 participants” to take part in a march from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi. The message asked participants to confirm attendance and cited a BB Pin Code, which matched the account of a 23-year-old man from Ajman.
“They were questioned not over sending the messages or their decision to protest. It is about attempting an illegal protest.”… MORE
