Dubai International Airport will soon have seventeen new counters meant for people with special needs. This inclusive step comes as a bid to provide hassle-free travel to one and all.

This year alone, Dubai International Airport has handled over 200,000 special needs passengers. And the number is expected to multiply phenomenally over the coming years.

At present, there are two check-in counters for passengers with special needs at the airport. But as per the new plan, there will be help counters in addition to special check-in counters. The airport has already come up with Riyaya - a team of professionals to take care of and support passengers with special needs.

The step is seen not only as a social responsibility but also as something that will encourage tourism in the Arab World wherein 30 million people are physically challenged and need special care.

The Art for Aid exhibition held recently in Abu Dhabi raised more than 1 million AED in a bid to assist the Red Crescent Authority. The funds raised thus will be utilized to eliminate poverty in the world.

The exhibition-cum-sale of artworks took place between May 1 and May 3, 2008. Art for Aid is a themed initiative aimed at supporting philanthropic causes around the globe through art. Poverty, education, health and nutrition are in focus at present.

Art for Aid is an event that has for its scaffolding support from and collaboration between various local and international artists and organizations. It aims to create awareness, raise funds and conduct programs for noble causes. Paintings and jewellery are the usual artworks on offer therein.

The importance of creativity and art in raising awareness and inspiring sensitivity is something that cannot be overlooked.

In recent times, women from the United Arab Emirates have made their mark in socio-political and economic sectors both on the national and international levels. The country known for its conservative roots has developed itself to the point where there is no discrimination based on gender. In fact, women are held vital in their contribution towards the progress of the nation as they extend their roles in various fields.

Recently, there have been events in Dubai that marked outstanding women leaders in the country. Women have been projected as role models for the generations to come.

Haematologists in the UAE have come up with a decision to screen people for thalassaemia quite early in life in a bid to prevent marriages among carriers of the disease. The move is being planned in wake of the fact that pre-marital screening of the disorder hasn’t proved helpful in preventing the birth of new patients.

Present Scenario in the UAE

At present, more than 6 percent of UAE nationals suffer from the disorder though there is compulsory pre-marital screening for blood-related disorders. As per the latest move, screening is to be done at the school-going stage itself so that individuals and families are spared the pain of cancelled weddings (which in turn is avoided in order to prevent heartache caused by the breaking of emotional ties already established).

Pre-marital thalassaemia screening came into place in the UAE two years back. Even then, there hasn’t been a drop in the number of new babies born with the disorder.

Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder in which there is a breakdown of red blood cells. Patients require regular blood transfusions in order to survive. Couples who are carriers of thalassaemia have a 25 percent chance of producing a thalassaemia-major baby.

UAE will soon have its share of the ship of the desert in the days to come. The first ever Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival is being held at the Western Region in April. This is in continuation with the age old importance camels have been holding in Arab culture. A highlight of the event is the Camel Beauty Contest that will be organized from April 2 to April 10, 2008 at the Zayed City.

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is organizing the camel festival which in turn is being sponsored by General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event is a part of efforts aimed at furthering local folklore and culture. Organizers hope that the event will become UAE’s annual date with some of the best camels in the world. 

Some eligibility criteria for the participating camels:

• The participating camels have to be pure-bred.
• The participating camels must not have any contagious diseases.
• The participating camels have to have proven ownership.

The camels will be divided as per age groups. An individual can participate with more than one camel as long as the ownership has valid proof.

Around 2,000 competitors have already registered themselves for the event. The number is expected to rise. Winners will get cash prizes worth 35 million AED along with 100 cars being given away as well.

There will be an official holiday for the public and private sectors in the UAE on Thursday, March 20, 2008. This is to mark Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

On the occasion, postal services will be available only during set timings at the main post offices only. The post offices that will operate are given below. These will stay open between 9 am to 1 pm:

@ Abu Dhabi:

• Abu Dhabi Central Post Office
• Al Butain
• Hamdan
• Musafah
• Beni Yas
• Nadi Al Seyahi
• Al Ain Main Post Office

@ Dubai

• Dubai Central Post Office
• Al Khor
• Jumeirah
• Satwa
• Rashidiya
• Hor Al Anz
• Deira Main Post Office
• Jebel Ali

NOTE: Post offices in Dubai that are located in shopping malls will remain open between 5 pm to 9 pm.

@ Sharjah

• Sharjah Central Post Office
• Al Corniche
• Al Ghuwair
• Khorfakkan
• Kalba
• Al Dhaid
• Muwaileh

@ Ajman

• Ajman Central Post Office

@ Umm Al Quwain

• Umm Al Quwain Central Post Office
• Sanaiyah
• Al Souq

@ Ras Al Khaimah

• Ras Al Khaimah Central Post Office
• Al Nakheel
• Al Uraibi

@ Fujairah

• Fujairah Central Post Office
• Dibba Al Fujairah

All other branches of the Emirates Post will remain closed. The collection of mail from post boxes will remain functional as usual.

At the given post offices, the collection and delivery of mail will continue as well.

As per the health department of the country, UAE will be in need of more blood donors this year. This year about 2,000 more blood units are going to be needed as compared to last year’s consumption. The increase in the demand of blood units is directly proportional to the increase in the number of accidents and the rise in cases of diseases like blood pressure and diabetes.

The safety of the donated blood is also taken care of whereby it is ensured that the donor is in good physical health. For this, lab tests are undertaken to check blood pressure, temperature, weight and hemoglobin level of the blood donor. 

The federal traffic law in the emirates has been amended recently whereby there will be stricter penalties in place for motorists from March 1, 2008. In particular, motorists who drink and drive will be strictly punished.

In addition to jail term, drunk drivers will invite a penalty of not less than 20,000 AED. The same punishment will be imposed on motorists who flee after getting involved with an accident.

Motorists who drive without a licence will be fined a sum not less than 5,000 AED along with a jail term of up to three months.

In addition to motorists, there are laws and directions in place for pedestrians as well. They are permitted to cross roads only at specified points and are not allowed to do so on roads where the speed limit for vehicles is 80 km per hour.

The Traffic Department will also impose a fine not less than 20,000 AED and prison term on people who imitate or use the number plate of other cars, or add to/ delete from the plate number without the permission of the traffic authorities.

If people, who have been ordered by law not to drive due to certain violations, are found driving, they will be fined a sum of not less than 5,000 AED or three month jail term.

Motorists, who furnish false personal details to the traffic department in order to avert punishment, will be fined anything between 2,000 AED to 5,000 AED, or a jail term of three months.

The stipulations are as per Article 49 of the federal traffic law.

There will be a full lunar eclipse in the western region in the United Arab Emirates on February 21, 2008. The Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) has made the announcement.

The moon will set before all the stages of the eclipse are seen in parts of Asia. The eclipse will also be seen in parts of Africa, Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and the Americas.

In a full lunar eclipse, the disk of the moon is seen in dramatic colour transformations – from bright orange to dark brown.

With an expected 250 exhibitors, the Mother and Child Show 2008 will be showcased separately in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The show will feature a whole range of products for mothers, babies and children.

Highlights:

• Toys
• Prams
• Hygiene products
• Fashion garments and accessories
• Furniture
• Sports and activities
• Educational products
• Books
• Travel systems
• Health and beauty products

Dates and venues:

• Abu Dhabi
May 29-31, 2008
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

• Dubai
December 19-21, 2008
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre