Bahrain This Month - July 2013

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

BD 2.000 (SR 20)

July 2013 ~ Vol. 17 ~ Issue 7 www.bahrainthismonth.com

Ramadan Kareem!

Iftars and Ghabgas

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Featured This Month:

France in Bahrain | Supermarkets | Big Deals On Wheels

HAPPENINGS ­ ~ DINING ~ ARTS SCENE ~ CLUBS & SPORTS ~ KIDS’ EVENTS ~ AFTER DARK ~ SAT TV

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Seef district, facing Ritz Carlton Entrance - Palace Palms Bldg.

Tel. 1 7.564444 - Fax. 1 7.564466 email: phodecor@batelco.com.bh

Scan for watch details

Moda Mall: 17534444 Al-Aali Mall: 17581444 Seef Mall: 17587888 Ritz- Carlton Hotel: 17580123 City Centre: 17179009 www.asiajewellers.com

Issue 191

Contents July 2013 Cover Story:

122 Ramadan Kareem!

With the Holy Month of Ramadan upon us, we round up the Iftar and Ghabga offerings from hotels and restaurants in the

122

Kingdom.

Happenings: Bahrain This Month reviews events happening around town during the month of July 2013:

23

24

23 Ramadan Festivals: A look at what’s happening this month 24 Rock Out: The Sanitarium festival is sure to test your ears 26 Comic Relief: Two Bahrainis’ take on the world in which we live 30 A Season for Giving: The Palm Association’s charitable work 32 Happy Summer Havens: Where to keep the kids occupied 34 Get Fit with a Champion: Abbas Maki tells us how 58 Fight For Fitness: Raft race takes to the water for a charitable cause 56 Way Above Par: Awali Golf Club turns 75 24 Calendars: Events during July

Spotlight:

52

54

48 Time to Look Within Aruna Ladva talks about her new book and how, despite the imperfect world in which we live, we nevertheless expect our relationships to be perfect.

Business:

51 Driving Innovation The Inovtech conference aims to stimulate innovation in

68

136 Bystander At BTM we celebrated the 125th issue of our sister publication, Woman This Month, as well as taking in national days for our Italian and Russian friends. We went on a bear hunt, indulged in a Thai festival and took in an art exhibition at The British School of Bahrain. In between, we attend launches for Citroën and the latest TV from LG, and an NYIT graduation ceremony.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

technology to drive business growth and facilitate a culture of entrepreneurship in the region.

52 Nurturing Creativity The Ebtikar Association aims to assist students and young entrepreneurs achieve their business goals, explains one of the founders, Osama Al Khajah.

54 Managing Expectations When things go wrong they do not always have to be resolved in a court of law, advises James Macpherson, the CEO at the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution.

July 2013 3

Issue 191

Contents July 2013 France in Bahrain:

68 A Growing Influence Christian Testot, the French ambassador, explains how the

67

Kingdom’s excellent quality of life and good human resources remains a magnet for investment.

Downtime: 81 Ode to the Zombie: Horror goes mainstream 82 School’s Out: Essential gear for the kids 84 Showcase: Lulu Hypermarket gadgets 86 Music: The sound of silence 88 Computer Games: The end is nigh 89 Websites: Packing without a crate 90 Apps: Sharing is caring 91 Movies: Earth without steel

91

104

Motoring: 101 Return of the Stingray: Chevrolet delivers an icon 102 Test Drive: Nissan 370Z 103 Spotlight: Paul Yates and Euro Motors 104 Feature: Big Deals on Wheels for Ramadan 109 Showcase: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Dining: 121 Raising the Bar: The rooftop lounge @ Lanterns 122 Happenings: Iftars and Ghabgas 130 Showcase: Al Arisha Restaurant

121

113

Showcase: 113 Feature: Supermarkets 156 Happenings: Where to be seen this month 158 Feature: F1 happenings 159 Showcase: Paddyman at JJ’s Live

Showcase: 30

32

34

149 150 151 152

www.bahrainthismonth.com

36

113 Feature: Supermarkets 135 What’s New: Creative pieces 136 Marketplace: Latest products and services

WIN WIN Tarotscope AD Index Last word July 2013 5

The team

Bahrain This Month July 2013

Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Publishing Director David M. Robertson Editorial queries: editor@redhousemarketing.com Editorial Consultant Dr. Paul Balles Assistant Editor Elma Bartholomew Events Editor Maryam Toorani

Dear Readers,

Contributors James Claire (dining), Simi Kamboj

Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Layout and Graphics Dalal Al-Sabbagh, Romeo San Miguel, Rodolfo A. Reyes Jr. Staff Photographers Shankar Kunhambu, Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz Sales Manager Mayukh Majumdar Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Hilary James Circulation Manager Fawaz Al Balooshi Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Rafeeq Mohammed, Gopal Arul Kumar, Epegenio Tempra Jr. Distributor Al Hilal Corporation Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain

Published monthly by

Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. P.O. Box 641, No. 1 Seaton Place St., Helier Jersey JE48JJ, Channel Islands, U.K.

Red House Marketing P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.

• Views expressed in this magazine by journalists

and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month.

Cover

Cover Picture: Ramadan — a time to spend with family and friends.

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3

BD 2.000 (SR 20)

July 2013 ~ Vol. 17 ~ Issue 7

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

April 2014

Ramadan Kareem! The Holy Month is upon us again; it’s one of my favourite times of the year. The breaking of a daily fast with an Iftar buffet, and evenings spent at ghabgas around town, are amongst my fondest memories of living in the Kingdom.

As is in keeping with traditions at Bahrain This Month we have included a round-up of post-sunset activities at leading hotels and other venues in this issue.

Our lineup of interviews includes Aruna Ladva, a founder of the Bahrain Mediation Centre, who has launched a new book It’s Time for Relationships.

Based on her own experiences and inner reflections, she examines the core of the many different relationships we have in our lives. Across town resides James Macpherson, CEO at the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution. He tells us that conciliation is becoming an increasingly attractive option, when compared to going to court.

Our happenings pages review a series of events taking place in our malls over the Ramadan period and a review of summer camps for the kids to keep them occupied. In our clubs article we speak to The Palm Association and the charitable work in which they engage, particularly during the course of the Holy Month.

Our motoring pages are full of deals for the season as we preview a host of promotions all designed to get us to acquire a new set of wheels. We also speak to the French ambassador as we celebrate Bastille Day, and take a look at how our lives are impacted by embracing the products and services available from this major European country.

I’d also like to take time out to mark a landmark of our own this month. This is the 100th issue of Bahrain This Month to which our publishing director and de facto editor, David M Robertson, has contributed. Everywhere I go around the island I am complimented over the quality of the magazine. It’s a reflection of the commitment of our editorial and production teams under David’s watchful guidance.

Speaking of milestones, this month starts the countdown to another major one not just for the magazine but the publishing world in this part of the world.

The April 2014 issue will be our 200th edition. In the meantime, enjoy the great way of life that the Kingdom has to offer.

Bystander Editor Anil Ravi Shankar

btm200

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1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24

Ramadan Kareem!

Iftars and Ghabgas

Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.

Bahrain This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide

If you are wondering what this image to the left is, or the one on the front cover, it’s a QR code.

To find out how to use these, read page 148. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Featured This Month:

France in Bahrain | Supermarkets | Big Deals On Wheels

HAPPENINGS ~ DINING ~ ARTS SCENE ~ CLUBS & SPORTS ~ KIDS’ EVENTS ~ AFTER DARK ~ SAT TV

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Join us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/bahrainthismonth July 2013 7

bystanderthismonth

Italian National Day Celebrations HE Alberto Vecchi, Italian Ambassador & Romina Vecchi hosted a reception to celebrate Italian National Day. The event which was attended by HE Abdul Nabi Al Sho'ala, diplomats & VIP guests was held at the Grand Ambassador Suite, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa last month

Romina & HE Alberto Vecchi

Nicolas

Dr Jihan, Romina, Dr Dhafer Al Umran & HE Alberto Vecchi

Dr Dhafer Al Umran, HE Abdul Nabi Al Sho'ala, HE Alberto Vecchi & HE Shaikh Abdulla bin Thamer Al-Thani, Qatari Ambassador with members of the diplomatic corp at the cake cutting

Nasser Alarayedh, Admiral Millar, HE Karim Al Shaker & Abdulla Juma

Hassan & William

Dario & Tiziana

Nabeel Ajoor

Gemma & Eleonora

Hameed & Diana

Khalid Al Zayani

Shaikh Abdulla, Romina, Shaikh Mohammed & HE Alberto Vecchi

Zeina & Romina

Dorris, George & Anne

Adnan Sharabi

Jessica & Ahmed

Lesley & Peter

Shaikh Saud & Hussain Bucheeri

Dr Mashal

Ratna, Nor & Rashida

8 July 2013

Abdul Razzak & Ferial

Romina & Maya

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Ramadan brings us together as one Batelco wishes you Ramadan Kareem and throughout this holy month, we hope to bring everyone a little closer in a country-wide ‘Freej Al Mahabba’ - a neighbourhood of love. Together we can spread the connecting spirit of peace, friendliness to every neighborhood in Bahrain.

This year, Batelco’s Ramadan events, surprises and special offers have been created to foster a spirit of ‘Freej el Mahabba’. To find out how you can join in, please visit batelco.com

bystanderthismonth

Russian National Day Celebrations HE Victor Smirnov, Russian Ambassador & Vera Smirnova hosted a reception to celebrate Russian National Day. The event attended by event attended by HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps & VIP guests was held at the Al Riffa Ballroom, InterContinental Regency Bahrain

HE Sameera Rajab & HE Victor Smirnov with diplomats at the cake cutting

Ayna, Saleh, HE Victor Smirnov & Vera Smirnova

Father Saba & Mari

Dr Salman, Irina, Puneet, Claudia, Zeina & Anne

Rev Uldarico, Francis & Carmen

Isa, Tania, Alise, Haitham, Dallas & Julia

Andy, Elena & Irina

Vera, Dr Mazin, HE Victor Smirnov & Dr Adel

Alex, Lena & Sergey

10 July 2013

Yulia, Vera, Tjeerd & Irina

Tania, Mohammed & Julia

Yury, Inna & Maria

Ashraf & Waleed

Gaidar

Bonny & Caitlin

Peter & Ereiza

Kathrina & Yasser

Ameena & Alya

Anya & Nejib

Habib

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summer Ă la carte

inspirations for your summer holiday

Stay in a deluxe room or a higher category and enjoy BD 20 net worth per room per day to be consumed in the hotel outlets or on selected services.* *F&B outlets, In-Room Dining, Mini-Bar, Spa & Laundry expenses to be redeemed upon check out.

For more information and reservation, kindly contact us on (+973) 17 17 10 00 or email us at reservation.bahrain@kempinski.com

www.kempinski.com/bahrain

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Jordanian National Day Celebrations HE Mohammed Siraj, Jordanian Ambassador hosted a reception to celebrate Jordan's National Day. The event attended by HE Ghanim bin Fadel Al Buanien, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs, Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi, Education Minister, diplomats & guests was held at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa

HE Ghanim bin Gadel Al Buanien, HE Mohammed Siraj & HE Sameera Rajab with diplomats at the cake cutting

Abdulla, Haroon, Dr Dhafer Al Umran & HE Mohammed Siraj

Loae & Abdalsslan

Eyad & Abel

Jalal, Ahmed, Abdulla & HE Bishop Camillo Ballin

Zain, Susan, Ahmed, Marwan & Fahmi

Salma, Fadi & Baraa

12 July 2013

Ola, Marah & Bushra

Qassim & Tareq

Mohammed, Salaha & Mansoor

David & Jennifer

Bharat, HE Dr Majid Al Nuaimi, Dr Ahmed, Isa & Dr Ali

Omar, Tala, Razan & Suhail

Nor, Rehab & Fawzia

Shoroq & Dooa

Francesco & Giuseppe

Yara

Eman

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bystanderthismonth

WTM 125th Issue Party To celebrate a publishing milestone, Red House Marketing, publishers of Woman This Month magazine, hosted an exclusive party for clients and well wishers to celebrate the 125th issue of WTM AT Meisei Restaurant, Adliya. This monthly publication has been running for 10-and-a-half-years, and was the first magazine specifically targeted towards women in the kingdom since 2002

Graeme, Megan & Anthony

Anne, Mehdi & Sajida

Panos, Doris, Viera, Wendera & George

At the cake cutting, Farheen, George, Elma, Anne, Nina & guests

George & Anne with diplomats at the event

Kiki, Raymond, Henny & Abdul Hussain

Bashar, George, Nejib & Anne

HE Victor Smirnov, Russian Ambassador & Vera Smirnova

Brazilians, apparently!

HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador & Dr Dhafer Al Umran

Adnan & Faye

Steve & Garfield

Sadiq

George

David

Ron

Doris & Panos

Hussain & Rashida

Ahmed, best Arabic teacher & Geg

Ahmed & Nabeel

Ashalatha & Shantharam

Glyn & Grace Ashley

Charlie & Fawaz - cousins?

Maryam, Ankita & Vanessa

Katherine, Stella & Fernanda

Sophie & Jason

Bless

Patience please..... if your image isn't here, it will be in wtm's special event coverage next issue

14 July 2013

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Dinner To Honour Former Malaysian Prime Minister HE Ahmed Shahizan Abd Samad, Malaysian Ambassador & the Malaysian Embassy hosted a dinner in honour of the YABhg Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, who was on a 3-day working visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The dinner held at the Grand Ambassador Suite, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa was attended by members of the Malaysian expat community in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

Rashida Tadayon, HE Ahmed Shahizan, Tun Abdullah & Datin Nor Hayati

Aziz, Istal, Munisvaren, Rosli, Muhsan & Khairi

Rashida & Hussain Tadayon with Tun Abdullah

Eleeza, Sally, Amy, Nurul, Nadian, Nisha, Rasiah, Yuhaniz, Mariam, Haniza, Nik & Rosnani

Izzaty, Maria, Puteri, Nabihah, Sofie, Diana, Hawa, Khadijah, Nuwddin, Kamil & Syahiv

Hilmi, Huda, Hanis & Rosli

Arid, Tun Abdullah & Shahriman

16 July 2013

Ali & Samer

Azwina, Faez & Raja

Nadia & Shahafeez

Nik Fazrina & Rosli

Atikah & Eleeza

Ridzuan & Anita

Aziz & Hanise

Hadi

Masuma, Rosnani, Nor, HE Ahmed Shahizan, Tun Abdullah, Nadia, Suria, Atikah, Lea & Doris

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Aegean Potpourri Gala Dinner & Dance Under the patronage of the Rotary Club of Adliya an event titled 'Aegean Potpourri' Gala Dinner and Dance was held at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa last month. The event featured the Greek diva, singer and performer Anna Tsoukala, accompanied by Alexandros Faris on Piano and Vaggelis Droizos on Bouzouki. There was also an art exhibition by Christine Smith

Maike, Panos & Doris

Ron, Christine, Lorraine, Hugo & Iro

Lorraine, Columb & Christine

Abdy, Bernadette, Christiana, Claudia & Peter

Vaggelis Droizos

Mathew, Kim, Maria & Sami

18 July 2013

Fareed & Khalid

Susan, George, Gulnar & Roberto

Rose, Liliane, Jo, Nazly, Noor, Rita & Lynne

Mala, Irwin, Renuka & Ingrid

Preeti, Gabby, Charmaine, Rowena & Mandy

Sawson, Rowena, Mahmood & Omran

Arthur, Maike & Doris

Anna Tsoukala

Robert, Sophia & Kostantinos Pallikaropoulos

Linda & Sophia

Suzy, Adriana & Deyra

Jo, Rita & Jenny

Nazly, Zuhair & Hameed

Amy, Kiran & Iro

Rawand & Hazem

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bystanderthismonth

We Are Going On A Bear Hunt – The Live Show!

Popular West End Play 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt', thrilled audience members at the Cultural Hall, near Bahrain National Museum. The play set to a quirky musical score celebrating play time, utilised everyday objects and materials to capture the imagination of the audience. It is aimed at pre and primary schoolchildren, aged three and over, plus their families

Lamees, Dina, Paula & Tanya

A scene from the play

Adam & Mohammed

Smara, Paul & Hamad

Another scene

Amy, Leila & Mohammed

Kristina, Ebrahim & Nash

Talal & Abdulaziz

Abdulrahman & Hassan

20 July 2013

Nadine, Eman, Elly & Ria

Another scene from the play

Nayef & Nawaf

Meg & Jana

Khalid & Kareem

Shiran & Kevin

Latifa & Maya

Aysha & Jawan

Yara & Celine

Mohammed

Ali & Raed

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LuLu To Support RCO Initiatives The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organisation (RCO), His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and RCO Secretary-General Dr Mustafa Sayed, met the regional director of LuLu Hypermarket, Juzer Rupawala. During the meeting, HH Shaikh Nasser praised Lulu Hypermarket for its initiative in working with the RCO in training orphan youth for jobs in the retail sector and giving them career guidance and openings at the Hypermarket

Dr Mustafa Sayed, Juzer Rupawala & HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Citroën C Elysee Launch MotorCity Holding Company, the sole distributors for Citroën vehicles in the kindom held a launch for the new Citroën C Elysee at The Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa last month. The launch was followed by a dinner

Bijan

Zaid

The Citroën C Elysee

Agnelo & Brett

Gautam, Arti, Ketan, Mili, Ashu & Rakesh

Hisham, George, Shandra & Rodolphe

Salma, Oussama & Nawras

22 July 2013

George & Bashar Darkazalli

Omar, Bisan & Ameer

Fadhel, Bashar, Lourdes & Shaheen

Nawras & Munaf

Marwa & Sari

Valsa, Nizam, Raj & Vishal

Bless & David

Hillary & Ross

Mariam & Montaser

Jassim & John

Ben & Laura

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happeningsthismonth

Ramadan Festivals In keeping with the Holy Month of Ramadan, Bahrain will see a raft of special shopping festivals. Here’s a rundown on the ones you need to watch out for.

Ramadan is not just a month of fasting. It is a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate the spirit of giving and sharing. And with it comes the never-ending bouts of shopping, be it for groceries or gifts. There are a number of shopping festivals targeting this buzz throughout the month, many carrying on until August.

Star Events presents Kingdom Shopping Festival that is aimed at being an authentic family-oriented festival for all ages to enjoy. Its main goal is to support local talent. Held at the Bahrain Exhibition Centre on July 26-27 from 4-11pm, it offers raffle draws, face painting and henna designing.

The Bahrain Shopping Festival, held on August 1-3, is a place where customers will encounter endless bargains, where retailers promote fantastic products, and where old and young, male and female can appreciate the joy of shopping. It is held a week before Eid holidays when everyone likes to splurge on new purchases and surprise their loved ones with gifts.

Products on offer include clothing, toys, electronics, gardening equipment, household items, cosmetics and perfumes.

From July 31 to August 3, Crowne Plaza Bahrain plays host to Layali Ramadania. The Holy Month gets better with this exhibition as it puts together exciting game shows, prizes and many surprises.

Also this month

Another five-star hotel, MĂśvenpick Hotel Bahrain, hosts three expos within the month. From July 27-30, take part in Ahlan Bel Eid. This is ideal for those who are having a hard time finding the perfect dress for the celebrations. On July 12 and 13, the hotel will see major footfall for the Blueish Expo.

The Women’s World Expo takes place on July 17 from 8pm until 2am. Galleries and local entrepreneurs gather to display the best accessories for Ramadan and Eid. Known to be the first women-centric exhibition in the Kingdom, it has been held annually since 2010. For the third consecutive year it brings together all entrepreneurs and home-run businesses to help them market their products and services.

Do not miss the Ramadan Fair 2013 at Adhari Park from July 9 to 24. Reeling in shoppers from 6.30 to 11pm, the fair is a major participant in the shopping scenario. Over a hundred stalls are dedicated to garments, footwear, cosmetics, food and beverages. Children can enjoy the jumping castle or watch stilt walkers, clowns, magicians and mascots entertaining the crowd. There are many prizes to be won.

Earlier in the month, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain accommodates the Made in my Home Expo. Nicknamed the Ramdan Souq, this will be held on July 3 and 4. The products of the productive families participating in the annual exhibition will be various and advanced.

On the same days, West Riffa Sports Club hosts the Ahlan Ramadan Charity Souq from 10.30am until 9pm; mornings are dedicated exclusively to female shoppers.

30 x Arts & Culture - 32 x Clubs & Societies - 34 x Teens & Kids - 36 x Sports & Recreation

www.bahrainthismonth.com

World days Recognise world days this month.

When? July 2 Event? Sports journalist day Sports journalism is also a vehicle for peace in troubled areas.

When? July 11 Event? Population day The world population keeps on increasing, squeezing resources.

When? July 18 Event? Nelson Mandela day Nelson Mandela devoted his life to humanity; do the same.

When? July 28 Event? Hepatitis day Hepatitis remains largely unknown, undiagnosed and untreated.

When? July 28 Event? Nature conservation day Plant a tree and help raise awareness of green conservation.

When? July 30 Event? Friendship day Celebrate the joys of friendship with those most dear to you.

July 2013 23

happeningsthismonth When? July 1-3 Event? Innovation conference Venue? BIECC Take the opportunity to learn from industry experts and present your ideas.

E Call 17 717-200.

When? July 1-31 Event? Product showcase Venue? Seef Mall Entrelab is a non-profit initiative to support youth and start-up businesses.

E Call 17 242-700.

When? July 3-4 Event? Comedy act Venue? British Club/InterContinental Regency Hotel Enjoy two nights of comic relief with three established comedians.

E Call 36 663-509.

When? July 5 Event? Concert Venue? Alumni Club The Kingdom’s hottest rock bands hit the stage at this year’s Sanitarium.

E Call 39 775-095.

When? July 26-27 Event? Shopping festival Venue? BIECC Enjoy raffle draws, face painting, henna designing and a lot of shopping.

E Call 17 713-716.

When? July 31-August 3 Event? Ramadan festival Venue? Crowne Plaza Bahrain This exhibition puts together exciting game shows, prizes and many surprises.

E Call 36 400-494.

24 July 2013

Rock Out July 5 witnesses the return of Bahrain’s biggest and most popular rock concert as Sanitarium returns for the fourth year in a row. Having started back in 2010, the event became an instant success and drew over 21 different acts from all around the Gulf region in its four-year span.

To be held at the Shaikh Isa Cultural Hall in Adliya, seven local acts will be featured, including the highly anticipated return of the popular Re-Alive and Morgue. The two were the most recognised bands at Bahrain’s music scene back in the start of the decade and will both play a one-off show this year.

Other acts taking part in the concert include the new and talented fusion band Mazaj. The band breaks musical boundaries by mixing Eastern and Western concepts in everchanging musical arrangements.

Progressive rockers InsideOut, whose work has received recognition and radio play ever since they started in 2010, are in the line-up. The list concludes with the upcoming Berserk, as well as Sanitarium’s very own band The Experiment.

Organisers aim to provide a platform for new bands to take the stage and will hold auditions for anyone who would like to fill up the last spot. Tickets will be sold at BD3 prior to the event and BD4 at the gate for the main (standing) area and BD5 prior to the event and BD6 at the gate for the upper (seated) area, which can also be used to access the main area. Tickets can be purchased at Room 2 Rock in Hamala.

E Call 39 775-095.

Summer Fiesta The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Waterpark’s biggest annual event is back under the theme ‘Waves of Happiness’. This year’s

summer festival includes a grand celebration focusing on family-friendly activities and exciting games.

These include a family treasure hunt, fashion show, rangoli festival, cooking competition and a special bazaar that highlights local products. The festival comes to an end on July 6. Resident DJ S spins Arabic music throughout the celebration.

E Call 17 845-162.

Take a Break Start the holidays with two nights of back-to-back laughter courtesy of Chuckle Club’s comedy acts on July 3-4. This month sees Tom Deacon take the stage. The slick, upbeat, confident and loveable performer has had television appearances on The Rob Brydon Show and Dave’s One Night Stand.

The performer to follow, Tiffany Stevenson, has appeared with Ricky Gervais in The Office and Stephen Fry in Absolute Power.

Last year she was a finalist on ITV’s Show Me the Funny and performed a set at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.

Dave Fulton’s wry observations of the British, and sometimes Europeans in general, will make his audience take a good long look at themselves. A veteran of the comedy scene in San Francisco and New York, he has performed all around the world.

E Call 36 663-509.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happeningsthismonth When? July 27 to August 7 | Event? Ramadan campaign | Venue? Al Aali Shopping Complex AL AALI SHOPPING COMPLEX

Retail Therapy If you’re the one with the glamour gene and your love of labels will take you anywhere, here’s a shopping destination in the heart of Bahrain that is luxury, leisure and lots more.

As you scout the city’s malls for your Eid wardrobe, reserve a day for Al Aali Shopping Complex and you’ll look no further. Located in Seef, the mall, with its plush environs, stylish ambience and a plethora of high-end brands, attracts a regular stream of Kingdom’s shoppers.

The venue is home to luxury labels such as Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Red Valentino, Alice by Temperly, Moschino and Jimmy Choo. Adjacent to the shopping centre is a restaurant boulevard that houses restaurants such as Café Lilou, Nino, Nu Asia, Yo! Sushi, Leila and Johnny Rockets.

A hit with visitors, here you can indulge in a refreshing break and take in, from time to time, events and exhibitions organised by the mall.

Shop and win In addition to providing the latest off the runways, this Ramadan Al Aali is hosting a festive tent which will display traditional products. You will be able to browse for ethnic artefacts like Moroccan candles, Arabic decor pieces, locally produced perfumes, and other Ramadan and Eid gifts.

What’s more, the mall is running a ‘Shop and Win’ contest that offers guaranteed gifts to shoppers and a chance to win holiday vouchers in a raffle draw.

“We’re a premium shopping destination and that reflects in our festive exhibitions and sales, too,” says mall director Hana Al Aali. “These products come from the best suppliers and have been specially brought in for Ramadan.” E Call 17 581-000.

WTM 125th Issue Party

bystanderthismonth

Alison, Marietta & Ashok

Dorit & Mirna

Debbie & Felisa

Rowena & Lalit

Bridget & Mala

Mayukh & Nanda

George & Maeve

Vlada & Nina

Mobeena & Ghazali

Banu, George & Costis

Indira & Ingrid

Behnaz & Kaizad

Sahar, Bibo & Sara

Bloggers!!!

DJ Tabu

Patience please..... if your image isn't here, it will be in wtm's special event coverage next issue

26 July 2013

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BMIBANK/RET/AYD/01-04-13 MOIC/PC2743/2012 Terms & conditions apply.

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happeningsthismonth When? July 8-August 12 | Event? Shopping festival | Venue? The Bahrain Mall THE BAHRAIN MALL

Family Values Bringing the best of Bahraini culture under one roof, here’s a venue that makes festive shopping more exciting and rewarding.

Bringing together a number of local artists, The Bahrain Mall promises a Ramadan shopping experience unlike any other in the country. The mall brings the finest pottery, paintings and basket and textile weaving artists, all under one roof. It also features special attractions like falconry, a photo booth and live Arabic music, performed every weekend, leading upto Eid. One must look forward to tasting delicious local specialties at various cooking demonstrations as well as participating in a live radio road show. Kids have a reason to rejoice as well for the mall has balloon twisters, face painters, walking Arabic statues and camel stilts to keep them entertained.

The long list of stores offers a host of festive bargains all though the month. From fashion labels to fragrances, homeware, furnishing and electronics, The Bahrain Mall is a great venue to do your Ramadan and Eid shopping. In addition to this, the mall’s food court offers a splendid choice of local and international cuisine restaurants for a delicious Iftar meal with your family.

There are also raffle draws; for every purchase of BD10 you will receive a raffle coupon and a chance to win a Dodge Charger 2013.

The Bahrain Mall promises the ultimate family shopping experience in the heart of Bahrain’s retail district. In keeping with the theme that its ethnic fortress-like façade and traditional ambience so beautifully captures, the mall is true to promoting Bahraini culture. E Call 17 558-101.

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Cadillac XTC 2013 Launch The National Motor Company, sole distributors for Cadillac vehicles in the kingdom held a reception to mark the launch of the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTC last month. The event was held at the Grand Foyer, Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa

The all-new 2013 Cadillac XTC

Ghassan, Stephanie & Ahmed

Abdulla, Martino, Nader, Bedar, Dr Adel, Simon, HE Thomas Krajeski, US Ambassador, Fadel & Aziz

Waleed Sharif, Abdul Rahman Fakhro & Waleed

28 July 2013

John, Kelly & Chelsea

George

Abdul Sathar & Suresh

Hisham & Fatima

Dr Adel & Vishal

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happeningsartsculture

Comic Relief

Mohammed Hussain Al-Mahdi

Ankita Mamgain

Four-sided Imagery

What happens when two tremendously talented artists with maverick ideas, creative pursuits and a wild sense of humour get together? Life in cartoon motion!

The Kingdom’s art scene is a reflection of its young and vibrant spirit and Mohammed Hussain Al-Mahdi and Wafa Abdulla Al-Alawi aptly demonstrate this. They have joined hands to form Cartoon Planet, a creative agency that uses caricature art in quirky ways to deliver artworks, ads, comic books, brand mascots and graphic designs. The duo combines their passion of art, wit and humour, and is fast becoming a creative force to reckon with in the country.

Affinity for arts and an inspiring trip to Sri Lanka made Mohammed, the founder and creative director, to start Cartoon Planet over a year ago with Wafa, the art director and editor.

The two met through Instagram, where a mutual admiration of each other’s work further catalysed this synergy. Apart from providing creative solutions, they hold lectures and workshops for corporate groups and art schools throughout Bahrain. The two look forward to a busy summer doing the same.

The fun character of the company is brilliantly captured by Proton, their mascot, designed by Wafa. It is considered to be the inhabitant of Cartoon Planet; an outlandish character, which is full of positivity!

Although they have a great variety of work coming their way, comics remain their first love. Their favourite comic book is the old Batman and Robin and someday they hope to release their own series.

Having developed several cartoon characters of their own,

30 July 2013

Wafa Abdulla Al-Alawi

Wafa and Mohammed have great admiration for others in the same field. The Jordanian artist Emad Hajjaj and David Horsey from the US are their favourite cartoonists. They also draw inspiration from Josh Neufeld and his graphic novel AD New Orleans after the Deluge and the works of Rick Burchett and Dr Sherif Arafa.

The two look forward to widening their horizons throughout the GCC with their imaginative streak, love for cartoons and lots of humour. E Visit www.cartoon-planet.com.

Sergio Miranda’s Square Root exhibition comes to an end this month; so don’t miss out on his three amazing series of photographs. The first two, Número 11 and Bahrain on a Square, are decorative images that experiment with the inherent characteristics of photography.

The third is part of a series called Ombligo, created to be part of a collective project exploring the concepts of common ground and dialogue.

The exhibition, from July 1-9 at the World Beat Café, is open daily from 8.30am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm, except on Fridays.

E Call 17 612-576.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happeningsclubssocieties

BSB Infants School Ramadan Food Drive 2013

A Season for Giving The Palm Association is building on its existing initiatives to bring smiles on the faces of the less fortunate this summer.

The Holy Month of Ramadan will see many magnanimous souls coming forward to help the underprivileged in Bahrain.

Coordinating some of these initiatives is The Palm Association, the 13-year-old charity working exclusively for impoverished families in the Kingdom.

‘The Palm’ helps to provide for Bahraini women and their families who have fallen on hard times, either through the death of a spouse, illness, divorce or disability. Support is offered through various programmes, including the provision of food parcels, white goods, the refurbishment of dilapidated homes and help to educate their children.

“Donations are the life blood of a charity such as The Palm Association and we’re very grateful to see donors such as DHL staff and the children from the British School of Bahrain contribute foodstuff so wholeheartedly towards our Ramadan food distribution campaign,” says Jennifer Downey Gill, corporate communications officer.

DHL staff have provided bags of rice, cereals, powdered milk and other grocery essentials for the Ramadan campaign, as well as money, while the infants’ classes from The British School of Bahrain came forward with cooking oil, milk, tinned fruits and other foodstuff. The groceries have been collected by The Palm volunteers and will be distributed to families in need during Ramadan.

This initiative is in addition to the charity’s feed-a-family programme, where it provides BD20 food parcels to 155 shortlisted families every month. The families are identified in

32 July 2013

periodic audits which are done annually and sometimes on a monthly basis, when the situation of the beneficiaries is assessed by the charity.

“We are helped by our Bahraini advisers, who act as translators and cultural interpreters in gauging the situation.

Once we find the family doing better, we still follow them closely, and though they may no longer need immediate assistance with food, underlying medical, educational or household needs may subsequently come to light. At the same time, we try to identify others who are more in need of assistance,” explains Jennifer.

On the occasion of Eid, The Palm will give out 200 vouchers of BD10 each for traditional outfits to orphaned children living with foster families in Muharraq.

On the education front, the charity is currently funding the educational expenses of seven medical students and three nursing students in Bahrain. The Palm funds a full-time activities coordinator at the children’s oncology ward in Salmaniya Medical Complex and another Bahraini helper who plans activities for children with thalassemia at the same hospital.

New Board Earlier this year the charity elected a new committee, with Eibhlin Crosse as chairperson, which is now streamlining the association, making it even more efficient.

“Since most of our benefactors are corporate organisations, we have always striven to ensure that every penny donated is well spent. We have now put a business model into effect. We are a voluntary non-profit association that is as efficient as a corporate entity, but still retains its heart,” says Jennifer.

A Helping Hand What better way to embrace the Holy Month than getting into the spirit of giving?

This year, the Al Reem Charity Foundation is holding its fourth annual event to raise money for lessfortunate families.

Local and regional entrepreneurs are invited to sell their products and a certain percentage is donated to the foundation. The proceeds raised are then personally distributed by the foundation to families before Eid. The exhibition, which runs July 12 at the Fatima Kanoo Hall, is open from 8.30pm to 12.30am.

E Email alreemcharity@ gmail.com.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happeningskidsteens

Happy Summer Havens Summer’s not the season to remain holed up in the house. With the schools on a break, many summer camps spring across the island, providing some healthy fun and respite from the sweltering heat.

When? July 7-August 1 Where? British School of Bahrain, Hamala The ‘Superweeks Summer School’ invites children for a host of fun activities this summer, providing a daily dose of sports, swimming, dance, and art and craft. The camp also promises trips to Wahoo!, Magic Planet, Science Centre, Chakazoolu, Mad Science and Play Bahrain.

When? July 1-31 Where? Rainbow for Kids, Muharraq Themed around the Native American Indians, the nursery is conducting the ‘Tee Pees and Wig Wams’ summer camp.

Children from the age one to seven are involved in tribal games, art and craft, sports clay modelling along with ‘Pow Wows’ which include leaning a secret language and hunting skills.

When? July 1-August 31 Where? Alliance Française, Isa Town Gear up for a ‘Frenchtastic’ summer at the Alliance Française.

Offering a healthy mix of activities for children aged five to 12, the camp includes indoor and water games, drama, films, story telling, dance, art and many creative workshops.

When? July 7-August 30 Where? Indian Institute of Performing Arts (IIPA), Segaya IIPA is back with its annual instalment of Parampara, the cultural camp organised every summer. The activities include Hindustani classical singing, theatre, thematic presentation, painting, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyattam and musical instruments such as tabla and harmonium.

When? July 7-August 1 Where? Early Learners Nursery, Saar Open to children aged two to six, this refreshing programme is the perfect break for your tiny tots. The kids can dabble in activities such as art and craft, cooking and games. They will also be taught basic computer skills along with physical exercise such as ‘junior aerobics’ and even gymnastics.

When? June 30-July 4 and August 11-22 Where? The Sylvan Learning Centre, North Sehla Like its previous editions, here is a summer camp for students from age five to 11, running in two batches from Sunday to Thursday. The activities focus on academic skills like reading, writing, mathematics and spoken English — all mixed in with games and creative projects.

When? July 1-31 Where? The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa, Manama Introduce your children to the natural wonders of the island through a variety of hands-on activities at the Ritz Kids Summer Camp this year. This supervised programme, for five to 12 year olds, aims to entertain kids with educational games, featuring a different theme each day.

When? July 7-August 25 Where? Royal Country Club, Riffa Sign your kids up for a refreshing summer camp at the Royal Country Club. Open to children aged five to 12, it offers activities such as golf, football, scavenger hunts, swimming and much more.

When? July 1-31 Where? The Little Gems Pre-School, Barbar The daily sessions of splash pool fun, games and entertainment for two to five year olds is a fantastic way to combat the summer sun. The camp also includes activities like paper maché, art and craft, music, dance, watching films and cooking.

When? July 7-August 7 Where? The Little Acorns, Adliya The school is organising an interactive holiday camp for children with special needs, aged five to 14. The programme emphasises motor skills and sensory learning and the kids can enjoy games, music and other themed activities.

34 July 2013

Caring Parents Blossom Events organises a unique programme dedicated to strengthening the bond of a mother and her child. In cooperation with Kindermusik, the sessions use exercises associated with music, sound and colours.

Other than having babies play with each other in a fun atmosphere, women will also get to mingle and share experiences with other mothers. After the music classes, a one-of-a-kind mothers’ support group is organised by Blossom to help assist them with issues ranging from depression to teething and even your baby’s first shower. The sessions run until July 12.

E Call 39 934-446.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happeningssportsrecreation

Abbas Maki

Get Fit with a Champion If you are looking to get in shape for the beach season, who better to learn from than one of the Kingdom’s most recognised bodybuilding champions.

Abbas Maki has left no stone unturned in the bodybuilding field. His achievements include a second placing in the 2008 world body building championship and a fourth placing in the 2007 Asian Olympic Games. Currently a personal trainer at the Al Nakheel Gym, the Bahraini native has helped countless individuals find a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

“Fitness is addictive. The point is to find the balance between working out a sufficient amount of time and not overdoing it. If you spend eight hours in the gym, then you aren’t building your muscles, you are exhausting them,” he explains.

After a highly successful run on the bodybuilding world stage, Abbas now specialises in fitness.

“Bodybuilding training has its seasons and is geared towards people who are looking to get into the sport as a profession, andtaking part in championships. This involves rigorous workouts and a strict diet. With my training sessions, I focus on health and maintaining a fit body,” says Abbas.

Among his many contributions to Bahrain’s sporting world, Abbas hosted segments on the popular Bahrain TV morning show Hala Bahrain that was very well received by viewers. The show saw him sharing his expert tips, focusing on at-home fitness, where he discussed and presented routines that can be

36 July 2013

done outside a gym and without any equipment.

Abbas also had a stint with the General Organisation for Youth and Sports as an adviser and participated in local, Asian and international championships. Abbas’ advice to young bodybuilding hopefuls is to remain ambitious.

“It’s about aspiring to it; they can reach even further than I and other Bahraini champions did,” says the trainer.

Having been interested in athletics since his childhood, he was initially a handball player, until 2003, where he started training for bodybuilding championships with the encouragement of his coach Tareq Al Farsani.

Abbas explains that with a healthy and active lifestyle, once you start there is no turning back.

“Many people have the wrong assumption about being athletic.

There is no specific age where you can start; you can get into shape at whatever age and you don’t spend your entire day at the gym. It can take as little as an hour a day,” he explains.

Abbas is a certified TRX trainer, being qualified to work with an intense and functional mechanism that uses suspension training equipment. It delivers a fast, effective total-body workout and helps build a rock-solid core and muscular endurance. For a beach-ready body, get in touch with the sought-after trainer to book your sessions.

Volleyball Challenge Top teams will go head-tohead in this year’s edition of the Indo-Bahrain Volleyball Tournament, from July 1-5 at the Kerala Catholic Association. The teams will be split into two groups and will battle it out for top honours to go ahead to the semi-finals.

Trophies will be handed out to the winners and runners ups as well as individual prizes to the best performing players. Cash prizes of US$1,000 will be given to first place winners while US$500 will go to the runners up.

E Call 39 397-467.

E Call 39 666-172, email abbasmaki80@gmail.com or follow Instagram/Abbasmaki.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Ramadan Kareem

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Abbas Al Mosawi Art Gallery Opening Under the patronage of HE Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Interior for Citizenship, Passports & Residence Affairs and Honorary President of The Bahrain Arts Society, a ceremony was held to mark the opening of Abbas Al Mosawi Private Art Gallery and the launch of the Arabic translation of the book 'Abbas Al Mosawi and the Colours of Bahrain' by Dennis O'Dwyer

HE Shaikh Rashid opens the gallery

Omran & Rowena Mosawi, Abbas, Nejib & Sabine

Hala, Fatima & Raeeda

Dennis O'Dwyer, HE Shaikh Rashid, Dr Khozai & Abbas Al Mosawi

Dennis O'Dwyer, Abdulla & Abbas

Rowena, Francoise, Safa, Iro & Marion

Fawzia, Rehab, Fatima & Maha

Nakhle, Claudine, Layla & Eman

38 July 2013

Lalith, Iro & HE Shaikh Rashid

Sayed, Jalal, Ali & Shubbar

Noor, Fatima & Nadia

Lorraine & Hugo

Adeela, Hussain, Zuhair & Ayda

Bandula, Hussain & Nezar

Marwa, Zaina & Safa

Reem & Noor

George & Geg

Dr Barni & Dr Wadia

Philip

Younis & Ingrid

Mahmeed

Ibrahim

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Indukumar & Mala Bhatia Golden Jubilee Celebrations The Bhatia family hosted a grand dinner party to celebrate the 50th Golden Jubilee of Indu & Mala Bhatia last month. The event that featured music, a comedy show and entertainment was held at the Elite Resort & Spa

Mala & Indukumar Bhatia

Bharti, Mala, Indukumar & Vijay

Poonam, Sneha, Latha & Kishore

Rashmi, Mala, Indukumar, Shefali & Ajay

Rajesh, Mala, Indukumar & Renuka

Harsha, Mala, Shanta, Indukumar, Yogesh & Urvashi

40 July 2013

Bharat, Kishore & Amit

K.N. Singh, Ravinder & Jujhar

Prakash, Preeti, Mukesh, Indukumar & Kamal

Kaajawal, Yogita, Sanjana, Prema, Preeti & Dishika

Dishika, Bhavika & Sanjana

Prakash & Pallavi Bhatia

Raj & Shuba

Pooja & Chanda

Vinod, Sangeetha & Neelu

Poonam, Kamlesh & Kanishka

Anoop & Juhi

Sachi & Amrita

Khurshid & Rohinton

Mathur

www.bahrainthismonth.com

&

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British School Of Bahrain Art Exhibition The British School of Bahrain held its Senior Art Exhibition last month. The exhibition held at the school was opened by HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador HE Iain Lindsay opens the exhibition

Millie & Shoham

Shiavax, Perin & Jehangir

Charlotte, Grace, Joanne & Derrick

Bhanavi, Kavidu & Aminde

Jumana, Hussain, Noor, Zuhair, Khulood

Jade, Mira & Jazz

Babli, Anoop, Veena, Juhi, Sneha, Pallavi & Bhavika

42 July 2013

Latifa & Ameena

Emily, Liam & Lewis

Kevin, Sara, Jammie & Neha

Julia, Laura & Billie

Alexandra

Lisa, Arthur & Manuela

Kim

Alison

Clara

Clara, Lombardi & Ati

Ethan & Eva

Maria, Claire & Bruno

One of the painting

Dana & Renee

Another artwork display

Catherine

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Autism Biathlon 2013 The Amwaj Marina Autism Biathlon was held last month at the Amwaj Marina to raise funds for the Alia for Early Intervention Society. The event featureed a host of fun races including the Adult Try a Bi, above the age of 16, who had to compete in a 200-metre swim followed by a three-kilometre run.

The Juniors Try a Bi was open to youngsters between the ages of 12 and 15, while the fourkilometre walkathon was open to anyone above 12 years of age. There was also a bazaar, face painting, henna, a bouncy castle, a DJ and much more

Wes & Gem

Ebtisam, Manar & Manal

Yousif, Khalid, Fouad & Abdulla

44 July 2013

Adnan, Abdulla, Ahmadi & Abdulla

Jessica & Moses

Suci & Habib

Khalid, Omar, Sandra & Salma

Adnan & Susanne

Hala

Sara, David, Nasser, Kolja, Marina, Liebera, Praveen, Sumesh & Nicolas

Jo, Nicole & Vicky

Budoor & Khajal

Aisling, Siubhan & Josh

Nada, Dee & Abdulla

Sarah & Amanda

Grace & Charlotte

Wendy & Fathi

Catherine & Suzy

Erika & Maya

Fanny & Redha

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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HE Bishop Camillo Ballin Dinner Reception His Excellency Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia hosted a dinner reception at the Bapco Club in Awali last month. The dinner was attended by HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State for Information Affairs, HE Khalifa Al Dhahrani, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, members of the diplomatic corps and a number of VIP guests

HE Bishop Camillo Ballin,HE Ahmed Shahizan Abd Samad, Malaysian Ambassador & Nor Hayati

HE Bishop Camillo Ballin

HE Sameera Rajab, HE HE Bishop Camillo Ballin & HE Khalifa Al Dhahrani with officials

HE Alberto Veechi, Italian Ambassador, HE Bishop Camillo Ballin & Romina Vecchi

Frank, HE R.K.M.A. Rajakaruna, Sri Lankan Ambassador & Deanna

Lina & Florine

Rev Uldarico

HE Christian Testot, French Ambassador, HE Sameera Rajab, HE HE Bishop Camillo Ballin, HE Khalifa Al Dhahrani & Rev T.V. Uldarico cut the celebratory cake

Shantharam, George, Anne & Ashalatha

Melissa & Dannely

Manelo & Cora

46 July 2013

Hazel & John

Sarita & Gerry

Reeva & Adrian

Josephine & Rita

Tiburcio & Victoria

Bernard & Marietta

Thess & Lito

Annie & Clement

Joy

Porshia & Roger

www.bahrainthismonth.com

spotlightthismonth

Time to Look Within Aruna Ladva

xxxxx Although we live in an imperfect world we expect our relationships to be perfect.

Expectation in a relationship is the real killer; it sets you up for disappointment

Simi Kamboj A new book by Aruna Ladva explores how spiritual wisdom can bring freedom in relationships.

48 July 2012

Perhaps there isn’t a better occasion for introspection and soul searching than Ramadan. For those trying to get to the root of their relationship problems, a timely book to pursue this summer would be Aruna Ladva’s It’s Time for Relationships.

Based on her own experiences and inner reflections, the thoughtful book examines the core of many different relationships we have in our lives, both with others and with ourselves. The seed of disharmony in relationships is often sown by our expectations, believes Aruna, who is the founder of the Bahrain Meditation Centre.

“Although we live in an imperfect world we expect our relationships to be perfect. Expectation in a relationship is the real killer; it sets you up for disappointment. Once you do away with expectations and act from a place of pure love and generosity, you won’t lack anything,” the spiritual counsellor advises.

Aruna has a blend of Eastern and Western cultures. She was born in Kenya, educated in London and worked in Vancouver, and has been studying with the Brahma Kumaris for the past 35 years. During this time she has travelled regularly to promote the work of the university, run retreats, managed projects and teaching and facilitating in the area of human development. The book is a culmination of the weekly articles she writes on her blog and the talks she gives around the world.

For those who are on a spiritual journey, how we perceive our relationships is a reflection of who we are. And unless our relationship with ourselves improves, it will be difficult to build strong relationships with others, she believes.

In the book, Aruna dwells on how we can value ourselves and others, find pure love and, ultimately, how we can find closure when the door to a relationship closes for the last time.

An important tool in building respect in relationships is the art of being assertive and learning to say “no” without giving offence to loved ones, she notes.

Talking about emotional proximity, she advises that stepping back sometimes and cultivating emotional detachment can help in resolving issues.

“To have a difference in opinion is fine and healthy and it shouldn’t bring about a difference in the hearts. Also, the key to resolving conflicts is to not get caught up emotionally in the drama,” she says.

In the end, love is the only weapon that can bridge gaps and heal wounds, she concludes. “Once unkind and hurtful words are said, nothing can undo the damage. Revenge can only beget more violence. We must plant the first positive seed, which will set the tone in our relationships, both within and around us,” she says.

Aruna, with her education in natural health and as a certified negotiator in conflict resolution, continues to promote a peaceful, natural and vegetarian lifestyle.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Portugese National Day Celebrations The Portugese community in Bahrain held a dinner reception to celebrate the National Day of Portugal. The event was held at the Kontiki Restaurant, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa last month

Orlando, Elisa & Kim

Paula & Isabel

Alberto, Niguel, Yasmin, Miguel, Jose & Jose

Thelma & Rubio

Daniel, Carlos & Antonio

Alan & James

Joao & Miguel

James, Aliya, Aurora, Jamal & Daniel

Janet, Jose, Paula & Malcolm

Jaime, Paula, Joana & Mena

St Christopher's Year 13 Commencement Ceremony St Christopher’s School celebrated the achievements of the Year 13 students at the Year 13 Commencement Ceremony in the school's Saar Auditorium. The guest of honour, alumna Erika Broers awarded the commencement certificates and academic subject prizes

Erika Broers

Erika & Farah

Tamara, Dr Sadiw, Mohannad, Haitham & Dr Nedhal

50 July 2013

Basel, Ellie & Nikita

Zenjefra, Haajera, Clara & Amy

Erika & Devi

Zeus, Anna, Aphrodite & Thor

Prashant, Deepali & Mukesh

Hayat, Mehdi, Philip & Marwan

Colin

www.bahrainthismonth.com

businessthismonth When? July 1-3 | Event? Technology innovation conference | Venue? Bahrain International Exhibition & Conference Centre

Driving Innovation A technology conference in Bahrain brings to light the latest innovation trends globally while showcasing the Kingdom’s home-grown innovators.

Bahrain has a substantial opportunity to drive economic growth by developing a vibrant technology sector, but it hasn’t fully capitalised on the opportunity. According to a World Bank report, the MENA region remains a consumer and net importer of technology, generating only around two per cent of its GDP through information and communications technology (ICT).

The Inovtech Conference 2013 aims to stimulate innovation in technology in order to drive forward business growth and facilitate the culture of entrepreneurship in the region.

However, big businesses tend to be at a disadvantage when it comes to innovation, believes Dave Ulmer, founder of ChangeYourDNA and a key speaker at the event.

“The very skills that make an incumbent successful are obstacles to innovation,” Dave maintains. “Companies thrive on consistent, predictable results, whereas innovation requires experimenting in the unknown. And nothing is harder for an organisation than providing valuable resources to projects with unknown, unpredictable, and potentially disruptive outcomes.”

Having worked for large companies like Motorola, LG, and SingTel in Singapore, Dave’s career has revolved around driving growth in businesses. He will conduct the ‘Innovation in Business’ workshop at the event in Bahrain.

Innovation has always remained a challenge for the MENA Also this month

52 x Entrepreneur - 54 x Interview

www.bahrainthismonth.com

region and the World Bank data shows that in the last 13 years the region filed a total of 3,224 patents, compared with some 1.7 million patents from Japan alone.

Dr Nasser Fouad, senior adviser at the Egyptian Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology, believes that the educational system in the MENA region doesn’t offer much space for creativity or innovation, based as it is on textbooks.

“The amount allocated in government budgets towards research is not enough due to many reasons. Furthermore, the registration offices in the Middle East ask for a lot of restrictive and unnecessary procedures, which results in a lot of people applying directly to countries like USA and Germany,” he notes.

Dr Nasser will speak on the importance of patents and strategies of awareness at the conference. e-Shabab competition A key component of the Inovtech Conference is the e-Shabab initiative, which aims to bring innovative projects by youths to life. Bahraini youth are being invited to learn and compete by presenting and marketing their project, which can either be an innovative idea or the development of an existing concept.

The event will have a display area for these projects.

Local projects will be provided support to compete internationally and the participants will attend an annual gathering to discuss trends in innovation.

E Call 17 717-200.

Signature Deal Zain Bahrain has launched its premium Signature service in Bahrain, promising its customers excellent bundled services as well as luxury lifestyle perks. Signature customers will enjoy concierge service, personal assistants and messengers as well as complimentary access to more than 60 premium lounges at airports across the world.

“We are proud of this unique lifestyle component of our Signature service, which rewards and recognises our customers’ uniqueness with only the highest-quality services,” says Hisham Alfateh, director of Zain Signature.

The service also allows exclusive telecommunication benefits such as free international minutes, free roaming minutes and free devices.

July 2013 51

businessentrepreneur

Nurturing Creativity xxxxx I am convinced that innovation makes the difference between leaders and followers.

I also realised that there is an acute need to enhance innovation programmes

Osama Al Khajah

Simi Kamboj Ever wonder why good ideas tend to meet a premature death, while thousands of similar business ideas swirl around in the market, all waiting to fail?

52 July 2012

Creativity at work can often hit a roadblock, muzzled as it is by the established systems, processes and policy procedures at the workplace. However, the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful entrepreneur can often boil down to innovation, believes Osama Al Khajah, founder of Ebtikar Association, the first society dedicated to innovation in Bahrain.

Osama became familiar with entrepreneurial stories in Bahrain around 15 years ago while he was working at Bahrain Development Bank (BDB). The insight he gained into the concerns of young entrepreneurs and their challenges inspired him to look for solutions.

“I am convinced that innovation makes the difference between leaders and followers. I also realised that there is an acute need to enhance innovation programmes, especially at the level of students and young entrepreneurs in Bahrain.

Students usually complete a project before graduation, often aimed at solving a problem, which then gathers dust on the shelves at the university for years — a classic example of how good ideas die. At the same time, thousands of identical business ideas are vying for space in the market, which is not feasible,” he notes.

Ebtikar Association was formed earlier this year with a view to develop innovation in Bahrain through events, programmes, advocacy and projects to coordinate efforts and enhance cooperation. The association’s 13 founders are all seasoned professionals who have come together to work in their personal capacity.

Through its strategic alliances with Arab Science and Technology Foundation, UNIDO, Tamkeen and the Project Management Institute (PMI), Ebtikar hopes to involve all stakeholders in Bahrain in an exploration of the challenges and opportunities in the sphere of business innovation. The Association will farm ideas by organising a National Innovation Strategy Roundtable in July, and its outcome will be submitted to the Economic Development Board. Osama has other aspirations for Ebtikar as well.

“Innovation is a necessity and not a luxury for Bahrain. We'd like to see a national innovation fund set up in Bahrain to fuel this phenomenon. We want to foster original thinking and new ideas and watch them translate into new businesses,” adds Osama. “Also, we want Bahrain to be linked to sources of technology overseas so that applied technology can be transferred and localised here through joint ventures between investors and technology owners.”

Promoting ideas Ebtikar will also establish an innovation ecosystem project that will guide students and entrepreneurs to gain better understanding of all components of the existing eco-system.

It plans to hold frequent events such as the Youth and e-Commerce Forum to support technology-related initiatives.

Osama maintains that Ebtikar should not be confused with organisations such as Tenmou and The Firm, which are working to facilitate entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in Bahrain.

“Each of these agencies have their own place and they are all doing good work, but there is a need for capacity building to develop innovation. Also, there isn’t sufficient mentoring for budding entrepreneurs and we hope to be active in this sphere,” he observes.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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businessinterview

Managing Expectations xxxxx If you want to proceed without damaging relationships, there is no better way than to sit down with a mediator and reach a comprehensive and mutually agreed-upon resolution

James Macpherson

Simi Kamboj The ‘out-of-court’ approach has become a popular mechanism in resolving disputes worldwide. James MacPherson tells us why.

54 July 2013

Given the workload of traditional law courts in most countries, disagreeing parties now prefer the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, which takes less time and imposes fewer costs compared to litigation. But above all, what most appeals to feuding parties is the control and confidentiality that ADR offers, believes James MacPherson, CEO, Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR)-AAA. “People want no surprises. They want to pick an arbitrator they can trust; they want to decide on the private judge and their lawyer. They even decide upon the applicable law relevant to the subject matter of the dispute and the jurisdiction of this law,” he says.

The use of mediation to resolve commercial disputes has picked up in the region.

“If you want to proceed without damaging relationships, there is no better way than to sit down with a mediator and reach a comprehensive and mutually agreed-upon resolution.

Parties are in control and they only craft deals they believe in and will uphold,” adds James.

However, if you are dealing with a party that is incapable or unwilling to negotiate in good faith, arbitration is the best way forward. “In fact, smart businesses always insert a stepped

clause which has the benefits of both parties attempting mediation. Then, if a resolution is not reached, the matter is promptly sent to an arbitration process,” he points out.

Through its partnership with the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the BCDR offers international and regional businesses purpose-built ADR solutions for the resolution of commercial disputes.

A total of 24 cases were filed with the BCDR-AAA last year with claims amounting to more than BD90,000,000. Of this 12 have been concluded so far. This year, 17 cases were registered, a bulk of them from the banking sector, while two originated from the real estate sector, one from telecommunications and another from the employment sector.

Two of these have been resolved.

James expects to see an increasing number of commercial cases going through the BCDR-AAA in coming years, giving Bahrain the potential to boost its status as a major destination for legal services.

Islamic finance is a sphere that BCDR-AAA is trying to engineer solutions. “We’re working to establish a set of mechanisms and services tailored to the demands of this industry. Our careful and deliberative research will help us ensure we deliver exactly what the sector requires and help them avoid inappropriate and costly litigation elsewhere,” he says.

Family business push A key focus for the BCDR-AAA currently is the promotion of mediation among family businesses compromising around 5,000 enterprises in the MENA region, owning in excess of US$2 trillion worth assets worldwide.

“The Islamic world has long fostered a tradition of conciliation and consensus, the roots of the modern-day mediation mechanism. The privacy and confidentiality of the mediation process has become of great significance to the region’s family businesses, traditionally discrete about their inner workings,” he says.

The BCDR-AAA has been holding workshops for family-run businesses, addressing issues such as restructuring and succession planning.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystanderthismonth

Fahad Al Muqla Wedding Celebrations Khamis Al Muqla hosted a reception to celebrate the wedding of his son Fahad Al Muqla into the Al Nuaimi family.

The reception was held at the Al Ghazal Ballroom, Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa

Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa with Fahad & Khamis Al Muqla

Fayez Al Gosaibi, Shaikh Mohammed Mijrin Al Khalifa & Jassim Al Jowdar with Fahad & Khamis Al Muqla

HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Mahmood Al Kooheji, Hasan Al Asfoor & Mr Jalal with the groom and his father

HE Nabeel bin Yaqoob Al Hamar with Fahad Al Muqla

Mohammed Jalal family with the groom and his father Khamis Al Muqla

Eng. Abdul Rahman Al Jawahery with the groom

Hasan Al Asfoor and Murad Ali Murad

Ali Yateem and Hasan Al Asfoor & Shaikh Saleh Al Jowdar

Ambassador Husain Al Sayegh & Fahad

Bride's father Abdulla bin Hasan Al Nuaimi & Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa

Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Jamal Fakhro, Mohammed Dadhabai & Abbas Dadhabai with the groom’s family

Mubarak Kanoo, Fayez Al Gosaibi, Jawad Al Hawaj, Talal Al Mannai & Abdulrahman Al Kuwari with the groom’s family

56 July 2013

Governor HE Mubarak bin Ahmed Al Fadhel

Abdulrahman Juma

Khamis with Talal Redha & Khalil Suwaliam

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Shaikh Khalid bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and Ali Abdulla Khalifa with the bride & groom's family

Khalil Zaman, Ali bin Jaber Al Musallam & Tariq Wafa with Fahad & Khamis

Fahad with Shaikh Duaij bin Salman Al Khalifa & Mohammed bin Fadhel Al Nuaimi

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa & Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa with the groom’s family

Mohammed Al Mannai & Habib Qassim

Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa and Abdulla Juma & Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa

Mohammed Talib & Samih bin Rajab

Abdulla bin Hindi, Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salman Al Khalifa with the bride and groom's family

The groom and his friends and relatives during the dance

Groom and his family during the dance

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Fahad with Ahmed Al Jumairi

Anwar Abdulrahman

Fahad, Khamis, HE Rasheed Al Maraj & Faisal Al Matrook

HE Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Fahad Al Muqla & HE Karim Al Shakar

July 2013 57

bystanderthismonth

Thai Cultural Festival 2013 Under the patronage of HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture, the Thai Embassy & HE Vichai Varasirikul, Thai Ambassador, a Thai Cultural Festival was held at the Cultural Hall last month. The festival, which marks the first anniversary of the memorandum of understanding bonding the two countries, is part of the festivities celebrating Manama Capital of Arab Tourism 2013. The event was attended by HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, grandson of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, number of diplomats and guests

HE Vichai Varasirikul, HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa & HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa

Abdul Jabbar, Nejib, Paween, HE Karim Al Shaker, HE Vichai Varasirikul & Witchu

Mona, Witchu & Pascal

HE Vichai Varasirikul & Nabeel Ajoor

Sumonti, Panee, Kanokluk, Tanatchai & Cherry

58 July 2013

Witchu & Kanyarat

Paween & Shameer

HE Vichai Varasirikul with kids at the event

Sarah, Kob, Nut, Nui, Ao, Win & Wit

Ammara, Juwana & Jumana

Kanyarat, Nobuko & Ai

Ebrahim Al Kooheji, HE Vichai Varasirikul & Rasool Ghuloom

Kunal, Anoop & Hamed

Sutheemon, Pichamon & Yomna

A traditional Thai dance being performed

Fadel

Paween & Cherry

HE Vichai Varasirikul, Bornvake & Peranai

Traditional Thai weaving showcased

Sarah & Sarosh

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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LG Smart TV Launch The AJM Kooheji Group held an event to mark the launch of the next generation LG Smart TV Cinema 3D that will redefine the Smart TV experience. The event was held at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa last month

Sanjeev Awasthi, Mohammed Kooheji, D.Y. Kim, Mahmood Kooheji & James Kim

Sara

Vanessa, James Kim, Mahmood Kooheji, D.Y. Kim, Mohammed Kooheji, Rohit Raina, Sanjeev Awasthi & Heba with the new LG Smart TV

Randa, Sanjeev, Salim Kooheji, Farheen & Kaizad

Fahim, Aziz, Irfan & Ashfaq

Rafique Ahmed & Rohit Raina

Gopal, Sam, Sanjay & Kiran

Imtiaz & George

Cashmere & Bernadette

Vanessa

Marise & Sanjay

Heba

Ali Rajab

Block 338 Open Mike Night Block 338 Restaurant, Lounge & Garden held an Open Mic Comedy Night with well known local comedian Imran Al Aradi last month. A number of comedians were given an opportunity to perform at the event and entertain guests

Zainab & Imran

60 July 2013

Charlie

Alex & Amy

Farah, Tariq & Yara

Ala & Thek

Yousif, DJ Outlaw & Mystro

Charlie & Layla

Sam

Brendan, Faith & Shea

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Zeina Testot Dinner Reception Zeina Testot, the wife of HE Christian Testot, the French Ambassador hosted an exclusive ladies musical dinner reception to celebrate the French 'Fete de la Musique'. The dinner held at her residence last month was attended by HE Sameera Rajab, Minister of State For Information Affairs and VIPs

HE Sameera Rajab & Zeina Testot

Rehab, Ahlam & Ezmiralia

Fawzia, Mala & Romina

Katia, Veronica & Elise

Shirley, Veronica & Zeina

Tomoko, Meeji & Zeina

Basma & Hassana

Elise, Rehab, Katia, Zeina, Jameela, Fawzia & Georgette

Jameela, Fawzia, Georgette & Cynthia

Meeji & Jenny

Jane, Zeina, Zaman, Layla & Sophia

Zeina & Huda

Carmen & Shahrazad

Karina

Salwa

Anne Coffee Morning Anne Middleton hosted a coffee morning for a number of ladies at Hue Food Lounge Art, Riffa Palms.

The ladies were given a tour of Arthur D'Souza's latest works of art titled WhatsInaName being exhibited at the venue

Dr Fakhriya, Safiya, Irina, Arthur, Lynne, Shandra, Anne & Grace

Irina, Dr Fakhriya, Grace, Anne, Angela, Shandra, Lynne & Arthur

62 July 2013

Arthur, Balqees & Anne

Angela & Lynne

Irina

Romina & Arthur

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Massimo Dutti Dinner The management of Massimo Dutti Seef Mall organised 'The Mid Of the Year Appreciation Night' for all store employees at Leila Restaurant, Seef Area

Shabaz, Bahaeidin, Jaffar & Mohammed

Gemma, Emily & Zain

Ramia, Bahaa & Eman

Majestic Arjaan Press Launch Majestic Arjaan by Rotana held a press launch of the property, located in Busaiteen

Amal Haeb, Omer Kaddouri & Raiz Saban address the media

Marivic, Ahmed, Ali, Ahmed & Rani

Khalid Mukhtar Lunch Khalid & Thaj hosted a number of their friends for Creole, Southern, Louisiana themed lunch at their residence in Saar

Laura, Mischal, Thaj & Khalid

Reem, Thaj & Shafika

Andreas, Khalid & Wiebke

Mahran, Khalid, Qahtan & Sami

Richard & Ali

Sreekumar

Ameena & Alex

Sam

Jane & Freinds Dinner Jane hosted a couple of parties with her friends prior to her departure at Monsoon Restaurant & Trader Vic's last month

Jane, sitting, center, & her friends

64 July 2013

Jane & her friends at Monsoon

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francesupplement

France in A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month 68 A Growing Influence Christian Testot, the French ambassador, explains how the Kingdom’s excellent quality of life and good human resources remain a magnet for investment.

70 Opportunity Beckons The French trade commissioner to the Kingdom, Frederic Mettetal, tells us about the depth of French investment in Bahrain, and a growing trade balance.

72 The French in Us We derive a certain swagger, and comfort, from adding some French flair into our lives, whether it is a dress, a piece of fine jewellery or a motor car.

73 Industry Leader One of the largest players in the aluminium world, ALBA has a long and profitable track record from its relationship with French businesses.

75 A French Education France maintains an excellent education system; a curriculum that is available here in Bahrain, as evidenced by Lycée Français.

77 Driving Emotions The latest sedan from Peugeot, the 301, bundles all of the automaker’s zest for life into a compact car that is more than affordable.

79 Winning Formula The influence of Technal Middle East can be seen all around us, in the buildings in which we reside during our working lives.

Commercial Index Alba................................................................................ 73 Lycée Français de Bahrein........................................ 75 Novotel Al Dana Resort.............................................. 74 Technal Middle East................................................... 79 Zayani Motors (Peugeot)............................................. 71

www.bahrainthismonth.com

France In Bahrain July 2013 67

francesupplement

H.E. Christian Testot

A Growing Influence Simi Kamboj A longstanding player in the cultural sphere, France is increasingly emerging as a key participant on the business front in Bahrain.

As the 1,000-strong French community observes Bastille Day on July 14, the ethos of liberty, equality and fraternity once again springs to the fore. Modern-day France is a nation on the move, embracing economic reform that is aimed at improving its competitiveness and business environment.

French relations with Bahrain gained new momentum following HM King Hamad’s visit to France last summer and his meeting with President François Hollande. Sharing a common outlook on their foreign policies, the two sides have set up a joint committee to enhance cooperation on all fronts, with a special focus on the business front. Trade between the two sides touched a record €1 billion in 2012, courtesy the Airbus delivery to Gulf Air, notes French Ambassador to Bahrain, His Excellency Christian Testot.

Key investor “With its excellent quality of life and good human resources, Bahrain remains a top investment destination for businesses.

The cost of living is lower than other business centres in the Gulf, the regulations are business friendly and so are the personnel. The air connectivity is good. It’s no wonder that BNP Paribas and other French companies have chosen to operate from Bahrain,” says Ambassador Testot.

In the last decade, French companies have invested around US$8 billion in electricity and infrastructure sectors in the Kingdom. There is further potential for growth, especially in the energy sector, one of the key areas where France remains interested.

“Around 70 per cent of the electricity produced in Bahrain is currently being generated by French players. Our companies are

68 July 2013 France In Bahrain

keeping an eye on the proposed airport modernisation project in the Kingdom. On another front, we are happy to see BNP win the contract for the financial engineering for the proposed sixth potline of the Alba smelter,” he observes.

For its own part, France is keen to attract investments from the Gulf region. Foreign investments account for around 42 per cent of the 26,000 jobs created or maintained in France last year, he points out. This message was delivered to Bahrain’s people and private investors at a workshop on the “Attractiveness of France” last month at the Ambassador’s residence.

“Foreign collaborators who invest in France stand to earn very generous tax rebates if they invest in research and development initiatives. The French Embassy in Bahrain is happy to forward any queries from investors to the regional Invest in France Agency in Dubai,” the Ambassador adds.

Culture and Education Culture remains one of France’s top priorities in Bahrain.

Cultural cooperation with France has touched new heights thanks to initiatives by the Ministry of Culture under Shaikha Mai and further collaboration on museums and archaeology is on the cards.

On the education front, around 5,000 school children are currently studying French in Bahrain, and more children will learn the language as it is now a compulsory language in public schools. The French government would like to attract more foreign students to France and there are plans to expand the scholarships being offered for study there.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

francesupplement

Opportunity Beckons Imerys group and Al Zayani Investments for the construction of a fused aluminium facility is a US$30 million project which will be inaugurated by the end of this year.

Another investment involving a leading French industrial group and a Bahraini company will be announced shortly. GDF Suez is a major investor in the power and water sector, with the Al Dur power and water plant being the latest in a series of three units generating 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s total electricity capacity.

The Kingdom’s needs are more than covered for the present, but a second phase will have to be initiated within two years to cater for the future rise in demand.

“While we are interested in developing trade in all sectors, some seem more promising that others, because of the French expertise in those areas,” Frederic says. “This includes infrastructure covering power, transport and healthcare as well as agriculture, hospitality sector and consumer goods.

Environmental solutions including waste management are also on our agenda.”

There have been some bottlenecks, which the Bahrain government is trying to ease, one of them being the shortage of land in the Kingdom for industrial projects. Furthermore, the Bahrain-Saudi causeway has become very congested and some French companies have raised concerns that it takes five or six days for their consignments to cross the border, which might affect business.

Trade between Bahrain and France has grown exponentially, not taking into account the Airbus deals, and Frederic hopes the trend will continue. However, the most important achievements during his tenure include the lifting of the ban on French meat and livestock imports in Bahrain, a long-standing issue that had stalled imports from France for many years.

“The choice of Bahrain for the 2012 regional French economic counsellors meeting was also a result of intensive lobbying on the part of the trade commissioner’s office,” he says.

Frederic Mettetal

Frederic Mettetal took charge as trade commissioner in September 2011, not an opportune time for business in Bahrain. Two years later, both countries have proved the sceptics wrong.

70 July 2013 France In Bahrain

Bahrain and France have had significant success in attaining bilateral trade goals in the course of the last couple of years. In 2012, bilateral trade surpassed €1 billion for the first time. The Kingdom’s development priorities and changing consumer habits, as well as the French expertise in certain areas, have meant that the two sides have ended up forming meaningful business relationships.

Around 25 French companies are now registered in Bahrain, five of which forayed into the Kingdom in the last two years.

These include big-ticket investments in the aluminium and industrial gas sectors. The joint venture between the French

Chamber of Commerce So optimistic is Frederic about the future of economic relations that the French Embassy has plans for the creation of a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain.

“The scope of trade between the two sides deserves a stronger management framework,” he says.

“Thanks to the active collaboration and assistance of French companies established in Bahrain, the strong relations Bahraini companies enjoy with France and the commitment of the French Bahraini Business Club (CAFB), we’re in the process of finalising the project. It will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Bahrain.”

www.bahrainthismonth.com

francesupplement

The French in Us Ankita Mamgain They seem to have got it all: food, fashion, often finance and even the last word on quality ‘fromage’.

Here’s a Bastille Day homage to France, whose language so many want to speak and, perhaps, we are speaking already.

72 July 2013 France In Bahrain

Cafés in France

The presence of France in Bahrain has always received a resounding welcome. It is safe to say that here are two nations that have much in common. From automobiles to the love of art and fashion and a way of life that calls for savouring each moment, a lot explains the affinity between the two countries.

From our shopping malls to window panes, their influences are everywhere. This month we try to take a closer look at the island’s French connection.

Strictly business Like all developed economies, France has suffered from the effects of the global recession. These blows were partly cushioned by a cautious banking and investment sector and by a tradition of state intervention in the economy. Bahrain’s robust banking fundamentals, though, has continued to offer opportunities to foreign investors. A recent review mentioned that the fundamentals remain strong and the Kingdom still offers excellent facilities for financial companies in the region.

Club d’Affairs Franco Bahrainien (FCB), commissioned by the Trade Commission of the French Embassy and local businessmen, is a nexus that facilitates business between the two countries. Abdulla Juma, the FCB chairman, has participated in two Economic Development Board road shows in Paris in his efforts to promote Bahrain as a friendly business destination.

France’s Technal is a strong player in the Kingdom’s aluminium and building materials segment, and further strengthening this stand is its brand Luméal. In the communications sector, France Telecom Group is represented by Lightspeed Communications.

The company is the island’s first alternative fixed-line telecommunications operator.

Chanel

Dior Fashion

Style quotient The island’s love for a fine ride also strikes a cord with the French. Peugeot, Renault and Citroën are some of the most popular car choices in Bahrain, owing to the manufacturers’ engineering expertise and design details.

One area where France undisputedly shines the brightest is fashion. This segment is indebted to certain geniuses that made an art form out of your generic clothing. Bahraini ladies take immense pride in their flamboyant fashion statement. Like any urban nook of the world, Bahrain’s malls are flooded with their brands: Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and BCBGMaxAzria.

French designs have found its way into our living space as well. Their impeccable sense of design and structure translates into everything they produce; Roche Bobois’ furniture is one such example, where no matter what the inspiration, the pieces are clean and sophisticated despite an imagination running wild.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

ALBA

Standing Tall Consistently ranked as one of the top ten performers on a global scale, Alba continues to deliver on environmental guidelines and global safety standards.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

One of the largest modern aluminium smelters in the world, Alba Bahrain has distinguished itself for its technological strength and innovative policies.

Alba’s inception marked the beginning of Bahrain’s strategy to diversify its economic base and reduce its dependence on oil.

The aim was to establish an industry that would provide valuable export earnings, develop the country’s resources and create employment opportunities for Bahrainis.

Alba officially commenced operations in 1971 as a 120,000 tonne per annum smelter. Today, it produces more than 890,000 metric tonnes per annum of the highest grade aluminium, with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, Properzi ingots and molten aluminium.

Around 50 per cent of this output is supplied to Bahrain’s downstream aluminium industry, about 12 per cent exported to European markets and the rest goes to regional and international customers.

The Alba plant comprises five reduction lines, cast houses, a dedicated carbon plant, a 550,000 metric tonne per annum coke calcining plant, a water desalination plant, fume treatment plants, a marine terminal and a 2,265 MW power plant consisting of four power stations. The plant also features a 10-hectare green oasis, with more than 7,600 trees and shrubs, a fruit and vegetable garden and an artificial lake.

Alba’s early success established a blueprint for other non-oil industries to follow, including a thriving downstream aluminium industry. Today, Alba is a major contributor to the social, industrial and economic development of Bahrain, employing a workforce of around 3,000, of whom 87 per cent are Bahrainis.

France In Bahrain July 2013 73

francesupplement On the table Their cuisine like most things they do is an art involving a great deal of technique, finesse and precision. And we, to say the least, are a nation of foodies. Some of the most popular restaurants in Bahrain are French.

Café Lilou and Paul’s Bakery and Restaurant serve an authentic menu, using continental ingredients and carving a solid niche in the country. Camelot is another venue that draws influences from their culinary art, a great hit amongst the locals.

French hospitality giants are also present with Accor’s Novotel Al Dana Hotel & Resort and Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa providing world-class luxury and chic environs.

Culture vultures Alliance Française, the largest network of French language and cultural centres, provides a wealth of francophone culture in the Kingdom. It is a hub of cultural activities throughout the year, exposing the locals to “La France” with the help of cinema soirées, exhibitions, lectures, food tasting and concerts.

The centre also offers French courses for various learning levels, offering a sea of cultural wealth gathered over centuries.

Another point for learning is Lycée Français MLF de Bahreïn (The French School of Bahrain), the only school in the country that follows a French curriculum.

Quintessential to France are the cafés. In the company of friends or alone, busy on the laptop, reading a novel or just a mere spectator to life passing by, theirs is a country that

Citroën

spends more time in its cafés than any other. Concentrated mainly in Adliya and with a generous sprinkling around Juffair, Budaiya and Seef, cafés form a very integral part of Bahrain’s social scene.

Us and them Let’s face it; France has set such a lifestyle precedent that we all want a piece of it. It’s a country that has built an entire city over a sewer system and continues to be the most visited tourist destination in the world.

There is a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ quality about it, which we so desperately want to define, perhaps better remaining an enigma of an idea. And for us, this ‘Frenchness’ resonates in our love for luxury, extravagance, sophistication and beauty.

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www.bahrainthismonth.com 6/13/13 12:28:37 PM

LYCEÉ FRANÇAIS DE BAHREIN

Bahrain’s First Lipdub!

As the only French curriculum school in the Kingdom, here’s an institution that not only provides world-class education but also cultivates a vibrant learning environment.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

“With flash-mobs from all parts of the world making their way on the Internet, there’s no reason why we should be left behind,” says Hervé Coureau, an English and music teacher at Lycée Français de Bahrein — the Kingdom’s French school. “So, at the school we set about a video project that involved dance, music, drama and a lot of fun.”

On June 5, the school released on YouTube what is probably Bahrain’s first-ever lipdub. “This involved a large group of students, spread over the entire school, recording their performances in a single, flawless and continuous shot. Doing this meant there was no subsequent editing, except for dubbing the music,” adds Hervé.

So, the students at Lycée Français lip-synched and danced complete with costumes and props. Some dressed as themselves and some as scientists, dancers, actors, basketball players and musicians. Hervé wore the director’s hat, putting together the entire production in just three weeks. Most of the work occurred during lunch breaks.

“I was very impressed with the remarkable level of talent displayed by the students and their enthusiasm towards the project,” says Hervé. “There was a great sense of community as well, as students, teachers and parents all worked together to make the video a great success.”

Hervé, however, quips that had he overly planned out the whole process it would surely have been a failure. “The key was to guide the students while retaining the spontaneity, vibrancy and the spirit of fun!”

To watch the video, go to Youtube and enter “lipdub bahrain” as keywords.

France In Bahrain July 2013 75

bystanderthismonth

French Embassy Networking Event HE Christian Testot, French Ambassador, and The Invest In France Agency together with the Economic Department of the French Embassy, held a networking evening talk on the economic attractiveness of France. The event was held at HE's residence last month

Freschi, Christophe & Jean-Christophe

Zeina & HE Christian Testot & Abdulla Juma

Salim Saifi, Yonel Genin, Jerome Jouhanneaud & Fanny Combourieu

Mona Almoayyed, Damien & Christione

Nawaf, Badar, Khalil & Jalil

Salim & Reem

Waleed, Mohammed & Waleed

Najeeb Al Hamer

Dana

Tareq, Abdul Hussain & Fawzi Kanoo

Samy

Association Francophone De Bahrain Dinner The Association Francophone De Bahrain (AFBH) hosted its end of year party for members and guests at the Gulf Hotel's Zahle Restaurant last month. All proceeds will be donated to the Bahrain Cancer Society

Indira, Ingrid & Mala

Liliane, Charmaine & Shandra

76 July 2013

Ian & Marziale

Xiaoyan & Damien

Tosin & Andrew

Luciano, Claudine & Nakhle

Anna & Reem

Karin & Ian

Nacira, Linda & JP

Marco & Eric

Nathalie & Soraya

Alain

Leylan & Doan

www.bahrainthismonth.com

francesupplement ZAYANI MOTORS

An Affordable Sedan This all-new compact family sedan is a stylish, comfortable and affordable offering from Peugeot delivers a very real choice for consumers.

The new Peugeot 301 is a clear illustration of Peugeot’s internationalisation, and its desire to conquer new markets. It has been specifically designed to appeal to a wide customer base, demanding and attracted by ‘three-compartment’ sedans that are both affordable and offer status.

This is positioned at the heart of its segment. It offers modern styling and features, carefully adapted to fulfil the expectations of the different markets in which it will be sold.

Incorporates the very latest stylistic codes of the marque, the 301 offers a refined character and a modern appearance which inspires motion and gives an aura of strength. Furthermore, the design of the vehicle was guided at every stage by this last requirement, incorporating Peugeot’s best quality criteria.

The sedan has been developed to adapt to all conditions of use, even in extremes of weather and road surfaces, including both hot and cold countries as well as poor road surfaces, and so on.

At 4.44m long, it sets itself apart with an optimised and generous structure that puts it a step ahead of the competition.

As a result it has benchmark characteristics in its segment including. Record occupant space in the rear seats, with legroom of 121mm, a record boot volume of 640 litres, and safe handling combined with a high level of comfort.

This uarantees an excellent driving experience in all

circumstances and, finally, a wide range of safety equipment is available, including ESP, ABS, up to four airbags, and emergency braking assistance.

The 301’s 1.6 -litre VTi 115 hp petrol engine is perfectly suited to the expectations of the target markets in the Middle East.

The four-cylinder petrol block with 16 valves in a light alloy is fitted with an inlet camshaft with a continuously variable timing system (VVT) and accepts octane indices ranging from RON 87 without any deterioration in performance.

As with the four-cylinder engine, considerable work has been carried out to reduce friction, such as fine bedding in of the crankcase and a piston with reduced rings. The result is a reduction in carbon emissions, increased by the adoption of a variable output oil pump. Its maximum power is 115hp and the maximum torque of 150Nm is reached at 4,000 rpm, and it complies with Euro 5 standards.

A family vehicle, safe and reliable with great driving pleasure, the 301 incorporates modern comfort equipment, including electronic air conditioning, MP3 audio system with Bluetooth hands-free kit and USB connection, remote opening of the boot, and rear parking assistance, all of which guarantee an excellent level of features and comfort on board.

E Call 17 703-703.

Peugeot 301

www.bahrainthismonth.com

France In Bahrain July 2013 77

francesupplement ROCHE BOBOIS

Mah Jong modular sofa

Couture Furniture Remarkable examples of the French art de vivre, these pieces of furniture are an exquisite blend of modern design, unhinged imagination and an ode to nature.

Mah Jong modular sofa Designed by Hans Hopfer, this combination of hand-stitched padded home cushions exudes a very distinct bohemian appeal. Large scale, the bright-coloured form exudes a low profile and invites you to lean back and lounge. Upholstered in Missoni home fabrics, the structure is a combination of adjustable straight and corner back cushions. This flamboyant piece of furniture immediately defines a space, and will prove to be a great spot for casual get-togethers, movie nights or a lazy siesta.

Saga dining collection The Saga Collection by Roche Bobois is inspired by trees and the protective covering their branches offer. Designed by Christophe Delcourt, this set of a dining table, four-door sideboards and console is quintessential modern-chic. With tulip-wood legs, the structure is in slated alveolar with a highresilience lacquer finish and solid oak wood on the sides. The set is completed with a La Tere Vu Du Giel rug inspired by Yann Arthus Bertrand photos and is part of their Eco-sensitive collection.

Saga dining collection

Legend bookcase Here’s a furniture item that is both minimalist and avant-garde. Christophe Delcourt’s love for the woods and art is showcased in this fascinating design. Part of the eco-sensitive collection, this bookcase splendidly mimes the beauty of the branches in a full forest. The frame and the shelves are in solid tulip tree and it is available in French-named vison, lande, craie and taupe colours.

E Call 17 582-901.

Legend bookcase

bystanderthismonth

Peugeot 301 Car Launch Zayani Motors, sole distributors for Peugeot vehicles in the kingdom held a launch for the all-new Peugeot 301 Sedan automobile. The launch was held at Coral Bay last month

The all-new Peugeot 301 Sedan

Paul, Laura, Marise & Lesley

Vanessa, Khalil & Jasmeet

78 July 2013 France In Bahrain

Vanessa, Nawaf Al Zayani, Jamal Sahi & Jasmeet

Vanessa, Marise & Shabana

Fuad & Joseph

Nawaf Al Zayani & Jamal Sahi

Burak & Mohammed

Sana & Miho

Ashreena & Chantal

Rizwan

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Luméal-interior looks

TECHNAL MIDDLE EAST

Aluminium Artistique

Simultaneously enhance the aesthetics, thermal and acoustic performance of your building with a sleek appearance, courtesy of one of France’s leading architectural aluminium systems suppliers.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain-based Technal Middle East (TME) is part of the Francebased international architectural aluminium systems supplier, Technal. Included in the building products company’s extensive portfolio is Luméal, a series of sliders used to employ various applications. These include applications for two, three, four and six leaf window or patio doors.

Launched on the international market during the past year, Luméal enhances the aesthetics of modern buildings with a minimalistic appearance while boosting the venue’s thermal and acoustic performance. The concealed opening slider has only 68 and 77 mm of visible aluminium frames, resulting in a higher glazed area and offering better views to the outside. In addition, the window is basically integrated behind the wall and the number of visible profiles has been reduced from four to two.

During the winter, this product offers the benefit of a higher glazing surface with greater brightness. In the summer, solar protection is provided through the horizontal sun-breakers, which are created to reduce the solar summer contribution and energy savings.

Technal’s system also ensures safety, to both you and your building. In terms of security, a locking mechanism is integrated in the fixed frame.

“In a traditional slider, the lock is inside the sash and is visible; and is accessible from the outside. But in the Luméal minimal sash, the lock system is integrated in the fixed frame that cannot be accessed from the exterior. This limits the risk of

Luméal-exterior looks

break-ins,” says Hesham Kameshki, marketing and business development manager of TME. “Technal is the pioneer in developing concepts that offer elegance, performance and functionality,” he adds. “Luméal is a product with a unique new concept that aims to revolutionise the architectural aluminium segment. It offers a versatile solution that is cost effective and ensures higher performances.”

All applications are offered with concealed drainage, which is unique. The sliding bay comes with multiple advantages, says Hesham. “It is slimmer, more efficient, and its patio-door threshold allows easier access to physically challenged people, while conforming to regulations and maintaining tight sealing.”

E Call 17 225-777.

France In Bahrain July 2013 79

downtimeintro

Ode to the Zombie!

Paden Vaughan With the release of the Last of Us and World War Z, it seems as if zombies are very much back in the limelight!

They’re quite possibly the most popular creatures in modern horror fiction. Featuring in literature, film and video games, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single person who hasn’t heard of a zombie.

But how did these creatures become what they are? What caused a relatively obscure Voodoo myth to become the cause of terror for most cinema-goers today?

One of the biggest influences in creating the modern zombie archetype was a book called I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson. Published in 1954, it deals with a vampire apocalypse and a man struggling to survive. The book helped create the idea of the dead returning and attacking the living!

Of course, the modern zombie would not be what it is today without the person who started the zombie franchise. George A Romero’s Night of the Living Dead combined zombies with vampires to create a truly terrifying, flesh-eating undead.

Although the creatures in the movie are referred to as ghouls, most of the undead characteristics are still used in fiction today.

With subsequent movies, Romero shaped the zombie into a horror masterpiece; terrifying when confronted one to one, but even deadlier in hordes.

But it wasn’t till the 1990s that the zombie found itself part Also this month

of mainstream entertainment. Video games have made the modern zombie even more complex and interesting; the infamous Resident Evil series introduced the idea of various infected mutations, creating truly terrifying monsters.

As we came into the 21st century, a whole host of new zombie games came into being; Dead Rising bought humour into the mix, allowing you to kill off those infected in a variety of satisfying and hilarious manners. Left 4 Dead introduced a team strategy, and even let you play as the infected person yourself!

Today, the zombie has evolved into more than just a clumsy, flesh-eating monster. Movies such as 28 Days Later suggested that they were not dead, but in fact alive and infected with a mind-altering pathogen — which makes the situation seem even more realistic!

Indeed, Shaun of the Dead and Zombie Land satirised the zombie genre, using common stereotypes from zombie movies for comic effect. And of course, it would be foolish not to mention AMC’s The Walking Dead. Based up the graphic novel series of the same name, the television show had an average of 5.6 million viewers earlier this year!

So, it seems that zombies are literally taking over all the media outlets. From gaming to film, even to television and literature, the modern zombie is quite possibly the most recognised horror creature in fiction today. They may not have taken over the real world, but they sure have consumed the horror genre!

82 Gadgets x 86 Music x 88 Games x 89 Websites x 90 Apps x 91 Movies

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Do It Yourself!

Lomography has introduced the world’s first 35mm do-ityourself SLR camera, called the Konstruktor. In a kit form, it comes with everything you need to build your own SLR from scratch.

Surround Photos!

This little gadget allows you to take all-around images with your phone. Simply plug the phone in to the BubblePod and you’re ready for 360-degree images.

July 2013 81

downtimegadgets

School’s Out! Wanting to keep the kids entertained this summer? Then this month’s gadgets are perfect.

Only the Coolest Cases

Fisher Price’s Create and Learn cases for iPad let you play with various exclusive games and apps. These include educational cards which you hold and which can be detected by the camera.

Editor's pick! iSpy

Remember those old remote control toys that everyone wished they’d have waiting for them on their birthday? Well, with the R/C Wi-Spi Helicopter, you can bring every young boy’s fantasy into the 21st century. This ‘copter’ includes a camera that works with a smartphone, so you can see where it’s going!

Fair & Square

Sifeto cubes are like LEGO for the digital age. You can build structures and the cubes that interact wirelessly with each other, and with your own gestures.

Techy Toilet Training

Now this one may sound crazy!

The iPotty is the 21st century way of potty training; it’s essentially a potty with an iPad holder, which should help keep kids interested!

Tiny Tablets

Kids’ tablets are an increasingly popular market, and one of the best ranges is available from the partnership of Zoodle and Ematic. The tablets available are perfect for kids, with features such as video mail, which allows video mail to be sent to relatives.

82 July 2013

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Music by the Metre

The latest offering from ThinkGeek — the Musical Ruler with Songbook — is the perfect way for the less musically-minded to express themselves through song.

Notes are included on the ruler that allow you to create actual melodies!

Blast Off!

The latest gun from NERF, the Strongarm Elite Blaster comes with a range of 75 feet. While this is awesome for kids, parents might take a different view!

Here Comes the Cavalry

Desk Pets have just announced the latest creation; the Battle Tank can be controlled wirelessly via an iOS or Android-powered device! Needless to say, hours of fun are likely with this nifty little item!

My Little Tablet

New from Polaroid is the Kids Tablet. With Wi-Fi and a large customised interface that’s perfect for chubby hands, the tablet is coated with a rubber outing ensuring that it can survive being dropped!

All gadgets are available online.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2013 83

downtimegadgets

Technological Wonders If you’re after some new gadgets, Lulu Hypermarket is where you should visit. Expect to find the most competitive offers on the latest products.

Editor's pick!

Samsung T2100 Tab 3

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.0 caters to the mid-range tablet market with its seven-inch display and 1.2Ghz dual core processor.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 19200

This new line from Samsung is set to dwarf all its predecessors. The range includes 6.3-inch and 5.8-inch displays. If you thought the Note 2 was big, you haven’t seen anything yet!

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

With the Galaxy Note, you are connected like never before. Scribble a thought, sketch out a concept, organise your ideas and express your creativity.

Sony 60-inch 3D LED TV

Sansui 50-inch LED TV

This super-slim LED TV can be placed virtually anywhere in your house. It features stunning picture quality, a wide range of colours and an incredible range of brightness.

Enjoy dazzling picture quality and unlimited entertainment options with this elegantly slim LED TV. The full HD display boasts incredible detail.

LG 42-inch LED TV

Samsung 46-inch 3D LED TV

With this range from LG, customers can get value for money purchases without compromising on any innovative features found in higher-end counterparts.

This full HD TV allows you to enjoy 3D viewing in the comfort of your own home. The contemporary design is coupled with amazing connectivity features.

Lulu Hypermarkets can be found at Dana Mall, Hidd, Ramli Mall and East Riffa

84 July 2013

www.bahrainthismonth.com

PASTA | PIZZA | CAFE

downtimemusic

The Sound of Silence This month, we take a look at the best new releases from acoustic singer/songwriters.

Laura Marling Once I Was An Eagle

M NTH BUMO ALTHE

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RATING:

WHAT’S THE STORY? Twenty-three-year-old

singer/songwriter Laura Marling returns with her latest release, Once I Was An Eagle. She broke through to the mainstream about the same time as the other guys on the nu-folk scene, but was always slightly different. While the likes of fellow bands, such as Noah and the Whale, and Mumford and Sons, have since moved on, she’s fine-tuned that wonderful modern folk sound and produced something excellent.

WORTH A LISTEN?

The record itself could be described as cathartic; Laura sings about a failed relationship and, as the album progresses, she finds the strength to move on from it. The first track, Take The Night Off, begins with a sombre yet beautiful acoustic guitar and an equally melancholic Marling. Her vocals create a sense of woeful resignation, and soon the texture increases as tom-toms are introduced, as is a piano. The Master Hunter single seems to show some country influence and is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album. However, an air of sadness is still present, as is a sense of anger and aggressiveness, reflected by her more intense strumming.

Verdict: Laura Marling has set the bar even higher with this fantastic fourth album. Each track is brimming with raw emotion.

TOP TRACKS: Master Hunter and You Know Gabrielle Aplin

English Rain Twenty-year-old singer/songwriter Gabrielle Aplin has come a long way from covering You Me at Six and Paramore songs on YouTube.

While her charming debut album, English Rain, is not revolutionary, that’s hardly a surprise. The British music scene has no shortage of young female acoustic singer/songwriters. However, the purity of her voice is the highlight of the album, especially on Ready to Question. Other noteworthy tracks include Don't Say You Love Me and Human.

86 July 2013

City and Colour

The Hurry and The Harm The latest from Canadian singer/songwriter Dallas Green, aka City & Colour, sees him becoming somewhat of a ‘band leader’.The Hurry and The Harm reinforces the notion that he made the right move going solo!

Saint Raymond

Escapade EP Nottingham newcomer Saint Raymond comes onto the scene with his debut EP Escapade. Showing a vast amount of talent not just on the guitar but in his songwriting too. The artist produces something that is intelligent and refreshing.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

On The Occasion of The Holy Month Of Ramadan, in The Year 1434 of The Hijri Calendar, We are Offering You.

1434 Hours FREE!

Well, it’s finally Ramadan! (In case you didn’t know it, we are in the year 1,434 in the Islamic Hirji calendar) And on this special occasion I’m giving you an additional 1,434 hours FREE when you join the DreamBody Centre (DBC) - that’s the equivalent of 59.75 days!

The DBC is Bahrain’s only 23-minute weight loss and body transformation centre. It works through the magic of circuit training. Unlike gyms, where you have to spend a long time using weights, and then a long time doing cardio, at the DBC you do resistance and cardio training together.

This is done on special machines that utilize hydraulic pumps, not weights. The machines are super easy to use, and the whole work out lasts just 23 minutes! You’ll also get a FREE copy of our exclusive weight loss book, the DreamBody Eating Plan, which will make it even easier to burn off your excess fat.

The DBC is the only place of its kind that offers you two money back guarantees! Call us now 17582 982 to book your 7-day FREE trial - and get your 1, 434 FREE hours!

Dedicated to yours and your family’s well-being.

Suhail G. Algosaibi

As seen on Al-Arabiya News Channel

Saturday to Thursday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Fridays 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Lose weight in just 23 minutes!

downtimecomputergames

The End Is Nigh TH GA E M M E ON TH

Whether it is revolution or the end of the world, this month’s top games have it all!

Resident Evil: Revelations (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U & PC)

OF

The latest in the renowned survival horror series sees us revisit classic protagonists from the first game. Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield infiltrate an abandoned cruise ship filled with infected people. It’s awesome to play as the old characters again, and Revelations feels like a return to Resident Evil 4, which is just what the franchise needed!

The Last Of Us (Playstation 3) RATING:

WHAT IS IT?

Naughty Dog has always been at the forefront of Playstation games, ever since the first console came out. The developer has an array of great titles.

And now comes Naughty Dog’s take on the zombie and survival horror genre. The Last of Us tells the story of two characters, Joel and Ellie, who struggle to survive in a postapocalyptic America, in a world where the majority of the human race has been infected by a fungal disease.

Remember Me (Xbox 360, PS3 & PC)

The first release from French studio Dontmund is an interesting and engaging concept. Combat takes a while to get the hang of, and the latter half of the game feels a lot weaker.

Nonetheless, Remember Me is a fresh and interesting gaming experience.

GRAPHICS:

Graphically, Naughty Dog has done a fantastic job, crafting landscapes that feel so alive and characters that players actually feel for. As with the Uncharted series, witnessing cities overcome by nature is startlingly realistic imagery.

GAMEPLAY: One of the things I find most impressive with this game is the

relationship of the two protagonists. When Joel and Ellie first meet they’re not friends, and they’re trusting of each other. But, as the game progresses, their relationship develops and this results in the characters changing their stance towards each other.

Unlike most games of a similar genre, The Last of Us forces you to actually think about your strategy for survival; as resources are limited, you have to collect everything yourself, from guns and ammo to customisable melee weapons. This sense of urgency makes for a fantastic gaming experience.

VERDICT: Naughty Dog have once again produced a game which is quite simply a work of art, intelligent, deep and as exciting as it is tense. The Last of Us is already an outstanding candidate for game of the year!

88 July 2013

State of Decay (Xbox 360)

This cool Xbox Arcade exclusive sees you battle the undead and fight for survival in an extremely free and diverse open-world environment. It may have its fair share of technical difficulties and bugs but, aside from that, it’s one of the most interesting of recent open-world games.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

websites

TE TH ON EBSIM W THE

OF

THE BAD:

That all being said, there’s nothing terribly unique about uncrate.com! The net is literally swarmed with gadget sites, and there’s nothing on here that you couldn’t find elsewhere. However, aside from these minor grievances, there’s not much to complain about!

VERDICT: A site sure to please techno-loving guys!

GetGoing

Uncrate.com RATING:

WHAT IS IT?

This site seems dedicated to guys who love all things technological; it features the latest gadgets and gizmos that are sure to wow!

THE GOOD: Chic as it is informative, uncrate.com seems to have a

multitude of gadgets and gadget-related articles on the site.

The homepage is extremely user-friendly, allowing you to navigate straight to whatever interests you! But it’s not just gadgets that are on offer here; movies, travel tips and, of course, games all make the site enjoyable to explore! And, obviously, the site allows you to share this directly on Facebook and Twitter.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

This flight comparison site is perfect for those who don’t care where they end up going! GetGoing.com searches for multiple destinations; allowing you to get the best deals for flights! You can also try the ‘pick two, get one’ feature; select two destinations!

Feedly An alternative to Google and other search engines, Feedly is beautifully designed; it’s also fast and fluid, and it makes sharing what you find with friends even easier! As it’s updated, the improvements just raise the bar further.

July 2013 89

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Sharing Is Caring This month’s apps are all about sharing things with your friends and family!

T

TH PS ON APHE M

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Vine Vine.com allows you to create your own six-second videos and embed them in your Twitter feed! The app is incredibly easy to use; it even allows you to stop and then record again, enabling multiple scenes!

Clipchat RATING:

WHAT IS IT?

Clipchat is a great new way to share photos and videos with your friends. The app allows you to send up to five seconds of images or video to friends on your contacts list.

THE GOOD: It’s never been so easy to send photos and videos to friends instantly!

Clipchat is incredibly secure; all images are deleted forever once viewed, allowing you to receive your friends’ images and not have to worry about what to do with them after!

Once you’ve signed up, you can see who else on your contacts list has the app and start sending images or videos to them. The app features a very clear and user-friendly interface, so getting the hang of it is wonderfully easy! Best of all, it’s totally free!

THE BAD:

Of course, the app has its downside. Only being able to view an image for a maximum of five seconds can be beneficial; but if you really want to absorb an image, or perhaps clicked on it by accident, you’d be unable to see the image/video ever again, which can be very frustrating!

VERDICT: An awesome way of sharing photos and videos with friends!

90 July 2013

Telly This ingenious app lets you browse videos posted by friends, or even celebrities. You can even upload your own videos and share them with the rest of the world; and you can edit videos with filters and various other features before uploading them!

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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movies

WORTH WATCHING? Superman is one of the hardest

characters for an actor to really grasp; a guy who can literally defy gravity and is invulnerable to almost all forms of attack is never an easy person to assign a definitive personality to. Cavill’s Man of Steel is a character who seems as hardened as he is powerful, which makes him seem almost stiff and less tangible than Christopher Reed’s Superman. Overseen by Christopher Nolan of the Dark Knight trilogy, Zach Snyder’s portrayal of Kal-El’s origin is fantastic.

VERDICT: Zach Snyder has done a sterling job bringing Superman into the 21st century. While lacking the depth of Nolan’s Dark Knight movies it makes up for this with its action-packed melodrama.

The Purge

Man of Steel RATING: DIRECTED BY: Zach Snyder STARRING: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon

THE PLOT: As his home planet is dying and being the first natural-

born child of many years, Kal-El (Cavill) is rocketed to Earth, where he’s found and raised by the loving Kent family (Kevin Costner & Diane Lane). Thirtythree years later, when the mendacious General Zod (Shannon) comes to Earth to seek the child, Clark Kent and Kal-El must rise from hiding and put Cucina 2013_July_BTM.pdf 1 6/19/13 7:51 AM his extraordinary powers to use.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Set in the US in 2022, for one day a year, all crime is legal for 12 hours and citizens must fight for survival. There are some intelligent ideas here, but for the most part this movie suggests that all your problems can be solved by shooting bad guys.

After Earth Will and Jayden Smith both star in this post-apocalyptic action movie. In terms of visuals, it’s pretty impressive.

But each line from the Smiths is sure to leave you cringing until you can bear it no longer.

July 2013 91

bystanderthismonth

Sophia's Pink Birthday Party Sophia celebrated her 7th birthday with a her classmates & friends. The poolside pink themed party was held at her residence last month Sophia with her cake

Christina, Helen, Sophia, Toni & Anyala

Henry

Riley & Noah Aaron, Cathal, Christina & Liam

James

92 July 2013

Sophia plays the periata

Rhyanna & Leonie

Ruari

Toni

Michael

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Samsung Store Opening Bin Hindi Informatics W.L.L. held a ceremony to mark the opening of the new Samsung Experience Store at GOSI Complex last month. The store was opened by Y.S. Kim, president, Samsung Gulf Electronics & Ahmed Bin Hindi, president & CEO, A.A. Bin Hindi Group

Aziz Bin Hindi, Y.S. Kim & Ahmed Bin Hindi

Kashi, Nazish, Muneer & Mudassir

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Y.S. Kim & Ahmed Bin Hindi cut the ribbon

Stanley with Aziz Bin Hindi

Shah, Momen, Aziz & Thomas

Arvin, Musthaq & Thoman

Momen, Shah & Marise

Hussain

Ali

Zaid

July 2013 93

bystanderthismonth

Spices Bollywood Brunch With Chef Kunal Kapoor The Crowne Plaza Bahrain held it's monthly Bollywood Brunch at the hotel's Spices Restaurant. The guest of honour was Kunal Kapoor, an Indian celebrity chef and one of the judges on MasterChef India. Chef Kapoor also cooked a dish at the event

Priya, Chef Kunal, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador & Mala Kumar

Ashfiq, Zakeer, Chef Kunal, Chef Mohammed, Kareem & Anwar

Juzer & Chef Kunal

Vineet

Shalu, Niharika, Chef Kunal, Sandeep & Devansh

Chef Kunal plates his dish

Blessy

94 July 2013

Sapna, Karan, Gopika, Kanika & Nalin

Aysha, Chef Kunal & Khaleem

Chef Kunal & Viera

www.bahrainthismonth.com

TAKAUD Gala Dinner Under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Samer Khanachet, Chairman of TAKAUD, Group chief operating officer of KIPCO & Abdullah Kubursi, CEO, TAKAUD, hosted a dinner reception on behalf of TAKUAD at the Al Ghazal Ballroom, RitzCarlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa to mark the recent launch of TAKUAD in Bahrain Manal, Ebrahim Talib, Samer Khanachet & Ebrahim

Sharlene, Luiza & Ghizlane

Shilpa, Wafa & Waleed

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Vadia, Mohamed, Rehab & Amina

Samer, William & Nermin

Abdullah Kubursi & Enrico

Taher & Hussain

Sawsan & Sohail

Robert

Sediqa & Clare

Eric

Shaji

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bystanderthismonth

Tiger Launch BMMI held an exclusive 'Rise of the Tiger' event to launch one of Singapore's premium beverages at the Mezzaluna Resturant last month. The event featured graffiti artists, installation artists, live singers, beat boxers, body art, dance crews and a night of absolute fun

Basma, Kate, Yousif, Rajeev & Nilantha

Angel, Amena, Angie & Jessica

Megan, Alyssa & EB

96 July 2013

Katie, Kayleigh & Renu

Burak & Gizem

Leonard & Joel

Dinky, Danni & Tina

Basel & Shiva

Francisca & Caoimhe

Jennifer & Maine

Mo & Anna

May

Ian

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Dr Hala Jamal Book Launch Under the patronage of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain Olympic Committee honorary president, Dr Hala Jamal held a launch for her book titled 'Leadership & Educational Decision Making'. The launch was held at the Alumni Club in Adliya

Shaikh Isa & Dr Hala

Fahmi, Amenal, Khalid, Yasmin & Mohammed

BTM-HP-V12.pdf 1 6/20/13 1:54 PM Jamal Al Oun, Zeid Al Rababaa & Ahmed Amash

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Mohammed, Nada, Dr Hala, Shaikh Isa, Fatima, Amaal & Amenal

Nada & Amal

Shaikh Isa & Dr Hala

Fawziya, Fatima & Safiya

Ahmed & Razan

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Launch Al Haddad Motors, sole distributors of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the kingdom held a event to mark the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class last month. The event was held at the Al Haddad Motors showroom

Nahwed & Bambi

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Paul, Graeme Newport & Mark Price

94mm (w) x 125mm (h) with 3mm bleed Anne, Marise, George, Graeme & Nick

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Rasool Al Haddad, Waseem & Salman

Mohammed & Waleed

Stephanie, Nathaliya, Heba & Jasmeet

Cuthbert

Adel & Paul

Jamie

Khalid & Talal

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Arthur D'Souza Art Exhibition Arthur D'Souza held an art exhibition of his new collection titled WhatsInaName at the Hue Food Lounge Art, Riffa Palms.

The work, a fusion of plastic and acrylic paint on wood, creates art that is abstract and multi-dimensional. As the name suggests, the viewer is free to deduce their own meaning of each piece created

Arthur with Arthur one D'Souza of his works of art

Helena & Lynn

Grace, George & Anne

Sharmin, Wadeeah & Christine

Sophie & Caroline

Sharon & Paul

Pierric

Geg, Svetlana & Arthur

Carol, Prasad & Rebecca

Dana & Mary

Olivier & Pierre

Andrew

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Chris, Tricia & Arthur

July 2013 99

motoringthismonth

Corvette Stingray

The Return of the Stingray!

This year marks a poignant moment in the history of the ‘muscle car’, as Chevrolet revives the iconic Corvette Stingray.

The very first ‘Stingray’ was actually the second-generation Corvette, produced back in 1962.

It was a creation of great beauty, and it is still a much soughtafter collector’s item, gracing the displays of auto museums all over the world.

The third generation of the Corvette also carried the ‘Stingray’ name, and was also a revolutionary design, though this would mark the last Stingray… that is, until now!

So here it is, the new 2014 Corvette Stingray and, as you can see, Chevrolet have aimed to make the design of this new ‘Vette as revolutionary and jaw-dropping as the name demands. While it still echoes of the last few generations of the Corvette, it is sharper, more modern, more predatory, and much, much more beautiful.

It is not all about looks, however! A Chevrolet Corvette is an all-American muscle car, and muscle it certainly does have — 455hp worth, to be exact, with a massive 624Nm of torque coming from the all-new Chevrolet LT1 6.2-litre V8 engine. This is even upgradeable to 460hp and 630Nm of torque with the available performance exhaust system.

Despite this massive power, the Stingray is expected to exceed a fuel efficiency of 9.0l/100km on the highway.

At 74hp per litre, the LT1 has greater power density than the C6 Corvette’s LS3 6.2-litre engine and even the C6 Z06’s racingAlso this month

derived 7.0-litre LS7. It also produces comparable torque to the LS7 — up to 4,700 rpm — and its peak torque is within 7Nm of the 7.0-litre engine.

That torque is generated early and sustained across the rpm band, with 429Nm available at only 1,000 rpm and 90 per cent of peak torque available from 3,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm, giving the lightweight Corvette Stingray excellent acceleration at all speeds.

This power means that the new Corvette is estimated to hit 100km/h in less than four seconds, putting it right up there in supercar territory.

The top speed has yet to be announced, but we would estimate that we’re talking 300km/h plus.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray coupé goes on sale in the Middle East market in the fourth quarter of this year, with a convertible following early next year.

Each shares an all-new aluminium frame structure and enhanced chassis, as well as completely new exterior and interior designs.

It is apparent that Chevrolet are looking to take a bite out of the premium sports-car segment dominated by European and Japanese brands at the moment, and we’re looking forward to finding out more about the performance figures and handling characteristics in the near future. In the meantime, we’ll just have to satisfy ourselves with these amazing images!

Call 17 457-211.

102 x Wheels - 103 x Spotlight - 104 x Big Deals on Wheels - 109 x Showcase

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Truck Deals Al Haddad Motors and Mercedes-Benz has launched its annual free after-sales campaign to serve its customers and owners of ACTROS trucks in the Kingdom, by providing free airconditioning and safety checks to ensure public safety.

The campaign will include special discounts of 20 per cent on labour costs and 40 percent on genuine parts that may need replacing.

“For this summer campaign, we are highlighting the need to safeguard the truck drivers in extreme hot weather conditions, and also build the link that a comfortable driver will be more alert and less likely to cause an accident,” says Graeme Newport, Al Haddad Motors general manager.

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motoringwheels

The Power of ‘Z’ DAVID M. ROBERTSON Bahrain This Month has a go in the latest incarnation of Nissan’s ‘muscle car’, the excellent 370Z.

Model Nissan 370Z Model year 2014 Engine 3.7-litre V6 Displacement 1,197cc Horsepower 332 hp Torque 365 Nm Transmission seven-speed automatic Transmission seven-speed automatic Top speed 260 km/h

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In the beginning, there was the Nissan 240Z (also known as the Datsun 240Z), produced in 1969. This was the model that was to spark a long line of hugely popular ‘Z’ cars from Nissan. Now something of an icon and a collector’s item, you can still spot the occasional one of these being driven round Bahrain by proud owners.

This was followed by the 280ZX, the 300ZX (Z31), and the 300ZX (Z32), but unfortunately at this stage, the rising price of the Japanese yen and market trends killed the profitability of these great cars and, in 1996, international sales of the 300ZX ceased.

Then came the partnership between Nissan and Renault, and a firm commitment to re-launching the ‘Z’. This gave birth to the hugely successful 350Z in 2002, which is the genetic predecessor to the 370Z you see today.

While the 370Z shares much of the DNA of the 350Z, there have been significant design changes to it, including the front and rear headlights, the more pronounced wheel arches and a shorter and yet wider wheelbase. It is also lighter and has a lower drag coefficient, all improving handling and performance.

Unlike the 350Z, instead of Nissan’s 3.5-litre V6 that is featured widely in the Nissan range in cars like the Altima and Pathfinder, the 370Z gets their 3.7-litre V6, as featured more prominently in the Infiniti range, as well as in former versions of the Skyline. In the 370Z, it has been tuned to produce 332hp and 365Nm of torque, which is 32hp more than the 350Z. So, enough facts and figures — how does this all translate to the driving experience? The coupé model we drove was the seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and we can tell you that after several hours spent barrelling along the desert roads of Sakhir, the experience was fantastic.

These roads are twisty, bumpy, hilly and full of potholes, requiring a high level of concentration and nimble handling if you don’t want to shatter your alloy wheel on an unexpected crater. However, the 370Z makes a drive like this pure enjoyment. Mount a crest, and hit the brakes and shift down for a sudden curve, and the balance and grip of the car have you powering through without drama.

At one point I hit a particularly bumpy patch of road in a long, quick corner, yet the coupé soaked it all up with only minimal input from my side — just a quick shimmy on the wheel and a slightly raised heart rate, and we were back in business.

The 370Z comes in four options — the automatic coupé and roadster, and the same two manual options. All have the same well-appointed interiors — you get an eight-speaker BOSE stereo system with CD and MP3, controlled through a touchscreen driver interface on the dash. You get leather seats, Nissan’s intelligent keyless entry and start keyring, and so on.

And yes, you heard right, they have MANUAL models available for sale. And the best part — they’re almost TWO GRAND cheaper!

Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons is the exclusive distributor for Nissan in the Kingdom.

E Call 17 732-732.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

spotlight EURO MOTORS

Investing for Customers

Paul Yates

David M Robertson With a vision to further help improve its customer service offering, Euro Motors is investing to upgrade its service offering to customers.

Euro Motors, the official distributor for BMW in the Kingdom, has started to generate tangible returns on the customer service enhancements introduced last year.

“The increase in sales during the first five months of this year is a reflection of our enhanced customer service offering, extensive product offering and premium facilities,” says Paul Yates, Euro Motors general manager. “Last year we also continued to invest in upgrading our after-sales facilities, and this is now being translated into our top-line revenue performance. We’ve also invested heavily in upgrading employee training and in launching customer-focused initiatives to improve the overall purchasing and ownership experience.”

As part of these initiatives, Euro Motors recently introduced a BMW after-sales service shift to increase efficiency and offer improved services to its customers. The new shift arrangement facilitates quicker service turnaround times, working in conjunction with the Fast Lane Servicing programme, extended warranties and service packages.

In addition, Euro Motors has consolidated its existing agreements with Zayani Leasing to offer a regular series of attractive promotions designed to assist those wishing to purchase a new or pre-owned BMW. “To further emphasise our ongoing investment in BMW Group brands, we will continue to focus on further improving our facilities and business processes through a number of new initiatives,” Paul advises. “These will include increased staffing in our call centre, further development of its customer relationship management department and the launch of new BMW Group international training programmes for our staff.”

Today, Euro Motors has more than 250 employees in its facilities in Bahrain, a figure that reflects the company’s commitment to the growth and development of the Kingdom’s automotive market.

“When we started our BMW operations in 1998, we made a commitment to provide customers with premium products, professional staff and exceptional service standards. As such, we have continued to invest in our business and build on the company’s rich heritage to become one of the fastest-growing importers in the Middle East,” says Paul.

“As the leader in the automotive sector in Bahrain, our aim is to set ourselves apart from competition by maintaining our high standards. In addition to customer satisfaction being our number one priority at Euro Motors, we recognise that customer loyalty is the major contributor to our continued success and, as such, we always to try to find new ways to ensure they have the best possible purchase and ownership experience.

“We strive to offer a service that reflects the premium nature of the BMW Group brands, which is why we continue to invest in the development of our facilities and launch new valueadded services such as this BMW after-sales service shift.”

Ramadan promotion The Holy Month has traditionally been a productive period for the Kingdom’s car dealers, and Euro Motors has lined up a special promotion for Ramadan.

“This year’s promotion will allow our customers to buy now and pay later, with the first instalment due in 2014,” Paul advises. “Such deals are all part and parcel of our desire to increase our market share across all areas of our business.”

On the horizon Among the new models that Euro Motors expects to launch later this year is the all-new BMW 4 Series Coupé, which will mark the introduction a brand-new series for the German automaker — the 4 Series.

We can expect a new model from MINI to be unveiled as well — the Hatch.

E Call 17 750-750.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2013 103

motoringbigdealsonwheels

Great Steals on Wheels

Once again, the Holy Month approaches, and anyone in Bahrain who likes cars knows what that means… BARGAINS!

That’s right, bargains, and lots of them, as well as extended opening hours so that you can really shop around. To help you get started, we’ve summarised some of the offers that dealerships will be running throughout Ramadan. This way, you can plan ahead, get there early and make sure you get the best deals before anyone else!

AA Bin Hindi The exclusive dealership for Kia in Bahrain is running an offer that makes their great-value models an even better deal. In addition to the free insurance, free registration, free window tinting and a five-year transferable unlimited mileage warranty, AA Bin Hindi are now also giving away a Samsung Galaxy S4 with every purchase!

Despite all the new models coming in for the 2014 model year, they’re committed to maintaining their prices at 2012 levels to keep the prices competitive. E Call 17 408-800.

Ahmed Zayani & Sons Ahmed Zayani & Sons are offering up their range of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles with excellent on-the-road offers and exclusive service packages. The campaign, entitled ‘Never Before, Never Again’, offers great prices on selected

104 July 2013

models such as the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee, as well as the Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Durango, to name a few.

You can also pick up the stunning new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and if you REALLY wanted to treat yourself, why not look at one of their SRT models, such as the Grand Cherokee SRT or the Dodge Challenger SRT, both of which boast the awesome 470hp 6.4L HEMI V8!

This is in addition to great offers on extended warranties, such as the five-year warranty, the five-year or 100,000 kilometre warranty, or the 150,000 kilometre warranty. They’re also giving away gift hampers with every purchase.

E Call 17 238-822.

Almoayyed Motors Bahrain’s exclusive Ford dealership are going ‘bigger is better’ this Ramadan, with great offers on their impressive range of Ford SUVs. You can pick up the Ford Escape CUV from BD8,600, the stylish Ford Edge crossover from BD10,795, the full-size Expedition from just BD11,995, and the Ford F150 pickup from D10,700.

To sweeten the deal, they’re also giving away vouchers of up to BD450 for Bahrain City Centre along with purchases of Ford models. E Call 17 737-373.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Euro Motors Arguably Bahrain’s premium showroom, with the Mini, Range Rover, BMW, Maserati, Ferrari and Rolls Royce brands all under one roof, there is no better place to pick up a great deal on a high-brand auto this Ramadan.

For example, at Maserati, you can pick up a gorgeous Italian sports car during the Holy Month this year, but defer payments until 2014! This allows you to take home your dream car straight away, whilst still giving you several months to prepare your finances for such an exotic machine. E Call 17 750-750.

Mohammed Jalal & Sons (Suzuki) The dealership is running some great offers in their Suzuki showroom, with special prices on the Celerio Hatchback (starting at BD4,400), Swift DZIRE Saloon (starting at BD4,800), Swift Hatchback (starting at BD5,700), the Swift Sport (starting at BD8,500), and the Grand Vitara (starting from BD8,995).

All of these models also include free registration, free insurance and five years unlimited kilometre warranty.

For all purchases, customers can also choose either of these two additional offers: free set of Roadstone tyres, or two years’ free service. E Call 17 252 606.

At the Renault showroom, they’re offering all customers a free two-year ortwenty thousand kilometre service on top of free insurance, rust proofing and registration across all their popular models, such as the award-winning Renault Duster and the stylish 2013 Renault Fluence. E Call 17 732-732 (Nissan and Infiniti) and 17 703-286 (Renault).

Zayani Motors The exclusive dealership for Mitsubishi and Peugeot in Bahrain are running a fantastic Ramadan promotion on some of their most popular Mitsubishi models, offering up to BD1000 cash back on selected cars.

The models available with the offer are the new Mitsubishi Lancer Fortis, the latest incarnation of their most popular family sedan, the funky and stylish ASK crossover SUV, and their go-anywhere flagship off-roader, the mighty Pajero.

All of these models come with Mitsubishi’s standard ten-year or one-million-kilometre warranty. E Call 17 703-703.

Y. K. Almoayyed& Sons Y. K. Almoayyed have launched what they claim to be their biggest Ramadan promotion ever, spanning the entire range of Nissan, Infiniti and Renault brands. For example, they’re running their ‘Spin and Win’ promotion, where you can spin the wheel for instant cash discounts on car purchases.

At Nissan, they’re also offering a range of added-value offers on many of their models, including free insurance, free registration, free rust proofing, free service, and Bahrain City Centre gift vouchers.

Examples of just some of the great deals on offer include the ever-popular Nissan Altima S at only BD7,495, Nissan Sentra at BD5,995 and a brand-new Micra for only BD3,995.

And the great bargains continue at the Infiniti showroom where you can own one from as little as BD12,995 for the G25 sedan. Alternatively, the 3.7L Infiniti M is up for grabs at a jawdropping price of only BD17,995.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

July 2013 105

motoring ALMOAYYED MOTORS

Fantastic Family 4x4s

Ford Escape

Take advantage of the great deals from this dealership on their impressive range of Sports Utility Vehicles this month!

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Ford are well known for their fantastic range of SUV’s and crossovers, all ideal for the larger families that want the comfort, space, safety and the practicality of a bigger vehicle.

And the good news is that Almoayyed Motors, the exclusive distributor for Ford in Bahrain, are offering them with great deals this Ramadan! To sweeten the deal, they’re also giving away vouchers of up to BD450 for Bahrain City Centre Mall along with purchases of Ford models.

“We have a wide range of SUVs ideal for bigger families seeking comfortable, spacious and safe cars. With our Ramadan campaign, we want our customers to experience these benefits as per their style preferences and budget,” said Sandeep Mathur, general manager at Almoayyed Motors.

Starting off the offers is their compact crossover, the Ford Escape, a comfortable and versatile little CUV with a fourcylinder 2.5-litre engine and 168hp. Starting from only BD8,600, this 4x4 also utilises the SYNC and MyFord Touch technologies and keyless and Push-Button-Start advancements.

Moving on up the range, we come to the sleek and trendy Ford Edge. More of a city car, the Edge comes with loads of room and bags of style, as well as a powerful 3.5-litre V6 putting out 286hp. The perfect urban run-around, the Edge was also the first Ford to feature their SYNC system, and is now available for a starting price of only BD10,795.

However, if you’re looking for real big daddy, a true behemoth of the road, then you’ll want to take a look at the full-size Ford Expedition. This giant features three rows of seating and comfortably seats seven, and comes standard with Ford’s 5.4litre Triton V8 (great name for an engine!), which puts out an impressive 310hp and 495Nm, giving it plenty of hauling power.

Ford F-150

This vehicle is complemented by clever control technologies, including the SYNC® system, and also features an independent multilink rear suspension system. The Ford Expedition starts from just BD11,995.

And finally, if it’s a pure utility you’re after, then few vehicles combine power, comfort and versatility like the Ford F-150.

Commonly touted as “America’s Favourite Pick-up”, the F-150 has been the workhorse of the United States for over sixty years!

The F150 is built Ford Tough® and comes with a fully boxed frame that allows it to haul up to 1,500kg of cargo. It also delivers peace of mind as it utilises a safety cage and hydroformed steel tubes that are designed to absorb impacts.

Pricing starts from BD10,200.

Don’t miss out on these unbeatable prices!

E Call 17 737-373.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Mitsubishi ASX

ZAYANI MOTORS

Big Cash Back Deals What makes taking delivery of a brand-new car even better? Being given BD1,000 along with it!

Getting into the Ramadan spirit, Zayani Motors are giving away up to BD1,000 cash back on selected cars during the Holy Month, all of which come with Mitsubishi’s incredible ten-year or one million kilometre warranty!

Special deals and offers are available are on models, including the Lancer Fortis, ASX and Pajero.

The Lancer Fortis This latest incarnation of the Mitsubishi Lancer takes the design of the already highly popular economy compact car to new levels. Elegantly styled with attractive alloy wheels and durable, reliable and cost effective, the Lancer Fortis comes with a lip spoiler, reverse sensor and leather seats, and is powered by a 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder engine putting out 141hp and 178Nm of torque.

The ASX Mitsubishi’s super-stylish little crossover SUV was first introduced into the market in 2010. It instantly made waves thanks to its sporty design, which was heavily influenced by the Lancer EX, and the enjoyable driving experience.

This compact urban run-around comes with a fantastic range of features, including front airbags, panoramic sunroof, steering wheel-mounted volume controls, Bluetooth connectivity, aux input and a reverse sensor.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The Pajero The Mitsubishi Pajero is the marque’s flagship SUV — a hugely rugged and capable full-size SUV that has been carrying people across the various landscapes of the world for three decades now!

That’s right, this yetar the Pajero is celebrating 30 years at your service, and there is, therefore, no better time than this Ramadan to pick one up for a great deal!

The full-option Pajero comes with leather seats, eight airbags, a sunroof, sat-nav, DVD entertainment systems, Bluetooth connectivity with voice-dialling command, and a 3.8-litre V6 putting out 250hp and 329Nm of torque.

E Call 17 703-703.

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motoring

KIA MOTORS

A Free Samsung Galaxy S4!

Kia is the company to watch at the moment; one of the fastest rising brands globally, they’re keeping up the excitement in Bahrain with a fantastic Ramadan campaign!

No longer a ‘budget’ car brand, Kia have taken huge strides in the industry to bring the fight to their global competitors.

Technological innovation combined with stunning European designs has seen the brand rise through the ranks and challenge their more well-established counterparts from Asia, Europe and North America.

This rise has seen Kia scoop numerous automotive awards, as well as earn itself a place on the ‘Top 100 Global Brands List’ 2012 and the ‘Top 50 Global Green Brands’or the first time.

Their range of cars, includes the Cadenza, the Sorento, and the Optima, which was named ‘International Car of the Year 2013’ by Road and Travel magazine. All combine quality, comfort, an enjoyable driving experience and, most importantly, attractive design, making them an increasingly compelling option in the market.

Ramadan deals And, this Ramadan, they have become all the more attractive with AA Bin Hindi’s explosive promotion, where each and every customer buying a Kia will be given a FREE Samsung Galaxy S4!

As if that isn’t enough, all Kia cars come with free insurance, registration and window tinting, as well as an impressive fiveyear unlimited mileage warranty.

“We have yet again kept our Ramadan offer attractive, despite trying times, as a goodwill gesture, and to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan, celebrating in true spirit and giving a true meaning by sharing and caring,” says Mohammed

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Bin Hindi, Kia Motors general manager.

The offer doesn’t stop there. Customers can now enjoy a service package on all the high-end models, which will add an additional benefit to the already competitive after-sales services.

“This is the greatest opportunity for a car buyer to seriously consider a Kia, as we have fresh stocks of certain models in the 2014 model year that are covered under this offer,” adds John Joseph, the Kia Motors brand manager.

“To give meaning to our actions during Ramadan, we have not increased the prices of the cars. In fact, we are proud to say that our prices are extremely stable, reflecting 2012 prices! This helps in maintaining a very healthy resale value on the cars.”

Design acclaim Kia Motors has been in the news for its innovative German design, and has been witnessing tremendous sales growth globally as well as in Bahrain. Much of this can be attributed to the contribution of German chief design officer and president at Kia, Peter Schreyer.

Peter is well known for his contribution to the iconic Audi TT, and joined Kia in 2006. He is responsible for the unmistakable ‘tiger nose’ design element that can now be seen throughout the Kia range, and the distinctive European styling that has seen the brand rise through the ranks in recent years.

E Call 17 408-000, email kiasales@binhindi.com or visit www.binhindi.com.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

AHMED ZAYANI & SONS

A Grander Cherokee

With minor design tweaks and more standard and optional features, Jeep’s flagship SUV, the Grand Cherokee, gets even better for the 2014 model year!

www.bahrainthismonth.com

The previous generation of the Grand Cherokee, first released back in 2010, was already a huge success. It had the looks, the luxury, and the off-road capability to really make its mark in the mid-size SUV segment, winning itself no less than 30 awards for best-in-class and off-road capabilities across the world, making it the most awarded SUV ever.

As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! So, for 2014, we see much of the same in the Grand Cherokee, especially in terms of styling — it’s the same size and shape, only the front and rear lights have been modified slightly, with bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime-running lights at the front. The effects are subtle, but pleasing.

The six-speed automatic has now been replaced with an eight-speed auto with paddleshift, helping drivers get more power and torque out of the engine at any given speed. The engine line-up is now a 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar, and Chrysler’s awesome 5.7-litre V8 HEMI, both of which offer improved fuel economy for the 2014 model year.

“Styled for, and targeted at, customers in the important midsize SUV segment and with a high level of equipment on offer, drivers across the Middle East will find it even more of a pleasure to drive — on any and all roads, on the most demanding trails and in all weather conditions,” said Godwin D’Cruz, sales and marketing manager at Ahmed Zayani & Sons.

The Grand Cherokee’s excellent off-road capability comes courtesy of its award-winning Quadra-Trac and Quadra-Drive 4x4 systems, with the Selec-Terrain system allowing drivers to adjust the Jeep to the right surface type for their needs.

Changing surface types is as simple as stopping the vehicle, turning the knob, and any obstacle is overcome by gently applying the required amount of power and letting the traction control system do the rest. Power is distributed to the wheels that can most use it, and the Jeep climbs over rough terrain with ease.

Quadra Lift, which can raise the suspension for more heavy off-road use, is available as an option on the Limited trim level, and standard on the Overland trim and above.

And finally, Hill Descent Control allows you to drive down muddy and uneven surfaces with minimal fuss. No braking is needed — simply engage the HDC, drive over the edge of the slope, and let the Jeep maintain a constant and controlled speed all the way down!

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a vehicle that will go anywhere, and do it in comfort and style! Look out for fantastic offers on Jeeps at Ahmed Zayani this Ramadan.

E Call 17 238-822.

July 2013 109

motoring MOHD JALAL & SONS

A Flagship SUV There are few compact SUVs that will offer more for your money than the Grand Vitara, and the 2013 model is the best yet!

Suzuki may perhaps be one of the most underrated motoring brands in the world. Though they’ve always occupied the ‘budget’ end of the automotive spectrum, to anyone who knows the brand, Suzuki are best known for producing tough, rugged little go-anywhere off-roaders and affordable compact cars that’ll just keep going and going. However, what many people don’t know is that Suzuki have an illustrious motorsports history as well, entering various rallies and hillclimb events with no small measure of success. And much of their off-road R&D comes from this motorsports history, and is translated into the highly capable SUVs they produce today.

Which brings us to the Grand Vitara — Suzuki’s flagship offroader. This is the fourth generation of this popular compact SUV, and the most technologically advanced to date. For example, its new 4-mode 4x4 system transmits power to all four wheels at all times, ensuring positive traction regardless of road surface, making it capable both on-road and off-road.

It now comes in two model configurations, so that customers can choose based on their requirements. The five-door is directed to families, outdoor enthusiasts and others looking to maximize utility and versatility, while the three-door is aimed at customers wanting nimble agility and efficiency.

Whichever the configuration, the new Grand Vitara 2013 is not for people afraid to live beyond conventions. It’s for people who know the real journey begins where the road ends.

The Grand Vitara is available for BD8,995, with free insurance, free registration and five year’s or unlimited kilometre warranty. E Call 17 252 606.

bystanderthismonth

Hapkido Bahrain Belt Awarding Ceremony Hapkido Mu Mu Kwan upgraded around 20 students for different color belts at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Hapkido is a Korean martial art is founded in 1963 in Korea.

Master Salah is 6th Dan black belt degree with 26 years experience in Hapkido Kathylin, Master Salah & Wasan Almaskati

Ishaq, Eric & Zuhair

Bashar & Master Salah

Master Salah with students & Mohammed Ahmed of GOYS

Nader & Master Salah

Yaqoob Salah & Master Salah

Master Salah & students with Pascal Eggerstedt, general manager, Crowne Plaza

110 July 2013

www.bahrainthismonth.com

JAGUAR BAHRAIN

Prestigious Design Award Jaguar’s eye-catching design is recognised, as Director of Design Ian Callum is declared Interior Designer of the Year AT the Automotive Interiors Expo Awards.

Ian Callum

Jaguar are already known for making beautifully styled luxury cars, but beauty isn’t only skin-deep — it’s also what’s on the inside that counts. This is why it’s such an achievement to have their interior design recognised by one of the industry’s most recognised award ceremonies, the Automotive Interiors Expo Awards. Commenting on the news, Callum said: “It’s an honour to receive this award. I find it hugely gratifying that Jaguar Design has been recognised for interior design. This award celebrates the world’s finest designers, innovations and products in the automotive interiors field.

“The interiors of Jaguars have always been very special places for me personally, and so it has been essential to create new, fresh ideas, while maintaining the warmth and fun that is true to the brand. We set out to create interior environments that not only work well but create a sense of theatre and occasion.”

Born in Dumfries, Scotland, Ian studied Industrial Design at Glasgow School of Art and tailored his talents with a two-year course in automobile design at the Royal College of Art. His outstanding performance at the Royal College of Art led to him being recruited by Ford in 1978 and he spent 12 years working in the company’s design studios before going on to work at Ghia, TWR and Aston Martin.

Ian joined Jaguar in 1999 and under his direction Jaguar Design has taken the brand into an exciting new era.

Ian has received five honorary doctorates from universities around the world as well as being honoured as a Royal Designer for Industry by the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

E Call 17 707-070.

bystanderthismonth

Bahrain Japanese Photography Exposé Under the patronage of HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa, Governor, Capital Governorate, The Bahrain-Japan Business & Friendship Society & sponsors hosted a Bahrain Japan Photography Exposé showcasing collections of the international photographer Monette. The event was held at Al Fanar, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa

HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Rahman Al Khalifa opens the exposé

Nancy, Monette, Charmain, Nasser Alarayedh & Akiyama

Linda, Dierdre & Carla

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Jarna & Arup

Charmain & Monette

Anoop, Tosin, Nabeel & Andrew

Laura & Ariadna

Stacey

Manal & Ibrahim

Abdul Kareem

Ahmed Jawahery

July 2013 111

Your family deserves quality, every day m e e r a K n a d a m Ra

Follow us on @Alosra_Bahrain Alosra Supermarket Alosrasupermarket Saar 17 697558 Amwaj 16 033773 Durrat 77 770001 Riffa 17 750006 www.bmmigroup.com

reportsupermarket

Super Shopping Deals It’s that time of the year, when the setting sun draws your focus into the kitchen. With the Kingdom’s supermarkets offering special discounts throughout the month, prepare well for the postsunset feeding frenzy.

With Ramadan falling in the peak of summer this year, one mustn’t rely on the long, scorching, days of abstinence to do the daily grocery shopping. Preparing the Iftar and Ghabga meals could be a mammoth challenge, while observing the fast, running errands and carrying on with daily chores. But a wellstocked pantry and freezer can come to your rescue on the most gruelling of occasions. With most supermarkets offering great deals, shop wisely in advance so you can dish out the family favourites all through the month without running out of any ingredients and burning a hole in your pocket.

Al Jazeera Supermarket With four stores located across the island (Adliya, Budaiya, Juffair and Zinj), Al Jazeera opened the doors of its first store in 1965. Since then it has consistently delivered quality products at affordable prices along with providing exceptional customer service. This Ramadan, the store offers many attractive deals on

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food products and home appliances in addition to great rewards and benefits under its loyalty card programme. E Call 17 728-831.

Alosra Supermarket Committed to selling highest quality products, the enormous range and freshness on offer add to Alosra’s competitive advantage. You will find exotic produce from all over the world at this location. It runs ‘Delightful Deals’ on fresh food during Ramadan, delivering assured quality at great value. E Call 16 033-773.

Babasons Started in1993, Babasons has been delivering quality foods and products to the residents of Salmaniya and Hamad Town for over two decades. Known for its frequent sales and great bargains on packaged goods, the supermarket is well prepared for Ramadan with exciting promotional offers on traditional cooking ingredients and fresh produce. E Call 17 252-624.

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reportsupermarket Géant A Fu-Com International venture in association with Groupe Casino of France, Géant Hypermarket is one of the largest chains present in the country. The international retailing standards and emphasis on top-quality global brands or betterquality substitutes at prices consistently below the market make the store a smart choice for your Ramadan shopping. E Call 17 558-181.

Lebanon Trade Centre Establishing its operations in 2002, the Lebanon Trade Centre has gained the popularity of a one-stop-shop for freshest produce and exotic ingredients. Avail the festive discounts on a variety of products throughout the Holy Month, turning your grocery shopping into a fun-saving spree. E Call 17 683-000.

Carrefour Find a wide range of quality products at great prices at this massive supermarket in the Bahrain City Centre. The store runs two Ramadan promotion campaigns between June 19 and July 18; the supermarket also offers a Ramadan basket for charity consisting of 14 assorted items for BD4.690. Look forward to great deals on electronics, kitchenware and dining sets as well.

E Call 17 172-222.

Lulu Hypermarkets Present in Dana Mall, Riffa, A’ali and Hidd, this hypermarket chain has become one of the most popular shopping junctions for Bahrainis since 2007.

The store relies on its pricing strategy, quality, customer service and wide range of local and imported products to beat the competition.

Like every year, it is offering great deals and discounts during Ramadan; from packed foods to electronics and household appliances, expect a good bargain throughout the month. The supermarket hosts a dates festival with an eclectic variety of dates on sale. E Call 17 553-555.

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LuLu Hypermarket Mango Festival LuLu Hypermarket launched its 10-day Mango Mania Festival at its outlets in Hidd, Ramli Mall, Dana Mall and Riffa.

The festival was officially opened at Hidd by HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador, in the presence of LuLu Hypermarket management, officials and guests

HE Dr Mohan Kumar opens the festival in the presence of LuLu officials

HE Dr Mohan Kumar cuts the celebratory cake

Nirmal, Layana, Animaraj & Yogi

114 July 2013

Vineet, Mayukh & P.C. Sarkar

Kamath, Abdul Sattar, Mahesh, Sukoor, Khaleem, Sharif & Vineet

Sanesh, Ubaid & Shihab

Ashwathy & Arsha

Geeta & Pradeep

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Get more at Waitrose Serving suggestion

Serving suggestion

The best offers this Ramadan

Sunbullah Puff Pastry Squares 400g x 4

BHD 2.600

BHD 1.825

Jomara Premium Dates 500g

BHD 2.375

From dates, fresh fruit and vegetables to meat and dessert mixes, Waitrose has everything you need this Ramadan.

Serving suggestion

CP Chicken Griller (Whole) 1300g x 2

Quaker White Oats 500g x 2

BHD 1.425

Offers valid until 16th July 2013 while promotional stocks last.

The Walk, East Riffa Tel: 17001236 | Al Hayat Mall, Mahoos Tel: 17212090 | The Lagoon, Amwaj Island Tel: 16030638 Nakheel Centre, Saar Tel: 17300363 | The Dome, Barbar Tel: 17695505 | The Centre, Nuwaidrat Tel: 17491917

reportsupermarket Macro Mart Recently opened in West Riffa, Macro Mart offers fruits and vegetables, breads, dairy products and meats as fresh ingredients for your daily Iftar meals. Offering great value for money, the store runs a ‘buy to win’ contest throughout Ramadan, giving away a Toyota Sequoia as the first prize along with many Samsung mobile phones. E Call 17 650-075.

Mega Mart Present in Lulu Centre, Muharraq, Juffair and coming up shortly in Galali, this supermarket promotes huge variety, great customer service and reasonable pricing as its strong selling points. This Ramadan, along with buying the freshest and responsibly sourced products, take part in its ‘buy and win’ raffle draw with the chance of winning refrigerators, LED TVs, washing machines and a Toyota Prado. E Call 17 826-884 (Juffair) and 17 343-266 (Muharraq).

Organic Foods & Café First opened in 2011, here’s a family-run supermarket and café that houses an enormous variety of fresh organic food. From freshly baked breads to fruits and vegetables, the store offers organic biodynamic foods, supplements, skincare products, cosmetics, baby care items and even household cleaning products.

Make a healthy choice this Ramadan with Organic Foods and Café, which provides over 6,000 hormone- and chemical-free products in addition to the largest range of gluten-free items in 1 6/13/13 9:45 the country toRamadan choose Recipe from. E(bleed).pdf Call 13 333-286.

Waitrose This UK-based supermarket chain opened its first store in Amwaj Islands in 2011 and since then has spread across the Kingdom, now present in Saar, Barbar, Nuwaidrat, Mahoos and East Riffa. Offering quality goods for great value, the supermarket has become the shopping destination for those who appreciate fine food, good value and great service. With festive discounts and promotional offers on home appliances and kitchenware, Waitrose proves to be a great Ramadan AMshopping option. E Call 16 030-638.

bystanderthismonth

Anika Birthday Party Anika celebrated her second birthday party with family & friends at her residence last month - 2 tbsp organic olive oil - 300g organic lamb or mutton (150g boneless meat) - 2 sticks organic celery (chopped)

Anika

- 100g organic lentils C

- Bunch fresh organic parsley & organic coriander (finely chopped)

M

- 400g passata or tomato sauce

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

- 100g organic macaroni pasta

Directions:

Anika & Aya

- 3 litres water

1. Put the oil, onion and meat into a large saucepan and gently sautee until the meat changes colour.

2. Add the celery, carrot, drained chickpeas and all the spices, except the cinnamon. Stir well and add a few cups of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer over a medium heat for 30 minutes.

3. Add the lentils, herbs and tomatoes, and let the mixture cook until the chickpeas are soft and the meat is tender or falling off the bone.

4. Add some more water to replace what has evaporated during the cooking. Add the stock cube, cinnamon and vermicelli.

5. In a bowl, mix the flour with a splash of water. Gradually add the flour mixture to the pan until well incorporated.

6. Cook for a further 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.

7. Serve in a bowl with lemon wedges on the side.

- 6-7 tbsp plain organic flour, for thickening - ½ tsp ground organic turmeric - 1 tsp: mild organic curry powder, freshly ground organic pepper, ground organic cinnamon - 2 tsp: Himalayan pink salt, ground organic ginger - 1: large organic onion (chopped), medium organic carrot (chopped), natural stock cube, can of organic chickpeas, organic lemon, (cut into wedges)

Yash, Rina, Anika & Arjun James, Alfie & Henry

* All ingredients are organic and are available at the Organic Foods and Cafe. Our Ramadan opening times are 10 AM - 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 12:00 PM.

New extension Seef Mall |1st Floor | Manama| Bahrain Tel: 13333286, 13333288 | www.organicsbahrain.com Organic Food and Cafe Bahrain

@organicsbahrain

Genievieve

116 July 2013

Arjun

Henry & Haytham

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ALOSRA SUPERMARKET

Fresh and Friendly As one of Bahrain’s leading supermarkets, Alosra sells high-quality, great-value produce; locally grown and responsibly sourced from around the world.

From bringing in premium produce from halfway across the globe to the fresh catch brought in each morning, here’s one grocery mart that provides supreme quality at great value.

Alosra Supermarkets, part of the BMMI group, is one supermarket chain that has rightfully earned a reputation for ‘Fresh and Friendly’ “We are much focused on high-quality products, successfully delivering the freshest and the largest range of products in the country. Providing exceptional customer care is also of critical concern,” says Pavlos Babiolakis, from Alosra management.

With locations in Saar, Amwaj Islands, Durrat and Riffa, and a fifth outlet to open shortly in Juffair, Alosra offers the widest range of premium quality products in Bahrain.

It boasts an exhaustive range of international food that is often not available in other stores.

The first Alosra opened in Manama in the mid-1980s and today it is the only supermarket in the country to hold an ISO 22000 certification.

The store makes a conscious effort to give back to the community by supporting local farmers under its ‘Think Local’ programme. This year during Ramadan, along with offering festive discounts, it is hoping to partner with local charities to lend a helping hand.

Alosra is a supermarket that is committed to providing the freshest and healthiest products for your family and sustaining the community.

E Call 17 739-444.

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Summer On A Tap At Meisei Summer On A Tap was held at the rooftop of Meisei Restaurant in Adliya. The event featured the launch of a well known Japanese beverage. Guests were treated to a tasting of the beverage as well as Maki dishes

Neeta, Jilan & Grant

Gokalp, Ozge, Zeynep, Emre & Serlean

Marianna

Ricardo & Chef Michael

Tareef, Maha & Haitham

Yo & Mo

Firas & Tala

Hugh & Susie

Mary, Chris, Michael, Claire & Richard

Zena & Ahmed

Josephine & Marilyn

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July 2013 117

reportsupermarket

LULU HYPERMARKET

Ramadan Spirit With the Holy Month comes a festive season of retail. Here is how you can go on shopping sprees without breaking the bank.

118 July 2013

Lulu Hypermarket has lined up amazing promotions throughout the month of Ramadan to make the hassle of shopping an enjoyable experience. Setting new benchmarks in food quality and customer service, it is the place to be if you are in the market for ‘value for money’ shopping.

The region’s largest retailer is known to offer a varied range of foodstuffs, whether fresh, frozen or canned — perfect to whip up delicious Iftar meals. Customers shopping during sunset can enjoy dates, juice and sweets to break their fast.

The special offers and discounts will be on various products, including the groceries section that will be well-stocked with cooking essentials. For scrumptious, protein-filled meals, vital in Ramadan, only the freshest and best cuts of beef and poultry are offered in the meat section.

For family gatherings after Iftar, an assortment of delicious sweets is a must. Head over to the bakery section for a selection of goodies like cakes, tarts and jellies as well as salty savouries — you can even make a special order.

In addition to a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, Lulu houses a large fashion and lifestyle section that boasts trendy clothes, accessories and beauty products. Browse through the separate sections for ladies, men, kids and infants, as well as

Lulu’s popular sari and accessories varieties to find your Eid celebration outfits. The large collection of footwear featuring top brands and designs is unmissable at Lulu.

No outfit is complete without the perfect bag. Take your pick from the variety of styles. If you plan to use up the Eid holidays with a weekend getaway, make sure to check out the assortment of suitcases.

Other essentials you can indulge in include beauty products like make-up, lotions and designer perfumes. If you are looking for gift options for a tech-savvy loved one, Lulu offers an upgraded electronics section that features the latest in laptops, tablets and so much more.

With a dedicated team of professionals responsible for maintaining the highest standards throughout the stores, Lulu Hypermarkets boast some of the best practices with regard to hygiene, food safety, waste disposal and quality control.

To support you in your efforts to take advantage of the Ramadan spirit of charity and benevolence, the retail giant has created a special Ramadan charity voucher and hamper. This is a shopping feature that allows customers to provide gifts for needy families; who can cash the vouchers at the hypermarket to satisfy their requirements. E Call 17 553-555.

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diningthismonth

Raising the Bar james claire Adding yet another element of fun to its offering, Lanterns Restaurant and Lounge this month launches its rooftop venue — the Sky Terrace Lounge.

Relax under the stars in quiet reflection or in the presence of friends and loved ones as you are soothed by the melodic beats of the resident DJ at Lanterns Restaurant and Lounge, in Adliya’s 338 district.

Renowned for over 20 years for its food and catering, the second Lanterns outlet has proved to be a huge success since its opening last year.

We may have waited a long time for the second coming of this ‘fixture’ on the restaurant scene in the Kingdom, but it has certainly been worth it.

With indoor dining replete with antiques of old India, the ambience is one of light-hearted elegance combined with charming touches of Indian street scenes. Intermingled amongst these is the more serious business of fine dining.

Upon entry one is struck with the open-air garden patio, its water features and natural grass, where dining and imbibing are welcome. When the humidity rises the garden is cooled by a silent mist of spray, which reduces the air temperature by several degrees.

The final addition to this venue is the rooftop Sky Terrace Lounge, accessible by stairs from just inside the front door. The Also this month

lounge is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights for the time being, with seating for 70 in comfortable lounge chairs and sofas under a silken roof and mood lighting.

A bar and resident DJ booth add to the vibe as you enjoy the cool night breezes in the company of friends and family. The lounge can also be reserved for private parties and functions, and this area of the restaurant enjoys its own bar snacks menu.

“We work hard to deliver the five key elements of a successful dining experience.

Quality food is tantamount, an enticing ambience, pricing, attentive service and well-trained staff all play a part,” says Lalit Kapur, the owner of Lanterns restaurant. “Within the Adliya outlet we deliver these in multiple ways within the one larger venue.”

Offering some of the finest Indian cuisine in the Kingdom, Lanterns in Adliya is spread across 800 square metres and is by no means just another traditional Indian restaurant.

Instead, the chefs showcase the modern fusion of Indian cuisine with universal flavours; an à la carte menu, tapas-style dining, brunch and buffets fit perfectly alongside each other to create a unique dining experience.

Fitting snugly into Adliya as if it has always been housed there, Lanterns has not just aged well from its original outlet on the Budaiya Highway. Like a fine vintage it matures over time and just gets better and better.

E Call 17 250-999 (Adliya) or 17 590-591 (Budaiya).

122 x Ramadan Feature - 133 x Restaurant Listing

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New Menu Bennigan’s new menu, at the American-Irish bistro, offers delicious new dishes while retaining the restaurant’s best-loved classics. The revamped menu includes new appetisers, salads, sandwiches, pub bites, legendary favourites, gourmet burgers, steaks, seafood and desserts.

There’s also a ‘build your own burger’ section, where you can customise the perfect burger of their choice.

The dessert section features new waffle and pancakes; choose from plain, sweet or savoury toppings, and complement Bennigan’s timehonoured dishes.

Are you brave enough to take on their 1kg steak challenge? Win the challenge and join their wall of fame!

July 2013 121

diningramadanfeature

Celebrating Ramadan From dusk to dawn, the island springs to life during Ramadan. Bahrain this Month took up the task of bringing you the best of Iftar and Ghabga options the Kingdom has to offer.

122 July 2013

Ramadan is a period of practising self-restraint and discipline, hoping to come out a better and spiritually purified being in the end. Here’s our review of venues offering both Iftar and Ghabga dining adventures.

Five-star Ramadan The Sheraton Bahrain Hotel opens the doors of the Awali Ballroom for an Iftar feast. Available from 5pm to 8.30pm and priced at BD14.900++, it features live cooking stations dishing out the finest in Arabic and international cuisine.

Four- to 12-year-olds can enjoy the buffet at BD8.500++.

E Call 17 533-533.

Presenting a confluence of traditional and contemporary dining, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa offers Al Fanar, its majestic rooftop venue. For BD15, enjoy a rich variety of Arabic dishes at Iftar. Make your way to the poolside for a magical Arabian experience complete with shisha and live oud music for Ghabga. E Call 17 631-291.

Indulge with your family and friends in an elaborate buffet of hot and cold mezze, madhrouba, thereed and harees at the Mövenpick Hotel. The hotel lays out an Iftar feast at the Silk’s Restaurant for BD12.500++ per person from sunset to 9.30 pm. E Call 17 460-000.

Immerse yourself in Arabic opulence at Golden Tulip’s Ramadan tent. The Al Wasmeyyah restaurant offers a delectable fare for Iftar at BD8.500++. Live entertainment, games and raffle draws make sure you have a great time with your friends and family. E Call 17 523-535.

Kaimat Al Khareej, Gulf Hotel’s popular tent, is back to offer its Arabianesque splendour with the freshest local ingredients and traditional specialties for BD14++. Al Waha and Takht Jamsheed restaurants offer Iftar at BD15++ a head. Special discounts are offered to corporate groups. E Call 17 713-000.

Enjoy the Ramadan nights amidst Egyptian folk performers, indoor games and mouth-watering delights at InterContinental Regency’s Al Thurayya tent. The Iftar buffet is priced at BD14 per person. Corporate Ramadan parties for up to 400 guests can be arranged at the grand ballroom.

E Call 17 227-777.

Featuring an eclectic selection of classic Arabic dishes with music by a traditional Yemeni oud player, Baharat restaurant at Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre offers an Iftar indulgence like nowhere else. Those looking for dining outdoors enjoy the ambience of their ornate Ramadan tent with an assortment of shisha flavours. E Call 17 171-155.

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diningramadanfeature

Gather with family and friends at The K Hotel for the Iftar meal at Klouds and Ghabga at Kenza restaurant. Offering an exhaustive spread of Ramadan starters, mains and desserts, the Iftar buffet is priced at BD8++. The hotel offers special rates for corporate groups and can cater for a private party at a venue of your choice. E Call 17 360-000.

Featuring Iftar specialities like hareesh and tashreeb along with the finest of international and Oriental cuisine, the Al Qahawah coffee shop at the Gulf Gate Hotel offers a festive oasis this Ramadan. At a modest price of BD4.500, enjoy a lavish buffet, live oud music and group games from sunset until midnight.

E Call 17 210-210.

Enjoy a lavish Ghabga overlooking the serene waters at the Layali Al Zallaq tent at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa after a delicious Iftar at the Saraya restaurant. The meals are available at BD17++ during weekdays and BD19++ during weekends. E Call 17 636-363.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa invites you to its grand tent Al Khayma that can house up to 250 people.

With an assortment of shisha flavours, enjoy the lavish fare and Arabic tunes from a live quartet. Iftar starts at sundown for BD19++ and Ghabga starts at 9pm and is priced at BD22++.

Pergolas with silver service for a party minimum of six are available at BD250++. E Call 17 586-499.

Four-star Ramadan Enjoy an intimate Ramadan evening with your family at the Ramee Baisan International Hotel. Its tent serves an eclectic mix of mezze, grills, Arabic desserts and special beverages. Olympic, the hotel’s sports lounge, is also open for Ramadan dining and serves à la carte. With music, billiards, card games and sports on TV, one can enjoy Iftar at the hotel until 1.30am. E Call 17 296-237.

Offering its delectable best this Ramadan, Al Safir Hotel & Tower promises a fabulous dining experience. At BD7.500 for the buffet and BD6.500 for a group of 10 or above, enjoy this traditional spread with fun indoor games and Arabic music.

E Call 17 827-999.

Refresh yourself with the splendid Iftar and Ghabga buffets served at Novotel Al Dana Resort’s ballroom and La Perle restaurant. Enjoy the regal spread at Iftar for BD9++ or you could head for the Ghabga for BD12++ if you fancy a laid-back supper later in the evening. E Call 17 298-008.

Experience the chic environment of the Elite Grande Hotel for a sumptuous Iftar meal at Julio's for BD5. The hotel’s H2O restaurant dons the garb of an Arabic haven, serving the Suhoor buffet for BD6 and entertaining the guests with the beats of some fayrouziyat music. E Call 17 565-850.

The Elite Resort and Spa is back with the very popular Al Noor tent offering an array of culinary goodness in splendid surroundings. Enjoy a selection of hot and cold mezze and live grills while Arabic musicians keep you entertained. Served from sunset till 8pm and followed by Ghabga, the Iftar buffet is priced at BD6.900+ per person. E Call 17 313-369.

Enjoy a great Iftar evening with friends and family from sunset to 10pm and from 11pm until 1am for Suhoor at the Pars International Hotel. Indulge in an assortment of fine culinary delights and shisha flavours with your close ones.

E Call 17 814-777.

For a slice of both international and Arabic cuisine, head to Mercure Grand Hotel Seef for your Iftar and Ghabga feasts.

Its rooftop tent Al Bawadi hosts Iftar, priced at BD12++. Look forward to a night of great fun, playing indoor games and enjoying the live performance of famous Egyptian oud player Al Tokhy. E Call 17 584-400.

Head to Ramada Bahrain’s award-winning restaurant, Le Jardin, which serves up a delectable Iftar buffet cooked to perfection from sunset until 8pm daily. The hotel also provides for an intimate private party of 30 guests at Le Rendezvous.

E Call 17 742-000.

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Spread the spirit of giving and sharing at the Elite Seef Residence & Hotel, which offers a very affordable Iftar and Ghabga feast for individuals and groups of 10 and above at their Il Giardino Restaurant. E Call 17 558-200.

The Dragon Hotel & Resort at Amwaj Islands is once again hosting the popular Iftar and Ghabga feasts in the splendid settings of its Ramadan tent.

With live entertainment and an eclectic assortment of shisha flavours, enjoy this delectable spread located poolside with stunning sea views. E Call 16 031-111.

Enjoy a hearty meal at Best Western The Olive’s restaurants for Iftar and Ghabga during the Holy Month. Head to Vesuvio Tavern for Italian fare or enjoy a rich Indian curry at Mantraa. E Call 17 211-133.

Other venues Both branches of Lanterns Lounge & Restaurant offer Ramadan dining from sunset until midnight. Priced at BD6.900 in Adliya and BD5.900 at the Budaiya outlet, enjoy a festive evening with mouth-watering Iftar classics, refreshing mocktails and the company of your loved ones. E Call 17 250-999.

For delightful Lebanese fare this Ramadan, Al Arisha Restaurant in Um Al Hassam has pulled all stops to dish out some of the most delectable creations for Iftar and Ghabga. With indoor and outdoor dining areas, it is a perfect venue for a feast, opening with a buffet at sunset and then offering Suhoor till 1.30am.

E Call 17 725-414.

Indulge in the deliciously inventive Iftar menu bursting with traditional flavours with a French touch at Paul Bakery & Restaurant. Watch out for themed desserts that include date éclairs, cheesecake with jellab syrup and hallawa ice cream topped with jellab syrup. The Iftar menu is available at BD9.900.

E Call 39 961-641.

If you wish to indulge in some international cuisine for your Iftar meal, head to Maki for a world-class Japanese dinner. The restaurant serves à la carte from 6pm till 1am during weekdays and till 2am on weekends. E Call 17 522-733.

Drop by the Organic Foods & Café at Seef Mall for a delectable meal served à la carte. It will begin service post sunset, dishing out organic delicacies from the kitchen. E Call 16 536-092.

At Vapiano in Bahrain City Centre, you can sample authentic Italian food. If you are in Seef at sunset, give this restaurant a chance to replenish you with wholesome Italian goodness. E Call 17 220-030.

If you’re prefer Italian cuisine, head straight to Cucina Italiana, which opens from 6pm to 3am during the Holy Month and serves à la carte. The restaurant provides free home delivery as well, bringing fine Italian delicacies to your doorstep. E Call 17 001-317.

Ponderosa Steakhouse will feature a traditional Ramadan buffet priced at just BD5.500 per person. The restaurant will be open from 6pm to 3am; in addition, children are invited to a special Gergaoon celebration at 7pm on July 22.

E Call 17 580-552.

BAHR AIN - HOTE L

International standards, local flavours.

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July 2013 125

diningramadanfeature SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SPA & SPA

Classic Temptations Enjoy the pristine beaches of Zallaq, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, as you break the fast with the finest Arabian delicacies during Ramadan at this five-star venue.

The Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa has put together an exhaustive menu of dishes from all over the region, promising a fantastic dining experience throughout the Holy Month.

The hotel will have an Iftar banquet serving up traditional Ramadan classics, for two hours after sunset, at the Saraya Restaurant. With a variety of dates, dried fruits and tantalising starters, the best of the Sofitel’s culinary repertoire will be on display.

The main course includes the chef’s unique take on tabouleh, hammour machbous, chicken molokhia, lamb tagine, kofta bil laban and lamb ouzi. An elaborate dessert bar features essential delicacies such as um ali, assorted baklawa, kunafa and kallaj of Ramadan. Including beverages, the Iftar buffet is priced at BD17++ per person during weekdays, and BD19++ per person at the weekend.

After Iftar, enjoy the company of your friends and family at the Layali Al Zallaq tent on the terrace of Saraya.

This air-conditioned venue will offer tempting culinary creations in a regal setting. Guests can enjoy an evening under the stars with a number of sheesha flavours, indoor games and live entertainment by Lebanese trio Tarrabish.

Priced at BD17++ per person during the week, and BD19++ person during weekends, Sofitel creates a Ramadan that truly blends the French art de vivre with traditional Arabian flavours and hospitality.

E Call 17 636-363

THE K HOTEL

Tradition on a Plate!

Throughout the Holy Month, the setting sun breaths life into your dormant taste buds.

Here’s a redeeming treat to end a long day of fasting.

Reward yourself at sundown at The K Hotel with an exquisite selection of tantalising treats at Iftar followed by a scrumptious spread for Ghabga.

“We’re ready with an arsenal of carefully researched traditional recipes and our prime properties, Klouds and Kenza, are all set for the festive buffet,” says Volker Mandlowsky, the hotel’s general manager.

The restaurant Klouds, venue for Iftar, offers a classic Arabic buffet featuring authentic dried fruits and nuts and an extensive range of Ramadan starters. The main course will comprise Bahraini ouzi followed by a luxurious selection of traditional Ramadan desserts.

To add variety, the executive chef has added a number of international dishes to his carefully selected menu. Watch out for live cooking stations as well, to make your Iftar dining experience more exciting and fun!

Reasonably priced at BD8++ per person, which includes beverages, the buffet offers a taste of culinary heritage in traditional surroundings.

If you’re there for a long supper, head to Kenza restaurant, which offers the Ghabga from sunset until the early hours of the morning. This restaurant is using some time-honoured recipes in addition to its usual Lebanese food for the Ramadan menu. Expect a night of great cuisine and live entertainment.

The hotel in addition caters for Iftar and Ghabga parties at your home or an outdoor venue of your choice.

E Call 17 360-000.

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GULF HOTEL

Arabian Hospitality A night out during Ramadan at the Gulf Hotel has always been an essential ingredient of the Holy Month. This year promises to be no different.

With its fine dining restaurants, lounges and a plethora of carefully conceived delicacies for the ‘fasting’ month, the Gulf Hotel makes each day of the Holy Month a rewarding experience after the sun has set.

As in previous years, the hotel invites guests to the popular Khaimat Al Khaleej Ramadan tent Ghabga.

You can also enjoy a daily Iftar at the Al Waha and Takht Jamsheed restaurants.

Iftar Break your fast with an eclectic mix of the freshest local foods and traditional Arabic specialties served daily at Al Waha. An extensive spread of Arabic and Persian cuisine will also be on offer at Takht Jamsheed, the popular Iranian restaurant.

Iftar menus include exquisite dates, refreshing juices and hot and cold mezzeh, together with an enticing mix of salads, home-baked breads, shawarma and falafel. If that leaves room for anything else, brace yourself for the Arabic specialties such as quzi, thareed and harees.

For dessert, you can expect to enjoy traditional favourites — um Ali, kunafa and mahalabiya. Buffets are priced at BD15++ per person in both restaurants.

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Ghabga For those who prefer to enjoy a late evening get-together with friends and family, the Khaimat Al Khaleej tent is a great option. This spectacular venue offers guests an extensive buffet, with a wide variety of traditional Bahraini and Arabic dishes. Here you could enjoy a slice of Arab hospitality against a background of traditional music, with a live oud and tabla player performing every evening.

An evening out is priced at BD14++ per person on weekdays, and BD16++ per person on weekends. As with Iftar buffets, there are special packages for corporate and group bookings.

La Pergola, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, will be open throughout Ramadan for those seeking a year-round dining experience.

Alternatively, Sato will serve up an à la carte menu of signature Japanese delicacies such as sushi, maki and teppanyaki.

Also, look out for the Gulf Hotel’s grand Eid Al Fitr event to mark the end of Ramadan. E Call 17 713-000.

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diningramadanfeature RAMADA HOTEL BAHRAIN

Home Comforts

Ramadan dining is not just about great food and buffets, it’s a wholesome mélange of traditions and festivity that is best enjoyed with family and friends.

NOVOTEL AL DANA RESORT

Novotel Al Dana Resort combines an Arabic setting with a global business attitude, which is amply reflected in its decor, cuisine and service. The hotel is ready to welcome the Holy Month with traditional cuisine in a calm and secluded environment.

Refresh yourself with the splendid Iftar and Ghabga buffets served within the ballroom and La Perle restaurant, which will capture the Ramadan spirit throughout the month. Enjoy a regal Iftar spread, priced at BD9++ per person, or head for a Ghabga, at BD12++ per person, if you fancy a casual dinner coupled with entertainment later in the evening.

“We’re looking forward to families and corporate groups at the festive buffets comprising some very special Ramadan dishes.” says Pierre Gaudou, Novotel’s general manager.

“Alternatively, you could enjoy a quiet meal at Zytoun Restaurant or unwind at Le Bellevue and enjoy a splendid view of Juffair’s skyline.”

A Family Affair

Take refuge in the cushy environment of this resort hotel during Ramadan and experience an executive-style luxury coupled with traditional Arabic festivities.

Ramadan evenings at Ramada Hotel Bahrain are designed to deliver an experience that is in keeping with the festive spirit, yet offering a contemporary vibe that appeals to the cosmopolitan nature of the Kingdom.

At sunset head to this four-star hotel and you’re in for a real treat. The award-winning restaurant, Le Jardin, serves up a delectable Iftar buffet cooked to perfection from sunset until 8pm daily. This gastronomic fête comprises a wide range of authentic hot and cold mezzeh, a spread of classic salads, grills and traditional main course dishes. Round out your meal with a selection of desserts and hot and cold refreshments.

If you and your family want to enjoy a quieter, more personalised and intimate meal, Ramada’s Le Rendezvous offers a comfortable environment for a private party of 30 guests. The hotel is also known for its outdoor catering; the kitchen team can deliver an Arabic feast directly to your home or a venue of your choice.

The hotel’s lobby café will serve delightful pastries and light snacks after sunset during Ramadan, and will put together a special dessert menu for Eid. So, watch out for a selection of delicious cakes that will be on display in August.

The Exchange Restaurant & Pub will remain closed during the Holy Month, reopening on the first night of Eid with a lively new band. E Call 17 742-000.

Summer pursuits During the day, why not relax at the private beach, take a swim in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf or try your hand at kayaking? Just because it’s hot outside does not mean you cannot pamper yourself; head to the indoor pools, health club, sauna and spa for an opportunity to rejuvenate your soul.

“We have always prided ourselves on our family-centric approach and Arabian hospitality; Ramadan offers a great opportunity to showcase our values,” adds Pierre.

E Call 17 298-008.

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Baharat Restaurant

KEMPINSKI GRAND & IXIR HOTEL BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE

A Season of Giving Ramadan has always been an occasion to engage our charitable instincts. Now you can do this at the same time as enjoying a traditional seasonal spread.

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Ramadan is an opportunity to take time out from the usual routine and to focus on community, praying, fasting and charity.

While it is not uncommon for many businesses and societies to organise fund-raising events, it is unusual to find this performed in a less obvious and creative way.

Spice art The Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre is embracing the Holy Month by not only drawing on the best from its culinary repertoire but also extending a charitable hand in a rather artistic way.

Since the Baharat Restaurant opened earlier this year, the hotel has asked a number of local artists to compose exquisite artwork based on the theme ‘The Art of Giving’. A selection of the paintings will go on display during Ramadan within the restaurant where they have been subtly incorporated into the décor.

All the artworks will be on sale and the proceeds will go to a local charity, Alia for Early Intervention and the participating artists. Integrated seamlessly into Baharat’s ambience, the exhibition offers the hotel’s customers an innovative opportunity to engage in charity.

Spice Art by Tejbir Singh

Traditional flavours If you are not an art connoisseur, the sprawling buffet of festive fare is another strong reason to head to the hotel. At Baharat the chefs have conjured up a feast that blends both the finesse of a culinary expert with the flavours of home cooking. The banquet features a recipe from a cook-off organised by Kempinski, where the winning dish, pastilla with chicken and almonds, made by Naima Al Hajeri, is now part of the daily Iftar menu.

The rest of the buffet is crafted from the kitchen of Moroccan chef Issam Seddoq, presenting a wide selection of appetisers, main courses and traditional desserts. At BD17++ per person, you can enjoy a hearty meal, live Arabic music and a large assortment of sheesha flavours, from 6pm to 2am.

T-Spoon, the hotel’s coffee shop, will offer Arabic coffee and scrumptious pastries prepared by the Kempinski’s pastry chef, Clement Raybaud, and his team.

E Call 17 171-441.

July 2013 129

diningramadanfeature CUCINA ITALIANA

Full Service

Bursting with flavour aptly describes not only the food but also the ambience at this popular Italian eatery.

Cucina Italiana, located in Juffair, brings together the most renowned parts of Italian culture — food and art, to make diners feel as if they have been transported to this beautiful European country. From an alfresco patio to a quaint trattoria and a fine dining and lounge bar area, Cucina offers many styles at one venue.

The finest Italian cuisine is prepared with only the freshest and finest hand-picked ingredients. Enjoy a delicious dish of pasta, the tastiest wood-fired pizza, desserts, a wide selection of beverages and, of course, a quality cup of coffee.

Cucina even has monthly cooking classes to show you exactly how the chefs prepare the dishes on their menu.

Ramadan hours During the Holy Month, the restaurant will be open from 6pm to 3am. A highlight of this period has to be the free home delivery service, which can deliver your favourite Italian food to your doorstep as fresh and hot as if it were served directly to your table at the restaurant itself. E Call 17 001-317.

Ponderosa Ramadan offers During Ramadan, Ponderosa Steakhouse, part of the Bahrain Family Leisure group as well, will feature a traditional Ramadan buffet priced at just BD5.5 per person. The restaurant will be open from 6pm to 3am; in addition, children are invited to a special Gergaoon celebration at 7pm on 22 July. E Call 17 580-552.

AL ARISHA LEBANESE RESTAURANT

A Standout Pearl

There is nothing more pleasant than a surprise; when that comes in the form of a longstanding restaurant you have not previously experienced, it’s even more delicious.

Maha Al Mahmood

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Al Arisha Lebanese Restaurant has been going strong in Um Al Hassam for 17 years, yet many of us probably have not heard of this quiet success story.

Established in 1995 by a then 22-year-old proud Bahraini, Maha Al Mahmood is probably one of the Kingdom’s first female restaurant entrepreneurs. Supported by her father, famed for Al Mahmood stores in Manama, Maha still presides over the success of the restaurant and travels to Lebanon regularly to source the finest ingredients and spices for the restaurant.

“The success of Al Arisha is down to being able to find a chef skilled in the art of Lebanese cuisine coupled with our commitment to the freshness of our menu,” says Maha.

The menu offers Lebanese food from different areas of this Mediterranean country, including old-time favourites such as asafeer — whole baby birds. You can feast as well on makanek and soujok — fresh sausages — and shanklesh, a cheese used for salads handmade by nuns.

The attention to detail throughout the restaurant shows the depth of care Maha and her team have for their customers.

Tablecloths are of the finest quality, and decorative elements, such as salt and pepper shakers, vases and relish trays, are handmade Awali pottery. Fittingly, your bill is delivered in a hand-crafted wooden case.

With indoor and outdoor dining areas, Al Arisha is a perfect venue for Ramadan dining, opening after Iftar until 2am.

E Call 17 725-414.

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PARS INTERNATIONAL HOTEL

Ramadan is the time of the year when we are spoilt for choice when it comes to an Iftar buffet with dining options. Adding another delightful stopover in your festivities is the Pars International Hotel.

Celebrate an evening of delectable food, foot-tapping entertainment and Arabian hospitality at this hotel in Juffair.

Iftar On offer from the hotels’ kitchen team is a tempting banquet with some of the finest delicacies we expect from Lebanese cuisine. From succulent cuts of lamb, chicken, fish, to chickpeas, lentils and the finest olive oil — you can feast to your heart’s desire. Wet your appetite with starters like hummous, moutabel and sambousek, lentil and vegetable soup, served with oven-fresh Arabic bread. Next, move on to the chef’s version of heaven with gourmet-quality lamb and chicken shawarma, shish kebab, red snapper or hammour, caught freshly from the waters surrounding the Kingdom.

Then there is kabsa, a typical Qatari dish featuring grilled meat or fish with a mound of spiced rice. If that leaves you still standing, surrender to the pleasures of the chef’s special um Ali, a combination of milk and pastry with nuts, sultanas and coconut.

Enjoy a great evening with friends and family from sunset to 10pm for Iftar, and from 11pm until 1am for Suhoor.

Festive Fiesta

Comfort and style This four-star property offers great service and comfort in the heart of the Kingdom’s commercial district. With its 101 luxury rooms and suites Pars International offers Arabic hospitality in a contemporary style. E Call 17 814-777.

bystanderthismonth

NYIT Graduation Ceremony 2013 NYIT-Bahrain’s held its ninth graduation ceremony for the Class of 2013. NYIT President Dr Edward Guiliano, Ph.D., conferred degrees on the 138 graduates gathered at the Gulf Hotel Convention Center.

Fifteen received graduate degrees and 123 earned undergraduate degrees in fields that included interior design, management, information technology, and computer graphics

Dr Edward Guiliano & Yousif

Fahad, Dr Dina, Maha & Yousif

Mona, Razan, Samar & Heba

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Safa, Aneesa, Zainab & Zainabal

Abdulla, Muath, Hassan, Talim & Raad

Aysha, Ghaida & Hanin

Dr Edward Guiliano

Fatima & Ali

Dr Suzanne White

Yaqoob & Ammar

Shaikha Latifa

July 2013 131

diningf&bhappenings MAKI RESTAURANT

Yellow Gold Having won numerous awards and turned traditional Japanese cuisine into an art form, this restaurant has even won awards for its own brand of olive oil.

When Oliver Zeitoun teamed up with his brothers Amer and Oussama, in 2002, to conceive a Japanese fusion restaurant called Maki, they also introduced several unorthodox ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil.

Given the extra virgin olive oil used in their exclusive dishes, such as Amer Maki, Tara II Maki and Oze Akami Maki, is produced by Maki itself, it became a visceral notion to bottle this amazingly tasty oil for the world to enjoy.

With interest and appreciation sparked immediately by this idea, the founders embarked on stamping their label with international approval by attending the Olive Japan trade show.

Considered one of the most prestigious events in the world, this exhibition invites judges from key major olive oil production countries to judge contestants, under the supervision of the Olive Oil Sommelier Association of Japan (OSAJ). In total, 290 other participants joined Maki in showcasing their olive oil.

“We entered Oliver’s Table, the name we gave to our oil, on the basis that it was just an honour to be able to be there,” says Oliver. “When I was told that we had won a gold medal, I was astounded that we had been ranked among the top 110 extra virgin olive oil brands in the world.”

Maki’s Oliver’s Table brand of extra virgin olive oil can now be purchased at the restaurant, located at Moda Mall — the perfect gift to remind you of a fabulous meal and the finest dining experience. E Call 17 522-733, e-mail maki.bahrain@olivermaki.com or visit www.olivermaki.com.

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bystanderthismonth

Rihanna & Katy Perry Tribute Shows Top international Rihanna and Katy Perry tribute acts performed in two Ramee Hotel outlets last month. They took place at The Warbler in Baisan International Hotel and at Club Buffalo in Ramee California Hotel in Juffair. Rihanna Reloaded is a UK-based tribute act featuring Amy Lindsley as the superstar and Katy Perry 'Hot n Cold' tribute, with Charlotte Anne emulating the American singer

Andrea, Mateo, Matt, Drake & Mitchell

Richard, Sarah, Peace, Michael & Santana

Kevin, Claire, Phil, Martin, Epel & Craig

Sav, Trish, Alex & Elton

Carol, Corrina, Manoj & Prasad

134 July 2013

Rihanna tribute

Katy Perry tribute act

Bruechert, Alfredo, Wesley & Cortez

Catherine & Terry

Max & Wasim

George, Rihanna, Antony & Shantharam

Kate & Steph

Lhizee & Juan

Anne, George, Rihanna, Shantharam & Ashalatha

Silvia, Angelique & Arnaud

Michelle, Kat & Wesley

Claudia & Angela

Rana & Stephen

Alex & Colin

Fox & Bruechert

Archana & Neha

Angeli & Mary

Sam & Rose

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What’s New Edited by Maryam Toorani

Make, believe Sony has entered the plus-sized phone game in a big way with the Xperia Z Ultra. Nearly all the specifications have been boosted, starting with a massive screen, a super-slim 6.5mm body and a water- and dust-resistant design.

Available at leading retail outlets.

A new statement piece

Be creative If you demand superior image quality and uncompromising performance, then the PEN E-PL5 from Olympus is perfect. Shoot images with stunning detail and vivid colour thanks to its 16MP Live MOS Sensor and TruePic VI image processing engine.

Available at Gajria Electronics.

A key addition to Pierre Cardin Time Couture this year is Mon Nom. Joining the Identite collection of iconic timepieces that boast a dramatic flourish, Mon Nom is a tasteful, distinctive modern treasure.

Available at A La Mode outlets.

Vibrant and irresistible Inspired by a warm, lushly fragrant garden, this irresistibly feminine scent is a provocative addition to the Bombshell Forever collection at Victoria’s Secret. It hypnotises with a trio of boysenberry, lavender flower and pamplewood.

Available at Victoria’s Secret outlets.

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Narcotic scents Eau Moheli is the latest addition to the Floral Water collection of fragrances from Diptyque. It pays tribute to ylang-ylang and offers a unique interpretation of the exotic note. Never before has ylang-ylang been used as a major note. Available at Jashanmal outlets.

July 2013 135

marketplace PHOENICIA DECOR

The Home Art Deco

It isn’t just our wardrobe that’s getting a makeover this season; it’s our homes too. Celebrate brighter days with brighter colours.

What better way to ‘reflect’ your personal style than with a little bling? Metals like gold, silver, copper, bronze and mirrored surfaces are hot this season, adding a flash of light to staid environments. Hammered and oxidised textured metals are especially popular. Phoenicia Decor adds metal finishes to their wood pieces in addition to reflective light in the textiles arena.

Daring interiors The palette of dusk blue, lemon zest, African violet and grayed jade is emboldened by Monaco blue, poppy red, emerald and nectarine. The interiors world has also witnessed a move towards pure colour palettes such as cream and sea grass, khaki and white, and neutral with a pop of yellow.

136 July 2013

The new collection at Phoenicia Decor showcases bold patterns on the wall and on furniture, giving your home design added punch. No one wants a house that lacks personality. The easiest way to infuse your style, while staying on-trend, is with an eye-catching pattern.

Chevrons, a bold V-shaped pattern, and geometrics in colourful shapes that deliver a vintage-modern feel are popular this year. When using bold patterns and bright colours, it may be best to incorporate the pattern onto one accent wall or window treatments.

Visit the Phoenicia Decor in Seef to shop for their latest collection E Call 17 564-444.

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Big Pilot Watch

ASIA JEWELLERS

Top Gun Timepieces

Inspired by fighter jet cockpit gadgetry, the latest instalment of limited edition timepieces from this well-known brand is now available.

With three new limited edition models to choose from, IWC Schaffhausen’s Top Gun watch family gets stronger. Taking inspiration from the glowing cockpit interiors, these watches come in ceramic (zirconium oxide) cases with the back and crown made of titanium.

Big Pilot watch This watch is a combination of the clear-cut instrument look of the forties and cutting edge technology of today. Fully wound, the IWC-manufactured 51111 calibre, consisting of 311 com¬ponents, will keep its movement alive for over a week.

The front glass is built to withstand sudden drops in pressure, reinforcing the fact that the watch was made for flying.

Detailing such as the green hands, indices and tiny silhouette of an aircraft at the rear end of the seconds’ hand, offer an exceptional design and technology innovation. The Top Gun logo, on the reverse side of the watch, is limited to only 500 pieces, making this watch a valuable possession.

Big Pilot perpetual calendar With its red hands and indices, this watch exudes power just from its appearance. The striking timepiece with its futuristic build and technological excellence is guaranteed to send the pulses of watch devotees soaring high.

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The technical complexity includes a perpetual calendar with a four-digit year display, a moon phase display and a seven-day power reserve. The perpetual calendar takes into account all the leap years in the Gregorian calendar until 2100, while the moon phase display represents the state of the moon in the northern and southern hemispheres. The watch contains one of IWC’s largest automatic movements, the 51614 calibre, with the remarkable Pellaton winding system.

Pilot chronograph Made to endure complex airborne manoeuvres, this watch packs a punch with its blue hands and indices, magnetic resistance and a front glass secured against drops in pressure.

Loaded with the IWC-manufactured 89365-calibre movement, featuring a 68-hour power re¬serve, it is an equally robust mechanism inside. The dial is designed around a cockpit, all the way down to the date display, resembling an altimeter.

The central chrono¬graph hand shows recorded times in seconds, while the hand in the subdial at 12 o’clock shows the number of elapsed minutes. Meanwhile, the integrated flyback function allows the stopwatch hand to jump back to zero and immediately start another timing sequence.

E Call 17 535-344.

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marketplace

ROBERTO COIN

Bold and Colourful Crystal therapy is now glamorous! Catch the latest collection at an Italian high-end jewellery store.

The Ipanema collection, now available at Roberto Coin, presents itself to the public as a rainbow of unedited and natural nuances. Its name recalls places filled with fresh and sensual scents. Inspired by the vibrant lifestyle and colours of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, this ultra-glamorous collection features necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

The 18-karat yellow gold pieces have stations of round gemstones, including purple amethyst, green amethyst, smoky quartz, pink quartz and lemon quartz, ringed in twisted rope borders. Citrine, amethyst and blue topaz stones have been specially cut to optimise the reflection of light, making this an irresistible line for the individual who values bold, colourful glamour.

The range is characterised by a simple and refined design, which combines the most unusual and renowned gems. It is a perfect expression of elegance that is both effortless and refined — the formula for femininity.

The mastery of traditional manufacturing and the attentive selection of natural elements make up the creations, guaranteeing not only the highest quality but also the ethical principles that, for Roberto Coin, are what characterises true modern luxury.

Shop for the collection at the Roberto Coin outlet in Moda Mall.

E Call 17 179-451.

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VLCC

Let’s Face It We don’t all fall under specific skin types. You can now try out brand-new facial kits that are customised just for you.

VLCC, a pioneer in personal care products, has introduced singleuse facial kits in the retail space. With the launch of this new range, today’s modern woman can get a facial of her choice and be sure of the brand she uses, unlike in the past, when one had to go with a product recommended by a beauty therapist.

This unique range consists of the Diamond, Gold and Pearl facial kits. Meant for skin polishing and purification, the first is enriched with ‘diamond oxide’. It cleanses and nourishes your skin while restoring its elasticity, giving you a healthy and radiant appearance. The Diamond kit consists of a scrub, detox lotion, massage gel and wash-off mask. It helps build skin immunity to fight against pollution, while leaving it youthful and glowing.

If you’re looking to get an instant glow and fairer complexion, the Pearl kit is the perfect choice. The lotion, powder, cream and pack deep cleanse and rejuvenate dull and tired skin. The pearl polish provides an instant glow resulting in a radiant look.

This is a very popular Parisian facial used by celebrities all around the world where it counters problems related to cellular skin damage and helps in instant tan removal.

For a luminous and radiant complexion, opt for the Gold kit.

Featuring a scrub, peel-off mask, gel and cream, the decadent facial helps conceal imperfections and retain the skin’s natural moisture to increase its flexibility and texture, giving you a youthful glow.

The powerful anti ageing treatment provides thorough re-generation and nourishment using pure gold content. The facial helps in retaining moisture in the skin as well as increasing flexibility and smoothness. It nourishes the skin to give it a natural glow while revitalising your face instantly to result in a luminous and radiant complexion perfect for summer make-up looks.

The kits are available across all leading hypermarkets, supermarkets and department stores in the Kingdom.

E Email customercareme@vlccpersonalcare.com.

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July 2013 139

marketplace BOCONCEPT

Multi-functional Sofa

Melo is a modern sofa for the young at heart. The uniqueness of this furniture piece is unfolded when the functionality kicks in.

140 July 2013

We relax in different ways — watching TV, playing on game consoles, reading a book, having coffee with friends or maybe even taking a nap. No matter how you prefer to relax, the Melo sofa can assist you in providing the perfect comfort.

“It was important to create a modern, functional sofa for the urban lifestyle — a sofa that you will be happy to have in your living room. Then we continued to look at all the ways people relax and developed the different unfolding steps accordingly and integrated them into the design,” says Anders Nørgaard, the Danish designer.

The new sofa has two seats that work independently of each other, so two of you are able to relax in individual positions even though you are sharing the same sofa. You can sit up straight or lean back and rest your feet, or turn it into a bed for a power nap or an extra bed for guests.

The Melo sofa is available in three different fabrics. Find out more at the BoConcept store in Seef.

E Call 17 564-319 or visit www.boconcept.com.

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VIVA

Virtual Notepad

Looking for a new gizmo to carry around town? We have just the thing for you.

BTM takes the all-new Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 for a spin.

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Although Samsung is known for making tablets, phones and ‘phablets’ in every possible size, it looks like they have finally got it right. The first thing we noticed — and appreciated — about the 8.0 is that it is one tablet that, unlike its bigger counterparts, you can comfortably hold in one hand.

With rounded corners and chrome surrounds, at just 8mm thick, the tablet weighs only 338g. It is evident that Samsung has gone above and beyond when it comes to convenience, speed and usability.

The 8-inch display dominates the front of the tablet with the side bezels just the right size to place your thumbs without touching the screen. Images and text are of crisp quality with great colour accuracy.

Another ‘performance plus’ is its speed. The 1.6GHz quadcore processor handles Samsung’s customised Android OS (the TouchWiz) effortlessly. The apps took only a few seconds to load and we could seamlessly browse the net and stream videos. However, don’t let the size fool you. The stereo speakers are surprising loud. Gamers will be pleased that 3D games were tried and tested with great success.

Many of us have reservations about using a tablet as a ‘reading tool’ — strained eyes anyone? Don’t fret; in comes a cool new feature that will have you finishing your favourite novel in no time.

With the ‘reading mode’ on, pages read just like paper. The screen is optimised to provide just the right illumination and

tone to deliver a comfortable reading experience in all lighting conditions.

Our favourite feature is the multi-tasker — a split screen system! Yes you heard us right; you can take a call, take notes, watch a movie and chat online all at the same time.

Another must-have for the working man or woman is the S Planner, a very creative calendar, notepad and diary all in one.

You can handwrite events with the stylus directly into the calendar or scribble things down like you are using an actual notebook. This brings us to the S Pen, a quick, easy-to-use tool that slots into a holder under the tablet.

Design-wise, Samsung has always been consistent. The smooth, white chassis, physical home button, the touchsensitive menu and back buttons found in the brand’s other devices are all present.

Get yours Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is available on 12- and 18-month contracts with VIVA’s existing tablet plans. For a 12-month plan, you can choose from the Tab 20, Tab 25 and Tab 30 where the monthly fees are at BD20, BD25 and BD30 respectively. Upfront payment for the Tab 20 is BD49 while the Tab 25 is BD19. For an 18-month plan, customers can opt for the same prices for the Tab 20, 25 and 30, but without any initial down payment E Call 124 or visit www.viva.com.bh.

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marketplace

GENPRISE

Lighting Revolution Energy-efficient lighting technologies are shaking up the industry and a local provider is making waves in the Kingdom.

142 July 2013

LEDs were introduced as a source of lighting during the mid2000s and slowly gained popularity. However, as with all new technology, at that time they were very expensive and dubbed impractical. With the fierce competition between manufacturers across the globe, including Europe and Far East Asia, prices are going down and needs have risen to an all time high.

In Bahrain, Genprise is leading the way towards a future lit by LEDs. They are one of Bahrain’s main electrical and lighting solution providers, having supplied and worked alongside consultants, contractors, government ministries and project developers across the Kingdom for over 10 years.

“We are keen to help create a better and energy-efficient lighting experience and further facilitate Bahrain’s transition.

The country has been planning the implementation of LED street lights by giving priority to energy conservation and our brand-new showroom will facilitate this shift,” says Genprise managing partner Neelakanta UH. Located in the heart of Adliya, opposite the popular Don Vito Café, it’s where you can find a huge selection of light fittings and electrical accessories, providing a one-stop-shop for all kinds of electrical needs. Shoppers can find powerhouse brands such as Trilux, OMS and SG conveniently brought together under one roof, along with unique fixtures and fittings from

around the world. Some of the latest technologies such as remote lighting lifters offer the ultimate in living convenience and energy efficient LED technology drives down the cost of your electricity bills.

“Although LEDs are still more expensive than conventional lights, the facts that they emit more light while being environment friendly and have a life span of more than five years make it a good and economical choice.

The initial cost is slightly more to start with but they can still be considered as a cheaper solution as there is no need to replace it as frequently as the conventional counterpart,” explains Neelakanta. Bahrain’s inclination towards harnessing green energy is a clear indication that LEDs are the future. Even if competition is tough in the market, Genprise believe that their unique products, coupled by an excellent after-sales service, will really give them a competitive edge.

Whether your requirement is for a five-star hotel, luxury villa, school, hospital, office, airport, showroom, factory or even just a decorative light for your bedroom, Genprise can provide the perfect solution at a price that matches your budget. Head down to their showroom to learn more about how you can incorporate a new line of technology into your life.

E Call 17 311-442 or email info@genpriseco.com

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Dr Berly

BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL

Stay Protected Cervical cancer is a preventable disease; yet it is still a leading cause of death in women. Learn how to stay safe.

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Bahrain This Month meets with Dr Berly Balita of the Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH) to understand the workings of modern-day diagnostic tests. It is said that a good offence is the best defence; the specialist tries to spread this line of thinking by reaching out to mothers and their teenagers with the hope of promoting awareness about cervical cancer.

The fatal disease occurs at the cervix or ‘neck of the uterus’ and is caused by a sexually transmitted virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is an infection that does not produce any symptoms and therefore goes unnoticed by many who don’t undergo regular checkups. It takes about 15 to 20 years for cancer to develop after exposure, making it preventable if identified early.

Pap smear is the screening test to detect pre-cancer and cancer lesions in the cervix. A small instrument called a speculum is inserted to open the vaginal canal and allow collection of cells from the cervix with a swab or brush. The sample is then spread or smeared on a slide for examination.

“The procedure itself won’t take a minute, but the results come after a few days as it needs processing in the laboratory and microscopic examination by a specialist doctor called a pathologist,” explains Dr Berly.

HPV infection can be detected by sending a separate sample from the swab or brush collected during the test, which is recommended from age 29 onwards. It is a DNA test to identify the high-risk type of HPV that can lead to the development of cervical cancer and can be prevented by vaccination with three doses at zero-, one- and six-month intervals for all women 10 to 55 years of age.

“The good news is if the pap smear and the HPV test is negative, it means you have a very low chance to develop cervical cancer. The next test can be done after five years as recommended by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in its latest guideline. This is very encouraging for women as it is uncomfortable to do it every year,” the obstetrics and gynaecology expert explains.

BSH encourages all women from the age of 21 or within three years from initial sexual activity, whichever comes first, to have their annual pap smear.

“More important is the prevention of cervical cancer, so we encourage all mothers to bring their daughters starting age 10 for vaccination. The idea is to have the immunity before they get exposed to the virus,” says the doctor. E Call 17 812-000.

July 2013 143

marketplace GULF FOOT CENTRE

Providing Sole Support If your feet are bearing the brunt of a faulty gait, demanding footwear or a medical condition, here’s a centre that’ll put the spring back in your step.

Foot specialist Madhuri Dane

As you pack your luggage for the summer holiday, along with sunscreen and first-aid supplies, it’s time to consider some sturdy support for your feet too.

No, it’s not your favourite pair of trainers which Brad Pitt demonstrates in a multi-million dollar commercial. Even the best (read expensive) shoes, for reasons such as walking style, inherent flat feet and weight issues, can still lead to sore feet.

This is where orthotics — insoles — come to your rescue.

Fortunately for Bahrain, there is a specialised centre that provides customised orthotics that can remedy a number of feet impediments.

“Our feet have a delicate structure, and often the damage endured by them may be painless but can be felt in other parts of the body,” says foot specialist Madhuri Dane, at the Gulf Foot Centre. “Collapsed foot arches, or flat feet, can be inherited or developed by weakening of the muscles in the foot due to high heels, ageing and weight gain. These are also a common cause for knee pain.”

Gulf Foot Centre caters for such problems with the latest technical help and specialised doctors. The centre conducts gait analyses, foot scans and pressure measurements to produce appropriate insoles. It provides treatment for conditions such as corn, plantar warts, ingrown toenails and fungal infection in toenails as well.

Part of the Gulf Diabetes Specialist Centre, the centre delivers great professional care to keep your feet in excellent shape for walking. Call 17 239-239.

bystanderthismonth Batelco, as part of its commitment to key events that support the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sponsoredthe United Nations Public Service Forum which Took place under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Circuit and the National Theatre of Bahrain. Batelco provided crucial voice, data and mobility connectivity services. Bahrain is the first country in the Middle East to host the UN Public Service Forum, which brought together participants from around 97 countries and focused on developing the public service sector. Seen here, Rashid Abdulla CEO Batelco Bahrain receiveing an award from HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, at the event opening

Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons held a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of its second Quick Parts Centre in Arad. Seen here are, Sreekumar, Chris Noel, Sandeep Mathur & Zainab

Mindshare, an agency dedicated to innovative brand development for its clients, organized a management meeting to review the agency’s performance and establish a strategic direction and business plan for the coming five years. The gathering was held at the Grand Hills Broumana, Lebanon from June last month and drew in an array of distinguished attendees that included MDs, regional directors, and key directors from across the MENA region

144 July 2013

MasterChef India host and judge Kunal Kapoor, demonstrated a live demo of four signature recipes using mango as a key ingredient at Ramli Mall, Lulu Hypermarket. Over 125 ladies attended the event which was held last month As part of Crowne Plaza Bahrain’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, the hotel generously donated clothes to the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS).

Seen here are Crowne Plaza managers with MWPS volunteers

www.bahrainthismonth.com

YUSIF BIN YUSIF FAKHRO

The Kitchen Life Worried about your cooking habits during the hot Ramadan month?

Check out the seasonal spotlight on home appliances that can make your life easier.

Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro offers its customers a renowned international brand that can complement any kitchen. For more than 60 years, Germany’s Severin has focused its energies on the quality design, production and distribution of a comprehensive range of domestic appliances.

Here are a couple of appliances that could have you cooking in no time without compromising the quality of your food.

Quick-fix breakfast A healthy breakfast is an essential start of any day, especially to keep energy levels high. Now preparation is as easy as ABC with Severin’s breakfast range, which includes an easy-to-use egg boiler able to boil six eggs at a time. This is perfect for cooking Suhoor meals early in the morning.

Festive dining Social gatherings are in abundance this season so take advantage of Severin’s easy, clean electric BBQs that are great for indoors, balconies and patios. A first of its kind in Bahrain, the charcoalfree, low smoke, table-top grill runs on electricity, cutting cooking time in half when compared to conventional units.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Authentic coffee The global brand has recently re-enforced its coffee expertise with the launch of the S2+ One-Touch fully automatic coffee machine — the hot item to own for lovers of caffeine. The product uses the bean-to-cup approach and ensures perfect espresso, macchiato, cappuccino and latte macchiato at the press of a button.

It features a unique hygiene system, high-grade ceramic grinding discs and excellent price-performance ratio. Who doesn’t love a cup of quality java for intimate Ramadan family gatherings?

E Call 17 408-111.

July 2013 145

bystanderthismonth

Hard Rock Cafe Trivia Night Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) in association with the American Embassy in Bahraiin held an American Trivia Night Charity Fund Raiser at the HRC on Exhibition Road. The event was attended by HE Thomas Krajeski, US Ambassador, Bonnie Krajeski and a number of guests

Bonny, Kal, Luke & HE Thomas Krajeski

Daniela, Fabio, Jason, Diance & Sophia, sleeping

Debra, Danny & Megan

Megan, Camille & Alyssa

Dessi, Stephen, John & Trey

Mike & Katherine

Debra & Bonnie

Kristi & Ranya

Justin & Amy

Malou & Jad

John & Shawn

Alyssa & Morana

Abhishek Shetty Book Launch Former Indian School student Abhishek Ashok Shetty launched his second book '101 Habits To Greatness' at the Jashanmal Book Store in Seef Mall. The book has been launched as part of the Empower One Billion Campaign. Abhishek is the founder of the Empower One Billion Youth Empowerment Campaign

Anthony, Ashok, Bharath & Uday

Abhay, Ram, Abhishek & Basha

146 July 2013

The book that was launched

Yagna, Abhishek, Mohan, Ashok & Vandhana Shetty

Harpreet, Abhishek & Mohan

Abhishek & Rakan

Abhay & Abhishek

Yara & Abhishek

Aseem & Abhishek

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain 44 | Bahrain 55 | Bahrain sport 1 | Bahrain sport 2

EXCLUSIVE AGENT:

FOR YOUR ADVERTISING: +973 17 564 250 +973 33 555 888 Email: bahraintv@groupplus.bh

www.groupplusmedia.com |

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LIKE US

listingsthismonth Social Clubs

Arts Culture Art Galleries Al Riwaq Art Gallery Albareh Art Gallery Arabesque Art Gallery Art Lounge Ella Art Gallery

17 717-441 17 717-707 17 722-916 17 580-522 17 292-815

Art Galleries & Framing

Bahrain Art Framing Centre 17 717165 Lamarkiz Framing & Gallery 17 596-284

Arts & Cultural Groups

Alliance Française 17 683-295 Bahrain Arts Society 17 590-562 Contemporary Art Society 3 9224-002 Historical & Archaeological Society

17 727-895 La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art

17 230-123

Crafts

Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre Crafts Centre Gallery Celebrations L’Atelier Art Lounge Things-To-Do

17 611-900 17 254-688 17 595-791 17 599-030 17 590-409

Ballet Centre Ballare School Futureshape Studio Salsa Bahrain Sampaguita Club Victoria Dance Centre

17 693-232 17 300-021 17 590-088 3 9676-349 3 9106-589 3 987-6215

Dance

Drama, Film and Theatre

Bahrain Cinema Club 17 725-959 Dilmun Amateur Dramatics 17 690-926 Folk Poetry Society 17 761-000

Indian arts & culture

Institute for Performing Arts 17 231-717 Kalabhavan Bahrain Institute 17 717-271 17 243-511 Konkan Singers Club

Islamic Culture

Bapco Club Dilmun Club Filipino Club Marina Club Pakistan Club The British Club The Country Club The Indian Club The Sri Lanka Club The Young Goans Club

17 753-666 17 690-926 17 262-143 17 291-527 17 258-520 17 278-245 17 593-593 17 253-157 17 231-354 3 9455-207

Bhatia Mitra Mandal Kannada Sangha Karnataka Social Club Keraleeya Samajam Shree Nayrana Cultural Shri Gujarati Samaj Tamil Social Association

3 9601-789 17 271-257 17 254-257 17 251-878 17 255-517 3 9019-462 3 9603-564

Awali Caledonian Society Bahrain Irish Society Bahrain Welsh Society Royal Society of St. George

3 6366-458 3 9800-511 3 9467-310 3 9726-329

Other Indian clubs

Other Societies

Business Associations

17 645-156 17 261-555 17 531-400

Folk Poetry Society Pakistan Urdu Literary

17 761-000 17 776-629

Al Hayat Museum Al Oraifi Museum Currency Museum National Museum Oil Museum

17 290-101 17 535-112 17 547-700 17 298-777 17 753-475

Hash House Harriers Bahrain Road Runners

17 862-620 3 6992-288

Bahrain Music Institute Classic Institute of Music Manama Singers Sar Music Centre

17 721-999 17 728-791 17 642-119 17 794-898

British Club Netball Dilmun Netball Club Filipino Club Basketball Netball Club

Bowling

3 8357-181 3 9911-848 17 262-143 3 9911-848

Awali Bowling Centre

17 753-666

Awali Cricket Club

17 756-959

Awali Riding Club Riding School Shakhoora Riding Centre The Country Club

17 756-525 17 690-448 17 591-103 17 593-593

Ez-Fit SportPlex Rugby Football

17 692-378 17 695-809

Awali Golf Club Royal Golf Club

17 756-770 17 750-777

Gulf Speed 1 Kart Zone Silver Go Kart

3 9444-885 17 450-000 17 780-011

Sailing Club Yacht Club

17 836-078 17 700-667

Museums

Music

Photography

Awali Photo Society 17 764-468 Bahrain Photography Club 17 590-551

Pottery

Bahrain Pottery Society Studio Ceramics

Public Speaking

17 786-969 17 599-026

Manama Toastmasters Club 3 9451-182

Clubs Societies Ladies Clubs American Women’s Assoc. 17 685-882 Australasian Women (AWG) 3 8395-803 Awali Ladies Association 17 678-947 Business Women’s Society 17 721-188 Discover Islam Ladies 17 531-400 Hamad Town Women’s Association

17 422-005 Indian Ladies Association 17 531-468 International Ladies Group 17 729-128 Pakistani Women’s Assoc. 17 710-944 Young Ladies Society 17 262-237 Young Ladies Toastmasters 17 626-237 Women’s Society 17 826-777

148 July 2013

Mind Games

Bridge Club Bahrain Scrabble League

17 713-080 17 242-641

Dessange Health Club La Fontaine

17 713-999 17 230-123

Filipino Club Tennis Group Table Tennis Club Tennis Club The Country Club

3 9527-587 17 729-756 17 729-561 17 593-593

Pilates

Racket games

Snooker

Jimmy’s Snooker/Billiards 17 71 6-147

National Associations

Amateur Athletic Association 17 684-905 American Chamber Comm. 17 580-516 Badminton & Squash Fed. 17 292-662 Australian Association 3 9206-432 Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Bar Society 17 725-665 Endurance Federation 17 836-199 Bankers’ Society of Bahrain 17 728-003 17 741-010 Basketball Association British Business Forum 3 9651-755 Bowling Association 17 822-077 Businessmen’s Association 17 229-009 Chess Federation 17 252-133 French Business Club 17 748-999 17 650-079 Cycling Association Language Courses Disabled Sports Federation 17 789-191 Alliance Française 17 683-295 Endurance Federation 17 836-199 Berlitz 17 827-847 Football Association 17 729-563 The British Council 17 261-555 Handball Association 17 720-321 Other Associations 17 253-209 Hockey Association Baloch Club 17 292-231 Maritime Sports Association 17 836-078 Garden Club 17 727-625 Martial Arts Association 17 650-676 Pakistan Association 3 9415-200 Mind Sports Association 17 340-016 Skal International Bahrain 17 22-4050 Shooting & Fencing Assoc. 17 750-006 17 825-301 Snooker Association Sports Recreation Swimming Association 17 680-867 Aerobics Table Tennis Association 17 729-393 Coral Beach Club 17 312-777 Volleyball Association 17 271-139 Curves Fitness Clinic for Women

17 691-496 Teens Kids 17 692-378 Ez Fit SportPlex Athletics World Beat Fitness Centre 17 612-576 Road Runners 3 6992-288

Al Bayan Society Beit Al Quran Discover Islam

Literature

Ghassan’s Style Kickboxing 3 9458-293 Karate Centre 3 9247-769 17 813-856 Taichi & Wushu Center Japan Karate Association 17 591-237 3 9690-008 Marina Club Reza Martial Arts Centre 17 694-646 3 9626-211 Shotokan Karate World Beat Fitness Center 17 612-576 Yong Quan Tha Chi 3 9667-624 17 611-909 Zen-Do Bahrain

Athletics/Running Ball Games

Cricket

Equestrian

Football & Rugby Golf

Karting

Marine Sports Martial Arts

Aces Taekwondo Academy 3 9658-741 Al Ahli Karate School 3 9659-510 Bahrain Karate Center 17 612-576 Bin Jamal Taekwondo Center 3 6222-892 Delmon Taekwondo School 3 9689-659 Futureshape Studio 17 592-019

Dance

Ballet Centre 3 9676-349 Victoria Dance Centre 3 9876-215 World Beat Fitness Centre 17 612-576

Cricket

Ez-Fit SportPlex SLC grounds, Riffa

17 692-378 17 276-134

Ez-Fit SportPlex Rugby Football The Country Club

17 692-378 17 695-809 17 593-593

Football & Rugby Horse Riding

Fitness Plus Physique Fitness Centre World Beat Fitness Centre 24-hour Fitness

17 593-593 17 694-646 17 612-576 17 716-999

Bodyline Spa Coral Beach Club La Fontaine Spa Massage Centre

17 793-932 17 312-777 17 230-123 17 264-064

Ann Beauty Center and Spa Bellacura Beauty Lounge Dessange Spa Futoon Beauty & Fitness Pineapple Spa Profile Fitness Centre Wellness Resort Zoya Beauty Centre

17 623-704 17 364-955 17 713-999 17 777-994 17 712-000 17 727-766 17 795-961 17 740-800

Art of Living Foundation

39 653-007

Fitness Gyms

Health Spas (Women only)

Meditation Centres

Bahrain Wellness Centre Bayoga Centre Meditation Centre Physiotherapy Centre World Beat Fitness Centre

17 795-961 39 460-996 17 712-545 17 722-012 17 612-576

Health Clubs (Hotels)

Banyan Tree Resort & Spa 17 845-000 Crowne Plaza Health Club 17 531-122 17 535-000 Golden Tulip Health Club 17 713-000 Gulf Hotel Health Club Le Mirage, Diplomat Hotel 17 531-666 17 227-777 Regency Fitness Centre 36 270-302 RJ’s, Ramee Int'l Hotel 17 524-570 Sheraton Fitness Sporting Club, Ritz-Carlton 17 580-000 The Gym, Mövenpick Hotel 17 460-000

Kids Fitness Centres

Children’s Health Academy of Specialised Sports (CHAOSS) 17 592-096 17 566-566 My Gym Bahrain

QR Codes: On-The-Go Reading You can now read Bahrain This Month while you are out and about, from the comfort of your own phone — just simply download a free app which allows you direct access to the online magazine. Both iPhone, iPad2 and BlackBerry users can enjoy this simple convenience by following these simple steps;

iPhone/iPad2 users Step 1: Search for i-nigma on the Apple app store Step 2: Download i-nigma on your iPhone or Pad, free of charge Step 3: After downloading is complete, click on the i-nigma icon Step 4: Finally, simply scan the QR code to be directed to a page on the designated page on the web

Awali Riding Club 17 756-525 Dilmun Club 17 692-986 Riding School 17 690-448 Shakhoora Riding School 17 591-103 The Country Club 17 593-593

Marine & Sailing Sailing Club Yacht Club

Martial Arts

17 700-677 17 700-677

Aces Taekwondo Academy 3 9658-741 Al Ahli Karate School 3 9659-510 Al Hala Sports Club 3 9966-139 Balouch Club 17 292-231 British Club 17 728-245 Delmon Tae Kwon Do School 3 9689-659 Taichi & Wushu Centre 3 6437-931

Health Fitness Fitness Gyms

Al Gosaibi Gym Coral Beach Club Dessange Health Club Ez-Fit Sportsplex Ghassans Gym

17 293-221 17 312-777 17 713-999 17 692-379 17 695-911

BlackBerry users Step 1: Search for ‘QR Code Scanner Pro’ in the Blackberry app world, either online or directly from your phone Step 2: Download the app, free of charge Step 3: Click on the application and scan the code Step 4: On scanning, you will be directed to site referenced in the QR code There are two QR codes used this issue; on the front cover, on First Word (page 11).

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Bahrain This Month gives readers an exclusive chance to win watches from Sharif Group.

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Hint: You can find the answers in this issue of BAHRAIN THIS MONTH.

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Bahrain This Month received 58 entries last month, 49 of which answered all the questions correctly. Congratulations to everyone, particularly our three winners:

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Who is the French ambassador? ___________________________

Winner : Indra Bahador Second Place : Neetb K. C. Third Place : Jenny Urpia

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6/20/13

9:29 AM

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Cancer

June 21 – July 20 It’s your money. You earn it so you can do what you want with it. If only certain members of your family could get their heads around that concept!

July may see you having to defend your actions in areas of finance for no real reason whatsoever. Be quick to realise that where your money is concerned you have the final say, so get others to grasp that point! If there is trouble at home with a partner and their less than flattering remarks then confront them rather than allow the matter to brew and the cold shoulder to prevail.Card of the Month — The Three of Swords For a detailed, personalised Tarotscope reading, contact Raphael by email: raphael@tarotscope.org.uk

leo July 21 – August 21 Keep your secrets safe and well hidden if you must keep them at all, especially where a loved one is involved. If you have a separate agenda outside your relationship with your partner, it is too late to reveal your thoughts. So, the best advice would be to wind it down and then bury it in the past. If you leave it there then no one will get hurt.

However, choosing to continue the pursuit suggests you should beware; you are on very dangerous ground. The omens are not good and a complete revelation with an uncomfortable outcome awaits you.

Card of the Month — The Ace of Cups

Virgo August 22 – September 22 July is the month of reconciliation and a return to the attitudes and ideas of your past as you set about putting your emotional life in order. However, don’t fall into the trap of believing that things will be as they were because you will be disappointed.

You have been a little selfish with your emotions and some people have moved on from where you left them. What you should aim for is a more generous and understanding attitude — one that many of the people around you are more likely to remember.

Card of the Month — The Magician

150 July 2013

Libra September 23 – October 21 If you have been feeling that the world is against you, then this month it could all come to a head. Though others may have suggested you were being overdramatic, it may come to light that your beliefs were actually justified. July could be the month when a change — whatever its nature — impacts upon your life for some time to come and sets you on a completely new road. If you don’t gamble on your instincts then you might just regret it. If you do nothing then you should not expect anything to change.

Card of the Month — The King of Wands

Scorpio October 22 – November 21 Money is the main concern for you this month. But it will be more a case of managing the excess rather than the opposite; a problem many people would like to have. Recognition of your talents at work will lead to an increased pay rise or bonus and this will set up your finances for the coming months.

July may well see you organising improvements within the home and a trip abroad could also be on the cards. In matters of health, you may begin to feel your old self after a possible low point towards the end of last month.

Card of the Month — The Knight of Cups

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 An unplanned monetary outlay could leave your finances seriously stretched this month as you are forced to come to terms with a lot more spending than you might at first have realised. Take care who you speak to for advice; think carefully before deciding whose opinion is in your best interests. The shadow of a past indiscretion may rear its head in July and explanations will have to be delivered quickly if they are to be believed and accepted. Be sure not to forget loved ones around the end of the month or you may regret it later.

Card of the Month — The High Priestess

Capricorn ­December 22 – January 18 July is the month when many of you should finally wake up to the world you are living in and perhaps begin to take responsibility for your own actions — especially in the area of love. Although you could be blamed for being a little naive when it comes to matters of romance, even the most sheltered of you must realise that if you have a partner, he or she needs some attention now and again.

Your biggest crime recently has been one of neglect and now could be the time when such selfishness backfires on you.

Card of the Month — The Two of Coins

Aquarius ­January 19 – ­February 20 July is going to see you walking into an embarrassing situation, not just for you but also those you discover.

Since the matter could involve friends and a potential betrayal, you’re likely to have to make some difficult choices, some of which may see you lose a friend in the process.

Think about how you deal with this situation because it will conclude with a lifechanging decision and the possible loss of a relationship.

No one said life was always going to be easy; this month you’ll see that first hand!

Card of the Month — The Ten of Wands

www.bahrainthismonth.com

advertisersindex pisces February 21 – March 20 If a child has been acting differently recently then take a moment to investigate; you may well discover a worrying fact that leaves you shaken. You could already have your suspicions but, without confronting the matter head-on, you’re never going to know for sure. Be patient and don’t pass judgement until you are in full possession of the facts. On the work front, a planned business venture could finally kick off thanks to the encouragement of an enthusiastic friend. Just make sure the path you take is one you want to.

Card of the Month — The Nine of Swords

Aries March 21 – April 20 Fortunes are high in July as events in your life improve significantly on previous months. The promise of new opportunities fills you with renewed confidence. If you are contemplating, or indeed having, any work done within the house, shop around. Hidden extras could leave a simple job carrying a hefty final price tag. On a more personal note, you should watch a child if you are travelling; one moment of absent thought could give you a brief but unnerving scare.

Card of the Month — The Nine of Cups

Taurus ­April 21 – May 20 The battle is on as you seek to stamp your authority on a project against some very stiff and competitive opposition. If doubts arise, stand strong because the opportunity for you to impress will lead to better things and even a possible promotion. If your endeavours are of a more creative nature, then there may be a chance to showcase your latest work with rewarding consequences. All of this leads to financial gains and while money doesn’t buy you happiness, it will certainly give you the chance to do the things you really want to.

Card of the Month — The Six of Coins

Gemini May 21 – June 20 Change is sweeping through your life this month and such movement inevitably means new opportunities as well as the permanent closure of doors that have, up till now, been open to you. The end of a long-term friendship could hit you harder than you first anticipated as someone close moves away. This departure may act as the catalyst for a new train of thought that forces you into some serious analysis over your own existence and what you do next.

Card of the Month — The Knight of Wands

Financial Institutions Bahrain Development Bank . . . . . . . . . . . 6 BMI Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 ALBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Lycée Français de Bahrein . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Novotel Al Dana Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Technal Middle East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Y. K. Almoayyed & Sons (Renault) . . . . . 66 Zayani Motors (Peugeot). . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Home & Furnishings BoConcept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Phoenicia Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Roche Bobois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Hotels & Luxury Apartments Golden Tulip Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Gulf Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel . . . . . . .11,65 Pars International Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Ramada Hotel Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Sofitel Zallaq Bahrain Resort . . . . . . . . . 35 The K Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Jewellery & Watches Asia Jewellers (Raymond Weil) . . . . . . . . 2 Sharif Group (Alpina) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Medical & Dental Services Bahrain Specialist Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Gulf Diabetes Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Motoring Ahmed Zayani & Sons (Jeep) . . . . . . . . . 55 Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes-Benz) . . . 25 Almoayyed Motors (Ford) . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 First Motors (Hyundai) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Int’l Motor Trading (Mazda) . . . . . . . . . . 99

Jaguar Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Kia Motors (Kia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Mohd Jalal & Sons (Suzuki) . . . . . . . . . . 93 National Motor Co (Honda) . . . . . . . . . . 97 Y. K. Almoayyed & Sons (Nissan) . . . . . . 37 Zayani Motors (Mitsubishi). . . . . . . . . . . 63

Others Al Aali Shopping Complex . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Alosra Supermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 AMA School of Basic Education. . . . . . . 95 Bahrain Science Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Dream Body Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Gajria (Pioneer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Genprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Intercol (Moulinex) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Lulu Hypermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Organic Foods & Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Radio Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Roubens Store (Sharp) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 The Bahrain Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 VLCC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Waitrose Supermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro (Germania). . . . . 120 Yusif bin Yusif Fakhro (Severin) . . . . . . IBC

Restaurants & Cafés Al Arisha Restaurant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Aroma Café & Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . 133 Cucina Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Lanterns Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Maki Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Vapiano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Telecommunications Batelco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 VIVA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC,53

BTM retail sales outlets BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets:

● 24 Hours Market, all outlets ● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets ● Al Jazeera Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, Saar ● Bab al Bahrain Souvenir Shop ● BooksPlus, all outlets ● Burhama Cold Store ● Classic Shop, Bab Al Bahrain ● Elite Supermarket, Hoora ● Supermarket, Awali ● Jawad Supermarket, all outlets ● Jim’s Restaurant ● Mega Mart, all outlets

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Meryl Streep

Tom Cruise

Sofia Vergara

FAMOUS cancer THIS MONTH

● Miami Cold Store, Adliya ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets ● Park Supermarket, Mahooz ● Waitrose Supermarket, Amwai ● Other leading Cold Stores and

News Stands All Gulf Daily News home subscribers receive a complimentary copy of BTM. You can also subscribe directly by visiting www.bahrainthismonth.com For subscription enquiries and back issues of BTM, call 17 813-777.

Photos Copies of most pictures depicted in this publication (and some which aren’t) are available from National Photo Services, Gudaibiya 17 742-955.

July 2013 151

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Money in the Bank JAMES CLAIRE As a kid, when I heard the phrase ‘money in the bank’ it conjured up an image of security and confidence.

Today, you wonder exactly what is going on inside the bank!

152 July 2013

A couple of incidents recently have prompted me to consider whether my grandparents’ view of banking — to hide their stash of cash under the mattress — was not such a bad idea after all. Given my trust in banks is as low as my bank balance I’m seriously considering this option — when I have some ‘readies’, that is.

When the ATM was first introduced it was claimed it would herald a new era of banking. The reduced time it would take to obtain cash out of a hole in the wall, rather than line up to be served by the human equivalent, was sold as matching our desire for a modern, fast-paced lifestyle.

Of course, like most things of a mechanical nature, ATMs tend to break down from time to time. So, there I was in a queue of equally frustrated ‘customers’ waiting for my number to appear on the electronic wallboard inside my local bank.

The bank had obviously long since taken the option to reduce staff, given the opportunity afforded by the ubiquitous ATM. Like pretty maids all in a row, four teller stations stood like monuments to a bygone age — desolate and unattended. Only the fifth station had a member of the human race to cope with the technical malfunction.

Fortunately, the bank had the decency not to insist on a payment for the pleasure of speaking to a real person, as I had discovered was the case on a recent trip overseas. In some countries the privilege of interacting with a ‘human’ teller is charged to your account at a price up to US$5. My disposition at having to wait almost as many minutes as the amount of cash I wished to withdraw would not have countenanced a ‘service’ charge.

Much to my chagrin, I remembered when I got home that there was an outstanding matter to be resolved with my bank.

Some months earlier I had elected to deposit a cheque into my account through one of the ‘receiving’ machines.

Despite having a receipt to confirm my ‘deposit’, the money — some BD1,800 — had yet to be credited to my account.

When I returned to the bank to inquire about my missing cash, they denied any knowledge of the transaction. After much huffing and puffing, the somewhat harangued customer

relationship officer came up with a solution.

Since the date on which I claimed I had made the deposit was more than six months ago, the cheque would have expired!

Instead, I should repeat the whole process again with a new one.

Like an idiot, I did just that. One week later and I’m still waiting for confirmation that the money is finally in my bank account. If I have to wait much longer I might have to consider the action taken by an exasperated friend similarly frustrated with his ‘lost’ cash. To gain the attention of those inside the bank, he called up their internal audit department to report a theft — of his money by the bank they were mandated to audit!

In the past few years we have seen banks all over the world lose their depositors’ shirts through bad calculations and mischievous schemes. Now, interest rates on bank savings are a pathetic one per cent, and trying to get a loan is near impossible.

When did banks become so greedy? They are too big to fail in the USA but too big to actually offer the service that they once did. Yet, they remain one of few industries continually posting billion dollar profits. They gamble our hard-earned money and take even more through ridiculous charges and hidden fees while paying us next to nothing for trusting them with our deposits.

Where are the benefits for us any more?

In the words of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies; power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.”

Few other industries could survive by taking someone else’s money and giving nothing in return and, in many cases, less than they were entrusted with. If I could think up such a business, I’d be seriously rich.

If charges went towards better service, reduced waiting time and friendlier teller staff I would not mind. Today, I can’t think of many places safer for my money than under the mattress.

Perhaps my grandparents were smart after all — and that you can take to the bank!

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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