UAE govt warns against Eid Al Fitr celebrations amid

UAE govt warns against Eid Al Fitr celebrations amid Covid-19 threat

Spokesperson Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi says ignoring social distancing guidelines could see hundreds and thousands of new cases

Muslims in the UAE have been urged to sacrifice their traditions ahead of the annual Eid Al Fitr celebrations and adhere to strict social distancing rules to mitigate the spread of the deadly Covid-19 virus.

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its close this weekend, the time would usually see great celebrations and festivities with families and friends.

However, Dr. Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi, official spokesperson of the UAE Government, has warned that it remains important to avoid gatherings to contain the spread of coronavirus.

She said: “We understand the importance of socialising and meeting family and friends during Eid, but due to the exceptional circumstances, let’s share the sense of responsibility for everyone’s safety.

“Let’s give up some of our traditions this year, I am sure there will be many more Eids for us to get together again. We have no excuse to be careless or not to adhere to preventive measures. It is now every individual and every family’s responsibility. Any irresponsible behaviour should be abandoned.”

Highlighting the dangers of attending large gatherings, she said: “Imagine a UAE family deciding to continue their yearly custom of gathering on the first day of Eid or visiting the grandfather’s house to spend this happy occasion with other relatives and meeting with brothers, sisters, children and old elderly people with pre-existing conditions.

“Imagine that one of the family members is unaware that he or she contracted coronavirus from a contact and showed no symptoms. This person would congratulate his or her grandfather and exchange Eid greetings with the rest of the family members, spend the whole day with them without taking the necessary preventive measures, passing on the infection to the family.

“By the end of the day, each family will go back to their home, without knowing that they are infected now, and may be one of them will decide to cap this with visiting friends and another goes back to work after Eid holidays.”

As a result she issued the start warning that the number of cases could rise to hundreds and, ultimately, multiply further into the thousands.

“The condition of people with chronic diseases and the elderly could worsen, just because a few people did not adhere to the social distancing rules and other preventive measures and ignored the most important principles of prevention, maintaining a safe distance and avoiding gatherings,” she added.

UAE visa violators now exempt from fines

There is a three-month grace period after May 18

Visa violators will now be exempt from fines, the UAE government said on Wednesday.

The order – which comes from UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – stipulates that those with entry or residency permits that expired before March 1 will not have to pay any fines.

In a statement to the media on Wednesday, Brigadier Khamis Al Kaabi, a spokesman for the Federal Authority for Identify and Citizenship, said that the order includes full waivers for individuals with expired residency or residency permits who are will to leave during a three month grace period after May 18.

“The order includes waiver of fines on expired Emirates ID and work permits,” he said. Those who take advantage of the offer will not be prevented from returning to the UAE if the proper conditions are met.

“We urge the public to use the smart platform of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship to get the services they need.” Credit: Arabian Business

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World’s top tower runners sign up for Virtual

Charity Climb to the Top of Burj Khalifa

Asia No 1 Wai Ching and Irishwoman Gretta Beckett will take part in Friday’s Dubai Sports Council-supported virtual climb, which will raise money for children

Soh Wai Ching and Gretta Beckett, two of the world’s top elite tower runners, will lead the charge as runners from around the world take part in Gulf for Good’s Virtual Charity Climb to the Top of Burj Khalifa on Friday, May 15.

The Virtual Charity Climb up 2,909 stairs of the world’s tallest tower is being supported by Dubai Sports Council and proceeds from the event will go towards helping more than over 2,000 underprivileged children that Gulf for Good supports in the poorest communities in Nepal, Uganda, Peru, Tanzania, and Lebanon. The fundraising from this challenge will provide the children with the day-to-day essentials - food, clean water, shelter, and clothing to support them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ramadan is a time of deep reflection and charitable acts,” said Irishwoman Beckett, who lives in Dubai. “Gulf for Good are providing an opportunity to bring people together virtually to have fun, challenge themselves while helping children in need from the safety of their own home.

“Even though we are apart, Gulf for Good are bringing us together for this fantastic challenge. I am extremely honoured and excited to be a part of it.”

Malaysian Wai Ching, Asia’s top tower runner and No 2 in the world, added: “I want to support Gulf for Good and their virtual stair climb and to give back to the community, inspire more youngsters to pursue their dream, work hard and achieve it, and not to be limited by environmental factors like the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Local fitness companies, Runderwear and Haddins Fitness have joined the event as official sponsors. There are prizes to be won for the top three finishers among men and women, and there are plenty of other giveaways for participants like the ‘funkiest trainers’ and ‘most colourful outfit’. Gulf Multi Sport and Inphota are also onboard to track participants throughout the climb via the Strava App.

Because this event is virtual, participants can sign up from around the world. So far, stair climbers from the UK, Malaysia, Ireland, South Africa, Denmark and the UAE are participating with more countries expected to follow.

To find out more and to get involved visit the event portal, www. gulf4good.org/ burjkhalifa.

“Filipinos trust the UAE”: Filipino community expresses appreciation to UAE through Facebook profile sticker campaign

Filipinos in the UAE have shown their appreciation to the UAE’s leadership and its people through a Facebook campaign, wherein they posted their pictures on the platform designed with the words, “Filipinos trust the UAE”.

A huge number of Filipinos participated in the campaign, which aims to show their high confidence in the government’s efforts to eliminate coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Within just hours after the launch, Filipinos have virtually come together in an unprecedented number to spell out their trust in this nation’s leaders by placing a unique Facebook sticker on their respective profile photos.

The design shows the flags of the UAE and the Philippines side by side, as a symbol that shows the solidarity of two countries and its residents. It also signifies each country’s earnest support for one another in their efforts to curb the spread of the disease.

This initiative is spearheaded by The Filipino Times, the largest digital and newspaper platform for Filipinos in the UAE. The newspaper is considered instrumental in keeping Filipinos across the country informed about the latest news on COVID-19 in the UAE, the Philippines, and all over the world.

Commenting on this inspiring expression of gratitude, Dr. Karen Remo, CEO and Managing Director of New Perspective Media Group and Publisher of The Filipino Times, said: “The UAE has proven again and again that it is the safest country in the world, and the massive number of coronavirus testing in the country has illustrated that. In addition to leading the world in fighting the coronavirus, the UAE has also championed inclusive acts of kindness and humanitarian support that transcend nationality, religions and borders.”

Dr. Remo lauded UAE’s help to other countries around the world—including the Philippines— through providing medical supplies. The country has recently dispatched 7 tonnes of medical supplies to the Philippines.

“This act of compassion has tugged at the heartstring of every Filipino living and working in the UAE as well as their families in the Philippines. It is this aim to unite their message of deep faith and thanks to the UAE, that The Filipino Times has launched the campaign, “Filipinos trust the UAE.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that it’s his wish for all residents in the UAE to consider the country as their second home.

“We wish, and I wish personally, that our residents in the UAE will feel that this is their second home,” said Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Filipinos are encouraged to apply the Facebook profile sticker through the following steps:

1. Go to your profile picture on Facebook and click ‘Update’ 2. Choose ‘Add Frame’ option 3. Search “The Filipino Times” on the search bar 4. Click ‘Use as Profile Picture’ and join many other Filipinos who have already shown their support for the UAE.