High Election Turnout as Fujairah Votes With Enthusiasm and Pride

Update Below

History

Eman, a New York-based Egyptian, tweeted this morning: ‘Elections and UAE in the same sentence.’

For the UAE, today’s election was a significant milestone on its journey towards full democracy. Election day (24 September 2011) involved 6,500 Emiratis voting to elect 20 representatives to the Federal National Council who will be joined by the 20 members who are appointed by the Rulers of the UAE.

Royal Declaration

The journey toward democracy is being led by the President of the UAE and the Rulers of all the emirates.

His Highness, Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah said today:

“It is now the people’s duty to exercise their political rights responsibly.”

“It is a day to be proud in every sense of the phrase. On the federation day, we proudly mark our union. Today, we celebrate democracy and political freedom.”

Education

Commenting on the journey toward democracy, a Fujairah government representative said that voting by the people is something that is relatively new so this electoral process is very much an education for us.

Enthusiasm

Voting is not available to all adult Emirati citizens but this year 6,000 people in Fujairah are members of the Electoral College. There is a massive electoral machinery and lots of voters to cast their choices for only two Fujairah candidates who are elected by the people.

Fujairah voters arrived as early as 7.30 this morning but they had to wait for thirty minutes to vote at the official starting time of 8am. By 9am it was declared that 80 Fujairah people had voted.

By mid-afternoon Fujairah organizers were reporting with pleasure ‘a better than expected turnout’ and declaring that this could be attributable in no small part to their awareness meetings and the thorough preparation that they had done prior to election day.

Visible Campaign

Earlier this week a journalist for Al Jazeera-English was eager to base her UAE election story in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah as she had heard of the vigor and visibility of the campaigns in the Northern Emirates, with promotional boards lining the roads and candidates erecting majlis tents in which to get their message across. In contrast the journalist said that driving through Dubai this week, there were few visible signs to indicate that an election was being staged.

Gender and Youth

Of the twenty-one candidates standing in Fujairah, three are female. These three received special coverage, especially about the importance of the electorate and women in particular having a female voice at the FNC. There was also some discussion about the pros and cons of female photos appearing on their campaign boards.

One of the female candidates in Fujairah was also the youngest of all the UAE candidates so this was another feature that characterized the election process in the North-Eastern emirate.

Hi-Tech

Today, voting was done by way of electronic voting machine after all voters received a two-minute training session. For some voters the training session wasn’t comprehensive enough with one man angry because he had wasted his vote through making an incorrect procedure.

Candidates Congratulated

Fujairah candidates visited the polling booths today and were ‘sitting on the sidelines’ enjoying the voting process. Some school pupils arrived at the polling centre to present a congratulatory rose to every Fujairah candidate.

Results Announced

The initial results are due to be announced this evening (Saturday 24 September 2011). Candidates may choose to use their right of appeal but the final results will be announced on Wednesday 28 September 2011.

Further

Early voters in Fujairah, Video, The National, 24 September 2011.

Rym Ghazal, Fujairah: Afternoon Slowdown but Rosy for Candidates, The National, 24 September 2011.

Patrick Michael, Nation Goes to the Polls Today, KT, 23 September 2011.

FNC Election: Voter Turnout Higher than Expected, Gulf News, 24 September 2011. PICTURES AND LIVE COVERAGE.

Further newspaper reports, videos and photos from the 2011 Election Day in Fujairah are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Geoff Pound

Image: Rashid Salem, Fujairah’s first voter casts his vote at the polling station at the Fujairah exhibition Centre. (Photo courtesy of Pawan Singh and The National)

Update: While the turnout during the day appeared positive and high in Fujairah the final tally did not paint so buoyant a picture. Nationally the turnout was 27.8% and in Fujairah 34.3%. Commentators were putting the low turnout down to the novelty factor and saying that this whole process is an education. There will no doubt be more in depth enquiries to learn the real reason for the low turnout.

Gardening Becoming Popular in Fujairah and the UAE

It may be the recession and people trying to save some money or the desire to plant and thus feel more rooted in the country but whatever the reason, gardening and growing are becoming popular pastimes in Fujairah and the UAE.

Gardening Shops

On Fujairah’s Al Gurfa Road, south of the incense burner roundabout and on the highway to Friday Market, a host of new nurseries and garden shops have sprung up “like mushrooms on a misty morning.” Perhaps their emergence has given people ideas and the inspiration to plant.

Talk around and you’ll find people starting gardens, growing plants on their balcony, buying hens, establishing herbs in pots and even setting up some beehives in the backyard or on the roof.

Gardening Online

All over the UAE the gardening bug has become a significant topic of online forums and newspaper columns. Here is a sample of the buzz and resources:

Expat Woman

Expat Women.Com has a huge number of questions and answers on issues such as these:

* Guide to planting fruit and veggies in pots.

* Best place to buy pots, trees, soil, stakes, peat moss.

* Help me fix my garden please.

* For those wondering when to plant your veggie seeds.

* What to do about birds.

* Bark/mulch anyone.

* Need advice on planting trees in the Middle East.

* Getting seeds from US to Dubai.

* Herb gardening.

* Lawn Care—it’s going black!

* Watering lawn—how often?

Many of these writers are experienced gardeners but a forum like this provides useful advice for people learning to plant in Middle Eastern soil and in a harsh climate.

Goumbook—Your Green Connection

This site is inspirational when it comes to buying and doing things in the interest of the environment.

Specifically it has lots of articles for gardeners on topics like these:

Green Mat is the answer to stop wasting water in your garden

Vegetable gardening in the UAE

Green Roofs for every building in Dubai

Organic fertilizer system saves water

Nick’s Garden

Nick Leech has been writing regular gardening and lifestyle articles in the last year for The National and many articles conclude with him answering a question entitled, Ask Nick.

Here is a list of some of the topics about which he has been writing:

23 Oct 2010: New resources for local gardeners.

22 Jan 2011: Agave deliver quiet drama along the Corniche.

4 Feb 2011: Give your lawn a spa treatment.

2 Mar 2011: How much water does that plant need?

13 Apr 2011: Compost to transform your garden—and your life.

1 Jun 2011: Smart irrigation takes more than just water.

14 Jul 2011: Desert plants hold medical remedies.

Aug 25 2011: Prepare now for the new planting season.

22 Sep 2011: Time to Feed and Repot the Plants.

Nick also contributes entries to a Plant Library and here are some examples:

2 Mar 2011: Leucophyllum frutescens.

16 Feb 2011: Catharanthus roseus.

To find a full list of articles by Nick Leech, put his name in the search column of The National.

Growers Middle East

As the Dubai-based Facebook Page indicates, “This is a forum for gardeners and farmers in the region to network and share related knowledge on growing in the Middle East.” It is an initiative of EZ-FLO Middle East and Bokashi Dubai.

This is a fascinating site where people post questions (“How do I grow capsicums in Dubai?”), attach links (Nick Leech’s articles from The National), and advertise products.

Other Resources

Let us know if you can recommend other helpful online resources for gardeners and growers in Fujairah and the UAE.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Impatiens. They come in many colours and they flower for most of the year. No wonder you see them in lots of gardens around Fujairah.

Positive Development in Fujairah but Many Waiting to Get the Power On

Vivian Salama’s article today in Bloomberg features the attractive appearance of the UAE that often masks the underlying hardship and pain.

She says that the billions of petrodollars spent on the English football club, Manchester City, the theme parks, the new hotels and the forthcoming elections can draw attention away from the harsh realities of buildings and projects that have come to a halt, the falling rents in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and the high unemployment figures.

Power in Fujairah

Fujairah and the other Northern Emirates (RAK and Sharjah) are cited for the ongoing power cuts.

However, in Fujairah the problem is not power cuts but the large number of businesses, apartment towers and villas that are still waiting to be connected to electrical power.

Waiting to Be Connected

One business in the Fujairah Freezone has been waiting for an electrical connection since 2008 and continuing to run their operation on the more expensive diesel generator alternative.

While the very real positive atmosphere in Fujairah is attributable in no small part to the number of new businesses that have commenced in recent days, many of them such as the Al Tayer Motors and the RAK Airways Office, are operating from a generator.

Those responsible for the development of the UAE tend to be overwhelmingly upbeat and silent about the shortcomings. Some commentators write from a default position that ignores the positive signs and is intent on bashing the government and its departments regardless.

One yearns for a greater transparency of the statistics and the issues so that people can be informed and arrive at their own considered assessment.

Read Further

Vivian Salama, Abu Dhabi’s Spending on Soccer, Skyscrapers Masks Slower Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, 21 September 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: “Many of them such as the Al Tayer Motors…are operating from a generator. “

Fujairah City Centre Construction on Track for Opening Early 2012

Early 2012 Opening

Majid Al Futtaim Properties today (21 September 2011) expressed their delight at the progress of the new Fujairah City Centre (FCC) and confirmed that they were on-target for an opening of the mall in early 2012.

Not only were they ‘on-track’, they have surpassed their earlier targets for key leasing, construction and safety milestones in this 400 mill. AED project.

Startling Progress

This progress is startling as the official groundbreaking ceremony with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Fujairah Crown Prince, took place only in April of this year. [Story and photos at this link].

Here are some of the details from their progress report:

On Track with Leasing

+ FCC has achieved a near-100% fully leased status.

+ 100 of the total 105 retail outlets have been confirmed to date.

+ The anchor tenants to be confirmed are Carrefour, Centrepoint, Emax, Paris Gallery and Max Fashion.

+ The gross leasable area of 34,000 square metres will give a large and varied range of shopping services to Fujairah and the UAE’s East Coast.

On Track with Construction

+ Roof and external structure is complete.

+ Handover to tenants for fit-out is two months ahead of schedule.

+ Tenant fit-outs will commence in October 2011.

+ Over 1 million accident-free labour hours have been recorded on the site.

+ Mechanical, electrical and plumbing is in progress.

+ Underground drainage systems are installed.

+ Dedicated electrical substation installed to give further power from December.

On Track with Environment

FCC is targeting a Gold LEED rating according to USGBC Green Building Guidelines (first in emirate to achieve this rating).

On Track with Access

+ The Fujairah City Centre is strategically located at the intersection of the new Dubai-Fujairah highway and the existing route (Masafi Highway) at the entrance to the city of Fujairah.

+ The opening of the new Dubai-Fujairah highway is bound to aid the access of visitors from other emirates to this new shopping mall in Fujairah.

Related

The Fujairah City Centre and the Colourful Fujairah Flavour, FIF, 4 May 2011.

New Al Hilal City Catering for the Growth of Fujairah, FIF, 18 September 2011.

Lulu Mall May Be the First of Many Fujairah Malls, FIF, 16 September 2011 (this title may need to be revised!)

Song About ‘The Malls of Dubai’ Could Be Followed by ‘The Forts of Fujairah’, FIF, 8 September 2011.

What’s New in Fujairah? FIF, 4 September 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page. Keep up to date with this rapidly developing emirate in the UAE.

Image: An aerial view of the Fujairah City Centre.

Fujairah Municipality Improving Service through Staff Training

Training Week

Seventeen employees of the Fujairah Municipality have just completed a week of intensive training that involved eight hours of input for each of the seven days (11-18 September 2011).

Organized by the Municipality’s Department of Development and Quality, the trainees were selected from many departments of the organization.

Various Approaches

The course included a mix of lectures, discussion and workshops with resources and strategies employed from the training world.

Participants spoke of the way the training was not mere theory as it involved hands-on, practical exercises to ensure that the knowledge was adequately applied.

The ongoing development programme consists of several levels and at the end of this week the participants delivered presentations in front of trainers and were evaluated according to their level of competence.

The regular courses are part of a process, as directed by the Government of Fujairah, to give a high level of training to staff in order to better serve the people of Fujairah and prepare leaders of national distinction.

Closing Ceremony

A closing ceremony at the end of the training took place in the presence of HE Abdullah Al Hantoubi, Deputy Director of the Fujairah Municipality and heads of various departments.

Mr. Al Hantoubi gave a speech in which he encouraged the staff to pay attention to the importance of their career. He spoke about their essential role in enhancing the government’s performance and excellence as sought by the leadership of the emirate.

He said that the market is constantly changing and it is vital to improve our knowledge and be better equipped to deliver our services and expertise.

Mr. Al Hantoubi said that the Municipality was keen to invent and discover new ways to introduce its staff to modern developments and to provide updated training methods that are fun and effective.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, views, resources, info, videos and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Images: Some photos of the Fujairah Municipality staff engaged in training and being honored at the closing ceremony.

Planning in Full Swing for 5th International Monodrama Festival in Fujairah

The 5^th International Monodrama Festival is being held in Fujairah on 20-28 January 2012.

Monodrama

The GM of the Fujairah Municipality, Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, also serves as the Director of Fujairah International Monodrama Festival. He said:

“The monodramas are basically a one-person show—either a man or a woman although there are usually others involved on the set and overseeing the sound. Several years ago when Fujairah was looking towards being more culturally active we saw that there was a niche not satisfactorily covered in the field of monodrama so since 2003, Fujairah has been serving as festival host every two years.”

International!

Mr. Al Afkham said that the Organizing Committee, presided over by the Chairman of Fujairah Culture and Media Authority, His Highness, Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, has received over 80 CDs from people indicating their interest in performing in Fujairah. They include actors from England, Egypt, Russia, Kosovo, India and Japan.

The last festival in 2010 showcased dramatic talent from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Russia, Lebanon, USA, Palestine, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Jordan, Switzerland as well as the UAE.

The committee is currently reviewing all material supplied by the applicants and will in due course publicize the list of performers for the January 2012 festival.

5^th Monodrama Festival

The 5^th Fujairah International Monodrama Festival is part of the work of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority that was founded by a decree of the Ruler of Fujairah with the goal of “raising the level of performance and contributing to achieve cultural and media life, aimed to support human development according to the Arab and Islamic tradition.”

Fujairah Base for International Theatre-UNESCO

The last festival in 2010 also saw the hosting of the first meeting of the Arab Council for the International Theatre Body UNESCO after it chose Fujairah as its centre for coordinating dramatic activities in the Arab world.

The International Monodrama Forum (IMF) is a network of theatre festivals from around the world that promotes the arts and artists involved in productions with a single performer.

Currently, Mohammed Al Afkham, is the President of this body and board.

In turn, the IMF is under the umbrella of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the world organization for the performing arts that is part of the work of UNESCO.

Contact and More Information

Fujairah International Monodrama Festival website.

Fujairah Culture and Media Authority

Executive Manager, Ibrahim Allan: +971 9 2222678

Email: Ibrahim@fcma.gov.ae

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, information, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Images: Some of the actors who performed at the last Fujairah International Monodrama Festival.

Tradition and Atmosphere at the Fujairah Fish Market

Atmosphere

Tour guides usually make a stop at the Fujairah Fish Market and it’s not difficult to understand why.

A vibrant atmosphere abounds in the fish souq. There’s a noticeable camaraderie among the workers. Visitors are always curious to find out what’s been caught. There’s often a goodly number of browsers as well as buyers.

Probing Identity

It’s generally a man’s world at the markets but local and expat women do come and buy for their homes or restaurant.

The city of Fujairah was established on the fishing industry so in poking around the fish markets you can feel that you’re probing the identity of this eastern emirate.

Expats and tourists often have their cameras ready to capture their memories. Many remark on the size or the types of fish they have never seen before.

Types of Fish

Ask for the name of the fish and you’re more likely to get a reply in Arabic or Urdu rather than in English. A board on the wall lists the name in Arabic and English of the most common fish that are available in the market. At the top of the list it reads ‘sheep head’! This is a type of fish not the head of a sheep. Further down it lists ‘goatfish’.

Lots of Guts

Some fishermen and women arrive in the weekend with fish that they have hooked, preferring the professionals to clean their catch rather than do it themselves. The men at the fish market who scale and clean fish are fast and the cost of this service is very reasonable.

Cleaning Fish

A sign on the board indicates the costs in English and Arabic:

Wage of Cleaning, Scaling and Cutting Fishes in Central Market of Al Gorfa

1.5 Dhs 1 kilo small fishes

5 Dhs 4 kilo small fishes

1 Dh 1 kilo big fishes

4 Dhs 4 kilo big fishes

Cleanliness rather than Conservation

In the last few years there’s been an ongoing campaign to increase and maintain the hygiene standards at the market.

The environmental group, Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), published earlier in 2011 a Choose Wisely book (free download) that lists the endangered fish in the UAE waters and encourages people to choose fish that are in good supply. Unfortunately, these resources don’t seem to be available to buyers within the fish market.

Watch the Video on Preserving Fish Species in the UAE

Take a Stand

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort is one of a growing number of UAE restaurants that have removed from its menus endangered fish species such as Hammour, Kingfish, White Spotted Spinefoot and Sprangled Emperor. The Fujairah resort has replaced these fish with the more sustainable Orange Spotted Trevally, Two Bar Sea Bream, Pink Ear Emperor, Black Streaked Monocle Bream and Ehrenbergs Snapper.

When you go to a restaurant in Fujairah that serves fish, enquire about the type of fish, raise your concern about the use of endangered fish and choose a fish that is in good supply.

Take a Look

Some photos of the Fujairah Fish Market are posted in this photo album.

Related

Choose Wisely, UAE Consumer Guide, EWF-WWF (free download)

The UAE’s Sustainable Fish Cookbook Includes Recipes from Fujairah, FIF, 12 April 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Johnny Rodgers Band Performing in Fujairah

You’re Invited

You are invited to a public performance by the Johnny Rodgers Band in Fujairah on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 commencing at 8.30pm.

Venue

This evening of American jazz and rock music is being held in the performance theatre of the Higher Colleges of Technology-Fujairah Women’s College.

Patron

This is a free performance and bookings are not essential.

The event is being held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority (FCMA).

It is being staged by the FCMA in collaboration with the US Consulate General of Dubai and the HCT-Fujairah.

Cultural Exchange

The evening will recognize and promote 40 years of friendship between the UAE and the USA.

The Fujairah event is part of a tour by the New York-based Johnny Rodgers Band of six countries in the Middle East—Jordan, Djibouti, UAE, Sudan, Bahrain and Egypt. Check out their tour blog at this link.

In many locations, their public concerts will be accompanied by master classes, lecture demonstrations, workshops and jam sessions.

Johnny Rodgers Band

The Johnny Rodgers Band is led by Johnny Rodgers on piano and vocals, Brian Glassman on bass, Joe Ravo on guitar and Danny Mallon on drums, percussion and vocals.

The band was formed in New York in 2003. Their style ranges from pop to jazz to classic. Johnny Rodgers, the leader of the band, is an award-winning singer-songwriter and pianist. New York Times writer, Stephen Holden, describes Rodgers as having fused elements of Billy Joel, Peter Allen and Johnny Mercer.

Eclectic Style

A usual song list for a performance contains a mix of Johnny Rodgers award-winning originals and American music classics that have been part of the repertoire of James Taylor, Ray Charles, Johnny Mercer and Randy Newman.

Further Information

Johnny Rodgers Band website.

Johnny Rodgers Band Press Kit with Bio is downloadable at this link.

Take a Listen

Further Details

For more information contact:

HCT-Fujairah Women’s College

056 8677868

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

HCT Fujairah Expands Its Cafeteria at Women’s College

Higher Colleges of Technology-Fujairah Director, Dr. Dave Pelham, cut the ribbon to officially open the new cafeteria at the HCT Fujairah Women’s College.

The numbers of students has been increasing thus requiring an expansion and improvement of the College’s facilities and services.

The expansion now enables the College to seat 600 diners for meals. This increase is almost twice as many diners as was possible in the old facility.

The expansion has also involved a renovation with new decorations designed to create a more friendly atmosphere and open environment.

The expansion and renovations commenced in July and were ready for use on Sunday, 18 September 2011.

The Fujairah Women’s College currently has 1900 students and 200 staff.

Contact

HCT- Fujairah Women’s College

HCT- Fujairah Men’s College

Geoff Pound

Images: Photos supplied by HCT-Fujairah

More Fujairah news, information, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

12 December 2011 is ‘Clean Up UAE’ Day Including ‘Clean Up Fujairah’

Mark the Date

Monday, 12 December, 2011, is the date to mark on your calendar for ‘Clean Up UAE’.

Let people know at school and in your workplace as the annual day is usually supported well by schools, Colleges, private businesses and government departments.

Tenth Time

Today, 18 September 2011, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), launched its 10^th edition of the 'Clean Up UAE' campaign which, in 2002, was initiated in four emirates—Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi.

Since that time all emirates have got on board with this big campaign and last year more than 100 tons of waste were collected from the country. This is a staggering amount but what must galvanize our concern and activity is that the UAE’s waste per capita is among the highest in the world.

Clean Up Fujairah

At the 2011 launch, Engineer Mohammed Saif Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality said:

“Through its participation for the eighth year in the ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign, the Municipality is building on its social role that is strengthened through constant communication and interaction with the community at large in environmental events such as this. He stressed that environmental preservation is everyone’s responsibility, and must be treated as a priority.”

One Day, All Year

The ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign could be seen as a token gesture toward environmental preservation so that people clean up on this special day and live wastefully for the next 364 days.

The intent of the EEG is that the impact of the year will have a flow on effect in the lives of ordinary residents and in the waste management practices of businesses and schools.

There are other formal and informal initiatives throughout the year and one of the impressive acts of leadership was the clean up of the Mirbah Harbour (pictured) by the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi.

In June 2011 the Crown Prince coordinated an effort with 45 divers (himself included) and pulled hundreds of kilograms of rubbish from the sea.

About this initiative of the Fujairah Crown Prince, Mohammed Saif Al Afkham said to The National:

“Whenever he goes diving he gathers his friends around him to clean and dive. For him, it’s not only an awareness campaign, it’s a habit that wherever you are, you should keep your surroundings clean.”

“He wants to do a schedule in each port to go with the fishermen and clean the shore and underwater. He’s very young and an active person and I like that he himself goes to clean.”

2011 Target

The hope of the ‘Clean Up UAE’ organizing committee is that this year, 25,000 volunteers will participate in this campaign on 12 December 2011.

Stay Posted

The Clean Up UAE Facebook Page will report further details as they are formulated.

Further

Emirates Environmental Group Launches 10^th Edition ‘Clean Up UAE’, AMEInfo, 18 September 2011.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Images: ‘Clean Up UAE’ logo; His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi sponsored the clean up event in June 2011 of the Mirbah harbour (photo courtesy of WAM and The National).

New Al Hilal City Catering for the Growth of Fujairah

Unique Project

Al Hilal City, in the Al Sherah area of Fujairah, is currently being constructed as a huge residential and business development.

This new city is strategically placed (pictured) between the commercial district that is forming along Kuwait Road and the Fujairah Freezone and the Port.

The Fujairah Municipality website describes Al Hilal as “the first of its type in the emirate of Fujairah…a complete city.”

Multipurpose

The Al Hilal Company has developed this project to emphasize Fujairah’s position as a tourist attraction and a market to create more opportunities for investment in the area of real estate.

With a current population of approximately 180,000 and growing at a rate of 10,000 each year, the emirate of Fujairah is running out of flat land within easy access of the city services that can be used for residential purposes. The new Al Hilal City of towers is expected to be able to accommodate 70,000 people.

General Manager of the Fujairah Municipality, Mohammed Al Afkham, believes that with the completion of the Dubai-Fujairah highway, Al Hilal City could be an alternative for people who want to work in Dubai but live in Fujairah.

Style and Design

The new city has been divided into nine areas with each area serving different purposes.

The city will have 130 towers each with 20 to 30 floors for various purposes: tourist attractions, commercial offices, residential apartments and hotels with apartments and rooms.

It will incorporate shopping malls, movie theatres and mosques.

One of the dangers of a high-rise city is that residents and visitors can feel closed in and be consigned to views of other buildings. To overcome this the new city is being constructed with green spaces covering 40% of the total area. There will be a network of paved roads linking all areas of the city as well as providing easy access roads to other parts of the city of Fujairah.

Name

Al Hilal gets its name from the crescent moon (hilal) which is foundational to Islam and is that which is looked for by Moon Sighting Committees to signal the commencement of Ramadan.

130 high towers in the new city should give ample opportunities to sight the hilal!

Progress

The roads have been formed and the main commercial tower is nearing completion. Al Hilal City is expected to be finished in 2015.

Al Hilal Properties has set up offices on the ninth floor of the Fujairah Tower and will be overseeing the leasing arrangements for businesses and residential apartments.

In their office they have models of Al Hilal City and some of the commercial and residential towers.

Contact

Al Hilal Properties

P O Box 7575

Fujairah, UAE

Phone: 09 222 5584

Fax: 09 222 3060

Website

Take a Look

Some photos and architectural impressions are posted in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources, info and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: This new city is strategically placed (pictured above taken as a snapshot from Wikimapia) between the commercial district that is forming along Kuwait Road and the Fujairah Freezone and the Port.

Faceless Fujairah Candidate Vows to be the Loudest Voice at FNC

The campaign billboards are currently on every main street in Fujairah depicting the names of the candidate and their photos but there is one board that stands out because it does not show a face.

One of three female candidates standing for election to represent Fujairah at the Federal National Council (FNC), Mouza Saeed Nowaylah told The National, “We can’t even put up our pictures on posters like the rest of the candidates because they will frown upon it.”

Rym Ghazal, journalist at The National, wrote in an article entitled, ‘Feminine Voices Speak Up in Fujairah’ that the women candidates are not only competing against the men but “against centuries of tradition where women play a subordinate role in a largely conservative emirate.”

Some women have posted their photos on their campaign boards but the frowns may increase in accordance with the youthfulness of the candidate. At 24 years of age, Mouza Saeed Nowaylah is the youngest candidate running this year. She is also single which maybe another reason why some might disapprove of a photo.

How much of a disadvantage is it not to have the candidate’s photo on the billboard? Do people vote according to the way the candidate looks? For some youthfulness may be a plus, signifying fresh talent and a representative of change, whereby others may vote for the look of maturity and experience.

If most candidates didn’t think it was an advantage to have their face appearing with their name they wouldn’t have posted a photo on their billboard. The face is as crucial to a candidate’s identity as their name.

To the discerning voter the contribution the representative makes in the council is the ultimate issue not how well they look or appear at the meetings. Mouza Saeed Nowaylah promised, “I will be the voice most heard at the FNC meetings.”

The challenge in this last week of campaigning is for all voters to examine the significance of the policies of each candidate, explore their track record in getting things done and evaluate how best each might represent their constituency and work to achieve the vision of the entire country.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, info, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: “But there is one board that stands out because it does not show a face.”