Remembering Sgt. William Donnelly in Dhadnah, Fujairah

Remembrance Service

On Tuesday 15 November 2011 at 11.00am, a detachment from the Royal Air Force will hold a short remembrance service at the WWII memorial to Sgt. William Henry Donnelly (pictured) at the Fujairah village of Dhadnah.

The 15-minute service will be led by an RAF chaplain.

Squadron-Leader, Chris Jackson, who is in command of RAF personnel in the UAE, said he would be delighted if any members of the Fujairah community were able to attend. “It is a public event and there is no need to register one’s intention of attending the service,” said Squadron-Leader, Chris Jackson.

The service has been scheduled as near as possible to Remembrance Day (11 November) and it is designed to be a fitting tribute not only to William Donnelly but to the many who lost their lives during service to their country.

Billy’s Story

Many details were published (see links below) near to 27 January 2010 when a memorial was erected and a service was held at Sayd Dhadnah in Fujairah.

On 14 February 1943, Sergeant William Donnelly died when his plane crashed at Dhadnah. He was buried by his friends in a shallow stream bed.

The location of the grave was lost and rediscovered 65 years later, thanks to the persistent investigation of his family, members of the Al Ain chapter of the Emirates Natural History Group and the knowledge of some local fishermen.

The generous support of the Fujairah Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, was much appreciated by the relatives and Royal Air Force in establishing a memorial, paying tribute to Billy’s service and helping family and friends to find closure.

Location

The Dhadnah War Memorial lies north of the Dhadnah village and further inland from the main road.

The memorial is visible on Google Earth as a little grey square.

The GPS location coordinates are:

434655.37 E

2825065. 86 N

Thanks

Sincere thanks to Peter Hellyer for providing the details about William Donnelly’s life and many of the photos used in this article. Photo of Billy Donnelly, courtesy of his great niece, Lesley Botten.

Further

Peter Hellyer, On the Trail of a Mystery from Peru to Fujairah, The National, 19 January 2010.

WWII Hero Honoured in Emirates, BBC Local, Edinburgh, 16 February 2010.

Geoff Pound

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

See Why Fujairah Crown Prince Voted for Bu Tina Island Wonder of Nature

Crown Prince Votes

At a conference today (9 November 2011) at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, voted in support of Bu Tinah Island in its bid to be recognized as one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’.

In this symbolic leadership by SMS, the Fujairah Crown Prince was signifying the importance of this UAE wonderland and urging all people to cast their vote.

His Highness is growing in stature as a champion for the environment, especially evident in such actions as his leadership of clean up campaigns along the eastern shoreline and his support for Wadi Wurayah, the UAE’s first national park.

In Attendance

Attending His Highness the Fujairah Crown Prince were a number of dignitaries including the following: H.E. Salem Al Zahmi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince, H.E. Mohammed saeed Al Dhanhani, Director of the Emiri Court, H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality, H. E. Abdulla Al Hantoubi, Deputy Director of the Fujairah Municipality and H.E. Salem Al Mukassah, Director of the Department of Public Works.

Wonderful Bu Tinah

The conference at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel began with the viewing of a video on Bu Tinah.

Enjoy watching this video and see for yourself why our Fujairah leaders are encouraging us all to cast our vote.

Video in Arabic

Video in English

Bu Tinah ‘Gift from God’

The Media Officer for the Emiri Court, Shaikha Al Mesmari, greeted today’s guests and sketched some details about Bu Tinah Island off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

About Bu Tinah Shaikha said:

“The island is a gift from God located on the western shore of the UAE and is one of 28 international locations competing for the title of the world’s New 7 wonders of Nature and the only qualifying location from the Arab Gulf countries.”

Bu Tinah National Treasure

Mr. Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality spoke on behalf of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority. He spoke about the island being a ‘national treasure’ that is increasingly valued by people all over the Emirates.

He paid tribute to the Crown Prince and His Highness, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, for their support of the UAE bid.

Vote Now!

One can vote online through the New 7 Wonders of Nature website or do what the Crown Prince did today and vote by phone.

You can vote in a number of different languages.

There is a sense of urgency as voting finishes on Friday—11 November 2011—but check the countdown clock to see how many minutes you have to cast your vote.

Check out the voting trends.

Further

Bu Tinah web site

Take a Look

Some of the photos from today’s conference at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel are posted in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

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

Eid Mubarak to All!

Eid Al Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is a worldwide Muslim festival celebrated this weekend (6-8 November 2011).

It is inspired by Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son and God’s last minute provision of a sacrificial lamb.

The story is pivotal to Judaism and Christianity as well as to Islam. Some details are different but the gist is the same. The episode evokes questions about the nature of God and whether a good God would ever call a parent to sacrifice their child.

Whatever words we use, the essence of Eid is to follow the dream and be prepared to take scary and costly risks for what is true and right.

In the agonizing eleventh hour Abraham hears a bleat and discovers a sheep caught up in the bushes. Eid is the festival of thanksgiving for the God of surprises.

The son and the sheep become the reminders that true living is about “putting your money where your mouth is.”

Eid Mubarak (Eid blessings) to all!

Wishing you days filled with gratitude, discovery, wonder and risk taking.

Geoff Pound

Image: Sheep near Kuwait Road, Fujairah.

40th UAE National Day Activities in Fujairah—Detailed Program and Schedule

Packed Program

The 40^th UAE National day activities in Fujairah posted on this page are many, varied and scattered right across the emirate of Fujairah.

Slight Delay

The 40^th UAE National Day activities were to have commenced in Fujairah and across the Emirates 40 days in advance of the National Day (2 December) but in respect for the passing of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the starting date is 1 November 2011.

Chair of the Higher Committee for celebrations in Fujairah, Mr. Mohammed Saeed Al Dhanhani, said that no activities have been dropped but the schedule has been compressed to make for a richer program.

Main Events

The main celebration will be held at the Fujairah corniche and will continue for three days. This will be run concurrently with another maritime celebration further north at Al Faqeet Family Beach in Dibba.

The celebration will include three musical concerts in which Arab and Emirati singers will perform.

Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition

The largest activity in Fujairah will be the running of the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition and the associated heritage village and cultural activities. This is organized under the generous patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah.

Running a bigger and brighter program than in its inaugural year, this event is linking with the National Day celebrations because of its rich cultural heritage activities.

The heritage activity program commences on 10 November 2011 and the sword competition on 11 November. The Al Saif Competition and Crown Prince Heritage festival at the Fujairah Fort continues until 17 December.

Small Yet Significant

There are a host of other smaller activities which include a police band and a children’s drawing gallery.

Mr. Dhanhani (pictured) said that one of the distinctive things about the Fujairah program is that it will be conducted in many of the smaller towns of the Emirate, such as Masafi and Bidyah.

Download Your Copy

Update: A new and revised program has been added to these links as at 4 November 2011. If you downloaded your copy before this, please download and get the latest copy in Arabic or English.

Download your copy of the 40^th UAE National Day activities-Fujairah in Arabic from this link.

Download your copy of the 40^th UAE National Day activities-Fujairah in English from this link.

Related

Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition, Heritage Village and Activities at the Fujairah Fort: Website; Facebook Page.

Geoff Pound

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

Fujairah Crown Prince and His Wife are Blessed with a Baby Girl

Congratulations to His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi and Her Highness, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, upon the birth of a baby daughter.

The baby has been named Aisha.

You are blessed! Mabrook!

Fujairah Studying Options for Integrated Household Waste Recycling System

Here is the latest statement on Fujairah’s plans for providing recycling for all householders in the city and emirate.

The Fujairah Municipality has this wonderful new system called ‘Taht Amrek-Your Wish is My Command’, in that they want residents to offer suggestions, ask questions or make a complaint.

Fujairah Plans?

Sharjah has vowed to eliminate garbage by 2015. Abu Dhabi aims to cut waste by 80% by 2018. What about Fujairah?

I submitted a question through the website asking whether Fujairah has goals and if so, what were they and what is the timetable.

Fujairah Response

The answer came by email and an SMS alert. Here is the official word on Fujairah’s recycling plans:

“The Fujairah Municipality has similar goals as the rest of the emirates as we are all aiming for minimizing waste and having an integrated waste management system.”

“Currently, the Fujairah Municipality is studying several proposals for establishing an integrated waste management to cover the needs of the emirate regarding waste reduction at the source and safe disposal at engineering landfills.”

“There are recycling and treatment facilities for some waste types in Fujairah such as plastics, paper, steel etc. and we are developing a plan to deal with the remaining types.”

“For the timetable, we have a flexible frame as we are proceeding to fulfill our goals.”

Coming Shortly

It is good to know that work is being done to provide household recycling facilities. Add it to the list of things that are ‘Coming Soon to Fujairah’.

Geoff Pound

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

Image: Recycling containers for householders to separate different types of waste.

Eid Al Adha in Fujairah and the Proper Sacrifice of Animals

Dates

Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) will fall this year on 6 November 2011.

UAE government departments, schools and universities will receive a one-week holiday, commencing from 5 November.

Workers in the private sector are entitled to a three-day holiday that starts on the first day of Eid (Sunday), but the announcement is yet to be made by the Ministry of Labour.

Muslim Festival

Eid Al Adha or Eid Al Kabir (Greater Eid) is a Muslim festival celebrated around the world to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael, before God intervened to offer a ram to sacrifice instead of the boy.

Muslims, Christians and Jews all include this story in their Scriptures. While some of the details are different, the essential values of trusting God no matter the cost and the gift of divine provision, are commonly commended.

To show appreciation and willingness to obey, Muslim families sacrifice an animal (the size and value according to their means) and divide it—one-third for the family, one-third for relatives, friends and neighbors and one-third to the poor and needy.

Eid Preparation

Muslims are encouraged to prepare themselves for Eid by washing, engaging in the pre-sunrise prayer and putting on new or the best clothes available.

Eid Prayers in Fujairah

People gather for Eid prayers at their mosque or city gathering. In Fujairah around 6.30am worshippers will gather at the Grand Eid Musalla (mosque and prayer ground opposite the Emiri Court). At the end of the service there is an exchange of greetings (‘Eid Mubarak’- ‘Blessed Eid’).

Following Eid prayers there is the preparation of meals (making sacrifice), the giving of gifts to children, visiting and celebrating with family, friends and neighbors. The festivities go on for three days.

Eid Sacrifice

Instead of killing animals in the backyard or farm, people now have to take their animals to the abattoir or buy animals there.

Welfare organizations like the Red Crescent and the Fujairah Welfare Association have a system where you can pay for others to undertake the slaughter and gift the meat to those in need. This facility also includes making a cash sacrifice to the needy that can be directed anywhere in the world.

Humane and Hygienic Sacrifice

This week the Fujairah Municipality issued the following statement about the conduct of animal sacrifice in Fujairah:

Under the directives of Engineer Mohammad Saif Al Afkham, Director of Fujairah Municipality and Aseela Al Mualla, Administrative Director of General Services and Environment, the Fujairah Municipality affirmed its readiness to receive Eid Al Adha sacrifices at the Fujairah Automatic abattoir and Tawyeen Abattoir. Al Mualla confirmed that preparations for Eid are complete and the two abattoirs are ready. The butchers were doubled in number this year to facilitate the process of slaughtering and make it easier for the citizens. The number of butchers at the Fujairah Abattoir reached (16 butchers, 3 supervisors and 6 cleaners), and at the Tawyeen Abattoir the number reached (9 butchers and 1 supervisor). The two abattoirs were supplied with the necessary machinery and tools to facilitate the process and prevent crowding.

Aseela revealed that the abattoir will be opened for slaughtering on the first day of Eid directly after the Eid prayer and until the citizen’s sacrifices are finished. It will also be opened on the second and third days of Eid from 6 am to 1 am and from 6 am to 8 pm on the remaining days of the Eid holiday. The abattoirs serve, in addition to citizens, a number of associations and charities.

Al Mualla added that slaughtering tools and machinery were prepared under the supervision of Dr. Basheer, Chief of the Abattoir Division, who asks citizens not to slaughter their sacrifices at home and head for the abattoirs instead. Abattoirs, he explained, have health supervision by specialized veterinarians and this is good for the citizen because the sacrifice will be tested before being slaughtered to avoid diseases. There will also be an inspection team for all Eid days to make sure that no one slaughters their sacrifices outside of the abattoirs or uses unqualified butchers for slaughtering. In case they find any offenders, the person who violates the rules will be held legally accountable. Random slaughtering is dangerous for public health and ruins the civilized look of the Emirate.

On this holy occasion, the official working hours of the Health Section employees and inspectors are as follows:

The Office of Emergency and Market Control: 24 hours a day, all Eid days.

Inspection Services: 8 am – 9 pm at all areas of the Municipality.

Food Control Centre: 8 am – 9 pm.

Fujairah Abattoir and Tawyeen Abattoir:

First day of Eid: After Eid prayer until the sacrifices are finished.

Second day of Eid: 6 am to 1 pm.

Third day of Eid: 6 am to 1 pm.

Remaining Eid days: 6 am to 8 pm.

Festival Without Fireworks

The Fujairah Municipality also made this statement about fireworks for Eid but also fireworks generally:

“It is absolutely prohibited for all companies and commercial establishments to import, display, distribute, buy or sell fireworks for children in the Emirate of Fujairah.”

Eid Without Alcohol

The Municipality also stated:

“It’s also prohibited to display, offer or sell alcohol in Hotel apartments, restaurants, hotels, and clubs. Night clubs, bars, and massage centers will be closed and the specialized employees at the municipality will make sure of that through inspection. Any establishment or facility that violates this will be closed for a week and will have to pay a fine and be legally accountable. “

Eid Information

For any questions or for more information about Eid in Fujairah, the Fujairah Municipality encourages people to call their hotline: 80036222.

Geoff Pound

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

Image: His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, attending Eid prayers at the Grand Eid Musalla in Fujairah on an earlier occasion. (Photo courtesy of Gulf News)

Latest Photos and Report on Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah

Excellent Progress

Engineer Mohammed Saif Al Afkam, Director of the Fujairah Municipality, said this week (26 October 2011) that the building of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque was on schedule or in advance of schedule.

800 Days

At the outset (May 2010), the construction company said it would take 800 days to complete.

This construction of the largest building in Fujairah is gradually changing the city skyline.

Open to All

Mr. Afkam said the new Fujairah mosque will be like the Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi, where anyone can visit and sessions are scheduled to encourage awareness.

Attraction

The mosque is expected to be a significant place of worship and gathering. It will have a capacity for 28,000 people.

Upon completion, the emirate of Fujairah will have the second largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and this will undoubtedly be one of the most popular places for tourists to visit.

Fujairah is also home to the oldest functioning mosque in the Emirates, located in the town of Al Bidyah.

Mosque Mapping

Check out Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque on Google Maps. Since this map was created in June 2010 more than 8,000 people have had a bird’s-eye look at the area of the mosque in relation to the city.

Check the Progress

The latest photos (26 October 2011) of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah are in this photo album.

Further

Check out the Progress of Fujairah’s New Mosque, FIF, 28 October 2011.

Foundation Laid and Walls Rising on the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 2 April 2011.

Large Mosque Rising in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 6 June 2010.

Related

Longer Visiting Hours at Bidyah Mosque Fujairah, FIF, 16 February 2011.

Geoff Pound

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

Image: A photo taken this week of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah.

Preparations in Full Swing for Sword Competition at Fujairah Fort

Cultural Cooperation

For the first time the Organizing Committee for the Al Saif, traditional sword competition, hosted the qualification tournaments of the Fazza Youla Championship in the saif (sword) arena in front of the Fujairah Fort.

Normally the Youla (traditional Emirati dance) tournaments are held in Dubai but this event, several nights ago, was part of the framework of strategic cooperation between the two championships.

The Al Saif Organizing Committee affirmed that the cooperation is a positive step toward accomplishing many achievements, exchanging knowledge and skills and thereby raising the performance level of both championships.

Under this cooperative agreement the two championships will coordinate on issues of mutual interest with the common aim of reviving heritage and traditional arts, promoting Emirati identity and inspiring national values in the hearts of the younger generations.

Registrations for Sword Competition

The Organizing Committee of the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition is still receiving registration applications from participants.

Click on the ‘REGISTRATION’ button at this link and register as a ‘Participant’.

If you are a photographer, videographer, journalist, writer working for a media organization or for your own interest it is important to click on the ‘REGISTRATION’ button at the above link and register as ‘Media’.

If you can spare some hours and would like to help in the preparation and running of the sword competition, please click on the ‘REGISTRATION’ button at the above link and register as a ‘Volunteer’.

Expanded Sword Arena

The Organizing Committee reports that the saif (sword) arena has been expanded (lengthened and widened) to an area of 1600 square metres.

Earlier this week the arena was watered and unmarked (see photo).

Members of the committee and their helpers have been marking out the external lines of the arena as well as the circles.

The circles are the places where the swordsmen must throw and catch their swords. Accuracy or lack of it will determine the marks awarded by the judges to the swordsmen. The other top priority is safety. The organizers are keen to ensure that incorrectly thrown swords don’t land among the crowds in the grandstand (yet to be erected).

Opening Ceremony

The Organizing Committee is currently planning the official Opening Ceremony for the Al Saif Championship, which will be on the evening of 11 November 2011 commencing at 9pm.

The associated Heritage Village with its 30 shops/stalls and cultural festivities will be opening at 5pm.

Al Saif Programme

Work is continuing by the committee to finalize the sword competition schedule and the many heritage activities that will include a concert with entertainers, poetry recitations, children’s activities, bull butting, camel rides, horses, traditional boat building, a reenactment of an Emirati wedding and a host of other events and happenings.

See some of the heritage activities from last year in this photo album.

More details will be posted on the Al Saif Competition Facebook Page as they come to hand.

There will be activities at the Fujairah Fort on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

While the Al Saif Sword Competition commences on 11/11/11 at 9pm, the heritage village activities will start the night before, on Thursday 10 November at 5pm.

Countdown Clock

Check this web site that gives the most detailed countdown to the Opening Ceremony. At the time of writing the Al Saif Championship is due to commence in 14 days, 12 hours, 16 minutes and 12 seconds.

Further Information

Al Saif Committee Announces Fujairah Sword Competition for 2011, FIF, 17 October 2011.

To keep up to date with developments for the Al Saif Traditional Sword Championship 2011, stay tuned to these sites and links:

* Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition Web Site.

* Al Saif Competition Facebook Page—Click LIKE to receive the latest news.

* Al Saif e-Booklet with competition details, historical background etc.

* Al Saif—Check this site to indicate that You Are Attending.

Relive the Al Saif Championship of 2010

Watch this 3 minute video of the Al Saif Competition to see how it is a total experience.

To learn more about what happened in the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition in its inaugural year, go to this article and follow the links.

Geoff Pound

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

Fujairah Celebrates World Food Day

There were several Fujairah groups and schools that featured World Food Day this year but staff and students from Fujairah’s Abu Jandal School made a significant contribution on 15 October 2011.

The Abu Jandal School in Faseel is a UNESCO school and the students and staff who form the UNESCO Team developed several initiatives.

Breakfast Lesson

The UNESCO team prepared breakfast for students and staff to emphasize to the entire school the significance of World Food Day and the importance of each person in a community having healthy food and a balanced diet. Leader of the UNESCO Team, teacher Monther Burmawi, said that sharing breakfast together as a school gave tangible and tasty support to the proverb, “Sound body, sound mind.”

Preparing the Packages

After breakfast, students involved in the UNESCO Team packed up the fruit that they and their families had generously donated. The tables in their classroom looked colorful and were groaning under the weight of so much food.

After some photo opportunities the team got ready to make a number of visits to people who would benefit and enjoy the gifts of food.

Variety of Visits

The UNESCO Team visited laborers on their work sites and thanked them for their efforts to the community of Fujairah. They gave the workers food and water and talked briefly about the global importance of World Food Day.

Similarly, the team visited a kindergarten and gave the children and their staff food and water bottles. The team was welcomed and thanked for their generosity.

The team then went to the Fujairah Hospital. They met the head and staff of the Children’s Section and talked about the purpose of their visit and the objectives of the UNESCO Associated Schools in particular. They then visited children and in the ward, gave them fruit and water and wished them health and safety.

Big Impact

When asked about the effect that the day had had on the students and those that they visited, Monther Burmawi replied:

“The impact was very great. The UNESCO Team realized the importance of what they had done towards the patients, especially the children. The total experience engendered a sense of pride in being members of the UNESCO Team at the Abu Jandal School, which is one of the first UNESCO Associated Schools in the Emirate of Fujairah.”

“We strongly express our thanks to the school leadership, especially the support shown to the UNESCO Team by our Principal, Mr. Ali Mohammed Yousef, who has helped facilitate activities like World Food Day.”

UNESCO Schools

Founded in 1953, the UNESCO Associated School Project Network (commonly referred to as UNESCO Associated Schools), is a global network of more than 9000 educational institutions in 180 countries.

The project was established to educate schools on issues related to UNESCO’s “overarching goal of promoting peace and international understanding.”

Related

Abu Jandal Scool on Wikimapia.

Abu Jandal School

Al Faseel

P O Box 806

Tel: (09) 2222242

Fax: (09) 2224962

Website

Take a Look

Some photos taken of the Abu Jandal UNESCO Team preparing the food and visiting different people and institutions in Fujairah are posted in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

Image: Principal, Mr. Ali Mohammed Yousef, helps prepare the UNESCO Team of students at the Abu Jandal School as they visit groups around Fujairah in recognition of World Food Day.

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