Mass Wedding at the Fujairah Fort

Marhaba! Welcome!

A Mass wedding, sponsored by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah (pictured), will be held at the grounds of the Fujairah Fort at approximately 8pm on Thursday 8 December 2011.

This is a public event and all people are invited to join in this celebratory event.

130 Grooms

In keeping with Emirati tradition, this will be an event for grooms only, as the brides will have their separate celebrations.

There are 130 grooms who are planning to participate in the mass wedding and today (Tuesday) is the last day for receiving registrations. The largest number of grooms at a mass wedding in Fujairah was in 2009, at the wedding of the Crown Prince, when 141 grooms were present.

Official Programme

The Mass Wedding will take place on and around the sword arena (pictured) in the presence of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and many other VIPs.

There will be the arrival of the Crown Prince, the singing of the National Anthem, the greeting of the grooms by the Crown Prince, the traditional youla dance, a reenactment of a traditional Emirati wedding, a presentation by 120 girls from a local school, some sword dancing, several speeches and a time for photos on the steps below the fort.

Wedding Reception

Several tents (pictured) have been erected surrounding the fort and heritage village and after the official function all people are invited to enjoy a wedding feast.

Organizers are catering for more than 3,000 people.

Big Night

While the Mass wedding will be the major and final event, it will be preceded by a full Thursday night programme, commencing at 4.30pm.

While times can change, the activities listed for Thursday evening are as follows:

4.30pm Cultural/Heritage Quiz

5.00pm Folklore Shows

5.30pm Fishermen’s songs

7.00pm Poetry and Singing Performance

8.00pm Mass Wedding, Meal (in the tents) and more entertainment on the sword arena to follow.

Information

More information may be posted on the Al Saif Competition Facebook Page and contact details are listed on this web page.

Fujairah Photographic Competition Won by Mustapha Azab

Winning Photographer

Congratulations to Mustapha Azab for winning the 2011 Photographic Competition sponsored by the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority.

Dhs 20,000 is a nice amount to put in your pocket but the award, presented by His Highness, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi (pictured) and the honor of doing well among an increasing number of photographers who love to shoot in Fujairah, is perhaps even more satisfying.

Mustapha has lived in Fujairah for several years and he is originally from Syria. Such is his skill, he is often called upon to act as photographer for major events and functions in Fujairah and the UAE’s East Coast.

Winning Photo

Mustapha’s prize-winning photograph has the distinct Fujairah subject of two bulls going head to head.

Looking at a larger photo and closer up, one gets a better idea of why this photo won the competition. The detail. The colours. The dust. The action. The drama.

Getting Down and Dirty

One of the clues to getting a photo of such intense action is to get close up and low down.

When I asked whether he was using a telephoto lens and how he got so close to the butting bulls, Mustapha said, “I will send you a photo.”

Here is the photo of a camera trolley that a friend made for Mustapha. Every bovine photographer needs one of these so you can take photos without getting trampled and butted. The trolley gets your camera down low and it also gives greater proximity to the bulls. Being on wheels you can run it along the ground as the bulls move. Add an extension to your shutter button.

Here is another superb bull fighting scene by Mustapha that picks up the warm tones and glow as the sun descends below the Hajar Mountains.

Mabrook Mustapha!

Mustapha may be contacted in these ways:

Facebook

Email Address: mustaphaazab@hotmail.com

Related

Photographs from ‘Around Fujairah’ by Emily Ray, FIF, 5 December 2011.

Be In To Win!

A photographic competition is currently being held as part of the Fujairah Al Saif Championship. Photos need to be submitted by 20 December 2011.

For more information in Arabic and English.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch with Fujairah

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

Rich Expression of Culture at the Fujairah Fort and Heritage Village

Emirati Expression

According to the vision and wishes of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, the Al Saif (traditional sword) Championship and the number of activities that have developed around it, have led to a diverse presentation of Emirati culture and heritage.

Other Cultures on Stage

The programme, which has extended over six weekends (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), has also featured other culture groups who have sung and performed.

Take a Look

Take a look at these photos illustrating the many ways that Emirati culture is being expressed and some of the different groups that have performed recently at the Fujairah Fort.

Check the Programme

Another full weekend of cultural activities is on display at the Fujairah Fort. Check out the programme by following this link.

More Information

Further information may be accessed from the Al Saif Competition Facebook Page and contact details from the web site.

Image: Belgian stiltwalkers performing on the sword arena at the Fujairah Fort.

Photographs from ‘Around Fujairah’ by Emily Ray

Around Fujairah

As part of the refurbishment of the Fujairah Football Club, His Highness, Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, asked Fujairah photographer, Emily Ray, to display some of her photographs that give a sense of Fujairah’s identity and beauty to those who visit.

Take time to visit the ground floor of the Fujairah Football Club and enjoy Emily’s superb pictures that capture the essence of the eastern emirate—coffee pots, falcons, camels, forts, mosques, bulls, wadis, fishermen, the seascape, the sunrise, the Hajars and more.

There’s a sense in which everyone’s a photographer these days with mobile phones having amazing camera facilities but when you see Emily’s photos you’ll see why an expert photographer does much more than point and shoot.

There’s a skill in composing the picture, being attentive to lighting and thinking of the way the subject is framed.

About Emily Ray

Emily Ray is a self-taught photographer who resonates with Emile Zola’s declaration: “In my view you cannot claim to have seen something until you have photographed it.”

As her bio indicates, Emily is a seasoned traveller, the Head of the French Department at the Fujairah Private Academy, a cat rescuer, a person who loves to drive 4X4 cars in the desert and much more…

Her various photo galleries indicate something of the wide range of Emily’s photographic interest and expertise—architecture, black and white, close up, fauna, flora, natural world, people, travel and weddings.

Of particular interest to Fujairah readers is the large number of photos on Emily’s web site and Facebook Page that have a Fujairah and Kalba theme. Also check out and LIKE Emily Ray Photography Facebook Page.

Enjoy browsing through the different photo galleries on her web site, leave a message and keep Emily in mind when you want to have photos taken of yourself, your family or some other subject.

Take a Look

The twenty-five photos hanging in the Fujairah Football Club can be viewed in this photo album but they’re best viewed first hand in the gallery.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch with What’s Going on in Fujairah

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

Image: One of Emily Ray’s photos in the ‘Around Fujairah’ collection that is displayed in the Fujairah Football Club.

Directions with Map from Dubai to Fujairah on the New Sheikh Khalifa Highway

Quicker and Safer

The new ‘Dubai-Fujairah Highway has finally opened (3 December 2011), providing a much quicker and safer route between the two UAE cities than previously available.

Fujairah to Dubai

Officially named the Sheikh Khalifa Highway, the road cuts through the Hajar Mountains starting in the Al Hayl area of Fujairah and ending with a junction of the Sharjah-Kalba Road just East of Maleha.

The new highway gives an easier and much more direct path between Fujairah and the Western Emirates, and with three lanes each way and no large trucks allowed, promises a much improved journey through what was previously the most challenging part of the trip to the Eastern Region.

From Dubai to the New Highway

To get to the new roadway from Dubai, one can easily access it using emirates Road, or even more easily by the Dubai Outer Bypass Road if that is convenient.

From Emirates Road

Using Emirates Road, head into Sharjah and shortly after entering, get off at the National Paints roundabout, turning right to take the road toward Maleha. Go straight on the road, passing through the outer industrial areas of Sharjah, and eventually passing the Outer Bypass Road on the way out into the desert toward the Eastern Region.

From Outer Bypass Road

If starting on the Outer Bypass Road, take the exit for Kalba and the Eastern Region. You will immediately pass an ADNOC station on your right.

Maleha Road/Sharjah-Kalba Highway

The Maleha Road/Sharjah-Kalba Highway will take you on a fairly direct path through the picturesque desert, eventually passing through a stony ridge and into the lovely plain occupied by the town of Maleha. You will pass a new ADNOC station at Maleha and an overpass decorated with a large statue of a coffee pot.

Onto the Sheikh Khalifa Highway

About two kilometers after passing the Maleha overpass, you will approach the exit to Fujairah on the right, which then continues with an overpass heading north across the road to cut through the mountains.

Take the new road and enjoy the quick, safe and scenic drive through the Hajar Mountains.

Thanks

Many thanks to Paul Castle for writing this article and providing the map (click on the map to enlarge).

Further

Mick O’Reilly, Dubai to Fujairah in Only 40 Minutes (article and video), Gulf News, 5 December 2011.

Anna Zacharias, New Motorway Will Halve the Journey from Fujairah to Dubai, The National, 4 December 2011.

On the Construction Challenges of Making the Sheikh Khalifa (Dubai-Fujairah) Highway, Gerhard Hope, ‘Site Visit’, Construction Week Online, 29 October 2011.

For traditionalists wanting to take one of the old routes:

Directions from Dubai to Fujairah, FIF, 12 September 2008.

Image: Map of the new Dubai to Fujairah route which is also posted here on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook site if you cannot enlarge the photo on this site.

New Al Saif (Sword) Roundabout Erected in Fujairah on UAE 40th National Day

New Roundabout

It is highly appropriate on the 40^th National Day of the UAE that Fujairah, the emirate of roundabouts, is given a new roundabout with which to celebrate this significant day (2 December 2011) and to remind people of their cultural identity in the days to come.

Fitting Location

The new Al Saif Roundabout has a fitting location standing at the gateway of the iconic Fujairah Fort that has become the site of the Al Saif (traditional sword) Championship for ‘The Crown Prince Award’. This is now in its second year and the sword dancing is taking place over six weeks on a larger arena and in association with many other cultural activities and displays in the Fujairah Heritage Village.

Ancient Art in Modern Championship

In its inaugural year in 2010, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, developed a dream for transforming the ancient Emirati art of almzafin (sword dancing) into a modern competition. What started as a dream in its first year became the biggest and perhaps the most significant event in Fujairah’s calendar.

International Recognition

The Al Saif Championship and this traditional Emirati art attracted international recognition when two Guinness World Records were established on 26 November 2010—the largest youla dance (traditional Emirati dance) when 285 people danced on the sword arena and the highest throw of the saif (sword), when Hazaa Sulaiman Al Shehhi of Dibba, Fujairah, threw his sword 21.275 metres up into the air.

Saif Symbolism

The new Al Saif Roundabout will bring many things to the mind of drivers and passengers as they move around this monument—a new championship that is reviving an ancient Emirati art, a new festival that is attracting huge crowds from Fujairah and the UAE and becoming a significant attraction for visiting tourists, some new world records that are drawing international recognition to Emirati culture and a new sense of patriotism and pride as Fujairah residents and visitors celebrate 40 years of UAE nationhood.

Al Saif Specifications

The newly erected sword might well attain another world record for being the longest traditional sword standing at 15 metres. It is made of stainless steel and is comprised of an 11.48 metre blade, a 2.82 metre decorated handle and a 0.69 metre base.

Roundabout Features

While the rest of the roundabout needed to wait for the sword to be erected before it could be finished, in the next few days there will be a marble pattern created surrounding the saif. Four paved paths will descend to the road and the outside wall will also be covered in marble. There will be four large areas of lawn, each possibly containing a colourful garden.

The giant saif is not too high to create safety problems for drivers craning their necks to see the sword’s tip and it is not too wide so as to obscure both the view of traffic and the Fujairah Fort.

Take a Look

Some photos of the lifting of the blade of the saif into the handle early on UAE 40^th National Day (2 December 2011) are posted in this photo album.

Related

More information about the Al Saif Championship concept and programme can be found at this website of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi and this Al Saif Facebook Page.

Discover What Fujairah is about from its Roundabouts (Coffeepot Roundabout), FIF, 3 September 2010.

The Falcon Roundabout in Fujairah Reminds People of High Values, FIF, 31 October 2010.

Fishing Lures People to Fujairah and Still They’re Getting Hooked, FIF, 14 September 2010.

The Roundabout Architecture of Dibba-Fujairah, FIF Facebook, 19 December 2010.

The Perfume Roundabout (dressed in national colours), FIF Facebook, 25 November 2011.

Geoff Pound

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

Fujairah: ‘The Lungs of the UAE’

His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, called Fujairah ‘the lungs of the UAE’ on a visit to the eastern emirate in December 2010.

Now the Fujairah Municipality has taken up this concept in a new clean up campaign with their billboards declaring, ‘Keep Emirates Lung Clean’.

So the UAE has only got one lung?

One would think the Fujairah Municipality would think the eastern emirate is significant enough to imply that Fujairah has got more than one lung that keeps the entire country refreshed, replenished, healthy, pure and lively.

Happy 40^th UAE National Day to all Fujairah residents and visitors to the ‘lungs of the UAE’!

Related

What Did Sheikh Mohammed Mean by Calling Fujairah ‘The Lungs of the UAE’?, FIF, 14 December 2010.

Geoff Pound

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

Image: Billboard near the new Al Sharq hospital.

Children Compete in Theatrical Plays and Traditional Games at Fujairah Fort

Children at the Centre

It was the wish of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi that the Al Saif Championship and Fujairah Heritage Festival would be an experience for all members of the family, particularly the children.

Judging from this year’s festival, His Highness will not be disappointed as most days there are children at the centre of the stage.

Traditional Plays

One of the contests in which children from different schools in Fujairah are competing is in the presentation of theatrical plays. The plays are all to have a heritage theme and a connection with the 40 years of UAE nationhood.

Six Criteria for Plays

Four judges are at the ready and they are scoring the plays according to these six criteria:

1. How closely the idea of the play and its themes are connected to Fujairah, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Sharqi and the reunion, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi and the union and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi and the development of the union. (30 points)

2. The judges will also be looking for the integration of the technical elements of the play in the way of dialogue, text, songs, imagery and sound effects. (20 points)

3. Performance skills are judged out of 20 points,

4. Decoration are judged out of 10 points.

5. The quality of the Costumes is judged out of 10 points.

6. The cheering of the audience is judged out of 10 points.

Prizes for the Plays

These generous prizes are being awarded by the Crown Prince:

1^st Prize: Trophy and Dhs 15,000

2^nd Prize: Dhs 10,000

3^rd Prize: Dhs 7,000

Traditional Games Criteria

Children from Fujairah schools are also competing in the performance of traditional Emirati games. The criteria against which their activity is being judged includes the following:

+ The extent to which the songs match the music of the games (20 points)

+ Use of equipment and physical performance (20 points)

+ Mastery of performance in the games (20 points)

+ General appearance (10 points)

+ Variety of games (20 points)

+ Applause of the crowd (10 points)

Prizes for Traditional Games

The prizes for the winners are as follows:

1^st Prize: Trophy and Dhs 8,000

2^nd Prize: Dhs 6,000

3^rd Prize: Dhs 4,000

Competition Schedule

The remaining performance dates are as follows:

Theatrical Play Competition: Thursdays 24 November; 1, 15 December

Heritage Games Competition: Saturdays 26 November; 3, 10, 17 December

Come along to the sword arena at the Fujairah Fort and cheer for the children!

Take a Look

Some photos of the children featuring in the traditional games and plays are posted in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

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

New Emirati Ghutrah Released in Fujairah in Time for UAE 40th National Day

National Day Attire

While there are lots of UAE 40^th National Day events it is good to see the release in Fujairah of an Emirati ghutrah (men’s head dress) in the colours of the UAE flag.

Stylish

This head dress is stylish with or without an agal (ropes to hold head dress in place). Made from 100% cotton, it has the words ‘Emirati’ stitched in Arabic and English. Take out the ghutrah from the packet and you will see that the map of the UAE is marked by the red patterns. The framework is coloured in black.

Fujairah Fashion Designer

The ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ has been produced by a Fujairah designer under the fashion label, ‘Sharqi’, the name of the major Emirati tribe in Fujairah and the UAE’s East Coast.

Shailer Soon to Appear

The ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ is the first clothes item that has been released under the ‘Sharqi’ label but the Emirati Shailer (women’s head scarf), also in UAE national colours, is soon to be released.

Availability

The ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ sells at 350 AED. Only one size is available at the moment but more sizes are planned including an ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ for boys.

The ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ can be purchased at various stalls of the Heritage Village at the Fujairah Fort.

You can order it from this phone number: +971 (0) 55 6684528 plus post and delivery costs.

Be in quickly because they are selling like hot cakes.

Appeal

Wearing the ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ on UAE National Day will make a significant fashion statement but after all the celebrations are over this ghutra will continue to be worn with pride on any day and occasion.

The ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ is a terrific gift idea for men who have got everything but be quick. This is a limited edition and in years to come the ‘Emirati Ghutrah’ released on the UAE 40^th National Day will be a collector’s item.

Take a Look

Take a look at how the new Emirati Ghutrah looks in different styles in photos in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

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

G-Force Arts Rocks Fujairah With Sound, Light, Dance and Fireworks

G-Force Arts was hired by the Fujairah Municipality to produce and stage an event for its Sixth Family Festival that was timed as a Fujairah celebration of the UAE 40^th National Day celebration.

The event on Tuesday 29 November 2011, which will be repeated on Wednesday 30 November at 7.30pm on the Fujairah Corniche at the bottom of the main street, did not disappoint.

The Dubai-based events company prides itself on their goal of delivering a ‘flawless execution’ and the evening appeared to go off without a hitch.

Middle Eastern Dance and Music

The event commenced with a group of UAE women doing a stylish hair dance, then continued with a series of dances to rhythmic music performed by troupes from countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, each decked out in their traditional dress.

The performance included a modernized version of a whirling dervish from Egypt and Russian performers dancing with rows of lights.

The rear of the stage was lit with changing, colourful scenes while at the front of the stage there were smoke machines releasing their coloured puffs and cylinders that emitted thunderous flames.

A couple of the musical performances were enhanced with laser lighting that lit up the grassy park on which hundreds of people sat and relished the experience.

The evening concluded with a long and sparkling fireworks display arising from a barge in the water. The lights and explosions could be heard all over Fujairah.

G-Force Arts put on a spectacular and enjoyable outdoor event that was enjoyed by an appreciative multicultural audience.

Recommendations

Take a picnic dinner and get down to the corniche early tonight (Wednesday) to secure a good space for viewing the show and the fireworks (to the right of the stage looking from the road). Watch where you park your car. The corniche road was congested for a long time after the fireworks display.

G-Force Arts is professional and precise. They put on an event that all the family will enjoy.

Thanks

Mabrook! Congratulations to the Fujairah Municipality for hosting an event that was well done, a delight to all the senses and an appropriate celebration for people enthusiastically marking 40 years of UAE nationhood.

Take a Look

Some photos of the G-Force Arts sound and light dance show, plus the fireworks, are posted in this photo album.

Further

Sixth Family Festival Featured in Fujairah Celebration of UAE National Day, FIF, 28 November 2011.

40^th UAE National Day Activities in Fujairah—Detailed Program and Schedule for download in Arabic and English, FIF, 2 November 2011.

Geoff Pound

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

Our Own Fujairah Kindergarten Salutes the Nation on UAE National Day Week

This report about the celebration of UAE National day by some of the very young of Fujairah is written and submitted by Shamsun Nahar Sherin, Class Teacher of Reception 2F at Our Own English High School, Fujairah.

Week Long Celebrations

The week long celebrations for 40 years of Peace and Prosperity concluded on Thursday 17th Nov 2011 on a high note with 'Daddies' sharing information about this beautiful country, UAE, with the classmates of their children.

Awareness and Pride

The awareness of UAE and their pride to be part of this country has grown 100 fold among the children, staff, the parents and the community at large.

Focus

The focus of each activity was the coming together of the school community as a whole with social and civil community. The signal of the success was participation that was at a maximum in every event.

Highlights

The highlights of the week were as follows:

+ Watching parent and child together put their palm (hand) prints on the banner in the colours of the UAE flag.

+ The presence at the kindergarten of people doing UAE crafts.

+ Children dressed in traditional clothes singing their love for UAE while parading in the corridors of Our Own Fujairah.

+ The Special assembly conducted by the IGCSE parents which strengthened our partnership.

+ Building family spirit in 'the traditional food sharing' when Guardians on Wheels (bus drivers and conductors) and Our Hardy Helpers (maids, watchmen & other workers of the school) joined in the celebrations.

+ The delightful date with the fruit of the desert and the Green Coast Nursery Official Partner, Mrs. Bosseineh Khazal.

+ The visit with a token of traditional sweets to the offices of: Ministry of Education, Municipality, Customs, Emirates Court, Fire department, Police Department, Free Zone, Media, Immigration and five neighboring schools. Children sang the 'I love UAE' song and announced 'Our Own Fujairah salutes The Nation' much to the delight of the executive staff in every office.

Congratulations

Bravo, Well done Staff and Students of Our Own Fujairah Kindergarten!!! Happy National Day!

Thanks

Many thanks to Shamsun Nahar Sherin for taking the time to write up what appears to be a very fruitful week in the life of the children and Our Own Fujairah Kindergarten.

Take a Look

Some photos of the students of Our Own Fujairah Kindergarten and special guests who were engaged in the week long UAE 40^th National Day celebrations are posted in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

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