150 Taekwondo Referees Meet in Fujairah for International Training

Gathering in Fujairah

Approximately 150 taekwondo referees from all over the world arrived at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel last night and the opening ceremony and seminar got under way this morning (Friday 10 February 2012).

This event is being held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah.

Seminar Leadership

The Taekwondo Poomsae International Referees Seminar will run for four days (10-14 February 2012) under the leadership of Grand Master Kyung Chan Kim, a World Taekwondo Federation International Poomsae Referee Instructor and Vice Chairman of the WTF Poomsae Committee. Kim is regarded as something of a legend among the taekwondo community. The Grand Master is assisted by Dr. Jung-Heon Kim, Professor and Chair of the Department of Taekwondo at Korea’s Yongin University.

The Grand Master welcomed the delegates to the seminar and then they stood in groups, according to their taekwondo ranking and introduced themselves and the country that they represented.

Welcome to the UAE!

At the opening ceremony, Fakhruddin Abulmajid, Secretary of the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association, welcomed guests to the UAE and wished them a successful seminar.

He also presented a gift to seminar leader, Grand Master Kyung Chan Kim from Mr. Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Marzouqi, President of the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association.

Welcome to Fujairah!

Eid Fairuz Al Mesmari, the Manager of Fujairah Boxing and Taekwondo, extended guests a special welcome to Fujairah and expressed the hope that they might not only have a successful training event but also get the time to enjoy the delights of this eastern emirate.

Practical Instruction

As the seminar got under way in one-third of the Concorde’s Layalina Ballroom, through the sliding doors in this spacious facility, the mats were being laid in preparation for the instructors to be able to give some practical training.

Dream Come True

Asked how he felt at seeing the Fujairah conference centre filled with taekwondo personnel from all over the world, Eid Fairuz Al Mesmari said:

“This is like a dream come true. For years I have had a dream of having the international taekwondo community seeing my emirate of Fujairah. It is a small thing having 150 taekwondo referees in my home emirate but this seminar is a start. The UAE is a central, accessible place for people coming from Europe, Asia or Africa and Fujairah is a wonderful and economical centre in which to hold conferences and championships. I hope there will be more and more events like this in Fujairah in the days to come.”

Making Contacts and Sharing Ideas

Eid Mesmari also said he was excited for his own players and coaches in the UAE for having the chance to meet many people from the Taekwondo community from all over the world. He added:

“This gives to them valuable contacts, significant friendships, important experience and the opportunity to learn from one another. It helps them to feel that they are part of something much bigger than their own club or federation.”

Paying Tribute

Mesmari paid tribute to the patron, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, for extending the warm hospitality of this emirate to the international visitors and for his generosity that makes possible the holding of this event.

Take a Look

Some photos from the opening morning are posted in this photo album.

Further

International Taekwondo Referees Seminar Hosted in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 9 February 2012.

Palestinian Media Praise the Generosity of the Fujairah Crown Prince, FIF, 7 February 2012.

Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship to be Held in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 2 February 2012.

International Training Courses for Taekwondo Referees Hosted in Fujairah, FIF, 31 January 2012.

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 14 June 2010.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

International Taekwondo Referees Seminar Hosted in Fujairah, UAE

Taekwondo Seminar

Referees are arriving in Fujairah from all over the world to participate in the Taekwondo Poomsae International Referees Seminar that is being held at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel, 10-14 February 2012.

High UAE Interest

The seminar, which is organized by the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association and Supervised by the World Taekwondo Federation, is attracting lots of interest from local referees in the UAE who are seeking to be qualified to referee international competitions.

International Input

The Fujairah seminar will have a great deal of international input with lectures and seminars that will be taken by approximately 150 referees who are arriving from different parts of the world.

The guest list includes, K. Kim, Secretary of the International Referees Committee, Kim Kyung, Vice President of the Poomsae Committee at the World Taekwondo Federation and Ku Min Juan, who will supervise the lectures.

Schedule

Lectures and seminars commence on Friday 10 February at 9.30am and will continue until 14 February 2012.

Friday’s opening session will be attended by Mr. Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Marzouqi, President of the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association, along with other members of the association.

Venue

All lectures, seminars and workshops will be held in the Layalina Ballroom of the Concorde Fujairah Hotel.

Related

Palestinian Media Praise the Generosity of the Fujairah Crown Prince, FIF, 7 February 2012.

Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship to be Held in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 2 February 2012.

International Training Courses for Taekwondo Referees Hosted in Fujairah, FIF, 31 January 2012.

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 14 June 2010.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

6 Reasons Why the X-Cat Powerboat Race in Fujairah Will Be Well Worth Watching

At a Press Conference this week, several reasons were given as to why 12-13 April in Fujairah should be marked on your calendar and kept free for watching the X-Cat Powerboats do battle out from the Fujairah Corniche.

Reason #1: History

While the Fujairah International Marine Club is well experienced in hosting boat races, this is the first time that Fujairah is hosting one of the heats for the X-Cat series (formally known as Class III). Be part of history in the making!

Reason #2: Final Race

The heats will already have been decided in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah but Fujairah has the honour of hosting the crucial final heat.

As they say in sport and in many other spheres, ‘It’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings’! Anything can happen, especially in extreme sports, so there’ll be lots of national and international interest to see who wins the final heat and the overall X-Cat Powerboat World Series Championship 2012.

Reason #3: Ocean Race

When asked at the press conference what is distinctive about the Fujairah race, Managing Director of the FIMC, Major Ahmed Ibrahim (pictured below), immediately responded: “This race is being held in the ocean!”

“Racing in the ocean is completely different from racing in the Gulf. The conditions are different and perhaps more challenging and unpredictable.”

Reason #4: Fujairah Personality

Mr. Mohammed Hareb (pictured below), Race Supervisor at the Dubai International Marine Club, said that every venue has its own personality and Fujairah, with its distinctive mountains and seascape, makes for a wonderful environment in which drivers and spectators can have an enjoyable two days of sport. Powerboat drivers enjoy the Fujairah conditions and the Fujairah hospitality.

Reason #5: Spectator Access

Head of logistical requirements, Mr. Pascoali (pictured below), from Lake Como in Italy, said the 5 nautical mile course in Fujairah has been arranged so that the drivers will have a variety in terms of water in the ocean and water within the ‘banana’. He said, “The water is always rougher in Fujairah than on the other courses so this will be different for drivers and more exciting for the spectators.”

The Fujairah course (pictured) extends from the Marina down to the Hilton Hotel so spectators will be able to line up all along the corniche. They will get superb views of the boats as they reach speeds of 120 mph, they will certainly hear the throaty sounds of the motors and will possibly get a strong whiff of the petrol fumes!

When asked if spectators will be able to get a view from the breakwater that encircles the ‘banana’, Major Ahmed said they are seeking permission from the Fujairah Police to do this.

Reason #6: Spectator and Driver Security

Mr. Sid Ahmed, the General Secretary of the World Professional Powerboat Association (pictured below), said about the issue of seating the public around the ‘banana’, that there is a fine balance between giving superb spectator viewing and ensuring spectator security. “We have to bring sport to the public,” said Mr. Ahmed, “but we need to do this without lowering the high standards that we have established over the years in terms of security.”

Mr. Sebastiano, Safety Officer for the series (pictured below), added:

“The race must be absolutely safe. We will have qualified rescue teams on hand and all aspects of the race course have been studied in detail to ensure that it is as safe as it can be for driving teams and spectators.”

Further

More details and photographs, as they come to hand will be posted on the following pages:

X-Cat Fujairah 2012, Facebook Page.

Fujairah International Marine Club, Facebook Page.

X-Cat Fujairah 2012 on Twitter.

X-Cat Fujairah Web Site.

Geoff Pound

Keep Up with Fast-Changing Fujairah

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

Palestinian Media Praise the Generosity of the Fujairah Crown Prince

Many Palestinian media outlets and sporting communities commended the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, for paying the full expenses of the Palestinian team to participate in the Arab Junior Taekwondo Championships, to be held in Fujairah from 20-23 February 2012.

After a recent media conference at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel, in which Eid Fairuz Al Mesmari, the Manager of the Fujairah Boxing and Taekwondo, paid tribute to the practical support of the Crown Prince, including this generous gesture to the Palestinian team, an article printed by a Fujairah News was republished by local and Arab media, including many in the Palestinian media.

The article entitled, ‘Fujairah Crown Prince Takes Care of All Expenses of the Palestinian Junior Taekwondo Delegation and Honors Them’, was reprinted, along with commendations of the Fujairah Crown Prince, by Al Quds, the Ma’an web site, Palgoal sports website and others, many of which printed the news on their front pages.

Further

Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship to be Held in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 2 February 2012.

International Training Courses for Taekwondo Referees Hosted in Fujairah, FIF, 31 January 2012.

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 14 June 2010.

Timetable

Download your copy of the timetable for the Taekwondo Championships and related events from this link.

Geoff Pound

Image: News about the generosity of the Fujairah Crown Prince has appeared in newspapers and website like this one: PALGOAL.COM

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

Firm and Clear Rating Standards to be Applied to Fujairah Hotels

New Hotel Standards

The classification rating (3, 4, 5 stars) of some Fujairah hotels might change as they come under the soon-to-be-accepted standards that are being adopted by the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA).

Hotel Guests to Benefit

While some hotel owners will no doubt be disappointed if they lose their current rating, hotel guests will be the ones who benefit from the firmer and clearer standards that are being adopted and enforced by the FTAA.

The new standards will soon be publicized and will form the basis of the regular inspection of hotels that is conducted by the FTAA. Following each inspection, the hotel will be informed of any deficiencies and then given adequate time to address these before their classification is either confirmed or changed.

Emirate Exchange

Yesterday (5 February 2012) the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority hosted a delegation from Dubai’s Department of Tourism, Commerce and Marketing at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel.

The meeting was arranged in accordance with the policy of exchanging experience and expertise among various agencies and across the emirates of the UAE.

Classification Categories and Standards

The meeting addressed the Classification Act for hotel facilities in Dubai, outlining the set conditions and standards for different categories and levels (3, 4, 5 stars etc.).

As each emirate has had their different classification standards, the Dubai delegation was asked to comment on the hotel classifications set by the FTAA and how the concepts might be applied practically, in accordance with the size and development of hotel services in Fujairah.

Applying Concepts

As a way of moving from theory to practice, the visiting delegation and Fujairah hosts treated the Concorde Fujairah Hotel as a ‘pilot’ hotel to establish a benchmark. They inspected the facilities of the Concorde, discussing the essential standards that enable it to be rated as a five-star establishment.

Personnel

The visiting delegation from Dubai included HE Majid Al Marri, Director of Classification and Licensing, Mr. Nasser bin Qatami, Head of Hotel Inspections and Mr. Marwan Al Abdullah, Classification and Customer Service.

The Fujairah hosts included, HE Ahmed Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chairman of FTAA, Mr. Saeed Samahi, Director of the FTAA, board members HE Ahmed Ibrahim and Mr. Patrick Antaki, and FTAA staff member responsible for PR and Classification & Inspection, Ms. Mozah Yamahi.

Hotel Rooms and Tourists Increasing

Patrick Antaki recently told the Fujairah Observer (28 January 2012) that the number of hotel rooms in the emirate of Fujairah will increase to an estimated 4.500 units by next year.

He said that Fujairah currently had 2,777 rooms and 698 hotel apartments and the expected room additions are set to increase the number of tourists to a million tourists a year from the current estimate of 750,000.

Geoff Pound

Image: Members of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority hosting a delegation from Dubai’s Department of Tourism, Commerce and Marketing at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel.

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

Crown Prince Urges Melbourne’s RMIT Researchers to Return to Fujairah, UAE

For two weeks a university research team from Melbourne’s RMIT University, undertook 3D laser scans of some of the important cultural, tourist and historic landmarks.

They met several times with the management of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) to explore possibilities of an ongoing partnership between RMIT and the FTAA.

During their stay the team met His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, to introduce their research and to share some of the work they had undertaken at the Fujairah Fort, Al Bidya Mosque and the Bithna Fort.

His Highness welcomed the team, thanked the delegation and invited them to return to Fujairah to continue their important work.

RMIT News

More information has been posted on the RMIT website:

RMIT Team Works in UAE, RMIT, 3 February 2012.

Further

RMIT University and Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Exploring Partnership, FIF, 23 January 2012.

Aussie University Team Explores Partnership With FTAA, FIF Facebook Photo Album, 23 January 2012.

Geoff Pound

Image: Ahmad Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chairman, Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority, Dr. David Silcock; His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith and Mohamed Al Hassani.

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

Fujairah Chapter of Emirates Natural History Group is Launched

The Emirates Natural History Group—Fujairah (ENHG-F) was launched on the first day of February 2012 with mingling and dringling, the cutting of a cake logoed with an Arabian leopard, a welcome speech by the Director of the HCT—Fujairah and an introduction from Acting President, David Edwards, illustrated by slides of some of the best images of the emirate’s natural history.

HCT Venue

Approximately 60 people gathered for the festive launch in the rotunda of the Fujairah Men’s College, which, thanks to the generous provision of the HCT, will serve as the regular venue for the monthly meetings of the new group.

Crown Prince as Patron

David Edwards paid tribute to His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, thanking him for his interest in the new group and his willingness to serve as patron.

Edwards stressed the critical importance of local involvement, including his invitation to Sheikh Abdulla bin Suhail Al Sharqi to serve as honorary chair of the new group.

Helpful Network

David Edwards stated that the Fujairah group is a chapter of the UAE Emirates Natural History Group, the first chapter of which was established as early as 1976. The ENHG is the oldest NGO that deals in environmental issues in the UAE and as such is “an active and progressive forum for experts and enthusiasts.”

It was fitting that Brien Holmes, former chair of the ENHG-Al Ain, was present at Fujairah’s history-making evening, as he and other members of the ENHG, including Peter Hellyer, Keith Taylor (Abu Dhabi), Gary Feulner (Dubai) and Brigitte Howarth (Al Ain), have already been an enormous resource to the fledgling organizing committee in Fujairah.

Fruitful Feedback

About half of the group ventured upstairs to the library for the business part of the evening, in which David Edwards distributed an ENHG-Fuj Membership Form (see download links below) for people to signal their commitment and an ENHG-Fuj Interest Form for people to indicate the topics they are interested in learning about at the regular meetings and places they would like to visit on the field trips.

Communication Challenges

Sheikh Abdulla bin Suhail Al Sharqi looked around the room and asked, “Where are the local people?” He expressed the hope that Emiratis would be active participants in the new group (including students from Colleges like HCT). He also mentioned that we all have much to learn from older Emiratis who are rich in the knowledge of the traditional customs and the natural history of Fujairah.

Moza Al Kendi, student at the HCT—Fujairah Women’s College and currently doing work experience with the Al Khaleej newspaper, said that many of her family and friends would currently find it difficult to participate in this new group because the communication (at the meetings and publicity) is in English. David Edwards noted these points as major items on the agenda for the next meeting.

Environmental Challenges

Discussion flowed concerning some of the challenges of educating people to refrain from painting graffiti on the rocks at Wadi Wurayah and cutting down acacia trees at Wadi Hayl.

Just as the mood was spiraling down at talk of the inevitably of environmental vandalism, the youngest member at the gathering, Manelle McInroy, took to her feet and said, “There’s enough of us here to help stop this. If we really want to, we can make a difference!”

The gathering received Manelle’s words with hearty applause and the chairman felt that at this positive word (from his daughter), it was an appropriate time to finish the historic meeting.

Get Involved

If you have not filled in a Membership Form (no fees until later in 2012) download your copy at this link and email it to David Edwards: dedwards@hct.ac.ae

Indicate the topics you would like to hear about at the regular monthly meetings and the places you’d like to visit after downloading the Interest Form at this link. Again please email your completed form to David Edwards: dedwards@hct.ac.ae

Take a Look

Some photos taken on the night by several photographers, including Jude Fernando from HCT, are posted in this photo album.

Link

Check out the various pages and resources of the Emirates Natural History Group.

Further

Natural History Group Pledges to Show the Real Fujairah, The National.

Emirates Natural History Group—Fujairah Commences 1 February 2012, FIF, 25 January 2012.

Geoff Pound

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

Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship to be Held in Fujairah, UAE

Junior Champs

The Organizing Committee of the Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship held a press conference (1 February 2012) to announce the details of the championship to be hosted in Fujairah on 20-22 February 2012.

Crown Prince the Patron

The Championship is being held under the generous patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah,

Organizers

The championship is organized by the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association, in cooperation with the Fujairah Boxing and Taekwondo Club, which is under the supervision of the Arabic and International Taekwondo Alliances.

Spokesmen

The press conference was attended by Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Marzouqi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Association, Duaij Al Raissi, Vice President, Fakhruddin Abdul Majid, Secretary of the Association, Eid Fairuz Al Mesmari, the Championship’s Manager and Mohammad Ishak, General Coordinator of the Championship at the Fujairah Concorde Hotel.

Many Goals

Nasser Abdul Razzaq Al Marzouqi, President of the UAE Taekwondo Association, stated that this championship will accomplish a lot of goals, such as contributing to the dissemination of the Taekwondo sport in Fujairah and improving the level of the national taekwondo team through creating opportunities for contact and exchange of technical expertise. One of the hopes is that participants will come to enjoy the tourist attractions of Fujairah and the UAE outside the hours of the competition.

Venue

Organizers and participants will be staying at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel.

Al Marzouqi added that the championship will be held at the sports stadium in Mirbeh (Merbeh) and will bring together junior teams aged 14-17 years for young men and women.

Participating Countries

The participating countries include Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Iraq, Yemen, Kuwait, Palestine, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Tunisia and Algeria. Both Saudi Arabia and Sudan send their apologies and will not have any teams participating. No word has been received as yet from Mauritania, Somalia, Oman and Comoros Island.

UAE Has Strong Showing

The UAE is participating in the male and female categories. There will not be UAE women in every weight category because it is the first time the UAE has participated in the junior female categories and there are not the numbers of young women for each weight division.

Why Fujairah?

When asked why Fujairah was chosen as the venue, Al Marzouqi spoke of the policy of his federation to share the various locations in order to strengthen the sport in every region and city. He also said that the Crown Prince of Fujairah had been thoughtfully and practically supportive in every way towards the hosting of the tournament.

“Fujairah is no stranger to such championships,” said Al Marzouqi. “It has organized many championships and tournaments in the past because of the care and patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah and the Crown Prince, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi.”

Crown Prince’s Creative Generosity

Al Marzouqi commended the role of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, for his support and generous patronage of many championships and sporting events.

His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah has given directives to honor the best Arab male and female taekwondo players who are retired but who have achieved international success.

The Crown Prince also gave directives to honor the best former Arab judge in coordination with the Arab Taekwondo Alliance.

In this tournament for the first time there will be an Honor Prize for the best Arab male and female competitor.

Evaluating Taekwondo in UAE

Duaij Al Raissi, Vice President of the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Association said, “The head of the Competition Committee at the International Taekwondo Alliance, Mr. Philip Bodo was invited to evaluate the level of taekwondo in the UAE including the organization of the championship.”

Associated Training Seminar

Al Raissi pointed out that there will be an international training seminar for taekwondo referees before the championship from 10-17 February 2012.

Experienced Referees

The Arab Junior Taekwondo Championship will be refereed by twenty of the best international Arab referees, headed by Moroccan referee, Yousif bin Ali. There will be three international Emirati referees participating in the championship: Khalid Khalfan Al Miqbali, Rashid Faraj Al Alili and Zayed Khalifa Al Suwaidi.

Crown Prince Pays for Palestinian Team

Eid Fairuz Al Mesmari, the Championship’s manager, expressed his joy in organizing this championship in the UAE and especially in Fujairah. He thanked His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, for paying all the costs of the Palestinian participants in the championship and for his constant support of the sport of taekwondo.

First for Daedo at UAE and Arab Champs

Mohammad Ishak, the general coordinator of the championship, stated that this will be the first time in the UAE and Arab Championships where the latest electronic equipment (Daedo) will be used. Daedo is a chest protection gear for the players and it keeps scores electronically. The recapture of scenes will also be used during the matches to help referees.

Timetable

Download your copy of the timetable for the Taekwondo Championships and related events from this link.

Take a Look

Some pictures taken during the press conference are posted in this photo album.

Related

International Training Courses for Taekwondo Referees Hosted in Fujairah, FIF, 31 January 2012.

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 14 June 2010.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, Fujairah and ‘Getaway Tourism’

In a recent interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said that he likes to sleep in the desert alone every ten days to live like a Bedouin.

Much of his poetry comes from these evenings in the desert but probably most of his visionary ideas arise from these hours of solitude.

Solitude and Quiet

One of the most helpful lectures on leadership was given on this topic of Solitude and Leadership, a speech that stressed the value of being alone with your thoughts to renew your vision and passion.

One of the most read articles in the New York Times in recent days has been on a similar theme. Entitled, ‘The Joy of Quiet’, Pico Iyer writes about the contemporary yearning to disconnect (even from the Internet!), ‘the urgency of slowing down’ and the essential need to find time and space for oneself.

Fujairah—The Getaway Emirate

You may not have a desert resort in which to pitch your tent every ten days but Fujairah for many in the big UAE cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, represents a getaway place.

The road trip (even shortened by the new express road) provides the transition stage that helps people to disconnect from their harried lives and heightens their yearning for quiet and rest.

Fujairah is an attractive place with the distinctive landscape of mountains and coastline, all of which is conducive for individuals and teams of people who seek quiet, refreshment and a new vision. No wonder His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, called Fujairah ‘the lungs of the UAE’.

The eastern emirate might have an increasingly bright future in ‘getaway tourism’ for people who are seeking to follow in the footsteps of leaders like His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Related

HH Sheikh Mohammed and the Arab Spring, CNN, 27 December 2011.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch With Fujairah

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

Image: His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, watching birds in the desert (Credit: The Media Office of His Highness).

Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah Moving Towards Completion

July 2012 is the date declared for the completion of the second largest mosque in the UAE.

It is located behind the main street of the city of Fujairah, at the back of a row of hotels and banks.

The mosque is said to be the size of three football fields, is able to hold 28,000 worshippers, with 13,500 in the main prayer hall.

It is only as one stands near the building that one gets a sense of how grand this mosque is already and how awesome it will be upon completion.

The expansive courtyard will have fountains and palm trees to create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to come, linger, enjoy the calm and build relationships.

The new mosque will be a place where all people may attend and in this regard it will be an attraction for fascinated tourists as well as faithful worshippers.

Mosque Mapping

Check out Fujairah’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque on Google Maps. Since this map was created in June 2010 more than 10,000 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 (1 February 2012) of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah are in this photo album.

Further

Latest Photos and Report on Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, FIF, 28 October 2011.

Check out the Progress of Fujairah’s New Mosque, FIF, 28 October 2010.

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

Keep in Touch with Fujairah

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

International Training Courses for Taekwondo Referees Hosted in Fujairah

At a recent press conference, officials from the UAE Taekwondo and Karate Federation announced that an international training seminar would be held in Fujairah for Taekwondo referee accreditation.

The press conference was held at the Concorde Fujairah Hotel which will be the venue for the international training event.

Mohamed Fekry, General Manager of the Concorde Fujairah Hotel, said that his hotel exists to support the community of Fujairah, so the hosting of this local and international event is yet another important step in the fulfillment of this vision and passion.

Training Seminar

The seminar to train referees at the top standard will be held from 10-14 February 2012 and 150 participants are expected to gather from many different countries of the world.

The sessions will run from 9am-12.30pm and 2pm to 6.30pm.

Local taekwondo players will be used for the trainee referees to demonstrate their aptitude.

Literature Conference

Following this seminar a literature course will be held at the same venue with many of the same attendees. Approximately 165 people are expected to undertake the literature course, to be held 15-17 February 2012. This course will involve knowing with excellence the international Taekwondo Rule Books.

Driving Force

Eid Mesmari, manager and instructor of taekwondo in Fujairah, is the driving force behind this event. Thanks to his passion and the generous patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, the sport is steadily increasing in popularity and skill and these training events signal another milestone for the eastern emirate.

Take a Look

Some photos of those addressing the press conference are posted in this photo album.

Related

Taekwondo is Growing Steadily in Fujairah, FIF, 14 June 2010.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch with Fujairah

The emirate of Fujairah is growing by 10,000 people every year and in this last year it has a new express road, a new Carrefour, four new shopping malls under construction, the much-talked about oil pipeline and plenty more.

Stay in touch by joining the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page—lots more news, resources, information and photographs.

Where are the Restaurants in Fujairah and the UAE that Serve Emirati Food?

There’s a provocative article in ‘The Daily Beast’ and 'Newsweek' today (30 January 2012) about the Emirati Chef, Ali Ebdowa, who is bringing Bedouin cooking into his stylish restaurant in Abu Dhabi.

Annia Ciezadlo writes:

“There is one cuisine that is hard to find in the Emirates, that is conspicuously absent from its hotels and restaurants and increasingly from its home kitchens and that is Emirati.”

As head chef at Meziai (at the Emirates Palace), ‘one of the only upscale restaurants that serve Emirati food’, Ebdowa is trying to bring back desert cooking to contemporary UAE. The article explains how he is seeking to do this.

+ Where are the Emirati restaurants in Fujairah, the emirate that is aiming to boost local heritage as one of its tourism attractions?

+ Where are the Emirati chefs in Fujairah and the UAE?

+ Why has the labour policy of Emiratization had little effect on those who cook and serve tables in the restaurants of the UAE?

Link

Annia Ciezadlo, Haute Bedouin Cuisine With Mezlai’s Ali Ebdowa, The Daily Beast/Newsweek, 30 January 2012.

Geoff Pound

Keep Up With the Ever Changing Emirate

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

The UAE According to the Human Rights Watch Report 2012

Every year, for the last 22 years, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has published a World Report summarizing the condition of human rights in more than 90 countries and territories throughout the world.

‘Arab Spring’

HRW has just released their 2012 report and within it there is an article on the ‘Arab Spring’ that has created opportunities both for change and oppression.

UAE and Human Rights

The UAE is ranked and featured in the HRW Report 2012. Read the changes listed and the rationale given.

A news conference was held in Dubai on 25 January 2012 at which the report was launched and a statement made about the state of human rights and the UAE in this last year. Here is a brief report on the UAE.

Download the HRW World Report 2012

The 676-page World Report can be downloaded from this link.

Check out the country you are from and read the issues raised.

Have a look at the thematic essays and videos available from this link.

Geoff Pound

Keep in Touch with Fujairah

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