Eid Al Fitr Commences in the UAE on Tuesday

Monday the 29 August 2011 is the last day of Ramadan and Tuesday the 30 August 2011 is the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

The UAE moon sighting Committee sighted the Shawwal moon and made their announcement while fireworks blasted and lit up the sky all around Fujairah to confirm the news and add a celebratory note.

Locations

"Earlier it has been reported that His Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Fujairah will perform Eid prayer at the Fujairah Grand Eid Mussala. Along with him, Sheikhs, senior officials and citizens will perform the prayer."

The full list of mosques and prayer grounds where Eid prayers will be offered in Fujairah tomorrow is listed in the Gulf News at this link.

Timings

Eid prayers in Fujairah commence at 6.15am.

Eid prayers in the other emirates are at the following times according to the Khaleej Times:

Abu Dhabi……………………. 6.16 am

Dubai………………………….. 6.20 am

Sharjah……………………….. 6.17am

RAK…………………………… 6.16 am

UAQ…………………………… 6.16 am

Ajman…………………………. 6.17 am

Eid Mubarak!

Congratulations to all those who have participated in the activities of the holy month of Ramadan.

Best wishes and blessings to you in these days of Eid.

Geoff Pound

Local Tourist Guides Needed for Fujairah

Local Guides

A recent letter received from James in Florida reads:

“I cannot find any site to book the local guides. Either I am searching [incorrectly] but [I] only come up with guides out of Dubai. Any tips?”

FAQ

Unfortunately this inquiry is a frequently asked question. There are Emirati guides at the Fujairah Museum and Bidya Mosque but no local guides who are trained and able to take tourists around Al Fujairah.

Small Tours

Another tourist from the USA writes:

“We will be stopping for one day in November while on a cruise beginning in Dubai.”

“Though the ship has shore excursions, we don't relish the thought of being crammed on a bus with our shipmates and hauled around the region.”

There is a need for small and intimate tours, tailor-made to suit the needs of individual tourists.

Cruise Ship Tourism

With the cruise ship experience becoming increasingly popular and Fujairah being one of the stopping off places (from October to May) there is a great business opportunity waiting to be filled by local, knowledgeable guides.

Geoff Pound

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

Tag and Release Sailfish and Other Billfish in Fujairah Waters

Earlier articles on this site about the ‘massacre’ of sailfish in Fujairah waters and the need to impose fish limits with effective policing have led to inquiries about how people can participate in the tag and release programme.

Established fishing charter companies that operate from Dubai and Fujairah such as Soolyman Sportsfishing are part of ‘The Billfish Foundation’, which is American-based and one of the most recognized in the world.

It would be good if local fishing tackle shops supplied the tagging poles, tags and information forms needed to participate in this venture. If they already do, these shops need to publicize and promote these facilities in the UAE.

In the meantime, regular fishermen who have been hooking sailfish might do well to sign up with ‘The Billfish Foundation’ and participate in this worthwhile global cause.

Why the Billfish Foundation is Important

Check out this video to understand what the Billfish Foundation does to conserve the billfish populations worldwide.

This fisherman tells how the tagging and release programme works.

Credit

Thanks to UAE fisherman, Jarrod Isles, for researching this issue.

Further

Fish Prices Shoot Up in Fujairah, Khaleej Times, 12 July 2011.

One Dirham a Day at Fujairah Marine Club Gets All these Benefits, FIF, 1 May 2011.

UAE Must Impose Fish Limits and Policing Programme, FIF, 9 March 2011.

Fishing in Fujairah—Encounter With a Sailfish, FIF, 25 November 2011.

Geoff Pound

Click on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page to get more Fujairah news and photos.

Image: Preparing to tag and release a sailfish.

Where Does the Anglican Church Meet in Fujairah?

FAQ

This is a ‘Frequently Asked Question’ especially at the beginning of a new semester.

What Is It?

The Anglican Church in Fujairah (also called St Nicholas Church) is part of The Dubai and Sharjah with the Northern Emirates, which in turn is part of the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf.

The church is registered and recognized by the UAE government.

Leadership

Since the 1970s worship has been held in homes and other venues when services were presided over by the minister of the Holy Trinity Church in Dubai. In more recent times the Fujairah Church has had its own minister/chaplain/pastor.

The current minister is Rev. Peter Chase whose major responsibility involves leading the work of the Flying Angel ship, part of the Mission to Seafarers.

His phone number is: 0504586957.

Services

Services of worship are held on Friday evenings from 5-6pm. Between 20 and 40 people attend and in semester time there are activities with children that run concurrently with the services.

While coming under the umbrella of the Anglican Church, those attending come from many different branches of the Christian church and the services are interdenominational in flavor.

Location

Worship services are held in a building on Fujairah’s main street, Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Street. It is on the right side as you drive from the direction of Dubai. It is opposite the ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank), which is just before the ADNOC Petrol Station. Half way along the alleyway (between the Puranmal Restaurant on the right hand side and a curtain shop on the left) there are steps and an entrance to the left.

Alternatively if you park behind this building in the car park, approach the alleyway to the left of the Al Maha Supermarket.

Enter the building. Take the stairs or lift (elevator) to the First Floor. As you come out of the lift turn left (away from the main street) and the apartment is at the end on the right hand side. It is No. 101 and there is a sign saying, ‘Mission to Seafarers: St. Nicholas Chapel’.

Find it on Google Map

Check the location out on Google Maps.

Link

The Dubai and Sharjah with the Northern Emirates website (this appears to be still under construction).

Geoff Pound

Image: Peter Chase on board one of the oil tankers in Fujairah waters.

‘I’ll Come and Fix it Today, Insha Allah!’

The technician said, “I’ll come and fix the problem sometime today, Insha Allah.

The expression, ‘Insha Allah’, is used by people of different cultures and faiths around the world but one hears it many times a day in the UAE.

Translated, ‘God willing’ or ‘if it pleases God’, the term is a helpful reminder of the many factors in our decision making and planning that are outside our control. For the believer it is an expression of hope that submits personal plans to the One who knows whether such schemes and schedules will be beneficial for us and the common good.

The down side of ‘Insha Allah’ is when it is used as an excuse for laziness and procrastination. It gives us an out and the stamp of divine approval makes it harder for others to challenge our slackness and inefficiency.

The technician didn’t turn up yesterday.

Did God have better plans for him? Did Allah think it was character building for me to spend more time with faulty equipment? Or did the guy simply not get around to the task because he was tired and apathetic?

Hopefully the technician will come today, Insha Allah.

Geoff Pound

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

Image: The Arabic phrase, ‘Insha Allah’.

Fujairah’s Sheikh Maktoum Graduates from Sandhurst Academy

Well Done!

Congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi who graduated last week (12 August 2011) from England’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

Sharing in the significant occasion were his father, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, his brothers, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah and His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi and a number of sheikhs, dignitaries and diplomats.

Prestigious Training

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst has been based in Surrey since 1947 and was established to train officers chiefly for the British Army. Approximately 10% of all cadets at the Academy come from overseas and the UAE has a tradition of sending their finest leaders to Sandhurst for training.

The Commissioning Course is taught over 48 weeks and covers military, practical and academic subjects alongside sport and adventure training.

In addition to developing army officers the Academy has the broader aim of being “the national centre of excellence for leadership.”

166^th Sovereign’s Parade

Last Friday’s ceremony was the 166^th Sovereign’s Parade at the Academy and General Sir David Richards, General Chief of the Defence Staff represented Her Majesty the Queen and served as the Reviewing Officer.

The Sovereign Parade is regarded as the “grandest day in the Sandhurst calendar” when family, friends and VIPs gather before the Old College Square to watch the cadets take part in their final challenge. During the ceremony the cadets are commissioned and special medals are awarded.

Paying Tribute

Sheikh Maktoum has publically acknowledged his indebtedness to his “father, teacher and first supporter, His Highness Sheikh Hamad, from whom he has learned leadership, excellence and love of competition.”

Community Leadership

Although based in Sandhurst, Sheikh Maktoum has been intimately involved with the Maktoum Championships which he created and has sponsored for the last four years. This annual sporting competition is one of the biggest tournaments in the UAE and in this and other capacities, Sheikh Maktoum has already done much to encourage a wide diversity of sporting activities throughout Fujairah and the UAE’s East Coast.

Passion Sportsman

Sheikh Maktoum is passionate about sport, especially for the values that competition develops and for the way it brings together people from widely differing backgrounds.

New Technology

Over the years Sheikh Maktoum has exhibited a gift for technology and a desire to communicate using contemporary methods. He has a website and a newly created public Facebook Page which hosts a number of photo albums offering some glimpses into his life and training at the Sandhurst Academy.

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum

Website

Public Facebook Page for Maktoum Al Sharqi مكتوم الشرقي

Public Facebook Page for Maktoum Championships.

Related

Fujairah Celebrates Graduation of Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah in Focus, 30 November 2011.

New Photos of the Fujairah Royal Family, Fujairah in Focus, 30 December 2010.

Graduation of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Fujairah Observer, June 2008.

Geoff Pound

Check out many more Fujairah news items, photos and videos on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Outside England’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Hamad Al Sharqi, in military uniform, with his father, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi (left) and His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamad Al Sharqi (right). Photo courtesy of the Facebook Page of Maktoum Al Sharqi.

Fujairah News Over the Summer 2011

Been away from Fujairah over the summer?

New to Fujairah and are wondering what’s been going on?

Here are some of the headlines and links to those events and issues in Fujairah, UAE that made the news from approximately mid-June to mid-August 2011.

Items are listed in rough chronological order under each category and the list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Some quick observations:

• A lot has happened in Fujairah in recent weeks—new buildings, businesses and policies.
• The biggest category relates to crime and punishment.
• Drug use appears on the rise or has captured the attention of the police.

Royal News

• Sheikh Hamad inspects construction projects in Fujairah. Link.
• Fujairah Ruler sends condolences to King of Bahrain. Link.
• Fujairah Crown Prince sponsors Port and Beach Cleaning along Fujairah Coast. Link.
• Further on Sheikh Mohammed’s passion for diving and commitment to keeping the coast clean. Link.
• Crown Prince meets with UAE President. Link.
• Oman’s Sultan welcomed by Fujairah dignitaries. Link.
• Fujairah Ruler greets King of Morocco on anniversary of his accession. Link.
• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Visits Fujairah Hospital. Link. Video Link.
• Fujairah Ruler receives Ramadan well wishers. Link.
• Ruler and Crown Prince attend Sheikh Maktoum’s graduation at Sandhurst. Link.

Accidents, Fires, Injuries, Rescues, Fatalities

• Two killed, four injured on Fujairah Roads. Link.
• Fujairah building on fire (17 June 2011). YouTube video links One.
• Fire burns Al Hail factory. Link.
• Man searching for wild honey fell from mountain and died. Link.
• Four rescued after being lost at sea off Fujairah. Link.
• Missing Fujairah fishermen keep calm and cook curry. Link.
• Driver dies as car hits truck in Fujairah. Link.

Business, Development & Economy

• New Damas store, Les Exclusive Boutique in main street. Link.
• Chemoil expects Fujairah oil storage expansion complete by Q3 2012. Link.
• IPIC’s oil refinery in Fujairah is significant says OAPEC as the refinery is planned to have a capacity of up to 200,000 barrels per day. Link.
• Emarat completes terminal for storing and distributing petrol products. Link.
• SouqExtra! opens in Merbah. Link.
• OW Bunker Middle East relocates to Dubai due to rapid bunkering growth at Fujairah. Link.
• UAE investing in Northern Emirates. Link.
• Fuel shortage impacts on Fujairah fuel market. Link.
• Growing UAE exports to China flow out of Abu Dhabi to Fujairah oil pipeline. Link.
• Rent prices stable in Fujairah. Link.

Sport

• Women’s football includes players from Fujairah. Link.

• Development of tennis with Fujairah Tennis and Country Club linking with Tennis Emirates in recruitment and training of young players.
• Sport fishing in Fujairah. Video. Link.
• Great turnout for Fujairah badminton tournament. Link.
• Ironman to commence triathlon across UAE from Fujairah. Link.
• Boxing potential in UAE. Link.
• Maktoum Champs underway in Fujairah. Link.
• Ruler and Crown Prince receive boxers at the palace. Link.

Hotels

• Special UAE hotel promotions at Fujairah hotels. Link.
• Two new hotels and more hospitality jobs in Fujairah. Link.
• Radisson Blue Resort under new management and brand. Link.
• JAL baffled by decision to give away Fujairah contracts. Link.

Crime and Punishment

• Three imprisoned and fined for drug use. Concern over use of drugs by young people as young as eleven. Link.
• 15 years jail for attempted murder. Link.
• Thieves get a year behind bars before being deported. Link.
• Exorcists cause death of their patient and get 2 year spell in prison. Link.
• Murder victim’s kin seeks Dh800,000 to drop case. Link.
• 23 arrested for taking narcotics. Link.
• Smartcard to prevent abuse of prescriptions for narcotics. Link.
• 11 Fujairah firms fined for flouting midday rule. Link.
• Rising drug use in Fujairah. Link.
• 3 salons fined, hair dye seized. Link.
• Father of murdered youth seeks justice. Link.
• Money exchange employee takes Dh10,000 from his company. Link.
• Four years for drugs. Link.
• Hotel waiter jailed for bomb hoax. Link.
• Drink/drug driving lands 14 months in jail. Link.

Shipping and Cruises

• New ship, Serenade of the Seas to visit Fujairah 2012. Link.
• Fujairah on 7 day Arabian Adventure cruise (2012) by the ship MSC Lirica. Link.
• The visit of the Costa Favolosa with 3,800 tourists to Fujairah. Link.

Marine Life

• Preserving Fujairah’s reefs are boosting fish stocks. Link.
• Coral reef planted off Khor Fakkan. Link.

Honored

• Fujairah’s Dr Christophe Tourenq wins award for contribution to environmental awareness and was a key player in Wadi Wurayah being designated a protected area. Link.
• 84 people plus Fujairah Crown Prince honored for excelling in medical services. Link.
• Crown Prince honours graduates at IAT and Abu Dhabi’s CP for setting up IAT across UAE. Link.

New Policies

• New guide released on labour laws in UAE. Link.
• Stricter regulations regarding waste landfills. Link.
• Boats without tracking devices face stiff penalties. Link.

Scenery, Tourism

• Great photo article on the delight’s of Snoopy Island. Link.
• Visiting the Fujairah Museum. Link.
• Surge of GCC visitors to UAE. Link.
• Fishing, diving, bull butting and spa in Fujairah. Link.
• Video: Swimming at Wadi Wurayah. Link.
• Bull Butting in Fujairah. Link.
• Escape the heat with an underwater adventure. Link.
• Weekend break options include Fujairah. Link.

Education, Training and Research

• Fujairah science student scores 99.9% and other top students. Link.
• Some words from top students. Link. Further report.
• An Australian Hospitality Training company is setting up a training business in Fujairah that will train hospitality professionals and grant a worldwide qualification. Link
• Inter-Cultural Intelligence is important to Fujairah Women’s College (HCT). Link.
• Research project developed by Fujairah school. Link.

Religion

• 15 new mosques for Fujairah in 2011. Link.
• Video interview of RAK and Fujairah residents about Ramadans in the summer in the days before refrigerators and AC. Link.
• Ramadan in August 1978. Link.

Ramadan

• Bus Timings to Fujairah during Ramadan. Link.
• Fujairah Ruler pardons 42 prisoners. Link.
• 220,000 to benefit from Ramadan charity projects in Fujairah. Link.
• Food safety ramped up in Ramadan. Link.
• Etisalat staff to work two shifts during Ramadan. Link.
• Cheap rice a gift from UAE President. Link.
• UAE leaders exchange Ramadan greetings. Link.
• Fujairah lecture ‘Don’t limit prayer only to Ramadan.” Link.
• Ramadan hours in Freezones. Link.
• Ramadan food market a big hit. Link.
• Fasting should be longer for mountain dwellers. Link.

Lifestyle and Culture

• Surviving the summer heat in the desert in the days before air conditioners. Link.
• Village near Masafi runs out of water. Link.
• Earthquake activity in the UAE and the bid to build safer buildings and communities. Link.
• Business School Director loves diving in Fujairah waters. Link.
• The deserted village of Wamm. Link.
• Indonesian expat network in Fujairah. Link.
• UAE’s leading oud player comes from Fujairah. Link.
• Fujairah to feature in UAE wildlife TV series. Link.
• Fujairah student contributes to painting digital picture of fort. Link.

Weather

• Fujairah reaches 46 C degrees. Link. And 47 C. Link.
• Floods in Fujairah. Link. Also in Kalba. Link.
• Rain falls in Fujairah early in Ramadan. Link.
• Heat and Humidity continues. Link.

Health, Hospitals

• Inauguration of Fujairah Hospital’s new Centre for Cardiac Catheterization and Thalassemia Centre. Link.
• Ban on midday work in summer heat. Link.
• Fujairah hospitals inspected to meet accreditation standards. Link.
• GMC hospital receives two year accreditation. Link.
• Fujairah food poisoning campaign. Link.
• UAE PM visits Fujairah Hospital. Link.
• Service of medics lauded by UAE PM. Link.
• Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors (ATLS) Provider Course to be held in Fujairah. Link.
• UAE health services in decline. Link.

Conferences and Festivals

• Crown Prince opens Fujairah’s National Summer Programme. Link.
• Summer heritage camp visits Sharjah Museum. Link.

Population

• Emirati population in Fujairah (2010): 64,860 of which 32,486 are male and 32, 374 are female. UAE’s total native population in mid 2010: 947.997 which represents 11.4% of total population (8.264 million). Link.

Photos

• Fujairah fort. Link.
• Old Fujairah stamps for sale. Link.
• One week in Fujairah. Link.
• The bulls are coming. Link.
• Scenes of Bithna Fort. Link.
• UAE photos (including one of Fujairah) in the New Yorker. Link.
• Fujairah from space in 3D. Link.

Environment, Flora and Fauna

• Celebrating Wadi Wurayah. Link.
• Unsafe crusher closed down. Link.
• Three more quarries closed down. Link.
• Fujairah recorders involved in annual bird census. Link.
• Bird habitats threatened. Link.
• Largest solar panel plant in UAE based in Fujairah has no market in own country. Link.
• Regulation soon to monitor ground water use in Fujairah. Link.
• Fujairah factory is only place in UAE where plastics can be reprocessed but supply is insufficient despite too much plastic in landfill. Link.

Transport, Roads, Rail, Ports, Airlines

• Road refurbishment in Al Hail industrial zone. Link.
• Trains selected for UAE rail that will serve Fujairah. Link.
• Can the Gulf support its ports including Fujairah port? BBC Video. Link.
• Does the UAE need another airline? Link.
• Eastern Express hopes to fly between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi. Link.

Politics

• Fujairah electoral rolls published for Federal National Council. Link.
• Awareness programme for Electoral College members. Link.
• Fujairah women and the national polls. Link.
• Registration commences for UAE elections. Link.

Shopping, Food, Retail, Business

• Fish prices shoot up in Fujairah. Link.
• Lulu Express opens in Fujairah. Link.
• MD of Fujairah National Group speaks of ongoing projects and future development of the emirate of Fujairah. Link.
• Fujairah mango, date and lemon farmers participate in Liwa Date Festival. Link.
• Growing mangoes and lemons in Fujairah. Link.
• Fresh fish treats and especially blue lobster from Fujairah. Link.
• High power and water revenue from Fujairah 2 Plant. Link.

Geoff Pound

Lots more Fujairah news and views on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Image: Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, the Crown Prince of Fujairah, sponsored a clean up event along the coast at Mirbah.