
UAE President follows up on Emirati pilgrims' wellbeing
His Highness congratulated the pilgrims on completing their pilgrimage and on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, wishing them continued good health.
Call with head of Pilgrims Affairs Office
The call was made to His Excellency Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, and Head of the UAE Pilgrims Affairs Office.
Praise for Saudi Arabia's Hajj services
The UAE President praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the exceptional services and facilities it provides to ensure the comfort and safety of pilgrims throughout the Hajj.
Appreciation for presidential support
Dr Al Darei expressed his deep appreciation for the President's thoughtful gesture and his ongoing commitment to following up on the needs of UAE citizens, both at home and abroad.
Continued support for Pilgrims Affairs Office
He also thanked His Highness for his continued support of the Pilgrims Affairs Office, which enables the team to deliver comprehensive services and ensure a smooth and safe Hajj experience for all Emirati pilgrims.
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Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Hamdan bin Mohammed reviews outcomes of Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Program
4 Aug 2025 18:52 DUBAI (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, affirmed that the leadership places the highest priority on strengthening family values and fostering social cohesion, while ensuring that all necessary resources and support are made available to build a thriving and prosperous Emirati the outcomes of the Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Program, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed emphasised that Dubai's development vision has always placed people at its very in September 2023 by the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai to empower Emirati families and reinforce social stability through a comprehensive set of initiatives, the programme facilitates a host of benefits, including avenues for psychological and social support, financial literacy, and direct assistance in meeting housing and other expenses incurred by new Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed applauded the success of the Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Program in reinforcing the foundations of social stability by supporting and empowering Emirati families through a series of integrated and high-impact initiatives. The programme aligns with the expansive vision outlined for various social empowerment programmes and their role in creating a lasting positive impact that supports the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda review of the programme is part of ongoing efforts to monitor the social empowerment agenda and ensure that various initiatives aimed at advancing those goals achieve sustainable impact in line with Dubai's strategic Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, 'The programme reflects our deep commitment to empowering our youth and supporting them in building a future that matches their aspirations. A stable family denotes a fundamental pillar in the development and progress of societies. We are committed to providing every prerequisite for young people looking to start a dignified family life – including suitable housing, financial support, enhanced employment opportunities, and expanded social care initiatives. We believe that investing in families is an investment in the nation's future, and we will continue working to provide a wholesome environment that ensures well-being and stability for all.'Praising participants in the programme, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, 'We commend the determination of the youth who have chosen to begin their family lives based on a clear foundation of awareness and responsibility – setting a proud example for a generation that knows how to shape its future through willpower, hard work, and initiative.'The Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Program has contributed to a significant increase in marriage rates among Emiratis. The Dubai Weddings initiative recorded a 218 percent increase in participation during 2025 compared to 2024, with the number of weddings held to date exceeding 700. Marriages facilitated through the Dubai Weddings initiative accounted for 27.7 percent of all marriages registered in the results also indicated that the largest demographic of beneficiaries consisted of men aged between 26–30 and women aged between 20–25. The programme also recorded an impressive 95 percent beneficiary satisfaction programme offers extensive education and training sessions for couples as part of efforts to ensure the long-term success of marital relationships. Among notable highlights are Start it Right, a course promoting awareness of marital rights and effective approaches to foster mutual understanding; Family Financial Culture – Dubai, which focuses on sound financial planning; and How to Build Your Home, which offers guidance on smart and viable housing programme's benefits extend beyond education, offering tangible solutions that meet real-life needs. It offers full coverage of wedding costs for both men and women when the ceremony is hosted in CDA-approved venues. It also facilitates priority access to ready-to-move-in housing through easy instalment payment schemes. Among other benefits are exclusive discounts on medical services, wedding essentials, jewellery, magazines, and travel. Another advantage comes in the form of a loyalty card under the Esaad programme that offers various community perks. There is also a remote work provision for newlywed female employees following maternity of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, emphasised that the Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Family Program reflects the vision of the leadership in placing family at the core of sustainable development. She noted that strengthening Emirati families is fundamental to building a cohesive and happy stated, 'The programme's achievements are a source of pride. True investment starts within the Emirati household. Seeing young families embark on a key phase of life and welcoming new members into their families under the umbrella of this initiative proves that we are creating not just statistics, but real stories of secure and thriving beginnings.'From awareness to empowerment, and from financial to housing support, we are offering a complete ecosystem that supports families at every stage of their journey. This aligns with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and reinforces the city's role as an ideal environment for starting a family and building a future.'Thanking Her Highness Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, for her generous patronage of the initiative, Buhumaid said, 'Dubai Weddings is more than just a scheme providing assistance – it is a gesture rooted in compassion and community spirit.'Through this initiative, Her Highness Sheikha Hind has touched the lives of countless youths, helping them start on the path of family with confidence and clarity. This initiative brought the true essence of social responsibility to life,' she said, reaffirming the Authority's commitment to continuously enhancing the programme through strategic partnerships, positioning it as a leading model for family empowerment and sustainable social development.


Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Israel orders diplomatic staff in UAE to evacuate, citing 'heightened security risk'
Israel is evacuating most of its diplomatic staff from the United Arab Emirates after the National Security Council (NSC) updated its travel warning for Israelis in the Gulf state, according to local media. The move comes after Israel reportedly recalled its ambassador to the UAE, Yossef Avraham Shelley, when the Emirates said it was no longer willing to accept him due to "undignified" behaviour at a bar. On Thursday, Israel's NSC warned of possible attempts to target Israeli and Jewish people in the UAE, "especially around Jewish holidays and Shabbat". The council, which oversees issues related to foreign affairs and national security, has linked the move to "concerns about retaliatory attacks" following Israel's 12-day assault on Iran in June and growing international isolation over its onslaught on Gaza, which many countries and human rights groups have now described as genocide. The UAE established formal diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, becoming the third Arab state to do so, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. In 2022, the two countries also signed a free trade agreement. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Since June 2022, the UAE has operated direct flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, and tourism and business ties have grown. Israeli officials maintain that the UAE is one of the safest places for Israelis. However, in March, three people in the UAE were sentenced to death over the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi, Zvi Kogan. The current NSC warning points towards growing tensions. Earlier this week, the Emirati authorities lodged diplomatic complaints against Shelley, the Israeli ambassador, over three separate incidents. Israeli media reported that Shelley behaved inappropriately on multiple occasions and clashed with Emirati security personnel. The Times of Israel reported that UAE officials felt that Shelley crossed 'a huge red line" at a bar in Abu Dhabi and acted in an 'undignified' manner. Recognition of Palestinian state Meanwhile, international pressure on Israel over its war on Gaza grows. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday announced that the United Kingdom will recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza. On the same day, 15 western countries, led by France, stated their willingness to move towards recognition of a Palestinian state. On Wednesday, Canada's prime minister, Mark Carney, similarly announced his intention to recognise the state of Palestine at the next UN General Assembly, which was followed by Portugal. Several Middle Eastern countries also joined in a call for "a sovereign and independent Palestinian state". International human rights organisations, including two major Israeli groups, have stated that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The United Nations' Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has cited evidence that "worst-case scenario of famine" is unfolding in Gaza due to the Israeli-imposed blockade on aid.


Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Houthi attacks scramble Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port ambitions
Saudi Arabia has bet billions of dollars on the Red Sea ports as part of its bid to diversify its economy away from relying on energy, but the Houthis' maritime attacks have dealt a blow to those ambitions. Container ship traffic at Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Port dropped nearly 70 percent from 188 ship calls in 2023 to 59 in 2024, according to data shared with Middle East Eye by Marine Traffic, a ship tracking and maritime analytics provider. This year has seen just a slight uptick with 51 container ships arriving to date. When King Abdullah Port opened in 2014, it had two purposes. The kingdom believed the port was well-placed on Red Sea trade routes to profit off transshipment, where goods are unloaded from big vessels and reloaded onto smaller ones for their final journey. Saudi Arabia also wants the port to serve as the entry and exit point for its King Abdullah Economic City, where it is trying to entice foreign companies to open up factories. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The huge drop in traffic mostly reflects a drop in transshipment business, as international shipping companies avoid the Red Sea in response to the Houthis' attacks, two port executives in the region told Middle East Eye. 'Business at King Abdullah Port is so bad the owners couldn't sell the container terminal if they wanted to,' one port executive in the region told MEE. The port is owned by a company linked to the Emirati property developer Emaar and Huta Marine Works. The kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2021 purchased a 25 percent stake in Emaar The Economic City. 'The Red Sea is the most important dimension of the Vision 2030 plan' - Robert Mogielnicki, Arab Gulf States Institute Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Islamic Port also saw a drop in traffic, which the two port executives attributed to the Houthi attacks, albeit with much less impact than at King Abdullah Port. The port saw a 14 percent drop in container ship traffic, down from 400 vessels in 2023 to 344 in 2024, according to Marine Traffic data. The executives say business has held up better at Jeddah Islamic Port because it is a primary gateway to the western half of the kingdom for imports, as opposed to transshipment. But executives say that container ships avoiding Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, particularly those arriving from Asia, are making port calls at King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam on Saudi Arabia's Eastern coast instead. 'BYD vehicles destined for Saudi Arabia are going to Dammam. Not the Red Sea Ports. It's safer,' one executive told MEE, referring to the Chinese electric car maker that is capturing market share in the Gulf. The Houthis began targeting ships in the Red Sea in November 2023, in what they say is solidarity with besieged Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Egypt has borne the brunt of the Houthi attacks economically. The Suez Canal is a critical source of foreign exchange revenue for the cash-strapped government in Cairo. Traffic has dried up as vessels plying trade between Asia and Europe reroute around Africa's Cape of Good Hope to avoid encountering the Houthis. Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast The rewiring of Saudi Arabia's port business underscores how the Houthi attacks are having unintended knock-on effects for Riyadh as well. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 aims to reduce the country's reliance on energy by tapping into tourism and manufacturing. The plan has a geographic component that intends to focus the weight of Saudi Arabia's non-oil dependent economy on the Red Sea coast, for both luxury hotels and factories. How BlackRock and an Italian shipping dynasty are upending Middle East's port business Read More » 'The Red Sea is the most important dimension of the plan for developing untapped potential - especially non-oil and gas related,' Robert Mogielnicki, a resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, told MEE. "In terms of the countrywide transformation, the Red Sea coast is extremely important,' he said. As far as ports go, Saudi Arabia's bid to be a new trade stop on the Red Sea faced headwinds from overcapacity. In recent years, it joined the UAE and Egypt in a port-building boom, hoping to make easy money off transshipment. Executives say there is simply not enough trade to match the infrastructure. More seriously for Saudi Arabia, projects like Neom are being scaled back amid weak foreign investor interest and lower oil prices. The Houthis' attacks have become another irritant. The Houthis stopped attacking vessels in January when a short-lived truce between Hamas and Israel was in effect in the war in Gaza. Israel unilaterally withdrew from the ceasefire in March, and the Yemeni group started firing missiles at Israel, although they refrained from maritime attacks. But the group resumed their operations earlier this summer, dramatically attacking and sinking two Greek-owned ships. Vessel owners, who make more money when their ships travel on longer journeys around Africa, have been reluctant to return to the Red Sea. US President Donald Trump began a widespread bombing campaign against the Houthis earlier this year. Saudi Arabia lobbied him to stop the attacks before his visit to the Gulf in May, MEE revealed at the time. In a visit to Washington, DC, earlier this summer, an Egyptian intelligence delegation told US counterparts the only way to stop the Houthi attacks is to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and that there was no appetite to resume military operations, an Arab diplomat told MEE.