Latest news with #KingsSchool
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Meet UAE kids who recite call to prayer in mosques during summer break
While summer holidays are typically associated with fun and leisure, several Emirati children have chosen to dedicate part of their break to learning and performing the adhan (call to prayer) in mosques across the country, reflecting a deep-seated passion and spiritual connection. Khaleej Times spoke to a group of children who raised the adhan (call to prayer) as part of the 'Mu'adhin Al-Farij' programme. The name 'Mu'adhin Al-Farij' literally means "the neighbourhood's caller to prayer of the neighbourhood". It aims to instil Islamic values in the next generation and foster children's connection to mosques. Among the standout participants is nine-year-old Rashid Khalid Alketbi, a student at King's School in Dubai, whose love for the adhan started early. At just eight years old, he approached the imam at his local mosque and asked if he could perform the adhan himself. The imam agreed, and from that day, reciting the adhan became part of Rashid's daily routine. Passion for adhan "When I heard the imam making the adhan, I asked my mother if I could try. She agreed, and then I went to the imam and asked him. He let me call the Asr adhan, and I felt a sense of calm (like never before)," Alketbi said. Rashid's passion only grew. With his soothing voice and a deep sense of dedication, he eventually joined the Mu'adhin Al-Farij programme. He also had the honour of performing the adhan in front of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Nad Al Sheba Palace. A gifted poet as well, Rashid won first place in a Dubai-wide poetry contest among 1,000 students. His mother, who actively supports his pursuits — from Quran to public speaking to sports — says his enthusiasm for the adhan comes entirely from within. He now trains at Hattrick Football Academy, where Emirati children can bond together in a culturally rooted environment. He hopes to become an official mu'adhin in the mosques of the Emirates one day. He also encourages other children to try it too, saying it brings tranquility and great spiritual reward. Following in his father's footsteps Another young mu'adhin shared his story of how he got started. Inspired by his religious father, Nahyan Abdulla Alfalasi gave his first adhan at home when he was around eight or nine years old. Speaking to Khaleej Times, the 10-year-old said, "The first time I gave the adhan was at home. I used to listen to different mu'adhins and learn from them." He began imitating various mu'adhins and eventually developed his own style, influenced by his favourite reciter, Hamad Al Daghrir, who performs the adhan Makkah's Grand Mosque. "I love his voice. I try to imitate him, but I use my style too," he said. When asked if he feels nervous before making the adhan, he said, "My parents raised me well and instilled confidence in me. What I love most is that my voice is soft and the adhan is accurate." Alfalasi, a student at the Scientific Research School in Dubai, regularly visits a mosque in Al Khawaneej, where his father prays and where he takes Quran and adhan lessons, "I used to go two or three times a week to learn," he said. One of his proudest moments came when he performed the adhan at Zabeel Palace in front of the Dubai Ruler and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan. "I met Sheikh Mohammed first, then Sheikh Hamdan. After I finished the adhan, Sheikh Mohammed told me: 'Your adhan is number one'." He recalled a lighthearted moment during a trip to City Walk with his friends, where they asked him to call the adhan in one of the mosques there. "It was a beautiful feeling," he said. Nahyan has memorised three parts of the Quran and spends his summer balancing Quranic studies with swimming and football. His advice to other kids? "Learn the adhan now, so that one day you can become mu'adhins like me." His mother encouraged him to participate in the programme so that her children would grow up with a strong religious and cultural foundation. "The programme is amazing. It builds character and instils values," she said. She also enrolled her younger son, Tahnoon, who is nine years old. "The goal isn't to win — it's for children to learn, call the adhan at the mosque, and lead prayer in the future," she added. 'Moment of joy' Although the programme is based in Dubai, that didn't stop cousins Tamim and Hassan, from Khor Fakkan, from joining. Tamim Mahmoud Ali, 12, and Hassan Humaid Aldarmaki, 11, joined the programme despite the long travel to Dubai. They trained under Sheikh Younis, the imam of Al Warqaa Mosque. Their commitment paid off — they were selected for advanced training at Al Maktoum Centre due to their talent and dedication. They also performed the adhan at various mosques in Dubai and Khor Fakkan. Tamim, who once battled nerves, said calling the adhan at Umm Al Sheif majlis was a turning point: 'All my nervousness disappeared in that moment of joy.' Hassan, once a quiet imitator of other mu'adhins, now calls the adhan with confidence. He has memorised nine juz' of the Quran, while Tamim has memorised eleven. Both boys also attend classes in Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith and take part in sports, especially football. When asked about their feelings while making the adhan, both described a sense of awe and a deep spiritual connection. They hope to become official mu'adhins in the future and encourage other children to try it for themselves, calling it a spiritually uplifting experience.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Grantham school plans to convert former pub into classrooms
An empty Grantham pub could be turned into a sixth-form centre by a nearby King's School has applied to convert the former Five Bells on Brook Street for use by its Year 12 and 13 its planning application, the boys' school said the revamped space would provide "teaching and study spaces specifically tailored to the needs of older students preparing for A-level examinations and university entrance".It would also be used for offices. Plans include removing the bar area, the cellars and the kitchen and converting them into smaller rooms. The application said "no significant external alterations are proposed" except possibly ramps and door widening to improve bid will be considered by South Kesteven District King's School's former pupils include Sir Isaac Newton and 18th Century Poet Laureate Colley to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai's RTA completes 70% of Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project
DUBAI: Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced the completion of 70% of Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project, extending from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The project is part of a master development plan for Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor, which runs from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road, spanning 16 km in total. It serves several residential and development areas with a population exceeding one million residents. Al Tayer made these remarks during a site tour to inspect progress on the project, which is being implemented in line with the leadership's directives to enhance road infrastructure, and support Dubai's ongoing urban expansion and population growth, ultimately aiming to improve traffic flow and mobility across the city. During the tour, Al Tayer was briefed on the completed phases of Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project, which spans 4.6 km from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the intersection with Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The works include the development of Umm Suqeim–Al Barsha South intersection, near Kings' School, featuring the construction of an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction along Umm Suqeim Street, in addition to a signalised surface-level intersection. Al Tayer added: 'Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor Improvement Project is one of RTA's key strategic transverse (east-west) traffic corridors, designed to enhance integration with vertical (north-south) road corridors. The project complements RTA's efforts to improve connectivity between four major arterial roads in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It is designed to increase the corridor's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road by 61% from 9.7 minutes to just 3.8 minutes. The corridor serves several major residential and development zones, including Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park, with a total population exceeding one million residents.' Al Tayer was also briefed on the deployment of smart technologies for monitoring road projects across the emirate. Drones are being utilised to capture and analyse project progress data, with artificial intelligence employed to track construction milestones and performance indicators. This integrated approach has enhanced operational efficiency on-site, accelerated decision-making processes, and enabled the provision of real-time, high-precision data. The adoption of these technologies has also resulted in 100% increase in field presence and 60% reduction in the time required for site surveys. In parallel, time-lapse imaging systems are being used to continuously monitor construction activities, contributing to 40% improvement in overall project monitoring efficiency. In 2013, RTA completed Phase I of Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project, which covered the section between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. The works included the construction of two bridges, each featuring three lanes in both directions, the first crossing the eastern street parallel to Al Asayel Street, and the second crossing the western street parallel to First Al Khail Street. The project also included two signalised intersections at Umm Suqeim Street's junctions with Al Asayel Street and First Al Khail Street, along with three pedestrian bridges to facilitate safe crossing between Al Quoz and Al Barsha. In 2020, as part of the bridges and roads development project for Dubai Hills Mall, RTA opened a main bridge along Umm Suqeim Street at the intersection with the entrance to Dubai Hills and Al Barsha South. The 500-metre bridge has four lanes in each direction and a capacity of 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.
The National
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Umm Suqeim Street development pushes on as Dubai traffic increases
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced on Sunday that the project to cut congestion on Umm Suqeim Street, from the intersection with Al Khail Road to the junction with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road, is another step closer to completion. The project, which is now 70 per cent under way, is part of a master development plan for the Umm Suqeim-Al Qudra corridor, which runs from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road, spanning 16km in total. It serves several residential and development areas with a population exceeding one million residents. The project includes the development of the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Al Barsha Street to the south, just by Kings School Al Barsha, building an 800-metre-long four-lane underpass, plus a surface intersection controlled by a traffic light. The intention is to increase the number of vehicles that can use the road to 16,000 an hour in both directions, cutting the journey time between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road by 61 per cent. The RTA said this will make the journey 3.8 minutes long, instead of the typical 9.7 minutes now. Residential areas set to benefit from the upgrade include Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park, with an estimated population of more than one million. Dubai's roads are getting busier, with the emirate's toll operator recently reporting more vehicles on its system, increased journeys and surging profits. Salik said the number of registered active vehicles, including motorcycles, increased 9.3 per cent year-on-year to 4.47 million. There was a 7.3 per cent increase in registered drivers for the same period. According to the Ministry of Interior, 383,086 new driving licences were issued in 2024 and Dubai's Statistics Centre population clock showed 3.93 million recently – up from 3.73 million on the same day last year. There are a multitude of projects taking place around the emirate to handle the influx of new residents. Two months ago, a Dh6 billion agreement between the RTA and Dubai Holding meant that popular locations will be improved to make traffic flow more seamlessly. Bridges – both pedestrian and vehicle – will be developed and new roads built as part of the deal to improve access to five Dubai Holding developments: Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Production City, Business Bay, Palm Jumeirah, and International City. Dubai's Railbus project was announced this year at the World Governments Summit. It was revealed that technical studies on the project would take two years and the new network would complement the metro and tram networks. In October, authorities said that Dubai's Trade Centre Roundabout, connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with five main roads, will be upgraded as part of a Dh696 million project which will include five bridges spanning 5,000 metres in total and turned into a bridged intersection. In November, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, approved a five-year plan to transform the road network across the emirate. The plan includes 21 projects spread across 12 residential, commercial and industrial areas, with 634km of new roads costing Dh3.7 billion. In December, Dubai released a map of its proposed new road network that will improve traffic flow to 19 residential areas, including Al Barsha and Jumeirah. The project, which will cover a total length of 11.5km, will cut travel time by up to 40 per cent, the RTA said. The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. The Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040 estimates the city's population will have risen to 5.8 million by 2040. Currently, the Dubai Statistics Centre estimates the population to be 3.8 million. In September, two major bridges were opened in Dubai as part of a project to cut journey times at the Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road junction, to the south of traffic-logged Dubai Marina. The first can now accommodate 3,200 vehicles an hour and the second has capacity of 3,200 vehicles an hour. The project was completed the following month with the opening of a third bridge connecting the junction of Garn Al Sabkha Street with Al Asayel Street. This crossing spans nearly a kilometre and was designed to handle 8,000 vehicles per hour. Meanwhile, the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project, which encompasses a 13km area including Sheikh Rashid Road, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street is still continuing with a budget of Dh5.3 billion. It serves Deira and Bur Dubai, in addition to nearby areas such as Deira Islands, Dubai Seafront, Dubai Maritime City and Port Rashid.
Arabian Business
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Business
Dubai traffic to ease: Umm Suqeim street project achieves 70% completion with AI-enhanced monitoring
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed 70 per cent of the Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project, which extends from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, according to Director General Mattar Al Tayer. The project forms part of a master development plan for the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor, spanning 16 kilometres from Jumeirah Street to Emirates Road. The corridor serves residential and development areas housing more than one million residents, the Dubai Media Office said in a statement. Dubai RTA completes 800-metre tunnel construction in Umm Suqeim street upgrade Al Tayer announced the progress during a site tour to inspect the project, which is being implemented following leadership directives to enhance road infrastructure and support Dubai's urban expansion and population growth. The current phase covers 4.6 kilometres from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Works include development of the Umm Suqeim–Al Barsha South intersection near Kings' School, featuring construction of an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction along Umm Suqeim Street, plus a signalised surface-level intersection. 'Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra Corridor Improvement Project is one of RTA's key strategic transverse (east-west) traffic corridors, designed to enhance integration with vertical (north-south) road corridors,' Al Tayer said. The project enhances connectivity between four arterial roads in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. The corridor will increase capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce travel time between Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road by 61 per cent from 9.7 minutes to 3.8 minutes. The project serves residential and development zones including Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, Dubai Hills, Arjan, and Dubai Science Park, with a total population exceeding one million residents. AI-enhanced road monitoring increases Dubai infrastructure project efficiency by 40% RTA has deployed smart technologies for monitoring road projects across the emirate. Drones capture and analyse project progress data, whilst artificial intelligence tracks construction milestones and performance indicators. The technology has enhanced operational efficiency on-site, accelerated decision-making processes, and enabled provision of real-time, high-precision data. The adoption has resulted in a 100 per cent increase in field presence and a 60 per cent reduction in time required for site surveys. Time-lapse imaging systems continuously monitor construction activities, contributing to a 40 per cent improvement in overall project monitoring efficiency. In 2013, RTA completed Phase I of Umm Suqeim Street Improvement Project, covering the section between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road. Works included construction of two bridges, each featuring three lanes in both directions. The first crosses the eastern street parallel to Al Asayel Street, and the second crosses the western street parallel to First Al Khail Street. The project included two signalised intersections at Umm Suqeim Street's junctions with Al Asayel Street and First Al Khail Street, along with three pedestrian bridges facilitating safe crossing between Al Quoz and Al Barsha. In 2020, as part of the bridges and roads development project for Dubai Hills Mall, RTA opened a main bridge along Umm Suqeim Street at the intersection with the entrance to Dubai Hills and Al Barsha South.
