Latest news with #MAYSIBRAHIM
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
How UAE residents grow pockets of green in unexpected urban spaces
26 June 2025 23:08 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)In the alleyways behind shops, along the fringes of industrial zones, and beneath the drip of air-conditioning units, small gardens are quietly flourishing across cities in the UAE. Polish photographer Anna Jopp has turned her lens toward these unassuming patches of greenery, often improvised and tended by hands rarely seen. Her latest work, 'On Gardening,' now on display at the 'Cartographies, Revised' exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat, is a visual study of how plants survive and thrive in urban spaces across the Emirates. 'It started with the obvious; the decorative green areas planted along streets. But, very quickly, I became fascinated by what was growing in unexpected places,' Jopp shared with Aletihad in a recent interview. From a few potted flowers placed outside a corner shop to makeshift vegetable gardens tucked between warehouses, Jopp's images document the subtle human impulse to nurture nature.'I wanted to look at how people express a love for gardening out in the open in public, informal, and often unnoticed ways,' she explained. That might mean a cluster of planters on a busy sidewalk, or vines trained up the side of a residential building. In industrial areas, Jopp found fruit trees and vegetables growing in plots tended by workers. In some cases, irrigation systems were ingeniously improvised such as plants positioned to catch water dripping from AC pipes.'What I learned is that even in a very big city, people very often want to be connected to nature, and it can be done for them in the form of parks or little squares with trees,' Jopp noted.'But I found that people have this universal need to take care of something - in this case, plants. People want to be working with their hands, cultivating plants, and taking care of the green areas around them. It's one of the ways you can create a sense of home wherever you are.'The 'On Gardening' series is part of the Photography Studio's four-month residency programme in Abu Dhabi, which hosted seven emerging artists. Jopp says the mentorship she received helped her go beyond aesthetics and think critically about the message behind her work.'At first, I wanted to photograph every plant I saw,' she said. 'But through the fellowship, I began to focus on what story am I trying to tell? What does this add to my larger body of work? How am I growing as an artist?'Now, as she prepares to move to Fujairah, Jopp is already thinking about her next project within the emirate's rich farming heritage and proximity to the mountains.'I want to understand the landscape better; the people, the plants, how gardening happens in that part of the country,' she said. 'And also, how climate change and rising temperatures are changing the way people grow things and care for nature.' 'Cartographies, Revised' runs daily at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, from 10am to 8pm until September 1.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE remains world's top destination for migrating millionaires
26 June 2025 01:03 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The UAE has retained its position as the world's leading destination for wealthy migrants, with approximately 9,800 millionaires expected to relocate to the country this year, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025. This figure surpasses the US, which ranks second with an anticipated 7,500 new wealthy arrivals by Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing wealth magnet, projected to welcome 2,400 new millionaires in 2025, buoyed by a surge of returning nationals and foreign investors settling in Riyadh and Jeddah. 'If one reviews the fastest-growing wealth markets in the world over the past decade, it is noticeable that most of these countries are either popular destinations for migrating millionaires - such as Montenegro, the UAE, Malta, the US, and Costa Rica - or emerging market tech hubs like China and India,' Andrew Amoils, Head of Research at New World Wealth, said in a statement. 'This demonstrates the importance of millionaire migration in driving new wealth formation in a country.'A record-breaking 142,000 millionaires are expected to relocate internationally this year. The UK is expected to lose a staggering 16,500 millionaires in 2025 - more than double the anticipated net outflow from China, which stands at 7, the 2016 Brexit referendum, the UK has shifted from a net magnet to a net exporter of wealthy individuals, the report noted. Affluent individuals are relocating to tax-friendly jurisdictions such as the UAE, Monaco, and Malta, as well as lifestyle havens including Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Switzerland. High-earning executives are increasingly choosing expanding wealth hubs like Dubai, Florida, Milan, St. Julian's, Lisbon, the Athenian Riviera, Zug, and powerhouses France, Spain, and Germany are also expected to experience net millionaire outflows for the first time in 2025, with projected losses of 800, 500, and 400, respectively. What Makes UAE a Wealth Magnet The UAE is expected to see strong demand from regions and countries like the UK, India, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The country's appeal is enhanced by its long-established tax-free environment and attractive Golden Visa programme, according to the report. Launched in 2019, the UAE's Golden Visa programme grants long-term residency — up to 10 years — to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialised talents, offering stability and security to wealthy migrants and their families. In May 2025, the UAE introduced five new categories for Golden Visa eligibility, including healthcare professionals, educators, digital content creators, e-sports professionals, and luxury yacht owners.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
‘One second can make a difference': How mandatory Hassantuk fire alarm enhances Abu Dhabi's life-saving emergency response
25 June 2025 01:32 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The installation of the 'Hassantuk' wireless fire safety system is mandatory for all residential homes in Abu Dhabi, the emirate's Civil Defence Authority confirmed during a press conference on Colonel Hassan Al-Kathiri of the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) said homeowners who fail to comply will face penalties. A first warning will be issued to non-compliant residents, followed by a fine of Dh1,000 if the system is not installed within the prescribed grace to perform regular maintenance on the system is also considered a violation that comes with a Dh500 penalty after an official warning.'The primary goal of Hassantuk is to achieve a response faster than the danger,' Lt. Colonel Al-Kathiri said. 'One second can make a difference in saving lives. Hassantuk can alert you to danger in fractions of a second, enabling swift evacuation before firefighting and rescue teams arrive.'Hassantuk, introduced in 2018 and powered by Etisalat (e&), is part of a nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Interior, aiming to improve emergency response and make the UAE one of the safest countries 24/7 fire alarm system is integrated with Civil Defence Command Centres across all emirates, allowing immediate alerts and faster dispatch of emergency has become a core part of the building licensing process, according to Hussein Al-Harthy, Acting Director of Construction Business Regulation.'The Hassantuk system must be installed after the building permit is issued but before the completion certificate and occupancy. From day one, the system must be operational,' Al-Harthy Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, CEO of Government and VIP Sector, Etisalat UAE (e&), emphasised the company's commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi's strategic vision of becoming the world's smartest and safest emirate.'The system doesn't just detect fire, it pinpoints its exact location within the house, enabling more efficient emergency response,' he initiative is supported by ADCDA's strategic partners in the emirate, including the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Abu Dhabi Social Support Authority (ADSSA), and Etisalat (e&).Qasim Al Hashmi, Executive Director of Beneficiary Affairs at the ADSSA, stressed that raising public awareness of fire risks and preventive methods is a crucial part of the authorities' role. How to Sign Up for HassantukSubscriptions for the service can be completed through the Hassantuk platform, after which Etisalat employees visit one's home to assess the number of devices required and handle the full installation of the system, Al-Ahmad explained. According to the Ministry of Interior's website, the 12-month subscription plan costs Dh416.85 with an additional Dh1,000 upfront installation charge. The 24-month plan is priced at Dh233.10 with the same Dh1,000 upfront fee. Alternatively, residents can opt for a one-time payment of Dh5,903.10, which includes VAT. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
7 days ago
- Al Etihad
Surge in UAE staycations as residents postpone overseas holidays amid global travel woes
24 June 2025 00:15 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)With geopolitical tensions disrupting global air traffic, many UAE residents are putting travel plans on hold and turning to domestic staycations as a safer, more convenient is among those shelving overseas holiday plans. She had initially considered a summer getaway to Europe with friends but ultimately decided against it due to the risk of flight cancellations. Instead, the 22-year-old Emirati and her friends - group of 10 - are booking a private villa with a pool in Abu Dhabi's Al Bahya area. 'There are still so many ways to enjoy summer here,' she told Aletihad . 'A day at a villa can cost between Dh700 and Dh1,000, and over Dh1,500 if we're staying overnight, but it's worth it for the privacy and peace of mind.' Kawthar also enjoys horse-riding on the beach or relaxing at Kai Beach on their women-only Mahtw, a ticketing staff member at a UAE-based travel agency, said there had been a noticeable uptick in domestic vacation bookings this summer. 'Because of the current situation, there's been about a 50% increase in demand for local getaways compared to last year,' he told Aletihad . 'Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and parts of the Western Region are especially popular. These areas offer resort-style hotels.'Global travel uncertainties, including visa delays and unexpected flight cancellations, have contributed to the trend, Mahtw said.'We're seeing a lot of cancellations,' he said. 'Many travellers are choosing to pause their international plans. If a flight gets cancelled, we process the refund, no problem. But many are choosing to avoid that stress entirely.'Some - like Hisham, a newlywed UAE resident - are using this time to reconnect with loved ones and unwind locally. 'My wife and I were planning to go to Georgia this summer, but with all the flight disruptions, we decided on a weekend resort in Fujairah instead,' he told Aletihad . 'It's peaceful and quiet.' Sarah Al Junaibi, another travel agent, said many UAE residents with booked international trips were hoping the situation would calm down by July or August. 'But we're seeing a definite rise in bookings for staycations and local experiences, especially for families,' she told Aletihad . For Egyptian expat Mariam, a mother of two, this summer was meant to be their first family vacation abroad since relocating to the UAE earlier this year. 'We had planned to visit Turkey in late July, but with all the uncertainty, we're staying put,' she said. 'It's our first summer here, and there's still so much to explore indoors anyway, like museums and aquariums.'
Al Etihad
22-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Meet Emirati women making a green impact on urban innovation
22 June 2025 22:10 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Amid rapid development and evolving climate risks, Emirati women engineers are stepping up to advance the UAE's carbon neutrality goals. Putting sustainability at the core of urban innovation, they blend heritage design with climate science and cutting-edge the occasion of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), celebrated annually on June 23, Aletihad spoke to Emirati women engineers who are helping bring the UAE's sustainability vision to her role, Amna Saeed Alzaabi, Senior Analyst in Design Management, Sustainable Real Estate at Masdar City, contributes to aligning urban development with national climate goals.'My work involves managing the design of high-performance, low-carbon buildings that integrate sustainable technologies with traditional climate-responsive design,' she explained. Alzaabi ensures that every project adheres to Masdar City's stringent environmental standards, while also confirming to broader frameworks like Estidama, LEED, and the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy. 'I work closely with architects, engineers, and sustainability consultants to help shape developments that serve as replicable models for other urban centres in the region and globally,' she said. Alzaabi believes that 'true sustainability starts with climate-responsive design, not just high-tech solutions'.She noted that elements rooted in traditional Emirati architecture, such as natural ventilation, shading, and thick walls, inspired much of the engineering work at Masdar City. 'We use these concepts to reduce energy use by keeping buildings cool without relying heavily on air-conditioning,' Alzaabi said. 'By blending these age-old techniques with modern technology, we create sustainable buildings that respect our heritage while meeting today's environmental goals.'Combining smart technology with passive design can help reduce energy use in buildings to support sustainable urban growth, according to Alzaabi.'Things like advanced building materials, energy modelling, and adaptive shading can make buildings more comfortable and efficient,' she said.'At Masdar City, we're also working on improving cooling systems and creating buildings that produce more energy than they use. These ideas can change how cities are built in hot climates and serve as examples for others to follow.'Alzaabi advises aspiring Emirati women pursuing careers in sustainability engineering to say curious and believe in their ability to make an impact. 'These fields need diverse voices to shape resilient, future-ready cities. Seek out mentors to support you on your journey, embrace learning, and don't be afraid to lead. Sustainability isn't just a goal; it's a mindset, and your perspective is vital to building a better world,' she said. Turning Blueprints Green Aisha Alkindi, Sustainability Manager at Al-Futtaim Real Estate, works on embedding sustainability into the very blueprint of large-scale property developments. 'This starts at the blueprint stage, influencing everything from energy-efficient designs, indoor environment compliances, waste management and water conservation strategies to the selection of sustainable materials and the implementation of robust waste management programmes, ensuring that the implementations are being carried out and sharing the results to all our stakeholders,' she said. 'We're creating places where residents experience a tangible difference - healthier indoor environments, abundant green spaces, and lower utility bills thanks to smart design and technology - across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.' Balancing green goals with the fast pace of development in the UAE requires a strategic and integrated approach, according to Alkindi.'We achieve this by integrating sustainability directly into our business strategy. We began by conducting comprehensive baseline assessments through various sustainability audits, allowing us to tailor our strategies accordingly,' she said. 'This approach includes investing in advanced green building technologies, optimising designs for passive cooling and natural lighting, and exploring renewable energy solutions that are both environmentally sustainable and economically feasible.'Sustainable practices not only benefit the environment; they enhance property value, reduce operational costs, and align with the evolving expectations of customers and regulators, she noted. Alkindi believes that economic progress must go hand in hand with environmental stewardship. 'Seeing the remarkable growth and vision of the UAE, I felt a strong call to ensure this development is built on a foundation of responsibility and foresight,' she said. Sharing a reminder and a piece of advice to young Emirati women, Alkindi said: 'Your unique perspective is vital in shaping sustainable urban spaces. Champion green initiatives in your communities, advocate for eco-conscious policies, and inspire future generations to build cities that thrive in harmony with nature.'
