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Issue 15 - 14 June 2012

a humble soulHE Mohammed

Al Fahim

Happy Father’s Day

Astronomy in Action

TURTLEnEsting in Abu DHAbi

Managing Director Mona Hennawi | Editor In Chief Mahra Saeed Al MuhairiAssociate Editor Khudayja Saloojee | Junior Writer Mehak Alam

Senior Graphic Designer Ghulmiyyah GhulmiyyahSenior Arabic Editor Sami Rashid | Senior Translator Narmeen Al Assad | Translator/Associate Arabic Editor Hanadi Jamil

Finance & Administration Manager Haneen Farid | Sales & Advertising Joe Mathew | Distribution Manager Jeff GrigsbyContributing Writers | Roekshana Saloojee, Rawad Nasir, Bob Studholme

ConTEnTsThe Source

No part of this publication or content, thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of The Source Magazine, published by Smart Design Publishing, in writing. The Source Magazine and Smart Design Publishing accept no responsibility, however caused, for errors or omissions contained in this publication. Any articles and/or images included in this publication and/or views and opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The Source Magazine and Smart Design Publishing, and any of its affiliates, but remain solely those of the author(s). Such publications have been included for general reference and the purpose of fair review. Copyright © 2011 by The Source and Smart Design Publishing, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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FEATURESaadiyat’s original inhabitants continue to nest on the island year after year

sTUFF for menFabulous Fathers!

LiFEsTyLEPart two in our special focus on diabetes and how to help you deal with it

AL MAJLisHe Mohammed Al Fahim talks to us about growing up in the emirates and the lessons he’s learned in life

EDUCATionChoosing where to study next? A chat with some students about how they make up their minds

DiARy

@ THE MoViEs

FRoM oUR READERs

nEED To KnoW

BE insPiREDA once in a lifetime chance to watch venus transit the sun and have a chat with astronomer Mr. Ilias Mohammed Fernini

My WoRLDescaping it all in South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains

My EMiRATECarpet shopping at Abu Dhabi’s souq

URBAn WoMAnStylish sunglasses for summer

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I’d like to start this week off by saying a big Happy Father’s Day to all dad’s out there! Have a look at Stuff for Men to see some messages dedicated to dads and, to my own dad, you may be miles away but you’ll always be close in my thoughts.

In Al Majlis, we stick to the father’s day theme, speaking to His excellency Mohammed Al Fahim. growing up, Mohammed spent a lot of time in the palace of the late HH Sheikh Zayed, the spiritual father of the nation, and he tells us about his time there as well as the invaluable lessons he learned from his own father.

This week we also went on a fantastic trip to Saadiyat Island to find out all about the Hawksbill Conservation Project. These turtles have been nesting on the island for generations and continue to do so, thanks to some remarkable conservation efforts being put in place.

In My World we’re off to South Africa and in My emirate, Khudayja is carpet shopping in Abu Dhabi. Part two of our diabetes focus explains what types of food can help keep your illness under control while in Be Inspired we get excited watching planet venus transit the sun.

oh, and before I sign off, don’t forget to enter our competition to win an Arrive and Drive Session at Al Ain raceway.

Happy reading!

Hayley Skirka

Letter from the Editor

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‘Al Israa Wal Miraaj’, the ascension of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) will mark an official day off for both public and private sector employees, on June 17, which corresponds to 27 rajab on the Islamic calendar.

Humaid Mohammad obaid Al Qutami, Minister of education and Board Chairman of the Federal Authority for government Human resources, said that school examinations will still be held on June 17 without any postponement. “It will be a work day for all students and teachers supervising the examinations, which will be held according to the timetable without any change.”

on this auspicious occasion, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan sent a congratulatory message to the leaders and other officials of the UAe and other Islamic countries.

nEW FACiLiTiEs AT LABoR CAMP

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NEWS

The central market area in Al Ain town center recently opened the first underground parking in the city, a two-level public car parking lot worth AeD 321000 and covering an area of 8800 square meters.

“It’s a vital development in the heart of the city,” said engineer rashid Al Nayadi, project Manager at Al Ain Municipality, taking account of the pressurized traffic scene witnessed in that area.

The new facility can accommodate up to 424 cars and has been built to eliminate

FiRsT MULTi-LEVEL PARKing LoT

traffic jams and road casualties in the busy area which is home to Al Ain oasis, Al Ain Bus Station, the gold Souq and fruit and vegetable market.

Al Nayadi explained that the multi-level public parking lot will also boast a recreational park on its ground level complete with modern gaming facilities.

Designed with Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, the park is set to include a National Museum and an old animal market with the city’s oldest date palm as a stunning backdrop.

Last Wednesday, Al Talee’a School in Al Ain won four awards at the Sustainable Award Ceremony along with 13 other schools, from both the government and private sector. The awards recognize outstanding environmental work over the past academic year.

The awards included two gold prizes in the Most Sustainable School and the Most effective environment educators categories.

Students from Al Talee’a conducted a survey and found hundreds of liters of water were being wasted because of leaking pipes in the ramah area. residents took the initiative and, based on the schools advice, fixed the problem.

According to gulf News, rasha Abdullah Al Zoubi, a grade 10 student at Al Talee’a School said, “We explained the need of water saving and asked them to maintain

the leaking pipes before our next visit.”

The Sustainable School Initiative (SSI) is a project run by the environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (eAD) in partnership with Abu

Dhabi education Council (ADeC). The number of participating schools

increased from 26 in 2009, when the initiative was launched, to

103 this year.

Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director-general of ADeC said the project helped promote teamwork and community involvement among

students, parents and school staff.

on behalf of razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-general

of eAD, Dr. Al Jaberi stated “Through the Sustainable Schools Initiative we are seeking to reach out to students, parents, teachers, administrative staff and maintenance staff eventually linking them to the larger community.”

AL Ain sTUDEnTs Win EnViRonMEnT AWARD

Al Ain laborers will now enjoy more permanent accommodation equipped with modern amenities and facilities. The operative village, developed by Aldar Properties, is located on the Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Truck road, about 25km from Al Ain Town Center. The village has been designed to accommodate over 5000 laborers.

The operative village was inaugurated by Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor, who toured it with other senior officials from the ministry.

The facilities at the village include a mosque, supermarket, money exchange, dining halls, laundries, a medical facility and an internet café. There are also recreational facilities such as television rooms, a gym, basketball and volleyball pitches, as well as a manager dedicated to organizing social and sporting events.

According to gulf News, an Aldar official said that the village covers an area of 75000 square meters and will be upgraded in the future to accommodate around 10500 laborers.

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NEWS

thesourceuae.com

sUMMER FUn in THE CAPiTAL

ConFUsion oVER REsiDEnCy REnEWALs

Summer in Abu Dhabi, the month-long family centered edutainment event, kicks off on June 21st.

“We are pinning this year’s summer campaign on the promise that there really is more to see and do in Abu Dhabi than ever before,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, events Manager of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.

The festival, held at Abu Dhabi National exhibition Center (ADNeC) features dozens of games, fun fair rides and a huge summer playground to keep residents and visitors entertained throughout the hot summer days.

As the kids play, parents can register to win a brand new Ford expedition, sponsored by Premier Motors, who are the official Car Partner for Summer in Abu Dhabi 2012.

Also at ADNeC, Abu Dhabi Sports Council will host a huge range of activities for children and adults alike with sports including judo, basketball, soccer, table tennis, badminton and golf.

Falcon Aviation Services, Abu Dhabi’s leading helicopter charter company, is also joining the emirate’s summer season campaign with a special ‘falcon’s eye-view’ tour. This flight sees guests board an eC 130 chopper before spending 15 minutes enjoying spectacular views of the Corniche, emirates Palace, etihad Towers and Mina Zayed Port.

etihad Airways, the UAe’s national airline, has also underpinned the summer campaign with exclusive family offers on inbound services to Abu Dhabi from several Middle eastern and Africa destinations.

Confusion arose this week after a new law for renewing residency visa was implemented and then seemingly reversed.

According to gulf News, the new rule requiring expatriates applying for or renewing residency visas to submit a copy of their housing rent contract as part of the application, has been enforced since 1 June. However, after several media stories on the issue, and an outcry from residents, the rule appears to have been retracted.

Call centre staff at Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre said that they had now been told there was no need for applicants to produce tenancy contracts to renew or apply for their visa. However, according to call centre staff at the Dubai Naturalization and residency Department, the rule still applies, ergo confusion of the masses.

The new rule had stated that, as well as the housing rent contract, applicants must also provide copies of recent utility bills as proof of address. In addition, the resident should list the landline phone number of his residence at the time of

application. Tenancy contract and utility bills had to also be attested by the relevant municipality and utility provider.

The objective behind the new rule was said to be to ensure families were provided with suitable housing as well as providing authorities with statistical information.

It meant that in order to renew your residency the complete list of documents required were as follows; include a valid passport, a renewal of residency application form stamped by the company, a copy of the former residency, health certificate from the preventative medicine department, a copy of the health insurance card, a copy of the commercial license of the entity if it’s a private company, a valid lease agreement, the last paid utility bills, a copy of the identity card or registration receipt, and an attested marriage contract for families.

As we go to print, there has not yet been an official statement from the Ministry of Interior regarding this matter.

There’s lots going on in the capital this summer

Last Wednesday saw the graduation Ceremony of the 30th and 31st batches of students from UAeU graduate in the honorable presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin rashid Al Maktoum, vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAe and ruler of Dubai. Also in attendance was HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher education and Scientific research and Chancellor of UAeU and Dr. Abdullah Al Khanbashi, UAeU vice Chancellor.

HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan delivered a welcome speech where he ensured the “position of this mother university in the journey of development and advancement throughout this dear homeland” and praised the progress of the university toward development and leadership in its 35th year.

graduates wore the white emirati Kandoura under the black Bisht with its elegant bold golden lines. on their heads sat the white ghutra, nestled under the black Agal and students proudly wore oud to form a fusion of unity and symbolize the importance of the country’s deep-rooted culture. Abdullah Khalfan Al Amimi

delivered a speech on behalf of the 830 graduating students.

The generosity of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, following in the footsteps of HH Sheikh Zayed (may god rest his soul), was evident as each the top honored graduates was granted AeD 20000 in order to encourage them and show appreciation for their hard work. The ceremony came to a close as HH Sheikh Nahyan, handed HH Sheikh Mohammed a souvenir plaque filled with sand from each of the seven emirates, in a clear sign of unity for the nation.

HH sHEiKH MoHAMMEDATTEnDs gRADUATion

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SPORTS

The UAe’s rugby Association has welcomed Mr. Sami Samara to his new position as Development officer at Al Ain Amblers rFC. The Tunisian national, who previously served in the Tunisian rugby Union, has high hopes for the Al Ain team.

A licensed IrB educator, Mr. Samara is a well-experienced international coach and former player is now set to develop rugby in Al Ain’s schools with a strong focus on the emirati community.

An integral change in Wayne Marsters’ team, Mr. Samara is now in-charge of developing rugby in Al Ain’s schools, strongly targeting the emirati community. He will also assist in the development programs at Al Ain Amblers rFC in addition to delivering educational tutorial about the sport.

“Sami was recently introduced at the (Al Ain) club and was an instant hit with local lads” commented Al Ain Amblers Chairman, Kit Philp. “Through his appointment they feel very comfortable in bringing their friends along and introducing them to the game. This is a great win and one we will continue to work on and develop,” he further added. Qais Al Dhalai, UAe rugby’s Deputy Secretary, believes the appointment of Mr. Samara is a great opportunity to introduce the game of rugby to the emirati community, “We are very excited to now be able to bring this program to Al Ain’s emirati schools,” said Al Dhalai.

FAZZA TAKEs goLD

A five-year deal has been signed between Mohamed Ahmed, the UAe olympic team defender, and Pro-league Champions Al Ain. The 23-year-old player who served Al Shabab team has been selected by Al Ain team coach, Cosmin olaroiu.

“He is a young player of high technical skills and with experience of playing for both, the senior national and the olympic teams,” said Mohamed obaid Hamad, Al Ain team manager. This is the second addition to the team, after the recent signing of 25-year-old midfielder Yaqoub Al Hosani, from Al Wahda, on a three-year deal.

The move is all about prestige for defender Ahmed who is looking forward to playing

with the champions. “I have enjoyed my time at Shabab but I have to move on when an opportunity opens like the one I have received from Al Ain. It is one of the big teams in the country and I believe they have the potential to challenge for trophies in the coming years. The contract is for five years and that provides me with a good future with them,” said Ahmed.

While things are looking rosy for Al Ain, Al Shabab have been hit with two losses, one being Mohamed Ahmed and the other, their coach, Paulo Bonamigo, who has now signed with Al Jazira.

This is an edited version of a story that originally appeared in The National newspaper on 8 June, 2012. For the full

version, please go to www.thenational.ae

AHMED Joins AL Ain

AL Ain AMBLERs

nEW ADDiTion

The 160km equestrian endurance gB championship which took place in London recently, saw His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai executive Council, take first place with an impressive time of 7:34:00 and an average speed of 73kph.

The race, which was organized by the British equestrian Federation and supervised by the International equestrian Federation, saw an elite group of well-known equestrians from around the world

representing 14 countries participating in the competitive long distance riding race.

The event was a preparatory event before the FeI World endurance Championship, scheduled to take place on 26 August in the United Kingdom.

Following the footsteps of HH Sheikh Hamdan were Mohammed Ahmed Hasan Al-Abbar and Ali Al-Shafaar who both represented the UAe and grabbed second and third position with times of 7:56:08 and 7:56:09 respectively.

Courtesy AAFC

FEATURE

Imagine your mother leaving you on a beach on the day that you’re born, telling you to fend for yourself for the next thirty years and then expecting you to return to that exact same spot where she left you all those years ago. Impossible!

For humans, probably so. However, for the hawksbill turtle it’s a piece of cake!

We were delighted when we heard that a few hawksbill turtle nests had been spotted on Saadiyat Island and, fascinated by these ancient reptiles, we headed towards the capital to meet with Millie Plowman, environmental Manager of Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) to find out a bit more about what was going on.

Walking out of the stunning St. regis Hotel, the bright blue waters of the Arabian gulf greet us with a smile. Besides the hugely impressive luxurious hotel, the surrounding area is diverse with natural beauty. TDIC, in association with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, are going to great lengths to protect these natural resources and, Millie points out the sand dune restoration happening just in front of the St. regis lavish breakfast buffet. A cordoned-off area dictates where new dunes are being constructed, with plants having been specifically lodged there to replicate the truly beautiful, organic dunes a little further up the island.

We continue past the dunes towards one of the turtle nests

currently being monitored on the island. Here we stop and Millie explains a little bit about the turtles and how the nesting process works. It certainly is quite a story!

Hawskbill turtles are one of the first true inhabitants of Saadiyat Island, having been coming here for generations upon generations. Their name stems from their bill, which ends in a sharp point much like that of a hawk’s beak. Their favorite food is sea sponge but they also eat jellyfish and crustaceans. Unfortunately, they are now listed as critically endangered and Millie tells us “their numbers have gone down by 80 per cent in the last thirty years worldwide.” This is why TDIC’s Conservation Programme is so important.

Turtles have an amazing inept ability to find their way back to their birth beach in order to lay their eggs in the same spot every time. one turtle may nest on Saadiyat, before swimming all the way through the Indian ocean to somewhere like Madagascar or Sri Lanka. A year or two later, they return to the island to nest again. Quite impressive I have to say! They use the earth’s magnetic fields to return to the same area, and will only nest somewhere else if their birth place has been damaged or destroyed.

right now, there are four nests on the island. one in front of the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, two past the Monte Carlo Beach Club and the one we visited, at the St. regis Saadiyat Island resort. Unfortunately, there’s not much to see right now, as mother turtle has laid her eggs and headed back to the ocean, never to see her babies again. The nest has a protective barrier around it, erected

sAADiyAT’s sPECiAL gUEsTs

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The hawksbill turtles are the original inhabitants of saadiyat Island and they continue to nest here thanks to several ongoing conservation efforts.

By Hayley Skirka

Environmental Manager, Millie Plowman, tells guests to hush up, as the baby turtles are sleeping

FEATURE

by the lifeguards patrolling the beach, in order to let tourists know that there are baby turtles sleeping underneath!

Ajay Jadhav is one of these lifeguards and he explains a little about how they monitor the turtles that come in to nest. “every morning I look for the tracks of the turtle’s legs, they come onto the sand from the sea and lay their eggs. When I see a lot of markings in one place, I call TDIC Security and put a marking around the area to protect it.” That’s when Millie and her team get involved, and begin to monitor the new nest, working out the approximate day of hatching and ensuring conditions around the nest are as close to perfect as possible.

Being next to such a huge tourist complex means that some strict guidelines are required to ensure the turtles are not disturbed. TDIC have rules to limit outdoor up-lighting and to ensure hotels urge their guests to close bedroom curtains in the evening, as artificial light can discourage mother turtles from coming ashore and also disorientate the baby turtles who “look for a glow from the ocean” to get their bearings. The sand dune restoration also helps to reduce light pollution, by creating a dark barrier, much taller than the height of the baby turtles. Hotels are also asked to keep noise to a minimum after dark, and to construct boardwalks over the dunes so that guests do not disturb the restoration or the nesting areas.

The hotels are all very co-operative explains Millie, which isn’t surprising considering one of the main initiatives of Saadiyat Island is to be eco-friendly. “We also ask hotels to move their

furniture off of the beach at night, so as not to create obstacles for the turtles. They are really keen to be involved as they know it will attract tourists. The guests are also really interested and come over to ask questions, see what is going on and get to know about hawksbill turtles.”

This is just another area where Abu Dhabi is incorporating environmental policies in their tourism. Kelly-Anne Smith, Corporate Communications for Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, explains “Abu Dhabi is just starting to weave in sustainable tourist development naturally; they are very aware of

environmental issues and the whole emirate has abundant natural assets. everything happening out in the western region and on Saadiyat is all about retaining that natural heritage and beauty.”

The hawksbill turtles are not the only residents of Saadiyat, there are also around

twenty mountain gazelle who live on the golf course, a diversity of bird life and a pod of dolphins, frequently spotted frolicking offshore. In order to encourage and protect this wildlife, TDIC are working with Abu Dhabi Transport Department to ban jet-skis and motorized craft in the area. They will promote catamarans and sailing yachts instead in order to build a peaceful area where wildlife can flourish.

With the hatching process taking only sixty days to complete, it won’t be long now before the island’s very special guests dig their way out of the powder-white sand, before checking out of Saadiyat; only to return in thirty years time.

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Lifeguard Ajay on the lookout for fresh turtle tracks

The sand dune restoration is only one way in which Saadiyat Island, TDIC and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have made a solid commitment to environmental protection

“Abu Dhabi is just starting to weave in sustainable tourist development naturally; they are very aware of environ-

mental issues...”

STUFF for men

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This Sunday, we celebrate Father’s Day, a worldwide tradition that honors fathers and celebrates fatherhood and the influence of

fathers throughout society. Initially founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, a young woman from

Arkansas, she campaigned for the holiday as she wanted to honor her own dad, a Civil War veteran who single handedly raised six

children after the death of his wife.

With the UAe being founded by the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may god rest his soul) the spiritual father of the nation, we are all very aware of the

importance of parental and fatherly involvement in each of our lives.

As Wilhelm Busch, the influential caricaturist, painter and poet once said “Becoming a father is easy enough but being one can be very rough” being a dad can be a full-time job in itself! So, in order to celebrate exactly how awesome we think our dad’s are, we

thought we’d have a page dedicated solely to father’s across the world…

“And my dad,

you’re a great actor but you’re a

better father.”Angelina Jolie

“My father, he was

like the rock, the guy you went to with

every problem.”gwyneth Paltrow

“It was my father

who taught me to value myself. He told me that I was uncommonly

beautiful and that I was the most precious thing in his

life.”Dawn French

“My father, His

Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin rashid Al

Maktoum, is my tutor in life. I continue to learn from him. I take on his views as guiding stars.”

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin rashid Al

Maktoum

“My dad is my

father and my friend, someone who

gives advice but never judges and enjoys having

fun with his daughter.”emma Blakemore,

Abu Dhabi

“I love being a

father and would recommend it

anytime!”Imraan Saloojee,

South Africa

“My dad is a firm man

however, in his innermost self he has a spring of tenderness.”

Hanadi Jamil, Al Ain

“The one thing

that I have done really well in my life

is be a father.”Peter Jennings

“Watching them grow

up is great but scary.”

David Beckham

“Nothing I’ve ever done

has given me more joys and rewards than being a father to my

children.”Bill Cosby

“To me, having

kids is the ultimate job in life. I want to be

most successful at being a good father.”

Nick Lachey

“Being a dad is the

chance to be a real-life superhero in

the eyes of your child” Alan gibson,

Dubai

sEAFooDAlmost all seafood items are good for diabetics as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help in improving the body’s ability to respond to insulin. Salmon and sardines are perfect choices as they are rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein. These help in ensuring proper

blood circulation and are rich in protein which helps to reverse the effect of diabetes on the heart.

EDAMAMEA popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine, edamame is

a super food when it comes to combating type 2 diabetes. edamame are green soybeans that are growing in popularity due to their powerful health boosting properties. An excellent source of protein, minerals (including potassium, magnesium, and calcium), and, of course, those all-important omega-3 fatty acids; which are effective in reducing blood-sugar levels gradually.

LEntiLsA vital aspect of a healthy diet plan, lentils are loaded with soluble fiber which digests slowly to prevent blood sugar levels from spiking. Lentils have also been shown to increase energy and improve your mood, so what’s to lose?

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LIFESTYLE

onion AnD gArLicThese two herbs are very similar in terms of their benefits for diabetics. often avoided due to ill-odor, they do not only control diabetes but also help promote better blood-circulation. onions contain quercetin, an anti-oxidant which plays a significant role in curing heart disease and different types of cancer. The first layer of the onion contains the highest level of this important ingredient and can be added to soups or stews for a health boosting meal. However, beware not to overcook the onion as this can detract from its nutritional value.

Like onions, garlic has a significant ability to control blood sugar levels. Drinking half a glass of garlic juice with a teaspoon of natural honey everyday is a great way to control blood-sugar levels. eating it raw is also very helpful and can be taken with a slice of lemon, if you’re not a fan of the strong taste.

garlic and onion both cite the ability to stimulate insulin production and to help keep the liver from deactivating insulin.

cHiLiEsContaining vitamin C, carotenoids and anti-oxidants that help to regulate hormone insulin, chilies are a good option for diabetic or obese patients. According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Tasmania, consumption of a meal containing substantial amounts of chili peppers could assist in insulin control by around 60 per cent. However, large quantities of chilies are not advised and caution should be exercised if patients suffer from

any other medical conditions.

cinnAMon Cinnamon has been shown to help lower blood

glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Just sprinkle it over tea, coffee or cereal to add a delicious, health boosting ingredient. However, don’t go too crazy with the portions as high consumption could also lead to mouth or stomach issues. As well as lowering blood-sugar levels, cinnamon also contains calcium which helps strengthen bones.

FEnugrEEkFenugreek is the perfect green vegetable for reducing insulin resistance and controlling blood sugar levels as it increases the amount of insulin receptors in blood cells. Its seeds contain an amino acid called 4-hydroxyisoleucine which can stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. It raises the number of receptors for insulin in your red blood cells and help your peripheral tissues to utilize glucose.

THE “D” FACToR

By Mehak Alam

DealIng wITh DIabeTesLast week, after attending the opening of the Imperial College of London Diabetes Center here in Al Ain, we went on to explain a little about the disease and what it is. This week, we are looking at how you can help control the disease. And actually, when you understand the science behind it, things become relatively simple. Following a strict list of banned food items becomes tiresome and a bit of a struggle so, instead of a what-not-to-eat list, we’re going to have a look at what you should be eating.

Keep in mind that everyone’s diet, and diabetes level, are different thus, a one-size-fits-all approach is no good. However, the basics of each diet plan remain the same with one fundamental issue; cutting down sugar intake. While we are in no way health experts, we’ve put together some useful information to help you make informed decisions when dealing with your diabetes.

remember that it’s important to cut out simple starches, which the body almost instantly converts into simple sugars. This means staying away from ‘white’ food: white flour, white bread, white rice etc. and opting instead for whole wheat, whole grains, and brown rice. on top of this, there are a few specific food choices that you can add to your diet to help in fighting diabetes.

suggEstED DAiLy MEAL PLAn For DiAbEtics(please note that this is only a guide and all nutritional amendments

should be checked with your health provider)

Breakfast1 slice of toasted whole wheat bread with 1 tsp. margarine

1/4 cup egg white1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup skim milk

Lunch1 cup vegetable soup

1 piece of chicken or fish cooked in olive oil with spices1/2 small-sized green apple mixed with green vegetable salad

Dinner2/3 cup cooked brown rice with grilled chicken, mutton or fish

salad tossed with 2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing1 glass of avocado juice with ½ teaspoon of natural honey

Snackshandful of fat and sugar-free tortilla chips with salsa

1 glass of grapefruit juice1 cup of unsalted mixed nuts

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FRoM HUMBLE BEginnings…

From the very first time that I heard His excellency Mohammed Al Fahim speak, I felt privileged to be sitting amongst the crowd listening to the advice and wisdom of a man of his stature. Being given the opportunity to then meet him personally, and chat with him over a few hours, was really quite something! As I waited for him to arrive, my stomach was awash with nerves. I needn’t have worried though; Mohammed arrived promptly, initiated introductions and immediately set my nerves at ease with his kind and gentle demeanor. We ordered coffee and, as we waited for it to arrive, chatted about Canada, my home country and where Mohammed interestingly owns a home purchased from none other than former Canadian Prime Minister, Paul Martin.

As the author of ‘rags to riches’, His excellency never intended to become a writer having been a successful businessman for over thirty years. However, his ambition to write this book stemmed from deep in his heart, from the love he felt for his country and its rich history. Mohammed felt an obligation to document the obstacles his people had faced. He explained that he witnessed events unfold from the 1950s to the 1970s, a twenty year period where there wasn’t a single journalist to neither write about nor keep record of events. People used to visit him and they were curious, they would ask about the origins of the country. “We were unknown and then, suddenly we became the United Arab emirates. I can explain our history to perhaps three or four people but I can’t educate an entire population, which is why I decided to write this book.” His book has become a best seller, with over 120000 copies having been printed to date.

Mohammed took me back to the days of his childhood. As a young boy he spent around five years living in the palace of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed (May god rest his soul). He recalls, waking up one morning and seeing His Highness Sheikh Zayed standing in front of him. He was so young at the time that he didn’t really grasp who this great man was. Her Highness Sheikha Hassa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa, one of HH Sheikh Zayed’s wives, took Mohammed in when he was very young as she wanted him to live in the palace and play with her son, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the current president of the UAe. Mohammed recalls that “living in Sheikh Zayed’s house in those days was like living with my own family.” He built a friendship that was to last a lifetime with HH Sheikh Khalifa and explained that “Sheikh Zayed behaved like a father figure to everyone; he was a master of education, he took care of us, he educated us; even on the simplest of things such as how we should sit, talk and behave in his Majlis. He always insisted that we sit and listen and stressed that a Majlis was a learning place, it was our first classroom.”

For over 40 years, Mohammed’s father worked and travelled with His Highness Sheikh Zayed (may god rest his soul). His father had the ability to read and write and was initially hired as a secretary.

By Mona Hennawi

thesourceuae.com14

As the years progressed, so too did the relationship between HH Sheikh Zayed and Mohamed’s father, who went on to become both his representative and his financial manager. As Mohammed reached his teenage years, HH Sheikh Zayed recommended that he and his younger brother travel to england to continue their studies. Mohammed studied there for three years until his father contacted him and requested that he leave his studies and return to the UAe in order to take charge of the family automobile business. At this time, being a young 18-year-old man, Mohammed was thoroughly excited at the idea of running a business which would allow him to spend time driving cars and hurried back to work with his father. This same business that he left england for in 1968, is now known as ‘emirates Motor Company’, houses the world’s largest Mercedes-Benz facility and, since 1962 until now continues to be the authorized general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Mohammed talks about the typical industry hardships that himself and his father experienced in the early years of operating their business. He tells us though, that those hardships contributed greatly to the success of his business. He explains that there are two ways of learning in life, the first is through trial and error, making mistakes and learning from them. The second is through education; going to school, graduating at the top of your class and becoming a wizard within your field. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the opportunity to do the latter and so, he had to learn through experimenting with the family business. Neither he nor his father had the knowledge or experience of every element within their industry nor did they have qualified people from whom they could take advice, “Thank god all our efforts have paid off, even with all the mistakes we made. No matter how much advice we can get from people, you don’t learn something until you make that mistake yourself, and pay the price for it.”

entrepreneurship comes with enduring a lot of risks, some are beneficial and others can result in great financial loss. I asked Mohammed if he was a risk taker; he recognized that he has taken a lot of risks and that some of his riskiest decisions have paid off very well. Unfortunately, like many successful businessmen, not

every risk has had a positive outcome. He then went onto share a story with me about how he was once convinced by his wife, to help out her friend’s husband. This man was languishing in prison, having made some bad business decisions which resulted in him being unable to pay subcontractors and suppliers. A 1.5 million dirham guarantor was required in order to cover his bail and release him from jail. Without hesitation, Mohammed put up the funds, believing the man deserved a second chance. Unfortunately, only a month after the man was released from prison, he fled the country leaving Mohammed to pay his debts. This situation is one which he deeply regrets but which, at the same time, taught him a

valuable life lesson.

As we chat, His excellency explains that he never thought he would pursue a career in business. When HH Sheikh Zayed was preparing for the Union of the emirates, Mohammed wanted to be a part of it and so, he joined diplomatic training and was nominated to go to France as an ambassador. His father, however, put a stop to this. He explained to His Highness Sheikh Zayed (May god rest his soul) that both himself and his son could not work for him and that he needed Mohammed to take care of running the family business. I asked him if he was happy with

the outcome which followed to which he smiled and responded with a confident “yes.” He went on to explain, “Sheikh Zayed had a vision and wherever we have followed his visions we’ve always succeeded or he has always made good on his promise. Had I been drafted into the diplomatic court, I probably wouldn’t have made such an impact on the development of Abu Dhabi. I would have been sent to France for around five years then sent somewhere else afterwards. Staying in my country has given me the opportunity to participate in many development initiatives. I sat on the water and electricity board, the telephone company before it was etisalat and I was the first vice-President of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.” He has witnessed the development and growth of Abu Dhabi and the country and declares, “its suffice to say that because of god and Sheikh Zayed, we moved from the 16th century to the 21st century in the matter of one generation.”

With the nation growing rapidly, I asked Mohammed how he thinks the younger generation will be affected by these changes. He believes that they can match his generation’s enthusiasm and excitement of doing business but notes that they are even more fortunate as they have the advantage of technology and education. Mohammed explains that “because of these luxuries we expect them to do things ten times better than ourselves. The disadvantage they have is that they are not as patient because they want to do things yesterday, they want to get things done at such a fast pace. However, sometimes doing things too quickly can result in mistakes and, unfortunately, their mistakes will cost them ten times more than the mistakes we sustained. They have to learn to be more thoughtful, patient and humble. Just because they can do it faster, doesn’t mean they can do it properly.”

These words of wisdom from the Honorary Chairman of the Al Fahim group are not to be taken lightly. Mohammed worked for his family business for 31 years as well as helping to educate and raise his younger brothers. Ten years ago, after a long and rewarding career, he decided the time had come to stop working and now spends his days enjoying his retirement. Some of this time he spends writing, publishing, translating or getting involved in the selling of books written by himself or those written by Iranian and Arabic authors. He is also an antique collector and has a private museum in Abu Dhabi where he stores a remarkable collection of cameras, sound systems, guns, swords and many other amazing gadgets. In addition to these collectibles, he has a thoroughly impressive classic car collection boasting over 50 different cars, his oldest being a rare century-old Morgan.

“Sheikh Zayed behaved like a father figure to

everyone; he was a master of education,

he took care of us, he educated us”

15thesourceuae.com

LiFELEssons

I want to first address myself to the students and the new generation. No matter what you learn through your years at school this is only

part of your education. The other part is teaching yourself through reading books of different genres

and learning from the experiences of others.

Finally, be active within your community, city and country.

Participate in any way, because no matter how small your contribution, it

is still valuable.

A proud father, Mohammed delightedly shares with me the fact that each of his eight children succeeded in becoming esteemed university graduates. I asked His excellency what personal deeds he hopes his children will fulfill. He gives me a simple answer, “I hope that they are god fearing, humble and patriotic. And that they remember that there is no successful effort that doesn’t have a price on it. You have to pay a price for everything you achieve. When achieving something for yourself, you personally benefit but, serving your community as a whole reaps invaluable rewards.” Having met Mohammed, and felt humbled and honored at the same time, I’m confident his children will realize the aspirations he has for them.

Throughout our two hour chat, I remained in complete awe of a man who demonstrates such fine character and simply exudes charisma. It’s not often in life that we’re given an opportunity to sit and meet with someone like Mr. Fahim who, although god blessed him with great wealth and success, remains so unimaginably humble, modest and down-to-earth. Although my time with His excellency was short, the knowledge and wisdom I learned during our discussion was invaluable and inspirational and is something that I will remember for years to come.

The grounds of Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, where Mohammed played as a boy

16 thesourceuae.com16

EDUCATION

every year, thousands of secondary school students around the world progress to university. each of them has to decide to which university they should apply but, for students in the UAe, there is an additional question to be answered: which country should they study in? Since many of those looking to go to university from the UAe are from expat families, the question of whether to study here or in their home country also arises.

When trying to establish an answer, a number of factors must be taken into account. To find out exactly what expat students rate as important, we went to talk to some at Al Ain’s Abu Dhabi University.

our focus group was a mixed bunch hailing from Asia, Africa and the Arab region. Some of the reasons they gave were common to each of them; other factors were particular to specific countries or students. We wanted to know if families had been a major influence in their decision making process. The unanimous answer

was positive, but in varying levels depending on the individual student’s situation. “My wife and children are here,” said othman Nemer othman from Palestine, “So moving away would be difficult, even if going back to Palestine was an easy option.”

Jennath Jahan Chowdhry, from Bangladesh explained, “My father had health issues, which influenced my decision. My sister is studying in Canada and I would have joined her there, but it is better that I stay.”

Noura Mohammed Ali Kindi hails from oman and has a slightly different story. Like the others, she lives with her family, but they are in Buraimi. “I could study in Muscat, but it would mean leaving my family and living in a dormitory, which I wouldn’t like. Here, it is much more convenient for me.”

sHoULD i sTAy, oR sHoULD i go?

By Bob Studholme

EDUCATION

When we asked about the costs, everyone agreed that UAe is an expensive option and opinions were very divided on whether or not the expense was justified. For both Ahmed Mohammed Ajab from Somalia and Mohammed Awad Mirghani from Sudan, the extra expense is worth it. Ahmed told us, “The education in Somalia is much cheaper, but the standard is lower.” Mohammed agrees, “We are getting more, so we don’t mind paying.”

This is not the case for other countries, of course. Mohammed el Mansouri is very proud of the standards of education in Morocco, which has had universities for centuries. “The attitude to education there is very different and it is much more demanding.”

Both Jennath and Batul Fazal, also from Pakistan agree. “Pakistan has a very competitive education system and, for many things, the standards are the highest in the world.” Noura finds the standard to be similar to those in oman, but thinks the exposure to technology in the UAe is much greater. everyone agrees that the facilities are very good here.

one aspect that most of the students commented on was that that they feel much more secure here than they would in their home countries. Indeed, for many that is a major reason not to be there. M o h a m m e d Awad tells us “I’m from Sudan. Do I need to tell you what the situation is there?” othman just shrugs. He really doesn’t need to say anything.

The girls have similar stories. Batul tells us about the constant safety concerns in Paistan. Jennath explains how this aspect affects her feeling of freedom. “It’s odd that here we are taught separately from the boys, whereas in Bangladesh most schools are co-educational. My family would be completely ok with the idea of me studying at a co-ed institution. At times I feel restricted by the fact that we are separated, as though we aren’t trusted. At home, though, it wouldn’t really be safe for me, as a woman, to be outside which is much more restricting. Here my parents don’t really worry if I stay out late.” Living in Bangladesh would also be physically difficult. “After living here,” she continues “I find it too humid there. My skin breaks out in a rash as soon as I arrive and the mosquitoes just kill me.”

Another important factor cited by the students was that they chose to study here as they felt comfortable in the country. The majority of them were born here and have lived most of their lives in the UAe. Batul tells us, “When I go back to Pakistan, people can spot that I’m not from there when I go to the market. even though I am Pakistani and speak Urdu, something tells them that I’m not used to being there. I stand out. That never happens here. For Jennath, the situation is escalated by “an extreme language

barrier. My Bangla is very poor. That would affect my life there as well as my studies.”

The boys agree and, between them, they concur that they all fall into the category, now known as ‘Third Culture Kids’. They may not be emiratis, but they feel more comfortable here, among other students like themselves than they would in a group of only their own compatriots.

each of them tells us that they like the multicultural mix provided by ADU. “Look at us,” says Ahmed. “I’m from Somalia, Mohammed’s from Sudan and othman’s from Palestine, but we are friends and work together. That would be hard to find back home.”

When it comes to the question of finding work, all coincide that studying in a UAe university makes finding work in the

country much easier. This is one reason that each of the students cited for choosing to

study at UAeU. Jennath tells us about a friend, who found work through

one of ADU’s intern programs. Noura points out that there

are similar programs in place in oman, but

both girls agree that there is wasta among universities. “This university has a very good reputation among the private universities in this country,” Noura says. “Coming here does mean it is easier to get work with some companies.”

othman has worked during

the summers in positions found for

him by the support staff at the university.

This was good experience and gave him

extra financial assistance, which is always a help.

Batul feels that this wasta also exists in certain subjects. “Doctors

and engineers from Pakistan can find work anywhere in the world,” she says, “but, for some

subjects, it is regarded as a third world country and qualifications from there would be suspected.”

For Mohammed el Mansouri, this is a major reason promoting studying in the emirates. Although he thinks the education is better in Morocco, he believes that it would be harder to get a job in the UAe with a Moroccan degree. It was also mentioned that, although a narrower range of courses may be offered here than in other countries, the courses often have much more value for local employers.

So there you have it. Bear in mind of course that it’s more difficult to interview students who chose the other option, to return to their home countries, as they are no longer in the country!. The choice seems to hinge very much on where students come from, their family’s influence and where they plan to work after graduation.

17thesourceuae.com

18 thesourceuae.com

Family-Time!

Father’s Day!

This month we celebrate Father’s Day and what better way to treat

your dad, than by taking him out for a nice evening meal. enjoy a

special set menu at Luce’s Italian restaurant where dads can eat for

free and enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne.

inFo: 19 June, Danat Al Ain resort, Buffet AeD 119 per adult/AeD

65 per child. Time: from 5pm

DIARYDIARY

Love Jazz? Then head to the Mercure

grand Jebel Hafeet and be part of yet

another fun-filled musical Jazz Night, set

against the incredible mountain backdrop. A

huge host of jazz music will be played in the

Lawrence Bar where you can enjoy the music

and dance the night away. And remember, if

it’s too loud then you’re too old!inFo: 22 June, Admission: Free, Time:

7:30pm

Music

For the next few weeks it’s all about the euro 2012. Head to the Horse & Jockey at Danat who are running a score prediction competition alongside the games or to Moodz at the rotana who’ll have all the matches on the big screen as well as great drinks and snacks. The golf Club Players Sports Bar at AeSgC are offering 25% discount on selected beverages during each game. If you want to head out off the city, Mai Café at Aloft Hotel (ADNeC) have a huge tent, powerful a/c and special promotions for anyone turning up in team colors.

inFo: June 8th to July 1st. For fixture details see www.uefa.com

Sports

enjoy all the fun and excitement of those beloved

blue Smurfs at ‘A very Smurfy Festival’ in Mirdif

City Center. A treat for all ages, see the Smurfs

village come to life as Papa Smurf attempts to

rally his fellow Smurfs in an attempt to organize

the Blue Moon Festival!

inFo: 14-24 June, 4:30-7:30pm weekdays/4:30-

9pm weekends

pool

a-pa

looz

a! Are you in the mood to celebrate summer?

Then head on down to the rotana’s Poola-

Palooza for some great music, delicious

BBQ food and a whole host of games! A

great way to get into the summer vibe!

inFo: 15 June, AeD 100 (inclusive of 3

drinks and unlimited BBQ) Time: 12:30pm

party!Beat the heat with the Summer Splash Pool Party

at Danat Al Ain resort. get ready to dance the night

away with some mind-blowing tracks from Ministry of

Sound’s London DJ Chris roberts.

inFo: 21 June at 8:30pm. AeD 50 including 2 drinks

GRAND AL AIN CINEPLEXAL AIN MALL, AL AINTel: +971 3 751 1228

1. MADAGASCAR (3D): 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00

2. MADAGASCAR: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00

3. LOCK-OUT: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:003. IRON SKY: 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:004 SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN: 11:30,

14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 24:00

Movie Listings

GRAND BAWADI, BAWADI MALL, AL AINTel: +971 3 784 0300

1. MADAGASCAR (3D): 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00

2. MADAGASCAR: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00

3. LOCK-OUT: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:003. IRON SKY: 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:004 SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN: 11:30,

14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 24:00

1. MADAGASCAR 3: 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30, 20:30, 22:30, 24:30

2. MADAGASCAR 3 (3D): 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30

3. LOCK-OUT: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:003. SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE: 12:00, 16:00, 20:00,

24:004. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMAN: 11:00,

13:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 23:305. IRON SKY: 10:30, 15:00, 19:30, 24:005. PROMETHEUS: 12:30, 17:00, 21:30

OSCAR CINEMA,AL FOAH MALL, Al AIN Tel: +971 3 784 3535

ROTANA HOTEL,ZAYED IBN SULTAN St., AL AIN

Tel: +971 3 754 4447

THe MovIe LISTINgS Are vALID FroM THUrSDAY To

WeDNeSDAY everY WeeK.

In this quirky British comedy, ewan Mc gregor is Dr. Fred Jones, one of Britain’s leading uptight fishery experts, who finds himself dragged into a wild scheme to introduce salmon fishing to Yemen. He is approached by Harriet (emily Blunt), a beautiful english consultant to the Sheikh (Amr Waked) to help bring the fish-crazy Sheikh’s dream of fly fishing to the not-so-fish-friendly desert. Dr. Jones then embarks on an upstream journey of faith and fish to prove the impossible attainable.

FiLM oF THE WEEK

THE MOVIES@

1. MADAGASCAR: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00

2. MADAGASCAR (3D): 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30

3. SALMON FISHING IN YEMEN: 10:30, 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45, 24:00

4. LOCK-OUT: 10:45, 15:15, 19:40, 24:004. PROMETHEUS: 12:45, 17:15, 21:305. FERRARI KI SAWAARI (HINDI): 11:00, 14:00,

17:00, 20:00, 23:006. IRON SKY: 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:006. SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: 12:00, 16:00, 20:00,

24:007. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMAN: 11:00,

13:30, 16:00, 18:30, 21:00, 23:30GRAND CLASS: MADAGASCAR:

11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00

thesourceuae.com20

FROM OUR READERSB

y S

an

a S

aeed

By Hajar ali

WE’VE GOTWHAT YOUNEED!

Advertise here

t: +971 3 7668111 f: +971 3 7668118 Al Nayadat Al Ain, UAEadvertising@thesourceuae.com

21thesourceuae.com

NEED TO KNOW

HAVE A QUEsTionAsK THE soURCE ?WE HAVE THE ANSWER

ENVIRONMENTALGet Crafty with Cardboard

Teaching children how to reuse and recycle is an invaluable lesson that will stay with them for life. If your children are anything like mine, where they get a new toy and it grabs their attention for a mere half an hour, why not try something different and save money at the same time?

My kids and I recently embarked on an exciting and creative project to use old materials we found around the house to make a beautiful toy house. As a busy working mum, it was a great way of spending some quality time with them.

Here are some instructions if you want to have a go at building your own toy house with your kids; it’s a fantastic way to watch their imagination and creativity flourish.

1. To start off, use a cardboard box as the foundation for the house. 2. glue cotton wool on top of the box to create a roof-like structure.3. Draw guidelines for a door and some window and then carefully

cut them out.4. Decorate the house with paint, markers, crayons, sequins, pencils

or stickers. Use earbuds as a frame for a window and some colored ice-cream sticks for the frame of the door.

5. Furnish your house. Let your imagination guide you! For example, a juice box can be used as a bed or couch. Water bottle lids can act as chairs or stools. A small plastic container can be a bathtub and so on.

6. Photos of appliances, cut out from magazines, can be used to decorate the kitchen and bathroom.

7. Colored cellophane can be used to cover the windows.8. Add scraps of fabric to give your house some fancy rugs and

carpets.9. Use old party decorations, beads and newspapers to create a

garden area in front of the house.10. Painted toilet roll tubes, with cotton wool stuffed on top, can be

used to make trees and shrubbery.

Supervise children when while they are using scissors and be sure to check materials for sharp edges or broken pieces.

reMeMBer!

can you please suggest a few nurseries in Al Ain that are open during the summer and can provide good day care services for my kids?

There are a number of nurseries in Al Ain with a great reputation for their childcare service. However, their opening times and dates during summer vary greatly. We advise that you check directly with each nursery to ensure the most accurate and up to date information. To get you started, here’s a few that we know are open, at least partially, during the summer. give them a call for more information.

KIDS r US eArLY LeArNINg - 03 781 1456JUNgLe BooK NUrSerY AL AIN - 03 721 2258

BArNeY NUrSerY (open until end June) - 03 763 3820KIDS LAND NUrSerY (open until 12 July) - 03 767 7611

thesourceuae.com22

BE INSPIRED

sCiEnCE is LiFEBy Mehak Alam

Planet venus - named after the roman goddess of love and beauty was seen kissing the disk of the Sun, as she transited across last Sunday. Millions of people around the world ventured outside to witness the meeting of the two, noting the significance of an event which won’t be repeated in any one of our lifetimes.

I was lucky enough to be part of this epic moment, and arose before dawn to make my way across the city to join Mr. Ilias Mohammed Fernini, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UAeU, and his team at their specially constructed observation station in Zakher. As I approached the field, I spotted Mr. Fernini, busy with his observations, calculations and annotations - quite the scientist by all means. His passion for the subject, and his enthusiasm towards the transit was so infectious that I felt my own excitement building.

Then it happened. At 5:46am, we saw venus appear as a black spot on the surface of the sun. It began transitioning across the sun’s face in a west to east movement, creating a fascinating display that I won’t forget for a long time.

After the excitement of the observation, I was lucky enough to have the chance to sit down with Mr. Fernini and chat a bit about science, life and the universe. For him, science IS life; “We are all part of the universe.”

Since he was a young boy, the vastness of the universe and everything within it has fascinated him. Choosing to focus on science in school before going on to specialize in physics, Mr. Fernini studied at Iowa State University and the University of New Mexico, majoring in Astro Physics; he learnt all he could about the universe and its wonders. His enthusiasm for the subject is obvious, “For me, it’s my vocation and not my job.”

We track back to 1997, when Mr. Fernini first joined UAeU. At this time, the astronomy course was merely theoretical, with no practical observatory sessions at all. Feeling unsatisfied with this, Ilias set about using his personal telescope to change the educational program. Firstly, he initiated night observations sessions, where students and the general public could come together, gaze at the stars and learn about the importance of astronomy. His effort was much appreciated, and he now hosts countless mobile observations sessions, which see a huge turnout, throughout Al Ain all year round.

Despite this, the subject needs more explanation and coverage which becomes clear when Mr. Fernini, tells me how people continue to confuse astrology with astronomy. “The irony is, when I say I am an astronomer, people ask me to read their palms and

predict their future, and I simply laugh and explain the difference.” He is working to clear up these misunderstandings by getting involved in the community. He actively conducts lectures and interactive workshops at schools and the university, and is on hand to provide information to members of the public who are curious or keen to learn.

explaining the difficulties he faces, he explains that globally science is considered as a strange and difficult subject, scientists too, he laughs, are often thought of in the same terms! The lack of knowledge and understanding means that students often shy away from electing physics as their major subject. This, he believes, has to change as physics is so fundamental to each of our existences.

Here, in the UAe, employment in the scientific field is limited. Yes, students could teach the subject at a school or university but, not everyone wants to do so. “I believe the government should provide some incentives for physics graduates,” said Mr. Fernini. He encourages youngsters to get interested in the subject, and abolish the sense of mystery attached to it. “Astronomy is no miracle and is simply and purely science.”

The Astronomy Course at UAeU is very interactive, following a question and answer set up and relying on discussion, practical observation sessions and group activities to share knowledge and understanding. As a teacher, he believes it’s vital to gain the trust of students, and vice-verse, in order to build a successful learning environment. With the UAe being a Muslim country, the conflict of religion and science is something he often has queries about yet, he explains, astronomy is part of religion. Noting the sanctity of religion, Mr. Fernini does not attempt to change any fundamental religious values. He explains, instead, that science is a highly permeable subject that deals with a lot with the ‘unknown’ and, as a result, is bound to change with time. In fact, both religion and science require insight and appreciation in order to understand them wholly and the two can go hand in hand with the correct interpretative skills.

As our meeting comes to an end, Mr. Fernini wisely advises, “Society cannot survive without you and without science so try to become friends.” With such an expanse subject, the opportunity for discovery is truly endless. Mr. Fernini encourages youngsters to develop their understanding of the subject and hopes that, as more students rise through the ranks of the Physics Faculty at UAeU, more cohesion regarding the subject will exist. As John Calvin said on The First Book of Moses, 1554, “Astronomy is not only pleasant but also very useful to be known; it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of god.”

24 thesourceuae.com

MY WORLD

DRAKEnsBERg MoUnTAins

zipping tHrougH tHe

By Roekshana Saloojee

25thesourceuae.com

MY WORLD

breeze. orchards of oak trees cast a rainbow of coppery shades over the valleys, while the natural forests are a myriad of colour at this time. The daytime temperatures are a delight, ranging between 20 and 24 degrees, while the evening lows go unnoticed when you’re curled up in front of the inviting fireplace, conveniently located back in the resort.

Besides enjoying the sheer natural beauty of this mountainous region, there’s also the option to try your hand at a number of outdoor exploits, from rock-climbing and abseiling to kloofing [hill climbing] and white water rafting. The ultimate eco-adventure experience, which takes nature lovers to new heights, has got to be the canopy, or zip-line, through the heart of the forest! This fantastic experience will take your breath away as you whizz past ancient trees, rocky crags and some of the spectacular birds of the Blue grotto Forest. Unfortunately, to the dismay of my family, I couldn’t quite muster the courage to go zipping over the tree tops! My feeble excuse was that we had to leave something to experience on our next visit to this paradise!

Later in the afternoon, we rowed out onto the lake allowing the children the freedom to man the paddle boats and I splashed away any disappointment that was lingering from not having sailed over the tree tops. The resort is a wonderful escape for families with a full program of events for children, ranging from pony rides to volleyball games, sand art and candle making, as well as a games room keeping youngsters entertained for hours. There are some fascinating arts and craft centres nearby, while a visit to the Waffle Hut for some scrumptious desert is a treat for children and adults alike!

Feeling utterly rejuvenated, we set off for home. The journey back was filled with talk of further adventures in the Drakensberg, with the most popular request being a visit to the region’s magnificent Amphitheatre. Well, that and the constant reminders that I now owed the family a canopy tour!

every now and then, it’s a good idea to hang up the keys of ‘Mum’s Taxi’, escape the constant buzz of the city and find that much needed tranquillity that you often forgets exists! A mere four hours from my home city of Johannesburg, a road trip sweeps us away to a world of breathtaking vistas, filled with a silence so still you have to pinch yourself to be certain that you’re not staring at a landscape painting.

My family and I found our respite in the awe inspiring Drakensberg Mountains, choosing the Drakensberg Sun resort as the base from which to explore this World Heritage Site. If Mum’s Taxi was taking a break this weekend, Mum’s Kitchen was certainly closing its doors too! Dinner and breakfast at the resort were a feast for the eye and, thankfully, not damaging to our waistlines! After a hearty breakfast on our first morning, we set off with our guide, Peter, on an invigorating hike through the forest of the Blue grotto. The biological diversity of the Drakensberg is exceptional, with flowers, ferns, trees, bulbs and rare orchids and irises forming part of the 2153 plant species found in this paradise. Hiking trails are clearly marked along the upper and lower slopes of the mountain and cater for all fitness levels. The Blue grotto trail never strays far away from the constant gurgling of the mountain stream which cuts through the midst of the trees and accompanies the calls of almost 300 species of birds who call this place home. The crisp coolness of the morning air fused with the fresh scent of the forest certainly cleared away any traces of city pollution left in our lungs!

Back at base, energised by our morning exercise, we kicked off our shoes to test our skills at volleyball! Not to be discouraged by our lacklustre display, we then joined a horse trail over the sun kissed slopes from which we could view the magnificent Cathkin Peak. Being inexperienced riders, an hour’s trail was ideal for us however the more experienced have the option of a challenging two-hour trail. Autumn in the Drakensberg casts a golden hue over the landscape. The grassy slopes shed their summer greens and don their golden robes blowing gentle waves in the afternoon

26 thesourceuae.com

MY EMIRATE

recently, on a trip to the capital, I discovered the fantastic Carpet Souk, a mesmerizing place stocked full of unique and unusual rugs and carpets. Most of the carpets originate from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, China and Central Asia. They come in an array of exquisite colors and designs. I must say that my lack of knowledge made it quite difficult to bargain for a good price. My advice would be to learn a bit more about the origins of different carpets before you go, in order to ensure that you’re getting a genuine product.

Before making your final decision, visit a number of shops to get a feel for quality, design and price. My ignorance was educated when a passionate carpet salesman explained that the higher number of knots per square inch, the higher the price and the better the quality. I also learned a valuable lesson about the different types of textiles, for example silk is more expensive than wool, and rugs from Iran are generally more valuable than the equivalent from Turkey or Kashmir.

The carpet salesman was very eager to make a sale but also wanted me to make an informed choice. Thus, he brought an array of carpets to show me the difference between a carpet made by hand and one made by machine. Hand-made carpets are never quite perfect and the pile is uneven, yet they are much more sought after than their machine-made counterparts.

By the time my carpet education came to an end, the salesman had unrolled over 30 carpets! After two hours of looking at all the different patterns and colors, I finally came home with a beautiful and traditional Persian carpet. off course, after my shopping extravagance, I came home to one not so happy husband!

The Carpet Souq offers tradition and authenticity. If you’re in the market for a carpet, or just want to explore one of the lesser known gems of Abu Dhabi City; the Carpet Souq, at the port end of Mina road, is a great place to start.

in THE MARKET FoR A CARPET?

By Khudayja Saloojee

Leather Sofa Set 3+2+1king Size Bed(Black & Brown)

L Shape Sofa w/Storage(Black, Brown & Red)

Sofa Bed 3+2+1(Red, Grey, Black, Brown)

Computer Desk Laptop Desk TV Unit Annie Bunk Bed

thesourceuae.com 27

URBAN Woman

oversized shades, in a myriad of colors and materials. oozing glamour, they work with

most face shapes but just be cautious if you’re petite, as you don’t want your sunglasses dwarfing you.

Tortoiseshell shades are another popular choice for summer 2012. Whether you go for Chanel, Persol or D&g, they are a little more stylish than

plain frames and, although the mottled pattern works best with blonde hair, the

variety of yellows and browns available mean that you can usually find a pair to suit

any skin tone.

Finally, for a little bit of quirkiness there’s plastic, retro shades available in fresh, bright, popping colors. Some designers have gone one step further, printing flowers and polka dots on their frames to add a little bit of summer fun. Perfect for nourishing your inner child, as you lick on an ice-cream and meander along the beach.

sTyLisH sUnniEs FoR sUMMER

Summer is upon us and one thing you shouldn’t leave the house without is a pair of trusty sunglasses. essential for filtering out harmful Uv rays, they can also finish off an outfit with a stylish flourish or add a touch of mystery to your look.

Classic aviators have been famous since the sixties, and were the style of choice by stars such as John Lennon, ringo Starr and Tom Cruise in the movie series ‘Top gun’.

Add a touch of celebrity status to your look by opting for a

gold frame with dark tinted lenses.

oversized sunnies have been popular, ever since Jackie o, the First Lady of the United States, began wearing them in the 1970s. She opted for large, dark frames that

covered most of the upper portion of her face and added mystery to her already

beautiful features. Since then, design houses have produced countless varieties of the

By Hayley Skirka

thesourceuae.comC

Day Fajr/الفجر Sunrise/الرشوق Dhuhr/الظهر Asr/العرص Maghrib/املغرب Isha/العشاء

Thursday/الخميس 3:58 5:28 12:18 3:37 7:07 8:37

Friday/الجمعة 3:58 5:28 12:18 3:38 7:07 8:37

Saturday/السبت 3:58 5:28 12:18 3:38 7:07 8:37

Sunday/األحد 3:58 5:28 12:18 3:38 7:07 8:37

Monday/االثنني 3:59 5:29 12:19 3:38 7:08 8:38

Tuesday/الثالثاء 3:59 5:29 12:19 3:38 7:08 8:38

Wednesday/األربعاء 3:59 5:29 12:19 3:39 7:08 8:38

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AMBULANCE998

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TAXI SERVICE600 535353 800 9008

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PRAyERالصالةأوقات TIMES

Easy Super-Difficult

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9

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4 8 5

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791

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25 1

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86

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المناف

ما الرسعة التي ميكن أن تصل لها سيارة السباق يف الحلبة؟أرسل إجابتك عىل الربيد اإللكرتوين competition@thesourceuae.com وال تنىس أن تدرج لنا معلومات التواصل معك.

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الفوز بجلسة »أرايف آند درايف« ملدة خمس عرشة دقيقة. بالطبع سيتم تقديم بيانات السالمة قبل ركوب السيارة وااللتفاف بجولة ال مثيل لها برسعة

تفوق 85 كم/ ساعة. فقط أخربنا...

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it’s coMPEtition tiME! ArE you FEELing Lucky?

This week we’ve teamed up with Al Ain raceway to offer one of our readers an adrenalin pumping challenge on their 1.6 km fully floodlit, world-class racing track. To be in with a chance of winning this exhilarating 15 minute ‘Arrive and Drive’ session, where winners will be given a full safety briefing before climbing into the karts and zooming around the state-of-the-art course at speeds of up to 85kph, just tell us…