Abu Dhabi – Miscellaneous
Photo Speaks – Abu Dhabi city scene
Abu Dhabi City Scene during an evening
Mina port road
A fish cleaner at the Mina Fish market Abu Dhabi
Children play area at Mina Cooperative market
Children play area at Mina Cooperative market
Children play area at Mina Cooperative market
Etisalat building at Airport road Abu Dhabi
Electra Street Abu Dhabi
A view of the Electra Street / Mina road junction
A view of the Electra Street / Mina road junction
An evening at Mina road
Abu Dhabi corniche beach opening
Abu Dhabi corniche beach opening
Sheikh Mansoor, left, and Sheikh Hamed take a tour of the new Abu Dhabi corniche beach in a golf buggy after cutting the world’s longest inaugural ribbon to officially open the beach.
Photos courtesy: Stephen Lock / The National
Abu Dhabi public beach opens
Zoi Constantine for THE NATIONAL
Last Updated: July 02. 2008 11:10PM UAE / GMT
ABU DHABI // More than 150 additional parking spaces and two new pedestrian overpasses are planned to cope with the anticipated influx of people to Abu Dhabi’s public beach, which officially opened last night.
“The inauguration of the Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach is part of the capital’s strategic plan to develop its seafront and equip it with modern infrastructure and services it can be proud of,” said Jumaa al Junaibi, the general manager of the municipality, at the launch.
The beach, which cost Dh105 million (US$28.5m) to develop, is free to the public, with facilities including a mosque, changing rooms, shaded snack kiosks and restaurants, and 12 hectares of parks, playgrounds and promenades. Four beach volleyball courts are set among 555 palm trees and there will be a permanent police post.
“I invite all to behave [in a way] that respects the culture and traditions of the UAE society and to be involved in the municipality’s effort to keep the beach the beautiful, clean and harmonious place it has been designed to be,” said Mr Junaibi.
Hundreds of people turned up for the opening ceremony at the beach, which had been decked in flags and balloons.
The cutting of the 5km ribbon was marked with a fireworks display over the water. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, attended the official opening, which was originally scheduled for Monday but delayed. However, while the opening of the 2km beach, which can accommodate 5,000 beachgoers, has been eagerly anticipated, there is some concern that the already congested Corniche area will not be able to handle the additional parking demands.
“I think parking will be big problem,” said Nabil Khouri, an engineer from Lebanon, who is a member of a private beach club near the new beach.
“I might go if the facilities are adequate, but the location just along the road is not appropriate.”
However, Gena Hardesty, who lives along the Corniche, said beachgoers should not be discouraged. “If you drive around the back streets not far from the beach there are parking spaces, so I don’t think it will be much of a problem,” she said.
There are 780 public parking spaces on the opposite side of the Corniche Road available to beachgoers, according to the municipality.
An additional 172 spaces were also planned, along with two pedestrian overpass bridges linking the area to the beach.
“The plans are subject to final approval, but we are trying to provide the public with a way to safely park and cross [the road to the beach],” said Atef Garib, a traffic and transport expert at the municipality.
There are already two pedestrian crossings along the Corniche Road and one underpass, he added. Work is also expected to begin soon to increase the size of the taxi lay-bys along the beach.
There will be 15 lifeguards to monitor the beach and patrol the water on jet skis. Swimming is expected to be prohibited after 8pm during the summer months.
zconstantine@thenational.ae
World’s longest ribbon at new beach
World’s longest ribbon at new beach
By Adel Arafah (Staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 3 July 2008
ABU DHABI — Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs, yesterday inaugurated the new Abu Dhabi corniche beach. Also, a new world record was created when Shaikh Mansour cut the longest-ever inaugural ribbon.
Ministers, diplomatic representatives to the UAE, and senior officials of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Abu Dhabi Municipality were among those present at the ceremony.
After cutting the ribbon, Shaikh Mansour toured the premises and facilities of the beach. “The newly-opened beach reflects the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure comfort to people and enhance public services and utilities for all residents,” said Juma Mubarak Al Janeibi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Municipality.
The beach has a host of facilities for visitors, including four playgrounds for beach volleyball as well, Al Janeibi added.
As many as 555 palm trees have been planted in the parks extending along the beach.
Also, there are seven monitoring centres for swift rescue in case of emergencies.
Photo Speaks – Importance of Prayer Books
The other day, I received an email forward which was depicting the importance of our Prayer Books. I found it very interesting and sharing it with you all. While coming down to office, I happened to notice a car with it’s owner having the same ideology. A unique one. I thought I must give him some due credit.
Many times, we have seen, especially in India, dashboards and front panel of automobiles filled with several pictures and idols of gods. We see the same drivers swearing and cursing the fellow drivers and bullying each other small vehicle and pedestrians on their way. All this they are doing with one or more witness readily availabile in front and nearer to them.
What to say? Give our gods a break. Make a habit to pray during the regular prayer times and let your dedication to your family, work and society be your offerings. Do it diligently. Why not give it a try. The almighty god needs a break. He has been busy working for us all these years. Now, let him focus on someone else with more pressing problems.
Have a great day ahead.
********************************************
CELL PHONE vs. Prayer Book
I wonder what would happen if we treated our Prayer Books like we treat our cellphone?
> What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
> What if we flipped through it several time a day?
> What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
> What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
> What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
> What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
> What if we used it when we traveled?
> What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go…..hmm.. .where is my Prayer Books? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Prayer Book being disconnected because God already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think ‘where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!
ESSENCE OF OUR RELIGIOUS BOOKS AND PRAYERS
> Whatever has happened, has happened for good.
> Whatever is happening is happening for good.
> Whatever is going to happen, it will be for good.
> What have you lost for which you cry?
> What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
> What did you produce, which has destroyed?
> You did not bring anything when you were born.
> Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
> Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
> You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
> Whatever is yours today was somebody else’s
> Yesterday and will be somebody else’s tomorrow.
SO WHY WORRY UNNECESSARILY?
…….Change is the law of the universe…..
- ← Previous
- 1
- …
- 7
- 8
- 9
- Next →
ClicksandWrites 
You must be logged in to post a comment.