General
Information Update: Dh500,000 fine for posting photo online without permission in UAE
Offenders can also be jailed.
Q1) I attended a wedding in the emirate of Al Ain last month, where I made the acquaintance of many guests, who graced the occasion. I also came in contact with a woman who was friendly in her interaction with me, and with whom I went on to pose for photographs. Thereafter, I posted a selfie clicked with her on one of my social media accounts as a story without seeking permission from the said woman, considering that she too had posted many photographs of herself and others from the same wedding on her social media platform. However, now the said woman has threatened to file a case against me for posting a photograph (in which she is present), without her consent. Further, the photograph I had posted is no longer there on my account. Will there be any legal implications?
Read more at: Khaleej Times
News Update: Safety first: UAE suspends major events to beat coronavirus
Safety first: UAE suspends major events to beat coronavirus
Many upcoming major entertainment events in the nation’s capital and Dubai are under consideration following the new coronavirus outbreak in the UAE. (Coronavirus outbreak: All the latest updates)
Tips to protect oneself at an event:
– Maintain mouth and nose barriers by wearing masks
– Maintain optimal hand hygiene
– Use a hand sanitizer with 90 per cent alcohol
– Clean surfaces of mobile phones and other gadgets
– Avoid touching surfaces
– Wash hands repeatedly
– Avoid touching your face
– To sneeze, use wipes or cough on to a sleeve
– Don’t share food and beverages at venues
– Use disposable plates and cutlery
– Don’t share cutlery
– Organisers must ask staff members to stay alert and appoint health inspectors onsite
– Avoid handshakes and hugs if possible
Read more at: Khaleej Times
News Update: Emirates tells employees take leave due to coronavirus slowdown
‘Measurable slowdown’ in business prompts airline to offer leave options.
Dubai: Emirates Group has started to feel the brunt of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 with a “measurable slowdown” in business, and has offered staff the option of taking paid or unpaid leave.
On Sunday, an Emirates spokesperson told Gulf News: “We can confirm the email was sent to our employees around unpaid leave. Point to note – the leave we are asking employees to take is voluntary. It is at the employee’s discretion if they want to take it or not.”
The internal email was sent out recently to all Emirates staff, which includes more than 21,000 cabin crew and 4,000 pilots, according to a Reuters report.
“A particular challenge for us right now is dealing with the impact of the COVID-19. We’ve seen a measurable slowdown in business across our brands, and a need for flexibility in the way we work,” said the email, which was quoted in Reuters. The email also encouraged staff who have “accrued a significant balance of annual leave” to take paid leave.
Read more at: Gulf News
News update: Coronavirus: UAE ministry issues warning about use of masks
The Ministry of Health and Community Protection in UAE has warned residents against the usage of N 95 masks, as a preventive measure for the coronavirus.
The ministry’s statement as posted on Wam official Twitter account said that N95 masks are only meant to be used by medical staff working in entities treating coronavirus patients. Use of these masks by the general public may impose pressure on the user’s respiratory system and may cause respiratory diseases among its users.
The use of these masks is also strictly forbidden for children.
Read more at: Khaleej Times
News update: Coronavirus in UAE: ‘Don’t wear face masks,’ says ministry
Ministry of Health and Prevention explains it may cause stress on the respiratory system.
Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention on Saturday advised the public not to wear the N-95 facial mask as it may cause stress on the respiratory system and lead to future respiratory diseases.
News update: UAE Central Bank seeks measures to mitigate economic impact of coronavirus
Banks asked to reschedule loans and reduce fees and commissions.
Dubai: The Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) on Saturday asked banks to reschedule loans and reduce fees and commissions as part of measures to mitigate the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Financial institutions are expected to implement measures such as re-scheduling of loans contracts, granting temporary deferrals on monthly loan payments, and reducing fees and commissions for affected customers,” Reuters quoted a central bank said statement .
Read more at: Gulf News
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque sees 6.6 million worshippers, visitors in 2019
ABU DHABI, 29th February, 2020 (WAM) — Over 6.6 million worshippers, tourists and residents visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the ‘Year of Tolerance’ last year.
According to figures released by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, SZGMC, the total number of individuals visiting the iconic mosque reached 6,656,818 in 2019.
The SZGMC said that it had intensified its efforts to boost the mosque’s standing as a global intellectual platform for tolerance and a leading cultural destination.
Of the total number of visitors, the majority group were tourists visiting the site that totalled to 4,132,309. The Centre tallied worshippers at 1,562,149 individuals, fasting guests at 891,860 and recipients of weekly meals at 70,500.
The Centre noted that visitors from India lead the top ten countries visiting the mosque, with a total of 879,049, followed by China (704,680), Russia (234,849), Germany (193,234), and France (155,223).
Read more at: WAM
7th Sharjah Used Book Fair by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services opens
Photo courtesy SCHS
The 7th edition of the Used Book Fair organised under the theme of “Get a book – Light a path” by the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) opened on Wednesday, 26th February 2020.
Celebrating the Emirate of Sharjah as World Book Capital City, this four-day book fair offering over a million used books will be held from Feb 26-29 held at the Palm Gardens, Khalid Lake, Sharjah.
In her message, Sheikha Jamila bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director-General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, emphasised the importance of organising the book fair coinciding to the vision of the His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Consistent with the cultural, and knowledge approach which, coinciding with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) has been organising the fair every 2 years since 2006, reinforcing the value of a book and its importance, and also to promote the culture of reading through the community in all age categories.
In addition, it promotes the book’s value and its importance through encouraging reading and promotion and development of volunteering amongst youth.
This year the organisers have targeted a million books for display and sale.
Mr. Jehad Abed Alkader, the festival’s General Coordinator has ensured the rule of volunteering, in all stages of the book fair. Starting from preparatory works, volunteers a valuable number of people with different abilities. participate and engage in the festival’s organization and realized the importance of promoting awareness and education in community, through organizing this festival.
They all work under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, to make the Used Book Festival through perfect organisation, innovative ideas, and the increase in the number of displayed books and revenues that serves the public interest of people with special abilities and the society as well. Special attention has been taken to maintain the pricing of books in the fair between one dirham and twenty dirhams, providing an opportunity for all, to get books at nominal prices.
The first version of the festival has been launched, in April 2006. the number of books displayed in that year was 80 thousand books. Then, the number of books increased in 2007 to become (100 thousand). The number became (150 thousand) in 2009. In the fourth edition, which was in 2011, the number of books was (500,000 thousand). The number of books increased more and more in the years 2013 and 2016 to reach in 2020 more than one million books as indicated by supervisors who have been working in sorting and pricing books since months.
The Festival, will offer a wide range of cultural events, recreational programs, and various cultural activities. It considered as the first, and the largest festival of its kind in the United Arab Emirates, in aspects of its idea, and organizing.
The festival deserves every required support especially; it has a rosy picture of “The Smiling Emirate,” which works hard to ensure a decent life for all.
Undoubtedly, main goals of the festival are not financial profit; however, the proceeds of this event will be used in supporting services provided by the SCHS to people with disabilities. the process provide an opportunity to forming alternators committees, collecting books and classifying them, and it offers to its pioneers from different age and population groups to get books and provide equipping with the knowledge and culture.
Volunteers included students from Sharjah Technical College and University of Sharjah and students from Arab and foreign schools and participants from the Emirates Volunteers platform and Emirates NBD.
Thai Poosam Abu Dhabi 2020
Work is worship. True, for every expatriate. Family is devotion, more important for every human being. Balancing life between work and family and your passion is sometimes a challenge. You love to do so many things in life, but unable to do.
Never mind. I believe in keeping an attitude in my life like one gets in a cricket match for a player to get a run out or a stumping chance or a football or hockey player to score a goal in a flash.
It was one such occasion that I happened to attend. I was not planning to attend. But, ended up and then couldn’t resist leaving.
And if I attend, even if I do not have my professional equipment, use whatever I have!.
That’s what I did this weekend. Captured an entire Bhajan session by Bhajan Bharathi for Thai Poosam 2020 held at Abu Dhabi, using my mobile camera.
Enjoying watching the videos, taken through mobile, not one but two. One live on FB and other for Youtube!.
ClicksandWrites 
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