The Art Maze – the first-ever art exhibition at the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s famous helipad – is being held from March 23 to March 27.
The show offers a new immersive art gallery experience. Hosted by artists Marcus Schaefer and Sacha Jafri, The Art Maze displays 30 oil and acrylic paintings that are inspired by 30 World Heritage Sites. UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The helipad is suspended 212 metres above sea level and has hosted a number of sporting and cultural events.
‘The Art Maze’ showcases 30 original paintings of Jafri that depict World Heritage Sites in a custom built 12-metre by 12-metre steel labyrinthine designed by Schaefer.
The Art Maze is an invite-only event for VIPs, celebrities, entrepreneurs, HNWI and art collectors.
The launch of the exhibition on the helipad sets off ‘The Art Maze World Tour’. The show will travel all across the globe over the next 24 months.
Schaefer said: “With this heartfelt project, I want to raise awareness, especially in uncertain times with a global pandemic and political instabilities, to remind and honour all people about the beauty of our world, nature, man-made monuments.”
Jafri said: “My vision and inspiration for my artworks for The Art Maze stems from the beauty, the spirit, the history and the anthropology of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Trying to depict the emotion of a culture, a building, a story, a vista, and most importantly, an energy, all inspired me to create this collection which is so special, almost spiritual and otherworldly. It has been an honour for me to celebrate these sites as part of UNESCO’s 50th Anniversary of World Heritage.”
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai indicated that passport services, disrupted due to technical issues, are expected to resume on Monday, May 4.
The suspension, announced earlier this week by Pakistan’s missions in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, stems from a major technical glitch that affected systems across multiple countries. Officials confirmed that all in-person processing would remain halted until further notice.
Roughly 800 to 1,000 expats rely on the consulate and embassy every day. That’s a huge volume, and delays have hit people needing passport renewals, visa processing, and residency-related paperwork. For several residents, it has directly affected their travel plans, legal status, and employment.
To ease the impact, missions have advised Pakistani citizens to use the online passport application system for renewals and new requests where possible. Those unable to access digital services are asked to wait for further guidance until operations are restored.
Dubai Police have issued a fresh reminder to residents to strengthen the security of home surveillance systems and internet-connected devices, warning that weak settings can leave users vulnerable to hacking, privacy breaches, and even cyber extortion.
The alert comes as part of ongoing awareness campaigns led by the General Department of Criminal Investigation, represented by the Cybercrime and Electronic Crime Department. Authorities noted that many cyberattacks exploit devices with default or weak configurations, making them easy targets.
Residents are advised to take simple but vital steps:
•Change default passwords immediately after activating any device.
•Use strong, complex passwords with letters, numbers, and symbols.
•Regularly update operating systems and apps to patch security gaps.
•Avoid sharing personal details or passwords with unverified sources.
•Switch off surveillance systems when not in use, especially in private spaces.
•Stay alert to suspicious links or apps from unreliable platforms.
Dubai Police emphasised that awareness remains the first line of defence against cybercrime. To support the public, residents can access advice through the e-Crime Hub and report incidents via official channels or by calling 901 for non-emergency cases.
Authorities reiterated that community cooperation is key to reducing cybercrime and protecting individuals, families, and property in the digital age.
Pedestrians in Dubai are being urged to follow road safety rules, as Dubai Police warns that crossing from non-designated areas remains a leading cause of run-over accidents.
Officials say that despite the availability of pedestrian bridges and safe crossings across major roads, some individuals continue to take risks, especially on high-speed routes where drivers may not be able to stop in time.
The warning follows a recent incident where a pedestrian was injured after attempting to cross from an unsafe location in the city. The individual sustained minor injuries.
According to Brigadier Jumaa Salem Bin Suwaidan, pedestrians who ignore crossing rules not only risk their own safety but also endanger drivers and other road users.
Under UAE traffic laws, crossing outside designated areas or ignoring signals can result in a Dh400 fine, reinforcing the importance of using marked crossings and following traffic lights.
Residents have been urged to use designated crossings and stay alert, particularly on busy roads. With increasing traffic and high vehicle speeds in many areas, even a short shortcut can carry serious risks.
