News

Pakistan Association Dubai breaks Guinness World Record with giant UAE flag

Published

2 months ago

May 23, 2025

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In a powerful tribute to the UAE’s values of unity and community, Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has officially entered the Guinness World Records for creating the largest UAE flag made of handprints, featuring 24,514 prints from people of over 100 nationalities.

The record-breaking flag was unveiled during a special ceremony at the Pakistan Auditorium, where a Guinness World Records adjudicator verified the achievement in front of a crowd of 250 guests, including Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, and Consul General Hussain Muhammad.

“This initiative is a beautiful tribute to the UAE’s spirit of tolerance and innovation,” said Ambassador Tirmizi. “It reflects the deep love and gratitude of the Pakistani community towards a country that has embraced people from all walks of life.”

The feat was the culmination of PAD’s “Hands of Unity” campaign, launched as part of the UAE’s Year of Community. Over a month, volunteers collected handprints from 23 schools and universities, activated 39 community sites, and brought together thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Each handprint represents a message of solidarity and appreciation from the UAE’s 2 million-strong Pakistani diaspora.

The record title was shared by Pakistan Association Dubai, community platform Emirates Loves, and artist Rubab Zahra, the creative force behind the flag. PAD President Dr. Faisel Ikram described the achievement as a “token of love” to the UAE.

“We are proud to call the UAE our second home,” he said. “This record reflects our commitment to unity, growth, and contribution. It would not have been possible without the passion and hard work of our volunteers and community partners.”

A touching video documenting the campaign’s journey was played at the ceremony, capturing the behind-the-scenes efforts of hundreds of volunteers. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to participating schools, sponsors, and partners who helped bring the vision to life.

“This was a community movement in every sense,” said Khalid Imtiaz, PAD’s Joint Secretary. “From classrooms to public parks, the energy and enthusiasm were truly inspiring.”

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Paid parking around mosques in Dubai begins in August

Published

37 mins ago

July 31, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Worshippers in Dubai will soon see a new parking system rolled out around 59 mosques across the city, and while the move introduces 24-hour paid parking, there’s good news too: It remains free during prayer times.

Starting in August, Parkin Company, Dubai’s largest public parking provider, will manage around 2,100 parking spaces in partnership with the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). The spaces, located around mosques, will be free to use for one hour during each prayer, helping ensure convenient access for worshippers.

Outside of those times, however, the same parking spots will operate as regular paid zones – either Zone M (standard) or Zone MP (premium), and will be chargeable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Zone M (Standard): Dh2 for 30 minutes, Dh4 for an hour.
Zone MP (Premium):
- Off-peak: Dh2 (30 min), Dh4 (1 hour)
- Peak: Dh3 (30 min), Dh6 (1 hour)

Of the 59 mosques involved, 41 will be in Zone M, while 18 fall under the premium MP category.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how this collaboration improves the worshipper experience,” said Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin.

For now, this initiative is focused on the current 59 mosques, but both Parkin and IACAD say there’s potential to expand the programme in future.

Parkin already manages around 209,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, including developer-owned areas and barrierless systems at malls like City Centre Deira and Mirdif. This partnership adds to their growing footprint and introduces a structured approach to mosque parking that balances convenience with efficiency.

News

UAE fuel prices for August announced: Petrol rates hold, diesel sees hike

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1 hour ago

July 31, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Drivers in the UAE can expect mostly unchanged petrol prices in August, while diesel costs have risen.

The UAE’s Fuel Price Committee has announced the official petrol and diesel rates for August, with petrol prices remaining nearly unchanged from July, while diesel prices see a notable increase.

From August 1, fuel prices across the country will be as follows:

Super 98: Dh2.69 per litre (down from Dh2.70 in July)
Special 95: Dh2.57 per litre (down from Dh2.58)
E-Plus 91: Dh2.50 per litre (down from Dh2.51)
Diesel: Dh2.78 per litre (up from Dh2.63)

While petrol prices have dipped by just one fils, the 15-fils hike in diesel could impact logistics and goods transport.

Fuel prices in the UAE are revised monthly under global oil market trends. Since the deregulation of fuel prices in 2015, the country has followed a dynamic pricing model aligned with international benchmarks.

Despite slight monthly fluctuations, the UAE continues to offer some of the lowest fuel prices globally, averaging Dh2.58 per litre, helping residents manage daily transportation costs while keeping inflation in check.

Health

No tuition fees, just talent: New scholarship programme offers 100% tuition fee waiver

Published

21 hours ago

July 30, 2025

Michael Gomes

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In a major boost for aspiring medical students, especially those facing financial challenges, Aster DM Healthcare has launched a new scholarship programme offering 100% tuition fee waivers for MBBS, BSc Nursing, and BPharm courses. Designed to support 25 deserving students every year, the initiative opens doors to high-quality medical education at no cost, removing a key financial barrier for many talented individuals across India and the UAE

The Dr. Moopen’s Legacy Scholarship & Fellowships Programme, announced by Padma Shri Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, is the first of its kind from a private medical college in Kerala, and promises to transform access to healthcare education in underserved regions.

“No capable student should have to give up on a dream of becoming a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist because they cannot afford it,” said Dr. Moopen. “This initiative is our commitment to changing that.”

Scholarship Details:

5 MBBS students will be selected based entirely on academic merit, including NEET rankings.
10 BSc Nursing and 10 BPharm students will be chosen based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.
The scholarship will cover 100% of tuition fees.
Over five years, 125 students are expected to benefit, with a financial commitment exceeding INR 3 crore annually.

Applications open on July 28, 2025, and detailed eligibility guidelines are available at www.dmscholarship.in.