Lifestyle
Volunteers from 10 countries add to diversity factor at SCRF
The volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time and energy to help make the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) a success have thanked organisers and the young attendees for making their job “one-of-a-kind”.
The annual event that brings together thousands of children from all over the UAE for a range of activities including workshops, storytelling, comic shows, and book readings, has come to a grand close today (Sunday) after 12 straight days of successful implementation.
With the presence of animation workshops throughout the festival, first-time volunteer, Iraqi Anwaar Yaqoub, 29, said, “It was absolute fun! All the animation content was the best part for me as an artist myself. I will treasure all the memories I made this year.” Omani Hamda Hisham, another first-timer at SCRF, found the surge of excitement infectious and loved being part of children’s activities. The 24-year-old said, “The joy these kids show when they see their favourite characters was palpable and it really brought a smile to my face.”
For Rawan Najar, the chance to volunteer at SCRF for the third straight time was a “no-brainer” as the 21-year-old Lebanese student of graphic design put it, and said she loved being involved in helping to prepare the letters of appreciation for her colleagues this year. Emirati Hind Haif said the festival exceeded their expectations, stating, “I came purely for the love of reading, books, activities and to help the children and this year was amazing.”
A volunteer greets a young visitor at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival at Expo Centre. Supplied
Commenting on the opportunity to work with young children at the Sharjah Child Safety booth, Emirati, Omnia Haider said, “I truly enjoyed interacting with kids, some as young as five, I felt a sense of responsibility like never before.”
Bader Mohamad Saab, Director of Sharjah’s Government Communication Department, expressed gratitude towards the volunteers, saying, “We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers who gave more than their time and energy to make this festival a success.”
Zain Mohiyaldin, the leader of the festival’s dedicated team of 150 volunteers, commended their commitment and enthusiasm, which were vital in ensuring that the festival ran smoothly and efficiently. Mohiyaldin received an excess of 500 volunteer applications from over 10 nations around the world before the start of the festival and chose those with sheer passion for the job.
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More SCRF coverage:
Sudha Murty enthralls audience with Grandma tales
Lifestyle
Dubai to open 10 million sq ft Al Layan Oasis with huge lake, camping and desert experiences
Dubai is getting a brand-new desert destination, and it’s massive.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has approved Al Layan Oasis, a 10 million square foot eco-tourism and leisure project set to transform part of the emirate’s desert into a lake-centred retreat packed with walking trails, camping areas and family attractions.
Located about 50 minutes from Dubai city centre, the oasis is expected to attract 330,000 visitors a year.
A 2.5 Million Sq Ft Lake in the Desert
At the heart of Al Layan Oasis will be a 2.5 million sq ft lake, surrounded by:
- 14km of walking and cycling tracks
- Elevated pathways five metres above ground
- 1,000 parking spaces
- Sports and recreation facilities
- Camping and caravan zones
The elevated 4km track will offer panoramic desert views and connect to existing routes in Al Marmoom.
Four Zones for Families and Visitors
The destination will feature four themed areas:
- Camping Oasis: 100 caravan spots and a visitor centre
- Gathering Oasis: Open-air cinema, amphitheatre and food trucks
- Family Oasis: 28 shaded rest areas and children’s play zones
- Recreation Oasis: Retail, activities and leisure facilities
Officials say the project balances eco-tourism with environmental protection, expanding native planting and shaded areas to enhance comfort.
Part of Dubai’s Sustainability Plan
Al Layan Oasis forms part of Dubai Municipality’s Blue and Green Roadmap 2030, under a Dh4 billion package aimed at investing in nature to improve the quality of life.
The project also supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the emirate’s long-term sustainability and wellbeing goals.
Once completed, Al Layan Oasis is expected to become one of Dubai’s key desert lifestyle and eco-tourism destinations, offering residents and tourists a new way to experience nature without leaving the emirate.
Lifestyle
Umm Suqeim Beach redevelopment: What Dubai residents can expect from the Dh500 million upgrade
Dubai is set to transform Umm Suqeim Beach into a world-class waterfront destination after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, approved a Dh500 million master plan for its redevelopment.
The project, led by Dubai Municipality, is one of the emirate’s flagship beach development initiatives and aims to blend global design excellence with a distinctive Emirati identity, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading international tourism destination.
A future-ready beach destination
Spanning 3.1 kilometres and covering 445,000 square metres, the redevelopment will increase the beach area and developable spaces by 30 per cent. Smart lighting will illuminate 130,000 square metres of beachfront, enabling night swimming and extended evening activities.
Aligned with Dubai’s long-term vision
Sheikh Hamdan said the project reflects Dubai’s commitment to enhancing public spaces through innovative design, advanced urban planning and sustainable infrastructure, while prioritising quality of life for residents and visitors.
The Umm Suqeim Beach master plan supports the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, focusing on sustainable waterfront development, healthy lifestyles and community wellbeing.
Extensive social, environmental and traffic studies were conducted, alongside community engagement, to ensure the project balances tourism growth with environmental protection and residential privacy.
Key features of the Umm Suqeim Beach redevelopment
- Capacity to welcome up to 6 million visitors annually
- 200% increase in parking, reaching approximately 2,400 spaces
- Six architecturally distinctive gateways reflecting local heritage
- Ten mobility hubs and 11 taxi pick-up and drop-off points
- Integrated cycling and e-scooter facilities
- A 38-metre observation tower inspired by Dubai’s maritime history
- Upgraded road access from Jumeirah Street with improved traffic flow
Sustainability and climate resilience
The project places strong emphasis on sustainability, including climate change adaptation measures such as a two-kilometre retaining wall, elevated beach levels, and an AI-powered smart facilities management system to enhance operational efficiency.
Boosting tourism and private sector participation
Dubai Municipality will actively engage private sector partners and investors, strengthening public-private partnerships and further supporting Dubai’s tourism economy.
Once completed, the redeveloped Umm Suqeim Beach is expected to become a globally recognised urban landmark, offering a destination that combines leisure, sport, culture and sustainability.
Announcements
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Emirates Road lane towards Sharjah to close from February 19
