分类： society

In a powerful demonstration of religious harmony, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended Christmas celebrations at Abu Dhabi’s Coptic Orthodox Church on January 6, 2026. The event marked a significant moment in the nation’s ongoing commitment to interfaith dialogue and cultural diversity.

The minister’s participation in the traditional Christmas observance highlighted the UAE’s distinctive approach to fostering mutual respect among different religious communities. During his address, Sheikh Nahyan extended warm Christmas greetings to congregants and conveyed special regards to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Father Bishoy Fakhry, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, expressed profound appreciation for the UAE leadership’s consistent promotion of tolerance values. He noted that the minister’s presence symbolized the country’s deeply ingrained principles of religious acceptance and human fraternity.

Sheikh Nahyan’s speech emphasized the UAE’s pride in its authentic Islamic heritage that actively encourages respect among all faith traditions. “We present to the world a distinguished model of human tolerance and peaceful coexistence for the benefit of all,” he stated, underscoring the nation’s vision of building a cohesive society through interreligious understanding.

The minister further articulated how prayer and spiritual reflection serve as essential components in creating robust social frameworks. He characterized the Christmas celebration as evidence of the UAE’s conviction that diverse religious practices contribute significantly to national strength and global harmony.

This gathering also highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and the UAE, with Sheikh Nahyan describing the event as a living embodiment of the flourishing connection between the two nations. He extended messages of peace and fraternity to the Egyptian community residing in the UAE and expressed optimism for continued progress in inter-Arab cooperation.

The Christmas celebration at the Coptic Orthodox Church stands as a testament to the UAE’s evolving social landscape, where religious diversity is not merely tolerated but actively embraced as a cornerstone of national identity and international diplomacy.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially completed a comprehensive infrastructure enhancement project along Al Warqa’a 1 Street, marking a significant milestone in the city’s ongoing urban development initiatives. The 7-kilometer expansion, stretching from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to Ras Al Khor Road, represents a strategic investment in the emirate’s transportation network.

The transformative project has successfully converted four traditional roundabouts into intelligent signalized intersections, employing smart traffic management technology to optimize vehicle movement. This upgrade alone has contributed to a remarkable 30% improvement in traffic flow efficiency, substantially reducing congestion during peak hours.

Beyond traffic management improvements, the initiative incorporated multifaceted infrastructure enhancements including the installation of 324 modern lighting poles equipped with energy-efficient illumination systems, significantly improving nighttime visibility and road safety. The project also addressed parking limitations by creating 111 new parking spaces and developed extensive pedestrian pathways spanning 41,000 square meters, ensuring safer mobility for non-vehicle users.

Critical underground infrastructure received substantial upgrades with the construction of advanced stormwater drainage networks extending 6,600 linear meters, providing enhanced flood protection during seasonal rainfall.

Hamad Al Shehhi, Director of Roads at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, emphasized that this project builds upon previous infrastructure works completed in June 2025, which established direct access points between Al Warqa’a and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. “RTA remains committed to developing integrated infrastructure encompassing road networks, lighting, and drainage systems aligned with Dubai’s urban growth objectives,” Al Shehhi stated. “These efforts directly support the city’s vision as a smart, prosperous metropolis that prioritizes quality of life and resident satisfaction.”

The authority continues to implement additional development projects in adjacent areas including Al Warqa’a 3 and 4, featuring road paving, expanded pedestrian infrastructure, and dedicated cycling tracks to promote sustainable transportation alternatives.

RTA’s community engagement approach was demonstrated through interactive sessions held with Mirdif and Al Warqa’a residents last October, where officials discussed the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line project and addressed local transportation concerns. This participatory model reflects the authority’s commitment to incorporating public feedback into urban planning decisions.

A Palestinian youth organization has urgently petitioned FIFA leadership to prevent the imminent demolition of a crucial football facility in the occupied West Bank. The Aida Youth Centre, located near Bethlehem’s separation wall, received official notification from Israeli authorities on December 31st that their artificial turf pitch would be destroyed within seven days.

This sporting facility, installed in 2021 on land owned by the Armenian Church within the Aida refugee camp, serves as the sole recreational space for approximately 2,500 children residing in one of the region’s most densely populated areas. The pitch functions as both a training ground for the center’s football academy and a rare sanctuary for youth living amidst military checkpoints, watchtowers, and constant security operations.

The center’s board director, Munther Amira, articulated in a January 6th letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis that the demolition constitutes “a clear and callous attempt to deprive Palestinians of a facility critical to their physical and mental welfare.” The communication emphasized the pitch’s role as “a rare place of hope and joy for children who endure severe hardship.”

Notably, the facility has demonstrated significant impact on women’s football development, with three former academy players having represented Palestine at the West Asia Football Federation’s under-14 girls’ championship in December. Local authorities, including Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati, are pursuing diplomatic, legal, and sporting channels to halt the demolition, asserting that proper leasing agreements with the Armenian Patriarchate render the construction fully authorized.

The appeal emerges weeks after FIFA announced plans to construct two mini-pitches in the West Bank by 2026 through its FIFA Arena initiative, co-funded by the Swiss government with a commitment of approximately $150,000. The potential demolition creates a stark contradiction with FIFA’s stated mission of expanding football access in challenging regions.

Israeli military officials previously posted demolition notices in November, claiming the structure lacked proper permits—an assertion local authorities vehemently deny. For residents of the camp established in 1950 for Nakba refugees, the pitch represents more than sports infrastructure; it serves as psychological relief and one of the few safe spaces available to children growing up in what has been described as one of the world’s most heavily militarized civilian areas.

The United Arab Emirates’ northern regions experienced significant meteorological activity on Wednesday as convective cloud formations brought moderate to heavy rainfall across multiple areas. According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Fujairah witnessed precipitation ranging from light to moderate intensity, particularly affecting the Al Bithnah, Skamkam, Al Rimailah, and Al Sodah districts. Simultaneously, Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Huwailat area received substantial downpours, with temperatures expected to reach a low of 13°C.

The meteorological authority activated an orange-level alert—indicating potentially hazardous conditions—for convective cloud development in Fujairah, remaining in effect until 7 PM local time. Visual documentation from Storm Centre depicted vehicles navigating rain-slicked roadways with active windscreen wipers as water accumulated on thoroughfares.

While temperature projections indicate only marginal decreases over subsequent days, residents are anticipated to perceive noticeably cooler conditions due to persistent fresh winds sweeping across the nation. Although certain localities have registered temperatures approaching freezing points, overall daytime mercury levels are forecast to maintain relative stability with minor fluctuations.

The NCM continues to monitor atmospheric developments closely, urging motorists to exercise caution during reduced visibility conditions and advising residents to stay informed through official meteorological channels.