标签： Asia

As Ramadan transforms evening routines across the UAE, the historic town of Al Dhaid in Sharjah has emerged as an unexpected sanctuary for those seeking an alternative to commercialized iftar experiences. Located approximately 90 minutes from Dubai, this destination combines spiritual observance, cultural immersion, and authentic Emirati cuisine within a single, cohesive experience.

The recently inaugurated Al Nasr Mosque, distinguished by its striking glass dome architecture that floods the prayer hall with natural light, serves as the spiritual centerpiece. Worshipers find the space remarkably serene and uncrowded even during peak Ramadan periods, with ample organized parking facilitating stress-free visits.

Adjacent to the mosque, the newly opened Souq Sharia’t presents a stark contrast to contemporary shopping malls. Designed with architectural elements reminiscent of traditional Emirati trading towns, the marketplace features sand-colored walls, stone flooring, and heavy wooden doors with decorative metal studs. The complex houses approximately 34 establishments including traditional clothing stores, oud and bakhoor outlets, and coffee houses arranged around a central courtyard with majlis-style seating.

The culinary experience represents the souq’s most distinctive offering. Instead of commercial food outlets, local Emirati households prepare traditional dishes in their homes for sale within the market. This community-driven approach creates an atmosphere of genuine cultural exchange. Visitors can observe regag bread being prepared on the spot, sample freshly made luqaimat drizzled with date syrup, and purchase portions of harees that frequently sell out due to high demand.

Visitors have expressed appreciation for the experience’s authenticity. Ahmed, a Sharjah resident who visited with his family, noted: ‘We sought something fundamentally different from the standard mall iftar. This environment feels authentically local and culturally connected.’ Another visitor described the combination of spiritual, historical, and culinary elements as ‘a perfectly balanced outing that maintains peacefulness throughout.’

The addition of nearby heritage sites including Al Dhaid Fort provides opportunities for historical exploration between prayers, creating a comprehensive cultural experience that remains comfortably accessible for evening visitors. This emerging destination demonstrates how communities can preserve culinary traditions and create meaningful Ramadan experiences outside commercialized environments.

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has officially opened the newly constructed Zamzam Mosque in the Al Barsha South 2 district, marking a significant addition to the city’s religious infrastructure. The project was made possible through a generous donation from the Abdul Wahed Al Rostamani Group and his grandchildren.

The contemporary Islamic architectural design accommodates approximately 850 worshippers simultaneously, with dedicated spaces for 700 men and 150 women. The mosque serves not only the immediate Al Barsha South community but also residents from surrounding neighborhoods.

Architectural features include a main prayer hall, separate women’s prayer area, traditional minaret, arcade, and residential quarters for the Imam and Muezzin. The facility has been designed with accessibility as a priority, featuring specialized access points for People of Determination and elderly worshippers, along with modern ablution facilities and ample parking space.

Incorporating sustainable technology, the building utilizes energy-efficient lighting systems and modern climate control solutions aligned with Dubai’s environmental sustainability objectives. Advanced acoustic systems ensure optimal sound quality throughout the prayer spaces.

This inauguration continues Dubai’s pattern of religious infrastructure development, following recent openings of multiple mosques across the emirate designed to accommodate growing community needs.

The United Arab Emirates is set to experience a sustained period of humid conditions with significant morning fog and mist from Saturday through Wednesday, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Meteorological officials indicate reduced visibility will particularly affect coastal and internal regions during early morning hours, prompting advisories for motorists to exercise heightened caution.

Weather patterns will generally remain fair to partly cloudy throughout the five-day period, though temperatures will see minor fluctuations. A slight temperature decrease is anticipated on Sunday, followed by a noticeable increase by Tuesday. Wind patterns will predominantly feature light to moderate Northwesterly to Southwesterly flows, occasionally freshening with speeds potentially reaching 35 km/hour.

Maritime conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea are expected to remain generally slight, with occasional moderate swells forecast for Sunday and Wednesday. The meteorological authority continues to monitor conditions closely and has issued regular updates to ensure public safety during the period of reduced visibility.

The recurring fog pattern aligns with seasonal weather expectations for the region during this transitional period. Authorities emphasize the importance of allowing extra travel time during morning commutes and utilizing appropriate vehicle lighting systems when encountering foggy conditions.

In a landmark ruling that has sent shockwaves across India, a Special POCSO Court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district has delivered death sentences to a married couple convicted of perpetrating one of the most extensive child sexual abuse cases in recent history. Rambhawan, a junior engineer in the state irrigation department, and his wife Durgawati were found guilty of subjecting 33 male children—some as young as three years old—to systematic sexual exploitation over a decade-long period from 2010 to 2020.

The court characterized the offenses as demonstrating ‘extreme moral turpitude’ and falling under the ‘rarest of rare’ category warranting capital punishment. The convicted pair faced multiple charges including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, production of child sexual abuse material, and criminal conspiracy under India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to investigative findings by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which registered the case in October 2020, the perpetrators employed sophisticated grooming techniques including online video games, financial incentives, and gifts to lure vulnerable minors across Banda and neighboring Chitrakoot districts. The agency’s meticulous investigation involved coordination with forensic experts, medical professionals, and child protection authorities to preserve crucial digital evidence.

The court additionally mandated compensation of Rs 1 million (approximately $12,000) for each victim and ordered the distribution of confiscated cash from the defendants’ residence among the survivors. Medical reports presented during trial revealed some children sustained physical injuries during assaults, while others developed permanent health conditions including squint eye from being forced into uncomfortable positions.

Child rights advocate Naghma Sahar, who has extensively reported on such cases, emphasized that while sentencing provides judicial closure, the victims require sustained psychological and educational support to rebuild their lives. She highlighted the case demonstrates how abuse can remain concealed for years within familiar environments, underscoring the critical need for enhanced community vigilance and awareness programs in schools.

The verdict represents a significant application of India’s legal provisions permitting capital punishment in exceptional cases involving aggravated sexual assault of minors, reflecting the judiciary’s increasing severity toward crimes against children.