• Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at the RAK Fine Arts Festival opening. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
    Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at the RAK Fine Arts Festival opening. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Live bands entertain visitors on opening night at Al Jazirah Al Hamra heritage village
    Live bands entertain visitors on opening night at Al Jazirah Al Hamra heritage village
  • The ruins of the abandoned village make for an evocative site for the arts festival
    The ruins of the abandoned village make for an evocative site for the arts festival
  • A painting on display at the festival
    A painting on display at the festival
  • Visitors admire an artwork on opening night
    Visitors admire an artwork on opening night
  • More than 120 artists from 35 countries are participating in the festival
    More than 120 artists from 35 countries are participating in the festival
  • Artists’ work focus on nature and the rich cultural heritage of Ras Al Khaimah
    Artists’ work focus on nature and the rich cultural heritage of Ras Al Khaimah
  • The works are on display until the festival ends on February 28
    The works are on display until the festival ends on February 28
  • Sculptures on display at the festival
    Sculptures on display at the festival
  • Restaurants at the RAK Fine Arts Festival
    Restaurants at the RAK Fine Arts Festival
  • Natasha Ridge, founding executive director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, speaking at the RAK Fine Arts Festival
    Natasha Ridge, founding executive director of the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research, speaking at the RAK Fine Arts Festival
  • Sheikh Saud at the festival
    Sheikh Saud at the festival
  • Visitors on opening night
    Visitors on opening night

Culture

Art & Design

RAK Ruler attends opening night of emirate's Fine Arts Festival

The free-to-attend event includes exhibitions, talks and film screenings

Maan Jalal
Maan Jalal

February 04, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended the opening of the emirate's returning Fine Arts Festival on Friday.

With the theme of nature, specifically the Arabian almond that blooms on Jebel Jais, the country's largest outdoor fine arts and cultural festival is free to attend at the historic pearling village of Al Jazirah Al Hamra until February 28.

It is an immersive celebration of arts, culture and heritage and showcases an array of perspectives from international creatives. Artists’ work focuses on nature, alongside the rich cultural heritage of Ras Al Khaimah and its efforts to conserve the environment and build a sustainable future.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at the RAK Fine Arts Festival. Leslie Pableo for The National
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, at the RAK Fine Arts Festival. Leslie Pableo for The National

With more than 120 artists from 35 countries exhibiting their work over the course of the festival, visitors can expect a range of entertaining and engaging experiences.

The event includes six art exhibitions, held in collaboration with cultural partners including the Marinko Sudac Foundation, the US Mission to the UAE, the Dutch embassy in Abu Dhabi, the South Korean and French consulates in Dubai and Flick Cameras.

Other items on the agenda include immersive culinary experiences, heritage talks, events for pets, thematic weekend programmes, art workshops, musical performances and film screenings.

Themes this month include a pet-friendly weekend on February 10 and 11, which includes an artwork tour with dogs, pet adoption from the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre, a dog fashion and talent contest, a falcon show, and pet training and grooming sessions.

Meanwhile, parents can sign up for the family and community weekend on February 17 and 18, when children can take part in arts and crafts projects, outdoor film screenings and a scavenger hunt.

There will also be a Cultural Weekend on February 24 and 25 celebrating the UAE's diverse and rich heritage, including gahwa (Arabic coffee), Emirati scent-making, camel rides, shawl embroidery and more.

More information is available at www.rakfinearts.ae

Scroll through images of this year's Al Hosn festival in Abu Dhabi below

  • Families enjoy the camel display at Al Hosn Festival, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Families enjoy the camel display at Al Hosn Festival, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Visitors young and old at the festival
    Visitors young and old at the festival
  • Making fishnets as Bedouin people have done for centuries
    Making fishnets as Bedouin people have done for centuries
  • Camels have been a big hit, so far
    Camels have been a big hit, so far
  • Sabha Al Nayili paints coffee pots, incense burners and other items
    Sabha Al Nayili paints coffee pots, incense burners and other items
  • The cultural festival is open now
    The cultural festival is open now
  • Performances inspired by traditional folklore on the opening night
    Performances inspired by traditional folklore on the opening night
  • Bait Al Qaseed Sweets stall
    Bait Al Qaseed Sweets stall
  • Bait Al Qaseed Sweets' items on sale
    Bait Al Qaseed Sweets' items on sale
  • The event celebrates Abu Dhabi's history
    The event celebrates Abu Dhabi's history
  • Artisans and retailers are on site
    Artisans and retailers are on site
  • Pottery making plays a big part
    Pottery making plays a big part
  • Traditional retailers and clothing are available
    Traditional retailers and clothing are available
  • Wooden boat making workshop for children
    Wooden boat making workshop for children
  • Hand-painted coffee pots
    Hand-painted coffee pots
  • Salem Al Kaabi for Bait Al Qaseed Sweets
    Salem Al Kaabi for Bait Al Qaseed Sweets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn

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Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads

Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike

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They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians

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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

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A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

How Filipinos in the UAE invest

A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.

Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).

Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Updated: February 04, 2023, 12:18 PM
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