• The Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf, Dubai. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Al Jaddaf, Dubai. All photos Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The library is home to more than one million physical and digital books.
    The library is home to more than one million physical and digital books.
  • There are lots of toys and play areas for children and people of determination.
    There are lots of toys and play areas for children and people of determination.
  • The library's foyer is spacious and inviting.
    The library's foyer is spacious and inviting.
  • There are lots of comfortable spaces to read, study and work.
    There are lots of comfortable spaces to read, study and work.
  • There is also an indoor amphitheatre.
    There is also an indoor amphitheatre.
  • Conference rooms are available for hire, too.
    Conference rooms are available for hire, too.
  • There is a large collection of scientific and research books from the Arab world and beyond.
    There is a large collection of scientific and research books from the Arab world and beyond.
  • A 1662 first edition 'Atlas Maior' by Joannes Willem Blaeu is on display at the Treasures of the Library exhibition.
    A 1662 first edition 'Atlas Maior' by Joannes Willem Blaeu is on display at the Treasures of the Library exhibition.
  • The exhibition features work dating back to the 13th century.
    The exhibition features work dating back to the 13th century.
  • Library board director Jamal Al Shehhi inspects some of the books in stock.
    Library board director Jamal Al Shehhi inspects some of the books in stock.
  • Library technician Terry uses robots to retrieve books from the store room and send them, via monorail, to various sections of the library.
    Library technician Terry uses robots to retrieve books from the store room and send them, via monorail, to various sections of the library.
  • The library's language garden features 60 quotes, printed in different languages, attributed to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
    The library's language garden features 60 quotes, printed in different languages, attributed to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
  • Three-year-old Evan reads a book in the library.
    Three-year-old Evan reads a book in the library.
  • The library's exterior resembles an open book.
    The library's exterior resembles an open book.

Mohammed bin Rashid Library opens to the public: Dubai timings, how to get there and more


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has a new architectural marvel on its horizon and this time it's in the shape of a bookstand.

Mohammed bin Rashid Library, which opens to the public on Thursday, spans more than 54,000 square metres, with seven floors and nine thematic libraries.

The Dh1 billion venue, which took six years to build, was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday, and aims to be a cultural centre, joining Sharjah’s House of Wisdom in paving the way for libraries of the future.

Here's everything you need to know about visiting the UAE's newest cultural landmark.

Where is the library located?

It's in Al Jaddaf, by the Dubai Creek, offering spectacular views of the waterway.

Do I need a ticket to enter or is there an entry fee?

As with most conventional libraries, there is no need to buy a ticket to enter. There is no entry fee required.

However, it is recommended to download the library app and reserve your time slots online.

Are children allowed in?

Children under 5 are not allowed to enter, but those aged 5 and over are welcome and there is even a dedicated library only for them, with an indoor slide.

This includes a generously sized section dedicated to blind children with books published in braille. A sensory pod is also available to accommodate those with autism.

Can I buy a membership?

Yes, there will be a paid membership scheme in place that allows UAE residents to borrow books for varying lengths of time.

Details and prices for this have not yet been announced, but will be available on the website soon.

What are the library's opening hours?

The library will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm and is closed on Sundays.

Is there free parking?

Yes, there is a nine-storey underground parking area with free car parking, including spots for electric vehicles.

Can I get there by public transport?

Al Jaddaf Metro station is the nearest and a shaded walking path is being built to allow direct access to the library.

You can also go via Dubai Bus route C04, which stops at the Creek Metro Station.

What's inside the library?

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated a bookstand-shaped library that cost Dh1 billion to build. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated a bookstand-shaped library that cost Dh1 billion to build. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
  • The launch of the library was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and several ministers and senior officers. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
    The launch of the library was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and several ministers and senior officers. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
  • Sheikh Mohammed tours the library at the launch on Monday. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
    Sheikh Mohammed tours the library at the launch on Monday. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
  • Sheikh Mohammed tours the library at the launch on Monday. Photo: DMO
    Sheikh Mohammed tours the library at the launch on Monday. Photo: DMO
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library has nine separate libraries with more than 1 million print and digital books. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library has nine separate libraries with more than 1 million print and digital books. Photo: HHShkMohd via Twitter
  • The library is in the shape of a bookstand. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The library is in the shape of a bookstand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are nine thematic libraries within the space. Library content becomes increasingly specialised as you go up the seven levels, while the ground floor is home to three libraries filled with the most accessible content.

There is a General Library, an Emirates Library, one for children and another for young adults, others focusing on business titles, periodicals, maps and atlases, and another that centres on media and the arts, which is home to expansive collections of Arabic newspapers and magazines spanning the mid-20th century.

There's also a private collections library, but visitors need special permission to access this area.

This is in addition to an indoor and outdoor amphitheatre, a literary museum, a conference centre, a two-storey cafe and a gift shop.

And, that’s only the opening phase: on the horizon are electronic gaming lounges, a monthly programme of author events and a ferry service from Dubai Festival City to the venue for select sessions of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

What is the Treasures of the Library exhibition?

The Treasures of the Library section is on the seventh floor. It is a museum with hundreds of encased works; the collection has rare books, manuscripts and documents dating back to the 13th century. These include old copies of the Quran and a first edition of Miguel de Cervantes's 17th-century epic novel Don Quixote.

Also on hand is a first edition of Description de L'Egypte, a series of publications, appearing first in 1809, cataloguing various aspects of ancient and modern Egypt, written by scholars and academics who accompanied Napoleon Bonaparte on his expedition to the country in 1798.

“Collecting these works took two years,” board director Jamal Al Shehhi told The National during a preview of the library. “We had teams going around the world searching for them and even acquiring them at charity auctions. We were determined to get the best titles that we can find.”

How many books are there?

According to Al Shehhi, there are more than one million physical and digital titles spanning 30 languages, and the library continues to build its catalogue.

The general library boasts more than 100,000 titles and is the place to seek popular novels and non-fiction titles.

The children’s library has about 17,000 titles and the Emirates Library, located on the sixth floor, contains more than 37,000 books written about the UAE in many languages and genres.

How do I find books?

All the books are organised numerically, rather than alphabetically and in genre, but it is recommended to search online for the availability of your preferred book in order to know exactly where to find it.

“We operate by name of the titles as opposed to language,” Al Shehhi said. “When we acquire books, we not only get multiple copies but also in as many languages as we can.”

Books are delivered to various points around the library via monorail.

Can I work from the library?

There are dozens of couches, reading desks and workstations.

For those who need a little more peace and quiet, the second floor has plenty of spacious study rooms. These are free of charge to those who book online.

A smart scanner even allows students to scan portions of books or resources and email it to themselves.

Is there anything else there?

Outside, there is the Garden of Quotes, featuring pillars with more than 60 of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s quotes written in a variety of languages from Arabic and English to Bosnian, Korean, Urdu and even Amharic.

What else has the library got planned?

Beginning next month, Library Talks is a series of monthly events featuring bestselling authors from the region and beyond discussing their works.

More information is available at www.mbrl.ae

Scroll through the gallery below to see more of Mohammed bin Rashid Library:

  • Mohammed bin Rashid Library opened to the public on Thursday, June 16, 2022. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Mohammed bin Rashid Library opened to the public on Thursday, June 16, 2022. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library has been proclaimed as 'a place of wonder' by the people who have steered the project to completion.
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library has been proclaimed as 'a place of wonder' by the people who have steered the project to completion.
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library contains nine thematic libraries.
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library contains nine thematic libraries.
  • Construction of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library began in 2016. Its upper floors are designed to resemble a bookstand.
    Construction of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library began in 2016. Its upper floors are designed to resemble a bookstand.
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library is based in Al Jaddaf, by Dubai Creek.
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library is based in Al Jaddaf, by Dubai Creek.
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library includes a 550-capacity indoor theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a large courtyard with plenty of greenery.
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library includes a 550-capacity indoor theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a large courtyard with plenty of greenery.
  • The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans 54,000 square metres.
    The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans 54,000 square metres.

The Light of the Moon

Director: Jessica M Thompson

Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David

Three stars

World Cup final

Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region

Monster Hunter: World

Capcom

PlayStation 4, Xbox One

FA Cup quarter-final draw

The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March

Sheffield United v Arsenal

Newcastle v Manchester City

Norwich v Derby/Manchester United

Leicester City v Chelsea

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.”

Multitasking pays off for money goals

Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.

That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.

"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.

Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."

People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.

"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."

The biog

Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives. 

The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast. 

As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau

He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker. 

If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah

 

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Pots for the Asian Qualifiers

Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Updated: June 16, 2022, 8:04 AM