Standing just metres away from the stage at the Amr Diab concert at Expo 2020 Dubai on Saturday, it's hard not to admire the star. Diab has proven time and time again that he is the Arab world's king of pop, and this show was no exception. At 60, the Egyptian singer lives up to his nickname, Al Hadaba - Arabic for the hill, given to him for the height of his fame, and that's because Diab's energy is, without a doubt, contagious.
"Every time I see Amr Diab in concert, it's like I'm seeing him for the first time," my friend tells me.
This isn't our first time at a Amr Diab concert together. In early 2020, before Covid-19 put live shows on hold, we both saw him perform live at the Coca-Cola arena in Dubai - it was an amazing night.
Once again, Diab has given us a memorable night - this time at Expo, which made it all the more special. Celebrating Egypt's country day at the world's fair, the pop star kicked off (and closed) the night with his hit song Ya Ana Ya La from his album of the same name.
"Let me see your fitness skills," he told the audience as the crowds went crazy for the next track.
His rich repertoire of songs helped to get everyone (even those in the seated VIP section) up on their feet. It's like a big family wedding where everybody is having a good time.
Throughout his hour-and-a-half performance he sang some of his best songs including Amarain, Wayah and Habibi Ya Nour El Ein, the song that really launched him to international stardom in the late 1990s.
He also sang new music from his latest album titled Ayeshny, including Ahla W Nos.
The concert couldn't have been better to cap off a day of Egyptian celebrations. Now we know for sure, Amr Diab never disappoints.
Personalities on the Plate: The Lives and Minds of Animals We Eat
Barbara J King, University of Chicago Press
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
