• American rapper and record producer DJ Khaled in Makkah with boxer Mike Tyson and Tyson's father-in-law Shamsud din Ali. All photos: Instagram / djkhaled unless otherwise specified
    American rapper and record producer DJ Khaled in Makkah with boxer Mike Tyson and Tyson's father-in-law Shamsud din Ali. All photos: Instagram / djkhaled unless otherwise specified
  • Khaled with supermodel Naomi Campbell at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah
    Khaled with supermodel Naomi Campbell at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah
  • The rapper with Mike Tyson at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah
    The rapper with Mike Tyson at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah
  • Khaled, dressed in a traditional thobe, with the historic city of AlUla in the background
    Khaled, dressed in a traditional thobe, with the historic city of AlUla in the background
  • The musician relaxes at the airport in between jet-setting across Saudi Arabia
    The musician relaxes at the airport in between jet-setting across Saudi Arabia
  • In Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh
    In Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh
  • DJ Khaled delivers a rare international performance at Soundstorm festival in Riyadh. Photo: MDLBEAST
    DJ Khaled delivers a rare international performance at Soundstorm festival in Riyadh. Photo: MDLBEAST
  • The music producer was one of the headliners at Soundstorm festival in Riyadh, which also featured Bruno Mars and Post Malone. Saeed Saeed / The National
    The music producer was one of the headliners at Soundstorm festival in Riyadh, which also featured Bruno Mars and Post Malone. Saeed Saeed / The National
  • Rick Ross and DJ Khaled at Soundstorm festival. Saeed Saeed / The National
    Rick Ross and DJ Khaled at Soundstorm festival. Saeed Saeed / The National

DJ Khaled's Saudi Arabia trip ends on spiritual note in Makkah along with Mike Tyson


  • English
  • Arabic

He's no stranger to the Middle East but a recent visit to the holy city of Islam proved an emotional experience for DJ Khaled, who performed Umrah with boxer Mike Tyson.

"The second I walked in Makkah, tears came down my eyes... tears of joy," the American rapper and record producer posted, along with a video of himself performing Tawaf around the Kaaba. In one shot, he can be seen overcome by emotion.

"My whole life I wanted to go to Makkah to pray and give my gratitude to Allah. I prayed for the world for more love, more life, more peace, more joy, more happiness, more health and protection for all of us. God is the greatest!"

Khaled, whose parents are Palestinian immigrants to the US, was one of the headliners at MDLBEAST's Soundstorm festival in Riyadh. Top performers at the three-day festival, now in its third year, included Bruno Mars, Post Malone, Nigerian Afro-pop star Wizkid and leading DJs including David Guetta, Marshmello, DJ Snake, Carl Cox and Solomun.

Khaled performed to more than 150,000 revellers, running through hits from across his 13 albums — including the latest Grammy Award-nominated God Did.

“I flew 16 hours to be here with my people,” he said from the stage. “So tonight will not go down, but up, in history.”

The producer and occasional motivational speaker has been documenting his lavish trip to the kingdom to his more than 32 million followers on Instagram. His visit has included private jet flights, yacht parties on the Red Sea and trips to the historical city of AlUla, known for its striking rock formations as well as the Unesco World Heritage Site of Hegra.

Besides his Soundstorm appearance, Khaled was also spotted at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, which concluded on Saturday. The 10-day festival featured a host of global celebrities including Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Egyptian actress and singer Yousra, British director Guy Ritchie, actress Priyanka Chopra, Lebanese director Nadine Labaki and US actress Sharon Stone, among others.

Khaled was seen at the event with supermodel Naomi Campbell and Tyson, who was also a guest at the festival.

Scroll through the gallery for more pictures of stars at the Red Sea International Film Festival

  • Award-winning director Spike Lee attends the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. All photos: Getty Images
    Award-winning director Spike Lee attends the 2022 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. All photos: Getty Images
  • 365 Days actor Michele Morrone
    365 Days actor Michele Morrone
  • Priyanka Chopra
    Priyanka Chopra
  • Indian star Akshay Kumar
    Indian star Akshay Kumar
  • Shah Rukh Khan
    Shah Rukh Khan
  • Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale
    Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale
  • Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman
    Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman
  • Egyptian actress Yousra
    Egyptian actress Yousra
  • English filmmaker Guy Ritchie and wife Jacqui Ainsley
    English filmmaker Guy Ritchie and wife Jacqui Ainsley
  • Michelle Rodriguez
    Michelle Rodriguez
  • Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor
    Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor
  • Saudi actress Fay Fouad
    Saudi actress Fay Fouad
  • Lebanese-American actress Ruba Zaarour and actor Shadi Haddad
    Lebanese-American actress Ruba Zaarour and actor Shadi Haddad
  • Lebanese director Nadine Labaki
    Lebanese director Nadine Labaki
  • Sharon Stone
    Sharon Stone
  • British director Gurinder Chadha
    British director Gurinder Chadha
  • Lebanese actress Betty Taoutel
    Lebanese actress Betty Taoutel
  • Egyptian actress Salma Abu-Deif
    Egyptian actress Salma Abu-Deif
  • US film director Oliver Stone and wife Jung Sun-jung
    US film director Oliver Stone and wife Jung Sun-jung
  • Italian-French singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
    Italian-French singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
  • Lebanese-Australian model Jessica Kahawaty
    Lebanese-Australian model Jessica Kahawaty
  • Australian model Elle Macpherson
    Australian model Elle Macpherson
  • British actress Jodie Turner-Smith
    British actress Jodie Turner-Smith
  • Italian film director Luca Guadagnino
    Italian film director Luca Guadagnino
  • Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim
    Lebanese actress Nadine Nassib Njeim
  • Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio
    Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio
  • American dancer Julianne Hough
    American dancer Julianne Hough
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Matt%20Drummond%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlyla%20Browne%2C%20Alice%20Parkinson%2C%20Sam%20Everingham%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

UFC Fight Night 2

1am – Early prelims

2am – Prelims

4am-7am – Main card

7:30am-9am – press cons

TICKETS

Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.

At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020

Launched: 2008

Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools

Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)

Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13

 

Impact in numbers

335 million people positively impacted by projects

430,000 jobs created

10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water

50 million homes powered by renewable energy

6.5 billion litres of water saved

26 million school children given solar lighting

The specs: 2019 BMW X4

Price, base / as tested: Dh276,675 / Dh346,800

Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,550rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.0L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed auto

0-100kmh 2.3 seconds

0-200kmh 5.5 seconds

0-300kmh 11.6 seconds

Power: 1500hp

Torque: 1600Nm

Price: Dh13,400,000

On sale: now

 

 

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%3Cp%3ESix%20of%20the%20eight%20fast%20bowlers%20used%20in%20the%20ILT20%20match%20between%20Desert%20Vipers%20and%20MI%20Emirates%20were%20left-handed.%20So%2075%20per%20cent%20of%20those%20involved.%0D%3Cbr%3EAnd%20that%20despite%20the%20fact%2010-12%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20population%20is%20said%20to%20be%20left-handed.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20an%20extension%20of%20a%20trend%20which%20has%20seen%20left-arm%20pacers%20become%20highly%20valued%20%E2%80%93%20and%20over-represented%2C%20relative%20to%20other%20formats%20%E2%80%93%20in%20T20%20cricket.%0D%3Cbr%3EIt%20is%20all%20to%20do%20with%20the%20fact%20most%20batters%20are%20naturally%20attuned%20to%20the%20angles%20created%20by%20right-arm%20bowlers%2C%20given%20that%20is%20generally%20what%20they%20grow%20up%20facing%20more%20of.%0D%3Cbr%3EIn%20their%20book%2C%20%3Cem%3EHitting%20Against%20the%20Spin%3C%2Fem%3E%2C%20cricket%20data%20analysts%20Nathan%20Leamon%20and%20Ben%20Jones%20suggest%20the%20advantage%20for%20a%20left-arm%20pace%20bowler%20in%20T20%20is%20amplified%20because%20of%20the%20obligation%20on%20the%20batter%20to%20attack.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThe%20more%20attacking%20the%20batsman%2C%20the%20more%20reliant%20they%20are%20on%20anticipation%2C%E2%80%9D%20they%20write.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CThis%20effectively%20increases%20the%20time%20pressure%20on%20the%20batsman%2C%20so%20increases%20the%20reliance%20on%20anticipation%2C%20and%20therefore%20increases%20the%20left-arm%20bowler%E2%80%99s%20advantage.%E2%80%9D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETelr%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E65%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20and%20payments%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enearly%20%2430%20million%20so%20far%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

Updated: December 14, 2022, 8:18 AM