• The New Year's Eve celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah #RAKNYE 2022 dazzled everyone with a fireworks display that shattered two Guinness World Records. Photo: Marjan RAK/twitter
    The New Year's Eve celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah #RAKNYE 2022 dazzled everyone with a fireworks display that shattered two Guinness World Records. Photo: Marjan RAK/twitter
  • A picture taken on December 31, 2021 shows fireworks erupting from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as part of the New Year's festivities. AFP
    A picture taken on December 31, 2021 shows fireworks erupting from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as part of the New Year's festivities. AFP
  • Fireworks explode at Expo 2020 Dubai to mark New Year 2022. Reuters
    Fireworks explode at Expo 2020 Dubai to mark New Year 2022. Reuters
  • Spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight to ring in the New Year 2022 on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight to ring in the New Year 2022 on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Grand fireworks lit up the night sky along the Abu Dhabi Corniche for UAE at 50 celebrations on December 2, 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Grand fireworks lit up the night sky along the Abu Dhabi Corniche for UAE at 50 celebrations on December 2, 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The fireworks on the UAE's 50th National Day in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The fireworks on the UAE's 50th National Day in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Golden Jubilee fireworks at Al Maryah island in Abu Dhabi. Deepak Fernandez / The National
    Golden Jubilee fireworks at Al Maryah island in Abu Dhabi. Deepak Fernandez / The National
  • Fireworks as part of the 50th National Day celebration at the Expo 2020 Dubai site on December 1. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fireworks as part of the 50th National Day celebration at the Expo 2020 Dubai site on December 1. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Fireworks are set off from the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr on May 13, 2021. Victor Besa / The National
    Fireworks are set off from the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr on May 13, 2021. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fireworks light the sky above Ain Dubai (the Dubai Eye), the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, on November 4, 2021. AFP
    Fireworks light the sky above Ain Dubai (the Dubai Eye), the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, on November 4, 2021. AFP
  • Diwali celebrations at Ain Dubai in 2021. AFP
    Diwali celebrations at Ain Dubai in 2021. AFP
  • Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, is lit by fireworks during its opening ceremony on January 4, 2010. AFP
    Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, is lit by fireworks during its opening ceremony on January 4, 2010. AFP
  • People watch as fireworks set off above Atlantis, The Palm hotel during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai on October 1, 2021. Reuters
    People watch as fireworks set off above Atlantis, The Palm hotel during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai on October 1, 2021. Reuters
  • Fireworks at Atlantis, The Palm to mark Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters
    Fireworks at Atlantis, The Palm to mark Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters
  • The opening of Expo 2020 Dubai was marked by fireworks across the emirate. Reuters
    The opening of Expo 2020 Dubai was marked by fireworks across the emirate. Reuters
  • Fireworks take place every weekend at Global Village in Dubai throughout the season. Photo: Global Village
    Fireworks take place every weekend at Global Village in Dubai throughout the season. Photo: Global Village
  • In May 2021, Global Village attempted the world record for highest fireworks, with 20 skydivers landing at the fair with fireworks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    In May 2021, Global Village attempted the world record for highest fireworks, with 20 skydivers landing at the fair with fireworks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • In 2018, a fireworks show in Ras Al Khaimah was choreographed to seven chapters and set to global music by 14 renowned composers. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
    In 2018, a fireworks show in Ras Al Khaimah was choreographed to seven chapters and set to global music by 14 renowned composers. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
  • Ras Al Khaimah and Al Marjan Island ushered in 2018 by setting the Guinness World Record for the ‘largest aerial firework shell’. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
    Ras Al Khaimah and Al Marjan Island ushered in 2018 by setting the Guinness World Record for the ‘largest aerial firework shell’. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
  • Ras Al Khaimah put on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ras Al Khaimah put on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Fireworks display at the Yas Waterfront, Abu Dhabi, in honour of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day on September 23. 2021. Victor Besa / The National
    Fireworks display at the Yas Waterfront, Abu Dhabi, in honour of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day on September 23. 2021. Victor Besa / The National
  • More New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater. Victor Besa for The National
    More New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater. Victor Besa for The National
  • There are always fireworks to mark the Formula Grand Prix finale in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    There are always fireworks to mark the Formula Grand Prix finale in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • People enjoying the fireworks on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate the 41st UAE National Day in 2012. Ravindranath K / The National
    People enjoying the fireworks on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate the 41st UAE National Day in 2012. Ravindranath K / The National

Abu Dhabi and RAK to attempt five Guinness World Records with fireworks on New Year's Eve


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi will attempt to break three Guinness World Records as part of Sheikh Zayed Festival's New Year's Eve celebrations, said state news agency Wam.

The 40-minute fireworks display will attempt to set records for volume, duration and form.

The festival organising committee has also lined up a series of folkloric and entertainment events and performances for the night.

A giant drone show that will light up the skies of Al Wathba will also take place. "This will be the first show of its kind and magnitude in the world," said Wam.

Emirati singer Eida Al Menhali, known as the "voice of the UAE", will perform on the night, as well as Iraqi artist Ali Saber.

There will be plenty of entertainment for children, including theatre shows and circus performances, plus games at Funfair City and more activities at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, running from 4pm to 1am.

Visitors can expect carnival performances, art and cultural shows and roaming entertainment, too, as well as folkloric arts and crafts, traditional songs and dance, including Emirati heritage demonstrations.

Record-breaking fireworks in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is also setting out to make sure the new year gets off to a spectacular start.

The emirate’s organising committee for the night is gearing up for another Guinness World Record-breaking fireworks display, which will feature pyrodrones, lights, colours and shapes.

The 12-minute pyrotechnic spectacle, which will cover a 4.7-kilometre area along the waterfront between Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village, will aim to break not one but two world records.

The first attempt will be for the Most Remote Operated Multirotors / Drones Launching Fireworks Simultaneously and the second attempt is for the Highest Altitude Multirotor / Drone Firework Display.

Watch last year's record-breaking display here:

This year's will feature 15,000 fireworks effects that have taken 5,000 hours of work, plus more than 130 sea pontoons and a fleet of hundreds of pyrotechnic drones.

The fireworks have been designed at European factories and handcrafted over the last few months. The display will be accompanied by orchestral and modern music.

Gates will open at 4pm for the fireworks display.

Family-friendly activities and events around the display are being planned, plus children’s play areas and food and beverage outlets.

To mark the beginning of 2021, Ras Al Khaimah dazzled guests with a 10-minute fireworks show that won the Guinness World Records titles for most unmanned aerial vehicles for launching fireworks simultaneously, and the longest fireworks waterfall.

The five pillars of Islam

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5. Zakat 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

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.

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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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1: Quinoa 

2. Bathua 

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4. Pearl and finger millet 

5. Sorghum

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Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m

Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly

4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Who's who in Yemen conflict

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The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

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Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

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Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

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Where can I submit a sample?

Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.

Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:

  • Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
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  • Al Towayya in Al Ain
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  • Bareen International Hospital
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Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900

Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Updated: December 31, 2021, 6:08 AM