Trick or treat? Sarah Dea / The National
Trick or treat? Sarah Dea / The National
Trick or treat? Sarah Dea / The National
Trick or treat? Sarah Dea / The National

Halloween activities for kids in the UAE


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It's time for your young ones to get dressed up and head out for their tricks and treats. Here's our guide for children's activities happening this Halloween.

Haunted house and spooky kitchen at Tub of Butter

What: There's plenty happening at this Dubai restaurant, marketplace and deli this year, including Halloween masterclasses on October 30, where kids can learn how to make "spooky spaghetti and mummy meatballs". They can also try their hand at cookie and pumpkin decorating and pizza baking, watch a screening of Corpse Bride on October 31, and enjoy treats with a twist such as creepy cookies and chilling cupcakes, all week long from October 27.

Where: Tub of Butter, off Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

When: October 27 to 31

Spooky treats at Tub of Butter
Spooky treats at Tub of Butter

Trick for Treats, XDubai Skatepark

What: XDubai Skatepark at Kite Beach will be celebrating Halloween with a party. Trick for Treats will feature a skate trick showcase, costume competitions, food trucks and special offers on merchandise. There are also big prizes up for grabs.

Where: XDubai Skatepark at Kite Beach

When: October 27, 6.00pm to 1.00am. For more information, visit XDubai Kite Beach Skatepark's Facebook page @XGrounds

Halloween Bash at Wafi  

What: The Halloween Bash will include trick or treating, storytelling, costume competitions, arts and crafts, and face painting. There will be two cash prize of Dh1,000 each day for the best-dressed. You also have the chance to win Wafi vouchers and cash prizes if you take a selfie with one of the scary characters roaming the mall and post it to Instagram with #getspookyatWAFI.

Where: Wafi Mall, Dubai

When: October 27 and 28, 2.00pm to 9.00pm. For more information, visit Wafi's Facebook page

Conrad Dubai, Kids Halloween Brunch

What: A special Halloween brunch with face-painting, music, a haunted house, pool access, a treasure hunt and many more surprises for little ones. The brunch costs Dh199 per child and the price includes buffet and soft drinks.

When: October 27, 12.00 noon to 3.00pm

Where: Ballaro Terrace, Conrad Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road

Halloween at the Haunted Hotel, Fairmont The Palm

What: The All Hallows Eve Family Afternoon Tea involves ghoulish delights, eerie sweet and savory treats and delicious candies. Prizes will also be given to the best outfits of the night; Dh95 for adults and Dh65 for children below 12

When: October 31, 3.00pm to 6.00pm. For reservations, call 04 457 3457 or e-mail Palm.Dining@Fairmont.com

Where: Mashrabiya Lounge, Fairmont The Palm, Dubai

Fright Night at Fairmont The Palm

What: Fright Night at Falcon Kids Club: cookie decorating, Halloween games, frightful arts and crafts and a trick or treat around the haunted hotel; Dh150 per child.

When: October 31, 4.00pm to 6.00pm. For reservations, call 04 457 3331 or email palm.childrensactivities@fairmont.com

Where: Falcon Kids Club, Fairmont The Palm, Dubai

Spooktastic Fun at Aventura Adventure Park

What: Aventura Adventure Park is transforming into The Haunted Forest for Halloween. As well as Halloween-themed treats at the newly opened Aventura Cafe, visitors can enjoy activities like tree-surfing, zip-lining and rope-climbing. The 25-metre Tarzan Jump, the hanging Parrot Trunks, and the Surfboard Challenge through the trees, part of the Xtreme circuit, are the park's heart-stoppers. If you dare you can go for the Thriller, the park's series of zip-lines that features a 10-metre-high and 160-metre-long zip-line across the forest. On October 27, all the stops will come out with face-painting, trick or treating, a photo booth, popcorn machine and lots of fun and games.

When: October 20 to 31. For more information, visit www.aventuraparks.com

Where: Mushrif Park, Dubai

Flip the Lights Halloween Spooktacular 

What: The UAE's biggest trampoline park is hosting a spine-chilling Flip The Lights special event, which will see more than 200 interconnected trampolines transformed into a haunted nightmare, packed with creepy spiders, pumpkins, ghosts and gore. The event will feature a chilling playlist, club lights and effects, plus a Flippin Show Thriller Special. A best-costume competition will also be under way and anyone who shows up in fancy dress will get an hour free.

When: October 26 and October 31. For reservations, call 600 567 568 or visit flipout.ae

Where: Al Quoz 3, Warehouse #5, Dubai

Legoland's Cobweb Castle

What: The castle has been completely transformed to provide a spooky experience. Webs will be covering the castle's windows and it will be filled with spiders, pumpkins and much more. There will be a daily Scare School on the Cobweb Castle stage, teaching the young guests humorous tips and tricks to give their family and friends a funny fright. The park's largest and fastest roller coaster, The Dragon, will also have a new spooky Halloween look.

When: October 13 to 31. Visit www.legoland.ae for more information.

Where: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Jebel Ali

Dana’s Spooktacular, Yas Waterworld

What: Yas Waterworld will be given a spooky makeover complete with Jack o' lanterns, cobwebs, ghostly music and ghoulish visitors in keeping with the Pirates Candy Cove theme.

When: October 27, 10.00am to 10.00pm. For more information, call 02 496 8008 or visit yaswaterworld.com/events/danas-spooktacular-pirates-candy-cove/

Where: Yas Waterworld, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Family Fun Day, The Sportsman's Arms 

What: A spooky day out featuring a magic show, balloon twisting, creepy arts and crafts station, children's games, a big screen movie and scary face painting.

When: October 28, 12.00pm to 6.00pm. For more information, call 024471066 or email reservations@sportsmansZSC.com

Where: The Sportsman's Arms, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi 

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

if you go

The flights

Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.

The tour

Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

FIXTURES

Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km

Price: from Dh285,000

On sale: from January 2022 

The specs: Macan Turbo

Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October

AndhaDhun

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan

Rating: 3.5/5

The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler

Price, base: Dh132,000

Engine: 3.6-litre V6

Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm

Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km

Company Profile:

Name: The Protein Bakeshop

Date of start: 2013

Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani

Based: Dubai

Size, number of employees: 12

Funding/investors:  $400,000 (2018) 

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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')

Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed

Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.

Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.

The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.

One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.

That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 720hp

Torque: 770Nm

Price: Dh1,100,000

On sale: now

Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
BIO

Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.

Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.

Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.

Favourite colour: Black.

Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Results:

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410m | Winner: Bin Battuta, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer)

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 1,400m | Winner: Al Hayette, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed

7.40pm: Handicap (T) $145,000 1,000m | Winner: Faatinah, Jim Crowley, David Hayes

8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) $200,000 1,200m | Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) $200,000 1,800m | Winner: Dream Castle, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor

9.25pm: Handicap (T) $175,000 1,400m​​​ | Winner: Another Batt, Connor Beasley, George Scott

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

A Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Samaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.