• Projections on Al Noor Mosque as part of the Sharjah Light Festival. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Projections on Al Noor Mosque as part of the Sharjah Light Festival. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • An installation at Al Majaz Waterfront
    An installation at Al Majaz Waterfront
  • Landmarks around Sharjah will host light shows during the festival.
    Landmarks around Sharjah will host light shows during the festival.
  • A projection on Sharjah Fort
    A projection on Sharjah Fort
  • The event aims to highlight the latest destinations and landmarks in the emirate
    The event aims to highlight the latest destinations and landmarks in the emirate
  • Each of the landmarks will have daily light shows
    Each of the landmarks will have daily light shows
  • An installation at Al Majaz Waterfront
    An installation at Al Majaz Waterfront
  • The shows have been created in partnership with local and international artists
    The shows have been created in partnership with local and international artists
  • The event aims to highlight the 'urban and architectural character' of the emirate
    The event aims to highlight the 'urban and architectural character' of the emirate

Sharjah Light Festival kicks off with dazzling display


  • English
  • Arabic

A dazzling display of luminosity has marked the return of the Sharjah Light Festival.

The 12th event kicked off on Wednesday evening with a show called Chasing the Lights, a "story of finding that flicker of light in the shadows" and keeping "the flame of curiousity high".

The opening ceremony lit up the emirate's University City Hall with a fireworks display serving as the backdrop. The festival, which runs until February 19, is organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

Fireworks display at University City Hall during the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Light Festival. Photo: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Fireworks display at University City Hall during the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Light Festival. Photo: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

This year, the authority promises a "reinvented" programme, "all in an effort to highlight the latest destinations and landmarks in the emirate of Sharjah and provide more services to the public at each of the festival’s locations", its chairman, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, said.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended the opening night, which has become an event that showcases the emirate's architectural prowess.

Over the course of 12 days, several landmarks around the emirate will light up, including University City Hall, Al Noor Mosque, Khalid Lagoon Corniche, Sharjah Mosque, Al Majaz Waterfront and Sharjah Fort.

Each of these landmarks will have daily light shows from Sunday to Wednesday, 6pm to 11pm, and from Thursday to Saturday, 6pm to midnight.

"The Sharjah Light Festival has become a leading event that the public looks forward to every year to create unforgettable memories, immortalised in thousands of posts on various social media platforms that travel across borders and bring joy to millions of followers," Al Midfa said.

"Here in Sharjah, we take pride in all our achievements, and celebrate the festival’s popularity and good reputation, which had a tangible positive impact on the domestic and international tourism sector in the emirate."

Aside from the shows, there is also the Light Village, a 19,000-square-metre open market-style venue that hosts dozens of Emirati-owned businesses, from burger shacks to speciality coffee kiosks. It is located on the grounds of the University City Hall.

The Light Village with dozens of food and drinks stalls. Photo: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
The Light Village with dozens of food and drinks stalls. Photo: Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority

The pop-up village houses a Light Museum, as well as several areas for games, live shows and other activities. It will be open throughout the festival from Sunday to Wednesday, 4pm to midnight and from Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 1am.

The festival is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors.

Sharjah Light Festival runs until February 19. More information is available at sharjahlightfestival.ae

Scroll through the gallery below for images from Sharjah Light Festival 2022

  • The Spiral of Light show on the first night of Sharjah Light Festival 2022 held at the University City Hall. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The Spiral of Light show on the first night of Sharjah Light Festival 2022 held at the University City Hall. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Sharjah Light Festival runs until February 20.
    The Sharjah Light Festival runs until February 20.
  • The theme of this year's festival is Echoes of the Future.
    The theme of this year's festival is Echoes of the Future.
  • The Sharjah Light Festival will offer 10 shows lighting up landmarks all around the emirate.
    The Sharjah Light Festival will offer 10 shows lighting up landmarks all around the emirate.
  • The event is free to the public.
    The event is free to the public.
  • The landmarks will have light shows all days of the festival from 6pm to 11pm on weekdays and 6pm to midnight on weekends.
    The landmarks will have light shows all days of the festival from 6pm to 11pm on weekdays and 6pm to midnight on weekends.
  • The light shows are done in collaboration with local and international artists.
    The light shows are done in collaboration with local and international artists.
  • The event also sees the return of the Food Truck Zone, which has more than 30 participants this year.
    The event also sees the return of the Food Truck Zone, which has more than 30 participants this year.
  • The Spiral of Light show on the first day told the story of Sharjah.
    The Spiral of Light show on the first day told the story of Sharjah.
  • 'We are immensely proud of the accomplishments the tourism sector is making each year,' says Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
    'We are immensely proud of the accomplishments the tourism sector is making each year,' says Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
  • This is the 11th year of the festival.
    This is the 11th year of the festival.
  • The Sharjah Light Festival is organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
    The Sharjah Light Festival is organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
  • The cultural and artistic event celebrates the emirate's achievements in the fields of education, knowledge and innovation.
    The cultural and artistic event celebrates the emirate's achievements in the fields of education, knowledge and innovation.
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

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

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

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How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

yallacompare profile

Date of launch: 2014

Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer

Based: Media City, Dubai 

Sector: Financial services

Size: 120 employees

Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

HAJJAN
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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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Updated: February 09, 2023, 2:35 PM