A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Beirut on Thursday saw Lebanese protestors take their chants to the sky.
A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Beirut on Thursday saw Lebanese protestors take their chants to the sky.
A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Beirut on Thursday saw Lebanese protestors take their chants to the sky.
A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Beirut on Thursday saw Lebanese protestors take their chants to the sky.

Lebanon protests reach new high as plane passengers sing and wave flags


Hayley Skirka
  • English
  • Arabic

The protests in Lebanon reached literal new highs this week as passengers on a flight from Dubai to Beirut took their plight 38,000 feet up in the sky.

Flydubai flight FZ159 departed Dubai headed for Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday, October 24 just after 7pm.

Part way through the flight, a group of passengers congregated towards the front of the aisle on the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, and began chanting and clapping.

At least two passengers flew the Lebanese flag which they had carried on-board the plane.

The atmosphere on board the flight seemed much in keeping with that of the ongoing protests in Lebanon. Those involved were joyous and nearby passengers that were not directly involved in the chanting looked amused.

Several other passengers filmed the proceedings with their mobile phones.

The same sense of patriotism was reflected in a video circulating on social media earlier today showing a group of Lebanese travellers breaking into song and singing the country’s national anthem after arriving at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International

Many of those flying into Beirut are thought to be travelling back to Lebanon to participate in the ongoing protests which are now rolling into their ninth day. The majority of stories emerging from the demonstrations have been of hope and unity with people spotted clearing up rubbish, dancing and getting married in the midst of proceedings.

Emirati citizens have been advised not to travel to Lebanon until further notice due to recent security developments.

Cracks in the Wall

Ben White, Pluto Press 

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Fly direct to London from the UAE with Etihad, Emirates, British Airways or Virgin Atlantic from about Dh2,500 return including taxes. 

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Rooms at the convenient and art-conscious Andaz London Liverpool Street cost from £167 (Dh800) per night including taxes.

The tour

The Shoreditch Street Art Tour costs from £15 (Dh73) per person for approximately three hours. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games

The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.

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How to help

Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.

Account name: Dar Al Ber Society

Account Number: 11 530 734

IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734

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To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae

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Groom and Two Brides

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