• A Bedouin tribesman with a young boy and camel during Ramadan in the Jubail area of the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
    A Bedouin tribesman with a young boy and camel during Ramadan in the Jubail area of the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
  • Bedouins in the Sinai drink traditional coffee after Iftar meals during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
    Bedouins in the Sinai drink traditional coffee after Iftar meals during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
  • A Bedouin woman in the Sinai, near Jubail. Yusri Mohammad
    A Bedouin woman in the Sinai, near Jubail. Yusri Mohammad
  • A first course of lamb and rice is served for Iftar at Ramadan for Bedouins in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
    A first course of lamb and rice is served for Iftar at Ramadan for Bedouins in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
  • A Bedouin house in Sinai, near Jubail. Yusri Mohammad
    A Bedouin house in Sinai, near Jubail. Yusri Mohammad
  • Bedouins in the Sinai break their fast during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
    Bedouins in the Sinai break their fast during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
  • A Bedouin woman in the Sinai tends to goats. Yusri Mohammad
    A Bedouin woman in the Sinai tends to goats. Yusri Mohammad
  • Bedouin men drink coffee and talk late into the night after Iftar. Yusri Mohammad
    Bedouin men drink coffee and talk late into the night after Iftar. Yusri Mohammad
  • Bedouin men talk after Iftar in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
    Bedouin men talk after Iftar in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
  • Bedouins are seated for Iftar during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
    Bedouins are seated for Iftar during Ramadan. Yusri Mohammad
  • A Bedouin village in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad
    A Bedouin village in the Sinai. Yusri Mohammad

Meet Egypt’s Sinai Bedouins marking Ramadan with goat ghee, shisha and store-bought coffee


  • English
  • Arabic

Among the sand dunes and valleys of the Sinai in Egypt, Bedouin tribes are keeping local traditions alive this Ramadan, with customs passed down through generations over hundreds of years.

Anticipating the call to maghrib prayers, members of Al Huwaitat and Al Mazinah tribes gather in a small seating area while the younger men sat out in the desert.

They wait at diwans, or tribal meeting halls, where daily fasts would soon end.

In the diwans, distinctly Bedouin designs are etched into seats and stitched into carpets surrounded by symbols of modern living – a TV set, an air conditioner and a refrigerator.

Bedouin iftar

  • Bedouin men ride camels in front of the monastery of St Catherine in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. Egypt has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and received only 10,000 tourists a day in the last quarter of 2020. EPA
    Bedouin men ride camels in front of the monastery of St Catherine in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. Egypt has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and received only 10,000 tourists a day in the last quarter of 2020. EPA
  • A view of the monastery of St Catherine in on the outskirts of Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai governorate. Egypt has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving only 10,000 tourists a day in the last quarter of 2020. EPA
    A view of the monastery of St Catherine in on the outskirts of Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai governorate. Egypt has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, receiving only 10,000 tourists a day in the last quarter of 2020. EPA
  • A Bedouin vendor waits for customers making their way from Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's, South Sinai Governorate. EPA
    A Bedouin vendor waits for customers making their way from Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's, South Sinai Governorate. EPA
  • Tourists walk towards the monastery of St Catherine after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
    Tourists walk towards the monastery of St Catherine after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city of Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
  • Tourists watch the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
    Tourists watch the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
  • Tourists make their way towards the monastery of St Catherine, after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
    Tourists make their way towards the monastery of St Catherine, after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city, in Egypt's South Sinai Governorate. EPA
  • A tourist watches the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
    A tourist watches the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
  • Tourists make their way towards the monastery of Saint Catherine, after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
    Tourists make their way towards the monastery of Saint Catherine, after watching the sunrise on top of Mount Moses, in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
  • A Bedouin man waits with a camel in front of the monastery of St Catherine in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
    A Bedouin man waits with a camel in front of the monastery of St Catherine in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
  • Tourists watch the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA
    Tourists watch the sunrise outside a church on the top of Mount Moses in Saint Catherine city, South Sinai, Egypt. EPA

As radio speakers crackle with the call to prayer, the tribesmen prepare to take their first bite of food from containers placed on handmade carpets.

In a display that unites the old with the new, mountains of rice and goat meat placed on massive trays will be their first meal of the day. They will wash it all down with fizzy drinks and mineral water.

Al Huwaitat tribesman Sheikh Fareej Salem, host of this Ramadan feast, says preparations for the mass gatherings begin 10 days before the holy month starts.

"The Bedouins set up special areas stocked with food and drinks from family homes in nearby valleys where people can have iftar if they happen to be passing by," he says.

One of Ramadan's staples among the Bedouins of Sinai is el gareesha – a dish made from crushed wheat, goat ghee, cumin, herbs and lentils – and zalabiya, a flour-based, deep-fried, sugar-coated dessert.

Tribal laws 

Aside from the colourful aspects of Ramadan in the Sinai that have been kept alive for generations, unique social norms are also still observed.

Couples are not allowed to get married in Ramadan, according to Bedouin traditions. Customary court sessions are also suspended for all cases except murder, when an initial hearing is held and then the case is postponed until the month is over.

"Customary law is firm and strict and compulsory for all tribes that wish to sort matters away from city courts and police stations," says Eid Salem, a member of Al Huwaitat tribe.

After dark

Over a pile of lit wood, two pots full of tea and coffee come to a boil while plumes of shisha smoke rise from among the newly fed Bedouins who consider Arabic coffee the official drink for Ramadan gatherings, especially if the month falls at hotter times of year.

The coffee, once roasted in bulk and prepared each day for a night of meetings, catch-ups and conversations after iftar, is now bought freshly ground from sellers. Each serving is enjoyed with a date or two.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

A%20MAN%20FROM%20MOTIHARI
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Khan%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPenguin%20Random%20House%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E304%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Bullet%20Train
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UAE%20SQUAD
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Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

Aggro%20Dr1ft
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Harmony%20Korine%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Jordi%20Molla%2C%20Travis%20Scott%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Notable Yas events in 2017/18

October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)

December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race

March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event

March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge

The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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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
Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)

Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

MATCH INFO

Newcastle 2-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace
Chelsea 0-1 West Ham
Liverpool 2-1 Brighton
Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth
Southampton v Watford (late)

The biog

Name: Younis Al Balooshi

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn

Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design

DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

While you're here
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