Al Hilal are celebrated as most probably Asian football’s grandest club.
The Saudis are four-time champions of the continent – a record. Winners in 1991, 2000, 2019 and 2021, they have contested the Asian Champions League final more than any other team in history. Their most recent, last year’s narrow defeat to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, represented a ninth appearance in the showpiece.
Domestically, Hilal are Saudi Arabia’s most decorated club. They have won the top-flight title 18 times – another record. In fact, they have twice as many as the next teams on the rank, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.
Hilal sealed their first Saudi championship in 1979. Nine points clear in this season’s Saudi Pro League, with a game in hand, next month they are certain to add another.
Understandably, given the prowess and the pedigree, they are also one of Asia’s best-supported clubs.
Hilal fans are known across the continent for their passion and pride in their team; the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, closed recently for refurbishment, could be intimidating but intoxicating, as well.
Hilal’s “Blue Power”, the club’s considerable collection of hardcore supporters, typically lead the songs and the chants, bouncing in unison throughout matches.
Their tifos, large banners or signs that display image or text, are raised or unwrapped before matches, usually depicting a message to the players or to the opposition. To the world.
“We are here” declared the most recent, emerging from behind the goal on Tuesday night in Riyadh, before Hilal’s Champions League semi-final second leg with UAE club Al Ain.
Hilal may have decamped to the newly constructed Kingdom Arena, a smaller indoor arena where the noise reverberates and the atmosphere rattles the bone, but their fans are no less vociferous.
“Asia’s Leader”, proclaims another. For that is what they are. Out in front in trophies and, after last summer’s unprecedented spending, in talent. Their fanatic support can certainly lay claim to that title, too.
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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
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Gulf Men's League final
Dubai Hurricanes 24-12 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Joker: Folie a Deux
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The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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3. Hajj
4. Shahada
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18
This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens
450,000
More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps
1.5 million
There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m
73
The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association
18,000
The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme
77,400
The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study
4,926
This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee
