• An aflaj in the Al Ain area taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Courtesy: David Riley One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -
    An aflaj in the Al Ain area taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. Courtesy: David Riley One time use - permission must be sought from desk or David -
  • A farmer dips his hands into the aflaj at Al Ain Oasis. A aflaj is an ancient irrigation channel. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A farmer dips his hands into the aflaj at Al Ain Oasis. A aflaj is an ancient irrigation channel. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • An aflaj in the Al Ain area taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. The development of the falaj system allowed settlements to expand. Courtesy David Riley
    An aflaj in the Al Ain area taken at some point between 1962 and 1964. The development of the falaj system allowed settlements to expand. Courtesy David Riley
  • A worker pours water into an aflaj in the town of Nahwa. Galen Clarke / The National
    A worker pours water into an aflaj in the town of Nahwa. Galen Clarke / The National
  • Shahid Iqbal, a date farm worker from Pakistan, climbs up a palm tree over a fresh water canal based on the aflaj at the Al Qattara Oasis in Al Ain. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo
    Shahid Iqbal, a date farm worker from Pakistan, climbs up a palm tree over a fresh water canal based on the aflaj at the Al Qattara Oasis in Al Ain. Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo

Aflaj: What is the ancient desert irrigation system used in Al Ain?


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

The time-honoured tradition of camel racing is included on the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as is aflaj – the system of Iron Age water channels used for farm irrigation in Al Ain.

Camel races were submitted jointly by the UAE and Oman, while aflaj was submitted by the Emirates.

The UN list aims to ensure protection of culture and heritage and the UAE now has 11 elements registered.

Much is known about the glory of camel racing, but aflaj is a lesser known yet no less important element.

Aflaj water channels are dug by hand and provide irrigation to arable land.

These channels flow through farming villages in Al Ain, dividing irrigation equally between farms in a series of underground streams.

The technique is still commonly used in Oman. Used during the Iron Age, they allowed settlements to expand.

The famous Al Ain aflaj system is thought to be one of the region’s oldest, having been in existence for about 3,000 years.

It was restored by the Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, in 1946.

Popular oases can be found in Al Ain’s Hili, Bida bin Saoud, Thugaiban, Al Madam and Jabeeb. But what is their story and how do they work?

How does aflaj irrigation work?

Water is extracted from underground wadis and wells by digging out deep channels.

Gravity does its work and the water flows through the system without need for mechanical pumps.

It provides a constant flow of water through the oasis that increases in capacity during heavy rain.

Components of the Aflaj system

Aflaj systems have three parts.

The first is umm al falaj, or mother well, which is the main water source, from where tunnels of varying length deliver large amounts of water underground to its destination.

Access shafts are built at 20-metre intervals along the water tunnels, protected by rings of clay as a fail-safe to stop flooding should the tunnels collapse.

Aflaj is the plural of the word ‘falaj’. There are various types. A Dawoodi falaj supplies water year-round, with channels up to 10 metres long.

An Ayni falaj collects water from springs, while a ghaili falaj draws supplies from natural resources such as ponds or lakes and is used more during times of increased rain.

Camel racing 

Camel racing is a bedrock of Emirati heritage.  Every year, tens of thousands of camels from across the Gulf compete for hundreds of millions of dirhams in prize money at landmark calendar events.

The Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Festival, usually held in February, is one of the UAE's largest camel racing events. It is held at Al Marmoon racetrack in Dubai, where participants compete to win more than Dh100 million in prize money.

More than 300 races are held during the festival, with the fastest camels qualifying for the season’s finale at the Al Marmoon Heritage Festival in April.

Emirati camels compete with others from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman, with prizes handed out to the five fastest.

The festival culminates with a nod to Emirati heritage, with craft stalls, foods and dancing during five days of celebration.

  • Camel handler, Rahim Daad, from Pakistan, who is preparing the camels for racing at Al Marmoom camel race track, Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Camel handler, Rahim Daad, from Pakistan, who is preparing the camels for racing at Al Marmoom camel race track, Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Camel races, such as those at Al Marmoom camel race track, have resumed
    Camel races, such as those at Al Marmoom camel race track, have resumed
  • The camel race circuit closed earlier this year to limit the spread of Covid-19
    The camel race circuit closed earlier this year to limit the spread of Covid-19
  • A handler at Al Marmoom camel race track in Dubai wearing a face mask
    A handler at Al Marmoom camel race track in Dubai wearing a face mask
  • The sport requires handlers to work closely together to saddle camels and guide herds from farms to track
    The sport requires handlers to work closely together to saddle camels and guide herds from farms to track
  • During the race season, the track becomes a gathering place for thousands of handlers and camel owners
    During the race season, the track becomes a gathering place for thousands of handlers and camel owners
  • A handler at the Al Marmoom camel race track in Dubai
    A handler at the Al Marmoom camel race track in Dubai
  • The first races have started back up with safety precautions
    The first races have started back up with safety precautions
  • Face masks must be worn by camel handlers
    Face masks must be worn by camel handlers
  • Some handlers came from Dubai once they tested negative for Covid-19
    Some handlers came from Dubai once they tested negative for Covid-19
  • Many camel handlers live together on farms
    Many camel handlers live together on farms
  • Mohammed Saleem, 38, a camel handler from Pakistan who was raised in the UAE
    Mohammed Saleem, 38, a camel handler from Pakistan who was raised in the UAE
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23

UAE fixtures:
Men

Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final

Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final

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