• 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
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m

Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m

Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.

8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m

Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

In numbers

- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100

- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100

- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India

- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100

- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
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The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

Challenge Cup result:

1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults

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 
Tell Me Who I Am

Director: Ed Perkins

Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis

Four stars

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Sarfira

Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal 

Rating: 2/5

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday

AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)

Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)

Benevento v Parma (5pm)

Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)

Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)

Lazio v Spezia (5pm)

Napoli v Crotone (5pm)

Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)

Torino v Juventus (8pm)

Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

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Ain Dubai in numbers

126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure

1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch

16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.

9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.

5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place

192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 24
THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

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Honeymoonish
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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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

Match info:

Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')

Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')