FUJAIRAH // More than 500 participants from around the world showcased their talents in music, dancing and acting during the first UAE’s Got Talent show, in Fujairah.
The month-long contest ended in a celebration on Friday at LuLu Mall Fujairah.
Thirty-five contestants reached the finals after several auditions that dazzled crowds and the judging panel.
Anita Williams, a jazz artist who has lived and performed in Dubai since 2012, judged the singing.
“It’s been absolutely amazing. I have never seen such talent; the talents are beyond what I imagined,” Williams said. “I have been crying since I arrived today, they made me so passionate.
“I really want to work with these kids. Eight of them are world-class and I will do my best to help them by providing them with exclusive workshops.”
Judge Hamoudy Elkadeer, an Emirati director and radio presenter, said he was thrilled to be part of the talent hub and was proud of the results.
“I was really surprised to find such talented kids and teens competing and showcasing their unique talents in front of a huge crowd, entertaining and leaving us stunned,” he said.
Elkadeer said the senior prize winner for acting, Alan Azzopardi, “performed in a really professional way using different acting techniques”. Azzopardi, 32, from Malta, works for Emirates airline. “Winning is a really big morale booster for me and a new starting point,” he said.
The judging panel also included Nisha Shivani, founder of Nisha Dance Centre in Dubai, and Khalil Ghadri, a Syrian composer and musician.
Eight first-prize winners in two categories were announced – junior category for children aged 4 to 14, and the senior category for teenagers above 14 years. The junior singing category winner was Parvathy Nair, an 11-year-old Indian girl, who performed the song I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables.
“It’s amazing. I thank the judges and my family,” said Parvathy. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase my talents.”
First-prize winner in the senior singing category was Majorie Rayas, 20, from the Philippines, who performed I Have Nothing made famous by Whitney Houston. “This is my first time to be on stage,” said Rayas. “I’m excited to win the contest. I thank everyone for supporting me here.”
In dancing, the junior prize went to Lineshya Das, an eight-year-old Indian girl who performed a Bollywood-style dance. Syrian dancer Bryan Abdul Aziz won the senior category.
“I have been practising one whole day for this event and I’m happy to have bagged the first prize,” said Lineysha
“It’s a great encouragement for me and a dream come true.” The junior instrumental first prize went to 10-year-old keyboardist Shahad Bou Hassoun from Syria.
In the junior acting category, five-year-old Charlotte Jamil Dib from Syria won.
The winners each took home a music system, a Dh1,000 shopping voucher, a trophy and certificate, and the promise of follow-up opportunities.
rhaza@thenational.ae
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
UAE - India ties
The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner after the US and China
Annual bilateral trade between India and the UAE has crossed US$ 60 billion
The UAE is the fourth-largest exporter of crude oil for India
Indians comprise the largest community with 3.3 million residents in the UAE
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first visited the UAE in August 2015
His visit on August 23-24 will be the third in four years
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, visited India in February 2016
Sheikh Mohamed was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2017
Modi will visit Bahrain on August 24-25
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
