• A man and his child light candles outside his shop during Diwali celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by all Hindus around the world. AP
    A man and his child light candles outside his shop during Diwali celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated by all Hindus around the world. AP
  • Family members play with firecrackers in Kathmandu. Diwali is known as the Tihar festival in Nepal. EPA
    Family members play with firecrackers in Kathmandu. Diwali is known as the Tihar festival in Nepal. EPA
  • Children light firecrackers in Kathmandu. AP
    Children light firecrackers in Kathmandu. AP
  • A vendor untangles decorative lights at a shop in Kathmandu. AP
    A vendor untangles decorative lights at a shop in Kathmandu. AP
  • Sawantri, 40, helps her son to wave a burning sparkler during Diwali celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters
    Sawantri, 40, helps her son to wave a burning sparkler during Diwali celebrations in Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters
  • A man lights a firecracker in Karachi. Reuters
    A man lights a firecracker in Karachi. Reuters
  • Oil lamps are lit at a home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to celebrate Diwali. EPA
    Oil lamps are lit at a home in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to celebrate Diwali. EPA
  • A girl poses with a mural made out of coloured powder outside her home in Karachi. Reuters
    A girl poses with a mural made out of coloured powder outside her home in Karachi. Reuters
  • Indians light firecrackers as they celebrate Diwali in Dubai's Bur Dubai district. AFP
    Indians light firecrackers as they celebrate Diwali in Dubai's Bur Dubai district. AFP
  • Fireworks light the sky above a decorated building in Bur Dubai. AFP
    Fireworks light the sky above a decorated building in Bur Dubai. AFP
  • Pakistani Hindus light firecrackers in Karachi. AFP
    Pakistani Hindus light firecrackers in Karachi. AFP
  • Diwali decorations at the Praveen residence in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Diwali decorations at the Praveen residence in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • A young woman lights a firecracker as she celebrates Diwali in Karachi. AFP
    A young woman lights a firecracker as she celebrates Diwali in Karachi. AFP
  • A woman lights an oil lamp in Bengaluru, India. EPA
    A woman lights an oil lamp in Bengaluru, India. EPA
  • People set off firecrackers in Bengaluru. EPA
    People set off firecrackers in Bengaluru. EPA
  • Indians light firecrackers near New Delhi. EPA
    Indians light firecrackers near New Delhi. EPA
  • A boy prays at a Hindu temple in Sukkur, Pakistan, during Diwali. AP
    A boy prays at a Hindu temple in Sukkur, Pakistan, during Diwali. AP
  • People light lamps on the banks of the river Saryu in Ayodhya, India. AP
    People light lamps on the banks of the river Saryu in Ayodhya, India. AP
  • More lamps on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya. AFP
    More lamps on the banks of river Sarayu in Ayodhya. AFP
  • India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the 'Deepotsav' event in Ayodhya. AFP
    India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the 'Deepotsav' event in Ayodhya. AFP
  • Family members of Rajasthan police personnel burn firecrackers in Ajmer, India. AFP
    Family members of Rajasthan police personnel burn firecrackers in Ajmer, India. AFP
  • Mr Modi, right, inaugurates the 'Deepotsav' event as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath watches. AFP
    Mr Modi, right, inaugurates the 'Deepotsav' event as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath watches. AFP
  • Children watch firecrackers being lit on the eve of Diwali at an orphanage in Jammu, India. AP
    Children watch firecrackers being lit on the eve of Diwali at an orphanage in Jammu, India. AP
  • People make a formation of Hindu god Lord Ram, with 3,000 earthen lamps in Chandigarh, India. AFP
    People make a formation of Hindu god Lord Ram, with 3,000 earthen lamps in Chandigarh, India. AFP
  • People crowd at a market on the eve of Diwali in Bangalore. AFP
    People crowd at a market on the eve of Diwali in Bangalore. AFP
  • A customer browses jewellery at a shop ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Bloomberg
    A customer browses jewellery at a shop ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Bloomberg
  • A flower market in Bangalore. AFP
    A flower market in Bangalore. AFP
  • A saleswoman helps a customer try various pieces of jewellery at a shop in New Delhi. Bloomberg
    A saleswoman helps a customer try various pieces of jewellery at a shop in New Delhi. Bloomberg
  • People shop in Mumbai ahead of Diwali, one of Hinduism's most important festivals, dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. AP
    People shop in Mumbai ahead of Diwali, one of Hinduism's most important festivals, dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. AP
  • Shoppers buy stainless steel utensils at a marketplace in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi. Bloomberg
    Shoppers buy stainless steel utensils at a marketplace in Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi. Bloomberg
  • Hindus pray during Diwali at the temple in Dubai. AP
    Hindus pray during Diwali at the temple in Dubai. AP
  • A vendor sells decorative lights ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Indian shoppers are back in force online and in stores, splurging this festive season. Bloomberg
    A vendor sells decorative lights ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. Indian shoppers are back in force online and in stores, splurging this festive season. Bloomberg
  • A customer buys Diwali lights in New Delhi. In the previous two years, the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed celebrations. Bloomberg
    A customer buys Diwali lights in New Delhi. In the previous two years, the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed celebrations. Bloomberg
  • Dancers perform at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. AP
    Dancers perform at the Indian Consulate in Dubai. AP
  • A vendor at a kiosk in New Delhi. Bloomberg
    A vendor at a kiosk in New Delhi. Bloomberg
  • A woman picks marigolds, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them at a market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
    A woman picks marigolds, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them at a market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
  • An Indian shopkeeper arranges earthen oil lamps for sale ahead of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Bangalore, India. EPA
    An Indian shopkeeper arranges earthen oil lamps for sale ahead of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Bangalore, India. EPA
  • A woman looks at decorative items and crackers offered at a market stand ahead of Diwali in Bangalore. EPA
    A woman looks at decorative items and crackers offered at a market stand ahead of Diwali in Bangalore. EPA
  • A child wearing make-up while asking for alms from passers-by at a market area ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
    A child wearing make-up while asking for alms from passers-by at a market area ahead of Diwali in New Delhi. AFP
  • A female customer takes off a gold necklace after trying it at a Senco Gold & Diamonds jewellery showroom before Diwali in Mumbai. AFP
    A female customer takes off a gold necklace after trying it at a Senco Gold & Diamonds jewellery showroom before Diwali in Mumbai. AFP
  • People buy firecrackers on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
    People buy firecrackers on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Amritsar. AFP
  • A farmer cultivates lotus flowers in a reservoir in Bhopal ahead of Diwali. AFP
    A farmer cultivates lotus flowers in a reservoir in Bhopal ahead of Diwali. AFP
  • A woman shops for fancy jewellery in Chennai. AFP
    A woman shops for fancy jewellery in Chennai. AFP
  • Inside the Bikanervala Sweet Factory in Dubai Investment Park that is preparing for the Diwali rush on Indian Sweets. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Inside the Bikanervala Sweet Factory in Dubai Investment Park that is preparing for the Diwali rush on Indian Sweets. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Prgati Grover prepares for the Diwali celebration at her home in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Prgati Grover prepares for the Diwali celebration at her home in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

UAE

Government

UAE leaders congratulate those celebrating Diwali

Five-day festival of lights started on Monday

The National

October 24, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

UAE leaders have congratulated all those who are celebrating Diwali.

Homes and balconies across the Emirates are decked out with strings of lights and flowers this week in honour of the five-day festival of lights, which started on Monday.

President Sheikh Mohamed wished those who are celebrating the festival a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.

"Congratulations to all of those in the UAE and around the world celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, and may the year ahead be one of peace, prosperity and happiness for you and your families," he said, writing on Twitter, with the message also posted in Arabic and Hindi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also congratulated those celebrating this year and wished them a happy festival.

"On the behalf of the people of the UAE, we congratulate all those who celebrate Diwali. Wishing them a happy festival," he said on Twitter.

Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn, coinciding with the new moon, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar.

Predominantly a Hindu festival, others who mark the occasion include Jains and Sikhs, while some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali.

Dubai residents start Diwali early with colourful celebrations - in pictures

  • The Grovers celebrate Diwali as a family in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Grovers celebrate Diwali as a family in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Lighting and rangoli decorations for Diwali at Anil Grover's house in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Lighting and rangoli decorations for Diwali at Anil Grover's house in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Grover family. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Grover family. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • From left, Sanjay Grover, Sarla Grover, Sohan Grover, Prgati Grover and Anil Grover. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    From left, Sanjay Grover, Sarla Grover, Sohan Grover, Prgati Grover and Anil Grover. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Lighting and rangoli decorations at the Grover residence. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Lighting and rangoli decorations at the Grover residence. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Prgati Grover lights the candles for Diwali. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Prgati Grover lights the candles for Diwali. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Diwali decor at a residence in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Diwali decor at a residence in Dubai. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Snehal Gagwani, an Indian resident in Dubai, decorated her home with flowers and lights for Diwali. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Snehal Gagwani, an Indian resident in Dubai, decorated her home with flowers and lights for Diwali. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • Ms Gagwani adds the finishing touches to her decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Ms Gagwani adds the finishing touches to her decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • Younger members of the Gagwani family enjoyed the decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Younger members of the Gagwani family enjoyed the decorations. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • Snehal Gagwani is an Indian resident of Dubai. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Snehal Gagwani is an Indian resident of Dubai. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • Lighting candles. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Lighting candles. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • Snehal Gagwani with her family. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
    Snehal Gagwani with her family. Photo: Snehal Gagwani
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The Praveen family's home lit up Diwali. Antonie Robertson/The National
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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
On Women's Day
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RESULT

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Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

Buy farm-fresh food

The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.

In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others. 

In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food. 

In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra. 

Stree

Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5

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1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

Updated: October 24, 2022, 4:00 PM
Sheikh Mohamed bin ZayedSheikh Mohammed bin RashidIndiaUAE