Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed ordered billions of dirhams in housing packages to be distributed among more than 6,100 Emiratis in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, called for housing loans, homes and land — at a total value of Dh7.2bn — to be granted to citizens, under the directives of President Sheikh Khalifa.
Sheikh Mohamed also waived loan repayments totalling Dh340 million for 381 retired Emiratis and the families of deceased mortgagors.
The announcement was made to coincide with 49th National Day celebrations. It was the third package of housing benefits issued this year, which total Dh15.5bn.
The breakdown includes 3,099 plots of land, valued at Dh2.17bn; 2,000 housing loans, valued at Dh3.45bn; and 601 houses, valued at Dh1.2bn. The package was distributed among Emiratis in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
This year, approvals were issued for more than 5,000 housing loans as part of government aims to "maintain social stability and ensure decent living standards for citizens".
On Saturday, Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, chairman of the Department of Community Development Abu Dhabi, praised the move, saying it would help Emirati families enjoy a higher quality of life.
"The third housing benefits package demonstrates the ... leadership's keenness to provide all means of support ... for citizens. The package for this year is an extension of all the efforts to ensure a decent life for them and their families," he said.
Jaber Al Suwaidi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, echoed those sentiments and said the exemption of loan payments and distribution of homes and land showed "commitment to providing good quality housing".
Mr Al Suwaidi, who is also director-general of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, said the decision would "build a strong and connected community that enhances the development and progress of the country."
The UAE Government allocates land, free accommodation or a loan to eligible Emiratis who apply though the Housing Allocation Committee.
Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, established in 1999, provides low-income Emiratis with interest-free loans that are repayable over a 25-year period. Priority is given to widows, senior Emiratis and people with disabilities.
The scheme was introduced to ensure all Emiratis have access to safe and affordable housing and basic services.
The UAE capital aims to double the number of housing loans issued to Emiratis as part of Abu Dhabi Government Accelerator Programme, Ghadan 21.
Emiratis who have worked for at least 15 years and lived in the UAE for a decade or longer can apply for loans ranging from Dh500,000 to Dh2.25m from the government to buy a home or plot of land on which to build a house.
This loan is repaid over the remainder of their lives but can sometimes be waived by order of Sheikh Mohamed. Typically, these directives exempt retired or low-income Emiratis.
The loans are distributed by Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme but Emiratis can alternatively apply for a pre-built home with Abu Dhabi Housing Authority.
Abu Dhabi's Al Samha housing project for Emiratis:
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
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
The story in numbers
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
Two products to make at home
Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
Method:
1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.
2. Shake well before use.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 3 (Silva 8' &15, Foden 33')
Birmginahm City 0
Man of the match Bernado Silva (Manchester City)
