ABU DHABI // A decision by President Sheikh Khalifa to release 103 Egyptian prisoners has been welcomed by the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr Ahmed El Tayyeb.
Sheikh Khalifa also pledged to settle the financial obligations of the prisoners, whose release was announced on Monday.
In addition to supervising Cairo's Al Azhar Mosque, Dr El Tayyeb is president of Al Azhar University. He expressed his appreciation of Sheikh Khalifa's decision to fund projects worth Dh250 million at the university, the state news agency Wam reported.
"This is extremely generous," he said. "The move follows the construction of the Zayed Institute for Teaching Arabic for Non-Native Speakers, which was funded by the UAE to qualify students willing to pursue studies at Al Azhar University."
Dr El Tayyeb, who has been visiting the UAE, said he was pleased to have met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who sent a private jet to bring him to Dubai.
"This was a generous gesture by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed," said Dr El Tayyeb. "We met, spent a good time and talked about Al Azhar, its relations and the historic ties with the UAE."
He said Sheikh Mohammed had expressed a willingness to support Al Azhar in spreading the message of moderate Islam.
Afterwards the Dubai Ruler said on Twitter that Dr El Tayyeb was "known for his honourable stances on various Islamic issues".
He added: "Al Azhar will remain a beacon of knowledge and Egypt will continue to hold some of the most important cultural and educational destinations."
csimpson@thenational.ae
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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