About 1,000 people took part in the walkathon at Dubai Mall for World Down Syndrome Day on Friday. Pawan Singh / The National
About 1,000 people took part in the walkathon at Dubai Mall for World Down Syndrome Day on Friday. Pawan Singh / The National
About 1,000 people took part in the walkathon at Dubai Mall for World Down Syndrome Day on Friday. Pawan Singh / The National
About 1,000 people took part in the walkathon at Dubai Mall for World Down Syndrome Day on Friday. Pawan Singh / The National

Walkathon held in Dubai Mall to support rights of people with Down syndrome


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DUBAI // A walkathon was held on Friday in a shopping centre to raise awareness of the rights of people with Down syndrome.

Almost 1,000 people marked World Down Syndrome Day at Dubai Mall with a walk led by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Sonia Alhashimi, chairwoman of the UAE Down Syndrome Association, said the aim was to challenge attitudes and encourage inclusion.

“We prefer to do the walkathon in a public place, a busy mall on a busy day on the weekend,” she said. “It’s to attract people’s attention. We want to spread awareness in order to improve acceptance. They have a right to a place in the community.”

There are no official figures for the number of people with the condition in the country, but international averages suggest that about one child in 800 is born with Down syndrome.

Ms Alhashimi said the figure in the Emirates was one in 319.

World Down Syndrome Day champions equal rights for people with the condition. It is held on 21st day of the third month, symbolising the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which is what causes the condition.

May Zalat, from Egypt, who is the mother of a four-month-old boy with the disability, said that although there was a federal law to strengthen the rights of special-needs children, there were often challenges with its enforcement.

“Here in the UAE they have a law about special needs, and it is a very good one,” she said.

“But the schools and nurseries, they don’t follow this law. That’s the problem we’re facing. It should be more strict, so they have to follow these laws.

“Some people do not accept a Down syndrome child. But he is unique, like any other child.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, issued a law last week stating “authorities in the emirate must provide disabled people with health-care services and educational opportunities that are equal to those received by other residents”.

Ms Alhashimi said it was a sign of positive change.

“The UAE is one of the best places in the region for people with Down syndrome, and although there are challenges in raising awareness, particularly in places of employment, the government has made huge steps in doing this,” she said.

mcroucher@thenational.ae

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')

Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)

Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

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Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: 

  • UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
  • Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
  • Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

Ferrari
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Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie

Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)

Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. 

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Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km

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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Tim%20Mielants%3Cbr%3ECast%3A%20Cillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Watson%2C%20Eileen%20Walsh%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Major Cinnamon, Fernando Jara, Mujeeb Rahman

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Al Mureib, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Remorse, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Meshakel, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Desert Peace, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Sharamm, Ryan Curatlo, Satish Seemar

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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

Dubai World Cup Carnival card:

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 2,410 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,400m

7.40pm: Handicap (T) $145,000 1,000m

8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) $200,000 1,200m

8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) $200,000 1,800m

9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 1,400m

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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

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1987

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1921

1888

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

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Fixture and table

UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

  • 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
  • 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins

 

UAE Premiership – final standings

  1. Dubai Exiles
  2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins
  3. Jebel Ali Dragons
  4. Dubai Hurricanes
  5. Dubai Sports City Eagles
  6. Abu Dhabi Saracens