DUBAI // A magic show and face painting were among the highlights of a special iftar for orphans from across the country on Wednesday.
More than 65 boys and girls aged between seven and 14 were treated to an evening of fun and games before and after the end-of-fast meal in an event organised by Watani, the UAE's national identity programme, at the H Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road.
"I'm really happy to be here," said Eissa Abdulla, 13, one of more than 20 children from the Dar Zayed Orphanage in Al Ain.
"This is the first time we've been to something like this and I've really had a good time."
Abdulla Mubarak, 12, agreed, saying "I really like the setting here and the magician was really good.
"Some of the children are getting their faces painted but that's not really my thing though."
The festivities began with a magician who performed a 20-minute routine that captivated the youngsters. They also took part in a short quiz before listening to religious lectures, and were presented with toys at the end of the evening.
For Rashid Saeed, 14, the excitement had been building for days.
"They told us about it last week and I've been looking forward to it since then," he said.
"All my friends are excited to come here and are really happy that we have been invited."
Representatives of the Dubai Government's Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation also attended the event. This is the fourth year that Watani has held an iftar for orphans, and organisers say it was the biggest one so far.
"The idea behind it is to show that orphans are an important part of our community as well," said Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, the director general of Watani.
"Ramadan is a time for reflection and doing good and it is important that we as a society recognise that orphans can also play a part in our society. I hope that people take from this an attitude that we are all part of the same country and we should help and support one another."
nhanif@thenational.ae
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
