Isha prayers are performed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Isha prayers are performed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Isha prayers are performed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Isha prayers are performed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Zayed Mosques in Abu Dhabi and Indonesia mark Ramadan


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Two landmark mosques united by name are at the heart of Ramadan celebrations in the UAE and Indonesia.

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and its namesake in Solo, Indonesia, are opening their doors to worshippers in the spirit of the holy month.

Solo's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, named in a tribute to the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was inaugurated by President Sheikh Mohamed and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in November.

Though smaller than the Abu Dhabi original, it bears a remarkable resemblance to the architectural marvel with its striking white and gold decor, four minarets and a central dome surrounded by four smaller domes.

Sheikh Mohamed offered the $20 million building as a gift to Indonesia during his trip to the Muslim country in July 2019.

The place of worship is a meeting place for thousands of Muslims seeking to connect with others when breaking their daily fast.

It hosts a communal iftar each day with the capacity to serve up to 6,000 people.

Emirates Red Crescent, the humanitarian arm of the UAE government, has teamed up with Emirati charities to help organise the gathering.

Iftar is distributed in three large tents, under the supervision of volunteers from Mohamed bin Zayed University for Human Sciences and young men and women from the Solo region who are eager to help.

Thousands of kilometres away in Abu Dhabi, one of the world's largest mosques is also a focal point for those observing the holy month.

Worshippers turned out in force to perform Isha prayers on Tuesday evening.

Last year, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre provided 30,000 iftar meals every day at 10 worker centres across Abu Dhabi during Ramadan.

Meals are prepared at Erth Abu Dhabi hotel, close to the mosque.

Prayers held at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — in pictures

  • Isha prayers were held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Isha prayers were held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • The place of worship is key to Ramadan celebrations
    The place of worship is key to Ramadan celebrations
  • Muslims take part in evening prayers at the mosque
    Muslims take part in evening prayers at the mosque
  • Five daily prayers are observed during the holy month
    Five daily prayers are observed during the holy month
  • Worshippers come together to mark Ramadan
    Worshippers come together to mark Ramadan
  • Young people commit themselves to their faith
    Young people commit themselves to their faith
  • Worshippers of all all ages flocked to the mosque
    Worshippers of all all ages flocked to the mosque
  • Muslims pray at the mosque
    Muslims pray at the mosque
  • Isha prayers were performed at the place of worship on Tuesday evening
    Isha prayers were performed at the place of worship on Tuesday evening
  • Worshippers attend prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
    Worshippers attend prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
  • Muslims participate in prayers at the mosque
    Muslims participate in prayers at the mosque
  • The mosque will welcome worshippers throughout the holy month
    The mosque will welcome worshippers throughout the holy month
Sri Lanka's T20I squad

Thisara Perera (captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

What is a black hole?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Hurricanes 31-31 Lions

Wellington Hurricanes: 
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett

British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Haemoglobin disorders explained

Thalassaemia is part of a family of genetic conditions affecting the blood known as haemoglobin disorders.

Haemoglobin is a substance in the red blood cells that carries oxygen and a lack of it triggers anemia, leaving patients very weak, short of breath and pale.

The most severe type of the condition is typically inherited when both parents are carriers. Those patients often require regular blood transfusions - about 450 of the UAE's 2,000 thalassaemia patients - though frequent transfusions can lead to too much iron in the body and heart and liver problems.

The condition mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle Eastern origin. Saudi Arabia recorded 45,892 cases of carriers between 2004 and 2014.

A World Health Organisation study estimated that globally there are at least 950,000 'new carrier couples' every year and annually there are 1.33 million at-risk pregnancies.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

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
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

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Price: From Dh147,000

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Updated: March 29, 2023, 8:22 AM