ABU DHABI / DUBAI // While the howling winds and cooler temperatures made for a chilly public holiday in Dubai, Khaled Suleiman could not have been happier.
With lifeguards’ red flag warnings keeping swimmers out of the water along Dubai’s coastline, the 36-year-old Egyptian and dozens of other kite surfers had the choppy seas to themselves.
“I learned how to kite surf in Egypt in the Red Sea where there are competitions, and since then you can say that it has been my life,” said Mr Suleiman, who works as a cabin crew member for Emirates.
“I look for the waves and follow them. I go to different areas in the UAE, including Umm Al Quwain, Yas Island, and Al Khan Beach.
“You could also say that being cabin crew is the perfect job for me, because almost every month I go to Mauritius and it is one of the best places to kite surf.”
His compatriot Hassan Mubarak was also delighted with the weather as he tried the sport for the first time.
“It’s always been something I wanted to try and we signed up for our first lesson today on our day off,” he said. “I have been living in the UAE for so long and I finally decided to do it after my friend encouraged me. He’s doing it with me.”
For Emirati Maitha Hammadi, 21, her day off was all about relaxing in the sunshine, albeit through cloudy skies, with the women in her family on the beach.
“Some of us work, some of us stay at home, and others study, but we thought today was a break for all of us, and we should head to Dubai to enjoy the weather on the beach,” said the Sharjah resident. “I’m a student at Zayed University, and I love that I can take this time off and be here in this beautiful weather.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted: “Today marks the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday. The purest of men, he brought a message of forgiveness in a life of guidance and compassion”
In the capital, where the skies were a clearer, Jameel Shehabi joined 25 friends for a barbecue in Khaleej Al Arabi. The Syrian said he was enjoying the time away from work, while also remembering the importance of the day.
“Today we all are together in the park to eat together, play together and pray together for the Prophet Mohammed on the occasion of his birthday. This day means a lot to us as we all love Prophet Mohammed and pray for him.”
Emirati Aysha Al Hammadi spent the day fishing behind the park. “Today is an off day so I wanted to fish. Fishing is the best way for me and my family to unwind as my father and forefather were fishermen. So whenever I get some time I go fishing. Today I will also pray for Prophet Mohammed and recite the Quran,” she said.
On Corniche Beach, a group of families wearing red-and-white Santa Claus hats were busy building snowmen out of sand as part of a competition.
Lebanese lawyer Dunya Feghaly rounded up her close friends and relatives for the challenge to help get into the festive spirit.
“I told them, don’t wait for a snowy day to have wintertime fun,” said Mrs Feghaly. “Join us on the Corniche.”
The families were told to wear Santa hats and bring their own snow/sandman building tools. One crafty family brought white spray paint, a decorative touch that earned them top prize for creativity.
Roger Feghaly, Mrs Feghaly’s husband, said about 50 children and adults took part in the competition and prizes were awarded to the five best builders.
“We are from Lebanon, and this year we are not going home for Christmas and Christmas is a big occasion for us,” said Mr Feghaly. “So my wife tried to do something similar to what we normally do in Lebanon, so we had to build a snowman – but actually there is no snow. So we choose to do it in the desert in the beach, using the sand beach. So it’s called the sand man.”
The children were treated to a surprise visit by Santa Claus himself who distributed gifts to the youngsters.
The Feghalys’ oldest daughter, Yara, 13, said the day helped everyone catch the holiday cheer.
“It’s fun, it’s a creative idea because here there is no snow, so the point of being able to do it on the sand, it’s good,” said Yara.
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