• Muslim pilgrims are pictured at Jabal al-Noor 'mountain of light' overlooking the holy city of Mecca on July 5, 2022. - One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed to participate in this year's hajj -- a key pillar of Islam that all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once -- after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Christina ASSI / AFP)
    Muslim pilgrims are pictured at Jabal al-Noor 'mountain of light' overlooking the holy city of Mecca on July 5, 2022. - One million people, including 850,000 from abroad, are allowed to participate in this year's hajj -- a key pillar of Islam that all able-bodied Muslims with the means are required to perform at least once -- after two years of drastically curtailed numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Christina ASSI / AFP)
  • A 3-metre gorgosaurus skeleton at Sotheby’s in New York, where it is expected to fetch up to $8 million in a 'geek week' sale. AFP
    A 3-metre gorgosaurus skeleton at Sotheby’s in New York, where it is expected to fetch up to $8 million in a 'geek week' sale. AFP
  • Heart transplant patient Maurizio Calorio and Silivia Duca (third left) are married in an intensive care unit in Turin, Italy, hours before his vital surgery. EPA
    Heart transplant patient Maurizio Calorio and Silivia Duca (third left) are married in an intensive care unit in Turin, Italy, hours before his vital surgery. EPA
  • A lightning bolt strikes near Moscow State University building during a Russian thunderstorm. Reuters
    A lightning bolt strikes near Moscow State University building during a Russian thunderstorm. Reuters
  • Workers strip the Eiffel tower for the 20th full repainting job during its 135-year history. Reuters
    Workers strip the Eiffel tower for the 20th full repainting job during its 135-year history. Reuters
  • Empty coffins used in a symbolic mass memorial service in East London, South Africa, after 21 people, mostly teenagers, died in a nightclub last month. AFP
    Empty coffins used in a symbolic mass memorial service in East London, South Africa, after 21 people, mostly teenagers, died in a nightclub last month. AFP
  • Soldiers from the Iskandar Muda military command sing after exercises in Indonesia. AFP
    Soldiers from the Iskandar Muda military command sing after exercises in Indonesia. AFP
  • A shipbuilder works on a propeller of the 'World Europa' a cruise ship being built in Saint-Nazaire, western France, that will run on liquefied natural gas. AFP
    A shipbuilder works on a propeller of the 'World Europa' a cruise ship being built in Saint-Nazaire, western France, that will run on liquefied natural gas. AFP
  • A boat manoeuvres among icebergs floating in Disko Bay, western Greenland. AFP
    A boat manoeuvres among icebergs floating in Disko Bay, western Greenland. AFP
  • Participants wave their red scarves during the opening ceremony of the San Fermin bullfighting festival in Pamplona, northern Spain. AFP
    Participants wave their red scarves during the opening ceremony of the San Fermin bullfighting festival in Pamplona, northern Spain. AFP
  • UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar (3rd R) wearing the best young rider's white jersey, Ineos Grenadiers team's British rider Geraint Thomas (2nd R) and Ineos Grenadiers team's Dutch rider Dylan Van Baarle (R) cycle across a cobblestone sector in the final kilometers of the 5th stage of the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 153,7 km between Lille and Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, in northern France. AFP
    UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar (3rd R) wearing the best young rider's white jersey, Ineos Grenadiers team's British rider Geraint Thomas (2nd R) and Ineos Grenadiers team's Dutch rider Dylan Van Baarle (R) cycle across a cobblestone sector in the final kilometers of the 5th stage of the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 153,7 km between Lille and Arenberg Porte du Hainaut, in northern France. AFP
  • A Muslim pilgrim takes a 'selfie' picture atop Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Mecca, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
    A Muslim pilgrim takes a 'selfie' picture atop Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Mecca, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

Today's best photos: from Hajj 2022 to Pamplona


  • English
  • Arabic

More from The National:

Tuesday's best photos: from rhino relocation to Chanel Haute Couture collection

Monday's best photos: from synchronised diving to Brazilian ballet

Sunday's best photos: from date harvest in Oman to NYPD graduates

Saturday's best photos: from Adele in London to a floating iceberg - in pictures

Friday's best photos: from Miss Cholita Pacena 2022 to Hong Kong handover anniversary

Thursday's best photos: from an iceberg water hole to National Paddy Day

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Friday's schedule at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 qualifying, 10:15am

Formula 2, practice 11:30am

Formula 1, first practice, 1pm

GP3 qualifying session, 3.10pm

Formula 1 second practice, 5pm

Formula 2 qualifying, 7pm

The biog

Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly 

Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo

Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.

Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,

She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.

Updated: July 06, 2022, 3:39 PM