Islamic New Year – July 7th Holiday for Private Sector

 It was announced on Tuesday that July 7 will be a paid holiday for private sector employees in the UAE. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre) declared this holiday, which falls on a Sunday, in celebration of Hijri New Year. On the Islamic calendar, this corresponds to Muharram 1, marking the beginning of the new Hijri year 1446 AH.

 

 

Other countries, such as Oman, have also declared a holiday for the Hijri New Year on July 7 for both public and private sector employees, resulting in a long weekend for government workers and private sector companies that follow a five-day work week.

In the UAE, residents have a few more holidays before the year’s end, including one for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday and another for National Day, which will also provide a long weekend and mark the year’s last official holiday.

According to the 2024 holiday list announced by the UAE Cabinet, these public holidays are in addition to the 30 annual leave days that employees are entitled to each year.

 

Dubai Al Maktoum Airport set to be world’s largest

 

Dubai, renowned for its futuristic and innovative approach, has recently started a groundbreaking airport project aimed at creating the world’s largest capacity airport upon its completion, as per the recent announcement made by its ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The government has approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport. With a bold vision to establish a complete city around the airport in Dubai South, Sheikh Mohammed envisions it as not just an airport but as the “world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and a new global centre.”

 

The Al Maktoum International Airport project, costing approximately AED 128 billion, is a strategic initiative of the Dubai Aviation Corporation.

 
The new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport is set to be five times larger than the current Dubai International Airport, accommodating up to 260 million passengers annually. Over the next decade, all operations at Dubai International will gradually shift to the new airport, which will feature five parallel runways and 400 terminal or aircraft gates. Utilizing cutting-edge aviation technologies, it will host leading global companies in the logistics and air transport sectors. The project includes building an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, providing housing for a million people. Once completed, it will be the new home for Emirates, Flydubai, and their airline partners. According to Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, this ambitious project aims to secure a sustainable and progressive future for generations to come.
 

The move “further solidifies Dubai’s position as a leading aviation hub on the world stage,” stated Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, as quoted by the Dubai Media Office.

 

 

 

O Beach Dubai opening date coming soon

 Exciting news for dance music enthusiasts! O Beach, renowned from Ibiza, is making its grand debut on the shores of Dubai Marina. O Beach Dubai promises to be an extraordinary beach club featuring world-renowned DJs, luxurious amenities, and stunning views perfect for Instagram.

Scheduled for a winter opening, this new beach club will bring the essence of Ibiza to Dubai. Spanning 55,000 square feet, the venue will offer both outdoor and indoor areas, complete with cabanas, VIP sections, sunbeds, and a 4,000-square-foot swimming pool. International DJs will provide top-notch entertainment.

 

The Iconic Ibiza Venue is set to make a splash with Dubai Residents

At O Beach Dubai, the restaurant will feature stunning 360-degree views encompassing the city skyline and beach, stretching from Ain Dubai to the Arabian Gulf. The menu will showcase culinary delights inspired by global cuisines, complemented by a shisha lounge.

Tony Truman, Co-Founder of O Beach Ibiza, expressed enthusiasm about the venture: “Bringing O Beach to Dubai is an incredibly thrilling endeavor for us. Our goal is to provide a distinctive and unparalleled day club experience, bringing the essence of Ibiza to this vibrant city. With a decade of experience in Ibiza perfecting the pool party scene, we look forward to welcoming everyone to experience O Beach Dubai.”

O Beach in Ibiza has established itself over more than a decade on Carrer des Molí, known for its extravagant pool parties. The restaurant is renowned for its Mediterranean-inspired and fusion cuisine. Exciting upcoming music nights include House in Paradise, KISSTORY, and Soul Heaven.

Initially slated to open at Palm West Beach, the venue has now shifted to a new location in JBR.

For beach club enthusiasts, get ready to soak up the sun and sand with FACT’s picks of the best beach clubs in Dubai. Remember your sunblock and sunglasses

 

 

 

The New Downtown of Sharjah Megaproject

Sharjah’s largest-ever project is set to accommodate a staggering 75,000 residents by 2028. Construction is already in full swing on Aljada, a monumental megaproject that promises to redefine the landscape of the emirate.

Spanning across 24 million square feet, Aljada will reshape Sharjah with a plethora of amenities, including hotels, schools, a shopping mall, a business district, an observation deck, and an entertainment complex designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, among other features.

 
 

Here is what we know

The futuristic development, strategically situated just seven minutes from Sharjah Airport and 20 minutes from Dubai Airport, is slated for completion by 2028. According to The National, this self-sustained city is anticipated to house an impressive 75,000 residents.

Dubbed as the “downtown of new Sharjah,” Aljada is an innovative urban project featuring over 250,000 square meters of green space and five kilometers of parks.Guests will have a selection of four hotels to choose from, including three under Emaar Hospitality: Vida Aljada, Rove Aljada, and Address Aljada.

Additional facilities will include a Bounce trampoline park, a wellness district, a convention centre, a tree-lined boulevard, Sharjah’s largest gym with an elevated running track around it, an observation deck, and a showpiece water feature.

Since construction started back in 2018, a number of residential towers and facilities within the Aljada community are already open to the public and residents. For example, visitors can check out the outdoor drive-in cinema, a skate park, gyms, shops, swimming pools, parks, a farmers market, cycle paths, and a food district.

For now, Aljada is accessible by car only but public buses are set to stop at Aljada in the future. We can’t wait to see this exciting new project develop.

Dubai Mall parking is no longer Free

Dubai Mall parking is now no longer free.

Starting Monday, July 1, 2024, the new paid parking system is officially in place.

Announced in December 2023, Dubai Mall has partnered with toll gate provider Salik to introduce charges for parking spaces.

 

The toll gate company’s technology is facilitating a barrier-free parking experience for mall customers.

This includes automatic fee collection for ticketless parking, utilizing vehicle plate recognition to deduct fees directly from Salik user accounts.

Additionally, details on Dubai Mall parking fees have now been disclosed.

 

The Breakdown

Dubai Mall parking remains free for the first four hours on Monday to Thursday, and for the first six hours from Friday to Sunday. Beyond these times, the following charges apply:

Weekdays (Monday to Thursday):

  • 4 – 5 hours: Dhs40
  • 5 – 6 hours: Dhs60
  • 6 – 7 hours: Dhs80
  • 8 – 12 hours: Dhs100
  • 12 – 24 hours: Dhs500
  • 24 hours and beyond: Dhs1,000

Weekends (Friday to Sunday):

  • 6 – 7 hours: Dhs80
  • 7 – 8 hours: Dhs100
  • 8 – 12 hours: Dhs200
  • 12 – 24 hours: Dhs500
  • 24 hours and beyond: Dhs1,000

These rates apply to Grand parking, Cinema parking, and Fashion parking areas. Zabeel and Fountain Views parking areas will continue to offer free parking for now.

People of determination, public service providers, and valet drop-offs are exempt from Dubai Mall parking charges.

Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO and board member of Salik, emphasized that the aim is to provide sustainable and smart mobility solutions in Dubai. He highlighted that Salik’s technology allows for a seamless customer experience without gates or barriers at Dubai Mall, contributing to reduced congestion and traffic. Future plans include expanding this initiative to other locations across the city.