Latest news with #MallOfTheEmirates
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha 2025 in UAE: Takbeerat rings out at malls; have you heard it?
Amid the hustle of shoppers and the echo of footsteps, a serene and familiar chant gently cuts through the noise at 3pm in Mall of the Emirates: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…' With Eid Al Adha just days away, shopping malls across the UAE have begun broadcasting the Eid takbeerat —a spiritual call glorifying God — over their loudspeakers. The gesture is subtle but powerful, pausing the rush of daily life and touching hearts amid the everyday rush. Dubai residents Lamar Murtada, Talia Alsayed, and Meera Alabbassi, paused mid-stroll, captivated by the sound echoing softly through the air-conditioned corridors. 'It gives us that feeling that Eid is almost here,' said Meera. Watch the video below: For Talia, the moment carried added a deeper meaning. 'Just yesterday, I talked to my mom about this after we heard the takbeerat somewhere else,' she said. 'It's so calming. It brings us peace. Honestly, it's more meaningful than any background music.' Major shopping centres like City Centre Mirdif, Deira City Center, Union Coop, and Etihad Mall, are filling their spaces with the spiritual echoes of the takbeer, adding a reverent tone to the festive energy. What is Takbeerat? These recitations, known as Takbeerat Al-Adha, mean proclaiming 'God is Great' and are a reflection of faith, gratitude, and joy. Recited especially during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the takbeer is a cherished Sunnah that helps prepare the hearts of Muslims for one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar. At Union Coop, the initiative began on May 28, marking the 1st of Dhul Hijjah, and will continue through June 8, the 12th of Dhul Hijjah. 'Broadcasting Eid Takbeerat in our branches symbolises Allah's glory, spreads joy, and reminds people of Eid's spiritual meaning. It helps revive the Sunnah, reinforce Islamic identity in public spaces, and educate Muslims about the proper practice and timing of Takbeerat,' said Shuaib Alhammadi, senior manager, community relations at Union Coop. 'A special moment' For long-time Dubai resident Sajna Abdulla, who encountered the takbeer while shopping in Deira City Center, the moment was unexpectedly emotional. 'I was out shopping when it began and was quite surprised. It transported me back to my Hajj experience over 30 years ago,' she recalled. 'The memories came rushing in. My family even started repeating the takbeer after the loudspeaker. It was a truly special moment.' Even tourists are pausing to appreciate the gesture. Alia and Rahaf, sisters visiting Dubai from Saudi Arabia for a pre-Eid holiday, were delighted to hear the familiar chants. 'It reminded us of home,' they said. 'It's heartening to hear this in Dubai, a city that blends modern living with strong Islamic traditions.' This year, excitement is even higher as UAE residents prepare for a four-day Eid Al Adha break, starting Thursday, June 5, with Arafah Day, the holiest day in Islam. Eid Al Adha will be observed on Friday, June 6, coinciding with Jumuah (Friday) prayers, making the day spiritually significant with both sermons taking place back to back. The break will continue through Sunday, June 8, offering families and communities time for both reflection and celebration. Across social media, UAE residents have started sharing their experiences by posting videos of the takbeerat echoing through malls, and tagging locations like Etihad Mall, Union Coop, and Mirdif City Centre.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai RTA announces urban project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an integrated urban project for the upgradation of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. The project is designed to enhance traffic flow in support of the emirate's comprehensive development, address the demands of urban expansion and population growth, and to improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors. It complements works currently underway to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, ultimately enabling uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a total distance of 20km. The project goes beyond traditional road widening and development by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape. It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments, said RTA in a statement. It also establishes a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities through targeted improvements that ensure smooth, integrated, and seamless access between these areas and the metro. The project forms part of a master plan developed by RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, including enhancements to Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street , and Al Safa Street, details of which will be announced in due course, it stated. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: "The upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, forms part of a master plan to develop the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor. " "This strategic route extends from its intersections with Jumeirah Street throughout to its intersections with Emirates Road to Al Qudra Road, serving key residential and development zones with a combined population exceeding two million," he stated. "The project enhances connectivity across four strategic transport corridors in Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will increase Umm Suqeim Street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six," noted Al Tayer. "The upgraded corridor will directly serve vital residential and development areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz; home to more than two million residents," he added. According to him, the project entails the upgrade of six key intersections along Umm Suqeim Street, specifically those with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The scope of work includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100m. "At the intersection with Jumeirah Street, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be constructed, complemented by a signalised surface-level junction," said Al Tayer. A second tunnel, comprising two lanes, will be constructed at the intersection with Al Wasl Street to facilitate traffic flow from Sheikh Zayed Road towards Jumeirah Street, while maintaining uninterrupted surface traffic in the direction of Sheikh Zayed Road, he added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
RTA launches major upgrade of Umm Suqeim St to boost traffic flow
Image: Dubai Media Office/ RTA Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a major urban infrastructure project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street. The project spans from the intersection of Umm Suqeim Street with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, and is part of a broader plan to enable uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a distance of 20 kilometres. It is designed to improve traffic flow, accommodate urban growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors. Unlike traditional roadworks, the development incorporates creative and aesthetic urban design elements. These include upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, complete streets (boulevards), and vibrant community spaces to promote social interaction and create inclusive environments. A direct link will also be established between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities. The initiative is part of RTA's master plan to overhaul the surrounding Further details will be announced in due course. Strategic corridor to serve over two million residents Mattar Al Tayer, DG and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at Al Tayer noted that the project will enhance connectivity across four major transport corridors—Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. The road's capacity will rise to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, reducing travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to six. It will serve areas including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz. Six key intersections, 4,100 metres of tunnels and bridges Al Tayer added that the project will upgrade six major intersections: Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. Plans include the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, totaling 4,100 metres. At the Jumeirah Street junction, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction and a signalised junction will be built. A second two-lane tunnel at Al Wasl Street will facilitate movement from Sheikh Zayed Road to Jumeirah Street. Two bridges will be constructed at Sheikh Zayed Road to eliminate traffic conflicts, and a tunnel at First Al Khail Street will accommodate traffic from Al Barsha to Sheikh Zayed Road. The stretch between First Al Khail and Al Asayel Streets will be widened to four lanes per direction. At Al Khail Road, two flyovers will be constructed — one linking Al Khail Road with Al Quoz Industrial Area, and another enabling traffic from Umm Suqeim Street to head toward Deira. The RTA is currently progressing on a 4.6-kilometre stretch between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. This includes redeveloping the intersection at Al Barsha South near Kings' School through an 800-metre tunnel with four lanes in each direction and a surface-level intersection. The work is over 70 per cent complete and is expected to open in Q3 2025. Al Qudra Road intersections also set for upgrade A separate project is also underway to enhance intersections along Al Qudra Road, from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to Emirates Road via Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. It includes 2,700 metres of bridges and 11.6 kilometres of road widening, cutting travel time from 9.4 to 2.8 minutes. Key upgrades include a 600-metre, eight-lane bridge at the intersection between Al Qudra Road and the street connecting Arabian Ranches with Dubai Studio City, and a 700-metre, seven-lane bridge at Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. Additional ramps will ensure smoother traffic transitions. Further developments feature a 500-metre bridge connecting Al Qudra Road with Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street toward Jebel Ali, and a 900-metre bridge serving traffic headed toward Dubai's city centre and airport. Service roads spanning three kilometres will be constructed along both sides of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street. The project also includes the extension of Al Qudra Road from Emirates Road to a key roundabout serving development zones, with additional lanes in both directions. A new road will be developed in the southern section of the development zone to link it with Emirates Road, alongside increasing lane capacity on both sides of Emirates Road to improve access to neighbouring projects.
Trade Arabia
2 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
RTA announces urban project to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced an integrated urban project for the upgradation of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. The project is designed to enhance traffic flow in support of the emirate's comprehensive development, address the demands of urban expansion and population growth, and to improve the overall quality of life for both residents and visitors. It complements works currently underway to upgrade Umm Suqeim Street from its intersection with Al Khail Road to Emirates Road, ultimately enabling uninterrupted traffic flow from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road over a total distance of 20km. The project goes beyond traditional road widening and development by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape. It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments, said RTA in a statement. It also establishes a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities through targeted improvements that ensure smooth, integrated, and seamless access between these areas and the metro. The project forms part of a master plan developed by RTA to upgrade the road network in the area, including enhancements to Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street , and Al Safa Street, details of which will be announced in due course, it stated. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said: "The upgrade of Umm Suqeim Street, from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road, forms part of a master plan to develop the Umm Suqeim–Al Qudra corridor. " "This strategic route extends from its intersections with Jumeirah Street throughout to its intersections with Emirates Road to Al Qudra Road, serving key residential and development zones with a combined population exceeding two million," he stated. "The project enhances connectivity across four strategic transport corridors in Dubai - Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will increase Umm Suqeim Street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, significantly improve traffic flow, and reduce travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to just six," noted Al Tayer. "The upgraded corridor will directly serve vital residential and development areas, including Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al Manara, Al Sufouh, Umm Al Sheif, Al Barsha, and Al Quoz; home to more than two million residents," he added. According to him, the project entails the upgrade of six key intersections along Umm Suqeim Street, specifically those with Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street, and Al Khail Road. The scope of work includes the construction of four bridges and three tunnels, with a total combined length of 4,100m. "At the intersection with Jumeirah Street, a tunnel with two lanes in each direction will be constructed, complemented by a signalised surface-level junction," said Al Tayer.
The National
3 days ago
- Business
- The National
Dubai refreshes look of Umm Suqeim Street as part of upgrade
Umm Suqeim Street is set for an upgrade. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have announced an initiative to landscape the thoroughfare from its intersection with Jumeirah Street to Al Khail Road. The project is part of plans to develop Jumeirah Street, Al Safa Street, and Al Wasl Street. Mattar Al Tayer, director general at the RTA, took to social media platform X to say that the new project goes beyond traditional road widening and development 'by integrating creative and aesthetic enhancements into the surrounding urban landscape.' 'It features upgraded pedestrian walkways, a dedicated cycling track, and complete streets (boulevards), alongside vibrant urban spaces designed to foster community interaction and create inclusive, dynamic environments,' he said. He said that the new project will support the expanding population as it will 'increase Umm Suqeim Street's capacity to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions.' The road refresh, will include the development of six intersections featuring four bridges and three tunnels spanning 4,100 metres in total. For commuters, the plans are set to strengthen connectivity across Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. The project is expected to cut travel time between Jumeirah Street and Al Khail Road from 20 minutes to six minutes. In a statement, the RTA said that the development will establish a direct link between Mall of the Emirates Metro Station and nearby residential communities. Plans are also expected to enable free-flowing traffic over a 20km stretch from Jumeirah to Al Qudra Road. Tackling traffic Dubai's roads are getting busier, with the emirate's toll operator recently reporting more vehicles on its system, increased journeys and surging profits. Salik said the number of registered active vehicles including motorcycles increased 9.3 per cent year-on-year to 4.47 million. There was a 7.3 per cent increase in registered drivers for the same period. According to the Ministry of Interior, 383,086 new driving licences were issued in 2024 and Dubai's Statistics Centre population clock showed 3.93 million recently – up from 3.73 million on the same day last year.
