The upcoming development will be located adjacent to Beeah’s iconic headquarters—a landmark designed by the late architectural legend Zaha Hadid. According to Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO and Vice-Chairman of Beeah, the project has been in the making for over a decade. “It will be a full-fledged community with strong sustainability and green living elements,” he said.

Further details, including pricing and project specifics, will be revealed at the launch event. The announcement comes amid Sharjah’s ongoing freehold property boom, with standout developments such as Aljada, Masaar, Sharjah Waterfront City, and various Shurooq-led initiatives driving demand. In May alone, Sharjah recorded Dh5.5 billion in real estate transactions across 8,415 deals, with Al-Metraq and Muwailih Commercial among the most active areas.

A Natural Progression for Beeah

Beeah’s move into residential real estate aligns with its long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation. The company has already established itself in green technologies, with projects ranging from waste-to-energy and hydrogen-from-waste to solar power adoption.

The group is also advancing in healthcare, currently developing the 266-bed Jawaher Boston Medical City in Sharjah’s Al Suyoh district—a state-of-the-art facility designed to raise the bar in regional healthcare services.

“Real estate has always been part of Beeah’s broader vision,” Al Huraimel added. “Our headquarters was one of the last projects designed by Zaha Hadid, and this new residential launch represents a natural evolution of our capabilities in energy, healthcare, technology, and sustainable development.”

With this launch, Beeah is poised to become a key player in shaping Sharjah’s urban future, integrating smart, eco-conscious living with community-centric design.

The post Sharjah’s Freehold Market Expands as Beeah Enters Real Estate with First Residential Project appeared first on The Gulf Indians.

Returning for its seventh edition, the three-day fair runs from November 22 to 24, 2024, at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi from 5pm to 10pm. It features an eclectic selection of printed materials by artists’ presses, self-publishers, and non-commercial cultural producers pushing the boundaries of publishing.
Workshops on sketching, writing, and zine-making complement talks, readings, and presentations focused on publications created by the Foundation and participants. Visitors can also enjoy a live zine-making station and purchase refreshments from venue stalls.

This year’s highlights include the launch of Corniche, Sharjah Art Foundation’s sixth annual comic anthology, with opportunities to meet contributing illustrators. A key session features Zeynep Öz, a curator for Sharjah Biennial 16, and designer Okay Karadayılar discussing their collaboration on YAZ Publications’ 13-book series.

On the final day, meet-and-greet events with publishers like Dongola Limited Editions and Hopscotch Reading Room will take place. Additionally, cultural leaders and artists will showcase curated publications from their ecosystems.
Admission is free, but prior registration is required. Secure your spot at sharjahart.org.

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This new release provides an in-depth exploration of the pandemic’s impact on the UAE’s aviation industry, examining the challenges faced, strategic responses, and future-focused recovery measures shaping the sector.
Key topics
Spanning 88 years of UAE aviation history, from the establishment of the GCC’s first airport in Sharjah’s Al Qasimia area, the book traces the evolution of the sector and how the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic transformed its rapid growth trajectory. Key topics include international travel restrictions, stringent health protocols, social distancing measures, and the structural adjustments that marked this era. Bukalla highlights the sector’s swift adaptability in an evolving global landscape.

Pandemic impact
“This book is not only a narrative on the pandemic’s impact on aviation; it’s a blueprint for resilience and adaptation,” Bukalla remarked. “It showcases the commitment and ingenuity of an industry that remains essential to global connectivity.”

Central themes in the book examine the UAE aviation sector’s comprehensive response to the pandemic, including border closures, health regulations, and operational shifts essential for continuity. Bukalla also provides a detailed analysis of the health and safety initiatives introduced by airlines and airports, such as enhanced sanitation practices, health screenings, and distancing protocols. Financial impacts are analysed in depth, covering airline revenue declines, workforce adjustments, and support from the UAE government, ICAO, and WHO in setting international safety benchmarks and offering financial relief.
Emerging trends
The book further explores emerging trends, such as digitalisation, investments in fuel-efficient aircraft, and the role of cross-border cooperation in future-proofing the industry. It serves as a vital resource for decision-makers, policy experts, and researchers.Bukalla concludes with forward-looking recommendations for enhancing sector resilience, emphasising the need for strengthened digital infrastructure, strategic public-private partnerships, and effective crisis-management frameworks.

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SIBF organiser Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced a partnership with the Roads and Transport Authorities (RTA) of Sharjah and Dubai to facilitate access for visitors travelling from Dubai.
As part of this partnership, Sharjah RTA will operate 10 boats, providing free transportation for visitors from Dubai and Sharjah throughout the Fair. The boats will run from Sharjah Aquarium station directly to Expo Centre Sharjah, where a temporary docking area has been established to accommodate this service.
Badr Mohammed Saab, director of Government Communications at SBA, said: “The new partnership enhances SIBF 2024 visitors’ experience, ensuring seamless access from Dubai. As the fair has become a key annual destination for thousands of visitors from both the UAE and abroad, our initiative to provide free boat services from the Sharjah Aquarium Station to a temporary dock at Expo Centre Sharjah is a vital step forward, providing convenience for our guests and promoting sustainable transport options, reinforcing our commitment to accessibility and visitor satisfaction.”

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On Monday, the Sharjah-based airline announced its financial and operational results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2024.

Airline revenues soared to Dh1.78 billion during Q3 2024, compared to the Dh1.62 billion it posted in the third quarter of last year.

Furthermore, the airline achieved a turnover of Dh1.78 billion, marking a 10% increase compared to the third quarter of last year.

Moreover, from July to September this year, the airline said in a statement that over 5.1 million passengers travelled with Air Arabia Group across its operating hubs, reflecting an 8% increase from the 4.7 million passengers carried in the same quarter of the previous year.
The airline’s average seat load factor — representing the percentage of available seats occupied — increased by 2%, reaching 81% during Q3 2024.
Navigating risks
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said, “The aviation industry continued to face geopolitical and economic challenges in the third quarter, as airlines navigated airspace restrictions in parts of the region, leading to route adjustments and in some cases, flight suspensions.”

He added, “The industry continued to manage inflationary pressures prompted by the ongoing supply chain challenges, currency fluctuations, and fuel price volatility.”
Despite these factors, the airline successfully expanded its network, increased operating capacity, and maintained a strong operating margin, said Sheikh Thani.

“This achievement highlights the resilience of our business model and the strength of our management team,” he added.

First 9 months
That said, for the first nine months of this year, Air Arabia has posted net profits of Dh1.25 billion, reflecting a 5% decrease from the Dh 1.32 billion recorded in 2023. The airline achieved a turnover of Dh4.98 billion, marking a 12% increase compared to the Dh4.45 billion registered in the first nine months of last year.
Over 14 million passengers travelled with Air Arabia across its hubs during this period, representing a 13% growth compared to the number of passengers carried in the same period last year. The airline’s average seat load factor rose by 2%, reaching 82% for the first nine months of 2024.

The airline’s liquidity remained strong during the first nine months of the year, with Dh4.9 billion in cash and cash equivalent.

Al Thani stated, “Throughout the first nine months of 2024, we maintained a strong commitment to growth across all areas of our business and operations. This included expanding our fleet, introducing new routes, and increasing flight frequencies across our operating hubs.” The company chairman said the airline remains committed to strategic growth, disciplined cost management, and delivering exceptional value to its customers for the rest of the year.
Fleet growth
During the first nine months of the year, Air Arabia added six new aircraft to its fleet, bringing its total to 77 owned and leased Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft.

The carrier also expanded its network by launching 22 new routes across its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan.

Air Arabia has also integrated and deployed phase one of its enhanced fuel management system to further manage and optimise fuel efficiency across the group, which will eventually lead to further emissions reductions.

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Here is your guide to paying for parking in the emirate.What are the two zones?
There are two parking zones in Sharjah – standard parking zone and the seven-day parking zones. While both have the same parking charges, the timings for both are different.

Standard parking zone – 8am to 10pm, Saturday to Thursday
Seven-day parking zone – 8am to 12 midnight, including Fridays and public holidays

You can identify the seven-day parking zones from the blue information signs that are placed there.How much does the parking cost in Sharjah?

• Dh2 for one hour
• Dh5 for two hours
• Dh8 for three hours
• Dh12 for five hours

Note: While the cost for parking is the same, regardless of which zone you park in, how you pay for it can add to the cost. For example, if you are using the mParking option, you will need to factor in a 38 fils per SMS fee. Also, if you pay on an hourly basis, you can save a few dirhams, but run the risk of getting a fine if you do not renew the ticket on time.
Different ways to pay for parking

1. Parking metres – these are placed in all parking areas, and you can pay for parking using cash.
2. mParking – send an sms to 5566 in the following format: Plate sourcePlate numberhours

For plate source, you need to put in the emirate where the car is registered in the following format – Sharjah: SHJ, Dubai: DXB, Abu Dhabi: AUD, Ras Al Khaimah: RAK, Ajman: AJM, Fujairah: FUJ, Umm Al Qaiwain: UAQ

Additional charges of 38fils per SMS apply.

3. Digital Sharjah – You can also pay for the parking, and renew it, online through the Digital Sharjah app, using your phone wallet or credit card. This option helps you save on the extra service charges that come with mParking.
4. Parking permit – Another option that is available to you is getting a monthly parking permit, if you regularly visit certain areas in Sharjah. The permit allows you to park in two zones of your choice, and you can apply for one-month, three-months, six-month and yearly permit. Find out more here.

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This was announced by Abdullah Khalifa Bin Yarouf Al Sabousi, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Islamic Affairs, while talking to Mohammed Khalaf, Director-General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, on the Direct Line programme that airs on TV and radio. Al Sabousi highlighted that the plan primarily targets mosques located on main streets, with 95 per cent of the mosques being renovated. He noted that the new mosques are expected to be operational within the next two years.

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Brigadier Dr Ali Al Kay Al Hamoudi, Director of the Eastern Region Police Department, stated that upon receiving the report earlier on Sunday, all specialized teams were dispatched to the scene, including the Sharjah Civil Defense Authority, the Kalba Comprehensive Police Station, the Crime Scene Team, the National Ambulance, and the Kalba Municipality.

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Located in the Al Khorfakkan area, the women-only beach spans 500 meters. It is situated in the Al Bardi 6 and Al Bath regions, connected by a new road constructed as part of the project. This new infrastructure will improve accessibility to the area.

The Sharjah Radio and Television Authority’s chairman, Yusuf Khamees Al Othmani, highlighted the significance of this development. He emphasized that the new beach will greatly enhance recreational options for residents and tourists, making it a valuable addition to the city’s amenities. Additionally, he noted that the upgraded road network would contribute to easier access to various parts of Sharjah.

This new beach aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for women, attracting both residents and visitors. It is expected to be a popular destination, particularly during the cooler months when beach festivals are frequently held in Sharjah.

The beach is designed to accommodate families and provide a high-quality leisure experience. The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) is overseeing the project’s implementation, ensuring it meets high standards of service and infrastructure.

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SPEA noted that the decision was made after measures were taken to provide a healthy and safe environment for all participants, including the vaccination of most school staff.

SPEA said it has studied how to enable schools to receive students after applying necessary precautionary measures.

SPEA also carried out more than 2,000 monitoring visits since last September, launched an electronic platform to monitor infections in schools, and formed a committee to follow up on all infections. It  trained school administrators on guidelines for reopening schools and receiving students. It also held  workshops and training courses for schools regarding the distance learning system. Public awareness campaigns about the pandemic were launched through the Sharjah Education Academy.

SPEA also organised numerous courses and a health awareness campaign that receivved the participation of over 23,000 people.

Dr Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of SPEA, said the pandemic strengthened the bonds of cooperation and unleashed qualitative ideas and initiatives, which contributed to the success of the education system that SPEA adopted. These efforts reinforced the need to return to the face-to-face education system.

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Anyone caught begging in the UAE will be fined AED5,000 and imprisoned for up to three months, the Public Prosecution has announced.

The UAE sees an increase in the number of beggars on the streets during the holy month of Ramadan, when charity and alms giving is foremost in the minds of the faithful. The law authorities are trying to crack down on beggars as begging is a crime in the UAE.

The Public Prosecution published an awareness video on social media highlighting the crimes of begging and organised begging, and punishments that will be given according to the law.

Punishments will be tougher if a beggar is healthy and has a source of income, has faked an injury or permanent impairment or used any other means to deceive people with the aim of obtaining benefits.

Moreover, those operating professional gangs of beggars or recruiting people from outside the country to work as beggars can face imprisonment of over six months and a minimum fine of AED100,000.

Anyone recruiting people from outside the country for organised begging can be punished with the same penalty, and anyone participating in organised begging can be imprisoned for up to three months and will be fined AED5,000.

The Public Prosecution hopes that its Twitter campaign will help to improve the legal culture and raise public awareness, including the importance of not begging during the Holy Month.

Organised gangs have been found to bring in beggars from countries in Asia, including other Arab nations.

Some beggars pretend to be street vendors plying wares, claiming they had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some beg online, to evade police crackdown.

Residents in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman have raised concerns about being accosted by beggars in residential and commercial areas, as well as at mosques.

Several beggars arrested by the Sharjah Police said they were brought into the UAE last November and instructed to ask for alms for six months. They were promised that they would return to their respective countries after gaining a lot of wealth. The gangs provided visas, air tickets and accommodation in lieu of 80 per cent of their daily earnings, the police said.

On the first day of Ramadan this year, the Dubai Police arrested 12 beggars. Over the last three years, the Dubai Police have arrested 842 beggars, who are mostly of Arab origin.

Instead of giving alms, the public have been encouraged to donate to registered charities and non-profit organisations. Residents can also help the police eradicate the illegal practice by reporting beggars.

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The place of worship can accommodate around 515 worshippers, including 65 women. It is located along Al Dhaid Road.

The mosque is built on a total land area of 4,601 square metres, and was built according to the Islamic architectural style mixed with modern character, topped by five circular domes and a lighthouse with a height of 21 metres, with the presence of service facilities from toilets, ablution, housing for the imam, and a number of car parks.

The Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah said the new mosque is in line with the vision of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Sharjah Ruler aims to create and “nurture an atmosphere of faith for the residents of the Emirate”, the authority added.

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Sharjah has a new cultural edifice and iconic architectural marvel in keeping with the emirate’s year-long tenure as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019 – the House of Wisdom situated near the University City of Sharjah. It was inaugurated by H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on December 9.

Reimagined as a library of the 21st century, the House of Wisdom has been designed as an immersive space for learning, sharing, creating, and accessing knowledge. Built in modern architectural style, it has 15 lobbies and halls spread across two storeys set on an elevated platform spanning 12,000 square metres. Natural light bathes the key spaces like the huge lobby, the Al Rasheed Hall, the Espresso Books, Knowledge Terrace, the Wisdom Vault and the Al Ma’moun Exhibition; the Little Reader, the Wisdom Square, the Ibn Duraid Reading Area, the Al Jazri Lab, the Ladies Diwan, the Al Jarhmi Library, and the Al Khawarizmi Exhibition.

Developed by Shurooq, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, the new knowledge centre and digital library complex represents libraries of the future – a flexible design that allows the library to grow with the times, vast digital resources, a fabrication lab with 3D printers to build prototypes of experimental projects and cutting-edge technology to print and bind books within minutes. The library’s futuristic suspended private pods for quiet reading and a host of collaborative community spaces are designed in a way that promotes academic and non-academic pursuits, social learning and cultural interaction.

Designed by Foster + Partners, an award-winning architectural firm, the structure also includes lecture halls, reading lounges, exhibition spaces, a dedicated children’s educational area, a central courtyard, a café, a restaurant, and outdoor gardens where you will find local varieties of fig, ghaf and palm trees.

The library will be home to 305,000 books, of which 200,000 are in the digital format and 11,000 hard copies in various languages. The children’s library called “The Little Reader” houses more than 2,000 books, while the library dedicated to youth has 3,000 titles.

There is a “Book espresso machine” that can print and bind books on demand in minutes, along with the digital self-service station.

The Al Jazari Laboratory (Fabrication Lab), named in honour of scientific inventor Badi Alzaman Al Jazar (1136 AD – 1206 AD), is equipped with state-of-the-art 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutting machines, and Computer Numerical Control tools.

There are spaces dedicated to women and children, such as the Ladies Diwan and a library for children aged between 3 and 10 years.

Iraqi-born, New York-based artist Wafaa Bilal’s solo exhibition titled “168: 01” is showing at the centre now. The exhibition conveys the historic loss caused by a fire that destroyed more than 70,000 books at the library of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Baghdad in 2003. A prominent exhibit features a makeshift library filled with empty white books. Visitors to the exhibition are invited to replace the blank books with real ones to restore the destroyed collection in Iraqi universities and institutes in Baghdad, Mosul, Babylon, as well as in the Iraqi National Museum. Another display is of ‘The Ashes Series’, a collection of detailed miniature reconstructions of original press photographs that captured the destruction caused by the Iraq War.

The Al Rasheed Hall is a space for hosting seminars, events, and conferences. The landscaped gardens feature 331 trees of 12 different species. It overlooks the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 monument, “The Scroll” – a 36.5-metre piece of public art created by British sculptor Gerry Judah.

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A cluster of unfinished tower blocks called Mina Plaza Towers will be razed to the ground on November 27 as part of the second phase of a major regeneration of the iconic port area in Abu Dhabi. Buildings in the Mina Zayed area, Abu Dhabi, hence will be closed from 7.00 p.m. on November 26 to 4.00 p.m. on November 27, announced the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) – Abu Dhabi City Municipality.

Modon Properties will carry out the demolition, in collaboration with strategic partners and in partnership with a leading demolition and dismantling company. A pilot test was carried out earlier this year. The demolition of the four towers, which comprise 144 floors, is estimated to last 10 seconds.

Modon and Aldar Properties will redevelop designated areas in Mina Zayed. Aldar will develop prime land into a seafront destination, with approximately 1.5 million square metres of gross floor area.

The project will include a new fish market, plant souk, fruit and vegetable market, meat market, carpet souk, date souk, and a wholesale souk. Existing shops and markets will remain open to public throughout the redevelopment period. Shops will be transferred upon completion of the redevelopment projects, without affecting the businesses in the current markets.

The expansive project in over three million square meters is set to foster trade and investment operations in the capital, as well as support the capital city’s urban development while safeguarding the nation’s authentic identity and heritage.  It will also give shoppers and visitors a chance to explore diverse shopping options, an array of F&B outlets, and enjoy leisurely walks along the promenade along the entire Fisherman’s Wharf.

Mina Zayed was first inaugurated in 1972, and has been the capital’s main port for more than four decades. It was named after the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and has helped fortify Abu Dhabi’s international trade.

The area also served as the main seafood market in Abu Dhabi for over three decades, hence the existing fish market is included within the master plan development. Dubai and Sharjah renovated their seafront markets in recent years.

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All 1,024 publishing houses at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) have been exempted from rental fees for the stands.

The exemption, valued at Dh6 million, has been ordered by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in a show of support for publishers worldwide. The gesture is aimed to help the publishing industry bounce back into business after tiding over COVID-related setbacks.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), which organises the book fair, said: “Books are the basis of a vibrant culture, and the Sharjah International Book Fair is its home. By fully supporting the participation of each and every publisher here at SIBF 2020, we become the first international book fair in the world to entirely exempt publishers from participation fees.”

Publishers Conference discuss piracy and audiobooks

Earlier, at the 10th Publishers Conference on November 1-3 organised by the Sharjah Book Authority at Expo Centre Sharjah, two panel sessions focussed on the challenges and impact of book piracy and the surging popularity of audiobooks.

At the session titled “Book Piracy: What can be done about this problem?”, moderator Bill Kennedy, Founder of UK-based Avicenna Partnership Ltd, lauded the efforts of SIBF in being vigilant about pirated works.

Lamenting how pirates hijack the works of authorised publishers who have invested time and resources to gain rights to the publication and translation, Adel Zaini, Founder and CEO of Lebanon’s Dar Al Khayal, drew attention to the rise in illegal downloads on multiple platforms through unauthorised websites, fuelled today by the surge of electronic readers and e-books.

The publishers concluded that while it was impossible to eliminate book piracy, more steps should be taken to reduce its burden for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The session titled “Listen up! The audiobook phenomenon”, was moderated by Daniel Mesino, Literary Scout and External Editor, HarperCollins, Mexico.

Stacy Creamer, VP, Audible Content Acquisitions & Development, Audible, USA, said: “What is driving this segment is the new dimension it provides by giving the stories a voice. Most popular in this category are memoirs that offer a more intimate and emotional feel to the story while with self-help books, it is akin to having a life coach in your ears. In both these categories, we routinely see audiobook sales far exceed that of print.”

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An unbeaten 116-run opening wicket stand between Quinton de Kock and Ishan Kishan guided Mumbai Indians to a massive 10-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings in the 41st match of the Indian Premier League match in Sharjah on October 23.

After restricting Chennai to 114 for nine in 20 overs, Mumbai openers Quinton de Kock (46 runs off 37 balls) and Ishan Kishan (68 off 37) reached the target easily.

Mumbai Indians won the toss and opted to field first. They were led by Kieron Pollard in the absence of Rohit Sharma, who is injured.

Man of the Match Trent Boult (4-18), pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2-25) and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar wreaked havoc with their excellent spells. Rahul Chahar got CSK skipper MS Dhoni (16) and then Deepak Chahar (0) out in quick succession. Chennai were down to 3/4 in less than three overs and 24/5 in six overs. They had only Sam Curran’s knock of 52 (47 balls) to bank on.

Mumbai are now at the top of the table with 14 points; Chennai’s chances of making it to the playoffs seem low.

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India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on September 28 a full schedule of 270 repatriation flights out of the UAE. This will commence from October 1 to bring back its citizens who wish to return home in the face of disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The new schedule will run until October 25. This is the seventh phase of the Vande Bharat repatriation mission. National budget airline Air India Express will operate these flights and may be supplemented later, if necessary, by other Indian carriers, the Ministry disclosed.

The flights will depart from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah to multiple destinations in India. A number of new Indian airports have been added this time, which will help many Indians in the UAE to directly reach their final destination without having to take a connecting flight.

There will also be repatriation flights from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In Oman, the flights will operate from both Muscat and Salalah airports. In Saudi Arabia, the airports of origin are Dammam and Riyadh.

In the reverse direction, 269 flights will be operated to the UAE from Indian cities by Air India Express for 24 days from October 1. These flights will take back Indians who live and work in the UAE.

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The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Sharjah Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Team have announced the gradual return of students to schools on September 27, following all precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety and health of students. This will apply in the case of both direct and hybrid education systems.

The decision comes after ensuring the readiness of all educational facilities to adhere to all precautionary measures prescribed by the SPEA. Instructions to be taken by school staff, parents and students had been issued earlier.

SPEA staff conducted field visits to check the preparations of schools to safely receive their students. The inspection campaigns were made in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Sharjah Educational Council, Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA), Sharjah Municipality and Sharjah Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Department (SMAAD).

Students have been asked by respective schools to undertake a mandatory and free COVID test before they return to school. Parents also need to fill in a consent form to enlist their willingness or otherwise about sending their wards back to school. The preference among parents is largely for online learning, this correspondent has learnt from an Indian school in Sharjah.

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Rajasthan Royals registered a comfortable 16-run win over mighty Chennai Super Kings in the Day 4 match in Sharjah on September 22, giving it a fantastic start in IPL 2020.

Batting first, RR was propelled forward by the half centuries of Sanju Samson (74 off 32 balls) and Steve Smith (69 off 47 balls) helping it score 216 for 7 in 20 overs. Samson’s blitzkrieg comprised 9 sixes and a four. For CSK, Sam Curran took 3 wickets yielding 33 runs.

Though Chennai Super Kings began well, it lost openers Shane Watson and Murali Vijay in quick succession to RR spinners – Rahul Tetwatia and Shreyas Gopal – after getting off to a good start. Tetwatia picked up three wickets for RR, and clinched the match for it.

Faf du Plessis hit a 72 off 37 balls but it could not save CSK. Nor could Dhoni hat-trick of sixes in the final over.

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The Sharjah Emergency and Crisis and Disaster Management Team, in coordination with the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, has approved the reopening of the Al Jubail Bus Station, and the operation of intercity transportation lines from 15th September, 2020. This comes after ensuring that all precautionary and preventive measures for the safety of passengers will be met.

Brigadier General Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Naour, Director General of Central Operations at Sharjah Police, who heads the Executive Committee for Sharjah Emergency and Crisis and Disaster Management Team, visited Al Jubail Bus Station, to see the procedures in place.

The committee adopted a set of preventive measures to restart transportation services for passengers. This includes limiting passenger capacity in buses to 50 per cent, and other necessary preventive measures applied to all employees and drivers, to achieve comprehensive health security. Hand sanitisers will be installed in every bus and stickers to maintain social distancing will also be placed.Thermal body scanning of passengers will be done before boarding. They should wear masks during the entire duration of the trip.

Al Jubail bus station had been closed since April as part of COVID-19 precautionary measures.

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