We all know Dubai is home to a million things that you just won’t find anywhere else in the world, no matter how hard you tried.

This 31 year-old American mother, Morgan Carver Richards, definitely knows it too. And she wants the world to know just how good she had it when she was living there. Richards moved back to the United States a few months ago, after having moved to Dubai in 2011. She released a series of YouTube videos that hilariously depict life without Dubai in a couple minutes.

She first points out the fact that she misses having someone helping out around the house…

Photo source: YouTube/Morgan Richards

And someone to help outside the house too…

Photo source: YouTube/Morgan Richards

And of course, halloumi cheese… because who wouldn’t miss it?

Photo source: YouTube/Morgan Richards

And she misses the fact that it’s the norm to valet park your car in Dubai…

Photo source: YouTube/Morgan Richards

Photo source: YouTube/Morgan Richards

Richards’ videos are just hilarious!

Here’s a couple more you just have to watch!

Wait, isn’t it normal to have someone wash your car while you go on a shopping spree?

And come on, where else could you order Uber helicopters?

Oh, Dubai!

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Dubai may actually become the first place in the world where Elon Musk’s crazy Hyperloop idea is built on a large scale and put to commercial use.

“It’s got the infrastructure, regulatory movement and kind of capital in place needed to build it already,” Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One, a startup developing Musk’s open-source technology, told Tech Crunch.

The insanely fast transportation system, which could transport people or goods between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 15 minutes, would be constructed at Dubai’s Jebel Ali port. Hyperloop One will be conducting an economic and feasibility study with DP World, which operates the port and is the planet’s third largest supply chain and terminals operator.

DP World believes that a Hyperloop could contribute greatly to its shipping operations, according to Tech Crunch. However, the company is waiting to see how the feasibility study will pan out before planning to move forward with construction.

Although this could be the first Hyperloop built for commercial use, Hyperloop One has already begun testing the technology in the United States. The company has also done similar feasibility studies in several other locations around the world.

Essentially the Hyperloop train will shoot capsules at high speeds through a nearly complete vacuum inside a large-scale tube. When implemented, the technology could drastically decrease required transport time, allowing cities to become more like metro stops than distant destinations.

Currently, several different competitors are vying to develop the technology that Musk published a 57-page alpha white paper on in 2014.

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There is a new travel trend sweeping through the wanderlust and jet-setter communities in the United Arab Emirates. This trend has them exploring new nearby destinations as opposed to traveling to more traditional ones such as Western Europe and the United States.

One destination that’s gaining more popularity is Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa. This small but picturesque country is a perfect getaway for the people of the UAE because it ticks so many vacation boxes from mild climate to amazing beaches and delicious food.

So, if the travel bug in you is starting to move again and you are thinking about visiting the Seychelles, here are some facts and tips that will help you spend the best time there:

1. It doesn’t require a visa…

Source: Pixabay 

Let me repeat this: IT DOESN’T NEED VISA! Yes, even if you have a less than favorable passport you are still welcome there and they won’t send you back once you arrive

2. It’s just four and a half hours by plane from Dubai

Source: WikiMedia 

I mean we could be stuck in Thursday’s traffic for almost the same number of hours!

3. You don’t have to spend a fortune on five star hotels

Source: Flickr

If you are on a budget then you can book one of the many guesthouses available on the islands. They are a cheaper alternative to swanky hotels and some of them are just one minutes away from the beach!

4. Try to spend a whole week

Source: Flickr

Many travelers make the mistake of going for just three or four nights, but trust me, you won’t regret spending more time there! Six nights will be perfect to see the three main islands: Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.

5. Don’t taxi, drive!

Source: WikiMedia

Although driving can be a bit challenging in Seychelles, since you have to drive on the left side of the road (UK Style), a car is your best friend there. This is especially true in Mahe because it’s a cheaper and more convenient than a taxi. But don’t fill up the whole tank! You won’t need all that petrol.

6. Don’t miss seeing these amazing spots

Source: Flickr

Do yourself a favor and never leave Seychelles without visiting: the Port Launay hidden waterfall in Mahe, the Valle de Mai plantation in Praslin (which is home to the rare Coco de Mar plant), and the Anse Source D’Argent in La Digue (which is a UNESCO world heritage site and where you will witness an unforgettable sunset!)

7. Try the street food in Mahe’s Anse Beauvallon

Source: Flickr

You will go for seconds once you have a taste of the freshly caught parrot fish, which is then glazed with honey and grilled to perfection on a bed of coconut leaves. Need we say more?

8. It’s not just for couples

Source: Flickr

Although it is a very romantic destination, Seychelles is not only for couples. Families and friends can still enjoy so many activities such as snorkeling, diving, hiking and cycling. It is an ideal getaway for a chilled out time with just the right dose of adventure!

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While a Kuwaiti shooter competing under the Olympic flag won the Arab world’s first gold medal this year, a Kenyan-born track athlete, accused of being “bought” by Bahrain, has won the region’s second gold.

Ruth Jebet won the women’s Rio 2016 Olympic 3,000-meter steeplechase event yesterday, soon after her compatriot Eunice Kirwa won silver in the marathon. Bahrain has thus been granted its first-ever gold and silver Olympic medals, but the triumph was met with an uproar on social media.

Bahrain stands accused of naturalizing athletes for the express purpose of having them represent the country.

Bahrain’s 35-strong 2016 Olympic squad includes athletes from Bahrain, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Russia and Nigeria. The nation has won a total of three Olympic medals, all by athletes of African origins. The first Bahraini Olympic medal was a 1,500-meter bronze won by Ethiopian-born Maryam Jamal.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Bahrain and others like the UAE and Qatar are a part, has notoriously difficult naturalization procedures.

Many attacked Bahrain for “buying” foreign athletes

And demanded that the international committee take strict measures against “athletes poaching”

Qatar wasn’t cut any slack

Few acknowledged that Gulf countries are far from being the only ones to naturalize athletes

Naturalized athletes have competed for adopted states since the dawn of the Olympic Games.

According to Immigration Impact, 47 of the Olympians on the American team in Rio 2016 were not born in the United States. And just recently, Britain’s Somali-born Mohamed Farah won the men’s 10,000-meter gold in Rio.

Regardless, Jebet’s achievement is praiseworthy

At her very first Olympic Games, Jebet registered the second fastest performance of all time, falling milliseconds short of beating the world record that was set in 1978.

She switched allegiance to Bahrain in 2013 and qualified to Rio 2016 with the best qualifying time.

While some of her compatriots accused her of betraying her country, others tried to justify her decision

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Tehran and Dubai are apparently becoming more “livable” by the year, according to the Global Livability Ranking 2016 by The Economist.

Tehran has shown the highest improvement in its “livability” score in the past five years and Dubai has shown the second highest. Kuwait City has also improved significantly, ranking fifth for overall improvement in livability.

A glimpse of Tehran. Source: WikiMedia

Although Tehran, Dubai and Kuwait City have all improved greatly according to the report, none of the cities rank high overall. Dubai comes in the highest at 74, followed by Kuwait City at 81 and Tehran at 126.

A view of Dubai’s impressive skyline. Source: Pixabay

No Middle Eastern cities made it into the top 10 of the most livable cities. Melbourne was ranked No. 1 in the world followed by Vienna, Vancouver and Toronto respectively. Several Middle Eastern and North African cities did make it to the bottom of the list however, with Damascus ranking dead last. Libya’s Tripoli came in second to last at 139 and Algiers came in at 134.

A view of Damascus from 2011, before the war. Source: WikiMedia

“Escalations in hostilities in Libya have prompted a sharp decline in livability in Tripoli as the threat to stability from Islamic State (IS, an extreme global jihadi group) continues to spread across the Middle East and North Africa. Damascus has seen a stabilization in its dramatic decline in livability but remains ranked at the bottom of the 140 cities surveyed,” the report says.

The ranking is compiled according to five different categories: stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education, and infrastructure.

While Dubai and other Arab cities may not have fared too well, we’re sure a lot of regional locals will eye the ranking with a grain of salt. We know that at least one former Dubai resident, Morgan Carver Richards, would likely push the city up a few spots.

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Scott Richards, a UAE resident who holds British and Australian nationalities, has been arrested in Dubai for promoting a non-UAE charity.

Prior to his arrest, Richards had been in Afghanistan “coordinating the logistics of distributing UN-standard tarpaulins” to refugees with the American charity Zwan Family Charity.

Though Richards was detained on July 28, news of the incident broke only this week, after Dubai police confirmed the arrest.

His lawyer believes that Richards was arrested under Decree No (9) of 2015, which bans the promotion of non-UAE charities. The law was passed last Spring.

“We don’t have complete clarity but we believe he was arrested under a new UAE law that prohibits promoting non-UAE registered charities,” Radha Stirling, Richards legal representative told the Khaleej Times.

According to the BBC, Dubai Police confirmed that Richards had used social media to promote a crowdfunding campaign raising money for the Zwan Family Charity. The campaign helps residents of Afghanistan’s Charahi Qambar Refugee Camp.

“Every Afghan winter comes with the reality of 100’s of people freezing to death in refugee camps. The bodies are buried and the memories live on but the living conditions remain,” the campaign page says.

“We cannot change the situation in Afghanistan but we can help to keep these human beings alive.”

The charity told ABC that Richards never worked for the organization but is a friend of a supporter who is based in Kabul.

Richards, an economic development adviser, lives in Dubai with his wife and two sons. A social media campaign by friends and supporters of Richards has been launched on social media, hoping to raise awareness about his detention.

“His wife is under extreme stress,” Penelope Haberfield, Richards mother, told the BBC.

“She can only take the clothes to him once a week. She takes him money so that he can buy water and extra food… She’s worried for him, she’s worried for herself because if she runs out of money, will she have to leave the country? She’s frightened for her children.”

Detained Abroad, an organization supporting Richards, has posted several updates on its website.

“The work that Scott performed fell outside of the charity laws.  [The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities] draws a distinction in terms of ‘volunteering’ and have confirmed that pro bono advice and other voluntary acts would not be covered by the Fundraising Decree.  Scott Richards was not raising funds and should never have been arrested,” the organization’s website says.

However, a Dubai Police official said that nobody would be detained in the emirate without committing a crime or breaking the law, according to the Khaleej Times.

He emphasized that any charitable funds should be raised “through licensed societies, NGOs and should be gained with permission to do so by the concerned authority.”

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Job hunting. We’ve all been through the process, one too many times. Traditionally, we would send out our resumes to companies, after hours and hours of searching through websites.

But now, thanks to vibrant Arab startup scenes, we have platforms that filter our searches quickly and effectively.

Here are 6 startups you should bookmark for your next job hunt:

1. Nabbesh 

The freelance market is growing heavily in the region, with many firms opting to outsource thanks to tectonic shifts in our economics.

Graphic designers, journalists, and digital consultants are all gearing towards the pay-as-you-go market. If you’re a freelancer looking for some extra cash, Nabbesh is where you should be looking. Nabbesh aims to connect fast growing companies with top quality freelancers.

2. Bayt.com 

There’s nothing more frustrating than finding employers’ who are currently hiring, especially finding one that you’re also interested in. If you’re having trouble finding a company that’s hiring, start here. Considered the Middle East’s No. 1 job site, 25.5 million are registered on the site with 40,000 employers lined up. Register online today.

3. InternsMe 

Just four years after its launch, this startup is doing wonders. The page presents varied options and helps prepare you for a full-time position. Students and recent graduates connect to top employers for internships, traineeships, part-time and full-time graduate job opportunities.

4. OLX 

In addition to cars and rent possibilities, the platform offers a range of job opportunities for people in the Middle East. You can filter your options to make your search all the easier.

5. Gulf Talent 

Used by over 5 million experienced professionals across industries, this online recruitment portal has transformed the region’s job search.

Founded in 2005, the company is run by a team of young professionals. If you’re looking for a job in technology, finance, and sales, this is the place you should start.

6. Mostaqqel 

Connecting businesses with freelancers, this startup offers users quality work opportunities that can’t be found elsewhere. Still in its beta version, Mostaqqel should be on your radar, especially if you’re looking to work at your own pace for multiple companies.

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Pan-Arabism has been a hot topic in the Middle East and North Africa for decades, with various leaders and governments rising up to champion the cause.

However, despite the rhetoric of Arab unity, the reality has always been a little less friendly. From regional conflicts to political snubs, Arab countries definitely don’t always stand united.

With the mounting refugee crisis caused by the ongoing Syrian civil war, many regional countries have made a strong show of support through aid or by hosting refugees within their borders. But, just how open are Arab countries to each other? How freely can Arabs travel from one Arab country to another?

Here’s a look at the visa policies of Arab League countries ranked from most welcoming to least welcoming. The countries were ranked by the number of Arab states whose citizens they allow to enter visa free or with a visa on arrival. (Note: there are 22 member states of the Arab league, however, as Palestine does not have control over its borders, it has not been included in this ranking.)

1. Comoros, Muaritania and Somalia (21 countries)

Comoros is one of the most welcoming Arab countries to other Arabs. Source: WikiMedia

These three countries actually allow anyone from any part of the world with a passport to enter with a visa upon arrival. This means the citizens of 21 Arab states can enter freely. However, Somalia requires a letter from a sponsor within the country for the visa to be granted.

2. Djibouti (19)

Djibouti allows the citizens of 19 Arab states to enter freely. Only citizens of Syria and Yemen must apply for a visa.

3. Lebanon (18)

An aerial view of Lebanon’s capital Beirut. Source: WikiMedia

Citizens of 18 Arab states can enter Lebanon without a visa or with a visa upon arrival. However, extra conditions apply for citizens of several of these countries such as showing hotel reservations and having a certain amount of cash before the visa upon arrival is granted. These conditions can be satisfied upon arrival without contacting a Lebanese embassy or consulate prior to traveling.

4. Jordan (12)

The kingdom allows citizens of 12 countries to enter freely.

5. Tunisia and Yemen (11)

6. Syria (8)

7. Egypt and Oman (6)

8. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and UAE (5)

The flag of the GCC. Source: WikiMedia

GCC countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE only allow Arab citizens of fellow GCC states to enter without a visa. Sudan happens to tie with these countries, however it only allows free access to citizens of Egypt, Qatar, UAE, Yemen and Syria.

9. Algeria (4)

10. Iraq and Libya (2)

A beach in Libya Source: WikiMedia

Iraq only grants citizens of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain visas upon arrival at certain points of entry. Visa regulations for the Kurdish region differ and are more lax overall. Only Tunisians and Jordanians can freely enter Libya.

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Al Barsha is one of the biggest areas in Dubai and home to the world-famous Mall of Emirates. It’s also home to many hidden gems, unexpected spots where you can shop, play, eat, party and even exercise.

Here’s our guide to 8 of the greatest spots in Dubai’s Al Barsha that you probably never noticed:

1. Play at Al Barsha park

Photo source: Instagram/myyellowlike

Whether you are looking for a 1.4K run, a stroll under the trees or a safe place for the kids to play, Al Barsha Park has got you covered. Even more, the park hosts The Ripe Night Market in winter months where you can buy fresh local produce, dance to live music and watch movies under the stars.

2. Eat at Foul W Hummus

Photo source: Zomato

Do you miss that small fatteh and foul joint at your local neighborhood back home? Are you craving a proper falafel sandwich stuffed with pickles and tahini sauce? Do you want an authentic Levant Friday breakfast? Then head now to Foul W Hummus in Al Barsha to get your fix. The food at this hidden gem is a mix of traditional favourites from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine, and can fill you up for less than 40 dirhams!

3. Discover new things at The Change Initiative

Photo source: Instagram/LittleMajlis

Not many people have noticed this great spot in Al Barsha, where you can shop for foods, accessories, candles, household items and much more. These are indie and hip brands that you can’t find anywhere else. The fashion lovers can also visit the Sauce shop for great deals on local fashion brands. And if that’s not enough, you can also enjoy yoga classes on certain days of the week.

4. Enjoy the Kunafa at Feras

Photo source: Instagram/chef_ib_musleh

Instead of driving all the way to Sharjah to get your kunafah and Arabic sweets fix, you can savour one of the best in Dubai at Feras Sweets. This tried and tested Arabic delight is good enough to satisfy the biggest sweet tooth out there!

5. Bling it up at the Gold and Diamond Park

Photo source: Instagram/GoldAndDiamondPark

Why go all the way to Deira to splash on some jewelry when you can find exquisite pieces at the Gold and Diamond Park in Al Barsha? This conveniently located center hosts many jewelry stores where you can browse and shop the perfect bling for yourself and your loved ones.

6. Play at the football All Star Sports

Photo source: Instagram/AllStarSportsCentre

If football is your thing but the heat prevents you from practicing, then you should head over to the All Star Sports centre. The place offers indoor football facilities that you can rent for a 5 or 7 aside game.

7. Find a bargain at Brands for Less

Photo source: Instagram/BrandsForLessUAE

How about a pair of Toms for 60 dirhams? Brand new Adidas trainers for less than 100 dirhams? Or a pair of cool Ray Bans for 300 dirhams? These great bargains are waiting for you at the Brands for Less store in Al Barsha. It’s the ideal spot for gift shopping.

8. Dance at Salero

Photo source: Instagram/Alevtinaiova

Delicious tapas, smooth sangria, live guitar music and energetic performances by a flamenco dancer…need I say more? Salero, the Spanish themed restaurant/bar is located at Kempinski Mall of Emirates. It’s a great choice for a night out with a group of friends or a fun date.

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If you’re living in the UAE, you understand the importance of “karaking”. It adds flavor to late night car cruises, and it’s your comfort drink at any time of the day. But do you really know the tea you spend all those intimate moments with? They have a life, too, you know.

1. The tea originated in India

Photo source: Instagram/Tea_mantra

The tea gained worldwide popularity from the start. It sprung out of India to become a menu item in numerous coffee and tea houses in London. It’s a tea that’s gone places.

2. The word “chai” comes from the Persian “chay” which originated from the Chinese word “chá” meaning tea

Photo source: Instagram/Musi_e

3. The four essential ingredients in chai karak include: milk, sugar, cardamom and ginger

Photo source: Instagram/shouldifollow

There is no fixed method of preparation and ingredients, as various homes use various spices. But all masala chai’s must contain the four basic ingredients above.

4. The combination of ground ginger and green cardamom is called “Karha”

Photo source: Instagram/ummkhaledscupoftea

Other spices are usually added to this base of Karha. These spices can include cinammon and nutmeg for example.

5. The base tea used is a strong black tea such as Assam

Photo source: Wikipedia

Strong black tea is used so that spices and sweeteners do not overpower the taste. Usually, “mamri” tea, a specific type of Assam, does the trick.

6. It’s anti-inflammatory

Photo source: Wikipedia

All the spices that are essential to the making of chai karak, including ginger, have anti-inflammatory properties. When combined, they work in synergy to combat any source of inflammation in the body.

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Dubai is the ultimate futuristic city where 3D printers will soon construct buildings, and we all know that technological leaps aren’t going to stop there.

So, it’s no surprise to see the city serve as a backdrop to sci-fi and action flicks like Mission: Impossible and Star Trek Beyond. The latest cutting-edge film where Dubai makes an appearance is American IMAX documentary film “Voyage of Time,” narrated by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. It is a run-through the history of the universe with cinematic maneuvering that showcases the wonders of time and space in all their glory.

Burj Khalifa appears in the film, which deals with human advancement. We’re not surprised.

The IMAX documentary is written and directed by the legendary Terrence Malick, who has worked on numerous films including the 1998 American ensemble epic war film, The Thin Red Line.

The film focuses on the theory of evolution and science, and Burj Khalifa is nothing if not a testament to human advancement.

The film has been in the making for nearly 40 years.

It will be released in two versions, a 40-minute IMAX version with a narration by Brad Pitt…

The IMAX version of the film will be released on Oct. 7 in the United States and Australia.

Brad Pitt is no stranger to the Middle East and the UAE in particular. His Netflix movie, War Machine, was shot in Abu Dhabi.

And a 90 minute feature-length edition narrated by Cate Blanchett

This 35-mm edition was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.

Watch the full trailer. Dubai makes an appearance at minute 1:15

This is definitely not the first time that Dubai gets a front seat in a hit film trailer.

The Star Trek Beyond cast and crew appeared in Dubai to film a big chunk of the film, with appearances of Dubai’s incredible architecture in the second trailer of the film (which witnessed more face time than the first).

Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible : Ghost Protocol is another film where Dubai and the iconic Burj Khalifa have prominently been featured.

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Dubai rarely fails to impress us with world records. From being home to the world’s largest gathering of people dressed as nurses to the world’s largest graffiti scroll and much more, it is now back with a new record.

During Ramadan, we saw the community in Dubai come together to raise food, clothes, and other forms of aid for millions of under-privileged people.

The result? They broke the world record for the “largest collection of clothes for donation.”

OMO Arabia and Comfort’s  Share a Touch of Love were the organizers of the clothing drive.

India previously held the record, with 193,623 clothing items. The Dubai-based initiative had a combined collection of 295,122 items from across the UAE and Qatar.

“This is the seventh year we have run the campaign in the UAE and every year we witness a remarkable increase in the number of people giving back,” said Ageel Angawi, Homecare vice-president for Unilever North Africa and Middle East, according to Gulf News.

Working in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent, the donations made this year will be going to five refugee camps in Iraq and two camps in Jordan.

The initiative, launched during Ramadan, combined humanitarian work with technology to facilitate the donation process. OMO Arabia partnered with regional ride-sharing app, Careem. All one had to do was prepare a bag of clothes, and request a Careem pick-up.

Donations were also made at 63 locations across the UAE. There were collection points in Qatar, too.

This wouldn’t be the first time Dubai has broken a clothing drive record.

In 2014, the campaign set a Guinness World Record for the largest clothing collection, and broke its own record in 2015.

Mabrouk!

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So, we’ve all been anticipating the opening of Six Flags in Dubai, which is set to open in 2019.

As exciting as the news already is, with Dubai and Saudi Arabia being the only two Arab countries with agreements to open the United States-based theme park, there’s a bigger catch.

Six Flags Dubai will include 27 rides and attractions… with one roller coaster being labeled as the “biggest” on earth, according to Time Out Dubai.

The news comes a month after construction of the theme park kicked off in the city.

The opening of Six Flags is currently being described as the second phase of the Dubai Parks and Resorts initiative, which is set to open in October.

Six Flags will be situated alongside the three theme parks that fall under the Dubai Parks and Resorts umbrella.

Currently, Kingda Ka in the U.S. is labeled as the biggest roller coaster in the world, standing at 139 meters in height.

Looks like we’re going to be doing more than just screaming when Six Flags Dubai opens up!

Some people are already practicing…

A few months ago, Six Flags revealed plans to also open in Saudi Arabia. After the company backtracked the announcement, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, ruler of Dubai, issued a directive for Dubai Parks and Resorts to fully support the opening of a Six Flags in Saudi Arabia, confirming the announcement after all. 

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Dubai’s Opera House got our attention with its sleek dhow-shaped exterior. Now the interior, an inspired brushstroke of ultra-modern architecture, has completely blown us away.

The building, which was initially going to be designed by the late Zaha Hadid, has been in the making for over eight years.

Our sneak peak happened on none other than Instagram with a video that pans the stage as men in hard helmets apply the final touches on the highly-anticipated space. The opera house will have its grand opening on Aug. 31.

The video appeared on the Instagram account of Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. It garnered more than 2,000 views.

Dubai Opera also gave the world a sneak peek into the venue’s auditorium, which accommodates around 2,000 people.

The performing arts theater is in its final stages prior to its grand opening.

Award-winning Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo will take the stage with an inaugural concert, which sold out in under three hours, according to Arabian Business.

Domingo has recorded more than a hundred complete operas in the most prestigious opera houses in the world.

Photo source: Wikimedia

Dubai Opera opens its doors at 6 p.m. The premiere performance is set to start at 8 p.m.

There’s a lot to look forward to in the next few months, with some of the world’s greatest performances coming to Dubai including Les Misérables among many others.

The venue will host a variety of events including opera, theater, concerts, art exhibitons, orchestra, film, sports events and many more. You better keep an eye out for these five shows this fall!

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From a significant showing of Saudi female olympians to the debut of a refugee team, to politically charged encounters between Israel and Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, Arabs didn’t walk past Rio 2016 unnoticed. You’ll want to remember these games for a long time to come.

You didn’t have to watch the games to see that Arab Olympians caused quite a stir.

Politics aside, athletes representing Arab countries put on an impressive performance grabbing 16 medals in Rio – three gold, four silver and nine bronze. They quite literally upped their game from the 12 medals collected in London 2012.

Here are the 2016 Olympic medallists representing Arab countries:

1. Fehaid Al-Deehani, Kuwait, Shooting (Gold)

Source: Youtube (screenshot)

Al-Deehani’s double-trap shooting gold was a great addition to his roster of two bronze Olympic medals, the only medals on Kuwait’s tally.

But his achievement – and those of all nine Kuwaiti 2016 Olympians – will be credited to the Independent Olympic Athletes committee due to an on-going ban on Kuwait, making him the first independent Olympic gold medalist.

2. Ruth Jebet, Bahrain, Athletics (Gold)

The Kenyan-born track athlete won the 3,000-meter steeplechase event, marking Bahrain’s first-ever Olympic gold.

3. Ahmad Abughaush, Jordan, Taekwondo (Gold)

Abughaush won Jordan’s very first Olympic medal with a first-place finish in the 68-kilogram weight class. He is of Palestinian descent

4. Taoufik Makhloufi, Algeria, Athletics (Two silvers)

Source: Facebook/MakhloufiTaoufik

The Arab World’s only Rio Olympic double-medalist placed second in each of the 800 and 1,500-meter races. His London 2012 gold is Algeria’s only gold Olympic medal since 2000 and he is the first and only Algerian Olympic medalist since 2008.

5. Mutaz Barshim, Qatar, Athletics (Silver)

Source: Instagram/Mutaz.Barshim

Qatar had only bronze medals in its Olympic tally until this high-jumper took silver in Rio. Barshim is now shooting for gold in Tokyo 2020, having already won bronze in London 2012.

6. Eunice Kirwa, Bahrain, Athletics (Silver)

The Kenyan-born marathon runner-up won Bahrain’s first silver Olympic medal.

7. Ines Boubakri, Tunisia, Fencing (Bronze)

Source: Facebook/InesBoubakri

From 33rd place in Beijing 2008, to 6th place in London 2012, Boubakri took to the Olympic podium this time, placing third in the women’s individual foil fencing event. She is the first Tunisian fencer to bring home an Olympic medal.

8. Marwa Amri, Tunisia, Wrestling (Bronze)

Also a three-time Olympian, Amri ranked 14th in 2008 and 8th in 2012. In Rio, she placed third in the 58-kilogram category, grabbing her country’s first Olympic medal in wrestling.

9. Oussama Oueslati, Tunisia, Taekwondo (Bronze)

Oueslati won Tunisia’s first taekwondo Olympic medal, a bronze in the 80-kilogram category. It was his first time at the Olympics.

10. Mohammed Rabii, Morocco, Boxing (Bronze)

The 2015 World champion placed third in the welterweight (69 kilograms) category.

11. Sarah Ahmed, Egypt, Weightlifting (Bronze)

Source: Facebook/SaraSamir

Sarah Ahmed is the first Egyptian sportswoman and first female Arab weightlifter to stand on the Olympic podium.  She lifted her way to the bronze in the 69-kilogram weight class.

12. Mohamed Mahmoud, Egypt, Weightlifting (Bronze)

Mahmoud’s bronze in the 77-kilogram category marked Egypt’s first Olympic medal won by a male weightlifter since 1948.

13. Hedaya Malak, Egypt, Taekwondo (Bronze)

Fighting in the 57-kilogram category, Malak granted the Arab World its first Olympic medal won by a female taekwondo competitor.

14. Abdullah Al-Rashidi, Kuwait, Shooting (Bronze)

The skeet shooter first competed in Atlanta 1996. Twenty years and six Olympic Games later, Al-Rashidi has finally tasted Olympic victory, setting an Olympic record along the way. Al-Rashidi became the second Kuwaiti to win an Olympic medal. The medal has been withheld from Kuwait, owing to the country’s barring from the games.

15. Sergiu Toma, United Arab Emirates, Judo (Bronze)

Competing in the 81-kilogram division, Moldovan-born Toma won UAE’s second Olympic medal.

Apart from the medalists, several Arab athletes achieved impressive results in Rio, falling short of reaching the podium. Egyptian weightlifter Shaimaa Haridy ranked fourth in her weight class. Farida Osman placed fifth in the 100-meter butterfly race, setting a new African record.

The Rio Olympics might be over, but more #Rio2016 medals are yet to be wo, as  Arab athletes gear up for the Rio Paralympics – the Olympics’ counterpart for athletes with disabilities, starting September 7.

The post These 15 Arab athletes won medals in #Rio2016 appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

Get ready to see Madinat Jumeirah in a way you’ve never seen it before…

This incredible video showcases Kie Willis‘s parkour moves as he scales and jumps all over the classic Dubai resort.

Check this epic jump…

Source: Facebook/Kie Willis

Willis is one of the world’s best freerunners (freerunning is an English term used for the French sport parkour)

Source: XDubai

Originally from the United Kingdom, Willis has competed and placed in numerous international competitions. He is part of the parkour team Storm Freerun, considered to be one of the best in the world.

More than 16,000 people subscribe to his YouTube channel and more than 30,000 like his page on Facebook.

He is also an athlete for XDubai…

XDubai is an organization that encourages “talented professionals to reach the top and help aspiring athletes achieve their best.”

On Facebook, Willis shared an additional clip that didn’t make it to the final cut. He said the clip showed “the hardest challenge of the whole shoot!”

Are you inspired now to #DefyYourLimits?

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Arabs: we’re a poetic people. But I think the ones that are best at waxing lyrical are our parents, specifically when confronted with “bad behavior.” You remember that time you broke her “most expensive plate” (it wasn’t), or the time you ranked third in your class (because of course, by some statistical miracle, each of our parents were first in their classes).

Here are times we think they went overboard, and sounded hilarious trying to justify the cruel and unusual punishment that would surely ensue.

1. “Did anyone tell you I’m sitting on a bank?”

The answers you are most likely to hear from your parent should you muster the courage to ask for more “masroof” are:

• “Did anyone tell you I’m sitting on a bank?”
• “Do you think money grows on trees?”
• “When I was your age my allowance was one lira and I even managed to save from it!”

2. “Is this a hotel, or a house?”

Do you think your mama will be fast asleep when you come back home from a night out at 2 a.m.? Absolutely NOT! She’ll be wide awake to greet you with this classic line: “Is this a hotel or a house?! Is this how I raised you? Is this the example you want to set for your little brother and sister?”… etc… etc…

3. “You only have one job in this life… and you failed in it.”

Nothing annoys Arab parents more than a low grade at school. Their dreams and hopes start collapsing when they see that B or C or F on your school report. And who can blame them: “You only have one job in this life… and you failed in it!” There goes your self-esteem.

4. “Why are you being so nice?”

You can’t fool Arab parents with sweet kisses and hugs because 99 percent of the time they think your affection is a calculated act. A classic answer in this situation will be: “kheir? What do you want? I just gave you masroof… if you really want to be nice to me then go clean your room and do the washing”… #EpicFail!

5. “Biddi rabeekon min awwal w jdid” (I’m going to raise you all over again)

“You broke the China, you incompetent fool. And it’s all my fault. I’m going to need to erase your personality, and mould you into something else entirely.” Phew…intense.

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There’s something about festivals that bring about a true sense of joy. Maybe it’s the huge crowds, maybe it’s the food, maybe it’s the music.

Whatever it is, festivals happen all year round in music, art, sports and film and they effortlessly spread those good vibes. Going to these festivals is like an investment, really. You go to one, and you’re left with all sorts of good feels for at least a week after that.

If you’re in the mood for food, tunes, or just a good time, mark your calendars with these 11 festivals:

Music Festivals

1. RedFestDXB, UAE

Photo source: Instagram/RedFestDxb

Launched in 2014, RedFestDXB is now considered to be Dubai’s biggest two-day music festival, bringing some of the hottest international artists to the city. The festival takes advantage of the awesome February weather, which makes everyone huddled in blankets and scarves wish they were in the GCC.

The festival also plays host to a number of regional food vendors.

Adam Lambert, Steve Aoki and Fifth Harmony were among the many that took the stage in 2016.

2. WickerPark Festival, Lebanon

Photo source: Facebook/WickerParkFestival

Since 2011, the WickerPark festival brought together the best of music and art. The festival highlights local and homegrown bands, hosting more than 4,000 people of all ages in its 2015 edition.

The festival also plays hosts to a number of NGOs, independent vendors, designers, crafters, and artists.

It’s fresh new approach and we think it’s just the place for you.

3. Friends of Jordan Festivals, Jordan

Photo source: Facebook/FriendsofJordanFestivals

This organization is dedicated to promoting the cultural, visual and performing arts in Jordan, celebrating both international and local talent. Its aim is to make Jordan a premier cultural destination, making use of open air musical and theater performances, with Amman’s Citadel hosting many of the performances in the summertime.

4. Cairo Jazz Festival, Egypt

Photo source: Facebook

Since its first event in 2009, the Cairo Jazz Festival has grown to include musicians from all over the world. Their ultimate aim, the organizers say, is to spread the Jazz culture around the country. This festival is definitely worth flying in for.

Food Festivals

5. Souk el Akel, Lebanon

Photo source: Facebook/Souk El Akel

A collaboration between Lebanese food blogger NoGarlicNoOnion and Souk Al Tayeb, this open air weekly food festival takes over a street in Downtown Beirut all year round (with few exceptions in the winter). In the summer, the festival heads up Mount Lebanon, setting up camp in several picturesque villages.

The festival plans to expand to Egypt really soon. Keep an eye out.

6. Taste of Dubai, UAE

Photo source: Instagram/Taste of Dubai

Now in its 10th year, Taste of Dubai is considered to be the city’s favorite three-day food, drink and music festival.  From exclusive fine-dining restaurants to world class celebrity chefs, you’ll wish you had more space in your belly for all that good stuff.

You can also watch live cooking demonstrations or cook along with top chefs. If you prefer to just sit back and indulge, that option is always available too!

7. Qatar International Food Festival, Qatar

Photo source: Instagram/QIFF

From sizzling food to live entertainment acts to a cooking theater, QIFF is definitely the festival you wouldn’t want to miss. In 2016, the festival brought about a culinary extravaganza at three different locations: MIA Park, Katara and The Pearl-Qatar.

Arts & Cultural Festivals

8. Beiteddine Art Festival, Lebanon

Photo source: Instagram/Beiteddine Festival

No festival listicle is complete without the Beiteddine Festival. You may wanna think of it as overrated but just you wait until you watch your favorite musical act under a full moon that hangs like a pendant over the 200-year old palace. It’ll restore your belief in clichés…

9. World Art Dubai, UAE

Photo source: Instagram/gawie_joubert

World Art Dubai is the region’s ultimate platform for those looking to showcase accessible, inspirational and affordable art. The festival brings together regional and global artists from across Dubai’s international community. The festival features various artists, both emerging or established. It’s a one-stop shop of the region’s art, really.

10. Art for Tomorrow, Qatar

Photo source: Instagram/Tatiana Blatnik

Art for Tomorrow brings world-famous artists and architects together with leading museum directors, urban developers, policy-makers and financiers to address critical issues that affect the region, and to assess their impact on the creative cities of tomorrow.

11. Jerash Festival, Jordan

Photo source: Facebook/Festival Jerash

Founded in 1981 by Queen Nour the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts is an annual event. Part of the Jordan Festival, it aims to enrich cultural activities in the kingdom. The festival is known to feature performances by Jordanian, Arab and foreign artists.

The post Mark your calendars with these 11 Middle East festivals appeared first on StepFeed - The homepage of the Middle East.

A Dubai resident was arrested for fundraising illegally this month, as many of you have heard. But this doesn’t mean you should say goodbye to your days of charitable work. You just need to learn how to do it legally.

It’s about time that someone with fundraising experience in Dubai wrote on how it should be done. I’ve been fundraising here for about four years, and applying for approvals every couple of months with different charities. While there are legal papers on the issue, most notably from DLA Piper, I’ve been through the process and know its ups and downs, which can be different from the statute books.

So, here goes.

1. Fundraising is regulated

Firstly, let’s start with the obvious. Fundraising is regulated in Dubai, and to fundraise you must do two things. Find a charity that is allowed to collect donations. Then you must submit a request to the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD). Once this is approved, you can fundraise.

If you don’t abide by the above, you can face a year in prison or a fine of up to 500,000AED. And when I mean you, I mean YOU! Even when fundraising is undertaken by a company, an individual must bear responsibility for the application.

2. You have to donate to a Dubai-based charity that is permitted to fundraise

The number of charities who are licensed to fundraise is short. There was a point where there were no more than seven. These are the Dubai Charity Association, Dar Al Ber Society, Dubai Autism Centre, Beit Al Kheir, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Awqaf & Minors Affairs Foundation, and The Relief Committee.

Other charities have been added to the list since then, including the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, the Al Jalila Foundation, and Friends of Cancer Patients.

For a comprehensive list, do contact the Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s Syed Atif on Syed.Atif@Dubaichamber.com. The Dubai Chamber is particularly active in terms of promoting engagement with charities in the country, and they’ll be able to give you on who and which charity aligns with your cause.

Once you’ve found your charity, you’ll have to talk to them about what you’re doing and why, in order to get their buy-in and support. This may take time.

Any application through the charities above to IACAD will take up to one month. You cannot fundraise until you have permission from IACAD, who will also follow up after the fundraising, to ensure that the charity has received the money.

There’s another option, which is to support a charity based in Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC). These include Save the Children, SOS Children’s VIllages and UNICEF. In this case, IHC will act as the charity and then route all funds to the intended recipient. This process will take longer than the month mentioned above, so you’ll need to plan ahead.

3. Online fundraising is not exempt from the legislation (and penalties)

Many people I know in Dubai used to fundraise through online sites such as Just Giving for charity drives. This isn’t strictly legal, as has been shown by a recent criminal case. If you want to fundraise online, then either do it through a registered charity as per the above, or don’t do it in Dubai (ie do it when you’re out of the country and not breaking the law).

To make it as easy as possible, I’m attaching an IACAD form which you can fill in either in Arabic or English. You can find the form online, and it includes contact details at IACAD.

I’ll end on an important note

This only covers fundraising in Dubai. If you want to fundraise in any other Emirate, there are separate procedures you have to follow, or you’ll have to partner with the Emirates Red Crescent, or the Al Jalila Foundation. These are the only two organizations which have the pre-approval to fundraise across the United Arab Emirates.

If you need more advice on fundraising, please do drop me a comment and I’ll help further. While the above isn’t easy, I don’t want people to think that they should stop fundraising. The procedure does take time, but it doable, so keep on fundraising and supporting good causes.

This is a StepFeed Community post, written by a guest contributor. Alex Malouf originally posted this article on his blog, Alex of Arabia. If you’re interested in contributing to the StepFeed Community, please contact hello@stepfeed.com.

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Kim Kardashian has stolen from one of Dubai’s most luxurious resorts…

On her blog, Kardashian confessed that she’s “obsessed” with the “fluffy white robes” in luxury hotel rooms.

“I’ll even admit, sometimes I take the robes from my fave accommodations, like the Atlantis in Dubai (So sorry! I stole two! LOL!),” Kardashian said in the post.

That’s right, Kardashian robbed Dubai’s Atlantis resort of two robes!

According to Glamour, these robes cost a whopping $306…

However, the robes are made by the French linen brand D. Porthault and include cote de cheval weaving with green piping on the chest. They take 10 months to process.

We assume Atlantis added the cost to Kardashian’s bill. She probably didn’t even notice the difference.

Source: Pixabay

We’ll see if Kardashian keeps up her naughty habit when she returns to Dubai in October…

The American celebrity will be in the emirate to participate in a makeup master class by Mario Dedivanovic in time for her birthday.

What can we say… Kardashians will be Kardashians.

*Sigh* The lifestyles of the rich and famous though…

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