Posts belonging to Category 'Middle East'

Ancient boats in modern day times

The graceful Arabian dhow is really a cultural symbol of the UAE , its billowing sails reflected in the style of iconic luxury Dubai hotel Burj Al Arab, among the early landmarks of neighbouring Dubai’s good results. This traditional wooden sailing boat, whose title derives from the Persian term ‘dawh’ which means sailing boat, was initially used for transportation, pearl diving and trading.

Currently, these majestic vessels might be seen under full sail on the horizon each and every winter, racing over the waves of the Arabian Gulf. The boats are crewed primarily by groups of young UAE nationals under stiff competitors, with big prize money at stake. Traditional sailing skills, handed from generation to generation, are nevertheless in use in these races, as sailors hoist the boom transporting the sail by hand, employing conventional block and tackle, and navigate from the strategies of their forefathers.

The huge white triangular sails, referred to as lateens, distinguish the dhow from other sailboats. Once the boats are on the way, the huge sails might be seen from a terrific length, making dhow racing an effortless sport to observe from shoreline.

Developing on tradition Frederic Dignef of Outsider Sails continues to be producing sails for dhow racing for five years. This is an area exactly where tradition provides way to technology in favour of velocity. “The sails for dhows are various mainly because the dhows do not need to sail upwind. The races are often downwind or beam reaching so we make the sails a lot more deep and effective,” he states. “The sails had been made traditionally on the seaside without any stitching device, no laptop or computer and low cost cloth. When [companies] began sponsoring races, prize cash became an vital factor for owners so the quest to get a superior sail grew to become important for successful.” The curved boats were initially created from teak and teak is nonetheless the rule, though today’s boat-builders in some cases integrate fibreglass and metal in to the framework for strength and maneuverability. The teak may possibly be varnished, but paint just isn’t permitted. Sails should be white and boats can cost up to AED500,000 (US$136,000) to create. According to Saeed Hareb, president of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and managing director of the Dubai International Marine Club, dhows represent the largest fleet of standard boats on the planet. In an interview with Valencia Sailing, he talked about the importance of preserving the dhow-sailing custom in the UAE for youthful nationals. “Sailing is inside their blood,” he stated. “Their fathers and their grandfathers had been all sailors because they lived by the sea and it was the only means of transportation and trading. Moreover, a good deal of them had been fishermen so they have known the dhows all their life. But, lifestyle and society are evolving and because of this we do not want them to show their again towards the sea.”

Visitors can see dhows being crafted the traditional way at heritage web sites in the UAE. In the Al Bateen boatyard in Abu Dhabi, craftsmen use the authentic hand equipment and also the historical information and ability handed down through the generations to produce the UAE’s most effective racing dhows without drawings, but for the exact specifications the game dictates.

Competitive edge And because all of the boats around the get started line are exactly the same, the competitors is reasonable and successful arrives all the way down to ability, encounter, technique and energy. The sails usually are not hoisted until the race begins and individuals should do that with talent and pace so that you can get going easily. You’ll find 3 courses according to the duration with the competing dhows – 22ft, 43ft and 60ft. During the Louis Vuitton Trophy held in Dubai in the course of November 2010, the worldwide crews had been given the opportunity to race in traditional dhows. They had been impressed by the lack of superior instruments and using the sailors judging velocity from the wind on their faces.Before the race they commented on the smaller size with the rudder and speculated concerning the prospects for capsizing. However they were all smiles just after the race, which was won by the Franco- German alliance All4One.

The racing year runs from September to May. The last and most prestigious race in the time is from Sir Bu Nuair Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi, to Dubai, about one hundred nautical kilometres, subsequent the historic journey of pearl divers right after months of becoming away from household. The race provides prize income of AED10 million (US$2.seven million) and appeals to about 100 teams.

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Luxor – The World’s Largest Outdoor Museum

Luxor is located in Upper Egypt along the banks on the River Nile and is also the departure point for all Nile cruise trips. Visitors get there by taking direct flights coming from the UK or via Cairo. On the other hand, you can use conventional trains that go overnight from Cairo 400 miles to the north and onwards to Aswan.

Even though it’s a starting point for Nile cruise trips, holidaymakers who choose to stay at one of the hotels in Luxor should have lots to visit on account of the array of archaeological treasures in the place. The Nile makes its way through the midst of Luxor and the individual river banks are known as the East Bank and West Bank.

The East Bank is the place where most of the hotels are located and the main focal points from the historical point of view are the Temples of Karnak and Luxor that are to the north and south of the city, roughly around 2 miles away from each other. Likewise found on the East Bank are the Luxor Museum and Museum of Mummification. The Temple of Luxor is likewise worth checking out during the night having atmospheric lighting and less travellers, it boasts a very different feel about it.

The West Bank is considered to be the entrance to the Valley of the Kings which is most celebrated as the place that the Tomb of Tutankhamen was located by Howard Carter in 1922. One more distinctive site is the Valley of the Queens that has the Tomb of Nefertari amongst its treasures.

In addition there are enough other locations of appeal but a highly encouraged activity is an early hot-air balloon trip over the ruins of the West Bank providing holidaymakers and visitors a different point of view on the superb historic riches on offer when they go to Luxor. If you adore ancient Egypt, Luxor is the location to visit.

The popular location of Luxor is the perfect location for anyone interested in the history of Ancient Egypt.. This article, Luxor – The World’s Largest Outdoor Museum is released under a creative commons attribution license.

Iran Women’s Rugby Sevens Squad Preserve Modesty On The Field

If a member of the Iranian women’s squad had a cauliflower ear at the international sevens tournament, nobody would know as they took to the pitch in full length skin suits and headscarves underneath their kit. It was an unusual sight at the team’s first ever European appearance.

They were off to a difficult start, losing 10-0 against the host nation and 33-0 in a second game. But they bounced back and secured several victories in the tournament held in Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy.

The team wore a sporting version of the ‘maghnaeh’ veil which covers the entire body apart from the face and hands. This cultural symbol is vastly different to the Islamic revolution a quarter of a century ago when women’s activities were strongly discouraged. It would have been unthinkable for a woman to play a sport as physical as rugby.

The Iranian team coach Fatme Molai has been in the job for four years and remarks that the kits are just something they wear and do not influence the way they play. She admits that the veil could be more practical and the federation is looking into other options but she is satisfied that it adhered to society. She added that although the team did not win the competition as they did in Laos and Thailand, she was happy with their first European performance.

Tehran women’s coach Alireza Iraj, a man, explained that it is important to coach the team whilst adhering to strict rules. In Islamic law two members of the opposite sex cannot touch unless they are married or members of immediate family. When teaching scrums or tackles he ensures he keeps a decent distance from the women and instructs the players rather than carrying out a movement himself.

According to team Captain Zohre Eyni, 22, the whole squad had learned to keep the veil in place so that it doesn’t interfere with their abilities and that they have proven that the veil does not hold them back in any sport even one as physical as rugby.

The only other changes the muslim team must make to the sport is to ensure their rugby balls are not pigskin and their rugby boots also protect their modesty.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Leader Of Iran?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the current president of Iran, was elected to this office in the year 2005. Although he is not a cleric, he echoed the views of the former president of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, whom Ahmadinejad has always looked up to. For those of you who don’t remember the Iran hostage crisis, Khomeini, was the one who held 52 US diplomatic hostages for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981.

In September of 2005, Ahmadinejad gave a fiery speech at the UN General Assembly concerning Iran’s nuclear program. Only a month later he made a comment concerning Israel. He quoted and agreed with a statement that Khomeini made about Israel; that they should be eliminated from the pages of history.

Ahmadinejad still is not finished. Two months later on he gave a talk, in which he denied the Holocaust, where more than 6,000,000 Jews were eliminated by the hands of the German Fascist regime, had ever taken place. He announced the Jews had invented the Holocaust as a parable. He revealed, It gave them power over others and faiths.

Ahmadinejad is accelerating Iran’s nuclear research program, and some say that Iran is about two years away from building a nuclear weapon. Their weapons are all in the terrorist hands of Hamas and others now, do you really believe that they just want to build their nuclear power capacities to support a civilian energy program?

Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and North Korea, are countries with leaders that use hate, violence, and annihilation as their guide. They’re systems that we have to keep our eyes on. Their desires are for harm on the trusting, and eradication to anyone that doesn’t fall in accordance with what their ideals are.

Hamas and other terrorist organizations around the world and the nations like Iran and Syria that support and fuel them, are committed, not only to kill all the Jews, but also, “to kill all the infidels.” An infidel is anyone who is not a Muslim. Are you a Muslim?

What’s occurring in the middle east at this time is some thing that should concern everybody. Our economy is crucial, and clearing our debt is crucial, but letting a bully just continue to trouble us and the rest of the free world, is important also. The strain between Israel and Palestine has been going on for a number of years, and will continue if we don’t stop it right now.

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