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      Head & Heart – EW’s February cover star Yasmine Sima

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      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now

      Words & Creative Direction: Amy Sessions
      Photography: Greg Adamski
      Videographer: Steve Erana
      Fashion Assistant: Sarah Joseph
      Hair & Makeup: Melanie Meyer at MMG artists
      With special thanks to Al Faya Retreat, Al Batayeh, Sharjah.

      Emirates Woman cover star Yasmine Sima discusses self-love and following your heart.
      Last year was a challenge in many ways and travel was less possible. How did this affect you both positively and negatively?
      Last year definitely stopped everyone in their tracks. For me personally, staying healthy became a priority. Of course, the sudden change of pace and the uncertainty made me very uncomfortable at first, but I slowly began to take advantage of this time alone, and used it to better myself. One of the biggest decisions for me was deciding to go to law school and this time and break in schedule definitely helped me prepare myself for it in the best way.
      How does living in LA affect your aesthetic and what do you love about living there?
      What I love most about LA is that it is easy-going and accepting of everything. I have definitely kept my London aesthetic in terms of style though. The one thing about LA that feels different than any other city, for me at least, is the peace of mind and clarity it gives you.

      Tell us about pursuing Human Rights Law?
      I have been wanting to pursue human rights law since I was little. During my years in London, I did a lot of work with different organizations such as Refugee Crisis Foundation’s Yemen Container Appeal, in sending aid to refugees. I also spent most weekends at The Soup Kitchen for almost three years. I think these definitely made me realize that this is what I wanted to be doing.
      After I left London and started living in LA, everything came together and I started preparing for it. I am very excited to start law school in the fall.
      When working on current projects – what do you look for in a collaboration?
      I have always tried to focus on working with brands that I align with aesthetically. I was fortunate to be able to work with brands and designers I love such as Saint Laurent and Valentino.
      I also tend to look for projects where I am able to use the platform to speak about organizations and causes that I believe in. Sometimes I hit the jackpot and get to work on projects that offer both.

      Do you have any mentors in life or business who help you navigate the right path?
      Definitely. I very randomly met a performance/mental coach, named Rob Brinded, around 3 years ago in London who absolutely changed my life. It was fate! He helped me realize my full potential and taught me how to maximize my abilities and use them towards achieving my goals. I wouldn’t be where I am without him today, and he is absolutely a huge influence in my life. I have sessions with him whenever I need clarity on a situation and I absolutely feel surer of myself after each call.  
      Which Instagram accounts do you follow for inspiration?
      I love @aoi and @digitalf33ls
      What advice would you give to your younger self, starting out?
      Everyone finds their path and achieves what they were meant to achieve in their own time. I used to stress so much about wanting accomplish so much at a very young age, but everything has its own timing. In learning that, everything you’re meant to achieve will present itself to you. I realized that trying to rush to achieve just for the sake of doing it usually means you’re not doing it for the right reasons!
      A correct mindset is everything.
      This issue is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      This is a great question. This year has definitely been the year of self-love for me. It has been a difficult year because of the pandemic, but being able to focus on myself like never before has been amazing and I’ve never felt better.
      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied
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      Meet the newest additions to Sheikh Hamdan’s family

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      His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has added to his family.
      Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Sheikh Hamdan shared a litter of puppies lazing around looking totally adorable.

      With his love for animals always being there from back in the day, every video posted is bound to go viral as Fazza expresses his ardent love for them.

      The puppies in his stories are seen lounging around the area, they cuddled together, adding their own hint of mischievous elements while playing with the Crown Prince of Dubai.

      His Highness is a big animal fan, being the proud owner of a number of falcons, a baby pony and a number of other furry friends who he absolutely adores.
      The Crown Prince of Dubai has also been known to swim with sharks as seen in his video posted in the Norwegian Sea. While also doing the unusual, Sheikh Hamdan has also swam with an elephant underwater, as it dived using its trunk as a snorkel while enjoying the deep waters of the ocean.

      We can’t wait to see which of his furry friend is to be his next family member.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Images: Sheikh Hamdan Instagram More

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      COVID-19 update: Abu Dhabi bans private gatherings and parties

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      To curb the spread of coronavirus, Abu Dhabi has banned private gatherings and parties.
      It was announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee that as of today, February 7, parties and gatherings are prohibited. Meanwhile, the number of people at marriage ceremonies has been limited to 10 and a maximum of 20 people can attend funerals and mourning services.

      A cap has also been put on public beaches and parks to 60 per cent, private beaches and pools to 50 per cent, taxis to 45 per cent and buses to 75 per cent.

      This comes after the maximum capacity malls was changed to 40 per cent and gyms are now limited to 50 per cent capacity.
      As for restaurants and cafes, the maximum capacity they can run at is 60 per cent, with all of the required social distancing guidelines in place.
      Meanwhile, cinemas have also been ordered to close completely, which Vox Cinemas announced on Friday.
      “In compliance with the government-mandated closure of cinemas in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, VOX Cinemas will be temporarily closed from Friday, 5 February until further notice,” Vox said in a statement on their official Instagram page. We will be back soon so please stay tuned for updates on reopening.”
      Then, on Saturday, February 6, it was announced that all Abu Dhabi government offices would be operating at a maximum of 30 per cent capacity.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: @ahmaadmk Instagram  More

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      This is why you’re seeing key UAE landmarks light up with a red tint

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      You may have noticed there’s been quite a lot of red around the UAE the past few days, particularly at key landmarks around the nation.
      If you’re wondering why, it’s to mark a very special occasion in the UAE’s history – the arrival of the Hope Probe to the red planet Mars.

      In a video released by the Dubai Media Office, it showcased the key landmarks around the country which have been given a red tint to celebrate the impending arrival of the Hope Probe on February 9, 2021.
      Landmarks include the Dubai Frame, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s Museum of the future, Sharjah’s Scroll monument, ADNOC building in Abu Dhabi, the ancient forts in Ras Al Khaimah and more.

      Last week, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, confirmed the Hope Probe is set to reach Mars on February 9, 2021.
      “It is a historic event that our country will celebrate, as it marks 50 years since the establishment of the UAE and its golden jubilee,” he explained.
      “We are 9 days away from the arrival of UAE’s Hope probe to Mars in the first Arab interplanetary mission.

      We are 9 days away from the arrival of UAE’s Hope probe to Mars in the first Arab interplanetary mission. The UAE will be the 5th nation to reach the Red Planet. The probe has a 50% success rate in entering Mars’ orbit, but we achieved 90% of our goals in building new knowledge.
      — HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 1, 2021

      “The UAE will be the 5th nation to reach the Red Planet. The probe has a 50% success rate in entering Mars’ orbit, but we achieved 90% of our goals in building new knowledge.”
      What is the Hope Probe?
      At the beginning of 2020 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed signed the remaining outer piece for the probe which will launch into space.
      The probe is being spearheaded by the UAE in order to gain a full picture on what the atmosphere of Mars is like. It is expected the Hope Probe will take an estimated 200 days to arrive on Mars. Once the probe reaches the planet in 2021, data will be collected over a two-year period, but this could be extended by another two years meaning the Hope Probe has the potential to be in space until 2025.
      – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
      Feature Image: @dubaiieye Instagram  More

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      Gigi Hadid opens up about the birth of her daughter Khai

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      As of late, Gigi Hadid has begun to open up more about her newborn daughter.
      She recently revealed the baby girl’s name to be Khai and now the supermodel has opened up about her birth.

      Appearing on the cover of Vogue US, the 25-year-old explained she wanted her birthing experience to feel natural.
      Hadid opted to welcome her first child with boyfriend Zayn Malik at home due to the COVID-19 restrictions that would have been in place if she had decided to give birth in a hospital.

      This way she could also have her mother, Yolanda Hadid and sister Bella Hadid by her side during her labour, which was 14 hours.
      “I know my mom and Zayn and Bella were proud of me, but at certain points I saw each of them in terror,” Hadid said in her interview. “Afterward, Z and I looked at each other and were like, we can have some time before we do that again.”

      The special meaning and links behind baby Khai’s name
      It seems the baby Khai’s name a few special meanings and links behind it, including a link to her supermodel auntie, Bella Hadid.
      The 24-year-old’s full name is ‘Isabella Khair Hadid’, meaning her middle name is very similar to her niece’s.
      Both Khai and Khair appear to link back to their Palestinian heritage as Mohamed Hadid’s mother was called Khairiah.
      The property tycoon has previously claimed his late mother descended from royalty. “Her great grandfather was the Prince of Nazareth – King of Galilee in the 18th century Daher Al-Omer The Ruler,” he previously said.
      Regardless, it’s a lovely link for auntie and niece to share.
      The name Khai also has a special meaning behind it in Arabic – in some terms it means “crowned”, “the chosen one” or “strong”.
      Welcoming their new baby girl
      Hadid and Malik announced the birth of their first-born via social media back in September.
      The new mum took to Instagram to announce the news shortly sharing a sweet photo of her daughter’s hand.

      “Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she’s already changed our world,” she captioned the photo. “So in love.”
      While the new mum has now revealed her baby girl’s name to the world, she’s still keeping her face hidden from the public view to protect her privacy, something which she has done throughout her pregnancy.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Gigi Hadid Instagram More

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      Experience a luxury escape at this exclusive camp site in the dunes of Dubai

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      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
      Founder of NARA Desert Escape, Stephanie Danial tells us the secret to creating the ultimate bespoke experience.
      What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?
      The first thing I do in the morning is to wake up my kids with a big kiss, then I either go for a walk or do a yoga class with Nitai. I also play tennis twice a week with my coach, Michal.
      What inspired you to launch a bespoke desert experience?

      I have been living in Dubai for around 11 years and our visiting friends always wanted to experience the desert. However, I realized that nothing unique existed so I decided to create it.  I wanted to share my passion for the desert and create a bespoke uplifting experience for everyone to remember. My vision was to offer a unique dining experience in the desert where restaurant standard cuisine is set in the un-spoilt beauty of the Dubai Desert. Nara stands for the initials of my four sons, Neil, Adam, Ryan and Adrian and I founded Nara Escape almost 3 years ago, with one tent and a dining table in the middle of the dunes and now I’m lucky enough to have not only Nara but Sonara along with future projects in the pipeline.

      What has been the biggest hurdle since launching and how did you overcome it?

      The biggest challenge was finding the land to open the camp, there are very few spots available in Dubai. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and presented my project and vision for Nara. They loved the innovative and eco-friendly elements and supported me in the idea.
      You launched NARA first. Tell us about why you decided to launch sister brand SONARA and how it differs?
      Nara Escape is for our private events this is where an individual guest or group of guests are able to select their own cuisine, entertainment and activities.
      Sonara functions like a restaurant, where anyone is able to book an experience or table and will be offered the beautiful Mediterranean sharing menu prepared by amazing French Chef, Franck Sanna. Alongside the incredible dining experience, guests are able to enjoy a host of other activities and entertainment alongside sunset drinks at our unique lounge bar set up high on the sand dunes.
      Since the initials of NARA stand for my four children, Sonara was imagined as a family destination with something special for all ages where guests can enjoy precious family time together.
      You’ve grown so swiftly as a brand. To what do you attribute this growth?
      To find the right balance between Nara and my children. When you start a company it takes 200% of your time and finding the right balance is essential. By also taking the time to realize what an asset social media is, has made a difference to our bookings with many bypassing the website and going straight onto social, making it imperative to keep all our news updated on our Instagram and we keep checking messages on a regular basis to ensure we haven’t missed any guest requests or questions.

      Which Instagram accounts do you follow for inspiration?
      I follow event companies that create unique weddings or birthdays, along with inspirational women who are either entrepreneurs or work towards a better tomorrow.
      What advice would you give to your younger self, starting out?
      Believe in your dreams, build your life step by step, and tomorrow is another day.
      As a young brand, what is your approach to scaling the business?
      I take it one step at a time. I first opened Nara Desert Escape as a private and exclusive concept and then Sonara camp as a restaurant. We also offer Nara on-the-go creating our unique settings wherever you need. I organized an amazing event in December, Nara on the Beach in RAK with amazing DJs such as Jamie Jones and Bedouin.
      Are there any exciting plans in the pipeline for Nara Escape?
      The next step is to open Nara in other Emirates and then in other countries. After having created this brand, I want to expand it to the moon.
      You’ve included wellness and relaxation practices within the brand experience. Tell us about this?
      I have practised yoga regularly for 25 years and practising this in the desert gives it a completely unique dimension, more on the lines of – recharging outside of the busy city. As the desert is a fresh location and the perfect retreat from the city to practice yoga and meditation, at Nara we offer yoga and meditation as part of the activities and at Sonara we can arrange morning yoga to start the day followed by our sunrise breakfast experience. As I’ve been practising yoga for 15 years now, it helps me keep my balance when leading such a busy life.
      If you had not launched the brand, which other role would you choose career-wise?
      I used to be a Private Banker for East Africa for 18 years and having my own company was my dream. I could not imagine doing anything else now, especially since I’m so passionate about this concept.
      This issue is ‘The Love Issue’ – what is love to you?
      ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry’ – It is a quote in the 1970 movie, Love Story.
      Valentine’s offer
      Set in the Arabian desert with a stunning picturesque surrounding, guests can also enjoy a magical Romeo and Juliet experience within the Dubai Conservation Area, this Valentine’s day with your loved ones, as you sip on a delicious mocktail sharing a specially curated menu by the head chef while you enjoy the contemporary Romeo and Juliet story.
      Sunset at SONARA – Dhs600 per Adult
      The Sunset and Dinner Experience – Dhs1,100 per Adult
      The Overnight Adventure –Dhs1,850 for Adult and Dhs380 per child  (Nomad Tent), Dhs2,100 for Adult and Dhs380 per child (Lotus Tent)
      February’s – ‘The Love Issue’ – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      Abu Dhabi introduces new COVID-19 restrictions

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      Amidst the rising cases in the UAE, Abu Dhabi has introduced some new COVID-19 restrictions.
      Per The National, malls, gyms, restaurants and cinemas in the UAE’s capital have all been affected by the new guidelines.

      In a new notice issued, the maximum capacity malls can now take is 40 per cent and gyms are now limited to 50 per cent capacity.
      As for restaurants and cafes, the maximum capacity they can run at is 60 per cent, with all of the required social distancing guidelines in place.

      Meanwhile, it appears cinemas have also been ordered to close completely, which Vox Cinemas announced on Friday.

      “In compliance with the government-mandated closure of cinemas in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, VOX Cinemas will be temporarily closed from Friday, 5 February until further notice,” Vox said in a statement on their official Instagram page. We will be back soon so please stay tuned for updates on reopening.”
      Then, on Saturday, February 6, it was announced that all Abu Dhabi government offices would be operating at a maximum of 30 per cent capacity.

      The Department of Government Support has approved reducing attendance at the workplace in Abu Dhabi government and semi-government entities to 30 per cent, to bolster precautionary measures implemented in the emirate and protect the health of employees and their families. pic.twitter.com/vMQIS1gLrq
      — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) February 6, 2021

      “The Department of Government Support has approved reducing attendance at the workplace in Abu Dhabi government and semi-government entities to 30 per cent, to bolster precautionary measures implemented in the emirate and protect the health of employees and their families,” a statement from the Abu Dhabi media office said.
      A weekly PCR test is also required every week from employees unless they have been vaccinated as part of the national vaccination programmes with a gold star or letter E on the Alhosn app.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Feature Image: @ralphemerson_deperalta Instagram  More

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      Sheikh Hamdan’s hopeful message about the future of Dubai

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      As Dubai continues to develop and embrace new technology, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has shared his hopes for the future of the emirate.
      Having met with Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram – a cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging software app – to discuss its Dubai hub and the success story of the app.

      .@telegram has a $20+ billion market value, and 570+ million users within the supportive business environment that Dubai offers to its partners. @durov also shared the details of his inspiring success story, being born in the UAE. pic.twitter.com/eXbyLXr6AV
      — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 6, 2021

      His Highness also reflected on how Dubai has embraced technology, especially over the last two decades, with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, founding Dubai’s Internet City with the knowledge that technology would have a major impact on future lives.
      “This vision resulted in a global tech community coming together in Dubai,” he said. “Today it is home to more than 1,600 companies and 24,000 professionals.”

      More than 20 years ago, @HHShkMohd founded Dubai Internet City, knowing the powerful impact technology would have on our future lives. This vision resulted in a global tech community coming together in Dubai. Today it is home to more than 1,600 companies and 24,000 professionals. pic.twitter.com/ohBeudhiTf
      — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 6, 2021

      Sheikh Hamdan went on to share his hopes Dubai will continue to aid in “impactful transformation” locally and globally.

      We are proud that Dubai has evolved into a springboard for those aspiring to transform their dreams into global achievements. We continue to provide our full support to creative and innovative minds to move together towards a future filled with positive, impactful transformation.
      — Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 6, 2021

      “We are proud that Dubai has evolved into a springboard for those aspiring to transform their dreams into global achievements,” he said. “We continue to provide our full support to creative and innovative minds to move together towards a future filled with positive, impactful transformation.”
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Sheikh Hamdan Instagram/Twitter More