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      Syria-born Nadia Kahf becomes the second hijabi judge in the U.S superior court

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      Lifestyle

      by Ruman Baig
      4 hours ago

      Nadia Kahf, a hijabi attorney from Wayne, took her oath with her hand on a copy of the Qur’an when she was sworn in at the Passaic County Courthouse, in New Jersey.
      This is a big win for Muslim women, who are constantly reprimanded for openly practicing their faith. Having a hijabi women at a prominent position in the U.S court of law is positive step in the right direction.
      “I am proud to represent the Muslim and Arab communities in New Jersey in the US, I want the younger generation to see that they can practice their religion without fear that they can be who they are. Diversity is our strength, it is not our weakness,” Nadia expressed during the ceremony.

      American attorney Nadia Kahf, appointed to the Supreme Court of the state of New Jersey, became the first hijab-wearing judge on the bench.
      She took the oath of office with her hand on the Quran pic.twitter.com/LyNoYwjga8
      — TRT World (@trtworld) March 23, 2023

      Nadia immigrated to America from Syria when she was 2-years-old. Ever since 2003, the hijab-wearing lawyer has been a member of the board of directors for the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an Islamic civil rights organization where she now serves as chair of the board. She is also the president of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, one of the state’s largest mosques and the legal counsel for Wafa House, a nonprofit domestic violence and social service agency based in Clifton.
      Before her, Judge Charlene Elder from Lebanon was the first-ever hijab-wearing judge in The United States. She claimed seat on Wayne County Circuit Court in 2005, in Michigan.
      The Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, nominated Nadia last year. In order to advance her nomination—community leaders, mayors, council members, school board members and leaders of the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association signed a letter and also recieved the support of over 700 people through an online petition.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram More

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      Hotel Café Royal in Paris delivers style, sophistication, and unparalleled service

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      News

      by Amy Sessions
      2 hours ago

      The Stay
      Designed with an incredible ability to seamlessly blend tradition with the modern technology comforts you’d expect from a hotel at this level, you will fully relax and enjoy your stay from a breakfast that caters to every taste to a turndown service that warms the bath towels. Both rooms and suites feel spacious and accommodate bathrooms with a bathtub and separate walk-in shower, so your simple nightly rituals feel like extravagant downtime.

      Hotel Café Royal
      The unwind
      One of the most tranquil spas you will ever visit – the underground Askasha spa boasts a large pool, spacious sauna and relaxation rooms where you can practise Yoga and Pilates, a welcome respite from the business of the city centre. Book in for a well-earned Aromatherapy Associates massage and be transformed back to the freshest version of yourself.

      Hotel Café Royal
      The Dining
      With a menu inspired by the iconic and storied Parisian neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to Hotel Café Royal’s sister hotel Lutetia Paris, Brasserie Saint Germain delivers on taste and service alike. The menu created by Eliano Crespi and his culinary team offers up the best of seasonal produce in a cosy semi-formal setting, the Sole Meunière and Salade Juliette are not to be missed. More

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      Hotel Café Royal in London delivers style, sophistication, and unparalleled service

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      News

      by Amy Sessions
      10 hours ago

      The Stay
      Designed with an incredible ability to seamlessly blend tradition with the modern technology comforts you’d expect from a hotel at this level, you will fully relax and enjoy your stay from a breakfast that caters to every taste to a turndown service that warms the bath towels. Both rooms and suites feel spacious and accommodate bathrooms with a bathtub and separate walk-in shower, so your simple nightly rituals feel like extravagant downtime.

      Hotel Café Royal
      The unwind
      One of the most tranquil spas you will ever visit – the underground Askasha spa boasts a large pool, spacious sauna and relaxation rooms where you can practise Yoga and Pilates, a welcome respite from the business of the city centre. Book in for a well-earned Aromatherapy Associates massage and be transformed back to the freshest version of yourself.

      Hotel Café Royal
      The Dining
      With a menu inspired by the iconic and storied Parisian neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to Hotel Café Royal’s sister hotel Lutetia Paris, Brasserie Saint Germain delivers on taste and service alike. The menu created by Eliano Crespi and his culinary team offers up the best of seasonal produce in a cosy semi-formal setting, the Sole Meunière and Salade Juliette are not to be missed. More

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      Ozen Bolifushi in Maldives is the perfect secluded slice of paradise for slow living

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      Lifestyle

      by Ruman Baig
      2 hours ago

      While luxurious resorts in The Maldives are hardly scarce – here you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything other than smart island retreats – Ozen Bolifushi is simply put, a cut above, taking barefoot luxury to an entirely new level.
      The Arrival
      Step off the plane and onto the resort’s private catamaran, a smart charter outfitted with cream sofas, an espresso bar and panoramic windows. The convenient 30-minute ride to Ozen Bolifushi relieves the hassle of connecting seaplanes, a true sanity-saver when travelling with children. As you near the island, the resort zooms into focus – all swaying palm trees and powdery sunbleached sands surrounded by the brightest blue water. You’ll be met with traditional Maldivian drumming, a fresh coconut water and a mist of Avène’s thermal spring water, before heading straight to your villa in one of the island’s elegant Rolls Royce buggies along with your personal butler.
      The Vibe
      The island is smaller than some, lending an intimate feel where faces become familiar after just a day. You’ll find there is a sleepy sense of stillness and privacy to Ozen, withonly the sweeping waves, paradise-perfect beaches and occasional guest on a bike within eyesight. Days can be spent lounging, swimming, snorkelling and scuba-diving, or browse the island’s boutiques, charter a yacht, feed the stingrays at sunset and simply wander the maze of palm tree-lined pathways dotted with crochet hammocks and swings. And while adults settle poolside, children of all ages will be kept entertained with daily activities, such as treasure hunts, pizza making, water polo and ice hockey on the resort’s open-air ice rink, a first in The Maldives. With Ozen’s Reserve Plan, guests will not be required to sign throughout their stay, allowing for complete self-indulgence on the free-flowing premium bottles and culinary experiences.

      The Stay
      No stone has been left unturned when it comes to furnishing the villas, where spacious suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows with unobstructed ocean views, walk-in wardrobes, private pools, outdoor dining verandas, spa-inspired bathrooms and a fully-stocked private bar. Perched above the sea, the water villas stand out and are perhaps what springs tomind when envisioning the Maldives. Accessed by bike or buggy along a boardwalk, these villas offer a sprawling outdoor deck with several seating areas and sunken sofas, from which you can spot shoals of fluorescent fish swirl by. A number of the villas also feature a water slide into the sea which makes for a playful way to wake up on your morning swim. For the ultimate in seclusion and splendour, the Royal Reserve is a sprawling threebedroom beachfront home (along with separate spaces for staff) complete with an open-air jacuzzi, a gym, pool, an overwater bar, plus a dedicated Teppanyaki restaurant as well as a kitchen and grape cellar.
      Wellness
      When not racking up steps strolling the island, guests can take to the ocean-facing treadmills at the gym or book in for a group class and sunrise flow on the yoga pavilion. Further unwind at Ozen’s spa, an idyllic garden sanctuary where expert facials and knot-banishing massages in the overwater treatment suites will soothe you into a mediative state. Guests can also book a consultation with the island’s resident Ayurveda doctor, who after checking your pulse will recommend holistic healing remedies to work into your daily regime.

      Dining
      Food at Ozen draws on a “garden-to-table” concept where chefs plate dishes using herbs, seasonal vegetables, microgreens and tropical fruits freshly picked from island soil. Breezy lunches will be spent on the beach at Vista Del Mar where the varied buffet includes a spread of salads, grilled meats, seafood, sushi and homemade pastas to rival that in Rome. Come evening, feast on mezze and tagines at Sangu or sample Saffron’s mouth-watering curries through their concept dining experience. While fine dining restaurant ORIGINE, delivers an elegant culinary journey along with grape tasting sessions held by the resort’s enthusiastic sommelier – an experience well worth booking ahead for.
      theozencollection.com
      March’s – The Style 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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      Here’s why the Selena Gomez vs. Hailey Bieber narrative needs to end

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      Lifestyle

      by Ruman Baig
      4 hours ago

      It’s 2023, how are women still pitting womnen against each other over issues so trivial, that should have been best left in high-school.
      Unless you’re living under a rock, you must be aware of the whole scoial media drama between Hailey Beiber and Selena Gomez — orchestrated by unhappy people on the internet. While the latest edition of this tomfoolery may have begun in February, the real catty narrative around Hailey and Selena have been doing the rounds since the former married Justin Bieber in 2018, six months after his reported breakup with Selena. Ever since, everything the two women do — right from posting a song on their personal IG stories to writing a slightly vague caption, everything is turned into a planned dig by theory makers on Instagram and TikTok.

      While the ladies have reportedly mentioned under various platforms that there’s no bad blood between the two — netizens cannot seem to let the two women live in peace. Back in 2022, Selena and Hailey even publically posed together for a photo op, in an attempt to put the past behind at the Academy Museum Gala. And for a fleating moment, both beauty entrepreneurs could breathe a sigh of relief.
      Cut to a month ago, the Rare Beauty founder posted about accidentally overlaminating her brows. On the same day, Kylie Jenner shared a video of herself and Hailey on FaceTime highlighting their eyebrows, which was instantly translated as an attack on the singer. TikToker Nuha, @devotedly.yours, shared her theory and left the internet in a frenzy. Both Selena and Kylie resorted to comment on this absurd theory. “This is reaching,” wrote Jenner, “U guys are making something out of nothing. This is silly,” selena backed the reality star with her comment on the same TikTok.

      @devotedly.yours Replying to @its_alexhilton Half asleep making this but @piamia’s latest video says a lot without saying a single thing #selenagomez ♬ Calm Down – Rema & Selena Gomez

      Despite the invidual involved in the supposed fued clearing the air, fans of both parties continued to vandalize their social media with hateful comments, Hailey more than Selena. Things grew even more tensed when online hate started picking up heat in real life. Recently, at a Justin Bieber concert, the crowd heckled him by chanting “Fuck Hailey Bieber” leaving the singer and his wife in complete dismay.
      Amidst the chaos, Selena took a break from social media, dethroned kylie Jenner as the most followed women on Instagram and then came back to regular programming, posting about the filming of her show. But the bitter fans apparently weren’t done berating Mrs. Bieber on her behalf. The online bullying progressed to death threats for the Canadian singer’s wife and the two women had to yet again take a stand for each other publically.

      On 24th March, 2023, Selena shared an Instagram story almost pleading her followers to leave Hailey alone. In the said story, she wrote, “Hailey Bieber reached out to me and let me know that she has been receiving death threats and such hateful negativity. This isn’t what I stand for.”
      Following her statement, Hailey posted, “I want to thank Selena for speaking out, as her and I have been discussing the last few weeks how to move past this ongoing narrative between her and I. The last few weeks have been very hard for everyone involved and millions of people are seeing so much hate around this which is extremely harmful.”
      Hailey and Selena’s official statements

      After this, they may just have to come out in the open and sign a peace treaty for the people to finally let them move one. In this entirely fabricated chaos, one can visibly see how easy it is to keep a triangle involving two women go on for so long. Ever since time immemorial, celebrities have been dating, breaking up and then dating ex partners of other celebrities. While men are seldom in the limelight for choosing a happily ever after with one half of a popularly shipped couple, female celebrities cannot seem to see the end of it. Both women in this situation are highly accomplished and are constantly striving to grow in their space, while allowing other women to do the same. Yet, they cannot catch a break about a decison in their lives involving the same man.
      Even if any of the fan cooked up theories held any semblence of truth, does a sketchy comment or a shade-throwing IG story deserve a death threat in reaction? I don’t think so. Celebrity or not, no women needs to be answerable for her personal choices, irrespective of public opinion. It is about time we go back to treating social media like a space to harbour community spirit, instead of using it as a false court of law where the general public writes a death sentence for any one and everyone they don’t agree with.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Instagram More

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      Sheikh Hamdan visits Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      1 hour ago

      Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum paid a visit to the newly opened Atlantis The Royal last week.
      The ultra-luxe resort situated on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah has received the Royal stamp of approval.
      On the hotel’s official Instagram page, a post of Fazza overlooking the Palm was shared with the caption, “It was an honour to welcome Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, as he took in the stunning views from our Royal Mansion.

      When Sheikh Mohammed visited
      Prior to its official opening on February 10, 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE paid a visit to this expansive property. His Highness toured the resort and was briefed on its interior design inspired by Bedouin culture. The hotel celebrates the preciousness of water with beautiful water features, sculptures and hues.
      VIP opening

      For its grand preview weekend, the 795-room mega-hotel on Palm Jumeirah witnessed an exclusive weekend of VIP guests, celebrities and media personnel before the expansive property officially opened its doors. With Queen B marking her first private concert since 2016, many A-listers flew down, especially for the event and made a special appearance on the red carpet in their stand-out silhouettes. From Kendall Jenner to Ellen Pompeo, the star-studded event, welcomed A-listers from around the world to witness the grand-scale weekend. This expansive property features 795 rooms, suites, and a penthouse with a series of record-breaking experiences including the largest jellyfish aquarium in the world, the first-ever Nobu by the Beach, meditation with the dolphins, unique fire and water fountains and other one-of-a-kind experiences. With a host of must-visit restaurants and facilities, the property includes a host of culinary havens such as Milos, Jaleo, La Mar, Ling Ling, Nobu by the Beach and Cloud 22.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      SUSHISAMBA shares what it takes to stay relevant in the gastronomy world

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      Lifestyle

      by Dan Robinson
      2 hours ago

      We talk to Ida Garphagen, General Manager at SUSHISAMBA on being ahead of the game in an ever-changing industry
      What is the inspiration behind the restaurant – tell us more?
      The concept and idea of SUSHISAMBA came to light in early 90’s when our founder Shimon Bokovza travelled to Brazil and fell in love with the vibrant culture and diversity of the country. SUSHISAMBA is based on the food and culture born out of the emigration of thousands of Japanese to South America in the early 20th Century. Fast forward a few years, and the first ever SUSHISAMBA opens in New York in 1999 – it was the place to be back then, and I believe everyone is familiar with the famous SUSHISAMBA’s “Pink Cosmo” from Sex and the City. SUSHISAMBA is one of the very first restaurants that embraced the lifestyle offering and made the dining experience fun and multi-dimensional in every city.
      How does SUSHISAMBA Dubai differ from the other four global locations?
      SUSHISAMBA is recognized worldwide, yet every location is unique with its own concept. They are all different from one another, providing guests with a new and immersive experience at each as they travel globally.
      What are the must-try hero dishes?
      Our bite size yellowtail taquitos are very popular, and I can see why – they are the perfect size to enjoy with a pre-dinner drink. My personal favourite is the seabass anticucho glazed in sweet miso and grilled over the robata – anyone that walks through the doors of our restaurant can’t leave without trying them. Our SAMBA Dubai roll, which is a lobster maki roll, is always special since it is exclusive to Dubai only.
      How does the F&B industry in the UAE differ from other cities globally?
      With big cities, comes high competition as the option for consumers become endless. Here in Dubai, we have guests visiting from all over the world, and this helps when consumers recognize chain names – global brand names tend to perform better than smaller local brands. But this, of course, trickles down to the preference of residents and visitors and the overall experience provided. Nowadays, consumers want to know that they are not only savouring delicious food but are gaining an overall dining experience, and when they are bombarded with so many options, opting for a global brand name is always a safe choice. This is exactly why, we must never take our customers for granted, and need to stay relevant in this ever-evolving market.

      You have a stunning 360-degree view, was this the plan from the outset?
      We wanted to make sure we would represent the brand in the best way possible, knowing SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower in London is offering a breathtaking view overlooking London’s most iconic landmarks. Here at SUSHISAMBA Dubai, you can see 360-degree views of the entire Palm Jumeirah, the pristine waters of the Arabian Gulf, the skyline of Dubai Marina and if the day is clear, the Burj Khalifa is visible as well. And what better location to see the city than an afternoon here, savouring the delicious flavours of Japan, Brazil and Peru all under one roof while sipping on a glass of champagne.
      You recently launched the afternoon Sky Tea at SUSHISAMBA, can you elaborate on this experience?
      At SUSHISAMBA, we want our guests to enjoy more of what we have to offer and take advantage of our wonderful SAMBA room, which has tantalizing floor to ceiling views of the Palm Jumeirah. Guests can indulge in a delicious selection of sweet and savory bites that are beautifully displayed on a three-tier spiral tree accompanied by a wide selection of loose teas, fine Japanese teas, coffee, or bubbly. I can’t think of a better location to watch the sunset in Dubai while Bossa Nova tunes set the perfect ambiance.
      What piece of advice can you give someone starting out in the hospitality industry or looking to start their own business?
      It’s always best to start from the bottom up and build the experience needed for any position you’re planning on joining. If you’re looking to start your own business, it’s always great to learn from existing organizations and then applying the lessons learned to your own model. If you want to be a CEO for example, then you must understand all aspects of the business before you start at the top – it’s recommended to break it down into smaller compartmentalized areas first, so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Lastly, don’t be scared to roll up your sleeves and be prepared to work hard for what you want. And in times of difficulty, always ask for help and never give up.
      What are the plans for growth and what’s next for SUSHISAMBA?
      We are expanding the brand with openings in Riyadh, Edinburgh, and Bahrain in 2023, Milan is due to open in the second quarter of 2024 – major expansions for SUSHISAMBA in the following years to come. As for the venue in Dubai, we will continue to enhance our guest experience and focus on our most recent activation, Sky Tea at the SAMBA room.
      This is The Style Issue. What does style mean to you?
      Style is something subjective and personal – everyone has their own understanding of what is fashionable and will try to make it unique to their own identity. Which is why,being your most authentic self is the best and only way one should present themselves.
      March’s – The Style Issue – Download Now 
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied/Instagram  More

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      In pics: Dubai to open the world’s tallest hotel in 2024

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      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      13 hours ago

      Known for its record-breaking man-made structures, Dubai has always been on top of its game regarding achieving outstanding titles.
      Primed to become the world’s tallest tower, The Ciel Hotel led by The First Group, will be the largest and most complex development to date. This 365-metre skyscraper encapsulates the power of an integrated superstructure setting a new benchmark for the hotel industry in the UAE.
      This 82-storey property is set to open in the first quarter of 2024, with the installation of its façade brackets reportedly being completeted up to the 72nd floor.
      “Ciel will offer guests an unparalleled experience with its unique design, luxury amenities, and stunning views. Ciel is not just a building, but a symbol of Dubai’s ambition, innovation, creativity, and excellence”, said Rob Burns, CEO, The First Group.
      Another standout feature of Ciel will be its 300m tall interior atrium that will feature vertically stacked landscaped and naturally ventilated terraces. This interactive space will give occupants a shared communal space for an unparalleled experience.
      The architectural firm NORR designed the hotel’s key features, such as its observation deck with views of Dubai’s skyline and its rooftop infinity pool and bar on the 76th floor.
      Swipe through the gallery to see inside the property.

      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More