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    The best deals and events to look out for during Dubai Summer Surprises

    Hotter months in Dubai can feel unbearably long, but it is actually one the best times to be in the city thanks to the annual Dubai Summer Surprises.
    The seven-week event kicks off today (July 9) and is going to be one of the best yet, filled with events, deals, competitions and even impressive firework displays.

    With so many activations dotted throughout the city, we have picked out some of our favourites to help you navigate one of the biggest events on the calendar.

    Support local
    Each Friday and Saturday throughout the seven weeks, Ripe Retail Pop Up can be found in Nakheel Mall with a selection of locally made products. Open, from 10am to 7pm every weekend, explore 15-20 home-grown brands selling everything from fashion, art, jewellery, homeware, food and more.
    Namaste
    Love yoga and not afraid of heights? Yoga At The Top will be hosting classes in the Burj Khalifa’s At The Top viewing deck. Taking place three times a week during DSS, up to 24 yoga enthusiasts can soak up the early morning views with classes scheduled from 7am.
    Cool off
    Ski Dubai is offering three great promotions until 31 August. Budding skiers or snowboarders can learn how to perfect their skills in just 48 hours with Ski Dubai’s team of expert instructors providing an intense two-day training session, as well as an indulgent hot chocolate at the end of the course. In addition, you can purchase the annual Ski Dubai summer pass that offers unlimited access to the Snow Park, up to two hours on the slopes, 40 minutes in the Penguin Encounter attraction, or a 60-minute Discovery Lesson. Ski Dubai is also offering three tickets for the price of four, making it the perfect destination for friends and families.
    Family night at the movies
    Grab your family and friends and enjoy a movie night at a private screening room with VOX Cinemas in Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif. The Friends and Family-only showing is priced at Dhs450 for a Standard Experiences and Dhs 800 for Gold.

    Become a Masterchef
    Home cooks can put their culinary skills to the test and learn from Dubai’s best chefs at the DSS Chef Masterclass Series. A chance for amateur cooks and foodies to rub shoulders with their kitchen heroes, the July DSS Chef Masterclass Series will feature a total of 10 classes in total.
    Stay and shop
    Make your shopping spree even more special with a discounted hotel stay. Those checking into the Fairmont The Palm, Movenpick JBR,  Amwaj Rotana JBR, and the Address Downtown Hotel will receive up to 50 per cent off the room rate. And that’s not all – The Zabeel Saray Palm hotel is offering up to 40 per cent off to all UAE citizens and residents through DSS, the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach is offering 100 per cent off the cost of a room back in food and drinks during their stay, the Two Seasons Hotel has reduced the price of rooms by 30 per cent, while anyone staying at the Dusit Thani Dubai will receive Dhs300 in dining vouchers for each Dhs450 room booked.
    Light up the sky
    The Pointe Palm Jumeirah will host to three nights of fireworks and amazing deals at some of its most popular restaurants. The skies will be lighting up each night at 8.30pm from 16 July to 18 July, and you can also enjoy DSS special menu daily from 12 July to 18 July with savings of 30 per cent to 50 per cent and “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” offers on selected dishes in participating dining spots.

    Other promotions to keep an eye out for
    Today, shoppers can scoop up savings of 25 per cent to 90 per cent on a wide range of products at Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) malls across Dubai. If you spend Dhs300, you will be entered into a 12 Hour Share Millionaire raffle with a grand lucky draw for 1 million Share Points to spend in MAF malls
    You have until August 29 to visit Al Bustan Centre, Al Barsha Mall, Al Ghurair Centre, Arabian Centre, Bin Sougat Centre, BurJuman, City Centre Al Shindagha, City Centre Me’aisam, Dubai Outlet Mall, Etihad Mall and Reef Mall to be in with a chance to win weekly cash prizes of Dhs4,000 and Dhs50,000 and even luxury cars by simply spending Dhs200.
    If you’re heading to Nakheel Mall, keep an eye out for agiant gumball machine. To be in with a chance to win, you have to spend Dhs250. Prizes include shopping vouchers hidden in the machine’s super-sized gumballs. There will also be a weekly DSS Golden Gumball grand prize of Dhs25,000 in mall vouchers to be won each Tuesday. Make sure to also enter their SUMMER WINS raffle by spending Dhs250 at any outlet.You could win cash and daily instant prizes of up to Dhs350,000.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Instagram, supplied More

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    Burj Khalifa lights up to welcome back tourists to Dubai

    There’s no welcome to Dubai like getting one from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
    After borders in Dubai officially reopened to tourists earlier this week, the famous landmark lit up to send a message to tourists and international visitors.

    “Welcome to Dubai,” the message said on the landmark building, and was also showcased in Arabic.

    أهلاً بكم في #دبيأهلاً بكم في #دبي_مول#برج_خليفة
    Welcome to DubaiWelcome to The Dubai Mall#BurjKhalifa #TheDubaiMall#Dubai pic.twitter.com/IdA3BFDLeO
    — Burj Khalifa (@BurjKhalifa) July 7, 2020

    This isn’t the only measure being taken to welcome back tourists. Upon arrival in Dubai visitors will be receiving a sticker on their passports was unveiled reading, “A warm welcome to your second home.”

    .@GDRFADUBAI prepares to receive visitors and tourists coming to the country through @DubaiAirports from July 7, with high safety standards in place, and launches a special passport sticker bearing the phrase ‘A warm welcome to your second home.’ pic.twitter.com/smA1kOcysG
    — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 6, 2020

    Speaking on borders reopening to visitors, Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai, said tourists were “always welcome”.
    “We welcome all tourists and visitors to the country through Dubai Airports,” he said. “They are always welcome in their second country and we are ready to facilitate their procedures based on the highest levels of safety.”
    Dubai Tourism has also shared a heartfelt video, showcasing landmarks around the city and all of the extraordinary activities you can do telling visitors Dubai is “ready when you are”.
    “We made you a promise that we would see you soon,” their Twitter post said. “That time has come. Dubai is ready for you to visit once again. Ready when you are…”

    We made you a promise that we would see you soon. That time has come. Dubai is ready for you to visit once again. Ready when you are… #VisitDubai pic.twitter.com/zn0pymdJzs
    — Visit Dubai (@visitdubai) July 7, 2020

    In order to ensure the health and safety of all travellers, UAE citizens and UAE residents when entering Dubai, there are many precautionary measures in place.
    Similarly, before boarding your flight to Dubai ensure you have all the necessary documents needed for entering the country including a health declaration form and a negative COVID-19 test result prior to leaving your home country.
    You can also opt for a PCR test once landing in Dubai, but be prepared to quarantine until you receive a negative test for COVID-19.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram.
    Feature Image: @tgfromdubai Instagram More

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    Princess Raiyah of Jordan marries grandson of popular British author Roald Dahl

    Jordan’s Princess Raiyah bint Al-Hussein has married her British fiancé, Ned Donovan, who is a journalist and also the grandson of children’s author Roald Dahl.
    The princess shared a series of photos on Twitter thanking everyone for their “kind messages”. She also revealed the couple were due to marry in Jordan in April, but the COVID-19 pandemic put their plans on hold, with the pair eventually opting for a smaller ceremony in the UK with family and friends.

    “Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding!” she said. “While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK.”

    Thank you all for your kind messages on our wedding!While it was originally planned for April in Jordan, the pandemic derailed those plans and it was safer for my husband’s family to hold it in the UK. God willing we look forward to celebrating in Jordan once the situation allows pic.twitter.com/moCMSOxZxp
    — Raiyah bint Al-Hussein (@RaiyahHKJ) July 7, 2020

    The bride – who is the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and Queen Noor of Jordan and is also the half-sister of the current King Abdullah II – also shared her hopes for a celebration in her home country once the “situation allows”.
    Prior to the ceremony Princess Raiyah’s now-husband, 26, converted to Islam ahead of the wedding and also changed his name to Faris. However, the groom revealed on his website that his “Arabic is not very good” but is currently trying to learn the language.
    The couple announced their engagement last year in October in a royal statement.

    Jordan Princess Raiyah weds Faris Ned Donovan in United Kingdom.
    Congratulations @RaiyahHKJ @Ned_Donovan pic.twitter.com/c0uWYLYnV2
    — Arabian Royal Agency (@ARoyalAgency) July 7, 2020

    “The Royal Hashemite Court extends its sincere congratulations to Her Royal Highness Princess Raiyah and to Mr Donovan on this occasion,” the statement read.
    Having studied at the likes of Edinburgh University in the UK for her undergraduate degree and at Columbia University in New York City for her master’s degree in Japanese Literature, Princess Raiyah describes herself as an “academic, writer, public servant”.
    – For more about Dubai’s lifestyle, news and fashion scene follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    Frontline Heroes Office established in the UAE by President Sheikh Khalifa

    A new office has been established in the UAE dedicated to supporting those who have been frontline workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Launched by President Sheikh Khalifa, the Frontline Heroes Office will be a key force in highlighting the incredible work and key roles frontline workers have played during crises and emergencies. As […] More

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    The first female head of a Saudi co-ed university has been appointed

    In yet another breakthrough for women’s rights and female representation in Saudi Arabia, the first female head of a co-ed university has been appointed. Professor Lilac Al Safadi was named head of the Saudi Electonic University over the weekend after royal approval. Under the same decree, five presidents were also named at other Saudi universities. […] More