To tell you of something, me

1. The weekend has been kind in offering not only some relaxing time but perhaps some momentous time-capsuling moments for the Gulf ...



- It seems the gulf has had a great celebratory few days with the Queen visiting Abu Dhabi and Oman while Oman's King has been celebrating his 40 years of ruling, UAE celebrating its 39th Birthday and dear Qatar celebrates its win for the 2022 FIFA world cup. 





- For non-nationals, its an act of balancing the scales between the joy of winning the 2022 and the strengthening Riyal which will only become stronger now with all the open doors the World cup brings. Good luck to the exchange market. I saw the dollar dip :)  Have a look at this article.



- So if you want to read up on more on Oman, visit either Dhofari Gucci or Oman - travels into Oman. For UAE blogs, visit Al-Emirati-A local take on the world or Somalian Arab princess. There is also Rationality and Khaleejia's blog to take note of.



- I saw some really beautiful pictures of Saudi, composed by Blue Abaya which I want to share with you - I am sure you will savor them too, as I did -  have a look here. May Allah also heal the Saudi King soon, Inshallah wa Allahu A3lam. By the way, my other favourite Saudi blogger is With a Saudi accent. 



2. I been busy with my Fujitsu Project tasks which has been quiet exciting. If you still interested in seeing what others along with myself have been up to, visit the Lifebook4Life blog.



3. Yesterday I had a strange desire to have some pumpkin (something I miss from back home because its so much more popular there than it is here) - so I proudly cooked some lamb and pumpkin. It is also been a point for me to get back to healthy eating as I somehow succumbed to a lazy lifestyle since I been away from home, so lets see how long this lasts. 



4. I been catching up on some knowledge quests on technology and life - educating myself on odd mind boggling questions. 



5. I been silently reading your blogs and commenting here and there but I do apologize for being quiet - I am the type of person who occasionally slips away into silent thinking with myself. I am very mindful I cut off the big world but I just don't feel like talking - just sometimes I want to not talk:) I been regrouping my thoughts, my plans and trying to center myself again...its a very hard thing to do for a person like me who lives each day for each day.



6. I want you all to read this post by All my wonders - somehow maybe slightly off topic but with good intent as the post was written perfectly. A true lesson that deserves to be shared.



7. I been missing home so much recently and hoping to be back there soon again, Inshallah. I been craving Tinkies, my mommy's love & food & everyone else at home! It has also been a self-realisation that I never really introduced you all to my dear South African Blogger friends -  so here they are if any of you are interested in reading their blogs (which are great by the way): Crafty Muslimah, Girl Talk 786, Muslim Woman Exposed, The Diaries of Bint Mahmood, The Searching Slave & Cake Mama (although she is not writing right now - wish she would come back).



8. Another self-realisation is that I am not centered or patient when I don't read my salaat which has further re-iterated the importance of Allah in my life. I really love Allah and thank Him so much for standing by me in everything I do. Allah az wa jal.



9. Have a thoughtful, appreciative, super fantastic week ahead - Can you believe its December already - my gosh...Here's come 2011 in days!



Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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2022 bid

www.qatar2022bid.com
While UAE gets ready to celebrate its National day on the 2nd of December, Qatar is also preparing for its own National day on 18th December - all over the corniche, lights and decorations are going up ahead of the big day but perhaps an even more exciting thrill is the decision day for the Qatar 2022 bid, which also happens to be tomorrow, 2nd December. So while UAE celebrates National day , Qatar will be eagerly waiting to hear who will be the host city for 2022.  Good luck Qatar and Congratulations UAE on your 39th Birthday!








Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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Deros, no no no

Oh dear Deros

It seems that the sunshine from this end of the world was lost today too...look at how it rained...






BluePearl (c) - rain drops on my window driving home this afternoon




DEROS, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STOP BLOGGING YOUNG LADY!



All those who agree, please go over to her blog and tell her so! 
Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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Pharaonic culture found in Saudi

Saudi officials on Sunday announced the discovery of the country's first-ever artefact from pharaonic culture - a 3 100-year-old inscription carrying the signature of King Ramses III.
The inscription was found near the north-western Saudi oasis town of Tayma, about 200km southeast of Tabuk, a key stop on ancient trade routes, said Ali al-Ghabban, a senior museums and antiquities official.
The inscription was found on a rock and carries the royal signature of Ramses III with a double cartouche, Ghabban said in a statement.
[Source: News24.com]









مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ ۖ وَمَكْرُ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ ﴿١٠ 



(10) Whosoever desires honour, (power and glory), then to Allah belong all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish. [Surah-Al-Fatir]
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3abaya

I am not one to post about abaya's but I have an invite for a show in Dubai which I can not attend so I am sharing it with you. Here are the details.



Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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Truly formulated Emirates style

If you a formula 1 fan, you will understand my excitement over the upcoming grand prix race happening this coming weekend in Abu dhabi. It's the final race for the 2010 season at the Yas Marina Circuit between the 12-14 November -   Renault has taken lead so far but I am pretty sure that Mercedes is going to fight all the way to the finish.  





But perhaps something more exciting for all those inner child adults and kids alike is not so much the Grand Prix itself but that the host city, Abu Dhabi is kicking off the race week in true fashion with the opening of the Ferrari World Theme Park. The Park is nothing short of impressive boasting the fastest roller coaster in the world, "Formula Rossa" along side other rides and entertainment - one would expect nothing less from the Emirates city, only true innovation and class to the say the least.  So let me leave you with this video and link to the website so you can decide for yourself.








Impressive, right? Well then, if you in Abu Dhabi this weekend, make a pit stop at the Theme Park & Have fun!
Go to the FerrariWorld website
Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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Hajj 2010 Showcase 5: Saudi Arabia's New Monorail

Saudi Arabia has not only launched the world's largest clock this year but it has now introduced the first train system in Makkah's history after completing the first stage of the project - it is reported that it will transport nearly 130 000 pilgrims during this year's hajj easing road congestions caused by thousands of cars near Makkah. 





Three different types of tickets will cover all holy sites in Makkah and will allow the pilgrims to take the train into the city to perform their rites before returning to their residence inside or outside the city, Ajel online newspaper said, quoting Habib Zain Alabidin, Undersecretary at the Saudi Ministry of Municipal affairs. "The ticket's price is set at SR250 (US$ 67) which will cover a full trip into and out of Makkah for seven days…another ticket is priced at SR100 (US$ 27) for four days," he said. 
[6 photos & 1 video in this set - click here to view more]





























Mashallah
















Source: YouTube & "Madinah Makkah Hajj Train" Islam Newsroom October 18, 2010 
Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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A rising star of a city

Walking on Doha's (Hub city in Qatar) 7.7 km corniche today, experiencing the calmness and breeze of its cooling months (November to February) leaves you spiritually healthy and feeling almost spectacular playing actor against the modern back drop of its formidable movie set, the growing high rise city.  It's breathe taking turquoise waters light up beautifully at night reflecting the beauty of a true Pearl.





Ten years ago there was not much of a view other than the Sheraton and a few odd buildings and before that not much at all. In fact, Qatar was not very well known to the world until its famous lead in LNG (Liquefied natural gas). Its oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country in the world. More recently its popularity has come from buying Harrods (London) or more notably its bid for the FIFA 2022 world cup or even that Qatar Airways flew the first GTL-fuelled commercial airliner, from London to Doha, with paying passengers. 

[5 photos in this set - click here to view]










Before: Qatar before its high rise buildings, photo courtesy of DesertBlooms (Flickr)








Now: Qatar now with more and more buildings coming up, photo courtesy of Brian Candy (Flickr)





With all this popularity now, Qatar had to revise its city and so over the years, Qatar has been hard at work building what is now called the "New Doha". Following in the footsteps of its brother country, Dubai, Qatar is fast becoming a super power of this millenium. Old Doha (the old city) has been restructured and under going massive reconstruction with some new projects (like the heart of Doha project) placing it as the traditional Islamic town which plays home to most of its resedential suburbs, souqs and town like shopping while New Doha is a sprouting strip playing host literally to dozens of skyscrapers. The latter can be dubbed as the commercial hub of Qatar offering many hotels which also boast access to the sandy mile, cooperate companies, the famous city centre shopping mall and ofcourse a scenic drive way to the Pearl.





(c) BluePearl - 2010 Photo of New Doha








(c) BluePearl - 2010 Photo of New Doha





(c) BluePearl - 2010 Photo of New Doha




Stay tuned for more of the Heart of Doha Project, The Pearl Island and other exciting Qatar stories.





Have a great week!
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Hajj 2010 Showcase 1

The Hajj Journey 2010 with Nasheed (Urdu)
Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
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I love the skies

Ever since I was a little girl, I have cherished clouds, being able to be high up in the skies and fly over these chunky sky pillows. When I was 12 years old, doing my first flight from Durban, South Africa to Cape Town, South Africa, I was left breathless over the 2 hour journey at sunset. It is truly, Alhumdulillah, one of the most beautiful things to behold. It was at that time, that I decided, I loved planes.





Artist Impression of A380 seen here Doha's city (this is how new Doha looks now)
Today, flying has become somewhat of a routine, for me, taxing between South Africa and Qatar.





As if the increase in aircraft accidents have left me unaffected, the 8 hour trip to and from, is like a breeze and no matter how tired I am, I am just so excited to be over the clouds! Over and above of placing my trust in Allah, the rest of that relief comes from flying with the countries flag carrier,i.e.: 5 star accredited Qatar Airways Airline - not only does it give me piece of mind on safety but they operate young fleet that notably live up to the 5 star status. The economy class has been structured so well that you can fold your legs comfortably without touching the seat in front. I have flown with many other airlines and found the seating to be cramped - It is understandable how Qatar Airways managed to scoop so many awards in recent times (ranging from best economy class, best cabin crew and more recently retained the Best Middle Eastern Airline title for the fifth year running at the annual TTG Asia Pacific awards held in Bangkok and Best Middle East Airline accolade for the second consecutive year at the 2010 Business Traveller Asia Pacific). The planes are new and modern offering excellent in-flight entertainment and cabin crew services. Over and above these facilities, it offers a first class premium check in facility (Doha) and Mobile/Online check in. 



Well done Qatar Airways - you're doing a great job!





For a virtual tour of some of the airlines offerings, have a look here 
Doha, will soon also be opening its new airport, which comes with high expectations. Take a look
Source URL: http://pukitattoo.blogspot.com/search/label/Gulf
Visit Puki Tattoo for daily updated images of art collection