DUBAI // Al Majalis Madares takes Emirati boys aged between 6 and 12 to a traditional gathering to teach them the need to respect elders and cultural traditions.
In years gone by, the youngest son served guests in a majlis open daily for men in the home of an elder after maghrib prayers. Some gatherings were open through the day, with teachers coming in to help the children study in the majlis.
Launched this year as part of a national identity project targeting young Emiratis, Al Majalis Madares, teaches the boys who rarely serve guests in a traditional majlis any more.
The programme teaches them to always greet elders first, the etiquette of holding the dallah, or coffee pot, in the right hand and the cup in the left, and why they should shake the mug when it is filled to a quarter to make sure there is enough for other guests.
The sessions are usually conducted by an older Emirati.
“The majlis in UAE was the main point of communication, even decision-making for families. It is an important place,” said Ms Al Harthi.
“Coffee beans were precious in the days of our ancestors. If you do not shake the cup, they will keep pouring, but others wouldn’t have their share.
“So even now you only drink a bit. A lot of little things are precious to us and we need to teach the coming generation.”
Ten public schools took part when the programme began. It has now been extended to private schools keen for their pupils join in.
So far, more than 1,000 boys have attended 22 majlis gatherings.
Since a majlis is traditionally held separately for men and women, a similar project will be launched next year for women and schoolgirls.
Regular volunteer Aisha Al Hamadi said children were curious about the majlis.
“Today’s generation doesn’t have time, they are busy with iPads and phones,” Ms Al Hamadi said. “When we were young, having a guest was the highlight of our day. We would want to welcome them and serve coffee.
“This is our chance to tell kids about the joy of serving others – why they need to be hospitable because it’s in our culture.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
RESULTS
Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)
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5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
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6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
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7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
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Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
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