There was a time when no gathering of sheikhs was complete without a falcon on every wrist, as illustrated by this gathering with the Ruler Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan in Qasr Al Hosn captured by a Time Life photographer in the early 1960s.
Birds of prey were one of the symbols of authority, as well as a crucial tool when hunting for food in desert lands. As a result, falcons have a special place in the hearts of Emiratis. A golden falcon known as the Hawk of Quraish is the heraldic symbol of the UAE, while only in Abu Dhabi could there be a hospital devoted entirely to the treatment and rehabilitation of injured birds.
The modern age, lived largely indoors, is not conducive to carrying around falcons in daily life, but the affection for the birds runs just as deep as it ever did. To witness this, it is only necessary to visit the Abu Dhabi International Hunting & Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), which opens in the capital on Wednesday. To find the falcons, just follow the crowds.
* James Langton
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Cases of coronavirus in the GCC as of March 15
Saudi Arabia – 103 infected, 0 dead, 1 recovered
UAE – 86 infected, 0 dead, 23 recovered
Bahrain – 210 infected, 0 dead, 44 recovered
Kuwait – 104 infected, 0 dead, 5 recovered
Qatar – 337 infected, 0 dead, 4 recovered
Oman – 19 infected, 0 dead, 9 recovered
RESULTS
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