ABU DHABI // Some were sceptical that Rashad Bukhash would win a seat on the Federal National Council when he announced his candidacy.
The engineer who heads the architectural heritage department at Dubai Municipality believed otherwise.
“I think there are two reasons I won the FNC elections,” says Mr Bukhash, 53. “The first is because I volunteer at several places, like Dar Al Ber society.
“These places are close to nationals because they serve people. And the way you deal with others plays a role.”
As chairman of the UAE Architectural Heritage Society in Bastakiya, which thanks to his efforts is home to some of the best examples of preservation, he also gained popularity.
“A lot of the candidates were young,” says Mr Bukhash.
“The more established ones in the society had a bigger chance of winning.”
Although he is quiet by nature, standing out in a crowd became the norm for Mr Bukhash, who in 1991 became one of the first civil volunteers in the Armed Forces.
In 1998, when the Dubai Government Excellence Award was launched, he was honoured in the best government employee category. He was honoured again in 1999.
Before joining the council, Mr Bukhash had helped to preserve 124 historical buildings across the country and completed more than 300 engineering projects.
He is now working on registering Dubai Creek as one of the wonders of the world, arguing that it brought together civilisations – the oldest documented example being in the 15th century when Venetian merchants travelled there to buy pearls.
Already on the Unesco world heritage list are Al Ain’s Hafeet, Hili, Bida bint Saud and oasis areas.
Although his presence is often overshadowed by his bolder peers, Mr Bukhash has not let his reserved nature hold him back.
On the very first session, he joined a fellow Dubai member in calling for a temporary committee to tackle unemployment among Emiratis.
Mr Bukhash says he is motivated by the promises he made to people. Tucked away in his wallet since the day he won election is a list of goals centred on national needs.
Another promise is to preserve the country’s heritage. The matter was brought up last year when Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, was summoned to answer why a law to protect historical sites was delayed.
“The council’s work is political and diplomatic,” Mr Bukhash says. “My work outside the council is very different but it was a great experience. I learnt a lot from it.”
Even with the struggle of coping with his dual roles, Mr Bukhash would not mind a second term.
However, some changes he would like to see included increasing the number of seats in the council to allow greater representation.
In order to avoid struggles encountered in the first year, he would like to see more of the council’s former members reappointed.
“I think the experience you get from being in the FNC is great,” Mr Bukhash says. “In parliaments like the United States, a member might be a member for a very long time.
“It would be good to allow old members to stay on since then they are experienced with the council. We faced difficulty [in 2011] because we were all new.”
osalem@thenational.ae
Tenet
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh
Rating: 5/5
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Race card
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Generational responses to the pandemic
Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:
Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Company%20Profile
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20Profile
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SHADOWS%20AND%20LIGHT%3A%20THE%20EXTRAORDINARY%20LIFE%20OF%20JAMES%20MCBEY
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Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Biography
Her family: She has four sons, aged 29, 27, 25 and 24 and is a grandmother-of-nine
Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Favourite drink: Water
Her hobbies: Reading and volunteer work
Favourite music: Classical music
Her motto: I don't wait, I initiate
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Honeymoonish
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BLACKBERRY
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