Rape attempt ends in death

Ras Al Khaimah: An Asian tailor died of heart attack while he was trying to molest an Asian housemaid in her sponsor's home in Ras Al Khaimah, a police source said Wednesday.

The source told Gulf News that the 26-year-old tailor died last Friday as he attempted to rape the housemaid at her employer's house in Ras Al Khaimah.

"The incident took place around 1.00am, when the 28-year-old housemaid was sleeping in her room. She woke up terrified after seeing a stranger near her bed," the source added.

He said the tailor was working in a nearby shop in Al Ghab area in Ras Al Khaimah. The tailor had somehow managed to sneak into the housemaid's room.

"The maid felt a stranger next to her so she pushed him and ran, she was very afraid and hid in the bathroom for one hour," added the source.

Intruder

She was afraid she would be raped, the maid told investigators. She said she left the bathroom only after she felt the intruder had left the room, but to her surprise she found the man lying on the ground near her bed. The man was not moving, said the police source.

The maid promptly informed her sponsor about the incident who went to her room to find the intruder lying on the ground. He then informed the police.

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Carpenter admits threatening to kill driver for lack of fare

Dubai: A Chinese carpenter Thursday admitted threatening to kill a taxi driver because he did not have money to pay his fare.

Prosecutors charged the 46-year-old with using a knife and threatening to kill the 25-year-old Pakistani driver over a Dh50 tariff.

C.B. pleaded guilty before the Dubai Court of First Instance.

The driver, S.H. told Presiding Judge Hamad Abdul Latif Abdul Jawad that the incident happened around 2am in Bani Yas Road.

International City

"The suspect asked me to drive him to the Chinese Cluster in the International City," he said.

"When we reached the place, the defendant seemed that he lost directions to his house.

"When the meter read Dh50, the suspect asked me to pull over and drop him. The suspect said he did not have enough money to pay.

Knife pulled

"He asked me to wait for him to get the money from his house — I refused and told him to pay instantly. He pulled out a knife from his pocket and pointed it at my belly. Then he said ‘do you want the money now?'."

According to prosecution records, the defendant stepped out of the taxi and walked to a security guard standing nearby. The driver called the police. Then the suspect offered his mobile phone as payment.

When the police arrived, the knife was found when the suspect was searched.

C.B. denied threatening the driver in his statement, alleging that the knife only fell from his jacket.

The verdict will be heard on Monday.

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Abu Dhabi Indian School struggles with long waiting list of admission seekers

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) is struggling hard with a long waiting list of pupils seeking admissions, due to a lack of seats in the Indian schools in the capital, the school officials have revealed.

"There were more than 1,000 applicants each for 150 seats each in kindergarten 1 and grade 1 this academic year," B. R. Shetty, Chairman of ADIS, told Gulf News on Wednesday.

There is a large number of pupils seeking admissions in other classes also apart from K.G 1 and grade 1, he said.

ADIS, a non-profit sharing school, is one of the largest Indian schools in the country, with about 5,800 pupils. Shetty said establishing new branch of the school will be the immediate solution to the problem.

As Gulf News reported on April 4, 2010, ADIS management had requested the permission from Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) to open a new branch. The council had confirmed that it was considering the request, as part of its strategy to encourage building more non-profit sharing Indian schools to address the shortage of seats.

At a press conference at the school on Tuesday evening, Shetty said the management is still waiting for the land from the council to start the construction of the school. He said that he had learnt from ADEC that about 12,000 more seats had to be created to address the shortage of seats in Indian schools in the capital.

"So that we are planning to build a news school to accommodate about 5,000 schools," he said.

Shetty said Indian Community Kindergarten (ICK) owned by him has also sought the permission to build a non-profit sharing school up to grade 12, so that both the schools can take most of the 12,000 pupils who will be seeking admission in the coming years.

As Gulf News reported the crisis erupted following an ADEC decision to close down schools being run in villas by 2013, citing lack of educational, environmental, health and safety standards.

Explaining the hundred percent results achieved by the students in recent CBSE examinations, Shetty and V.K. Mathu, the school principal, said ADIS management would be able to build a new school with the same academic excellence.

Shetty revealed that ADEC has promised the land on a nominal rent for the new school. "It would be probably near Mussffah or Mohammad Bin Zayed City,".

"Once the land is given, we can start the construction next day, as we have enough funds, so that it can start functioning next academic year [2012-2013]" he said.

ADEC has not yet officially confirmed the quantum of shortage in Indian schools in the capital. ADEC and DoT officials were not available for comments on Wednesday.

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District Feature: Sharjah's Al Sharq has a rich history

Dubai: Every Dh5 note has a picture of the Salem Al Mutawa mosque located in the Al Sharq area. Once the heartbeat of Khor Fakkan city, today you can barely feel its pulse.

Al Sharq area overlooks Khor Fakkan Corniche and more than 30 years ago, was the hustling bustling neighbourhood in the city, as traders, arriving at Khor Fakkan Port, used to flock to its souq among shops, which sold everything from fabrics to groceries to food.

Choosing the mosque, located in this area, as a symbol for one of the denominations of the national currency shows the significance of Al Sharq area and the major trading role it played long ago.

It is said that the mosque on the five dirham note was built some 200 years ago using gravel and palm tree trunks. The mosque was renovated in March this year and the residents living in that area now pray there. It has recently also been named after Salem Al Mutawa, a late resident of that area, who never missed any of the five prayer times at the mosque. A well which was dug in the mosque for ablution still provides sweet water. The sea is 20 metres away from this mosque.

The Al Sharq area currently houses several hundreds of people, mostly shopkeepers who work at the old style souq, which still stands alive to tell the tales of bygone years.

Thirty years ago, Al Sharq area was inhabited by Emiratis mostly and some Arabs. After the UAE became one federation in 1971, and as the country and its cities developed, the old area of Al Sharq became almost abandoned by Emirati families as they moved to live and work in the new city developments. Old Emirati residents still remember the first clinic in Khor Fakkan, which was located in the Al Sharq neighbourhood. Today, that clinic structure has become a shop for car polishing.

The Al Sharq area also had the first Khor Fakkan municipality building, which has also been abandoned. It also has a building which housed a branch of the British Bank, the first bank at that time. However, old residents of the area say the branch was closed after the security guard there was killed in that building long ago.

Trading port

Ali Abdullah Al Mirza, an 81-year-old Emirati trader and fisherman, who was a former resident of Al Sharq area, said it (the area) was the heart of Khor Fakkan city years ago because it overlooked the sea.

"It was a very busy area because ships, carrying goods and traders from around the world, would arrive to the city's port for trading purposes. It also helped the people of this city to travel to various destinations which helped open up their minds and learn a lot," said Al Mirza, who lives in another neighbourhood not far from the Al Sharq area.

Talking about how Al Sharq area looked in those days, Al Mirza said: "There were around 300 houses in this area at that time with the majority being [of] Emirati families and some Arabs. The houses were built of palm tree trunks and stones and were close to each other. The two most famous families who lived in the area were Al Naqbi families and Al Hammadi families,"

Al Mirza said although he moved to another neighbourhood, his fondest memories are of the Al Sharq area, where he spent most of his youngdays.

Sulaiman Al Naqbi, another Emirati who lived in the Al Sharq area, said: "The old souq, which has kept its old style in terms of the structure and the use of wooden doors and big locks, is a distinct feature of the area."

According to him, this souq still has some old shops, which are no longer commonly seen in other parts of the country because they have been replaced by modern developments.

"One of the shops which I am certain may not be found easily now are the shops which repair old TV sets. You can find the large boxy TV sets lying in these shops for maintenance," he said.

Umm Mahmoud, an Egyptian who was entering her flat in the only tall structure in the area, said she still loves living in the area.

"I moved to Khor Fakkan 20 years ago after my marriage. My husband and I lived in this neighbourhood and saw the changes it has gone through as years passed. I still love this area and don't think of moving away because to me everything seems close. I buy my groceries from the grocery in the old souq, which is only walking distance. The mosque is very close by for my husband. We often go walking on the corniche which is a road away from here. I do miss what was once the busy nature of this area, but I have got used to the quietness," she said giggling.

Building lives

Mohiuddin, a grocer at Kirla Supermarket, said he witnessed the massive changes the Al Sharq area has gone through.

"I arrived here from Bombay [Mumbai] in 1971 and since then has been working in various shops in this souq. The shops were small boxy shops owned by Emiratis. I started working in this supermarket in 1978. This area was a mountainous area which overlooked the sea. There were no roads and the only vehicle which would move here was the old Land Rover," he recalled.

Another shopkeeper, Azad, working at Al Rayan shop, which sold everything from handbags, watches, perfumes, clothes and other things, said, although he has been working in this shop for three years, it [the shop] has been there for 32 years and has evolved with time.

"Of course, now the business is not as strong as it used to be, as my other colleagues who have been working in this shop tell me, but we still get elderly Emiratis who especially come looking for old style stuff," he said.

Al Sharq area now may not be as busy or as appealing as it used to be, but a visit there is sure to shed light on its rich history and culture. The area is filled with stories of how its inhabitants lived simply, yet comfortably despite their struggles.

HIGHLIGHTS

1 Salem Al Mutawa Mosque
The structure adorns the back of the the Dh5 note. The mosque still maintains the traditional style in which it was built and is a must-see if one is visited Al Sharq.

2 Al Sharq old souq
It houses several stores ranging from a supermarket, shops selling miscellaneous goods and shops repairing old TV sets. Even today when the shops close, the large wooden doors are locked with big metal locks.

3 Al Sharq Fort
It stands magnificently atop a a mountain. A visit to this imposing structure will reveal the rich history of the Al Sharq area.

Al SHARQ'S LOCATION
Al Sharq area is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Khor Fakkan city. It overlooks Khor Fakkan Corniche. More than 30 years ago, it was the hustling bustling neighbourhood in the city, as traders, arriving at Khor Fakkan Port, used to flock to its shops, which sold everything from fabric to groceries to food.

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Passenger's death delays flight from Dubai to Damascus

Abu Dhabi: A man's death on Emirates airline flight EK 913 to Damascus that was scheduled to depart from Dubai International Airport Tuesday afternoon caused the flight's delay, Emirates airline confirmed in a statement to Gulf News on Tuesday.

"Emirates confirms that a 66-year-old male passenger passed away after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest shortly before EK 913 departed from Dubai to Damascus," a spokesperson for the airline said. 

The passenger, who was of Syrian origin and whose name was not revealed by the airline, received emergency medical attention on board but died on the spot. 

"Emirates offers its condolences to the passenger's family and friends," the spokesperson added.  He also confirmed that Tuesday's flight EK 913 "departed (from Dubai International Airport) after a short delay at 5:45pm."

After the incident, the rest of the passengers on the three-and-a-half hour flight to the Syrian capital had to disembark and wait at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3, according to K.W., a 33-year-old Syrian housewife on the flight.

"It was really sad what happened on the flight. The man, who appeared to be in his late 60s, was obviously experiencing some discomfort when the plane was taxiing on the runway before takeoff.

Call for help

"His wife called the crew for help and the plane was stopped to allow medics in. They carried him from the Economy to Business class of the plane and afterwards I heard one medic say the gentleman had no pulse," K.W. said.

"Although we received no official confirmation from the airline, most of the passengers were of the opinion that he died instantly," she added.

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Emirates ID cards mandatory for members to vote in FNC elections

Abu Dhabi: Voters must have an Emirates Identity card to take part in the upcoming Federal National Council (FNC) elections. The card, which is equipped with a chip will be used for the first time to ensure the identity of the holder.

E-voting is considered to be one of the most efficient in ensuring a safe, effective and convenient election process, said Dr Ali Al Khouri, director-general of the Emirates Identity Authority and member of the National Election Committee (NEC). The election is scheduled to be held on September 24, officials said Tuesday.

The electronic voting system, he said, has been adopted in many countries across the world and the UAE was the first Arab country in the region to implement such an advanced system in 2006.

The UAE adopts best international practices in using e-voting systems. Leading e-voting solutions provider Logica Business and Technology has been chosen for the FNC elections this year.

Electoral base

The electoral base for this year's elections has been expanded to ensure larger public participation, but the electoral rolls for the seven emirates will be announced on July 11, said Tariq Hilal Lootah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs and a member of the NEC.

Indications are that more than 80,000 people named by Rulers' courts in the seven emirates will elect 20 representatives to the council.

"Preparations for the elections are proceeding to plan and in keeping with the vision of the UAE leadership," Lootah told a news conference. Since the FNC's inception in 1972, its members were appointed by the Rulers' courts in different emirates.

Members appointed

Elections were introduced in the FNC's 13th legislative session of 2006 to implement the directives of the Supreme Council of the Federation and the President's decision to elect 50 per cent of FNC members directly from 6,595 people who formed the electoral colleges in the emirates. The rest of the members were to be appointed by the Rulers.

"The Election Management Committee has an integrated action plan which takes into account the larger representation expected in the Electoral College. Polling centres will be opened in various locations based on the number of Electoral College members and accessibility, and there will be more than one polling station in some emirates, to make it convenient for voters," Lootah said.

The National Election Committee has also launched a call centre and website on the FNC Elections 2011 as part of increasing public awareness and facilitating procedures associated with the elections. The initiative is in line with the educational plan designed to educate Electoral College members on all aspects of the election process.

"The call centre aims to provide Electoral College members and the public with all the necessary information concerning voting and nomination as well as to answer all election related questions. The website will also facilitate members' access to important information."

Women candidates

"We have tried to build a comprehensive website that includes information related to the election process, schedule of elections and information on the NEC, FNC as well as the various committees, subcommittees and executive instructions," Lootah added.

Women entered the FNC for the first time in the 2006 council, but they were appointed by the Rulers, except for one member, who was elected.

Enfranchised Emiratis have increased more than 12 times compared to the 6,595 people who voted in 2006.

Schedule

July 11: Announcement of electoral rollsAugust 14 to 17: Registration of candidatesAugust 20: Announcement of the preliminary list of candidatesAugust 28: Announcement of final list of candidatesSeptember 4 to 21: Campaigning periodSeptember 24: Election day and announcement of results after initial screeningSeptember 28: Adoption of the final list of winners (in the absence of by-elections)October 6: Adoption of the final list of winners if by-elections are held. This occurs if more than one candidate receives equal votes or if an election is cancelled at any centre.

Information

For enquiries on the electoral process and procedures dial 600566661 or visit the website www.uaenec.ae

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Grieving man looks back at the killings that changed his life

Khor Fakkan: A man who came to the UAE more than 40 years ago says the grizzly murder of his two sons-in-law in 1992 changed his life forever.

Imam Bakash, from Pakistan, says he cannot go back home because he has to look after 12 orphaned grandchildren.

He works at a small garments shop in Khor Fakkan's old souq area, and as he recalled the tragic incident that changed his life he could not hold back the tears.

Around 19 years ago, Bakash owned three shops including one exchange house, where the salaries of government employees were transferred. The exchange house was near the current garments shop. He managed the shops with the help of his relatives including his brother-in-law and his two sons-in-law.

"In October this year, 19 years will have been passed since the tragic incident that changed my life. The brutal murders of my relatives has left a life-long scar and I [have] not recovered from it yet," he said wiping away his tears.

Brutal murder

According to records, on October 20, 1992, the brutal murder of three men shook the quiet city of Khor Fakkan. The three men were Bakash's relatives. His two sons-in-law and another relative were killed, while his brother-in-law escaped with serious injuries.

Click on the links below to read the archive articles

Three murdered, three arrested
'I was shot in the neck, chest and kicked down a valley'
Death term for three in Dhaid shooting upheld

"The four of them used to help me with the exchange shop and we used to take the money to our home at the end of the day to keep it in the safe. They had left before me as I was praying. When I arrived home and did not find them, I felt there was something wrong and informed the police," Bakash said.

Bakash said his relatives had been carrying Dh500,000. Court papers recorded the victims were carrying around Dh350,000 of various currencies.

According to the details of the incident, two policemen and a third person carried out a cold-blooded attack on the four men near Al Dhaid desert, killing three of them and severely injuring the fourth man for the money they were carrying.

The murderers were arrested, tried and later on executed for their crime.

Bakash was left without the support of his relatives and with 12 orphan grandchildren.

Dilemma

"My family used to live with me here, but after the incident, it became difficult for me to support my family financially and I had to send them back home to Pakistan.

"After the court case finished, I received Dh350,000 out of the Dh500,000 as a compensation. I am still waiting for Dh150,000 although I know I will not get it, especially that the [criminals] have been executed and got their punishment," he said.

He said all he wants now is to go back to his family.

"I want to go back, but I do not have enough money to support 20 hungry mouths, including 12 orphans. I do not want to go back to them empty handed, but at this age, I cannot do much to make money. I pray that my suffering will end soon and I will be able to reunite with my family in Pakistan," he said.

Murder for money

In October, 1992, two policemen travelling in a patrol car, stopped the victims near their house in Khor Fakkan and ordered them to follow their car, claiming they were wanted by Sharjah Police.

Another man travelled with the victims in their car which followed the police toward Al Dhaid. The victims' car broke down near Al Siji Roundabout near Masafi village.

The victims were transferred to the police car and their hands were tied with ropes. When one of the victims tried to resist, the killers stopped the car, shot all of the men and kicked their bodies down a valley. One of the victims managed to survive.

According to records, the murderers had planned the crime three months before carrying it out and had monitored the victims and the exchange house from a nearby restaurant.

In September, 1993, all three were executed.

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Reader's issue raised

Excursion ticket

I read with keen interest and fully agree with Ms Beverley D'Cruz's letter (‘Travel travails', Gulf News, April 12, 2011). I have a similar unresolved grievance against Emirates. Please allow me to explain.

I held a confirmed Emirates excursion ticket (Dxb-Fra-Dxb). On February 3, 2011, I arrived at the Emirates check-in queue at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport at 12pm. After waiting in line and meeting with the person at the counter, I was redirected to counter B57, and the representative there asked me to wait as he believed that the flight was overbooked and I would not be allowed to board the flight.

An argument followed wherein I insisted that I needed to board the flight.

I also informed him that I had not eaten and was thirsty and intended to have lunch after entering the airport. All the while I was not offered even a sip of water, in spite of me asking for one.

After waiting for over an hour, I called the Emirates contact centre on 04-2144444 at 1.05pm. After explaining my plight, I handed over my mobile phone to the person at the counter so that they could speak with each other and assist me.

Thereafter, even though I was promised that they would put me on the flight in "a few minutes", it didn't happen. It was only at 1.45pm that I was redirected to yet another counter when my boarding pass was finally issued. Consequently, I didn't have the time to have a meal.

I wrote to Emirates complaining about this appalling experience. Their threat to offload me and the ensuing behaviour, was preposterous, to say the least.

I categorically asked them to address the following questions:

Why did they threaten to bump me off the flight, considering the fact that I was a full-fare paying passenger with a confirmed seat? Additionally, I had also arrived in good time at the check-in counter at the airport.Does Emirates not believe in arranging for even drinking water for its passengers, considering you have been the cause for holding back a passenger?

Repeated reminders to customer.affairs@emirates.com finally resulted in a baseless, erroneous and superfluous response. May I request Gulf News to intervene, not only on my behalf but also on behalf of Emirates' entire passenger base and demand an explanation from Emirates.

I also urge you to print my letter highlighting my plight as well, to inspire others to share their experience with Emirates.

From Mr Nikeel Idnani
Dubai 

An Emirates spokesperson responds: Emirates thanks Mr Idnani for his letter to Gulf News. Our Customer Affairs team are already in direct contact with him regarding this matter. 

Mr Idnani responds: Please note that Emirates has been in touch with me no doubt, but without any solution/commitments. 

Editor's note: The follow-up letter was forwarded to Emirates for further comments. However, its management said that they had nothing further to add.

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Dubai parents, schools urged to report drug abuse

Dubai: Schools can play a major role in spreading awareness against drug abuse among school children and youth, a Dubai Police officer has said.

"We expect schools to cooperate by reporting any suspected cases of drug abuse among students or if anyone is attempting to promote narcotics among them by calling toll-free number 800400400," said Major General Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Head of Dubai Police's Anti-Narcotics Department.

"Our main concern right now is narcotic pills which a school child may receive for free once or twice, and once he becomes addicted he would have to pay for them," Maj. Gen. Mahdi said, adding that sometimes these pills are passed on from one student to the other, or given to them by drug dealers.

"We always stress that we need the cooperation of families and we ask parents to monitor their children and report any suspicious change in behaviour or habits, which may indicate that the child is using a prohibited drug," he said.

Target

"When a family reports that their child is taking drugs, we take care of the youngster and treat them, but we also go after the dealer who sold him the drugs, which is our main target," he said.

"After the treatment is completed, we ask the recovering addict to start a new life and not look back, and to get busy in sports and other activities that occupy their time and absorb their energy," he added.

Maj. Gen. Mahdi highlighted the role of sports clubs which can educate the youth and more importantly, keep them off the roads and away from bad company. "We also benefit from them and their ideas and seek their contribution to develop our work," he said, adding that he was satisfied with the awareness campaigns that helped achieve a positive change among the public.

Maj. Gen. Mahdi was speaking from the anti-drug awareness tent organised by the Anti-Narcotics Department at Mamzar Beach, which hosts a three-day exhibition, cultural and sports activities, as well as free medical tests.

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