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Clean Dubai campaign: Litter cops on the prowl

April 26, 2012

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Dubai, April 26: Mindless litterbugs, gum-chewers and smokers beware. Dubai authorities have unleashed an 869-member legion of litter swatters to curb spitting, littering and throwing of cigarette butts anywhere, XPRESS has learnt.


The litter inspectors are armed with receipts and legal authority to note down car plate or labour card numbers of people caught on the spot, a senior official said. Abdul Majeed Saifaie, Director of Waste Management Department (WMD) at the Dubai Municipality, said the number of litter officers has gone up. "Most residents here are civilised and educated, but there are some who don't care. A fine is just a tool to control uncivilised behaviour. It makes people think twice before they do it," he said.


The Dh500 fine for people caught chewing and spitting paan juice (betel nut — popular among South Asians) has been raised to Dh1,000. "It's not about recovering [cleaning] costs from fines; it's about making people aware of the consequences of their actions."


Under the swat-a-litterbug drive administered by Saifaie's department, smokers are encouraged to dispose of cigarette butts in trash bins which contain ashtrays.


Suhail Mohammad Saeed Al Awadhi, head of the Bur Dubai Cleaning Unit under WMD, said 160 WMD staff, authorised to fine people caught littering or spitting, have been beefed up with staff from other government institutions — such as the police and immigration. And while there is an ongoing awareness drive to curb littering, "it does not mean we're not going to impose fines", said Al Awadhi, who also heads a five-man special team on call 24x7 to go after litterbugs. The campaign also seeks to engage the community, said Ali Abbas Ali, head of the Deira Cleaning Unit. "Cleanliness is everyone's task and not just the cleaners," said Ali. Dubai employs around 3,000 street and community cleaners.


Residents who give tip-offs about illegal paan traders or factories are given cash reward of Dh2,000. Saifaie said: "Our aim is to be one of the cleanest cities in the world. Everyone must play their part." Achieving that aim is a huge task given the number of people in Dubai from different cultural backgrounds. "We have a huge number of working-class people in the city. It's a big step to turn from a spit-away and throw-away attitude to one that respects local regulations," he said. But the crackdown and stiffer fines have also shown they work.


Al Awadhi stated that since higher fines for paan spitting and trading were imposed, the walls and pavements fouled by betel juice have gone down significantly by 70 per cent. "We have raised the stakes for illegal paan traders or home-based manufacturers with huge fines and deportation," Al Awadhi said. The litter cops also cover rural areas, such as Hatta and Lahbab.


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KT
May 18,2020

May 18: As the UAE authorities have asked all residents to avoid gatherings, it is clear that - for the first time - it's going to be a #StayHome Eid. But experts say that although it will be different, the celebration will be just as meaningful.

It is important to remember that the Eid prayer can be performed at home either individually or with family members under the sane roof, said Dr Mohammed Eyada Ayoub Alkobaisi, a Grand Mufti with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai.

Dr Alkobaisi said this prayer is a highly recommended Sunnah or practice urged by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

"Eid Prayer must be performed openly, unless we are prevented for an acceptable reason, such as fear for self, wellbeing, property, etc." Under the current circumstances, prayers can be offered from home, he said.

But what the faithful will likely miss is listening to the khutbah or the sermon of Eid with a crowd. The sight of people pouring out into the streets and coming together for prayer and worship would not be unfolding this time.

Dr Sheikh Mohamed Ashmawy, an Islamic researcher, said that in this time of Covid, doing away with several Eid traditions would be necessary for everyone's safety.

"The ban is is line with the ongoing preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19," he said.

However, it doesn't mean people can't celebrate and exchange heartfelt greetings, he added.

"We can greet each other remotely on the phone or via social media networks."

Islamic researcher Sheikh Mohamed Wasfi said audio-visual smart apps have made communication much easier, even bringing people closer than before.

"Of course, families and friends wish to hug, shake hands and see each other personally, but this will be a big risk these days," he said.

Sheikh Asadullah Del Mohamed, an imam, reminded that banquets, parties and visits are discouraged to avoid crowds and gathering.

Recently, 30 people from two families tested positive for the virus after breaking social distancing rules and holding a gathering.

Faithful's sentiments

Ibrahim Abdelkader, an Egyptian auditor, said that while it would be sad to spend Eid Al Fitr at home, he understood that it is for everyone's safety.

"Better to stay home than be sorry," said Ahmad Jamil, a Syrian resident.

Rashid Saeed, an Emirati national, said people are advised to just check on each other by phone or video and voice call apps.

"While Eid prayers is banned in congregation, it's not acceptable at all for some people to carelessly gather and exchange visits," he said.

Abdullah Al Saleh, an Emirati national, said he and all his relatives used to gather for breakfast after the Eid prayer - but this time, they are ready to do it in their own homes.

Mohamed Ibrahim, another Emirati, said he would surely miss seeing his kids happily prancing around with their new clothes and enjoying the outdoors like every year.

"But, I agree as it is for their health, safety and wellbeing," he said.

THINGS TO REMEMBER IN CELEBRATING EID THIS YEAR

>Perform the Eid prayer at home, individually or with family members living with you

>Exchange greetings with loved ones and friends via phone calls or online

>No hugs

>No handshakes

>No gatherings

>No visits to other homes

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Agencies
August 8,2020

Beirut, Aug 7: A devastating explosion that destroyed much of Beirut might have been the result of a missile attack or bomb, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said, as the death toll from the blast rose to 154.

More than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate had been sitting in a port warehouse for six years, but there have been conflicting accounts about why Lebanese authorities decided to empty the shipment of explosive material. The vessel carrying the flammable cargo was heading from Georgia to Mozambique when it stopped in the Lebanese port to load up on iron, according to the ship’s captain.

By Friday, 19 suspects had been arrested and Lebanon’s former director general of customs Chafic Merhy had been questioned by military police.

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Agencies
August 4,2020

Beirut, Aug 4: A massive explosion has shaken the Lebanese capital of Beirut, with a very high number of casualties expected.

A warehouse at the Beirut Port caught fire on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a huge explosion, Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Several smaller explosions were heard before the bigger one occurred.

Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon’s General Security, said that “highly explosive materials” confiscated earlier had been stored at the site.

Footage shared on social media captured the moment of the bigger explosion, with a colossal shock wave seen traveling fast across several hundreds of meters and shrouding the area in thick smoke.

The blast left enormous material damage to the surrounding buildings and structures. But it was not immediately known how big an area was affected.

There was also no immediate casualty count. Graphic amateur video from the scene showed bodies strewn on the ground, with their clothes blown off.

The NNA said rescue operations were underway. Ambulances were seen heading toward the scene in central Beirut.

Lebanese LBC television channel quoted Lebanon’s Health Minister Hamad Hasan as saying that the blast had caused a “very high number of injuries” and “extensive damage.”

Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud said an unspecified number of firefighters dispatched to extinguish the initial fire had been killed in the explosion.

“As they were putting out the fire, the explosion took place and we’ve [lost them],” he said, breaking down on live TV.

The explosion comes at a time when the Arab country is passing through its worst economic and financial crisis in decades, and amid rising tensions with Israel.

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