A Man In Ten Million  Historic Steps For British Runner In Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Aiming to complete a remarkable distance of ten million metres by 2014, British runner Alex Flynn will be one million metres closer to his ultimate goal when he completes the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 21.

A lawyer by profession, 37 year-old Flynn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just two years ago. Since then, the sports-mad father of two from Henley has embarked on a global mission to raise £1 million in sponsorship for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust by walking, running or, should his condition deteriorate, crawling a combined distance of ten million metres (more than 6,000 miles) by 2014.

At present, he has covered more than 950,000m and will cross the magic million metre mark and be more than 10% towards his target when he takes part in the world’s richest marathon through the streets of Dubai in less than a month’s time.

“I had wanted to go to Dubai and run the marathon there as I’d been told it’s a good run,” said Flynn, whose challenge will take him across continents, countries, counties and cities as well as roads, deserts, mountains and even open water.

“What sold me the decision to incorporate the Dubai Marathon in my schedule is the fact that my good friend Bryan Garrett lives in Dubai and the chance of meeting up with an old friend and running with him as I cross the one million metre mark was one I couldn’t pass up.”

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will see many runners out to raise funds for good causes.

Few, however, will be on a mission as gruelling as that being undertaken by a man determined to raise funds and awareness, while at the same time fighting against the progression of the disease in his own body.

“I am keen to arrive in Dubai on January 18 and get some miles in on the course,” he added. “After Dubai I have a host of plans that include a 1,521-mile run across Europe and a further 3,000-mile run across the USA – I hope to reach the 10 million metres by 2014.”

Asked if he had a message for the people of Dubai who might be inspired to join him for either the marathon, the 10km or the 3km Fun Run, Flynn said: “There is no local support group for people in Dubai with Parkinson’s so I’d like to be able to discuss how help and support can be made available. People with the disease are not alone – come and help me to help them and come cheer me on.”

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is also supported by The Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding, "Official Outfitter" adidas, The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Khaleej Times, TNT, Gatorade, Aquafina, Fitness First, Men’s Fitness, Plan B and by government departments Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality DHA and the Dubai Ambulance Services. Runners can still register at any Dubai branch of Fitness First or online at www.dubaimarathon.org
 

Historic First Flight Shows All Systems Are ’Go’ For Dubai’s New Airport

Dubai Airports paved the way for the successful opening of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International for cargo operations on June 27 after the new airport passed a series of operational tests conducted during its first ’live’ flight yesterday with flying colours.

Emirates Flight EK9883, a Boeing 777 freighter operating Hong Kong-Dubai and piloted by Captain Ahmad Bin Huzaim and First Officer Nabil Yousuf Ahmad Mohammad Rai Al Boom, touched down at 1650 local time yesterday amid cheers from an enthusiastic gathering of stakeholders and dignitaries on hand to observe the historic occasion.

"This is an important milestone, not only for the airport’s certification process, but as another step towards achieving Dubai’s vision to become the pre-eminent centre for aviation worldwide," said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports. "It’s also a testament to the cooperation and dedication of all of the organisations and stakeholders involved, who have done an impressive job of building and preparing Phase 1 of the facility for launch in a very short time frame." Phase 1 of the airport will feature one A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal with annual capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and a passenger terminal building designed to accommodate five million passengers per year. When completed, Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International will be the largest airport in the world with five runways, four terminal buildings and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. The facility opens initially for cargo carriers, with passenger operations currently slated to start up at the end of March 2011 in concert with the IATA schedule change.

In the short term Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International will increase the airport capacity of Dubai to accommodate the 48% increase in cargo volumes from 1.9 to 3 million tonnes that is anticipated by 2015. In the long term it will serve as a multi-modal logistics hub for 12 million tonnes of freight and a global gateway for the 150 million passengers per annum that are expected to pass through Dubai by 2030.

During the live operation, the flight effectively tested Air Traffic Control procedures, airfield and taxi way signage and routes, radio communication and a host of processes and procedures related to ground and cargo handling, fuelling, catering, customs, immigration and security. The trial also tested communication links between all the parties involved – Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai Airports, Dubai Air Navigation Services, Dubai Police, Customs, Immigration, Engineering Projects, Dubai Logistics City, Dubai World Central, JAFZA, Dnata, Swift Freight and the Roads and Transport Authority.

"The test was an unmitigated success not only for Emirates SkyCargo, but most importantly for our customer Swift Freight," said Ram Menen, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo. "The fact that the airport is connected to Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone by a bonded road which cuts transfer times significantly is a strong sales point. Although our cargo hub continues to be Dubai International, there is no doubt that Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International will play an increasingly important role – initially for spot cargo operations driven by customer need and eventually for scheduled freighter services." The Emirates operation served as a final exam following an extensive array of system, process and documentation checks, tests and trials that have taken place over the past several months to prepare the airport for opening day. The General Civil Aviation Authority, the overseeing regulator which, along with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has been involved throughout, will conduct a final review on June 24 to complete airport licensing.
 

MCCA Meets With Historic Dubai Trade Delegation On Islamic Financial Services

MCCA was delighted to meet with various delegates from the Dubai Export Development Corporation (Government of Dubai), Emirates Islamic Bank and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre to name but a few where a Roundtable Discussion was organized by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) held in Melbourne today to discuss Islamic financial products and services from the UAE to Australia.

A number of topics were discussed at this historic meeting. Chaaban Omran Managing Director says “Dr Mabid Ali Al-Jarhi – Head of Training & Financial Expert, Emirates Islamic Bank, gave a wonderful insight summarizing the 12 different types of Shariah Compliant Islamic Finance contracts that were used for centuries during the Islamic State period and that was the reason these type of transactions were called Islamic.” The Trade delegation covered numerous topics such as the development of a framework from which to build the Islamic Finance & Banking Industry, current legislative barriers, and progress made to date.

The Trade delegation unanimously agreed that the industry would make all products available to the wider Australian population offering Shariah Compliant products using the approach of profit and risk sharing. Dr Mabid alludes in his presentation that the global Islamic Banking Industry is worth $US1 trillion and growing at an average of 15% per annum and that many customers are in fact non-Muslims.

Dr Mabid added that these products simply offer an alternative to cash-based conventional banking products.

Mr Omran said during the roundtable discussion that “the existing legislation has not been a complete hindrance to offering Islamic Finance products with MCCA writing up to $400m of Shariah compliant home finance with over 1,000 customers in less than 5 years, although there is plenty of room for legislative changes the demand for such products is certainly compelling.”

MCCA has built a great relationship with the participants of the trade delegation, Mr Omran further says “we are looking forward to working with the trade participants from Dubai on an ongoing basis to explore various business opportunities and this can only be positive for Australia and its relationship with Dubai.”

Finally, Mr Omran says that Austrade are to be commended for organizing this and that this initiative further supports the comments recently made by Hon. MP Chris Bowen on the need to explore Islamic Finance as an opportunity to create wealth and jobs.