Emirates Celebrates The 150th Anniversary Of The Race That Stops A Nation With Special Guest Enrique Iglesias

It was a truly international 150th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday to present the winning trophy to the French-trained Americain after the six-year-old’s impressive victory.

The AUS$6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup was celebrated by Principal Partner, Emirates, in the airline’s Spanish-themed Marquee which hosted none other than Madrid-born singer Enrique Iglesias along with other invited VIPs, including Natalie Imbruglia; Glenn McGrath and Sara Leonardi; and Liam Hemsworth and Molly Meldrum.

“It is an honour be here at Flemington Racecourse today for the celebration of 150 years of this great sporting and social event. It is a race that truly stops a nation and Emirates is proud to be part of it,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “As an airline, Emirates began flying to Australia 14 years ago and our commitment has continued to grow, in fact it was only one year after our inaugural flight to Melbourne that we began our long and successful partnership with the Victoria Racing Club and the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”

Just before the horses paraded for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, the crowd was treated to a celebration of a different kind as Emirates performed a double flypast above Flemington with one of its Airbus A380s, the world’s largest commercial aircraft.

Inside the Emirates Marquee, the airline’s commitment to sport was seen with the unprecedented display of three iconic trophies, the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy and the 2010 AFL Premiership Cup, recently awarded to the Emirates-sponsored Collingwood team.

The Emirates Marquee also exceeded guests’ expectations with classic Spanish cuisine that stemmed from the country’s unique landscape and culture and entertainment that celebrated the unique spirit of Spain.

Among the other celebrities enjoying the Spanish theme with Enrique were Shane Crawford, Sigrid Thornton, Jim Stynes, Jesinta Campbell, Amber Petty, Hamish and Andy, George Calombaris, Matt Preston, Masterchef’s Adam Liaw and Claire Winton Burn, Sigrid Thornton, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Jakob Von Plesson Eddie McGuire and Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury, Nick Maxwell and Paul Licuria.

On-hand to document Emirates Melbourne Cup Day in the marquee was special guest Charles Billich – one of the country’s most prominent artists. He sketched portraits of guests as they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Emirates is the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the title sponsor of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes.

In addition to Madrid, Spain, Emirates currently flies to 108 destinations in 65 countries. It has recently opened up routes to Amsterdam and Prague, bringing the total European destinations on offer to 25. Emirates SkyCargo also flies to Madrid and Zaragoza in Spain.
 

Preacher Of The Nation Calls Audience To Fulfilled Wishes

The young preacher Hassan Mohammed Abdul Aziz assured that the nation asks for the mercy and guidance of the almighty god at the times of crisis and disasters only yet the prophet wishes were fulfilled due to their commitment towards the almighty god and avoidance to sins. Unfortunately, Muslims nowadays do not do what they are supposed to pointing out that the road to the fulfilled wishes is through the call to the almighty god and responding to his orders, thanking him for what they have and following the paths of the prophet Mohammed-PBUH-.

He also added that a student who does not study will never achieve success even if he continuously calls for the help and mercy of the almighty god pointing out that the prophet-PBUH-encouraged Muslims to increase their quests for fulfilled wishes in their prayers.

This was stated by the preacher of the nation during the 9th Ramadan Forum which is organized by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing ‘DTCM’ under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, in Al Twar 2.

Hassan Abdul Aziz, 12 year old student in grade 7, said:” This is my second participation in the forum; I attended several training workshops with the assistance of Mrs. Shaika Kadfoor and the support of my parents who encouraged me to read lots of general and religious books, and gain more eloquent styles and self confidence”.

He also stated that besides reading lots of books and eloquence, he managed to memorize 7 parts of the holy Quran and plays football as well as Arabic language.

With regards to his dreams in the future time, Hassan wishes to be an accountant for his passion to mathematics and achieving the first rank in all science subjects at school. He also thanked his parents for their continuous support to be a member of the preacher of the nation program and feels very happy to see his parents proud of capabilities and skills.
 

Rob And Derek – Live At Meydan – ’The Most Spectacular Football Experience In The Region, Salutes Host Nation On The Occasion Of Africa Day’

On the anniversary of Africa Day, Fanus Schoemann, South African Consul General in Dubai, inaugurated yesterday ’Rob and Derek Live at Meydan’ at The Meydan Hotel, Dubai.

Hosted by Rob McCaffrey and Derek Whyte of Orbit Showtime Network Premier League Shows, ’Rob and Derek Live at Meydan’ will be a series of 11 live shows, to be held at the stunning Meydan Grandstand in Dubai from 11 June through to 11 July 2010. Each of the 11 live shows produced, will include a live match screening and match analysis, audience Q&A and entertainment by Ronan MacManus (Brother of Elvis Costello). Rob and Derek will be joined on stage each evening by former football legends to complete the celebrity guest panel. A DJ Set on stage will take the celebrations into the early hours!

’"Ke Nako – Celebrate Africa’s Humanity" The wait is nearly over. The most spectacular sport event ever to be hosted on African soil, the FIFA World Cup 2010 kicks off on June 11. That this launch takes place on the 25th May – Africa Day – surely is a positive portent of everything that we are about to witness in the days ahead. I am delighted to inaugurate Rob and Derek’s World Cup Lounge and as a representative of the host nation fully endorse and support this project! For those of us, not fortunate enough to be in South Africa during the tournament, this project is the closest thing to being there and for that we thank you. Watch out challengers.no other event has Madiba Magic!" H.E Fanus Schoeman, Consul General, South African Consulate General, Dubai.

Born from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse is culmination of what will be the definitive benchmark for any global sporting destination. Crowned by a dramatic, cantilevered Crescent Roof that features curved solar and titanium panels, that maximize the building’s energy consumption efficiency, the iconic Meydan Grandstand is a unique and ’intelligent’ development that is equipped with hospitality facilities that offer world-class services for discerning horsemen, patrons, travellers and guests alike.

’AMS Scaffolding is proud to sponsor this exclusive series of events to be held at the fabulous Meydan. AMS provided the scaffolding solutions for this magnificent, iconic Grandstand, and we look now forward to inviting many of our clients from various industries to enjoy the finished venue with us. AMS clients include companies across a number of industry sectors; commercial, Industrial, oil & gas, power & heavy engineering to name but a few. AMS provide first class, professional, contract scaffolding, scaffolding personnel, in addition to hire, sale and lease of scaffolding equipment services. AMS congratulate Rob & Derek on facilitating such an exciting series of events’ Derek Lewis, Managing Director, AMS.

The Parade Ring Restaurant within the Meydan Grandstand next to the Meydan Hotel will be transformed to provide guests with an entirely unique football experience, quality entertainment and live broadcast of all the top games, live from South Africa. It will be the ultimate destination for sports enthusiasts to experience this summer’s sporting extravaganza in the region. A world class venue, offering first facilities, demands excellence from each sporting or Entertainment product that is produced within its framework.

Rob added: ’I’m just so excited to be back with Derek and the lads having a great time while watching the World Cup. Following the success of our Christmas special we have got Sam, Reidy and Phil Brown amongst others coming out to join us and we are going to have a right old laugh while the games are going on. I half expected us to be working from a ’Rover’s Return’ style venue, but this event has snowballed to stratospheric proportions! Genuinely can’t wait for the whole thing to start, and I know people will want to get involved, because there’s just nothing like the world cup!!’ Robert McCaffrey, Former Sky Sports & OSN Network Television Presenter and Host of 11 shows.

’Rob and Derek’s World Cup lounge is going to be one of the best events ever held in Dubai at the wonderful MEYDAN. I was there in 1998 with Scotland and this is as exciting as actually being there!’ Commented Derek Whyte, Former Scotland International and Middlesbrough Player and co- host of the 11 shows.

There is also something designed solely for the ladies! The exclusive ’HELLO! Magazine Ladies Lounge’ will prove to be a glamorous and entertaining haven filled with fashion, frosting and fizz! Entertainment including fashion and beauty showcases, diamond and jewellery viewings, guest designers and celebrity guest speakers are scheduled to take place throughout the live football screenings. Details will be announced on the Rob & Derek webpage over the coming weeks.

Hello’s! Editor, Anita Quade, comments ’We are excited to be a part of this series of events, supporting from the side lines with some celebrity sparkle. The Hello! Ladies lounge will provide a sumptuous setting for the ladies to relax and enjoy some off pitch luxury, whilst still being close to the action’.

Julian Ford, Director- Marketing and Sales Development, Aggreko International, said: ’As National Supporters of the Football World Cup we are providing over 30 MW of power to the 2010 FIFA World Cup TM . This, along with having provided power for the 2010 World Cup Race at Meydan, means that the World Cup Lounge at Meydan resonates strongly with us. We’re looking forward to spending time together with our customers enjoying this world- class event at a world-class venue.’

The venue will offer to guests 11 live shows across 11 nights, between Friday 11 June and Sunday 11 July 2010, at the Parade Ring Restaurant, Meydan Grandstand. For the complete guide to show dates and evening timetables please visit www.robandderek.com.

’Not to be missed… If you enjoy football entertainment with a line up of legends, brought to life with the ultimate selection of premium beverages – don’t miss rob and Derek’s football lounge this summer, only at Meydan’ Angela Rollinson, MMI

Tickets priced at AED 375 per person including 4 hours of select food and beverages will be available to purchase online at www.robandderek.com and on a dedicated call centre number, namely +971 4 4456824 from 0900hrs on Thursday 27th May. Tickets are strictly limited to 500 guests per show.

The Meydan Hotel is offering visitors to the show an exclusive and highly attractive overnight room package of AED 550 per room per night (plus 10% municipality fee and 10% service charge) Full event information is available on the website at www.robandderek.com <http://www.robandderek.com>
 

UAE Online Art Archive Is Launched Alongside A Nation Wide Competition Showcasing The UAE’s Talent

The art community of the UAE is in for a lavish helping of the Emirates’ most comprehensive online database as the Office for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale launches the UAE Art Archive, www.uaeartarchive.org. The UAE Art Archive has been developed specifically to offer a platform for people interested in the art scene across the UAE to have a better understanding of art and the cultural infrastructure of the country and to showcase artists’ work.

Its launch is complemented by an image design contest that will enable anyone who is resident in the UAE to submit their design for the homepage banner of the art archive, which can be found at www.uaeartarchive.org. Supported by Emirates Airline, who is providing two economy class tickets to Venice, the competition encourages everyone with artistic flair to submit their work.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, Commissioner of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“The UAE Art Archive provides a unique platform, for the first time, in the contemporary art community where we can all come together and share this vehicle across all seven Emirates. This is a collective space for artists practicing in the UAE to show their work, whereby profiles can be uploaded with a biography, reference to online websites and gallery affiliation can be made and exhibition histories and artwork can be created. The archive is published online and is open to everyone all over the world.

This is also an opportunity for UAE residents to participate in an exclusive competition and to be a part of an online community that is really working from a grass roots level for the art and cultural scene across the UAE. This competition, I believe, is one of the most effective paths in which we can engage people’s interests and encourage them to support our own pool of creative contemporary talent.”

Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations – Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline said:
"Emirates is delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative. I hope that the people of the UAE can take inspiration from the majestic beauty of this great country when developing their submissions. The UAE Pavilion has worked hard to encourage UAE residents to embrace and express their creativity and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come."

Commencing from July 23nd, the competition will be judged by the Ambassadors to the UAE Pavilion: Sultan Al Qassemi, Alanood Al Warshaw, Jack Persekian, Paula Askari, Hannan Sayed, Nadine Kanso, Rashid Shabib, Ahmed Shabib, Sunny Rahbar and Maliha Tabari. The contest will close on September 2nd and an announcement of the winner will be made on September 16th at a Suhoor during Ramadan to reveal who will be awarded two economy flight tickets to Venice with a three-day stay at a four-star hotel in Venice and two tickets to visit the 53rd Venice Biennale, courtesy of Emirates Airline.

“As an Ambassador to the UAE Pavilion and one of the judges of this competition, I am enthusiastic to see the first glimpse of how the UAE’s art scene has evolved and what our local creative minds have in store. This contest is an innovative way to examine the developments which are currently taking place across the UAE’s art agenda,” Sultan Al Qassemi commented.

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing international art exhibition in Venice, Italy, the 2009 Venice Biennale, of which the UAE has sent its official contribution to play an integral part. Breaking ground as the first Arabian Gulf state ever to participate since the event began in 1895, the UAE Pavilion was established in recognition of the nation’s emergence as a cultural hub worthy of attracting global attention and was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Universally recognised as the world’s most prestigious contemporary art event, the Venice Biennale currently presents its 53rd International Art Exhibition, which began on June 7 and will be staged through November 22, 2009.