UAE Eid holidays; Kuwait cancels Filipino visas; Inside NEOM; Gems sale; Dubai drugs raid – 10 things you missed this week

Attention turned ahead to the upcoming Eid Al Adha holidays and key dates to look forward to were marked in calendars.

The country’s education sector was in the spotlight with the sale of the $6bn GEMS education group seemingly stalling and a new school-rating system announced.

Elsewhere in the GCC, Kuwait was reported to have suspended the work and entry visas of Filipinos in the country.

In Saudi Arabia, new photos gave a stunning first look inside the ambitious NEOM development and new e-gates were added to the King Fahd Causeway crossing into Bahrain.

If you missed any of the biggest news stories of the week, check out the Arabian Business selection of must-reads from the past seven days.

Kuwait cancels work, entry permits for all Filipino expats: Report

Kuwait has suspended all work and entry visas for Filipino expats after the Philippines allegedly violated a labour agreement between the two countries, according to a report by the Kuwait Times.

The report said that the suspension came at the orders of Interior Minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah “because Philippines has not complied with the provisions of the labour agreement between the two countries.”

Sources at Kuwait’s Interior ministry also added that the move aims to impose the sovereignty of the state.

UAE Eid Al Adha official announcements: Key dates to watch for

The UAE is set to celebrate Eid Al Adha on June 28, as per the prediction by Emirates Astronomical Society. Expected dates were announced at the beginning of the month, and residents can look forward to a six-day weekend, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Eid Al Adha is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims around the world, and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Eid Al Adha celebration includes offering prayers, distributing a meal prepared with meat among family, friends, and the less fortunate. It is also a time for family gatherings, feasting, and exchanging gifts.

Stunning new NEOM photos show beauty of Saudi megaproject

NEOM has invited leading photographers to tour the region and capture the stunning environment of the Saudi megaproject.

Ahead of opening to tourists in 2024, NEOM has partnered with Getty Images and Unsplash, the world’s largest providers of visual content, to create and distribute an extensive visual library showcasing its diverse and natural environment and giving the world a sneak peek into what they will discover in the years to come.

Fourteen leading photographers from Getty and Unsplash were selected to be amongst the first to explore and capture the region’s diverse landscape.

GEMS Education sale in distress

GEMS Education will reconsider the sale of the business after possible $6bn sale talks stalled, according to Bloomberg.

Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg said potential suitors for the education powerhouse have so-far been unable to reach a valuation.

GEMS values the business at $6bn.

King Charles III coronation: UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait royals attend Buckingham Palace event

King Charles III hosted royal family members and senior leaders from across the Middle East at a VIP function ahead of his coronation in London.

As millions of people from across the world prepare to celebrate the coronation of the UK royal, he welcomed figures from the region to Buckingham Palace.

A formal celebration and symbolic ceremony saw King Charles become the 40th reigning monarch of the UK since 1066.

UAE, Saudi India railway: US reveals new initiative to create major rail network

Jake Sullivan, United States National Security Advisor, met with Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince; Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE National Security Advisor and Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, on Sunday in Riyadh, lending credence to a report that the three Asian countries are getting together to create a major railway network.

American news website Axios, on Friday, had reported that the US is discussing plans for the railway network, apparently as one of its key initiatives in the Middle East to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

A White House readout said the leaders and NSA officials met “in Saudi Arabia to advance their shared vision of a more secure and prosperous Middle East region interconnected with India and the world.”

Saudi and Bahrain launch e-gates on King Fahd Causeway

Travellers between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on the King Fahd Causeway will no longer need to stop to make cash payments after new digital services have been introduced.

The King Fahd Causeway Authority (KFCA) announced four e-payment services to ease crossing of the major bridges on both sides.

Using the KFCA’s Jesr (Causeway) app will allow travellers to pass e-gates without needing to stop and hand over cash.

Dubai Police seize 238kg of drugs and 6m narcotics pills

Dubai Police seized cocaine, heroin, crystal meth, opium, marijuana, and hashish in the opening three months of the year.

During Q1, the General Department for of Anti-Narcotics at Dubai Police reported significant success in combating drug-related crimes, apprehending 47 per cent of suspects arrested in the country.

The Department also confiscated 238kg of drugs and 6m narcotic pills in Dubai, which constitutes 36 per cent of the total amounts seized nationwide.

UAE education authority announces new school rating system

UAE education authorities have introduced a new rating system for schools in the country.

Schools in Abu Dhabi will be inspected and ranked as “Outstanding”, “Good”, “Acceptable”, or “Weak” based on the quality of their national identity programmes.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has launched the UAE’s first National Identity Mark.

Saudi airport tells passengers to arrive 4 hours early

A Saudi airport is advising passengers to arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure time in order to assure smooth travel.

The King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah said that large groups passing through following Ramadan and Umrah season are expected to cause delays. Passengers departing Saudi Arabia through the Jeddah airport are at the highest numbers during this season.

The airport also advised passengers to not arrive more than six hours early.