Middle East Experience

The holy month of Ramadan is often celebrated around the world with large gatherings and elaborate meals with family and friends, but it is also a chance for people to be more conscious of their health.Since those observing refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, it is a chance for them to watch what they eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Fasting during the day might leave some feeling too tired to exercise, but Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach Mulhima Ali Siddig shared workout tips with Al Arabiya English that can help people stay healthy and fit during Ramadan.1. Is it better to work out before or after Iftar during Ramadan? “Each have their own benefit. Working out before iftar is the best option if you are trying to lose any extra weight and get rid of stored fats since the glycemia [or blood sugar level] is at its lowest level by the end of a fasting day. So, the body transforms the stored fat into energy resources.As for those who want to do post-Iftar workouts, it’s good to engage in high intensity workouts because you can consume water while the body burns any extra calories from your food intake.”2. What workouts can people do while they’re fasting? “In general, with low impact workouts, the body uses any stored fat as energy which helps with weight loss.Body weight training – like squats, lunges, Total Body Resistance exercises, and hip thrusts – are your best friend.You can also use light weights for shoulder press, chest press, and deadlifts.If you want to add cardio while fasting, then do it right before you break your fast since high intensity workouts will eat up any glycogen [or stored glucose] and force the body to use protein for energy instead of stored fats.When people engage in high intensity workouts while fasting, then their sugar levels drop and that’s when people start feeling dizzy and tired. So, It’s best to do cardio right before Iftar.”3. What foods should people eat during Iftar/Suhoor if they are going to be working out throughout the month? “If people will be working out during Ramadan they should eat Potassium-rich foods.Foods that are high in potassium include beans, dark and leafy greens, potatoes, squash, yogurt, avocados, mushrooms, and bananas.Dates are nutrient powerhouses that are a good source of potassium and an excellent food to break your fast with.You should also eat hydrating vegetables, such as cucumbers, lettuce and other vegetables that are high in fiber and water.It’s important to have more liquids like water and sugar free fresh juices.”4. How much water should people drink if they are working out during Ramadan to prevent dehydration? “Have you heard of the eight-by-eight rule for water intake?The water intake in Ramadan shouldn’t change since people also tend to drink coffee, tea and juices during the month, which contain water as well.But the secret here is avoid having sugary drinks or salty drinks as they make you really thirsty.”The eight-by-eight rule means that you should consume eight eight-ounce glasses of water – or a total of two liters – every day.5. Can having sugary foods, like desserts, during Ramadan affect people’s performance during their workouts? “Having sugary foods will 100 percent affect people’s performance.Refined sugar is the first thing that should be avoided, especially in Ramadan since we fast and our sugar levels drop.Healthier options of sugar such as fruits, grains and milk are great sources of natural sugar since the body uses it as energy.”Read more:Ramadan: How to prevent feeling thirsty, tired while fastingUAE doctors warn of overeating at Iftar to avoid a trip to the hospitalRamadan: What do I eat for Iftar? A health expert answers all your questions
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Working out during Ramadan: Everything you need to know to stay fit this month

Amid the devastating economic crisis and the deteriorating living conditions in Lebanon, many have replaced their vehicles with tuk-tuks to run errands, work or deliver goods.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Tuk-tuks become common sight in Lebanon's streets amid economic crisis

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have donated a total of $7.9 million (SR30 million) to charity through the Kingdom’s Ehsan Platform, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday. King Salman donated $5.3 million (SR20 million) for charitable and non-profitable works, while the Crown Prince contributed $2.6 million (SR10 million), according to SPA. For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saudi Arabia had on Friday launched the National Campaign for Charitable Activities on its national Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan) to encourage people to donate to those in need during the holy month of Ramadan. The platform was developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).“The campaign, which will run throughout the month of Ramadan, aims to introduce the role of the Ehsan in promoting the values of charitable work for community members, by encouraging donation, activating the integrative role of (SDAIA) with various government agencies and sectors, and empowering the non-profit sector and expanding its impact within the society,” SPA reported.The Chairman of Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf bin Jamaan al-Ghamdi thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for their contributions and for supporting the Ehsan Platform. The holy month of Ramadan marks the period when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Muslims are also encouraged to donate to charity and help out the poor during this time.Read more:Saudi Arabia launches national campaign for charitable activities on ‘Ehsan’ platformMuslims mark first Ramadan Friday prayer in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca amid COVID rulesImmunized pilgrims perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca on first day of Ramadan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Crown Prince donate total of .9 mln to charity

Dubai has expanded the eligibility criteria for the mRNA Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to include women who are breastfeeding and those planning to get pregnant, the emirate’s media office announced on Saturday.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.“Clinical studies show that the mRNA vaccine is safe for women who are breastfeeding or planning to conceive unless the patient has certain medical contraindications to vaccines or any vaccine component,” Dr. Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital for Women and Children, was quoted as saying.“Mothers who are breastfeeding can now take an mRNA vaccine as per the latest DHA vaccine guidelines. There is no need to stop breastfeeding before or after vaccination,” she added.Meanwhile, patients who were infected with COVID-19 no longer need to wait three months to be vaccinated if they have completed their isolation period, according to the media office. Only those who had a mild or asymptomatic infection are eligible.“Any patient who had an active COVID-19 infection must wait until the completion of the isolation period to be vaccinated” Dr. Farida Al Khaja, Chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Steering Committee was quoted as saying.“If the infection was moderate or severe and required hospitalization, the timeframe for vaccination after infection will depend on the decision of the medical team that treated the patient. However, all mild cases or cases without symptoms can take the vaccine after completing the isolation period,” she added.The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently reduced the age requirement to 16 from 18 for those wishing to be vaccinated against the virus.Read more:Pregnant women in UK told to have Pfizer or Moderna vaccinesUAE expands COVID-19 vaccination drive, urges ages 16 and above to registerCOVID-19 vaccines ‘safe to use while fasting’ during Ramadan: UAE doctors
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Dubai allows women breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant to get mRNA vaccine

The United Arab Emirates has reported 1,958 new COVID-19 cases and three virus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, according the country’s National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA).For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.In that time, 1,545 people also recovered from the virus, according to NCEMA.The new cases were detected after the UAE’s Ministry of Health conducted 214,765 tests.A mass vaccine rollout program in the Gulf state has seen more than 9,489,684 inoculated against the virus according to NCEMA.Restrictions on iftar gatherings between different households have been put in place in order to curb the spread of the virus during the holy month of Ramadan that began on Tuesday.A UAE doctor told Al Arabiya English that more people are dealing with post-COVID-19 symptoms compared to Ramadan 2020 after a surge in cases towards the end of January this year.He advised people dealing with severe symptoms to not fast, but added that fasting is known to improve immunity for healthy people.Read more: Working out during Ramadan: Everything you need to know to stay fit this monthDubai allows women breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant to get mRNA vaccineMuslims mark first Ramadan Friday prayer in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca amid COVID rules
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE reports 1,958 new COVID-19 cases, three deaths

The Suez Canal Authority is talking about plans to widen the southern section of the canal, only days after the giant Panama-flagged container vessel, Ever Given, went aground and became wedged across the international maritime passageway, causing a weeklong blockage.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Suez Canal receives giant dredger in planned upgrade

As the Palestinian elections near, dismissed Fatah leader Nasser al-Qudwa arrived in the Gaza Strip in a rare visit after obtaining the approval of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, as President Mahmoud Abbas’ rivals step up their moves to build counterelectoral lists.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas welcomes Abbas’ rivals in Gaza Strip

Prince Philip’s coffin has been lowered into the Royal Vault as his funeral service nears its close.The late prince began his final journey on Saturday, his coffin borne on a specially modified Land Rover hearse, followed on foot by a procession of senior royals including Prince Charles and Princes William and Harry.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Queen Elizabeth followed the procession in the State Bentley as the coffin, carried on the bespoke Defender TD 130 in military green, made its way to Philip’s funeral service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.Charles and Princess Anne followed the coffin on foot, followed by their brothers Edward and Andrew. Behind them were Charles’s two sons William and Harry - evoking memories of the 1997 funeral of Diana when they walked as grieving boys behind their mother’s coffin.Philip, officially known as the Duke of Edinburgh, died aged 99 on April 9.His naval cap and sword lay on top of the coffin, which was covered with the Duke of Edinburgh’s personal standard featuring the Danish coat of arms, the Greek cross, Edinburgh Castle and the stripes of the Mountbatten family.The Band of the Grenadier Guards led the procession, followed by military chiefs. The coffin will pause for the national minute of silence at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT.) A gun fired from the East Lawn will signify the start and end of that.Before the coffin emerged from the castle, military bands spaced out across the quadrangle in brilliant sunshine to play the prince’s chosen music, including “I Vow To Thee My Country,”, “Jerusalem” and “Nimrod”.In the service, which starts at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT), the 94-year-old queen will stand alone due to COVID-19 restrictions as her husband’s coffin is lowered into the Royal Vault of the ancient chapel.Philip, who married Elizabeth in 1947, helped the young queen adapt the monarchy to the changing world of the post-World War Two era as the loss of empire and the decline of deference challenged the world’s most prominent royal family.She has now been widowed just as she grapples with one of the gravest crises to hit the royal family in decades - allegations of racism and neglect by it from her grandson Harry and his American-born wife Meghan.Attention on HarryMuch media attention will focus on the royals’ behavior towards Harry as he makes his first public appearance with the family since the couple gave an explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey last month.In the interview they accused one unnamed royal of making a racist comment, and said Meghan’s pleas for help when she felt suicidal were ignored.The couple, who moved to Los Angeles and quit royal duties last year, laid bare their perceptions of the family’s attitudes in what amounted to a critique of the old-fashioned customs of an ancient institution.Meghan said she had been silenced by “the Firm” while Harry said his father, Charles, had refused to take his calls. Harry said both Charles and his brother William were trapped in the royal family.Meghan will watch the funeral at her home in California after she was advised by her doctor not to travel while pregnant, a source familiar with the situation said.Mourners will eschew the tradition of wearing military uniforms, a step newspapers said was to prevent embarrassment to Harry, who despite serving two tours in Afghanistan during his army career, is not be entitled to wear a uniform because he was stripped of his honorary military titles.“We’re not going to be drawn into those perceptions of drama, or anything like that,” a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. “This is a funeral. The arrangements have been agreed, and they represent her majesty’s wishes.”Prince Andrew, who stepped down from public duties in 2019 over controversy surrounding his what he termed his “ill-judged” association with late US financier Jeffrey Epstein, had wanted to wear an admiral’s uniform at the funeral, British media reported.Queen aloneThe palace has emphasized that while the occasion will have the due pageantry that marks the passing of a senior royal, it remains an occasion for a mourning family to mark the passing of a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.There will be just 30 mourners inside the chapel for the service because of COVID-19 restrictions.Archbishop Welby, leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, said he expected the funeral to resonate with the millions of people around the world who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.Philip’s dedication to his duty earned him widespread popularity in Britain, but he was also criticized by some for a number of off-the-cuff racist or abrupt comments which shocked princes, priests and presidents.“He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm and also because you never knew what he might say next,” Harry said of his grandfather.British television stations have cleared their schedules to show the funeral and millions are due to watch, though there have been over 100,000 complaints to the British Broadcasting Corporation over its blanket coverage since Philip died.Philip was a decorated Royal Navy veteran of World War Two and his funeral, much of which was planned in meticulous detail by the prince himself, will have a strong military feel, with personnel from across the armed forces playing prominent roles.Read more:UK military prepares for big role in war veteran Prince Philip’s funeralBritain’s Prince Philip died at age of 99: Buckingham PalacePrince Harry back in UK to attend Prince Philip funeral without Meghan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Prince Philip’s body lowered into Royal Vault as funeral nears its close

Libya, which has so far received 400,000 doses of three types of vaccines, has started its Covid-19 immunisation campaign for the general population..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Libya launches public vaccination drive

Robust vaccination drive, stringent protocols make UAE a safe place for exams to be held physically, school heads say..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: School principals urge CBSE to hold board exams