Emiratis to welcome New Year from 'private lounge' in Dubai

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Emiratis to welcome New Year from private lounge in Dubai

Dubai - Hours before the sunset, families started gathering at the lounge with tea and biscuits against the backdrop of Burj Al Arab.

By Nilanjana Gupta

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Published: Sun 31 Dec 2017, 6:00 PM

Last updated: Sun 31 Dec 2017, 8:33 PM

For a few families living near the Jumeirah Beach, it's their first New Year celebrations on a 'private beach'.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has gifted a private lounge area on Jumeirah Beach for Emiratis and long-time residents in November. A video posted on Instagram by Ahmed Al Mazrouei shows Sheikh Mohammed paying a visit to the lounge in November.

Video by Nilanjana Gupta/Khaleej Times 
Hours before the sunset, families started gathering at the lounge with tea and biscuits against the spectacular backdrop of Burj Al Arab. It was a sight to behold as a man threw pieces of bread in the air and hundreds of seagulls came flapping their wings as if to join in their New Year celebrations.
As he poured tea into his cup, Ahmed Al Mehairbi said he and his family have been staying at a house facing the beach ever since the days that Jumeirah Beach was called the Chicago Beach.
"We have watched the fireworks at Burj Al Arab every year. We have been living here even before Burj al Arab was built," he added.
Another Emirati Hameed Al Sunaid said: "Sheikh Mohammed built this lounge for us this year and we are very grateful for his kind gesture. You can see there's a board outside that says it's a private area and general public aren't allowed inside."
He said about 25 Emiratis and long-time residents would gather at the lounge tonight and usher in 2018 with the dazzling fireworks at Burj Al Arab.
Their New Year wish? Long live Dubai and long live the Dubai Ruler.
nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com  


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