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A total of 1,700 students from 45 public and private schools across Dubai have registered for the second edition of the Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Quran Competition, a growing initiative under the “Ghiras Al-Khair” program. The competition is organized in partnership between the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The competition, which promotes Quran memorization and recitation among youth, has seen significant engagement from students, educators, and families. Participation has grown notably since its inaugural edition, prompting organizers to extend the registration deadline to November 10, 2025.

Officials attribute the increase in participation to strong collaboration between schools and parents, as well as the sustained efforts of teaching staff to prepare students for the various stages of the competition. The initiative aims to develop memorization skills, elevate recitation standards, and foster a spirit of constructive competition among young people in line with national values.

Abdullah Abubakr Baslaa, the competition’s coordinator, said the turnout reflects the deep-rooted connection between the Emirati community and the Quran. He noted that continuous improvements have been made to the competition’s framework to ensure fairness, raise performance standards, and expand its impact on youth development.

Final rounds of the competition are scheduled for January 2026 and will be held under the supervision of the Dubai Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities. Students will compete across four categories: Quran Memorization, Most Beautiful Recitation for Emirati Citizens, Memorization of Tajweed Texts, and Memorization of Scientific Texts. Participants range from Grade 1 through Grade 12, with a dedicated category for students with intellectual disabilities, underscoring the initiative’s inclusive approach.

The Department emphasized that the initiative supports Dubai’s broader educational and social goals by reinforcing religious and moral values and nurturing a generation anchored in both cultural identity and faith.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, met on Wednesday with Børge Brende, President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), during the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025.

The three-day event, taking place from October 14 to 16, is jointly organized by the UAE Government and the WEF, and hosted in Dubai.

The meeting was attended by key UAE officials, including Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Co-Chair of the Global Future Councils; Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; and Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation.

Discussions focused on the UAE’s strategic partnership with the World Economic Forum, with emphasis on this year’s core agenda items: artificial intelligence, the green economy, energy transition, and food and water security.

Sheikh Maktoum was also briefed on the outcomes of the meetings, including the launch of the Cybersecurity Forum, which aims to enhance global coordination in addressing digital threats and developing secure digital systems.

He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and policy dialogue, aimed at practical solutions to global challenges and long-term sustainable development.

Brende acknowledged the UAE’s leadership and its role in hosting the Global Future Councils, describing it as a model for advancing inclusive and sustainable progress.

The 2025 edition brings together over 700 experts from 580 organizations across 93 countries. The program includes 37 councils, covering key sectors such as technology, economy, governance, environment, society, and health. Findings will inform discussions at the upcoming WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.

In a first, the Annual Meeting of the Cybersecurity Council is being held concurrently, featuring over 150 senior leaders and 90 international speakers.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, met this week with more than 40 Indian entrepreneurs—founders and CEOs of unicorn companies—during a high-level session held as part of the World Governments Summit – Griffin Dialogue.

The delegation, members of the Griffin Club for Indian Billionaire Entrepreneurs, represents some of the most influential start-ups operating in sectors including fintech, education, healthcare, space, retail, logistics, and advanced technology.

The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, alongside other senior officials, including Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized Dubai’s commitment to fostering international partnerships, calling cross-sector and cross-border collaboration “central to the city’s future-focused economic model.” He reiterated that under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai continues to evolve as a global hub for investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Participants discussed policy frameworks and investment conditions that have enabled unicorn growth, highlighting Dubai’s digital infrastructure, regulatory flexibility, and efficient government services as key factors in enabling expansion. Discussions also covered global trends in AI, the digital economy, and the future of start-up ecosystems.

The session sought to identify new pathways for cooperation between governments and private enterprise, with a focus on scaling innovation and building knowledge-based economies.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

The Department of Finance (DOF) for the Government of Dubai has launched the Unified Contact Centre (UCC), a centralised digital platform aimed at consolidating government communication services across the emirate. Developed in partnership with du, the UAE-based telecommunications provider, the project represents a significant step in the emirate’s broader strategy to modernize public service delivery.

Announced during GITEX Global 2025, the initiative is part of Dubai’s "Services 360" vision, which seeks to create a fully integrated and customer-focused model of government service. Once fully operational in 2027, the UCC will bring together 15 government entities under a unified framework.

The platform will centralize access to support and information via multiple channels — including phone, email, messaging apps, websites, and social media — within a single digital ecosystem. It is underpinned by AI and data analytics technologies designed to deliver efficient, personalized, and proactive interactions with the public.

Officials say the UCC will streamline communication, eliminate redundancies across departments, and enhance service consistency. “This initiative lays the foundation for a truly interconnected government ecosystem,” said Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DOF, following the agreement signing with Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Vice Chairman of du.

The infrastructure, provided by du, includes customer experience management systems and digital tools aimed at improving response times and service quality. “The UCC exemplifies how strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors can set new standards in service delivery,” said Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du.

The project will be implemented in phases starting in 2026, with priority entities joining first. Oversight will remain with DOF to ensure alignment with government objectives. In addition to consolidating communication, the centre will feature a centralized knowledge base and data-driven performance tools aligned with the Dubai Model Centre’s excellence standards.

The Unified Contact Centre reflects Dubai’s commitment to integrated governance, aiming to provide residents, visitors, and businesses with a seamless, accessible, and intelligent interface for government services.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, has unveiled Port Eye, the region’s first autonomous drone and AI-powered monitoring system designed to improve port safety, infrastructure inspections, and environmental compliance across Dubai’s maritime zones.

The system integrates autonomous drones equipped with 4K thermal imaging cameras and environmental sensors into a centralized smart network. This setup delivers real-time visual feeds, advanced analytics, and remote monitoring capabilities, significantly reducing the need for manual inspections in high-risk environments.

Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi, Executive Director of the DPA, said the system marks a “quantum leap” in Dubai’s maritime digital transformation. According to Al Blooshi, Port Eye has reduced inspection times from four hours to under one hour, improving operational efficiency by more than 60 percent.

The drones can autonomously detect ship emissions and monitor marine pollution using onboard sensors that measure sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other environmental indicators. Data collected is streamed to a 3D interactive dashboard at DPA’s command center, allowing for immediate response and predictive maintenance.

The project aligns with the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030 and Net Zero 2050 goals, offering a scalable model for port sustainability and compliance with international environmental standards.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev

Alexander Agafiev is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, toured GITEX GLOBAL 2025 on Wednesday, as the event continued its showcase of advanced technologies shaping the global digital economy.

Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the 45th edition of GITEX GLOBAL is billed as the world’s largest technology and artificial intelligence exhibition, bringing together more than 6,800 companies and 2,000 startups from 180 countries. The event runs through October 17.

During his visit, Sheikh Mansoor explored a range of national and international pavilions displaying innovations in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, robotics, big data, and smart mobility. He was accompanied by senior officials including Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs; and Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai.

"GITEX GLOBAL reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to establish a digitally driven economy grounded in innovation and global collaboration," Sheikh Mansoor said. "The event reinforces Dubai’s role as a platform for connecting leading technology players and supporting startup ecosystems.”

Among the stops on the tour were the e& pavilion, where the telecom group showcased its latest digital platforms; the K2 stand, featuring autonomous mobility solutions; and the Saudi Telecom Company (STC) exhibit, focused on AI and next-generation connectivity.

At the Dubai Police stand, 12 new AI-based tools were unveiled, including interactive services and robotic systems aimed at improving public safety. Sheikh Mansoor also reviewed smart initiatives from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Civil Defense, and the UAE Space Agency.

Held under the theme “The Future of AI: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy,” this year’s GITEX highlights technological developments and policy frameworks designed to guide responsible innovation across key economic sectors.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Global Village, Dubai’s flagship multicultural destination for entertainment, retail, and dining, opened its 30th season with a large-scale celebration that drew thousands of visitors to the venue.

The opening night featured a range of visual and live performances, including a drone and pyrotechnics display that formed the number “30” in the night sky - marking three decades since the destination first opened. A group of wing-suited skydivers performed a mid-air dive through the formation, adding a dramatic live-action element to the presentation.

The evening also included a “Parade of the World,” which saw performers from each of the 30 international pavilions march alongside percussionists, representing the diverse cultures featured at Global Village. Additional attractions included new laser and light shows, cultural performances on multiple stages, and the first fireworks show of the season.

This year’s Global Village spans 30 pavilions and includes more than 3,500 retail outlets and 250 food vendors. Guests can expect over 200 rides, games, and attractions, along with more than 40,000 scheduled shows throughout the season. Fireworks displays will take place every Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

The venue is open daily from 4 p.m. and remains one of the most visited seasonal attractions in the region, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office 

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, attended the opening of the fifth Arab Awards Forum, hosted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA). The two-day event brings together leading Arab intellectuals, scientists, and representatives of regional awards to foster collaboration and strengthen the role of Arab awards in promoting innovation and creativity.

Sheikha Latifa emphasized Dubai’s emerging position as a global meeting point for culture, knowledge, and innovation. “The Forum embodies Dubai’s belief that knowledge and innovation are the cornerstones of progress and that the ideas, curiosity and imagination of people are the nation’s greatest investment,” she said. She highlighted the historic contributions of Arab scholars and creators, reaffirming the need to invest in research and innovation to sustain the region’s legacy.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, Secretary-General of MBRKA and CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, described the forum as critical to advancing Arab awards and fostering partnerships that enhance their impact. Launched in 2015 under directives from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, MBRKA aims to recognize achievements that contribute to human progress.

“We must move beyond traditional coordination and embrace strategic partnerships that make Arab awards a critical tool for building human capital and advancing knowledge,” Jamal bin Huwaireb said.

Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail, Chairman of the Arab Awards Forum and Secretary-General of the King Faisal Prize, praised Dubai’s leadership in hosting the event and highlighted ongoing efforts to elevate Arab awards on the global stage through enhanced collaboration and quality standards.

The forum opened with a ceremony honoring institutions supporting Arab awards, including the Presidency of Mauritania, the Supreme Council for Culture in Egypt, the Greater Amman Municipality, and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.

Additionally, the Arab Awards Forum launched the ‘Arab Awards Platform,’ an Arabic-language database cataloguing Arab awards to facilitate access, coordination, and transparency among award bodies and stakeholders.

The first day also included a General Assembly meeting reviewing the forum’s progress and planning future cooperation, alongside specialised seminars with experts and thinkers.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.