Miniexpatdubai.com, Dubai's first professional website dedicated to young expats will be officially launched on 16 September 2007 with a range of prizes to be won for those registering on the site. The unique website offers children of all ages and nationalities a safe, informative and entertaining on-line playground and can be accessed by visiting: www.miniexpatdubai.com.

Online users have the chance to win movie tickets, backpacks, caps, a science birthday party, Magic Planet redeemable blue cards, Ski Dubai lessons, free music lessons and day passes to Wild Wadi within the first ten days of the website going live. By simply registering online before September 26th, users are automatically entered into a draw. Winners will be announced the first week in October.

The brain child of Lizelle Jansen (van Rooyen), a mother of 3 young children and self confessed internet fanatic, the website has been designed as a platform for young people to communicate and share their experiences of Dubai as well as to benefit from a wide range of prizes and online competitions.

"The idea behind the website is for youngsters to share their experiences, fun and knowledge of Dubai within the expat community. We are pleased to offer youngsters a comprehensive events calendar and updates news page, which we hope will help young people make the most of their time in Dubai as well as to help newcomers settle in and make friends," said Lizelle Jansen, Founder of Miniexpatdubai.com.

MiniExpatDubai.com is designed to be an invaluable tool for young people by providing them with useful information about Dubai such as daily living, things to do in and around Dubai and hearing from other young people living in Dubai.

The site features a dedicated news page that contains newsworthy stories for this age group, such as the opening of a new store, an event taking place and arranged festivals during school break. In addition to this there is also an events calendar with listed events each month.

The website will also offer a moderated message board where kids / teens can ask questions, share experiences, or simply just chat.

With sponsorship from both international and Dubai based brands, including Grand Cinemas, Lufthansa Jetfriends, Ski Dubai, Mad Science UAE, Magic Planet, Rage, The Music Institute and Wild Wadi, miniexpatdubai.com is set to be a firm favourite among Dubai's under 18s.

"I believe that the young expats in Dubai will really benefit from a website were they all have one thing in common - the fact that they are expats. The website will help cross cultural boundaries and help young people feel at home in Dubai, while making the most of this incredible emirate," continued Jansen.

To visit the site and find out more click on: www.miniexpatdubai.com.

Notes and contacts About Miniexpatdubai.com

Miniexpatdubai.com was first launched in the press in 2006 in Dubai but has since undergone additional design and content work and is now Dubai's only professional website dedicated to the young expat community.

Founded by Lizelle Jansen (van Rooyen), the website offers youngsters of all ages and nationalities a safe, informative and entertaining on-line playground.

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The Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) has announced that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan will start on Thursday September 13 according to astronomical calculations.

EAS member Mohammed Ouda said that in many Muslim countries it will be impossible to sight the crescent moon on September 11, which corresponds to the Islamic date of Shaban 29, as the moon will set before the sun in most of its parts, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.

“Astronomical calculations showed that September 13 will be the first day of the fasting month in most Muslim countries like Oman, Morocco, Iran and others which started the month of Shaban on Tuesday August 14,” said Ouda, who is also chairman of the Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP).

As a result, Ouda said these countries should complete the Islamic month of Shaban in full as thirty days and start the fasting month on Thursday, September 13.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is based on a lunar calendar which can be between 29 and 30 days, during which Muslims fast from before dawn to sunset.

Crescent moon essential

Though the UAE has not officially announced when the start of Ramadan will be, astronomy does play a role in sighting the start of a new lunar month, a senior Islamic scholar said.

“A clear image of the crescent moon is essential for announcing the start of Ramadan,” said Dr Ahmad Al Haddad, Grand Mufti at Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charity Works Department, quoted UAE daily Emirates Today.

“However, astronomical calculations are recognisable and reliable for ensuring whether the crescent can be sighted or not. If astronomers announce the inability to see the new month’s crescent, then scholars will not accept any testimony about its sighting.”

Al Haddad also called for greater collaboration between scientists and observers of the crescent to ensure Ramadan is started correctly.

The UAE, in addition to all GCC countries, officially announces Ramadan after the sighting of the new crescent moon by authorities.

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More than two-thirds of Dubai's population are spending up to half their salaries on house rents and children's education, according to a cost-of-living survey released yesterday.

The DSL Exhibitions survey of more than
400 Dubai residents earning more than Dh200,000 annually, analysed the increase in the cost of living to gauge the impact of the inflation on the growth of the property market and the quality of lifestyle.

DSL Exhibitions Marketing Director Tessa Morris said the UAE has been witnessing rising prices across the board for the last three years, which had benefited the property market, but also meant dramatic impacts on expenses and lifestyle choices.

Two-thirds of residents spent between one quarter and one half of their income on housing and most said this was an increase of up to one quarter over the last three years.

Education costs had also skyrocketed with an increase of up to 50 per cent recorded for two-thirds of the population, while one in six people noted an increase of more than 50 per cent.

Eight out of 10 residents said they spend between 10 to 20 per cent on groceries while transport costs had not seen significant increases.

Morris said the survey found that the residents' income was predominantly taken up with essential costs, including housing, education, transport and groceries and cutbacks had been made on non-essential goods.

“The city is showing signs of quickly moving into a mature growth phase and while cost-of-living issues present a complex problem for a number of residents at present — as is normal in periods of growth and change — Dubaiites are demonstrating remarkable resilience and confidence in the future of UAE's economy."

Morris said despite the high living costs, residents still had confidence in the market and had a desire to invest in property.

Eight out of 10 who had not bought property in Dubai said they wanted to invest less than Dh2 million if they buy.

Three quarters said their purchases would be to live in rather than investments.

Borrowings remained strong but the survey indicated the city ran the risk of becoming an increasingly indebted society because of banks aggressively selling loans.

The majority (three quarters) of residents said they could only save less than 25 per cent of their income. However about two-thirds said they paid less than 10 per cent interest.

Morris concluded that the survey showed that residents were optimistic about the UAE's economy and its sustainability and this would be demonstrated with continued investment in the property market.

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