Residents of the United Arab Emirates now have the opportunity to join a volunteer initiative aimed at boosting the morale of Dubai's workers. The Dubai Volunteers team is resuming its ice cream distribution campaign for the second time this summer, aiming to reach over 19,000 low-skilled workers across the emirate.
This campaign is organized by the Spread Kindness volunteer team under the slogan 'Defeat the heat with a cool treat' and is registered with the Community Development Authority (CDA). Aisha Ismail, the team founder, noted that they saw how hard their low-skilled brothers work outdoors and wanted to do something simple that would bring instant relief and a smile.
The team's history dates back to 2015, when a small group of friends and family members conducted acts of kindness called Open Arms. This year, the group changed its name to Spread Kindness and officially registered with the CDA to implement larger projects. Ismail emphasized that their main goal remains unchanged: turning compassion into real action, one person at a time.
Each distribution day begins with an briefing on hydration and safety. Afterward, volunteers put on their jackets and head to worksites with a van carrying ice cream. The team coordinates its actions with site managers before approaching workers during their break. Aisha Ismail shared that they hand out cold ice cream and say a simple 'thank you for building our city.' She added that in those moments, you can see the heat dissipate and a smile appear.
Residents can become volunteers by registering through the CDA Volunteer Portal or the DubaiNow app and searching for 'Spread Kindness.' All volunteering hours are officially recorded by the CDA, and participants receive a certificate. Ismail urged people to join, regardless of the duration of participation, to bring a smile to those who build the city.
Those who prefer to provide financial support can do so through the team's partnership with the AES Community Care Club. This club organizes two distribution events: on Sunday, July 26th, and Sunday, August 23rd, both starting at 12:00 PM, with locations to be announced later. Donations start from 30 dirhams per person and go directly to the campaign's ice cream supplier, not the team itself. Additionally, the team holds a weekly food drive for workers every Saturday in Al Nahda 1 area, from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM. The ice cream campaign is part of a broader wave of summer initiatives for outdoor workers, including the 'Al Freej Fridge' campaign and the midday work ban, which is now in its 22nd year. Ismail concluded that the essence is not the ice cream, but dignity, respect, and connection. Contact information for those wishing to help or donate is 056 312 7666.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as the Ruler of Dubai, sent sincere congratulations on July 11 to the top students of the country's high schools, acknowledging their hard work and academic excellence.
In his social media message, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulated the top graduates of the national General Secondary Education Certificate, naming Abir, Adam, Hessa, Ali, Abdullah, Rashid, Sheikha, and Mariam among them.
He expressed pride in all the awardees, stating that he is confident they will become part of building the future of the Emirates. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the country will continue to create the best environment for personal empowerment, and education will remain a vital national project, with children being 'our winning bet in the present and future.'
The Ruler of Dubai also addressed his congratulations to parents for their support and encouragement. He mentioned families who 'stayed up late, closely monitored, and provided support.' Furthermore, Sheikh Mohammed thanked the teachers who instilled in the students a love for knowledge and diligence.
The article also presents a list of top students across various categories, including public education, elite track, advanced track, general track, private education, as well as applied technology and science educational fields.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches its quarter-finals, Morocco represents not only its nation's flag but also the hopes of an entire continent and region.
This tournament is historic for several reasons, as eight Arab teams qualified for the World Cup for the first time: Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Morocco's victory over co-host Canada allowed them to become the first African and Arab country to reach this stage consecutively. Furthermore, the 'Lions of the Atlas' became the first Arab team to pass the group stage, which happened in Mexico in 1986. In the 2022 World Cup, the North African national team surprised observers by reaching the semi-finals and finishing fourth overall.
Other countries also left their mark on the world's largest sporting arena. The importance of such representation at an event expected to be one of the most viewed in history cannot be overstated. The teams were given the opportunity to change public opinion and present a different image of Arabs and the Arab world, moving away from negative stereotypes prevalent in media and popular culture.
Jordan debuted at the World Cup, led by Moroccan coach Jamal Sellam. Despite being placed in a difficult group, the team scored in all its matches. Especially memorable was Musa al-Tamari's excellent goal against reigning World Champion Argentina. However, the Jordanian team gained recognition not on the field, but through demonstrating traditional Arab hospitality and generosity. After the last match at the stadium in the San Francisco Bay area, players left thank-you notes, gifts, and boxes of traditional Arab sweets for the stadium staff.
Moments concerning identity and diversity also came to the forefront. In Iraq's second appearance at the World Cup, the team's multi-ethnic composition demonstrated the strength of unity and shared national identity despite historical disagreements. On the way to the tournament, fans of the 'Lions of Mesopotamia' were accustomed to seeing the Iraqi national flag alongside Kurdish and Assyrian flags, reflecting the pride of Iraq's various communities.
Although Tunisia had a forgettable tournament, the first conceded goal was scored by Yassine Ayari, a Tunisian-Moroccan footballer born and playing for Sweden. His apologetic reaction after the goal in one moment reflected the complexity of identity and nuances of loyalty, especially for Arabs living in the West. Although this was perceived as an encouraging moment, old derogatory comments about dual national players, made by former Dutch midfielder Raphael van der Vart in Dutch television—who allegedly stated that 'all Moroccans who are not good enough to play for the Netherlands eventually play for Morocco'—resurfaced during the World Cup, highlighting the disdain some still hold for African and Arab footballers.
This made Morocco's victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32 even sweeter. The irony that the winning penalty was scored by Ismaël Saibari did not go unnoticed by spectators; Saibari, one of the tournament's outstanding players, had played his entire adult career in the Netherlands.
The Arab nation that did not qualify for the World Cup but was actively featured on screens since the start of the tournament is Palestine. FIFA organizers constantly try to please the host countries, particularly the USA, and present the world through this tournament in a sanitized and whitewashed manner. This includes issuing a centralized global broadcast that licensed broadcasters are obliged to use, and which seems not to pay due attention to Palestinian flags displayed prominently.
Nevertheless, videos and images on social media show how fans in stadiums often express solidarity with the Palestinian cause by carrying the flag. In one recorded incident, American stadium security apparently tried to confiscate a Palestinian flag, provoking shouts of 'Free Palestine' from some fans.
Despite restrictions and repression at home, unwavering compassion and solidarity persist among these nations on the world stage. Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan resolutely raised this issue after his team's victory over Australia in the Round of 32. He acknowledged the victory on the field by raising the Palestinian flag, adding in the post-match interview: 'May God grant them victory... I dedicate this victory to the Egyptian people and the Palestinian people.'
Before Egypt's defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals, Hassan passionately spoke about the suffering of Palestinians, asserting that 'every day thousands of people die, children and women.' He added that through football, the tool of 'soft power,' all participants in the World Cup should send a message: 'Please let Palestinians live.'
Although Arab countries participated in the earliest stages of the competition, starting with Egypt in 1934, this tournament proved exceptional for the region's countries. The participating Arab states showed the world that they are capable of competing and winning at the highest level of sport while simultaneously showcasing another side of the region. More importantly, players, coaching staff, and fans demonstrated that despite internal limitations and repression, there is unwavering sympathy and solidarity among these nations.
