This Eid, ANAX Holding, a Dubai-based investment firm, supported the noble initiatives carried out by the Emirates Red Crescent benefiting vulnerable families and individuals across the UAE.

During a visit to the Emirates Red Crescent Dubai Center, Satish Sanpal, founder and chairperson of ANAX Holding, emphasised the significant role of corporate engagement in driving social and humanitarian impact.

“We all have responsibilities toward the society we live in. This Eid, we wanted to reinforce our commitment to social responsibility by supporting the humanitarian work led by the ERC. Their efforts continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many people in the UAE and beyond,” said Sanpal.

The visit included discussions with Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, director of the Emirates Red Crescent, Dubai Center, who welcomed the ANAX Holding team and highlighted the importance of collaboration between humanitarian organisations and the private sector in expanding charitable initiatives.

Anax Holding’s contribution supports company’s ethos

“The continued support of partners such as Sanpal and ANAX Holding plays a vital role in helping us expand our humanitarian programmes and reach more people in need,” said Al Yamahi.

The contribution reflects ANAX Holding’s ongoing commitment to supporting impactful charitable efforts that align with the company’s ethos and core values.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the allocation of 4,631 residential land plots for Emirati citizens in Dubai, valued at Dhs5.3bn. The new housing package spans over 71 million square feet across the Al Eyas, Latifa City, and Mushrif areas.

This initiative forms part of Dubai’s citizen housing packages, reflecting the emirate’s focus on creating integrated residential communities that ensure a high quality of life and sustainable living experience. Allocations will be conducted through the Emirati platform on the DubaiNow app in the coming week, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasised that providing suitable housing for every Emirati family is central to Dubai’s development strategy. He described the initiative as part of broader urban development projects aimed at building integrated and vibrant communities.

“Today we approved the allocation of 4,631 residential plots valued at Dhs5.3bn, spanning an area of over 71 million square feet in Al Eyas, Latifa City and Mushrif areas,” Sheikh Mohammed said. “Our vision is consistent: Dubai’s true capital is its people and their families. The UAE citizen will always remain at the top of our priorities.”

He added: “Our goal is for Dubai to become the world’s best city for family life by offering a leading urban ecosystem that combines an integrated social environment and advanced housing supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and services. By meeting citizens’ needs and anticipating their future aspirations, Dubai will remain the city that embraces people’s dreams and offers every family a more stable living environment, creating a cohesive community where everyone thrives.”

Comprehensive infrastructure for future communities

The new residential plots are part of Dubai’s vision to create pioneering and modern communities. These areas are designed according to future urban planning standards, integrating green and open spaces to promote safe, healthy, and socially connected living.

The planned communities will also offer easy access to service centres providing top-tier amenities. Supported by sustainable infrastructure, they align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on people-centric urban development to enhance quality of life and boost Dubai’s global competitiveness.

Eng Marwan bin Ghalita praised Sheikh Mohammed’s initiative, saying it “supports Dubai’s sustainable urban development and reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s commitment to the welfare of citizens.”

Eng Marwan added: “Dubai Municipality is committed to carrying out Sheikh Mohammed’s directives by creating an urban planning model for future-ready residential communities supported by sustainable infrastructure and integrated services that provide citizens with the comfort, safety, and the world’s best living experience, while fostering sustainable growth and stability in line with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33.”

Allocation details: Al Eyas, Latifa City, and Mushrif

The residential allocation includes 2,540 plots in the Al Eyas area, covering 39 million square feet. Designed to meet the highest urban planning standards, the community will feature advanced infrastructure, mosques, a neighbourhood Majlis, retail centres, a school, and an early childhood centre. Parks, recreational facilities, and a green path with cycling tracks will connect all neighbourhoods to enhance citizens’ quality of life.

Latifa City will receive 1,761 plots across 28 million square feet. The community will include mosques, parks, retail centres, a school, an early childhood centre, a community neighbourhood Majlis, and a Quran memorisation centre, along with a dedicated green path.

The Mushrif area is allocated 330 plots, covering 4 million square feet. Planned amenities include two mosques, a family park, a retail centre, and supporting infrastructure.

Dubai Municipality: Driving future-ready urban planning

Dubai Municipality is committed to advancing sustainable urban planning and cutting-edge construction to create integrated neighbourhoods. By leveraging the latest technologies, the municipality aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents while preserving the city’s aesthetics.

The initiative reflects Dubai’s ambition to remain a premier global destination while providing Emirati citizens with modern, safe, and community-focused living spaces. By combining state-of-the-art infrastructure with social and family-oriented amenities, the new housing package reinforces Dubai’s position as a city that nurtures families and supports their wellbeing.

Authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have announced free public parking during the Eid Al Fitr holiday to ease traffic flows and support holiday travel.

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) said public parking fees would be waived for the first three days of Eid, while multi-storey parking facilities will continue to charge standard rates.

Paid parking is expected to resume after the third day of the holiday.

Metro and tram timings

Red Line and Green Line stations of Dubai Metro will operate from Wednesday, March 18, to Saturday, March 21, from 5am to 1am (next day), and on Sunday, March 22 from 8am to 1am (next day).

Dubai Tram will operate from Wednesday to Saturday from 6am to 1am (next day), and on Sunday from 9am to 1am (next day).

Customers are advised to check S’hail app to view changes to public bus (Dubai Bus) and marine transport services, including the Water Taxi, Dubai Ferry, abras, and electric heritage abras, during the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

The measure is aimed at facilitating movement as residents and visitors travel across the emirate for family and leisure activities.

Read: UAE says Eid Al Fitr prayers to be held in mosques only

Toll and parking are free in Abu Dhabi during the festive period

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, Q Mobility announced a four-day suspension of both public parking charges and the Darb toll system.

Authorities reminded drivers to continue observing parking regulations and avoid prohibited areas despite the waivers. The suspension is intended to ease congestion during the peak holiday period.

Sharjah announces free parking during Eid break

Sharjah is also rolling out similar relief for motorists this Eid. The emirate has announced free public parking for the first three days of Eid Al Fitr, except in smart and special paid zones marked by blue signs.

Ohana Development has recorded Dhs6bn in sales within just 72 hours for its Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana. The gated waterfront community is located along Yas Canal in Abu Dhabi, marking a new sales milestone in the emirate’s property market.

Investors lined up at the launch, underscoring the project’s strong appeal. Of the buyers, 35 per cent are Emiratis, while 65 per cent are expatriates and international investors. In light of this overwhelming interest, Ohana Development is expected to release additional units from the project soon.

Leadership praise and investor confidence

Husein Salem, CEO of Ohana Development, expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership, saying, “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the UAE government and its visionary leadership for fostering a stable and forward-looking investment environment. This strong foundation continues to strengthen confidence among investors and developers, supporting the resilience and growth of Abu Dhabi’s thriving real estate sector, despite any evolving circumstances.”

“The strong response to Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana, and the sales record in just 72 hours, reflects the continued trust from investors locally and internationally, as well as the appeal of the project’s unique offering in the emirate,” he added.

A community built around lifestyle and sports

Spanning 1.67 million square metres, more than 55 per cent of the masterplan is dedicated to landscaped gardens and green spaces. The development emphasises sport and active living, featuring integrated training and recovery facilities, alongside a waterfront promenade with retail, dining, and lifestyle destinations.

The community will also host a marina sports club with water sports activities, plus resort-style amenities including fitness facilities and pools.

For more information on the project and other developments, please visit here.

Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai has been rescheduled and will now take place from August 17 to 20, 2026, organisers announced in a social media update on Wednesday.

The event, alongside ATM Travel Tech and IBTM @ ATM, had originally been scheduled for May 4 to 7, 2026, but will now be held later in the year at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

In its statement, the organisers said the change came “following recent developments in the region” and added that the decision was made with the “safety, convenience and participation of our global travel industry community in mind”.

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They also confirmed that all exhibitor bookings and visitor registrations will remain valid for the new dates.

Organisers said the event will continue to offer the same “high-quality networking, innovation and business opportunities” despite the shift in timing, and said they looked forward to welcoming the global travel community to Dubai in August.

Arabian Travel Market is one of the region’s best-known travel and tourism trade events and has been running for more than three decades.

Held annually in Dubai, the show brings together travel professionals, tourism boards, hospitality groups and aviation players from around the world, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a key hub for the global travel industry.

ATM is one of the latest big events to be postponed or cancelled amid the current regional situation.

Over the weekend, Formula 1 announced the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain grands prix.

Read more: Formula 1 officially cancels Bahrain, Saudi Arabian grands prix amid regional tensions