Arab Hope Makers
Honouring the people who work endlessly to support communities across the Arab World, the Arab Hope Makers award was announced this week.
(Twitter) @xFlawlessLiam: I love this competition more than anything, seriously. It gives you hope for a better future and the winner ... wow! Well-deserved!!! I love our leader for always giving hope and helping to improve the good work. SO PROUD.
The Great Return March
The US moved its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem on May 14, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Al Nakba. Al Nakba refers to the expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their homeland during the period of 1947-1949, which officially culminated in the declaration of the so-called ‘State of Israel’ on May 15, 1948.
(Twitter) @KareemN96: I’ve just come back from the border area east of #Gaza. Protesters I met are in high spirits. They expressed their feelings of returning back home soon and their hope to break the decade-long siege. #GreatReturnMarch #EthnicCleansing #Nakba70
Ramadan
With the month of Ramadan starting from Thursday in the UAE, social media users took the opportunity to spread a message of positivity.
(Facebook) Anglican Parish of Gosford: As our Muslim friends begin the Holy Month of Ramadan we send our prayerful thoughts and blessings … I look forward to joining in many Iftar gatherings and sharing in the countless blessings that flow from interfaith dialogue and the celebration of our wonderful multicultural society. Ramadan Mubarak.
Sandstorm hits the UAE
As a dust storm — that looked right out of a Hollywood thriller — hit the UAE, social media users posted pictures of the countries landmarks disappearing behind walls of sand.
(Instagram) @mumbailing: Sandstorm greeting, as I return to home base #SandGetsInYourEyes
Unexpected rains
Just a few days after the Shammal winds brought in the dust storm, UAE residents woke up to a surprising downpour, with hashtags like #SoundOfRain and #UAERains becoming top trends.
(Twitter) @badetski143: Grey skies and rain here in the UAE. And one guy just needs to take a selfie to document
Mother’s Day
Even though it is celebrated on different days in different countries across the world, Mother’s Day is marked by the maximum number of countries on the second Sunday of May. This week, social media users from celebrities to world leaders took the time out to honour mothers.
(Facebook) Dwayne The Rock Johnson: Happy Mother’s Day Mama Rock. The OG Johnson matriarch holding it all down. It’s incredible when I think about what this woman has been through. What she’s had to overcome. Like so many mothers out there, sacrificing so much to do her best to raise a good (most of the time) boy into a good man. My gratitude, love and respect is boundless …
Karnataka elections
An Indian state election became a worldwide trend, as Karnataka’s results were predicted to have an impact on a national level in India. Even though the BJP party had more votes, it fell short of an absolute majority, giving the chance to other parties to form coalitions and stake a claim to form the government.
(Twitter) @satishacharya: The Great Karnataka Race!
— Compiled by Huda Tabrez/Community Web Editor
Instagram stories of the week:
Jerusalem: What does the embassy move to Jerusalem mean and why is it so offensive? Gulf News breaks it down.
Ramadan: Your groceries are going to be cheaper for a month. Find out which stores are offering discounts.
Karnataka elections: What does the hung parliament in the Karnataka elections in India mean for the 2019 General Elections?
Iftars galore: Looking for options for iftar? We have 150 of them. Check out our exhaustive list of the top iftars on offer this Ramadan.
