The holy month of Ramadan is upon us, and people all over the world are gearing up to take part in a period of celebration, connection, reflection and prayer.
With millions of Muslims the world over celebrating the holy month, Ramadan has been a dominate search term on Google globally over the past few days.
Search traffic around the term increased ten-fold in the seven days leading up to the official start of Ramadan on Tuesday, when Google's worldwide search data shows it peaked. The most search traffic came from the UAE, followed by Qatar and the Maldives.
Here’s what else people have been searching for this Ramadan:
Ramadan quotes
On the first day of Ramadan, global search traffic for Ramadan mubarak quotes was up by more than 2,200 per cent, as people looked for messages to send to their loved ones and followers to mark the start of the holy month. In the UAE, there was a 1,150 per cent increase in search traffic for the same term.
Ramadan greetings
In a similar vein, there was a mass increase in searches for Ramadan greetings, as people searched for the correct terms and phrases to extend their best wishes to their Muslim friends celebrating the holy month. Around the world, there was a 2,200 per cent increase in search traffic around that term over the past seven days, and a 1,500 per cent increase across the UAE.
Ramadan parking
In the UAE, one of the most-search Ramadan terms over the past seven days has been around free parking. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the RTA amends parking charges to allow people to park for free in certain locations at certain times. In Dubai, for example, there will be free parking during iftar times, with some exemptions, while in Abu Dhabi, public parking will be paid between 9am-2pm, and 9pm-2:30am. It will remain free on Fridays. UAE search traffic rose by more than 2,800 per cent.
Ramadan wishes
Much like the first two terms, searches for Ramadan wishes were up by 2,200 per cent in the UAE, and 3,150 per cent around the world. The Maldives, Pakistan and Mauritius had the most search traffic around this term, followed by the UAE and Qatar.
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%202-litre%20direct%20injection%20turbo%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%207-speed%20automatic%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20261hp%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20400Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20From%20Dh134%2C999%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
TALE OF THE TAPE
Manny Pacquiao
Record: 59-6-2 (38 KOs)
Age: 38
Weight: 146lbs
Height: 166cm
Reach: 170cm
Jeff Horn
Record: 16-0-1 (11 KOs)
Age: 29
Weight: 146.2lbs
Height: 175cm
Reach: 173cm
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