When Ali Al Shimmari heard a distress call over the radio from a UAE resident trapped in the desert, he felt compelled to act.
The caller had been stranded for hours after his vehicle got stuck in the sand. Moved by the urgency of the situation, the 47-year-old Emirati set out to help, an act that would later inspire the formation of the UAE Rescue Team in 2018, a group dedicated to saving lives in the desert. At first, Mr Al Shimmari worked alone, driving out to assist stranded individuals.
“Emirati people are keen to help others in need, and I have loved doing so since I was young,” the former military officer told The National. “I used to buy tools and rescue equipment to assist those unfamiliar with the desert.”
To make it easier for those in distress to reach him, Al Shimmari launched an Instagram account dedicated to desert rescues.
“I never asked for money. I only asked people to pray for the soul of the late Sheikh Zayed. I was helping as Sadaqa [non-obligatory charity] for our founding father,” he said.
His selfless efforts resonated across the UAE, attracting an overwhelming response from people eager to join the cause. What began as a one-man mission soon grew into a fully-fledged rescue team.
“The UAE Rescue Team was officially established in 2018, the Year of Zayed,” he said. “At first, we only helped people trapped in rough terrain, but now we conduct rescues on both land and sea.”
Initially relying on WhatsApp to receive distress calls, the UAE Rescue Team has since developed dedicated mobile apps, allowing stranded individuals to reach help more efficiently. The team has expanded to include more than 500 volunteers covering vast areas across the UAE.
“We have around 300 active volunteers from different nationalities and ages, including females,” said Mr Al Shimmari. “They can reach any location quickly. They have the passion to help others.”
Despite their growing numbers and advanced operations, he insists that the service will remain completely free of charge.
“Some people insist on paying for the rescue, but we refuse and only ask them to pray for the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed, and our leaders,” he added.
Specialist support
The UAE Rescue Team consists of a diverse range of skilled professionals, including divers, paramedics, doctors, and firefighters. Some members even use gliders to conduct aerial searches for missing individuals in the vast desert. Before joining, every volunteer undergoes specialised training to ensure they are fully equipped for rescue operations. They are taught how to handle emergencies and what gear to carry when responding to distress calls. So far, the team has trained 3,000 people and responded to over 200,000 calls.
“Besides helping people trapped in the sand or mud, we also search for lost individuals in the sea, land, and mountains,” he said.
Beyond individual rescues, the UAE Rescue Team plays a crucial role during major crises and natural disasters. The team has conducted numerous challenging operations across the country and regularly participates in volunteer clean-up drives. Their expertise proved invaluable during the heavy rainfall last April, when they assisted government teams in emergency relief efforts.
“We co-ordinate with different police departments across the country during emergencies,” he said. “Last year, we helped distribute food, water, and medicine to affected people, transported doctors and paramedics across flooded areas, and helped evacuate patients to nearby hospitals. In total, we assisted around 100,000 people.”
One of the team’s most difficult missions occurred in 2018, when they rescued 700 people trapped in Jebel Jais due to heavy rainfall.
“The wadi was flooded, roads were closed, and more than 450 cars were stranded. We reached the area quickly and managed to evacuate 700 people,” he recalled.
Abdullah Al Mamari, a member of the team, said they often receive an increase in pleas for help during the winter season, especially when it rains.
“Many youngsters and families go to the desert, mountains and wadis during the winter to enjoy the weather. In weekends we receive between 200 to 300 distress calls across the country,” he said.
The team’s equipment standards are equally rigorous, specially chosen to handle the demands of desert rescues. Vehicles are outfitted with advanced tools and emergency gear.
“Our equipment include air compressors, high-pressure systems, shovels, and specialised tools,” said Mr Al Mamari. “We are prepared for any situation.”
UAE rescue team welcome anyone to join the team if they have the passion and time to help people in need. Mr Al Shimmari said the team buy equipment at their own expense.
“I buy jet-skies and boats for sea rescue. I established a garage to fix the team’s vehicles,” he said. “Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved the lives of all mankind.”
‘How To Build A Boat’
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, “accepted the political utility of violence”
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: “The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism.”
SQUADS
South Africa:
JP Duminy (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, Robbie Frylinck, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle (wkt), Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi
Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed
Fixtures
Oct 26: Bloemfontein
Oct 29: Potchefstroom
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user’s top friends’ list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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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
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
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Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.