It's World Pilots' Day...Let's celebrate Captain Solomon Quainoo

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved ©

Yeah! It is my first time hearing about such a day - World Pilots' Day. Well if for nothing at all the commemoration of this day just struck a chord because my dad is a retired Ghana Air Force pilot.

But pilots did not have a professional day until 2014 when the Turkish Airline Pilots’ Association shared their vision with the international community. April 26 marks the maiden flight of Fesa Evrensev – Turkey’s first pilot.

I would, however, like us to, apart from doffing off our hats to all pilots who transport thousands of people across oceans and mountains all over the world, celebrate Ghanaian-born pilot and captain on Emirates’ A380 jet, Solomon Quainoo.

He is among four Ghanaians currently flying Emirates aircraft and making Ghana and Africa proud. Salute to all the fine pilots and their crew.

#Edmages shares pictures from an encounter with him recently at the Emirates headquarters in Dubai during a media familiarisation tour.

#flyemiratesflybetter #flyemirates #dubai #canonshots

https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/captain-solomon-quainoo-the-bus-driver.html

Salute to all pilots

The Jumeirah Mosque …Ramadan is here!

By Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved ©

Ramadan is the Holy Month on the Muslim calendar and it is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast by adult Muslims (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. The fast includes abstaining from drinking, eating, immoral acts and anger. Other acts of worship such as prayer, reading the Quran and charity are also encouraged during the Holy Month.

Muslims also believe the Quran was revealed in Ramadan. During the Holy Month, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.

It is common for mosques to host large iftars, especially for the poor and needy. Nightly prayers called Tarawih are also held in mosques after iftar.

This year 2020, however, there would be no mosque affairs globally due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Saudi Arabia's grand mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, the highest religious authority in the kingdom, has already urged that prayers during Ramadan, including nightly Tarawee and Eid al-Fitr prayers, should be performed at home as the pandemic rages on around the world, the Saudi newspaper Okaz has reported.

If the moon is sighted on the 29th day of the fast the first day of Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Sunday, May 23.

Otherwise, Ramadan fasting will carry on for 30 days and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 24.

#Edmages was privileged to visit the Jumeirah Mosque a very famed meeting place for Muslim faithful in Dubai which would have been a beehive of activities if we were in normal times, during a Media Familiarisation tour organised by Emirates. Find below some clicks of the Muslim place of worship. Edmages wishes all Muslim brothers and sisters a fruitful Ramadan period.

#flyemiratesflybetter #flyemirates #canonshots @Dubai

Frankincense, Myrrh ...Spices from Dubai

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

Most know about the gifts presented to baby Jesus Christ by the Three Wise Men. They were Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Nonetheless, while gold is very known, not many people have seen and touched Frankincense and Myrrh. 

Well Edmages brings you clicks taken of some Frankincense and Myrrh plus other spices during a visit to Dubai's Herbs Souq courtesy Emirates Airline's media familiarisation trip 2020. #flyemiratesflybetter #flyemirates @Emirates #dubaidiaries 

Frankincense

Frame of Dubai

Pictures by Edmund Smith-Asante. All Rights Reserved (C)

This frame in the centre of Dubai is meant to remind the citizens of how the city intends to be framed. A kind of reminder of where they are going. Edmages during a visit earlier in 2020 found this concept intriguing and took both day and night shots of the huge frame which has an observatory.