From UAE residents planning Eid holidays to a fake Michael Jackson drone show fooling social media users, the region saw a mix of tech, travel, food and more all at once. Also, Oman quietly made headlines in Geneva for something that could seriously help Hajj pilgrims in emergencies. Here’s a quick look at the GCC updates people have been talking about.
UAE Residents Start Planning Eid Breaks
The UAE officially confirmed the Eid Al Adha holidays for both public and private sector employees, and people wasted absolutely no time making plans. Private sector workers will get a four-day break from May 26 to May 29. Public sector employees will get five days off starting May 25. For many residents, this announcement basically marked the beginning of travel group chats. Flights, staycations and last-minute road trips are already being discussed everywhere.
Oman’s Hajj Health Card Is Getting Global Attention
Oman ended up in global health discussions after showcasing its Digital Hajj Health Card initiative in Geneva. The system helped over 500,000 pilgrims during the 2024 and 2025 Hajj seasons by allowing doctors to quickly access verified medical records during emergencies. Health officials in Oman say this is part of the country’s wider Vision 2040 healthcare plans. The idea is simple: give patients more control over their health data while making medical access faster during critical situations. Also, Oman’s Al-Shifa digital system now reportedly connects over 85% of healthcare institutions across the country, which is honestly a massive number.
Pilgrims Asked To Carry Printed Hajj Permits
At the same time, Omani authorities reminded pilgrims travelling for Hajj this year to carry printed copies of their electronic permits. Officials said physical copies could help avoid delays or verification issues at checkpoints during the pilgrimage journey. Pilgrims are being advised to keep the documents with them throughout the trip for smoother inspections.
Careem Wants You To Order Food From Across The City
In UAE food news, Careem launched a new feature called “Far-Away Gems”, and honestly, it feels dangerous for people already addicted to food delivery apps. The feature now lets users order from restaurants much farther away than before. More than 600 restaurants across Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been included. Some popular names on the list include Al Ustad Special Kabab, Pechka, Aqaya and Café De Paris. The idea came after customers kept searching for places considered “worth the drive”, even if they lived nowhere near them.
Dubai Police Warn Parents About Viral Energy Drink Trends
Dubai Police also issued a warning about viral social media videos encouraging kids and teenagers to drink excessive amounts of energy drinks. Authorities said some creators are chasing views without thinking about the health risks involved. According to officials, overconsumption can lead to anxiety, sleep problems, irregular heartbeat and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Parents were advised to monitor what their children are watching online and remind them not to blindly copy internet trends.
That Viral Michael Jackson Drone Show Was Completely Fake
And finally, the internet fell for another AI-style viral moment. A video showing thousands of drones creating Michael Jackson’s silhouette near Burj Khalifa spread rapidly online this week. A lot of people genuinely believed Dubai had organised another massive sky show. Even influencers shared it. But later, a UAE resident revealed to Gulf News that the entire thing was digitally created and never actually happened. The clip left several viewers and even some media outlets looking slightly apologetic after posting it as real.
We will be back with more updates tomorrow!
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro, @SanatDeposu/X
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