Readers on why they love Friday

Ever since the first edition of Friday magazine was published on May 16, 1997, it has built a loyal fan base, giving readers features and articles that are thought-provoking, motivating, touching and entertaining. Developing a relationship based on trust and credibility, Friday has an unbreakable bond with its readers. Some of them have been reading the magazine since the first issue, while others have only picked it up and become a fan more recently.

On the eve of our birthday, we contacted 15 readers to share their views on the magazine and to find out what it means to them. 

Subhasis Mukherjee, Friday reader for eight years

"‘Many issues of Friday,' is the reply I get whenever I call my parents in India to ask them what they would like from Dubai, where I am based.

"Friday has undergone quite a few makeovers - cosmetic and substantive - but it has always risen to a greater stature, steadfastly staying true to its mission of delivering a wholesome decent family magazine with literary, inspirational, informational and entertaining features. I wish there could be more Fridays in a week! Happy birthday.'' 

Minakhee Misra, Friday reader for four years

"It has been four years since Dubai became our home and I was introduced to a precious friend - Friday! Since then Friday has effortlessly become an indispensable part of our family. Each Friday brings home opulent colour and hues of our metropolitan life; a plethora of diverse culture, rich values and stirring experiences. I have not been able to discard a single issue of Friday magazine. Much to the chagrin of my husband, an entire cupboard in my home is dedicated to various issues of the magazine. Happy birthday Friday, the inspirer.'' 

Sheryl Carneiro, Friday reader for 14 years

"My first memory of Friday was way back in my ‘growing up years' during the late 1990s in Dubai. After a cursory glance through the magazine I found it had everything for a reader who wanted to spend a lazy weekend reading or mulling over the articles during the course of the week. Over the years I have found that Friday has indeed helped me evolve as a person. It may not be a significant life-altering experience after reading an article, but a gradual metamorphosis that has occurred within me after reading the various features.'' 

Chetna Pandita, Friday reader for eight years

"Friday has been my go-to resource whenever I am looking for practical strategies and solutions - from time-saving tips and delicious recipes to stylish, affordable fashion and beauty, advice about relationships and parenting as well as valuable information about health and wellness. It's a magazine that truly does have a bit of everything in it.'' 

Rishi Talwalker, Friday reader for four years

"Reading Friday magazine is almost a weekend ritual for me. I wake up early on a Friday morning, grab the magazine and read it with my morning cup of coffee. It's almost a race to get to it before anyone else in the house does. Every week I find stories that are memorable, interesting and inspiring. It is amazing to read such an informative set of articles churned out from the region so regularly. It's a complete magazine, presented in a format that appeals to all.'' 

Suad Alhalwachi, Friday reader for 14 years

"I have been reading Friday magazine almost since its inception and I must say that one of my favourite sections is Food. I've cooked most of the recipes published in the magazine. Another section I enjoy reading is Books. The first page I read is ironically the last page - Suresh Menon's column! I also like the Take Ten section, and am proud to say that I've even participated in it once.'' 

Sonal Barjatya, Friday reader for four years

"Since the day I picked up Friday at a friend's place in Dubai four years ago, my love for it is ever increasing. Over these years, the change in layout, inclusion and exclusion of few columns didn't affect it much. Apart from reading the magazine, I now follow it on Facebook too in order to have a larger picture of what people have to say about it. The inspiring stories, arts, crafts, people, culture, fashion and beautiful pictures all have a magnetic effect. It's the most informative magazine I have ever come across here.'' 

Uma Ghosh Deshpande, Friday reader for 14 years

"I'm a voracious reader and am always looking for something interesting. I've been reading Friday ever since I moved to Dubai 14 years ago. It was one of the first local magazines that caught my attention when I arrived, and I have seen it grow over the years. It definitely reads and breathes Dubai in its entirety. What I enjoy reading the most are the features. The people features are extremely well researched. The stories are always inspirational, highly readable and something everyone in Dubai can relate to. I enjoy my copy of Friday, not just on Fridays but often all through the week.'' 

Julie Ann Odell, Friday reader for 15 years

"My husband and I have a ritual every Friday. We get up reasonably early, grab our Yorkshire terrier, walk through the park area of The Green Community, where we live in Dubai, and head for the coffee shop. Before the coffee has even been ordered I open Friday magazine for another one of my Friday rituals: the puzzle.

"I've been in Dubai for 17 years, so I've seen 15 years worth of Friday issues. I know all the sections, I have my favourite parts and I love getting to know the personalities that I share the UAE with through the personalised features.

"I also love the variety of topics and diversity of cultures covered. I always find something really interesting to read and end up learning a lot as I feel it's a real mirror of what goes on in the United Arab Emirates. Happy 15th birthday Friday - we love you!'' 

Aruna Shenoy, Friday reader for 14 years

"To me, reading Friday is more like having a long conversation with a good friend than just flipping through the pages of a publication. I first discovered Friday 14 years ago when I came to Dubai as a newlywed. It introduced me to interesting people, gave me tips on career-building, parenting, fashion, shopping and health. Even after all these years, I still look forward to each issue! Happy 15th birthday, dear Friday!'' 

Annie Eapen, Friday reader for six years

"If people ask me to describe my weekends in Dubai, pouring over Friday magazine would make it into the top five activities. It's become a part of my life and brings so much joy. I have quite a few memorable issues stacked away for posterity. The features are stimulating, tugging one's heartstrings through the lives of praiseworthy people, keeping one abreast of the latest fashion trends, stirring one's thoughts on important social issues and tickling one's spirit with the lighter moments in life... The grandmother who made thousands of rag dolls, the school boy Aqil Rashid helping children in Afghanistan... These are etched in my mind as is the confessions of a beauty addict, the ramblings of G*nice, Dubai's most fabulous facials and the recipe for scrumptious crab steaks.'' 

Preeti Thomas, Friday reader for five years

"Reading this magazine has always been an enriching experience that makes me look forward to another new issue every week. The features I like are Food, Mindbenders, Vocab and Health as well as the features on various personalities who have contributed to our society. I read the articles about people who have beaten all odds in life to achieve their dreams out aloud to my kids.'' 

Shawn Stephens, Friday reader for eight years

"I remember very precisely that I began reading Friday in March 2004, a few months after I came to Dubai. The week that I was introduced to the magazine at my aunt's house where I lived, the magazine had a men's cover and I loved the look. I got hooked on it right away as I found it to be a perfect mix of everything - fashion, cookery, lifestyle and real people doing real things! I feel every issue is a collector's item and whenever I move houses now, about 50-60 issues of Friday move with me much to my mother's annoyance.'' 

Sue Tyson, Friday reader for seven years

"I find the magazine always tackles different topics and gives us a pretty good idea of what's going on in Dubai and the neighbouring emirates. I like the humanitarian stories where we get to know of the work individuals have done to make a difference in society. These are the kind of stories one wouldn't know about if it wasn't for Friday. I also love the recipe section although it's my husband Julian who loves cooking curries. I wish Friday all the best!'' 

Walter Knight, Friday reader for three years

"Friday is a great magazine - one that I have read regularly since I moved to Dubai, because it has a great focus on food. It has a collection of unique stories that showcase the richness and diversity of the UAE. I find the recipe section is built with great care and I try to cook some of them at home. The recipes tend to be precise and that speaks volumes about how the section is put together. It's definitely very well-structured in its content and its editorial direction.''