Dubai’s population landmark, Hajj 2023 gets underway, plus more stories, Gulf News Editors comment on the top news on June 26

DUBAI’S POPULATION GROWTH: With its population now surpassing 3.6 million for the first time, Dubai has achieved a new milestone, according to the most recent figures from the Dubai Statistics Centre. At the end of the first quarter of 2023, the population has grown to 3,600,175 individuals — a 1.5% increase over the end of 2022, or more than 50,000. Since the beginning of 2020, when the pandemic emerged, Dubai's population has increased by 6.3%, or about 215,000 people. This expansion can be credited to Dubai’s attractiveness. Tens of thousands of newcomers continue to flock to the city in search of jobs or business opportunity. Its top-notch infrastructure, a secure political and judicial system, a culture of innovation, push for a green economy and sustainable growth, will continue to keep Dubai’s profile as an attractive global hub. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

HAJJ 2023 GETS UNDERWAY: A time of spirituality and reflection awaits as pilgrims prepare for the pinnacle of the Hajj journey. This year's pilgrimage is poised to be the largest gathering since 2019, prior to the global pandemic. On Sunday, millions of pilgrims flocked to the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform the Tawaf Al-Qudum, marking their arrival in the spiritual epicenter of Islam and the starting point of the Hajj. This initial circumambulation of the Kaaba signifies the sacred state of ihram undertaken by pilgrims. As the sun sets, pilgrims will make their way to Mina, a vast city located a few miles east of Makkah and renowned as the world's largest of its kind. Mina will serve as their base before the Hajj's climactic moment at Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his final sermon. On the eighth day of Dul Hijjah, known as the Day of Tarwiyah, pilgrims embark on the journey to Mina, utilising this time to mentally and physically prepare themselves for the profound spiritual experience that awaits them at Mount Arafat, where they seek divine blessings, engage in heartfelt prayers, and reflect upon their faith with utmost devotion. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

SUMMER OF SHOPPING FOR UAE CONSUMERS? As summer heats up in the UAE, the retail landscape is witnessing a welcome change. A wave of relief has washed over retail prices across various categories, thanks to a steady decline in inflation-related pressures. The reduction in prices is already evident in food, especially staple items such as rice and wheat, as well as in the grocery sector. While prices of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) still remain high, consumers can expect significant discounts as the retail sector gears up for exciting promotions like the Dubai Summer Surprises and the Sharjah Summer Promotions campaigns. UAE consumers are also taking advantage of loyalty programmes. Perhaps most enticingly, the markdowns on smartphones and other electronic gadgets enable technology enthusiasts to get their hands on cutting-edge devices at lower price points. With this perfect storm of affordability, UAE consumers can make the most of their summer by indulging in retail therapy without breaking the bank. (By Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter)

IT’S MISSION TOM CRUISE TODAY IN ABU DHABI: It’s going to be a glorious night for Hollywood movie fans tonight as Tom Cruise walks the red carpet for the UAE premiere of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. Shot partly in Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert and Midfield Terminal in the capital, the star along with the cast and crew will showcase their action thriller to a select audience in this region tonight at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi. While the premiere is a black-tie gala event, we will be your eyes and ears on the red carpet and more. There’s no denying that Tom Cruise is one of the last few bonafide movie stars standing in this era. He does his own stunts in every film, which makes him stand tall among other Hollywood talents. Plus, this movie’s appeal is amplified because this could be our chance to see Cruise horseback riding on a desert. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)