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The Holy Month of Ramadan begins this week - which usually means a busy period for supermarkets and shops. They're all trying to cater for the last minute rush of people stocking up on food and other goods. But this year could be different. Ramadan begins much earlier, falling right in the middle of school holidays and the traditionally quiet month of August when many locals and expats travel overseas to cooler climates.
Retailers are concerned that sales will be slow, and hotels are now fighting to attract a dwindling number of customers for iftar each evening - when they break their fast. Katy Watson's been in the kitchens at one hotel preparing for the festivities.
ALDAR
Aldar is one of the region's largest property developers. Created in 2005 and backed by the Abu Dhabi government, it's already building projects worth $75 billion. But whilst much has been made of the difference between Abu Dhabi's property market, and that of Dubai - are they really any different?
Has Abu Dhabi learned from Dubai's mistakes - or is the impact just delayed? It's a concern echoed by investors. Last week the ratings agency S&P cut Aldar's credit rating to 'junk'.
So is there trouble ahead? This week Ben meets the Chief Commercial Officer of Aldar to find out.
JERUSALEM TOURISM
When tourists visit Jerusalem, they have a problem - what to see when they've only so much time. From the Gardens of Gethsemane to the Mount of Olives, to the Dome of the Rock and the Western - Wailing - Wall... it's tough to know what to do. But what if you're one of the attractions itself? How do you make sure you stay on visitors' "to do" list? Well, at the Tower of David, they think they have the answer.
They project one of the world's largest light shows directly onto the near 3,000-year-old castle walls. Is it enough to bring tourists through the doors? And can it ever make enough money to justify the cost of hiding all that machinery in a national monument? Philip Hampsheir lays siege to the answers...
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT DEBATE
It’s been a turbulent year for investors across the Middle East.Dubai’s debt crisis shocked the markets – and sent foreign investors fleeing. But it has prompted a growing market in alternative investments in everything from art, to sport.
But can they offer some much needed stability? In the first of our special series of summer debates, Nima puts that question to a special panel of guests.
Contact the programme on middleeastbiz@bbc.co.uk
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