A Jordanian author has published what could be the first Arabic language novel to deal with the coronavirus.
Titled Hariboon Min Corona (Escape from Corona), the work is penned by esteemed novelist and poet Mustafa Alqorna and has been released through the Jordanian publisher Dar Al Rwaya Al Arabia.
While the novel’s title promises a thrilling adventure set in the wake of the pandemic, Alqorna actually tackles the current crisis through a sobering and philosophical lens.
Set in various countries in East Asia, the novel is told through the eyes of an animal trader, whose business is severely disrupted by the coronavirus crisis.
In order to maintain his livelihood, the protagonist tries to be a step ahead by relocating and setting up his business in countries not yet afflicted by the virus.
During the course of the novel, Alqorna meditates on past pandemics and traces the role animals have played throughout history, both in forecasting encroaching viruses and saving humankind, thanks to their participation in vaccine trials.
A genuine attempt or a cash in?
Speaking to the Egyptian news site Masr Al Arabia, Alqorna said he started writing the novel in December, but then changed its focus to include Covid-19 after the first reported cases.
He states that Hariboon Min Corona blends his interests in East Asia and global affairs. "It is my habit that when I am working, I maintain some notes about what is going on in the world," he says. "I have always been interested in East Asia. It is a place that I have visited many times."
With the book having been released this month, Alqorna has been criticised on social media for cashing in on a tragic, unfolding situation.
The author defended himself by stating his regional pedigree and accusing critics of judging the work without having read it.
"As for the idea that I am seeking fame from this book, that's not true," he told Masr Al Arabia. "I am well known and translated my work into many languages. I am the former president of the Jordanian Writers Association."
‘Pandemics used as symbols': future Arabic novels about Covid-19
While Hariboon Min Corona is certainly one of, if not the first, Arabic novel to be set amid the pandemic, it will not be the last, says Fleur Montanaro, administrator of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
In a recent interview with The National, she said it is only natural for the coronavirus to appear in future works by Arab authors.
“I am sure there will be something. There has to be at some point,” she said. “But at the same time, I feel sorry to say this, but the Arab world has much bigger things to deal with apart from the coronavirus.
"I think what is happening now with the pandemic will be part of a greater story these authors want to tell.”
As for when further Covid-19 related novels will arrive, acclaimed Lebanese novelist Jabbour Douaihy says it could be years.
The Ipaf nominee told AFP last month that the coronavirus will "leave scars and marks on the mind" of present and future writers.
Writing novels takes time – we can't write about events that are still taking place
“Great authors wrote about previous pandemics and used them as symbols,” he said.
However, unlike Alqorna’s recent effort, he believes the best coronavirus-themed novels will arrive only after novelists fully understand the tragedy and magnitude of the event.
It is no surprise, Douaihy said, that interesting literature surrounding Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war only came out years after the conflict.
"I don't think the Lebanese war was written about until it was over and done with, meaning it could be used in literature," he said. “Writing novels takes time – we can't write about events that are still taking place.”
The years Ramadan fell in May
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
