There are certainly simpler topics for an upcoming filmmaker to tackle with their first feature length project. Emirati director Nahla Al Fahad has released the trailer for her upcoming documentary The Tainted Veil - a hard-hitting look at conflicting views of women's decision to wear the hijab, taken from countries and cultures across the globe.
Co-directed by established international documentary filmmaker Ovidio Salazar, the 70-minute piece aims to put the tradition into a historical context, showing how the practice existed in cultures and religions long before Islam.
"Throughout the world there are different views and opinions about the hijab," said the director. "Some people talk from a negative point of view, some positive. "Our aim is to show that the hijab is an identity."
Interviewees range from academics and scholars to regular Muslims, drawn from a wide cross section of cultures, many who encounter prejudice for practicing their own religious beliefs. "We're judged if we wear it, and we're judged if we're don't," comments one woman interviewed in the trailer, which was revealed on November 4 at Abu Dhabi Art by production company Anasy Media.
Scores of interviewees were sourced from countries including the UK, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Morocco and the UAE.
Set to fiery dramatic music, the trailer reveals that some of the answers the filmmakers encountered will not make for easy viewing.
Nahla added: "I was shocked by the number of different perspectives - some people who used to wear the veil but stopped, some who are afraid of prejudice and face challenges in European countries. "I was really surprised by the amount of passion I found in people, even when society is against them."
The film is at the editing stage, with hopes to premiere at a major European festival next year.
rgarratt@thenational.ae
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
