Faith added a powerful voice to efforts to save the planet on day four of Cop28 when Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, signed a declaration of support for climate action.
Both Pope Francis and Dr Al Tayeb signed the Call of Conscience declaration on Sunday which intends to draw in interfaith dialogue to introduce measures to combat climate change.
The Pope said the document reflected the intention of religious leaders to stand together in the interest of peace and to protect the planet.
“Today the world needs alliances that are not against someone but for the benefit of everyone,” he said in a video message.
Let us safeguard creation and protect our common home, live in peace and promote peace
Pope Francis
He spoke of the urgency for the world’s religions to set a good example by working together “not for own interests of those of particular groups but for the interests of our world”.
“Among these the most important right now are peace and climate,” he added.
The Pope deeply regretted not being at Cop28 due to ill health and called on religious representatives to show that change is possible by demonstrating respectful and sustainable lifestyles.
Calling for peace, he urged world leaders to “safeguard creation and protect our common home.”
The Grand Imam also joined in the plea for peace and urged an end to the violence in Gaza.
He appealed for a halt to “atrocious, criminal wars,” and warned that if these persisted the world would be left with “neither a viable environment nor a liveable climate for our children or future generations.”
Respect the environment
Dr Al Tayeb also cautioned that climate change was one of the most serious challenges facing humanity with a growing number of natural disasters.
“This threat is embodied in natural disasters including an unprecedented rise in temperature, sweeping floods, devastating wildfires, severe drought and extinction of numerous living species and the spread of epidemics and diseases,” he said.
Dr Tayeb said the teaching of the Quran embodied being mindful of the environment.
“The noble Quran abounds with verses that urge respect for the environment and its elements,” he said adding that “humans are responsible for the environment, just as they are responsible for themselves and for their fellow human beings.”
The document has been signed by several religious leaders during Cop28 and reaffirms their support to communities impacted by climate change.
The leaders have pledged to change their consumption patterns, promote sustainable choices and join their voices in the fight to conserve wildlife and protect biodiversity, support equality and the rights of indigenous people and vulnerable communities.
In an earlier message to Cop28 leaders, he compared the destruction of the environment to “an offence against God” while cautioning countries from putting self-interest before the needs of the planet.
“The destruction of the environment is an offence against God, a sin that is not only personal but structural, one that greatly endangers all human beings, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
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The Equaliser 2
Director Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Ashton Sanders
Three stars
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
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Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
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The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Dhadak 2
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Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
