Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
An Iraqi security force officer guards as people wait to greet Pope Francis in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
An Iraqi security force officer guards as people wait to greet Pope Francis in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Children with flags wait for Pope Francis to arrive at a meeting with the Qaraqosh community at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. AP Photo
Children with flags wait for Pope Francis to arrive at a meeting with the Qaraqosh community at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. AP Photo
People wait for Pope Francis before his arrival inside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda). AFP
People wait for Pope Francis before his arrival inside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda). AFP
Pope Francis arrives to hold a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to hold a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis sits down before holding a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis sits down before holding a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
A girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
A girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Ignatius Joseph III Yunan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, reads from a book as Pope Francis listens while on the throne at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP
Ignatius Joseph III Yunan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, reads from a book as Pope Francis listens while on the throne at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP

Iraq

Pope Francis in Iraq brings hope to town crushed by ISIS

Town of Qaraqosh was once largest Christian community in Iraq, then ISIS destroyed it. Pope Francis’s visit may boost the revival, residents tell Gareth Browne

Gareth Browne
Gareth Browne

March 08, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A jubilant priest skips along the street, whipping up a crowd. The hymns of a young choir pierce the morning cold.

Not long ago, this scene would have been impossible. Barely five years have passed since ISIS gunmen patrolled the streets of Qaraqosh, a town known as the home of Iraq’s Christian people.

Nestled on the Nineveh plains east of Mosul, it was overrun in ISIS’s rampage across Iraq in 2014.

The militants replaced crosses with their black flag and thousands of Christians fled.

Those unable to escape were killed or subjugated under the extremists' Christian tax.

Churches were ransacked, hymn books and benches were torched. One church was turned into a bomb factory.

Today, the Pope was in town as part of a historic trip, the first by a serving pontiff to Iraq.

Pope Francis, 84, trod in areas most western diplomats and foreign delegations refuse to include on their itineraries. They say it is too dangerous.

"Our people expected a visit from the Pope to Iraq but we didn't expect that he would visit Al Hamdaniya," Issam Bahnam, the Mayor of the town told The National using another name for Qaraqosh.

“In protocol, the Pope visits the capital of countries he arrives to, but a small city like Baghdeda or Qaraqosh is something unheard of. This visit will erase the pain our people went through.”

There were many reasons the trip might could been cancelled, with a precarious security situation and a critical healthcare crisis during a global pandemic being but two of them.

Then, just days before Pope Francis’s arrival, the Vatican’s envoy Mitja Leskovar tested positive for Covid-19.

It seemed the trip would be called off at any moment.

Yet so in need of a lift were Iraq’s Christians, let alone the rest of the country, that the Vatican insisted the trip go ahead even if it did so with the tightest of precautions.

Pope Francis gestures as he boards a plane to depart for Rome, at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad. Reuters
Pope Francis gestures as he boards a plane to depart for Rome, at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad. Reuters
Cardinals and ranking Catholic clergymen board the Alitalia Airbus A330 aircraft as Pope Francis bids farewell to other bishops and Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh before departing from the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International. AFP
Cardinals and ranking Catholic clergymen board the Alitalia Airbus A330 aircraft as Pope Francis bids farewell to other bishops and Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh before departing from the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International. AFP
Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh escort Pope Francis during the farewell ceremony for the pontiff at the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Iraq's President Barham Saleh and his wife Sarbagh escort Pope Francis during the farewell ceremony for the pontiff at the Iraqi capital's Baghdad International Airport. AFP
Pope Francis meets Abdullah Kurdi, father of little Alan, who was shipwrecked with his brother and mother on the Turkish coast in September 2015 while he was trying to reach Europe with his family, at the end of a Mass in the Erbil Stadium. EPA
Pope Francis meets Abdullah Kurdi, father of little Alan, who was shipwrecked with his brother and mother on the Turkish coast in September 2015 while he was trying to reach Europe with his family, at the end of a Mass in the Erbil Stadium. EPA
Nuns cheer and dance at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Getty Images
Nuns cheer and dance at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Getty Images
A baby dressed in papal outfit during a mass with Pope Francis at the Erbil Stadium. EPA
A baby dressed in papal outfit during a mass with Pope Francis at the Erbil Stadium. EPA
Nuns take a selfie after the completion of a mass conducted by Pope Francis. Getty Images
Nuns take a selfie after the completion of a mass conducted by Pope Francis. Getty Images
People carry umbrellas as they celebrate after a mass led by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters
People carry umbrellas as they celebrate after a mass led by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq. Reuters
Pope Francis conducts mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images
Pope Francis conducts mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images
Monks pray during a mass conducted by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images
Monks pray during a mass conducted by Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium. Getty Images
Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Virgin Mary at a mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. EPA
Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Virgin Mary at a mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. EPA
Pope Francis walks with an incense censer as he leads mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP
Pope Francis walks with an incense censer as he leads mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP
Pope Francis blesses people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
Pope Francis blesses people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
Pope Francis arrives on the popemobile to celebrate Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AP Photo
Pope Francis arrives on the popemobile to celebrate Mass at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AP Photo
Nuns wave flags of Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
Nuns wave flags of Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
A faithful waits for Pope Francis to hold Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. Reuters
A faithful waits for Pope Francis to hold Mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. Reuters
Pope Francis blessing people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP
Pope Francis blessing people as he arrives in the popemobile vehicle at the Franso Hariri Stadium. AFP
Young women dressed in traditional Kurdish clothing wave flags of the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
Young women dressed in traditional Kurdish clothing wave flags of the Holy See as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil. AFP
Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis is greeted by people as he arrives at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. AFP
Pope Francis is greeted by people as he arrives at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh. AFP
Pope Francis arrives at a meeting with local residents at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. AP Photo
Pope Francis arrives at a meeting with local residents at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh. AP Photo
Pope Francis visits the town before holding a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis visits the town before holding a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters
Pope Francis releases a white dove during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters
Pope Francis rides in a golf cart at the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP
Pope Francis rides in a golf cart at the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP
A nun kisses the hand of Pope Francis during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters
A nun kisses the hand of Pope Francis during a prayer for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's Old City. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to pray for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's old city. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to pray for war victims at 'Hosh al-Bieaa', Church Square, in Mosul's old city. Reuters
Pope Francis attends a prayer for the victims of the war at Church Square, Mosul. EPA
Pope Francis attends a prayer for the victims of the war at Church Square, Mosul. EPA
Pope Francis and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani viewing a gift sculpture of a Chaldean cross during their meeting in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region. AFP
Pope Francis and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani viewing a gift sculpture of a Chaldean cross during their meeting in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region. AFP
Pope Francis meeting with the President of the autonomous Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government Mansour Barzani, and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani in Arbil. AFP
Pope Francis meeting with the President of the autonomous Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, the Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government Mansour Barzani, and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masud Barzani in Arbil. AFP
Pope Francis greets Iraqis dressed in traditional outfits upon his arrival at Erbil airport, in the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
Pope Francis greets Iraqis dressed in traditional outfits upon his arrival at Erbil airport, in the capital of the northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. AFP
Pope Francis walks with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan region, and President of the Kurdistan region in Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, upon his arrival at Erbil International Airport. Reuters
Pope Francis walks with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Kurdistan region, and President of the Kurdistan region in Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, upon his arrival at Erbil International Airport. Reuters
Iraqi women dressed in traditional outfits hold palm leafs as they welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival at Erbil airport. AFP
Iraqi women dressed in traditional outfits hold palm leafs as they welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival at Erbil airport. AFP
Mansour Barzani, Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government looks on , as Pope Francis greets religious dignitaries at the Erbil airport. AFP
Mansour Barzani, Prime Minister of the 9th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government looks on , as Pope Francis greets religious dignitaries at the Erbil airport. AFP
Pope Francis arrives at Erbil International Airport in Iraq. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives at Erbil International Airport in Iraq. Reuters
Pope Francis is welcomed at Erbil International Airport in Erbil. Reuters
Pope Francis is welcomed at Erbil International Airport in Erbil. Reuters
Pope Francis greets people as he leave the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Getty Images
Pope Francis greets people as he leave the Chaldean Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Getty Images
Pope Francis leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Iraqi Christian worshippers attend the mass led by the Pope at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Iraqi Christian worshippers attend the mass led by the Pope at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis greeted by children upon his arrival for a mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis greeted by children upon his arrival for a mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis blesses the congregation as he leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis blesses the congregation as he leads mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis arrives to lead mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis arrives to lead mass at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis is greeted by children upon his arrival at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
Pope Francis is greeted by children upon his arrival at Baghdad's Saint Joseph Cathedral. AFP
People take pictures with their mobiles upon the arrival of Pope Francis. Reuters
People take pictures with their mobiles upon the arrival of Pope Francis. Reuters
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. EPA
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. EPA
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis speaks to Iraqi religious figures during an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis is seen behind flowers at an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis is seen behind flowers at an interfaith service at the House of Abraham in the ancient city of Ur. EPA
Pope Francis smiles and waves at a women that threw a kiss to him. Haider Husseini/ The National
Pope Francis smiles and waves at a women that threw a kiss to him. Haider Husseini/ The National
People attend an inter-religious ceremony in Ur near Nassiriya. Reuters
People attend an inter-religious ceremony in Ur near Nassiriya. Reuters
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani meeting with Pope Francis and his delegation, at his home in the holy city of Najaf. AFP
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani meeting with Pope Francis and his delegation, at his home in the holy city of Najaf. AFP
Pope Francis, accompanied by clerics, and Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, meet in Najaf. Courtesy of the Vatican
Pope Francis, accompanied by clerics, and Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, meet in Najaf. Courtesy of the Vatican
Pope Francis's meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, in Najaf, followed months of negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican. Reuters
Pope Francis's meeting with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, in Najaf, followed months of negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican. Reuters
Pope Francis smiles with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis smiles with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
The Pope visits Our Lady of Salvation Church. Courtesy of the Prime Minister office
The Pope visits Our Lady of Salvation Church. Courtesy of the Prime Minister office
Pope Francis is welcomed upon his arrival at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AP Photo
Pope Francis is welcomed upon his arrival at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AP Photo
Pope Francis speaks in the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Pope Francis speaks in the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Pope Francis greets people in front of the the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Pope Francis greets people in front of the the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Nuns welcome Pope Francis at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Nuns welcome Pope Francis at the Our Lady of Salvation Church. AFP
Iraq's President Barham Salih speaks with Pope Francis during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidental Palace in Baghdad. Reuters
Iraq's President Barham Salih speaks with Pope Francis during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidental Palace in Baghdad. Reuters
Iraqi President Barham Salih welcomes Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. AFP
Iraqi President Barham Salih welcomes Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace. AFP
Pope Francis walk with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis walk with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis talks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival in Baghdad. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis talks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival in Baghdad. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis walks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis walks with Iraq's prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on arrival at Baghdad airport. Handout from the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Pope Francis walks alongside Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi upon his arrival in Baghdad. AFP
Pope Francis walks alongside Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi upon his arrival in Baghdad. AFP
Pope Francis waves to the crowd upon his arrival in Baghdad. Reuters
Pope Francis waves to the crowd upon his arrival in Baghdad. Reuters
Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the plane heading to Iraq. AP Photo
Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the plane heading to Iraq. AP Photo
Pope Francis waves as he boards the plane for his visit to Iraq, at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. Reuters
Pope Francis waves as he boards the plane for his visit to Iraq, at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. Reuters
People holding Iraqi and Vatican flags as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, at Baghdad Airport Road, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
People holding Iraqi and Vatican flags as they wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, at Baghdad Airport Road, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
A Christian woman holds the Vatican flag as she heads to the airport to wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
A Christian woman holds the Vatican flag as she heads to the airport to wait for the arrival of Pope Francis, in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Pope Francis arrived by helicopter from nearby Mosul, a flight of just a few minutes.

Then a meandering convoy of 50 vehicles, loaded with Iraqi Special Forces, Kurdish Peshmerga units and intelligence agents, escorted him the few hundred metres from the helicopter to Qaraqosh’s Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Above, low-flying helicopters with marksman hovered. Every person in town had either a gun or a balloon.

As the papal convoy passed crowds lining the rubble city’s main street, there were screams of ecstasy, even relief.

“Bring him to bless my baby,” shouted one woman, dangling her infant over the fence.

Although the effects of the country’s brutal war against ISIS continue to be present, with hundreds still missing and much of the town destroyed, it was forgiveness and perseverance the Pope was preaching.

"The road to a full recovery may still be long but I ask you, please, not to grow discouraged," he told those gathered in the church.

"What is needed is the ability to forgive, but also the courage not to give up."

The Vatican hopes that the visit might help stem a continuing departure of Christians from Iraq, a community that once numbered 1.5 million but had fallen to a few hundred thousand even before ISIS invaded.

A dire economy, political instability and a lack of reconstruction in places such as Qaraqosh leave few prospects for communities to return home.

Asylum with the support of churches in countries such as Canada and Australia is the most enticing option for an increasing number.

Mirron Ayoud said that although many of his friends had fled Iraq, the Pope’s visit encouraged him to stay.

“I’m 25, I don’t want to migrate," Mr Ayoud said. "I want to stay in my city, in my country.

“If things are stable and fine in Iraq I will never leave, and perhaps some of my friends will come back.

"They will see the Pope is here and they will come back and rebuild the city with me.

“Within 24 hours, everything became different in the whole city. The Pope has achieved something no Iraqi has managed yet – he gave us hope."

Yet, whether this euphoria can lead to any lasting, meaningful change is a question for another day, says Joni Kochar, 33, who waited for hours sitting on a wall to catch a glimpse of the Pope.

“I came with my friends to see the Pope and that’s what I did. I saw him wave and I’m happy,” Ms Kochar says.

“Tomorrow I’ll work out how to fix my community. Today I’ll enjoy the party.”

Saudi National Day
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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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
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Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE%20ILT20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The BIO

Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.

Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.

Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.

French Touch

Carla Bruni

(Verve)

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

Company%C2%A0profile
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Joy%20Ride%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adele%20Lim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAshley%20Park%2C%20Sherry%20Cola%2C%20Stephanie%20Hsu%2C%20Sabrina%20Wu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
On Women's Day
TOUCH RULES

Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.

Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.

Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.

A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.

After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.

At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.

A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series

Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen​​​​​​​
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg​​​​​​​
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

Score

Third Test, Day 2

New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)

Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Match info

Deccan Gladiators 87-8

Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16

Maratha Arabians 89-2

Chadwick Walton 51 not out

Arabians won the final by eight wickets

The Breadwinner

Director: Nora Twomey

Starring: Saara Chaudry,  Soma Chhaya,  Laara Sadiq 

Three stars

While you're here
While you're here
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The%20specs
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%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

UAE central contracts

Full time contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid

Part time contracts

Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma

MATCH INFO

Pakistan 106-8 (20 ovs)

Iftikhar 45, Richardson 3-18

Australia 109-0 (11.5 ovs)

Warner 48 no, Finch 52 no

Australia win series 2-0

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Iraq