The PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds game has proved such a hit in Iraq its youth have been dubbed the "PUBG generation", with many people flocking to coffee shops to play the game. AFP
The PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds game has proved such a hit in Iraq its youth have been dubbed the "PUBG generation", with many people flocking to coffee shops to play the game. AFP
President of the Iraqi eSports Federation, Hayder Jaafar, talks about the craze taking the country by storm during an interview in the capital city Baghdad. AFP
President of the Iraqi eSports Federation, Hayder Jaafar, talks about the craze taking the country by storm during an interview in the capital city Baghdad. AFP
Mr Jaafar demonstrates on a mobile device the Battlegrounds game that has transfixed Iraq's youth. AFP
Mr Jaafar demonstrates on a mobile device the Battlegrounds game that has transfixed Iraq's youth. AFP
People across the country spend hours every day competing on the virtual battleground. AFP
People across the country spend hours every day competing on the virtual battleground. AFP
In addition to doing battle, gamers can also socialise via its live chat. AFP
In addition to doing battle, gamers can also socialise via its live chat. AFP
Battlegrounds is a first-person shooter game reminiscent of the film series 'The Hunger Games'. AFP
Battlegrounds is a first-person shooter game reminiscent of the film series 'The Hunger Games'. AFP
In the game, up to 100 players parachute onto an island and search for weapons and equipment to kill others, while avoiding getting killed themselves. AFP
In the game, up to 100 players parachute onto an island and search for weapons and equipment to kill others, while avoiding getting killed themselves. AFP
The last player or team standing wins the round and progresses through to the next stage of the game. AFP
The last player or team standing wins the round and progresses through to the next stage of the game. AFP
PUBG's popularity is due to the launch of a free-to-play mobile version and the fact it allows users to escape everyday reality. AFP
PUBG's popularity is due to the launch of a free-to-play mobile version and the fact it allows users to escape everyday reality. AFP
The eSports industry is booming in the Middle East, something Mr Jaafar, a member of the international gaming body, is well-positioned to capitalise on. AFP
The eSports industry is booming in the Middle East, something Mr Jaafar, a member of the international gaming body, is well-positioned to capitalise on. AFP

Iraq

Young Iraqis escape horrors of real-life conflict on a virtual battleground

PUBG remains popular despite ban, with some Iraqis even finding fame and fortune through the game

AFP

May 17, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Bashar Abo Khalil's PUBG character dashes around a wall in a pink dress and samurai helmet, thwacking an enemy with a frying pan – standard fare in the mobile game that is a mega-sensation in Iraq.

The online star, known as G2G, is one of many Iraqis hooked on PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds – a battle royale first-person shooter game that is reminiscent of The Hunger Games book and film series.

The mobile version of the game has become so popular in Iraq – where 60 per cent of the 40 million population is under 25 – that the country's youth have been dubbed the "PUBG generation".

Iraqis across the country are spending hours every day on the game's virtual battleground, socialising via its live chat, playing competitively or even falling in love.

Abo Khalil, 31, said he used to play for hours to "stop thinking about problems".

"When you're playing the game you can become closed off to the rest of the world. It can be like a drug," he said.

Now based in Turkey, he earns a living streaming games and making videos.

Dalya Waheed, a woman in her thirties who lives in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, said she plays PUBG for an hour or two a day with friends she met on the game, and has even set up a gaming hub at the electronics reseller where she works.

"It's really easy to meet people on PUBG," she said.

Some Iraqi parents have criticised the game as time-sucking or have expressed worry about the violence it portrays, with guns aplenty and explosives sending up blood spatter.

But Reshar Ibrahim, who plays PUBG Mobile competitively, said the game would never be as bad as what many Iraqis had experienced in real life over the decades of conflicts that have devastated the country.

"It's just a game," said Mr Ibrahim, a 19-year-old Iraqi Kurd who has lived in Sweden for the past three years.

In 2019, the country's parliament banned PUBG, amid local reports it was leading to bankruptcy, suicide and divorce.

The ban, which is easily circumvented, was criticised as being out of touch with the real challenges facing Iraqis.

Nearly 40 per cent of Iraqi young people are unemployed, according to the World Bank, and the country's poverty rate has doubled to 40 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Later in 2019, thousands of young Iraqis – some dressed in PUBG outfits – filled the streets to protest against endemic corruption and unemployment. Over the months that followed, about 600 demonstrators were killed in protest-related violence.

Mr Abo Khalil and Mr Ibrahim are just two of many successful Iraqi gamers who live outside the country, away from the additional challenges of poor internet and unreliable electricity supplies that players back home face.

Mr Ibrahim, whose gamer name is Freak, recently won Most Valuable Player in the PUBG Mobile Star Arabia Challenge, which gave out $100,000 in total prize money.

His team, GunZ Esports, won the competition, despite one player in Iraq losing power mid-game and another having to travel from southern Najaf to the northern Kurdistan region – where internet connectivity "is slightly better", Mr Ibrahim said.

Helmat Shiar, 23, who competed in the tournament with the Iraqi iKurd E-Sports team, said it was not just that Iraqis "play against teams abroad who have much stronger internet".

There was also "no support" from private or governmental sponsors, he lamented.

Elsewhere in the Arab world, governments and major sponsors are pouring money into eSports.

In the Gulf, the gaming market is expected to reach $821 million this year, according to Strategy&, the strategy consulting business unit of PwC professional services network.

Hayder Jaafar, 38, said he struggled for 10 years to register his non-governmental Iraqi Electronic Sports Federation as a full member of the international gaming body, before succeeding in 2020.

"The youth ministry structure for eSports was last modified in 2009, and a lot has changed in eSports since then," Mr Jaafar said.

Iraq suffers from war-ravaged infrastructure and poor electricity – most households have only a few hours of state-provided power supply per day.

But there are 40 million mobile phone connections in the country and 30 million internet users, according to a 2021 DataReportal study.

Last year, PUBG was the 11th-most-searched term in Iraq on Google, and variations on the game's name took several top spots on YouTube searches as well.

PUBG's widespread popularity is in part due to the launch of a free-to-play mobile version by Chinese tech giant Tencent, which said in March that more than one billion people had downloaded the app since 2018.

iKurd player Jiner Hekmat, 18, said he was hooked on the mobile version but was not banking all his hopes on being a competitive player, saying he wanted to focus on his studies.

But, he added, "I'm also going to do everything I can to keep my level in PUBG, and keep playing as long as the game exists."

_________________

Archaeological sites of southern Iraq – in pictures

The Al Aqiser archaeological site in Ain Tamr, near Karbala in Iraq, includes what has been described as one of the oldest eastern Christian churches. AFP
The Al Aqiser archaeological site in Ain Tamr, near Karbala in Iraq, includes what has been described as one of the oldest eastern Christian churches. AFP
At Al Aqiser archaeological site in Ain Tamr near Karbala in Iraq, all that remains of Al Aqiser, which has stood in Ain Tamr for more than 1,500 years, are crumbling brick and red earthen walls. AFP
At Al Aqiser archaeological site in Ain Tamr near Karbala in Iraq, all that remains of Al Aqiser, which has stood in Ain Tamr for more than 1,500 years, are crumbling brick and red earthen walls. AFP
In a country battered by years of conflict, government negligence and climate change, Al Aqiser archaeological site near Karbala in Iraq, is crumbling. Iraq's numerous Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian heritage relics are being left to weather away. AFP
In a country battered by years of conflict, government negligence and climate change, Al Aqiser archaeological site near Karbala in Iraq, is crumbling. Iraq's numerous Christian, Islamic and Mesopotamian heritage relics are being left to weather away. AFP
The crumbling brick and earthen walls at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq, where timeless relics from the past are left to deteriorate. AFP
The crumbling brick and earthen walls at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq, where timeless relics from the past are left to deteriorate. AFP
The ziggurat in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. Nippur, the jewel of Iraq's glorious Mesopotamian past was one of the main religious centres of the Akkadians and later the Babylonians. AFP
The ziggurat in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. Nippur, the jewel of Iraq's glorious Mesopotamian past was one of the main religious centres of the Akkadians and later the Babylonians. AFP
A crumbling structure at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq. AFP
A crumbling structure at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq. AFP
An archway in the ziggurat in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. AFP
An archway in the ziggurat in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. AFP
A view across the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur in southern Iraq. Seven thousand years ago Nippur was the jewel of Iraq's glorious Mesopotamian past with its temples, libraries and palaces. AFP
A view across the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur in southern Iraq. Seven thousand years ago Nippur was the jewel of Iraq's glorious Mesopotamian past with its temples, libraries and palaces. AFP
A brief first archaeological dig at the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur in southern Iraq, was in 1851 by Sir Austen Henry Layard, a British polymath. The Oriental Institute of Chicago led 19 seasons of excavation at the site between 1948 and 1990. AFP
A brief first archaeological dig at the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur in southern Iraq, was in 1851 by Sir Austen Henry Layard, a British polymath. The Oriental Institute of Chicago led 19 seasons of excavation at the site between 1948 and 1990. AFP
Al Aqiser archaeological site in Iraq. All that remains of Al Aqiser, which has stood in Ain Tamr for more than 1,500 years, are crumbling brick and earthen walls. AFP
Al Aqiser archaeological site in Iraq. All that remains of Al Aqiser, which has stood in Ain Tamr for more than 1,500 years, are crumbling brick and earthen walls. AFP
The ziiggurat at Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. AFP
The ziiggurat at Nippur, in the Diwaniya governorate in southern Iraq. AFP
The interior of the pyramid-shaped ziggurat at Nippur in Iraq. AFP
The interior of the pyramid-shaped ziggurat at Nippur in Iraq. AFP
Centuries of weathering and climate change have left only crumbling evidence of the once-magnificent constructions at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq. AFP
Centuries of weathering and climate change have left only crumbling evidence of the once-magnificent constructions at Al Aqiser near Karbala in Iraq. AFP
An ancient cistern in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur. AFP
An ancient cistern in the ancient Sumerian city of Nippur. AFP
RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel

THE LOWDOWN

Romeo Akbar Walter

Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher 

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On Women's Day
Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport. 

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt 

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood

Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets