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Mahdi Atiya is refusing to let almost a year of war stifle his creativity. The 43-year-old puppeteer is using his skills to entertain, enthral and distract children in the southern Gaza camp in which he now lives.
Amid the tents, to which he fled from Gaza city in the enclave's north after Israeli eviction orders, he and groups of children make puppets, escaping into their imaginations.
"The genocide continues to this moment but we are trying to do as much as possible with the resources available to provide children with education in a unique and impactful way," Mr Atiya told The National. He lost all his own puppets when he fled his home and is slowly recreating a collection using whatever materials come to hand.
Having worked in theatre and puppetry in Gaza for 18 years before the war broke out, Mr Atiya uses remnants of the conflict to craft his marionettes. The creative activities for children affected by Israel's bombardment of Gaza and are organised by the Injaz Palestine association in collaboration with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Using string and small pieces of wood, Mr Atiya helps the children create puppets and trains the youngsters to move and voice them. "We aim for the children to create dolls that represent them and their stories and narratives. They then prepare the entire stage," he said. "We also create games, visual arts, painting and colouring activities for them."
These activities are provided to observe how the children respond and interact. Using simple games made from cardboard, the aim is to enhance their cognitive and life skills while having a bit of fun.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Company%20profile
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