Iraq’s most senior and revered Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani issued a powerful call on Monday for profound reforms to address the hardships that have plagued the country for decades.
During a meeting with Mohammed Al Hassan, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, Mr Al Sistani laid out the urgent need for competent, corruption-free governance, the rule of law and curbing foreign interference to put Iraq on the path to stability and prosperity.
He underscored the “significant challenges that Iraq currently faces and the various hardships endured by its people,” a statement issued from his office after the meeting read. He also urged Iraqis and “particularly the conscious elite” to “draw lessons from past experiences, exert maximum efforts to overcome previous setbacks and work diligently to achieve a better future for their country in which all enjoy security, stability and prosperity”, it added.
Despite the relative stability, and the government's plans to improve services, and introduce financial and economic reforms, Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has so far failed to rein in Iran-backed militias who have expanded their operations to Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack last year and the ensuing war.
That involvement, in the form of launching drone and missile attacks almost on a daily basis, has threatened to drag Iraq into the conflicts, particularly after media reports this month suggested Iran may use Iraqi territory to launch a retaliatory attack on Israel.
Mr Al Sistani called for a system that is based on “competence and integrity in assuming positions of responsibility, preventing all kinds of foreign interference, boosting the rule of law, ensuring the weapons in the hands of the state and fighting corruption”.
However, he cautioned that “Iraqis still have a long path ahead to achieve this. May God help them in it.”
The meeting, which took place in Mr Al Sistani's home in the revered Shiite city of Najaf south of Baghdad, also touched on the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. He voiced deep anguish over the crisis affecting both due to Israeli military operations.
“His Eminence expressed his deep sorrow over the ongoing tragedy in Lebanon and Gaza,” added the statement, criticising the international community for its “inability to enforce effective solutions” to stop the violence or protect civilians from what he described as “horrific aggression” by Israel.
Last month, Channel 14, a right-wing Israeli broadcaster, displayed images of six Iranian and pro-Iran figures, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar before he was killed in clashes with Israeli troops and Mr Al Sistani with crosshairs on their heads, implying that they were potential targets. The move drew condemnation from inside and outside Iraq.
The head of the UN assistance mission, Mr Al Hassan, said after the meeting “we categorically reject any disrespect and threat towards the religious authority, given the symbolism and respect it carries in this country and the entire world".
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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AL%20BOOM
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
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Explained
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RESULTS
West Asia Premiership
Thursday
Jebel Ali Dragons 13-34 Dubai Exiles
Friday
Dubai Knights Eagles 16-27 Dubai Tigers
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MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
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Jiu-jitsu calendar of events for 2017-2018:
August 5:
Round-1 of the President’s Cup in Al Ain.
August 11-13:
Asian Championship in Vietnam.
September 8-9:
Ajman International.
September 16-17
Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Ashgabat.
September 22-24:
IJJF Balkan Junior Open, Montenegro.
September 23-24:
Grand Slam Los Angeles.
September 29:
Round-1 Mother of The Nation Cup.
October 13-14:
Al Ain U18 International.
September 20-21:
Al Ain International.
November 3:
Round-2 Mother of The National Cup.
November 4:
Round-2 President’s Cup.
November 10-12:
Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro.
November 24-26:
World Championship, Columbia.
November 30:
World Beach Championship, Columbia.
December 8-9:
Dubai International.
December 23:
Round-3 President’s Cup, Sharjah.
January 12-13:
Grand Slam Abu Dhabi.
January 26-27:
Fujairah International.
February 3:
Round-4 President’s Cup, Al Dhafra.
February 16-17:
Ras Al Khaimah International.
February 23-24:
The Challenge Championship.
March 10-11:
Grand Slam London.
March 16:
Final Round – Mother of The Nation.
March 17:
Final Round – President’s Cup.
World Mental Health Day
Tomorrow 2021
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
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RESULT
Manchester City 5 Swansea City 0
Man City: D Silva (12'), Sterling (16'), De Bruyne (54' ), B Silva (64' minutes), Jesus (88')
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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The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
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