Live updates: Follow the latest on Syria
The first Christmas Eve of a new Syria – following the overthrow of president Bashar Al Assad's government by armed rebels – passed peacefully but “cautiously” in the Christian neighbourhoods of old Damascus, residents told The National.
“Honestly the vibe is not the usual holiday vibe in terms of the amount of people you’d normally see out celebrating,” said Tawfic, a resident of the Al Qassaa neighbourhood bordering the ancient Christian neighbourhood of Bab Touma. “Things are still a little bit unstable.”
Although the crowds were not as large as in previous years, old Damascus was still bustling with holiday spirit on Tuesday. Young people and families – Christian and Muslim – walked through its narrow streets reverberating with the sound of church bells and masses were held in churches without incident.
“No one has bothered us at all,” said Oussama, an employee of a cupcake store in Bab Sharqi. “It’s more that people are being a little bit cautious as we see how things will play out this Christmas.”
Tawfic explained that many Christians remain hesitant to fully celebrate in the streets and bars – “which would normally be packed with people until 2am” – out of an abundance of caution over “individual acts of sectarianism.”
He was referring to the burning of a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Al Suqaylabiyah, in central Syria’s Hama province, by Islamic extremists the previous day. The tree was reportedly set on fire by a group of foreign fighters affiliated with the rebels who participated in the toppling of Mr Al Assad on December 8.
In response to the incident, hundreds of Syrians marched in the capital's streets on Tuesday morning.
“Raise your cross high! We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched towards the old Bab Sharqi neighbourhood where the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate are located.
Demonstrators gathered from different neighbourhoods to express their fears, some carrying wooden crosses while others waved the green, white, and black ‘Free Syria’ flag adopted by the country’s new administration – a sign of tentative support to the new authorities while also registering concern for their community.
The coalition of armed rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham who ended more than 50 years of the Assad family's reign promised to uphold the rights of minorities in Syria. For years, Mr Al Assad had portrayed himself as the protector of minorities – right up until the moment he fled the country.
Originally an offshoot of Al Qaeda, HTS has since distanced itself from the terror group's ideology and is presenting itself as a pragmatic replacement for what was viewed by most Syrians as an oppressive regime.
Still, many minorities fear a gradual tightening of religious freedoms as a group with Islamist roots takes over Syria’s governance. To them, incidents such as the tree burning in Al Suqaylabiyah are a litmus test for the future.
“The Christmas tree burning in Al Suqaylabiyah really affected us because we’re not used to such things happening,” Tawfic told The National.
He said residents of his neighbourhood had closed the area off to strangers out of fear of intolerant or provocative acts over Christmas by stray groups – but added that “patrols from Hayat Tahrir Al Sham are co-ordinating with us. They’ve shown great flexibility and are showing us that they’re on our side.”
The tree-burning incident was condemned by both residents of Al Suqaylabiyah and Syria’s new interim administration. Representatives of HTS assured residents that the incident would not be repeated and that the perpetrators would be punished.
“The people who did this were not Syrians. And they will be punished more than you can imagine,” an HTS cleric told residents in a video circulated on social media.
“I assure you this tree will be completely restored by morning,” he added.
In stark contrast, Christians and Muslims alike happily took photographs in front of a Christmas tree and nativity scene set up in Bab Touma, at the entrance to old Damascus.
The tree was an initiative by a multi-religious group of Syrians who wanted to “make certain that religious tolerance and acceptance would remain a major component Syrian life”, organiser Alaa Sami told The National.
“We’re in a honeymoon phase right now and everyone is optimistic,” he said. “We need to make sure this country stays open to all Syrians. We have to grasp this freedom between our teeth and apply it to rebuilding our homeland.”
He added that the Christmas tree and nativity scene were set with co-ordination from representatives of HTS.
In the Christian majority village of Rableh, four kilometres from the Lebanese border, residents erected a 20-metre tall Christmas tree.
“The new authorities have not put restrictions on us as Christians,” said Louay Farah, 36, who works for the local water authority.
He said the Assad regime’s claims to protect Syria’s minorities was “just talk”.
Instead, he described how during 2013 and last month, when Syrian military and allied militias were in control of the area, residents “lived our worst days”, having to pay bribes at checkpoints between the village and the largest nearby city, Homs.
Many of his complaints about the former regime were similar to those described by Syria’s majority Sunni population, including crippling low salaries of just 300,000 Syrian pounds ($21) a month. Mr Farah said the new HTS-led authorities had already offered him a 30 per cent pay rise, and he felt more able to live with basic rights and freedoms than under the Assad regime.
“The current government is offering us the rights that we were prevented from, they have given us the right to live in complete freedom, and we hope that it stays that way. We want to live in dignity, no more. We hope this all continues in this right direction.”
Back in Damascus, a Christian shopkeeper in Bab Touma, who chose not to share his name, said the hesitation of residents to fully celebrate in the streets this year was normal “until it becomes apparent how things will be”.
“Some people are worried about whether they’ll be able to openly practice their faith. But there’s a general consensus too: Everything now is so much better than when that [expletive] was in charge,” he said, referring to Mr Al Assad.
“In my opinion, the suffering and oppression we were living under before was a hundred times worse than the fear we’re imagining now.”
Lizzie Porter reported from Rableh, Syria.
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The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi
Director: Kangana Ranaut, Krish Jagarlamudi
Producer: Zee Studios, Kamal Jain
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni
Rating: 2.5/5
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
LEADERBOARD
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Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
McLaren GT specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 620bhp
Torque: 630Nm
Price: Dh875,000
On sale: now
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
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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”.
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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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BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
Racecard
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
