Nude activists commit social suicide in an effort to draw attention to the oppression of women
The nude protests by Egypt's Aliaa Elmahdy, Iran's Golshifteh Farahani and, most recently, Tunisia's Amina Tyler are incomparable with any previous feminist protest in the Arab and Muslim worlds, wrote Jihad Al Zein in an opinion article in the Lebanese newspaper Annahar.
When young educated women from the Muslim world pose nude, it indicates their moral strength to stand up against the oppression of women.
That is because in a sense they sacrifice their bodies - the utmost sacrifice any woman can make, he argued.
Nude protest is akin to social suicide. But such protests are political acts par excellence, according to the writer.
Not only are protests of this type in sharp contrast with the oppressive culture, but they also represent the most extreme acts against domination by fundamentalist ideologies.
Ms Elmahdy and Ms Amina Tyler posted photos of themselves, naked, on Facebook - in their home countries. It was comparatively less risky for the Iranian actress Farahani to appear naked in a French magazine. At least she was far from her home country, where she had previously suffered harassment by security forces for acting in a film.
"You may agree or disagree with their methods, but these three ladies, probably without any coordination, are setting the stage for what is gradually becoming the boldest forms of protest against the current fundamentalist domination in the Arab world and Iran," the writer went on to say.
Should such daring acts be understood as something of a "suicide operation" that indicates the beginning of the decline of fundamentalism?
By baring themselves, these three women have made other forms of feminist expressions appear rather conservative by comparison.
But that does not mean that nude protest is the right form of protest. However, this particular expression of dissent could become a trend in the region in the future.
However, Tunisian feminist figures have denounced Ms Tyler's nudity. And they have a right to do so. But a member of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen, who posed topless in Paris in support of her Arab sisters, has won support in Europe.
While stripping remains one of the most audacious of all forms of protest to have emerged in the Muslim world - a form of sacrifice that amounts to social suicide - it is known that not every case of nudity is a form of protest. Indeed, commodified nudity is the prototype of women's subordination.
No matter what one thinks of nude protests, the modern history of Muslim women's struggle will not be recorded without mention of the "extremism" of these three women, the writer concluded.
Real change requires a cultural revolution
The fallout of the Arab uprisings has proven once again that any political and social action that does not draw on a parallel culture is not viable, noted Karam Al Helou in the London-based newspaper Al Hayat.
While the jury is still out on whether it is economy, politics or culture that is the deciding factor for any substantial change, in the last half of the 20th century major Arab thinkers including Abdallah Laroui, Abed Al Jaberi and Adunis argued that a cultural revolution that alters stagnant ideas would be the best way to begin an Arab renaissance.
What is unfolding in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Syria is a testament to the failure of the political transformation to influence society, the writer observed.
A political alteration is not enough for social progress. As long as patriarchy and monoculture persist, and tribalism continues to prevail over nationhood, the social and political landscape will continue to remain a battleground, he added.
The political forces cannot win the battle for Arab freedom unless it is preceded by, or at least happens in parallel with, a change in the cultural dynamic.
To achieve a sustainable political transformation, Arab uprisings must turn into a cultural revolution in every sphere - a revolution that creates a radical change in ideological and mental make-up - to pave the way for a new Arab citizen.
Satirist offers perfect remedy for sadness
If Mohammed Morsi, the President of Egypt, resigns and satirist Bassem Youssef runs for presidency, he will certainly win the election by a landslide, not with a slim margin like Mr Morsi, wrote Zahra Morie in the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi.
Nineteen episodes into his show, Al Barnameg, Youssef already faces 29 lawsuits on charges of insulting the president and religion, the writer noted.
Youssef, a surgeon who used to heal ailing hearts, has taken it upon himself to heal the psychological wounds of the Egyptian people with satire and humour, she wrote.
The president has been a permanent target ever since Youssef started his television show, that has become extremely popular.
When the incumbent regime foolishly summoned the surgeon-turned-satirist for questioning, it was doing him a favour. He became an overnight sensation and a subject of discussion in world's major newspapers and on news channels.
The prosecutor found himself alone facing Youssef - the antidepressant against scowls. When inquisitors sought to spread gloom among the people, they lost to the satirist, whose weekly programme has become a panacea for the melancholy that runs deep into the public psyche.
* Digest compiled by Abdelhafid Ezzouitni
aezzoitni@thenational.ae
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
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Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
Employment lawyer Meriel Schindler of Withers Worldwide shares her tips on achieving equal pay
Do your homework
Make sure that you are being offered a fair salary. There is lots of industry data available, and you can always talk to people who have come out of the organisation. Where I see people coming a cropper is where they haven’t done their homework.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
It’s quite standard to negotiate if you think an offer is on the low side. The job is unlikely to be withdrawn if you ask for money, and if that did happen I’d question whether you want to work for an employer who is so hypersensitive.
Know your worth
Women tend to be a bit more reticent to talk about their achievements. In my experience they need to have more confidence in their own abilities – men will big up what they’ve done to get a pay rise, and to compete women need to turn up the volume.
Work together
If you suspect men in your organisation are being paid more, look your boss in the eye and say, “I want you to assure me that I’m paid equivalent to my peers”. If you’re not getting a straight answer, talk to your peer group and consider taking direct action to fix inequality.
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
THE SPECS
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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