Daily, we find ourselves faced with discouraging statistics that reflect the desperate circumstances of a rapidly escalating global refugee crisis, which notably affects our region. Earlier this year, the annual UNHCR Islamic philanthropy report unveiled an alarming reality: that out of a staggering 100 million individuals who have had to flee their homes, nearly half originate from, or are currently residing within, Arab states. This alarming figure represents a distressing, twofold increase compared to a mere decade ago.
Unfortunately, as the numbers of the displaced people increases and their plight persists, we witness a parallel rise in the magnitude and gravity of prejudice and discrimination. The challenge that lies before us surpasses the mere task of offering refuge to those in need; it now encompasses the need to cultivate a global environment that embraces diversity because it is good for global recovery, development and growth.
To truly address this situation, we must recognise the economic importance of refugee integration. By embracing and empowering refugees, we can unlock their immense potential and create a future that values diversity at its core.
The economic implications of supporting refugees may seem shockingly high at first, often leading to concerns that their acceptance will burden the economy of host countries. However, it is essential to perceive these costs as shorter-term investments in national, regional and global development. There is mounting evidence showing that the income generated when refugees enter the labour market is larger than the initial cost.
Evidence shows the income generated when refugees enter the labour market is larger than the initial cost
A prime example of this can be seen in the significant contributions the Syrian refugees made to the Turkish economy at the end of 2017, amounting to $4.7 billion, or nearly 2 per cent of the country’s GDP. In countries around the world that enable refugees to work without restrictions, the economic benefits of refugee resettlement are evident, leading to gains in GDP and median income.
Nonetheless, these communities are underserved, and in the effort to expand access to basic services for migrants, education gets often overlooked as a fundamental pillar of development and well-being. The challenges of economic access and social inclusion cannot be overcome without access to quality education.
Failing to provide learning opportunities for displaced youth will have profound consequences, and millions will risk becoming a lost generation. Unfortunately, the regional reality concerning refugee education is disheartening. In Jordan and Lebanon, under 5 per cent of refugees complete secondary education; for Syrian refugees, it plummets to under 2 per cent.
In response to this dire need, I established the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, the mission of which is to guide vulnerable young individuals on their own, unique pathways to improved livelihoods through education. Our aim is to foster their intellectual growth and character development, and to instil a hopeful perspective, enabling them to become productive, self-reliant members of their communities.
To help change how people see refugees and help them integrate into society, it's important to empower them to participate in the economy. When refugees lack empowerment, it slows down their integration and progress. This is a big challenge, and it requires everyone to work together and find long-lasting solutions to the problems caused by migration. At the Fund, we recognise the need for strong and strategic collaboration with multiple partners across multiple sectors and geographies. That is why we work with 20+ partners from all over the world to ensure that we are exploring the right solutions to leverage these individuals’ talent, creativity and ingenuity.
Our partnerships extend to the private sector, where we have forged partnerships and collaborations that have secured remote work opportunities for refugee youth. This approach eases the strain of competition for local job opportunities, providing viable alternatives for sustainable livelihoods. An example of this is the SE (for software engineering) Factory in Lebanon, where nearly 50 per cent of refugee graduates have secured remote employment with global employers, showcasing the potential of such initiatives.
Globally, migration is at an all-time high with no end in sight. However, if managed well, human movement isn’t a threat but an inevitable opportunity that holds the potential to promote sustainable development. Countries and their private sectors only stand to gain economically and socially if they think creatively about how to integrate refugees into mainstream society.
With effective governance and proactive policies, refugees would be perceived as advantageous human capital, and not a burden. By enhancing their ability to contribute to local economies through educational and professional development, we could gradually normalise migration and identify it as a sincere strategy for adapting to change.
Indeed, viewing the refugee crisis through a lens of investment and integration rather than cost and exclusion can unleash a wealth of untapped potential and harmonise tensions. This is because refugees are not merely statistics to be managed; they are resilient individuals capable of contributing significantly to their host countries when given the opportunity.
As we mark World Refugee Day, we can recognise that our collective strength lies in our diversity. Regardless of circumstance, everyone has a role in driving our society forward. This is not merely driven by compassion, but by strategic thinking. By embracing the potential of refugees, we can turn the tide on the crisis, foster economic growth and create a more prosperous society in terms of wealth, compassion, diversity and global solidarity.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
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.
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.
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPECS
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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
