The killing of George Floyd, the black American man, in the US state of Minnesota should horrify everyone who has seen the video of the incident. A white policeman kneels for almost nine minutes on Floyd's neck as he repeatedly says "I can't breathe". It is an image that personifies injustice.
The protests that have spread throughout the US are the only conceivable response to this kind of police brutality. While the looting that took place is inexcusable, it is hard to fathom how people could move on from this level of outright racial prejudice and the ingrained structures of systemic discrimination, particularly because such incidents have repeatedly occurred in America.
But the incident and its fallout should provoke some self-reflection in the Arab world to the systemic forms of racial, religious and class discrimination that are so pervasive in our societies and have played important roles in fomenting war and conflict, the elimination of minorities and the creation of underclasses that face routine abuse.
Protesters on horseback rally against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, through central Houston, Texas. Reuters
A broken Statue of Liberty figure is seen between glass shatters outside a looted souvenir shop after a night of protest against the death of an African-American man George Floyd in Minneapolis in Manhattan in New York City. AFP
People, who gathered in protest against the death of George Floyd, peacefully march to the White House in Washington DC. EPA
Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody, is surrounded by family members as he speaks at a protest rally against his brother’s death, in Houston, Texas. Reuters
George Floyd's daughter, Gianna Floyd, 6, is seen during a press conference at Minneapolis City Hall following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters
A Somali-American couple, alongside protesters calling for justice for the death of George Floyd, waits after curfew outside the Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP
Thousands of protesters turn out for a sit-in at the State capitol, more than a week after George Floyd's death while under arrest, in St Paul, Minnesota. EPA
A police officer kneels during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, outside LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Reuters
Protesters during a 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration in New York City. AFP
A protester holds a placard during a demonstration after French medical experts exonerated the gendarmes involved in the arrest of Adama Traore, a young black man who died in police custody in 2016, outside the 'Tribunal de Paris' courthouse in Paris. AFP
Turkish leftist demonstrators clash with police at Kadikoy in Istanbul, as leftist groups gather in support of US protesters against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, and against police violence in Turkey. AFP
A woman stands in front of Police officers, in downtown Las Vegas, as they take part in a 'Black lives matter' rally in response to the recent death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody. AFP
People take part in a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, at Trump International Hotel in New York. Reuters
A demonstrator holds a sign during a rally following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Boston, Massachusetts. Reuters
A demonstrator reacts during a rally following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Boston, Massachusetts. Reuters
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question on racism during a news conference outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Mr Trudeau said Canadians were watching what’s unfolding in the US with 'horror and consternation'. AP
Members of the National Guard take a knee as people protest against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, in Hollywood, Califronia. EPA
People are not born racists, but they are acclimatised to it over time through language and cultural references that promote the superiority or inferiority of segments of society.
We are often quick to justifiably condemn Islamophobia and profiling of Middle Easterners in the West, but racist tropes are prevalent in our language and culture, such as the repeated use of blackface in films and television as well as the stereotyping of black Middle Easterners in those same cultural productions – a case in point is the treatment of Nubians in Egyptian cinema, who were often depicted as simpletons and servants. Standards of beauty often refer to fair-skinned, blue-eyed blondes as the pinnacle, whereas black skin is cause for rejection. Anti-semitism is also widespread in cultural and religious discourse, because of a failure to distinguish opposing Zionism and supporting the Palestinian cause from Judaism as a faith, a crime that some Arab governments as well as Israel are complicit in.
This racism is also evident in the treatment of domestic and migrant workers. In extreme cases, it takes the form of sadistic abuse, including murder and torture. But most frequently, it is seen in persistent and myriad injustices, such as forced confinement, terrible living conditions, withholding wages and passports, verbal abuse, overwork and other modes discrimination that show that the abuser thinks of them as lesser humans. Viral videos of abuse of domestic and migrant workers, and the workers' desperate attempts at escape, sometimes even by jumping out of balconies, are testament to this horrific injustice.
Racism in some parts of the Arab world is also evident in the treatment of domestic and migrant workers. AFP
These abuses are always extended to the demonised community du jour. In Lebanon, for instance, widespread abuse of domestic workers is routine and normalised, but so is racism against Syrians, over a million of whom took refuge in the country from the war, even by politicians and in mainstream media outlets.
Other forms of systemic prejudice have been far deadlier and have underpinned many of the region’s conflicts over the past two decades. Sectarian hatreds in Iraq fuelled the terrible civil war that followed the beginning of the American occupation, to the point where the sect of the perpetrator of the violence could be determined through the mode in which the victim was killed – a beheading meant the victim was probably Shia, while a hole drilled in the head meant they were Sunni.
In Syria, the regime of Bashar Al Assad very quickly adopted a sectarian narrative in explaining the conflict to the outside world, positioning itself as a protector of minorities who had to be saved from uncouth extremists bent on creating a caliphate. The violence and destruction ensured that this became a self-fulfilling prophecy, giving rise to groups like ISIS that slaughtered Shia, Alawites, Druze and fellow Sunnis who rejected their nihilism, enslaved thousands of Yazidis after branding them devil worshippers and exiled Christians from their ancestral homes in the Nineveh plains.
In Syria, the regime of Bashar Al Assad very quickly adopted a sectarian narrative in explaining the conflict to the outside world, positioning itself as a protector of minorities who had to be saved from uncouth extremists bent on creating a caliphate. EPA
Mr Al Assad's shock troops, on the other hand, comprised Shia militias from Iraq and Lebanon, which committed widespread atrocities in Iraq and Syria, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and sectarian cleansing of Sunni communities. It is impossible today to conceive of a peaceful, healthy Syrian society in which the elements that once made up the country's beautiful and diverse mosaic are able to live together in harmony again.
The coronavirus pandemic is likely to contribute to xenophobia and discrimination as countries turn inwards and the fear of strangers takes root. Prejudice against south-east Asians and the anti-Chinese racism, for example, that is promoted by US President Donald Trump, who branded the pathogen a "Chinese virus", can be seen in the widespread Arab social media memes that mock and blame ordinary Chinese citizens for the spread of the disease.
There is much work to be done if we are to address the root causes of racism in our part of the world. Part of it is the responsibility of some governments, who have vilified or scapegoated minorities and other groups over the decades to cement their hold on power.
They must do better in creating protections for domestic and migrant workers, in fighting disinformation and stereotypes in the popular culture and the media, and in addressing the root causes of poverty and ignorance that contribute to xenophobia. Religious authorities should emphasise the egalitarian values and commonalities between Islam, its sects, and the world’s faiths, rather than allowing their pulpits to be used to sow division.
But we also have to do better. We have to talk to our children about racism, about ingrained and systemic injustice, to expose them to a diversity of experiences and narratives and life stories. To teach them to stand up even when they are not the direct victims of injustice. To question these structures that enshrine inequality.
As the Prophet’s companion and Islam’s second caliph, Omar ibn Al Khattab, said, “when did you start enslaving people, when their mothers birthed them free?”
Kareem Shaheen is a former Middle East correspondent based in Canada
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened. He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia. Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”. Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
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
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
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.
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11 What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time. TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
US households add $601bn of debt in 2019
American households borrowed another $601 billion (Dh2.2bn) in 2019, the largest yearly gain since 2007, just before the global financial crisis, according to February data from the New York Federal Reserve Bank.
Fuelled by rising mortgage debt as homebuyers continued to take advantage of low interest rates, the increase last year brought total household debt to a record high, surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008 just before the market crash, according to the report.
Following the 22nd straight quarter of growth, American household debt swelled to $14.15 trillion by the end of 2019, the New York Fed said in its quarterly report.
In the final three months of the year, new home loans jumped to their highest volume since the fourth quarter of 2005, while credit cards and auto loans also added to the increase.
The bad debt load is taking its toll on some households, and the New York Fed warned that more and more credit card borrowers — particularly young people — were falling behind on their payments.
"Younger borrowers, who are disproportionately likely to have credit cards and student loans as their primary form of debt, struggle more than others with on-time repayment," New York Fed researchers said.
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
The chef's advice
Troy Payne, head chef at Abu Dhabi’s newest healthy eatery Sanderson’s in Al Seef Resort & Spa, says singles need to change their mindset about how they approach the supermarket.
“They feel like they can’t buy one cucumber,” he says. “But I can walk into a shop – I feed two people at home – and I’ll walk into a shop and I buy one cucumber, I’ll buy one onion.”
Mr Payne asks for the sticker to be placed directly on each item, rather than face the temptation of filling one of the two-kilogram capacity plastic bags on offer.
The chef also advises singletons not get too hung up on “organic”, particularly high-priced varieties that have been flown in from far-flung locales. Local produce is often grown sustainably, and far cheaper, he says.
