Pope Francis greets Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, after an inter-religious meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi in February, 2019. AP
Pope Francis greets Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, after an inter-religious meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi in February, 2019. AP
Pope Francis greets Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, after an inter-religious meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi in February, 2019. AP
Pope Francis greets Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, after an inter-religious meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi in February, 2019. AP


Values of UN's Human Fraternity day needed now more than ever


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  • Arabic

February 03, 2023

A hundred dead in a suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque. Seven shot dead at a Jerusalem synagogue. The persecution of minorities in Afghanistan and Myanmar. The desecration of a Quran in Sweden. When we pick up a newspaper or read the headlines on our phones, the drumbeat of division can seem relentless.

The UN’s International Day of Human Fraternity, which falls on Saturday, comes at a time when polarisation, religious and ethnic violence, injustice and inequality are still leaving their baneful mark on millions of people across the world.

In Europe, Muslims face provocation from fringe figures and would-be demagogues with a taste for publicity. Even more troubling is anti-Muslim prejudice at an institutional level, with an Organisation of Islamic Co-operation report last year criticising European “government policies and public sentiments targeting Islamic identity”.

In the Middle East, Christian communities with histories stretching back centuries have suffered mistreatment and displacement. In February 2019, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Baghdad and head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, told The National that at one point Christians represented a fifth of Iraq’s population. Now, they are just 2 per cent.

Cardinal Sako was speaking just days before two men met in Abu Dhabi to offer a vision of a different world. Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar – the renowned centre of Islamic scholarship in Cairo – signed the Document on Human Fraternity.

The rush of bad news from around the world can be overwhelming, but as the championing of human fraternity shows, it is still better to strike a light than to curse the darkness

Their daring declaration presented a plan for a more unified world, free from the scourge of terrorism, with equal rights for women and an appreciation for all religions and places of worship. It also inspired the UN to adopt a day to champion these principles internationally.

This heartfelt appeal to the world’s people – rooted in the best ethical and moral traditions of the two men’s faiths – stood in stark contrast to the hatred that scars too many societies.

It was fitting that the UAE hosted this rallying cry for tolerance. The country has presented the world with an example of how a nation can cherish its own religion and culture while welcoming – and celebrating – the faiths and practises of others.

From the Abrahamic Family House – a mosque, church and synagogue – on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island to hosting people from all over the world able to practise their religious beliefs freely, the country is proving that it is unafraid of diversity and will take a strong stand against the dangers of extremism and intolerance.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which allocates $1 million to an individual, group or organisation from any walk of life working for peaceful coexistence, also forms part of this commitment to tolerance.

These are all examples to take inspiration from. Wednesday’s news that the EU had appointed Marion Lalisse, a former deputy ambassador to Yemen, as its new chief for tackling anti-Muslim hatred shows that other regions recognise the need to fight intolerance wherever it raises its head.

The rush of bad news from around the world can be overwhelming and dispiriting, but as the championing of human fraternity shows, it is still better to strike a light than to curse the darkness.

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens

Winners: Dubai Hurricanes

Runners up: Bahrain

 

West Asia Premiership

Winners: Bahrain

Runners up: UAE Premiership

 

UAE Premiership

Winners: Dubai Exiles

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

 

UAE Division One

Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens

Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

 

UAE Division Two

Winners: Barrelhouse

Runners up: RAK Rugby

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.

NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Squads

Australia: Finch (c), Agar, Behrendorff, Carey, Coulter-Nile, Lynn, McDermott, Maxwell, Short, Stanlake, Stoinis, Tye, Zampa

India: Kohli (c), Khaleel, Bumrah, Chahal, Dhawan, Shreyas, Karthik, Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar, Pandey, Krunal, Pant, Rahul, Sundar, Umesh

Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Wonder
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Scoreline

Syria 1-1 Australia

Syria Al Somah 85'

Australia Kruse 40'

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

The story of Edge

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.

It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.

Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.

Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab

 

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra

Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa

Rating: 4/5

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The%20specs
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The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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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. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Updated: February 03, 2023, 3:28 AM`