Eid is always a special time. For many in the Middle East, this year’s celebration of Eid Al Fitr holds even more significance. While the festival’s position as an unchanging fixture of the region’s calendar remains, some countries that mark this important Islamic holiday are going through profound and rapid change.
In Syria, millions of Muslims are observing the end of Ramadan in a nation that has thrown off decades of Assad family rule. Although Syria still faces many serious problems and its transition to a new beginning has had some painful setbacks, this is the first time in years that families and communities have been able to come together for Eid Al Fitr with a sense of optimism that better days may lie ahead.
In neighbouring Lebanon, Eid celebrations are also taking place in changed circumstances. Plagued for years by political inertia and a lack of effective leadership, a new government in Beirut has been formed that at least offers the prospect of stability and prosperity after too many decades of conflict, economic turmoil and division.
An important part of Eid Al Fitr and the holy month that preceded it is their call to renew social solidarity and our commitment to good causes. In Syria, Lebanon and many other countries, Muslims will have already offered Zakat Al Fitr – a obligatory charitable donation to help the less-fortunate celebrate the end of Ramadan. Such alms-giving can have a powerful impact; the UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund, for example, supports almost nine million forcibly displaced people in 31 countries thanks to contributions from more than 40,000 donors.
This determination to do good during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr has also been prominent in the UAE. On Friday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai revealed that a Ramadan campaign to help those in need raised more than Dh3.72 billion ($1.01 billion) in donations. The Fathers’ Endowment campaign to provide treatment and health care for the needy attracted contributions from 277,000 donors.
An important part of Eid Al Fitr and the holy month that preceded it is their call to renew social solidarity and our commitment to good causes
The spirit of Ramadan was also evident in the run-up to the holy month. In mid-February, it was announced that the UAE would send 300 tonnes of essential food supplies to Gaza on aid flights over three days to offer crucial support to embattled Palestinians during Ramadan. This was part of the Emirates’ consistent humanitarian support for Palestinians.
Nevertheless, much of the Arab world still faces many challenges. Impoverished Yemen marks Eid today largely under the isolating and autocratic rule of the Houthi militant group. In Palestine, the continuing Israeli occupation and accompanying violence still blights too many lives. Sudan, which is in the throes of a bitter and costly civil war, finds itself at a crossroads as government forces push their opponents from the capital.
Such challenges mean that the generosity, empathy and consideration that characterises Eid Al Fitr will be needed for the foreseeable future. Practical support for those in countries that are trying to turn a corner on their difficult past or are struggling with new shocks must remain a feature of Eid celebrations, not just this year but in years to come.
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)
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
More on animal trafficking
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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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 one: how cars came to the UAE
