On February 6, 2023, Turkiye was struck by two devastating earthquakes, claiming many lives and leaving many more affected. Since then, we have received international support and solidarity from all over the world – including the UAE, which was one of the first countries to respond to our call for help – in our relief and recovery efforts.
However, as we experience the deadliest natural disaster Turkiye has ever faced and try to focus on recovery, we are saddened to see that The National recently published an article under the titles “Christians in Hatay fear end to era of coexistence” (print) and “Turkey’s Christians of Hatay worry earthquake exodus will end centuries of co-existence” (online).
Contrary to the national and international unity and solidarity that prevail these days, the report unfortunately blames Turkiye falsely for discriminatory policies based on controversial arguments that lack any legal or historical basis and academic consensus, and includes prejudiced comments regarding Turkiye. We reject them in their entirety.
Turkiye is firmly dedicated to the legacy of multi-faith tolerance and cultural pluralism inherited from the Ottoman Empire. Turkish citizens of different religious backgrounds constitute an integral and enriching component of the diverse social mosaic of Turkiye, enjoying and exercising equal rights and freedoms safeguarded by the constitution, in addition to the minority status granted by the Lausanne Peace Treaty of July 24, 1923. They have their own places of worship, foundations, schools, hospitals and media outlets. More than 150 foundations belonging to religious minorities are among non-governmental organisations operating in Turkiye.
Home to almost 500 places of worship for non-Muslims, Turkiye pioneers and supports efforts aimed at the preservation of all religious centres and cultural heritage. To that end, several large-scale projects for comprehensive renovations of the places of worship have been carried out so far. The renovation of the synagogue in Izmir and the Grand Synagogue in Edirne serve as examples for the most recent projects. In the last couple of years, many more synagogues and churches had been renovated, including Hatay Iskenderun Greek Catholic Church, Hatay Yayladagi Greek Orthodox Church and Diyarbakir Armenian Catholic Church. In the last quarter of 2021, the newly renovated Malatya Tashoran Church hosted the first mass after 106 years.
In a similar vein, following the earthquake, high-level Turkish authorities visited the affected areas to engage with the local communities and discuss the necessities on the ground. The President of Religious Affairs, Prof Dr Ali Erbas, visited Hatay and neighbouring areas and met with prominent figures from the Christian communities. To protect the cultural heritage and historical sites, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has initiated the project to renovate and rebuild of damaged places of worship, including the historic Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, which was renovated in 2020. After the completion of the damage assessment and debris removal processes, places of worship in earthquake-hit zones will be renovated or reconstructed.
Needless to say, we have always been and will be against racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, anti-Christianity, Islamophobia and all forms of intolerance as they are threats to humanity. Turkiye continues to emphasise the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent the increasing danger of racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and anti-semitism. To that end, it is actively taking part in the international fora to pursue the humanitarian fight to reach a global level of awareness and consensus on the policy of “zero tolerance” towards those discriminating trends.
As we mourn our losses in unity and solidarity, we will also heal our wounds together. The earthquake disaster knew no religion, language, race or ethnicity, neither our recovery efforts will.
Tugay Tuncer, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to the UAE
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
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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)
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE%20SPECS
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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)
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