I write to you in reference to your article Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak: tolerance is the 'oxygen' of the UAE (May 1). The UAE's policy of tolerance is not a new concept. The nation's founding father, Sheikh Zayed, was born in 1918 and raised in an environment dominated by foreigners, because the UAE was a British protectorate, and its political and economic relations were principally with Britain. Most of Sheikh Zayed's consultants, special envoys and translators were not Emiratis.
A series of interviews has given me an insight into the way he operated. Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh told me that Sheikh Zayed believed that all humans belong to one family, and that true welfare for the people of a state cannot be achieved without co-operation. Meanwhile, Omar Al Bitar, a former UAE ambassador in China, told me about Sheikh Zayed’s extreme kindness, generosity and tolerance towards all, regardless of their race or creed. It is no surprise that on orders from Sheikh Zayed, we were among the first nations to fly aid and relief missions around the world. Finally, Dr Neyeb Obied, a senior researcher at Sultan Bin Zayed Center for Culture and Media, informed me that Sheikh Zayed would help all those in need without looking into their origins.
These accounts and others like them have come from all quarters, including foreign residents and UAE citizens, and together they demonstrate Sheikh Zayed’s tolerance. The main driving force behind the establishment of the post of Minister of State for Tolerance in 2016 was to promote the UAE’s policy of tolerance, which was cultivated by the Founding Father.
Dr Noura Saber Al Mazrouei, Emirates Diplomatic Academy and Zayed University
India’s politicians indulge in a dangerous war of words
I write to you in reference to Amrit Dhillon's article How vitriol at the Indian polls shows a coarsening of political discourse (May 13). This meaningful and thought-provoking article about the ongoing Indian elections has shed light on the worrying verbal attacks that politicians have indulged in.
During these elections, the contenders have failed to rely on their ideas to sway public opinion, so instead they competed to see who could come up with the most inflammatory comment. This war of words should be stopped as it benefits no one. Politicians and their supporters, should learn to
respect each other, despite their differences.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Drug lords and their poison are not welcome in the UAE
I write to you in reference to Salam Al Amir's article Heroin and crystal meth seized in UAE's largest drug bust (May 13). I am glad these criminals were arrested. I would hate to see Dubai become like the rest of the world in this regard. Stay diligent Dubai.
Shellyjo Shuman, Dubai
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Federer's 11 Wimbledon finals
2003 Beat Mark Philippoussis
2004 Beat Andy Roddick
2005 Beat Andy Roddick
2006 Beat Rafael Nadal
2007 Beat Rafael Nadal
2008 Lost to Rafael Nadal
2009 Beat Andy Roddick
2012 Beat Andy Murray
2014 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2015 Lost to Novak Djokovic
2017 Beat Marin Cilic
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Name: Capt Shadia Khasif
Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police
Family: Five sons and three daughters
The first female investigator in Hatta.
Role Model: Father
She believes that there is a solution to every problem
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 banned).
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.
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
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
MATCH INFO
Watford 2 (Sarr 50', Deeney 54' pen)
Manchester United 0
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):
Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
Royal Birkdale Golf Course
Location: Southport, Merseyside, England
Established: 1889
Type: Private
Total holes: 18
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
