Shortly before the new year, I received an email informing me that The 99, a superhero cartoon series I created based on the 99 attributes of God, had won in the media category of the Islamic Economy Award.
It is presented to initiatives that help better social and economic conditions of the Muslim population. What made the award more significant is that it was to be presented by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
While the news of The 99’s selection delighted me, I was also happy that the UAE was able to recognise the big picture.
A few days after receiving the email, I received another one from my lawyer updating me on the case lodged against me in Kuwait for heresy and for insulting religion through The 99.
This is the publication that Barack Obama, Sheikh Mohammed, even the Emir of Kuwait endorsed as being a bastion of tolerance. This is the animated series that the World Economic Forum and the UN endorsed for bridging cultures and showcasing the positive values in Islam.
I was worried to get that email. I was worried for myself, but more than that I was worried for the entrepreneurial future of my country.
I know that legally this case can go nowhere as The 99 has all the supporting documents to make it legal in all the countries where it was distributed. It was not only financed by an Islamic bank and subjected to a Sharia board, it was approved by the ministries of information in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, among others. Furthermore, the then Kuwaiti minister of information showered accolades on it during an event, held under the patronage of the Emir of Kuwait, where diplomats and ministers were present.
My main worry is that cases like this may end up terrorising others from pursuing innovative entrepreneurial projects.
A few days after that, I received a request from a major venture capitalist for a discussion on licensing The 99 for gaming. The person, whom I had met at the Young President’s Organization retreat in Dubai, has several game development companies.
The call sparked hopes in me, especially because he was a western venture capitalist who showed interested in licensing an intellectual property from Kuwait and taking it to a global audience. This speaks volumes about the region’s entrepreneurial promise.
Shortly thereafter came the news about the murder of journalists at Charlie Hebdo. There is no doubt that the magazine’s content was heinous and hateful. There is no question that double standards exist in France, where one of the magazine’s staff was fired for anti-Semitism in 2009, while anti-Islamism is condoned. But there is also no doubt that the terrorists who murdered innocent people have brought the magazine to the attention of billions of people and made life for Muslims in France even more difficult. In fact, the action of these terrorists has ensured that the drawings are seen by the whole world. So what exactly was the objective? If it was to stop circulation of the magazine, it surely backfired.
What worried me among other things is the insistence of a section of the media that Muslims need to apologise for the actions of these extremists.
I refuse to take responsibility for the actions of suicide bombers and imams who spew hatred towards others. I refuse to be judged on the basis of actions of the deranged, ill informed and uneducated. I cannot be more responsible for their actions than my Christian friends are for the actions of Anders Behring Breivik, Timothy McVeigh and countless other criminals. Let me be judged by my own actions.
And as I stood on stage receiving a positive judgement from Sheikh Mohammed and the jury of the Islamic Economy Award in Dubai this week, I couldn’t help but think what a shame it is that in my own Kuwait, the jury is still out.
Dr Naif Al Mutawa is the founder and chairman of Teshkeel Media Group
On Twitter: @DrNaif
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
'Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower'
Michael Beckley, Cornell Press
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs: 2018 Honda City
Price, base: From Dh57,000
Engine: 1.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 118hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 146Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group C
Liverpool v Red Star Belgrade
Anfield, Liverpool
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
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
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
