Jews living in the Emirates have created a formal alliance to unite people of the faith in all six GCC states.
The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities brings together residents of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Its headquarters will be in the UAE, where it hopes to establish the first Beth Din, or Jewish court of law, to adjudicate on personal disputes.
It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions
One of the association’s senior figures, Rabbi Dr Elie Abadie, said there was historical precedence for Jewish rule of law in Arab countries.
“Since the Treaty of Umar 1,400 years ago, Islamic countries have recognised the autonomy of religious communities, and therefore given those faith-based communities autonomy in their internal affairs,” he said.
If permitted by the UAE, the Jewish court could issue certificates of marriage and divorce.
“Also, individual members could be adjudicated if they have any business issue or family dispute,” Rabbi Abadie said.
“However, criminal issues will continue to be dealt with by the courts of the land in the [Gulf] countries.”
Members of the community welcomed the move to formalise Jewish collaboration.
Alex Peterfreund is the board member of the new association in the UAE, where he has lived since 2014.
“We feel grateful that we have been able to build a nice little Jewish community here in the UAE, and we would like to assist Jewish people that are living in the Gulf, in order for them to have the same services that we have.
“It seems a shame that somebody in Bahrain who wants to get married should have a rabbi flying over from London or from Canada, if we have someone in the same region.”
The board of the association will include one representative from each of the six Gulf states.
UAE and Israel sign landmark agreement:
High on their agenda is the creation of an Arabian Kosher Certification Agency to ensure the same set of standards is met when food products are categorised as suitable for Jewish consumption.
“Kosher food is of paramount importance for Jewish people, it’s biblical in origin. It’s not just tradition, but Jewish law that we should eat kosher food,” said Rabbi Abadie.
“Now, the beauty of it is that Islam also has similar food restrictions, which is the halal food. Kosher and halal differ in a very minor way.”
Jewish people are not allowed to mix meat and milk together, and they only eat fish that has fins and scales, so crustacea like prawns or lobster are not allowed.
Like halal, kosher food requires the animal to be slaughtered in a painless, quick way so the beast does not suffer.
But kosher food requires the salting of the meat after the animal was slaughtered, and the removal of all the blood.
The UAE normalised its relations with Israel on August 13, 2020, when both countries signed the Abraham Accords, along with the US.
Since then Israeli and Emirati politicians and business leaders have met and made multiple deals. Defence, technology and energy have been particularly popular sectors.
In September, Israel’s Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said: “Within 3 to 5 years trade between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will reach $4 billion.”
On Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, oversaw the swearing-in of the UAE's ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Al Khaja, at Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Many Israelis also travelled to Dubai for holidays in November and December, in particular during the week of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.
Rabbi Abadie said he saw this tourism trend accelerating, in particular once the pandemic is over.
“We need to build up the infrastructure to serve the local Jewish community, and also all the Jewish tourists who will be coming [to the GCC] from all over the world,” he said.
His optimism for the continuance and expansion of the Accords is boundless.
“This region will embody the idea of living in tolerance and the peaceful co-existence of all the people, and all the nations, in all communities of faith.
“Having that in mind, the Jewish community will increase in number in this entire region.
“So as leaders in the community, we have to look to the future and to make sure that all the infrastructure will be in place, once that growth starts.”
Mr Peterfreund said he has always felt safe and welcome in the Emirates.
“We are getting to a point where as a Jew you feel more comfortable in the UAE than in Paris and in Brussels,” he said.
“It's in the DNA of the Emiratis to be tolerant, to live next to different cultures, different religions.
“Everybody’s living next to each other, and it’s something beautiful.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
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10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
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7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
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9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
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Specs
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
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SPEC SHEET
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Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
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I Feel Pretty
Dir: Abby Kohn/Mark Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
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Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
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Frank Lampard 29
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
On sale: now
Panipat
Director Ashutosh Gowariker
Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment
Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman
Rating 3 /5 stars
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European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now