A new Abu Dhabi play is bringing home the harsh reality of life as a refugee to a UAE audience.
Flight tells the story of two young brothers from Afghanistan attempting to make their way to Europe.
Based on a book called Hinterland by novelist Caroline Brothers, the production has so far proved a smash-hit.
Some said they found the performance heart-wrenching, mirroring their own experiences of being forced to flee their native country.
“Performing it here in the Middle East is like bringing the story home,” said Ms Brothers.
“There are few parts of the world that are as intensely multi-cultural as Abu Dhabi.
“For many of the students here, this is the story of their own families.”
Flight is being performed at New York University Abu Dhabi until September 21.
The production, by Scottish company Vox Motus, is limited to 25 audience members per performance.
Each person is seated in their own booth with the story of the two Afghans unfolding in front of them.
Instead of actors, theatre-goers are treated to a moving carousel of miniature models which help narrate the story while music and dialogue is played through headphones.
“Countries in this region are often the first recipient of refugees and shoulder a huge burden,” said Australian-born Ms Brothers.
“The response [to the play] has been amazing. It is a subject that is very close to home for a lot of the students.”
In recent years, areas of the Middle East have been beset by refugee populations desperate to escape conflict.
More than 5.6 million people have fled Syria since 2011, with many heading to countries such as Turkey and Lebanon.
Candice Edmunds, who directs Flight, said she had not initially understood how much the issue had impacted the region.
“The response [from audience members] has been really touching,” she said.
“One Afghan student said it made him reflect on his own uncle’s journey to New Zealand.
“People want to have a conversation after watching it and that’s a theatre-maker’s dream.”
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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
Tell-tale signs of burnout
- loss of confidence and appetite
- irritability and emotional outbursts
- sadness
- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue
- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more
- impaired judgement
- excessive and continuous worrying
- irregular sleep patterns
Tips to help overcome burnout
Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’
Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do
Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones
Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation
Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.
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HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
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Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
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Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
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Price: Dh64,500
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Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
