"If you ventured in pursuit of glory, don’t be satisfied with less than the stars."
Those were the words that US space agency Nasa chose to use in a congratulatory tweet to the UAE Mars Mission team after its Hope probe successfully entered the Red Planet's orbit on Tuesday.
The UAE made history, becoming only the fifth nation to reach Mars and the first Arab country to do so.
Nasa's own Perseverance Mars Rover is scheduled to land on the planet's surface in a little under 10 days.
On Tuesday, Nasa told the UAE: "Congratulations on arriving at Mars!" before using the words quoted above.
It is the poetry of Iraq's Al Mutanabbi.
Who is the Arab poet Al Mutanabbi?
The man behind the words is the 10th century Iraqi poet Al Mutanabbi, considered to be the greatest in the Arabic language.
Born into a poor but distinguished family in Kufa in 915 AD, Abu Al Tayyib Ahmad ibn Al Husayn Al Mutanabbi received an education because of his poetic talents.
As a young man he led an unsuccessful revolt in Syria, but became a wandering poet after time spent in prison. Later he became famous in the Abbasid court of Saif Al Dawla in Aleppo.
Known for his sharp intelligence and wit, Al Mutanabbi is said to have revolutionised Arab poetry, specialising in odes praising his patron.
Al Mutanabbi was killed in 965 AD over a perceived insult in one of his poems.
Still, more than 1,000 years after his death, his words are still well known and are considered proverbial.
He is remembered in the country of his birth. A street is named after him, which is a historic bookselling centre of Baghdad.
A statue of him still stands in the Iraqi capital today.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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 BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
