DUBAI // A senior Emirati chess official is critically injured in a hospital in Hungary after he was attacked in the street by men claiming to be immigration police. Saud Mohammed Al Marzooqi was assaulted on Friday evening outside a restaurant in the town of Szeged near the border with Serbia.
Mr Al Marzooqi, a member of the UAE Chess Federation, was with the Emirati chess grand master Salim Abdulrahman at the time of the attack. Mr Abdulrahman, 18, was not injured.
"As the two finished dinner they were stopped outside the restaurant by three men who claimed they were immigration police officers," the chess federation secretary general Hisham Al Taher said yesterday.
"According to what we were told, the men spoke to them in Hungarian and started to intimidate them, which made Saud and Salim nervous."
Mr Al Taher said the two Emiratis ran away from the three Hungarians, who chased them for two blocks. "They caught Saud and beat him in the head and body. Currently he is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
"The doctors said he had suffered heavy injuries to the head and has to remain in hospital for two weeks.
"They also said that he cannot be transported by air as this might cause complications."
According to the chess federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked for an investigation and officials at the UAE embassy in the Austrian capital, Vienna - which has responsibility for Hungary - are due to meet Mr Al Marzooqi to arrange medical transport. The ministry would not comment yesterday.
Sheikh Saud Al Mualla, president of the chess federation, planned to fly to Hungary but was assured of the two Emiratis' medical condition by UAE embassy officials.
"The men were due to return on Saturday. The incident took place on their last day in Hungary," Mr Al Taher said.
"Salim refused to return and is staying with Saud in the hospital."
The men had been in Hungary for more than two weeks to prepare Mr Abdulrahman for the World Junior Chess Championship in Athens in August.
"He was training with the Hungarian grand master Peter Leko in Szeged," said Mr Al Taher.
Mr Leko has expressed his sympathy and support. It is unclear when the men will return to the UAE.
amustafa@thenational.ae
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially