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A group of Afghans were war weary after fleeing a 20-year conflict in their home country, yet despite their own traumas, they were horrified by a single photograph of four people, including two children, lying dead on the ground in Kyiv.
Now in Poland, they were spurred into action by helping Ukrainian refugees with whom they identify.
Sabur Dawod Zai, 27, is drawing on a wealth of experience after two decades of invasion, occupation, civil war and displacement.
“We had the same situation. I escaped from Afghanistan with a single bag and left behind everything: education, stability, career and families. The photo of four [victims] and other scenes of destruction should make everyone think like a human. That’s why I decided to help,” Mr Sabur told The National from his new home in the Polish capital city of Warsaw.
The image was taken by American photojournalist Lynsey Addario for The New York Times and shows a woman, a man and two children in Kyiv after being killed in a mortar attack.
We had the same situation. I escaped from Afghanistan with a single bag and left behind everything: education, stability, career and families.
Sabur Dawod Zai,
Afghan refugee in Poland
The American newspaper decided to publish the photo on its front page last week to illustrate the brutal reality of war.
In Warsaw, Mr Sabur is spending three to four hours on weekdays at the Zachodnia bus station – one of the main meeting points for long lines of exhausted refugees who escaped Ukraine while Russian troops attacked their country.
He and his Afghan teammates, who sought political asylum in Poland, knew from social media groups – organised over the past few weeks to support the refugees – what they needed most.
They communicated in English and used Google translate with others.
“We are preparing dinners at home, buying bus tickets and sim cards with internet data with our own money, providing clothes. We have met some refugees who have eaten only biscuits for many days,” the young Afghan man said.
He was granted asylum with his wife in October. They have not yet found jobs and are making ends meet through their savings, community support and a monthly allowance of about $280 for both of them.
Mr Sabur’s journey to freedom after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban last August helped him realise what it means for Ukrainian refugees to flee the Russian onslaughts by any means possible.
The former government employee escaped death when Taliban fighters hunted down Afghans like him who had worked with the previous government, the US and Nato. His last position was an adviser to the deputy interior minister.
“We were on the top list of people wanted by Taliban. In 2019, they bombed an event organised in [the eastern city of] Jalalabad. People were protesting against the rise of attacks on journalists and social activists. I was badly injured in my feet and had to undergo 14 operations before I was able to walk again. I lost eight of my friends in the shooting that followed the explosion of the improvised device and I faked death to escape Taliban militants.”
Mr Sabur left Kabul on August 23 thanks to a lifeline to the outside world provided by Polish member of parliament and former education minister Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska.
Mrs Kluzik-Rostkowska has helped 200 Afghans to leave the country and start new lives in Poland after the Taliban takeover. There are approximately 1,200 Afghans in Poland today, most housed in refugee camps.
She helped connect all decision makers involved from the ministries of interior and defence to the private sector and resettlement organisations. And she has an affinity with Afghanistan.
“I’m interested in the history of Afghanistan because it fought against the former Soviet Union, which established a communist rule in my country, although it has never been part of it. The Afghans led by late hero [Ahmad] Shah Masssoud fought the Soviets and resisted the Taliban too,” Mrs Kluzik-Rostkowska told The National.
Humanity should not be selective
Mrs Kluzik-Rostkowska says humanity should not be selective in treating refugees. Some western news organisations and politicians are being accused of double standards – calling for support for Ukrainian refugees after taking a tough line on the Syrian and Afghan refugee crises.
Everyone should know that there’s a thin line between peace and war. It could happen to any one of us
Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska,
Polish MP
“I was a journalist myself and covered several wars like the first and second wars between Russia and Chechnya as well as the Lebanese civil war. I know what the war is. It’s the same cruelty and suffering. Refugees are the same and anyone who escapes the horrors of war shouldn’t be treated on the basis of the colour of their skin, religion or race. Everyone should know that there’s a thin line between peace and war. It could happen to any one of us,” she said.
“But one has to put in mind that there’s a political aspect of this as well, which is the right-wing governments in some European countries. I myself am on the opposition side in my country. Also, Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and its borders are EU borders.”
The invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing flow of refugees into Poland and other neighbouring countries has triggered disbelief among some reporters that this could happen to “civilised people with blonde hair and blue eyes” and who look like “any European family that you would live next door to”.
Such comments were widely condemned on social media as racist.
‘We can feel their pain’
Nearly 84 million people around the world have been displaced from their homes because of war, conflict or persecution since 2000, according to UNHCR. Syrians account for about 11 million of them.
My Afghan colleagues and I tell them we are equal in pain and understand you. We are here to help you
Muneezzha Kakar,
Afghan refugee in Poland
The figure does not include the Ukrainian refugees. But since the start of the Russian assault in February, more than three million Ukrainians – and counting – have fled their country with nearly two million pouring into neighbouring Poland and hundreds of thousands going to other nearby countries.
While xenophobia and racism are not new topics, the frank discussion on the subject caused by the Ukraine crisis startled Muneezzha Kakar, an Afghan woman who sought refuge in Poland with the help of Mrs Kluzik-Rostkowska and who now works with Mr Sabur.
“We can feel their pain,” she told The National. “Like us, they are starting from zero. It isn’t easy. My Afghan colleagues and I tell them we are equal in pain and understand you. We are here to help you.”
Ms Kakar, 29, was a human resources officer with international organisations that operated in Afghanistan before the Taliban takeover. She was also a lecturer at the private Mashal University in Kabul.
She fled Kabul with her mother a few months before the Taliban takeover. They first landed in Turkey and then flew to Warsaw last December. She is grateful to Poland because it acted swiftly to protect them, although her name was on the evacuation list for the UK, a country she once worked passionately with on female empowerment projects in Afghanistan.
“The Polish people, especially the women, are really kind and supportive. When we arrived, they used to bring us groceries and medicines even without asking. They also speak English very well. Even when we wanted to go somewhere to finalise our papers, Mrs Kluzik-Rostkowska was always there for us, but also there are Facebook groups that help refugees and offer us taxis for free. They are really helpful,” she said.
The path to a peaceful life seems at last to be clear.
“For my mental health, I no longer live with the fear of being kidnapped, murdered or bombed by Taliban. All these fears accompanied me every single day in Afghanistan. But not any more.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Mainz 0
RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 11', 48', 75', Poulsen 23', Sabitzer 36')
Man of the Match: Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)
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
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS
Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The%20specs%3A%20Panamera%20Turbo%20E-Hybrid
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SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
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
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
Zayed Sustainability Prize
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
