An IT worker living in Denmark for nine years faces deportation to Palestine, a place he left a few days after he was born, after losing his Danish residency on a minor technicality.
Once considered a safe haven for refugees, Denmark's policy on asylum and immigration has become increasingly controversial. The Scandinavian nation has recently been pushing Syrian refugees to return to their war-torn country, claiming it is now safe to do so. But Syria is not the only conflict zone the Danish authorities now deem safe for asylum seekers.
For the past four years, Palestinian Mohamed El Shawa has been fighting a series of misfortunes that have threatened his livelihood, his legal status and potentially his safety.
About five years after arriving in Denmark legally in 2012, Mohamed's residency was not renewed and he has been fighting deportation to Gaza ever since.
"I always wanted to travel. I wanted to leave Egypt and I never thought that would happen. As Palestinians we are always seeking somewhere we can call home," he tells The National.
Mohamed, 36, was raised in Egypt where he lived until he was 27 but there are no pathways to permanent residency or citizenship for Palestinians there.
Harbouring a lifelong dream to travel overseas, Mohamed, who already knew Arabic, English and Spanish and now speaks Danish, was overjoyed when he was accepted for postgraduate study at Denmark’s Aalborg University.
“The moment I arrived to Denmark was the best feeling of my entire life. It felt like I was finally free. Everything was beautiful, everyone was smiling and so friendly and welcoming,” says the master's graduate in international marketing.
After completing his degree in 2014, he was accepted on Denmark's Green Card scheme and began building his career with language courses and internships. By 2017 Mohamed was working full-time for an IT company in Copenhagen, living in his own apartment and was surrounded by close friends – but then a technicality upended everything.
The few hours that cost him everything
In early 2018, Mohamed was shocked to receive a letter from the immigration authorities telling him they would not be renewing his residency and giving him one month to leave the country.
“I was shocked, furious and depressed. I didn’t know what to do. How could I wrap up five years of my life in one month? Where was I supposed to go?” he says.
His appeals were rejected and to further complicate matters, Mohamed’s Egyptian residency had expired and his subsequent application for a visa to Egypt was rejected. With nowhere to go and afraid of becoming an illegal resident in Denmark, Mohamed was forced to seek asylum.
“It’s not like I’ve been travelling around seeking asylum. I had my life here already. There wasn’t another option for me except to stay here.
"I deserved to be in Denmark. When I applied I had been there for six years already. I had my friends. I would have accepted being kicked out if I wasn’t successful or didn’t have a job but to have everything taken away because of a technicality...” he trails off, despondently.
After giving up his job, his apartment and most of his belongings, he spent the past three years moving from one asylum centre to another, attempting to reclaim the life he had built for himself but to no avail.
Mohamed’s asylum application was rejected and the Danish government ordered him to return to his birthplace.
"They consider Gaza my home because I was born there but I've only ever been twice in my life and the last time was in 1998, so I don't even know it. I don't have connections, I have absolutely nothing andGaza now is very different to the one I saw as a child. I don't even know what would happen to me there."
Gaza’s ‘safe’ conflict-zone
He says it is absurd for the Danish authorities to warn their own citizens not to travel to Gaza because of safety concerns but consider it safe for him to live there.
In 2017, the European Court of Justice upheld the EU's designation of Hamas, the authority governing Gaza since 2007, as a terrorist organisation. The territory is under a 14-year Israeli military blockade by land, air and sea and is hit regularly by air strikes.
Home to 1.9 million people living along a 40-kilometre strip, Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated places. It suffers from regular power cuts and a lack of clean water and sanitation.
"In Denmark, it isn't enough to be coming from somewhere that is dangerous. The applicant has to prove that they themselves are personally in danger," Mohamed's lawyer, Jimmy Vitenson, tells The National.
Given that Mohamed has never lived in Gaza, any danger to his life is difficult to prove although his lawyer argues that does not make him any less vulnerable. “Are they are following the laws? Yes. Is it fair? No,” he says.
Adding to the absurdity of Mohamed’s situation is that he cannot get into Gaza, even if he wanted to. The only way in is through Israel or Egypt but without travel documents for either country he cannot go to where he is effectively being deported.
This might ultimately be what keeps Mohamed in Denmark. Under current rules, the Danish authorities have 18 months to send a person home, after which they have to reconsider a residency permit.
His case may have reached the end of the road in the Danish courts but there is still a chance to appeal at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
While he exhausts all legal avenues, Mohamed says helping out in the office of the Ranum asylum centre innorthern Jutland and learning how to code have helped him from sinking into a deep depression.
“I’ve done everything I can and have been co-operating since day one. But I’ve made it crystal clear that I would rather die here than go back to the Gaza strip,” he says.
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Dubai World Cup prize money
Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf – $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000
The biog
Name: Samar Frost
Born: Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends
Favourite singer: Adele
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
How to get there
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.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
RESULT
Australia 3 (0) Honduras 1 (0)
Australia: Jedinak (53', 72' pen, 85' pen)
Honduras: Elis (90 4)
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
