Sabia Azimi softly lists the family members trying to leave Kabul to a volunteer at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association in Feltham, west London.
Her parents, siblings and their families are all vulnerable to the threat from the Taliban, she tells the woman typing her details on to a laptop across from her.
Two of Mrs Azimi’s brothers served in the Afghan Army’s US-trained special forces, a valid cause for concern after the Taliban’s takeover.
Among the stack of supporting papers she has with her is a photo of one of her brothers smiling in his military uniform. Her red-rimmed eyes fill up as she scans another picture of him bent over the body of his best friend after he was killed fighting the Taliban this year.
Mrs Azimi’s husband, Khalid, takes over the conversation. “In the past two weeks we haven't slept. She hasn’t stopped crying,” Mr Azimi tells The National.
“Their father was in the military and the boys also hoped to help to bring something good to the country but today there is nothing,” says Mr Azimi, who arrived as a refugee in England 22 years ago.
He found his wife in tears again after she saw reports that 10 members of the same family had been killed by a US-drone strike in a Kabul district close to where her family lived.
The couple are two of more than 100 worried faces attending the centre after cabin doors closed on the last evacuation flights from Kabul airport.
One of the few Afghan community centres in the UK capital, the ACAA’s two-storey building in an industrial corner of the city has become a hub for British-Afghans seeking immigration advice.
ACAA founder and former refugee Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi says thousands of people were calling and emailing daily in the desperate scramble leading up to the deadline. “Before the airlift ended people were queuing from 5am to see us. We got thousands of emails and phone-calls every day from people trying to get their friends and family to safety,” he says.
Mrs Azimi has come to register her family’s details into a spreadsheet the ACAA has created. She is then given an email address to send substantiating documents to and will be sent some advice on the next steps.
The only official avenues left (or vulnerable Afghans to come to the UK are through the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap) and the Afghanistan citizens’ resettlement scheme.
Arap is aimed specifically at Afghan citizen who worked for UK forces or other British sectors in the country. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says 13,000 Afghans were removed during August, with another 3,000 since April when the Arap scheme was launched. UK citizens can also apply to bring their dependants.
The chaotic and violent last days of the evacuation meant that many people eligible under the programme were left behind.
As a small charity, Dr Nasimi says it is not equipped to handle becoming the de facto central point for advice on Afghan immigration at a time of such crisis.
“Here at the centre, every day there is a big crowd. And it's very busy. We are a small charity. We can't cope with this number of people who are looking for support. We need a strong partnership with the UK government to make sure the rights of those vulnerable people who are using our services are not ignored,” he tells The National on the steps of the organisation he set up in 2001.
Ideally, Dr Nasimi would like to have an immigration lawyer on site who could advise families on a case-by-case basis but that requires resources the charity doesn’t have. At present, it's him, his children and a group of volunteers who are fielding enquiries and finding ways to help thousands of Afghans.
People have come from all over the UK, including Payam Hussein who travelled 75 miles away in Portsmouth. A former journalist, Mr Hussein sought asylum in the UK in 2014 after receiving death threats from the Taliban for some of his news reports. A member of the Hazara – an ethnic minority previously persecuted by the Taliban – his remaining family in Afghanistan now live under renewed threat. “They’re already going door-to-door searching for people,” he tells me in the centre’s car park while waiting for his turn inside.
Even if they are eligible, however, it is unclear if and how they will be able to get out of Afghanistan. Britain is negotiating safe passage with the Taliban for citizens and Afghans in its employ who were left behind when its evacuation mission ended.
Mr Hussein’s family are in hiding while they wait to see if there is a designated safe zone for them in Afghanistan. Otherwise, he says he will try to get them to England via Pakistan or Iran "if it's possible. If it's not then I don't know what's going to happen.”
After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August, the Home Office announced a new scheme to resettle 20,000 Afghans over five years. Critics have argued this scheme is too small and too distant to cater adequately for the scale of pressing need.
The ACAA’s spreadsheet already has over 3,000 entries, each one for several family members. Most of the personal circumstances relayed suggest a case for eligibility. An Afghan actress who fled the Taliban years ago now fears for her family who are still living there. The son of a member of the security detail of Taliban-ousted former president Ashraf Ghani wants to get his father out of Kabul. The sister of an Afghan, whose wife and the mother of their three young children disappeared two weeks ago, wants to bring her brother and his family to safety.
Mr Azimi has been down this road before. He fled the Taliban in 1993 during their first run at power in Afghanistan. After living in neighbouring Pakistan, the carpet-fitter eventually arrived in the UK in 1999. When two years later, the 2001 US-led invasion led to new threats on Afghan soil he arranged for his mother and sister to resettle in Austria.
“I have seen all of this before,” Mr Azimi tells me as his wife finishes handing over her family's details.
“The country is never going to be peaceful so whatever life we can save from there we should save, it doesn't matter if they’re human beings, every animal, everyone is suffering in that country.”
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
Ajax 4
Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
Ammar 808:
Maghreb United
Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat
Results:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
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