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An online backlash over the perceived relativism and racist undertones of reactions to the war in Ukraine is brewing on social media.
Thousands of people from Arab countries and Afghanistan are posting pictures of themselves in everyday situations on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #civilised and #uncivilised.
Ukraine's appeal for survival posits on it being a European democracy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a European audience that this was a reason to rally to its defence. “We have proven that at a minimum, we are exactly the same as you,” he said.
Some commentators have suggested attacks on Ukraine were unlike attacks taking place in other conflict zones such as Syria.
“So, the question is, is the West going to tolerate the Russians doing this to Ukraine?” asked Philip Breedlove, a retired US general.
“What if the Russians do what they did in eastern Syria and they drop barrel bombs and make rubble of cities and terrorise citizens and force them on the road and make them refugees across Europe?”
Some of the language used has been disturbing to them, and hurtful.
“These are not the refugees we are used to … these people are Europeans,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said of the Ukrainians this week. “These people are intelligent, they are educated people. This is not the refugee wave we have been used to, people we were not sure about their identity, people with unclear pasts, who could have been even terrorists…”
Reporting from Ukraine’s capital at the start of the Russian invasion, a CBS correspondent said Kyiv “isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen conflict raging for decades. This is a relatively civilised and relatively European city … where you wouldn’t expect that to happen”.
Some Arabs and Afghans said the insinuation was that they are “uncivilised” and that their lives have less value.
After an initial wave of criticism, thousands are now mocking the journalist’s comments by posting pictures of themselves at work, home or in social settings and referencing his words.
“Me, an #uncivilized #refugee from #Palestine, physician and researcher saving #civilised lives of critically ill patients and producing scientific research for fighting #Covid_19,” Palestinian doctor Osaid Asser posted, with a picture of himself in scrubs. Dr Asser said he was a graduate of the universities of Oxford and Harvard.
“Hi it’s me Arash from uncivilised Afghanistan, logging on from a mostly civilised Los Angeles,” another user posted.
Iranian Twitter has also picked up the charge, with users voicing their disappointment in the commentary with the hashtag #euracism in Farsi.
The reporter’s comments also drew condemnation from fellow journalists for their insensitivity.
The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists' Association called out the media coverage of Ukraine more generally, saying it was “orientalist and racist”.
It said the way in which journalists had compared the crisis with conflict in the Middle East “ascribes more importance to some victims of war over others”.
Chris Doyle, of the Council of British Arab Understanding, told The National that some of the commentary highlighted the ignorance and casual racism towards the region.
“Many people would have thought attitudes like that would have died, but sadly that isn’t the case. The Middle East is literally the cradle of civilisation.
“To suggest otherwise is completely wrong.”
Mr Doyle said that the attitude of European countries towards refugees from Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia “exposed double standards”.
“People are being encouraged to fight in Ukraine or celebrated for using Molotov cocktails and called ‘freedom fighters’, and then in other parts of the world like Iraq or the West Bank, they are called ‘terrorists’.
“Europeans are showing extraordinary empathy with Ukraine and Ukrainians, which is excellent, but people from other countries that have been blighted by war are looking at this and asking: ‘Where was the empathy when it was us?’”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
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Results
International 4, United States 1
Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods (US) beat Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann (International) 4 and 3.
Adam Hadwin and Sungjae Im (International) beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (US) 2 up.
Adam Scott and Byeong Hun An (International) beat Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau (US) 2 and 1.
Hideki Matsuyama and C.T. Pan (International) beat Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed (US) 1 up.
Abraham Ancer and Louis Oosthuizen (International) beat Dustin Johnson and Gary Woodland (US) 4 and 3.
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
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
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
More on animal trafficking
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
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