Alaa' Hleyhel, a Palestinian writer and holder of an Israeli passport, was awarded a literary prize that he was supposed to receive in Beirut. However, he was denied a visa into Lebanon as an anti-normalisation measure. Marzouq al Halabi chose to comment on this event in an article for the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat. He said that the decision came as a shock, especially since the Israeli Supreme Court had intervened against the legislative authority in Israel and approved Mr Hleyhel's trip to Beirut. It appears that the Arab nations in their tumultuous political conflicts with Israel are overlooking the human dimension.
It is a shame that the Israeli court showed respect for the law of human dignity and freedom while the Arab world still fails to recognise it. "We expected that Beirut wouldn't wait for an Israeli court order and would open its doors to Mr Hleyhel and to us, as Palestinians, thus recognising our right to communicate and belong to the Arab world. We expected a recognition of our rights that transcends the boundaries of politics." It is true that Palestinians under occupations are considered Israeli citizens, but the time has come for the Arab countries to admit that they are not citizens by choice. It is time to admit that between nationality and identity the differences can be great.
In an opinion piece for the London-based newspaper Al Sharq al Awsat, Sami Shawrash, the former minister of culture in Iraq's Kurdish regional government, emphasised the tension in the current Arab-Kurd relationship.
The prevalent political scene in Iraq sees many Arab and Islamic efforts to persuade the winners in the last parliamentary elections to overcome their differences and agree on a national partnership that would culminate in a new Iraqi government in which the Iraqi Kurds would play a vital role. It is a role that the Iraqi Kurds have been serving for more than eight years, proving their importance as a major element in the national composition of the country.
However, Iraqi Kurds are feeling an imbalance in their relationship with the Arabs. Their hardships and the genocide they endured under the former regime are being denied as many consider that the guarantee of Kurdish national rights within the Iraqi social fabric would rupture the country and affect its Arab character. "Is the Arab-Kurd relationship disintegrating?" The Middle East is home to more than 30 million Kurds distributed among four countries. "To ignore this large group and turn a blind eye to their rights and sufferings would pave the way to a destructive dissolution of historical relationship, which should be avoided."
"The US seems to be stuck between two opposing forces: Israel and Iran, and both play their cards subtly. But this does not mean the US is getting weaker or becoming reluctant to take the leading role in international affairs," wrote Youssef al Kuwailet in a lead article in the Saudi Arabia newspaper Al Riyadh. The US is adopting rather a soft power approach as an alternative to military action or psychological pressure.
When dealing with Israel, the US has frequently faced a conflict over Middle East issues, as Arab countries grow less confident in the potential role the Americans can play as peace mediators. As Israel continues to implement its unpopular policies, many across the Muslim world started to look at the US presence in the region as undesirable because of its biased attitude in favour of Israel - a situation that greatly affects its vital interests.
With Iran, the US stance is still unclear because its long-term interests outweigh any rash decision to use force to abort Iranian nuclear ambitions. The Americans seem to be patient, looking forward to any changes affecting the Iranian politics. This is perhaps why the Americans are opposed to the Israeli plan to strike Iran. Both countries are preventing the US president Barack Obama, from focusing on other hot spots like Iraq and Afghanistan. They also put into question the feasibility of his soft diplomacy.
For almost one month to date, one of Arab literature's most prized jewels, One Thousand and One Nights, has been under attack, reported Abdul Hamid al Ansari in an opinion piece for the Emirati daily Al Ittihad. Many Arab and international writers were influenced by this literary work of art that has influenced both the East and the West alike. Nevertheless, the masterpiece is under threat nowadays in Egypt. Lawyers are asking for a ban on the book, claiming that it is offensive to public decency and promotes moral corruption.
This is not the first time that the book has fallen under scrutiny. It was confiscated in 1985 under similar claims. However, the court of appeals at the time dismissed the case, stating that One Thousand and One Nights has captured people's imagination for centuries and it is a treasure of folk literature. Furthermore, it was a valuable source for many magnificent works of art all over the world.
"The court ruling, 24 years ago, should have been upheld and this abhorrent habit of confiscating books must cease in this new age of knowledge which abolishes all barriers and impediments." * Digest compiled by Racha Makarem rmakarem@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
Company%20Profile
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle