A Jordanian author has published what could be the first Arabic language novel to deal with the coronavirus.
Titled Hariboon Min Corona (Escape from Corona), the work is penned by esteemed novelist and poet Mustafa Alqorna and has been released through the Jordanian publisher Dar Al Rwaya Al Arabia.
While the novel’s title promises a thrilling adventure set in the wake of the pandemic, Alqorna actually tackles the current crisis through a sobering and philosophical lens.
Set in various countries in East Asia, the novel is told through the eyes of an animal trader, whose business is severely disrupted by the coronavirus crisis.
In order to maintain his livelihood, the protagonist tries to be a step ahead by relocating and setting up his business in countries not yet afflicted by the virus.
During the course of the novel, Alqorna meditates on past pandemics and traces the role animals have played throughout history, both in forecasting encroaching viruses and saving humankind, thanks to their participation in vaccine trials.
A genuine attempt or a cash in?
Speaking to the Egyptian news site Masr Al Arabia, Alqorna said he started writing the novel in December, but then changed its focus to include Covid-19 after the first reported cases.
He states that Hariboon Min Corona blends his interests in East Asia and global affairs. "It is my habit that when I am working, I maintain some notes about what is going on in the world," he says. "I have always been interested in East Asia. It is a place that I have visited many times."
With the book having been released this month, Alqorna has been criticised on social media for cashing in on a tragic, unfolding situation.
The author defended himself by stating his regional pedigree and accusing critics of judging the work without having read it.
"As for the idea that I am seeking fame from this book, that's not true," he told Masr Al Arabia. "I am well known and translated my work into many languages. I am the former president of the Jordanian Writers Association."
‘Pandemics used as symbols': future Arabic novels about Covid-19
While Hariboon Min Corona is certainly one of, if not the first, Arabic novel to be set amid the pandemic, it will not be the last, says Fleur Montanaro, administrator of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
In a recent interview with The National, she said it is only natural for the coronavirus to appear in future works by Arab authors.
“I am sure there will be something. There has to be at some point,” she said. “But at the same time, I feel sorry to say this, but the Arab world has much bigger things to deal with apart from the coronavirus.
"I think what is happening now with the pandemic will be part of a greater story these authors want to tell.”
As for when further Covid-19 related novels will arrive, acclaimed Lebanese novelist Jabbour Douaihy says it could be years.
The Ipaf nominee told AFP last month that the coronavirus will "leave scars and marks on the mind" of present and future writers.
Writing novels takes time – we can't write about events that are still taking place
“Great authors wrote about previous pandemics and used them as symbols,” he said.
However, unlike Alqorna’s recent effort, he believes the best coronavirus-themed novels will arrive only after novelists fully understand the tragedy and magnitude of the event.
It is no surprise, Douaihy said, that interesting literature surrounding Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war only came out years after the conflict.
"I don't think the Lebanese war was written about until it was over and done with, meaning it could be used in literature," he said. “Writing novels takes time – we can't write about events that are still taking place.”
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.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company%20profile
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The biog
Year of birth: 1988
Place of birth: Baghdad
Education: PhD student and co-researcher at Greifswald University, Germany
Hobbies: Ping Pong, swimming, reading
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: CVT
Power: 170bhp
Torque: 220Nm
Price: Dh98,900
