• Iraqi workers restore the shrine of the the 10th century Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in central Baghdad's Al Kifah neighbourhood. All photos: AFP
    Iraqi workers restore the shrine of the the 10th century Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in central Baghdad's Al Kifah neighbourhood. All photos: AFP
  • Labourers repair the centuries-old shrine of the revered rabbi in an effort to revive the long-faded heritage of Iraq's Jewish community
    Labourers repair the centuries-old shrine of the revered rabbi in an effort to revive the long-faded heritage of Iraq's Jewish community
  • A security guard opens the door of the Meir Taweig Synagogue in the Baghdad's Bataween district
    A security guard opens the door of the Meir Taweig Synagogue in the Baghdad's Bataween district
  • The interior of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
    The interior of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
  • Menorah candlesticks on the bimah (reading dais) of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
    Menorah candlesticks on the bimah (reading dais) of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
  • Iraq's Jewish community was once one of the largest in the Middle East, but it has now dwindled to just dozens
    Iraq's Jewish community was once one of the largest in the Middle East, but it has now dwindled to just dozens
  • A picture of Dr Dhafer Fuad Eliyahu, who died in 2021 and was one of the last remaining Jews in Baghdad, on the wall of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
    A picture of Dr Dhafer Fuad Eliyahu, who died in 2021 and was one of the last remaining Jews in Baghdad, on the wall of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
  • Baghdad today has one synagogue left, and many houses that once belonged to Jews are abandoned and dilapidated
    Baghdad today has one synagogue left, and many houses that once belonged to Jews are abandoned and dilapidated

Baghdad's Shrine of Rabbi Isaac Gaon restored after decades of neglect - in pictures


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Iraq's Jewish community was once one of the largest in the Middle East, but it has now dwindled to just dozens. In the gallery above, Iraqi workers can be seen restoring the shrine of the the 10th century Jewish Rabbi Isaac Gaon in central Baghdad's Al Kifah neighbourhood.

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

Racecard

5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m

The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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Updated: May 28, 2025, 7:19 AM