Eid is always a special time. For many in the Middle East, this year’s celebration of Eid Al Fitr holds even more significance. While the festival’s position as an unchanging fixture of the region’s calendar remains, some countries that mark this important Islamic holiday are going through profound and rapid change.
In Syria, millions of Muslims are observing the end of Ramadan in a nation that has thrown off decades of Assad family rule. Although Syria still faces many serious problems and its transition to a new beginning has had some painful setbacks, this is the first time in years that families and communities have been able to come together for Eid Al Fitr with a sense of optimism that better days may lie ahead.
In neighbouring Lebanon, Eid celebrations are also taking place in changed circumstances. Plagued for years by political inertia and a lack of effective leadership, a new government in Beirut has been formed that at least offers the prospect of stability and prosperity after too many decades of conflict, economic turmoil and division.
An important part of Eid Al Fitr and the holy month that preceded it is their call to renew social solidarity and our commitment to good causes. In Syria, Lebanon and many other countries, Muslims will have already offered Zakat Al Fitr – a obligatory charitable donation to help the less-fortunate celebrate the end of Ramadan. Such alms-giving can have a powerful impact; the UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund, for example, supports almost nine million forcibly displaced people in 31 countries thanks to contributions from more than 40,000 donors.
This determination to do good during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr has also been prominent in the UAE. On Friday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai revealed that a Ramadan campaign to help those in need raised more than Dh3.72 billion ($1.01 billion) in donations. The Fathers’ Endowment campaign to provide treatment and health care for the needy attracted contributions from 277,000 donors.
An important part of Eid Al Fitr and the holy month that preceded it is their call to renew social solidarity and our commitment to good causes
The spirit of Ramadan was also evident in the run-up to the holy month. In mid-February, it was announced that the UAE would send 300 tonnes of essential food supplies to Gaza on aid flights over three days to offer crucial support to embattled Palestinians during Ramadan. This was part of the Emirates’ consistent humanitarian support for Palestinians.
Nevertheless, much of the Arab world still faces many challenges. Impoverished Yemen marks Eid today largely under the isolating and autocratic rule of the Houthi militant group. In Palestine, the continuing Israeli occupation and accompanying violence still blights too many lives. Sudan, which is in the throes of a bitter and costly civil war, finds itself at a crossroads as government forces push their opponents from the capital.
Such challenges mean that the generosity, empathy and consideration that characterises Eid Al Fitr will be needed for the foreseeable future. Practical support for those in countries that are trying to turn a corner on their difficult past or are struggling with new shocks must remain a feature of Eid celebrations, not just this year but in years to come.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
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.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
