It is just over a week until the Pope, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, arrives in the UAE for a visit that is as timely as it is historic. Pope Francis, who has made the strengthening of the bond between Christianity and Islam a cornerstone of his papacy, is making his first visit to the Arabian peninsula at a time when many western nations are succumbing to the politics of fear and intolerance.
In America, where the Statue of Liberty once welcomed the world’s “poor ... huddled masses yearning to breathe free”, President Donald Trump is intent on building walls to keep them out.
Europe, reduced to sabotaging the efforts of charities trying to save the lives of refugees in the Mediterranean, is in the process of raising its moral drawbridge.
Britain, a once proudly multicultural nation, is close to falling off the Brexit cliff edge towards which it has been stampeded by unfounded scaremongering about migrants.
Increasingly, the Pope’s words and actions contrast vividly with those of Europe’s secular leadership. In 2016 the Pope condemned Europe’s “indifferent and anaesthetised conscience” over the refugee crisis and sent out a powerful message by washing the feet of a group of young refugees at a shelter near Rome. This week, Italy’s far-right anti-immigration government began evicting more than 500 refugees from that very same shelter. Unconscionably, Europe has closed its ports to vessels carrying rescued migrants and impounded ships operated by charities that have rescued tens of thousands at sea.
Earlier this month the Pope stepped in to urge European nations to stop squabbling over the fate of 49 migrants trapped on board two rescue ships in the Mediterranean and offer them a safe harbour.
In a world that appears to be losing its moral compass, the Pope’s message of compassion and humanity appears increasingly to be a voice in the wilderness. The power of that voice was evident this week among the joyful crowds who greeted his arrival in Panama to celebrate World Youth Day.
Meanwhile, excitement about the papal visit next month to the UAE is mounting among its estimated one million Catholics. Capacity at Zayed Sports City Stadium has been increased to cope with demand for tickets to the Pope's public Mass. Last year, when the Pope accepted the invitation to visit the UAE, he was described by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as a symbol for "peace, tolerance and the promotion of brotherhood".
There is now more need than ever for such an outspoken symbol. In welcoming the Pope as it embarks on its Year of Tolerance, the UAE is adding its voice to his message of compassion.
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Everton
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
When: Sunday, kick-off 7pm (UAE)
How to watch: Live on BeIN Sports 11HD
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
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