Raqqa was once synonymous with Arab syncretism. Rising to the west of the Euphrates River’s confluence with the Balikh River, it expanded over the ages into a hospitable home for a diverse cast of religious communities. Christian monasteries stood alongside magnificent synagogues and one of the most majestic mosques in the world, built in the 8th century under the supervision of the Abbasids. Those who worshipped in the Great Mosque of Raqqa would, if they were brought back to life, be horrified at the so-called “caliphate” that ISIL established in the city in 2014: there was nothing in ISIL’s infernal reign over the city that even remotely reflected the ethos of Islam.
For more than three years, ISIL destroyed Raqqa's cultural and religious heritage and held its people hostage. Naim Square, Raqqa's central thoroughfare, translates into English as "paradise square". Under ISIL, as The National reported on Tuesday, it became hell: the site of regular public executions which civilians were compelled to witness. It was from this imprisoned city that ISIL directed its operations, threatening one day to conquer the whole world.
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US backed forces liberate Raqqa from ISIL
Naim Square, one of Raqqa’s main roundabouts, became symbol of ISIL brutality
The human cost of leaving Bashar Al Assad in power is before us
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Raqqa's liberation by the US-backed Syrian Defence Forces on Tuesday is one of the most significant victories in the war against ISIL. Coming on the heels of the liberation of Deir Ezzor and Mosul, it signals the beginning of the end of ISIL. But capitalising on these successes is only possible if the causes of ISIL's rise are recognised — and addressed. As this newspaper has long pointed out, ISIL did not emerge in a vacuum. It incubated in the conditions created by the government of Bashar Al Assad.
It is worth remembering that Raqqa's political activists welcomed the routing of Mr Al Assad's forces by opposition fighters in 2013. The international community could have seized that moment by supplying aid to moderate elements. Instead, it abandoned them, enabling ISIL to take over the city within a year. Mr Al Assad has since then used the savagery of ISIL in Raqqa as a convenient foil, exploiting the world's anxiety and anger to furbish his image and present the conflict as a binary choice, a zero-sum game between himself and ISIL.
To buy into that narrative is become complicit in the restoration of the very circumstances that bred ISIL in the first place. It is not a coincidence that September, the month in which in Mr Al Assad's hold on Syria became more secure than at any time in the last six years, was the bloodiest month in 2017: 995 civilians, among them 207 children, were killed by his forces. Those who abandoned Raqqa in 2013 can atone by helping with its reconstruction now. The task is daunting. The US is leading the way, but others must join in. Raqqa can rise once again and become a model for the rest of Syria, provided the world doesn't avert its gaze or make shabby compromises with Mr Al Assad.
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
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 PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Persuasion
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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 Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
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MO
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)