Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in October 2015. After almost a decade, he is thriving. He was granted asylum, has learned German, made new friends, and will now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in October 2015. After almost a decade, he is thriving. He was granted asylum, has learned German, made new friends, and will now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in October 2015. After almost a decade, he is thriving. He was granted asylum, has learned German, made new friends, and will now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Gre

Mohammad Amin Alsalami: Syrian refugee's leap of faith set him on road to Paris Games


  • English
  • Arabic

A multitude of thoughts must race through the mind of a long jumper as they stand at their mark, absorbing the energy in the stadium before refocusing on executing the perfect technique.

When Mohammad Amin Alsalami prepares for his first jump at the Stade de France this summer, his mind might wander back to his childhood in Syria. It might take him to the violence and turmoil that forced his family to flee Aleppo, or a terrifying dinghy crossing in the Mediterranean where he doubted if he’d live to see the other side.

“The start of the journey was the most dangerous part – I will never forget that,” he told the official Olympics website. “I was sitting in a rubber dinghy with many other people, it was a very hard decision whether or not I should get into it.

“After getting out of the dinghy, with solid ground under my feet, I knew: I won’t die. Now everything is getting better. It can’t get worse than this.”

Alsalami was right. But despite telling himself, “My future starts now”, even in his wildest dreams he probably couldn’t have envisaged a future where he would fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian.

Yet this summer, in Paris, that is exactly what will happen when he competes in the long jump wearing the vest of the IOC’s Refugee Olympic Team.

“That moment was so … wow. I get to go to the Olympics. I cried so much. It was really cool,” the 29-year-old told the Associated Press of receiving his invite.

Alsalami discovered his ability for athletics at school where he also enjoyed success as a sprinter. A teacher spotted his talent for long jump when he was 15 and encouraged him to participate in local and national competitions in Syria.

But when civil war erupted in 2011 he could no longer train or compete. His family – Alsalami is the youngest of nine siblings – was displaced several times within Syria before fleeing to Turkey.

Alsalami decided to continue on to Europe on his own, which meant crossing the Mediterranean Sea on a rubber boat to Greece. He then walked, hitched and chanced his way to Germany in the hope of starting a new life.

Almost a decade later, he has been granted asylum. He settled in Berlin, learnt German and made new friends. Nothing has come easy, though, even after arriving in Germany, where his first few months were cold, confusing and lonely.

Alsalami says his passion for athletics helped him through those initial hardships. During his first weeks in Berlin, he searched online for stadiums and gyms in the hope that he might start jumping again.

“All the other Berlin track and field athletes were training in this hall,” he said of his first experience of a German gym. “When I came in and saw how full and how warm it was inside … it was almost like paradise for me.”

The talent that had made Alsalami one of the top long jumpers in Asia was still there and it didn’t take long for him to find a coach. On that very first day at the gym, a man watched him jump and approached him with a proposition.

“I didn’t understand anything, not in English either,” Alsalami said. “And then I said, ‘Hey, I’m Syrian’ on my mobile phone, and he said, ‘I’m your trainer from now on'.”

From there things started to improve. “You have to be patient. Everything will get better,” he told himself.

In Germany, Alsalami was given the opportunity to revive his sporting aspirations. He now wants to show people through his results that he will compete at Paris 2024 on merit, not just because he is part of the Refugee Olympic Team.

“Looking back since 2011, there were some hard days in my life but I always had this dream [to go to the Olympics],” said Alsalami, who has a personal best of 7.88 metres and won silver at the 2014 Asian Championships before his ordeal started.

“I also struggled with injuries, some of them were so serious I thought I had to end my career. I can’t wait for the day when I’m at the Olympics – pressure increases but I will try to stay cool and just enjoy the Games.

“I will give it my all, I want to prove that I’m not only in Paris because I’m a refugee, but also because I deserve it as an athlete.”

Despite his excitement for the Games, Alsalami admits sadness that he will not be representing the country of his birth. “Syria is home, I miss it every day,” he said. “In the end, that’s my country, that’s where I come from.”

He is, however, extremely optimistic about his future in Germany and wants to transition into coaching once his own career winds down.

“I want to start a family and become very happy here in Germany,” he said. “I just want to enjoy my life and I want to become a coach. I definitely want to do that.

“I want to do my sport as long as I can. There’s a feeling you only get in sports – it gives me the feeling that I’m alive. I’m a refugee and far away from home, but I’m doing what I love.”

Refugee Olympic Team athletes

  • Iranian wrestler Iman Mahdavi, 28, practices at the Lotta Club Seggiano gym in Pioltello, Italy. Mahdavi fled his home country in October 2020. Now, he will compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. AP
    Iranian wrestler Iman Mahdavi, 28, practices at the Lotta Club Seggiano gym in Pioltello, Italy. Mahdavi fled his home country in October 2020. Now, he will compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. AP
  • Iranian wrestler Iman Mahdavi, 28, is part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for the Paris Games. AP
    Iranian wrestler Iman Mahdavi, 28, is part of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team for the Paris Games. AP
  • Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin. He now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. AP
    Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin. He now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. AP
  • Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in 2015. AP
    Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in 2015. AP
  • Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in October 2015. After almost a decade, he is thriving. He was granted asylum, has learned German, made new friends, and will now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
    Syrian refugee Mohammad Amin Alsalami, 29, trains at the Wilmersdorf Stadium in Berlin on May 29, 2024. After leaving his war-torn hometown of Aleppo, he made it by foot to Germany through Turkey, Greece and the Balkans in October 2015. After almost a decade, he is thriving. He was granted asylum, has learned German, made new friends, and will now compete in Paris as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. (AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi)
  • Manizha Talash, originally from Afghanistan, practices outside the Parish of the Inmaculado Corazon de Maria in Madrid. The 21-year-old will compete with the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris Olympics, where breaking has been included for the first time. AP
    Manizha Talash, originally from Afghanistan, practices outside the Parish of the Inmaculado Corazon de Maria in Madrid. The 21-year-old will compete with the Refugee Olympic Team at the Paris Olympics, where breaking has been included for the first time. AP
  • Manizha Talash practices in Madrid for the Paris Olympics. AP
    Manizha Talash practices in Madrid for the Paris Olympics. AP
  • Manizha Talash, originally from Afghanistan, outside the Parish of the Inmaculado Corazon de Maria in Madrid, where she was granted asylum. AP
    Manizha Talash, originally from Afghanistan, outside the Parish of the Inmaculado Corazon de Maria in Madrid, where she was granted asylum. AP
  • Rower Fernando Dayan Jorge paddles his canoe during a training session ahead of the Paris Olympics. Jorge, who will compete in canoe sprint for the Refugee team, rowed for his native country Cuba at the Rio 2016 and the Toyko 2020 Olympics, where he won a gold medal in men's canoe double 1000m and finished seventh in the singles event. AP
    Rower Fernando Dayan Jorge paddles his canoe during a training session ahead of the Paris Olympics. Jorge, who will compete in canoe sprint for the Refugee team, rowed for his native country Cuba at the Rio 2016 and the Toyko 2020 Olympics, where he won a gold medal in men's canoe double 1000m and finished seventh in the singles event. AP
  • Fernando Dayan Jorge during a training session ahead of the Paris Olympics. AP
    Fernando Dayan Jorge during a training session ahead of the Paris Olympics. AP
RESULT

Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')

 

Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

MATCH INFO

Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm

Results

2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly

3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel

MATCH INFO

Burnley 1 (Brady 89')

Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')

RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E5pm%3A%20Sheikh%20Mansour%20bin%20Zayed%20Racing%20Festival%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Suny%20Du%20Loup%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%20(jockey)%2C%20Hamad%20Al%20Marar%20(trainer)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E5.30pm%3A%20Sheikh%20Mansour%20bin%20Zayed%20Racing%20Festival%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(PA)%20Dh150%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Nadia%20Du%20Loup%2C%20Antonio%20Fresu%2C%20Sulaiman%20Al%20Ghunaimi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6pm%3A%20Sheikha%20Fatima%20bint%20Mubarak%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(PA)%20Dh150%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Dareen%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Jean%20de%20Roualle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E6.30pm%3A%20Sheikh%20Zayed%20bin%20Sultan%20Al%20Nahyan%20National%20Day%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(PA)%20Dh500%2C000%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Alwajel%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E7.15pm%3A%20Sheikh%20Zayed%20bin%20Sultan%20Al%20Nahyan%20Jewel%20Crown%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20Dh5%2C000%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20First%20Classs%2C%20Ronan%20Thomas%2C%20Jean%20De%20Mieulle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8pm%3A%20Sheikh%20Zayed%20bin%20Sultan%20Al%20Nahyan%20National%20Day%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20Dh380%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20San%20Donato%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%2C%20Doug%20Watson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E8.30pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh100%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rasam%2C%20Fernando%20Jara%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

Jebel Ali card

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m

2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m

2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m

3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m

3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m

 

The National selections

1.45pm: Cosmic Glow

2.15pm: Karaginsky

2.45pm: Welcome Surprise

3.15pm: Taamol

3.45pm: Rayig

4.15pm: Chiefdom

4.45pm: California Jumbo

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10

*November 15 to November 24

*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com

*TV: Ten Sports

*Streaming: Jio Live

*2017 winners: Kerala Kings

*2018 winners: Northern Warriors

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

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%3Cp%3E1.%20Baghdad%2C%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E2.%20Manama%2C%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dhahran%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E4.%20Kuwait%20City%2C%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E5.%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E6.%20Ash%20Shihaniyah%2C%20Qatar%3Cbr%3E7.%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E8.%20Cairo%2C%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E9.%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E10.%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
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Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Updated: July 17, 2024, 7:22 AM