Left to right front row, Nadia Alaa, Rita Alkhatib and Wafa Al Qealy. Back, Mahmoud Elshamaa, Mahdi Ouri, Mohammed Zouheir and Fadi Osamaall took part in the competition. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
Left to right front row, Nadia Alaa, Rita Alkhatib and Wafa Al Qealy. Back, Mahmoud Elshamaa, Mahdi Ouri, Mohammed Zouheir and Fadi Osamaall took part in the competition. Jeffrey E Biteng / The NationShow more

UAE human rights contest helps boys and girls know their rights



DUBAI // The story begins with a young boy, lonely and neglected, who struggles through his youth and does not finish his education. Despite this, he finds a happy ending.

“In the end his uncle comes to him and tells him, I will let you study all over again,” says the author, Mohammed Zouheir, 16, a pupil at American International School. When the boy in his story grows up he confronts his parents about their treatment of him as a child.

Mohammed is one of many school pupils in Dubai who have tackled thorny topics such as child neglect, domestic abuse and school violence for a competition sponsored by the Community Development Authority.

The authority’s 2nd annual Student Contest on Human Rights prompts schoolchildren to think critically and use their creative talents.

Focused this year on children’s rights, the competition is divided into an arts section – with painting, calligraphy and photography categories – and a literature section, for short stories and articles in Arabic. Pupils discuss children’s rights in class and then write or depict their own interpretations.

“As a part of our work in the human-rights sector we want to build awareness about human rights,” said Ayesha Al Marri of the Community Development Authority. “Last year we concentrated on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights … so it was general.”

The initiative has been expanded from only government schools to 151 private schools and 11 centres for people with disabilities, along with 79 government schools. Winners will be announced in May.

At the American International School, about 120 children took part in the contest. Mohammed’s story is one of seven projects going into the larger competition.

“I’m very proud,” said Mohammed, from Morocco. “It is the first time I wrote a story on my own.”

While non-Arabic speaking students participated, all seven projects going forward are stories or articles in Arabic.

Wafa Al Qealy, 15, from Yemen, wrote about physical abuse in families. She chose the topic because “Arab society suffers from lots of home violence towards children. It might help other people learn”.

Nadia Alaa, 14, from Egypt, found inspiration close to home, and wrote about her mother’s journey to overcome past abuse.

“If someone is suffering from physical or mental abuse they tend to be isolated.” Nadia said. “But my mother was an exception.”

Rita Al Khatib, 12, from Syria, wrote an article comparing children who have “their full rights” with children who are deprived. “All children have the right to be saved during a natural disaster, and also all children have to grow with their parents and be respected,” she said.

Teachers at the American International School already address the topic of children’s rights in class. The competition complemented their efforts, said Reem Husein, boy’s section supervisor and the school’s Unesco coordinator. “I need all the kids in my life to know everything about their rights,” she said.

Called into Ms Husein’s office, 11-year-old Yousif, who did not participate in the competition, rattled off a list of reasons children should learn their rights. “It is important for each person so they can defend themselves,” he said. “They can depend on themselves. Also when they will grow up, they will be much better than others.”

As another thought came to him, Yousif asked if he could say one more thing: “If anyone beat me, if I didn’t come talk with our teacher to tell her – every day he will just beat me again.”

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)

Tottenham 1
Kane (48)

PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero

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

KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS

Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1

WWE Super ShowDown results

Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title

Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship

Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns

Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party

Randy Orton beats Triple H

Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley

Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal

The Undertaker beat Goldberg

 

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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
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule

1st Test July 26-30 in Galle

2nd Test August 3-7 in Colombo

3rd Test August 12-16 in Pallekele

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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.

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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?

The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.

The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.

He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.

He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.

He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.

Company Profile

Company name: Big Farm Brothers

Started: September 2020

Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur

Based: Dubai Investment Park 1

Industry: food and agriculture

Initial investment: $205,000

Current staff: eight to 10

Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets

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Transmission: Eight-speed auto

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THE SPECS

Engine: 3-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 424hp

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Price: From Dh399,000

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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

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5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)

Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)

Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)

A German university was a good fit for the family budget

Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600

Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between  £200-600

The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually

Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated 

As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640

Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month

Company%20Profile
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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.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months

What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate