The Doha-based Youssef Al Qaradawi speaks to the crowd as he leads Friday prayers in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt in February, 2011. The outspoken pro-Muslim Brotherhood imam has been critical of the UAE’s policies toward Islamist groups, adding to friction between Qatar and other GCC states. Khalil Hamra / AP Photo
The Doha-based Youssef Al Qaradawi speaks to the crowd as he leads Friday prayers in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt in February, 2011. The outspoken pro-Muslim Brotherhood imam has been critical of theShow more

Brotherhood imam skips Doha sermon, but more needed for GCC to reconcile



ABU DHABI // A Muslim Brotherhood imam who has been critical of the UAE did not return to giving his usual sermon in Doha on Friday as expected, citing health concerns.

The sermon would have been Egyptian-born Youssef Al Qaradawi’s first since an unprecedented dispute between GCC states, and his words could have escalated tensions further.

That Mr Al Qaradawi did not speak raises hopes that the spat involving Qatar and the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain might be slowly moving towards a resolution.

“Although there are many underlying factors he certainly is a catalyst for the problems that came up in the past few months,” said Andrew Hammond, a Middle East analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations. “The less he is visible the better to help solve the crisis.”

A popular spiritual guide for the Brotherhood, Mr Al Qaradawi had used his sermons last January to lash out at the UAE’s support for the interim government in Egypt.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have given billions of dollars in aid to Egypt after the country’s military removed president Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Brotherhood, from the presidency in July, following mass protests against his rule.

A crackdown against Mr Morsi’s supporters followed and the Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organisation.

Qatar was a key international backer for Mr Morsi’s government, offering Egypt substantial loans to help rebuild its battered economy.

Doha’s refusal to stop Mr Al Qaradawi’s high-profile criticism, which was broadcast on state-television, and also end its support for the Brotherhood, prompted Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Manama to withdraw their ambassadors last month.

Mr Al Qaradawi also had a show on the Qatar-based Al Jazeera network, which has drawn ire for its criticism of regional governments.

The withdrawal of the ambassadors was the result of long-simmering tensions over Doha’s policies aimed at raising its influence throughout the region.

Other GCC states considered Doha’s efforts to promote the Brotherhood as dangerous for their internal security.

Mr Al Qaradawi’s absence from television on Friday came after the Kuwaiti foreign ministry said there would be an imminent breakthrough in relations between the GCC countries.

But Mr Al Qaradawi not being on television was more a “stopgap” and showed that the dispute was not resolved, Mr Hammond said.

While the UAE might be pleased that Mr Al Qaradawi remains off air it will be more difficult for steps to be taken towards resolving the dispute with Saudi Arabia, which, like Egypt’s interim government, has labelled the Brotherhood a terrorist group.

“The Saudis have a more complicated attitude,” said Mustafa Alani, the Saudi director of security and defence studies at the Geneva-based Gulf Research Centre.

“The Saudis classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group on the same footing as Al Qaeda.”

He said that Doha is “unable or unwilling” to understand the threat posed by the Brotherhood to GCC countries and “tangible evidence” was needed that its policies have changed.

But the real problem lies in Doha supporting the Brotherhood when it acts in a way that threatens the security of other GCC states, he said.

“The question is the threat of the Muslim Brotherhood crossing borders. It’s a regional threat.”

He added that Doha “giving them media outlets and letting them attack other governments, there is the problem”.

“Without Qatar able to understand this, I think the relations, even if they are restored, will not be between friendly states,” Mr Alani said.

Since the dispute erupted last month, Doha has been careful not to escalate the situation. It did not withdraw its ambassadors in retaliation and made few public statements regarding the dispute.

But, Qatar has said it will not change its foreign policy.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has travelled this month to Jordan, Sudan, Tunisia and Algeria.

While the tour was generally considered business as usual for a head of state, Mr Hammond said the visit to Sudan was “regarded problematically by Egypt and Saudi Arabia”. The visit came at a time when Sudan’s internationally isolated leader Omar Al Bashir appears to be renewing an old alliance with Sudanese Islamist leaders.

While major Saudi and European bank reportedly stopped doing business in Sudan last month, Qatar announced it will give the cash-strapped country $1 billion.

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

Rating: 2.5/5

What is a calorie?

A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.

One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.

A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.

Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.

Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram. 

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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
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

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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.
FIXTURES

Nov 04-05: v Western Australia XI, Perth
Nov 08-11: v Cricket Australia XI, Adelaide
Nov 15-18 v Cricket Australia XI, Townsville (d/n)
Nov 23-27: 1ST TEST v AUSTRALIA, Brisbane
Dec 02-06: 2ND TEST v AUSTRALIA, Adelaide (d/n)
Dec 09-10: v Cricket Australia XI, Perth
Dec 14-18: 3RD TEST v AUSTRALIA, Perth
Dec 26-30 4TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Melbourne
Jan 04-08: 5TH TEST v AUSTRALIA, Sydney

Note: d/n = day/night

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Match on BeIN Sports

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Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
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Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Second leg:

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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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