The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted in a large show of public and political support in Europe, but some coverage has been called ‘casually racist’. AFP
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted in a large show of public and political support in Europe, but some coverage has been called ‘casually racist’. AFP
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has resulted in a large show of public and political support in Europe, but some coverage has been called ‘casually racist’. AFP
An online backlash over the perceived relativism and racist undertones of reactions to the war in Ukraine is brewing on social media.
Thousands of people from Arab countries and Afghanistan are posting pictures of themselves in everyday situations on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtags #civilised and #uncivilised.
Ukraine's appeal for survival posits on it being a European democracy. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a European audience that this was a reason to rally to its defence. “We have proven that at a minimum, we are exactly the same as you,” he said.
Some commentators have suggested attacks on Ukraine were unlike attacks taking place in other conflict zones such as Syria.
“So, the question is, is the West going to tolerate the Russians doing this to Ukraine?” asked Philip Breedlove, a retired US general.
“What if the Russians do what they did in eastern Syria and they drop barrel bombs and make rubble of cities and terrorise citizens and force them on the road and make them refugees across Europe?”
Some of the language used has been disturbing to them, and hurtful.
“These are not the refugees we are used to … these people are Europeans,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said of the Ukrainians this week. “These people are intelligent, they are educated people. This is not the refugee wave we have been used to, people we were not sure about their identity, people with unclear pasts, who could have been even terrorists…”
Reporting from Ukraine’s capital at the start of the Russian invasion, a CBS correspondent said Kyiv “isn’t a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that has seen conflict raging for decades. This is a relatively civilised and relatively European city … where you wouldn’t expect that to happen”.
Some Arabs and Afghans said the insinuation was that they are “uncivilised” and that their lives have less value.
After an initial wave of criticism, thousands are now mocking the journalist’s comments by posting pictures of themselves at work, home or in social settings and referencing his words.
“Me, an #uncivilized #refugee from #Palestine, physician and researcher saving #civilised lives of critically ill patients and producing scientific research for fighting #Covid_19,” Palestinian doctor Osaid Asser posted, with a picture of himself in scrubs. Dr Asser said he was a graduate of the universities of Oxford and Harvard.
“Hi it’s me Arash from uncivilised Afghanistan, logging on from a mostly civilised Los Angeles,” another user posted.
Iranian Twitter has also picked up the charge, with users voicing their disappointment in the commentary with the hashtag #euracism in Farsi.
The reporter’s comments also drew condemnation from fellow journalists for their insensitivity.
The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists' Association called out the media coverage of Ukraine more generally, saying it was “orientalist and racist”.
It said the way in which journalists had compared the crisis with conflict in the Middle East “ascribes more importance to some victims of war over others”.
Chris Doyle, of the Council of British Arab Understanding, told The National that some of the commentary highlighted the ignorance and casual racism towards the region.
“Many people would have thought attitudes like that would have died, but sadly that isn’t the case. The Middle East is literally the cradle of civilisation.
“To suggest otherwise is completely wrong.”
Mr Doyle said that the attitude of European countries towards refugees from Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russia “exposed double standards”.
“People are being encouraged to fight in Ukraine or celebrated for using Molotov cocktails and called ‘freedom fighters’, and then in other parts of the world like Iraq or the West Bank, they are called ‘terrorists’.
“Europeans are showing extraordinary empathy with Ukraine and Ukrainians, which is excellent, but people from other countries that have been blighted by war are looking at this and asking: ‘Where was the empathy when it was us?’”
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes. The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development