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THURSDAY Vol. XXXXII No. 11905 May 6, 2021 Ramadan 24, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

Amir receives phone call from First space sightseeing trip on July 20 Kazakh president Faster vaccination

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a phone call yesterday evening can end Covid-19, from President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the call, they reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, means of enhancing and says Dr Fauci developing them, and issues of common concern. (QNA) Amir, Duterte World racing to deploy vaccines to beat Sars-CoV-2 exchange greetings mutation, says Biden’s chief medical adviser

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani exchanged By Joseph Varghese greetings with President of the Staff Reporter Republic of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment he global community is in a race to access of diplomatic relations between the and deploy vaccines faster than Sars-CoV-2 two friendly countries. In two cables Tcan mutate into more transmissible and exchanged on this occasion, the Blue Origin, billionaire Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, said it is targeting July 20 for its first deadly variants, US President Joe Biden’s chief Amir and the Philippines president suborbital sightseeing trip on its New Shepard spacecraft, a landmark moment in a medical adviser for Covid-19, Dr Anthony Fauci, expressed their satisfaction with the competition to usher in a new era of private commercial space travel. The New Shepard rocket- yesterday told the virtual graduation ceremony of level of the growing relations and and-capsule combo is designed to autonomously fly six passengers more 100km above Earth Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar’s (WCM-Q) Class partnerships between Qatar and the into suborbital space, high enough to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see the of 2021. Philippines over the past four decades, curvature of the planet before the pressurised capsule returns to earth under parachutes. In “Currently, we are at a critical juncture in the confirming their keenness to continue this file photo, participants enjoy the Blue Origin Space Simulator during the Amazon Re:MARS Covid-19 pandemic. Our pathway to ending the Dr Antony Fauci addressing the virtual graduation supporting and strengthening these conference on robotics and artificial intelligence in Las Vegas, Nevada. pandemic has been lit by the stunningly rapid de- ceremony yesterday. relations in various fields for the velopment of highly eff ective Covid-19 vaccines benefit of the two friendly countries now authorised for use,” pointed out Dr Fauci, also hospitals and imposed crushing levels of stress and and peoples. In this regard, Duterte the director of the National Institute of Allergy and strain on their medical staff s,” he recalled. praised the care given to the Filipino Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Dr Faucci who graduated from the Cornell Uni- community living in Qatar. (QNA) Health (NIH) in the US. versity Medical College in 1966 acknowledged that As the keynote speaker at the ceremony, he con- his infectious disease training at NIH, prepared Amir, Deputy Amir, Medical reports now available gratulated the graduates for facing the pandemic of him well to fi ght the emergent viruses such as HIV, Covid-19 with courage, resiliency and adaptability. 2009 infl uenza, Sars-CoV-1, Ebola, Zika, and now PM condole with “As we navigate year two of the global pandemic Sars-CoV-2 and exhorted the students to treat online across all HMC facilities of Covid-19, I am keenly aware that celebrating this such situations as unexpected opportunities Algerian president important milestone of your lives under the con- “As you move into the next stage of your medical His Highness the Amir Sheikh straints of this pandemic is, at best, disappointing. careers, regardless of your medical speciality, now Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His amad Medical Cor- and pay with a credit card However, we all must adapt to this extraordinary more than ever we will need your talent, your en- Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh poration (HMC) has online. The final report will situation and unite to meet its challenges. ergy, your resolve, and your character to restore and Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and Hexpanded its conven- then be delivered by Qatar “When this pandemic began its sweep around preserve the health of our world,” he reminded the HE the Prime Minister and Minister ient online medical report ap- Post, adding to the efficiency the globe more than a year ago it quickly hobbled graduates. Page 12 of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa plication service to all HMC and convenience of the whole bin Abdulaziz al-Thani sent cables of healthcare facilities. process. Where possible, condolences to Algerian president People can apply online in completed reports can also Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the Arabic or English to request a be emailed to the patient’s Free birds again victims of the floods that struck medical report for themselves authorised email address. several Algerian provinces, wishing or on behalf of someone else Ali al-Khater, chief com- the injured a swift recovery. and pay the fees online with- munications offi cer at HMC out having to visit the hospi- and chairman, Supreme Com- Cabinet decides to tal. Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani mittee for Healthcare Com- Dr Yousuf al-Maslamani, munications at the Ministry continue Covid steps medical director at Hamad General Hospital, of Public Health noted that a key infection The Cabinet yesterday stressed that explained the service enhancement was in re- control measure is restricting the number of the precautionary measures adopted sponse to public demand. physical documents that are handled by dif- to combat the Covid-19 pandemic “This patient friendly service is much more ferent people and this electronic solution ena- shall continue. HE the Prime Minister convenient for patients and their families bles more effi cient and safer handing of docu- and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin while also conforming to our infection control ments. Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired protocols by reducing the need for people to “Another key customer service feature is the Cabinet’s regular meeting held visit the hospital just to obtain their medical that it allows applicants to track their order. via videoconference. Page 3 reports,” he said. In Qatar our goal is to promote electronic so- “This solution will help reduce overcrowd- lutions where appropriate to deliver system Qatar to participate in ing in our hospitals of people who are com- effi ciencies and ultimately better patient care ing on-site for the sole purpose of obtaining a and experience.” Economic Forum 2021 medical report. Nasser al-Naimi, HMC’s deputy chief of Qatar will take part in Petersburg “In most cases people can simply submit the quality, Centre for Patient Experience and International Economic Forum 2021, application online and receive the fi nal reports Staff Engagement and director of the Hamad which will be held from June 2-5, to their home or offi ce through Qatar Post. In Healthcare Quality Institute recalled: “We with a delegation of senior off icials, some cases, applicants can collect the reports launched the Online Medical Report Applica- businessmen, political figures and from the Nesma’ak Customer Service desk in tion Service last August but at that time it only heads of civil society organisations, the hospital. The Nesma’ak team, which can covered Hamad General Hospital. While that representing more than 50 Qatari be reached by calling 16060, can also provide is our largest and busiest hospital, we wanted institutions. Discussions about the some telephone support for people experi- to pilot the service with one facility to see industrial, economic, investment, encing diffi culties with the online application what enhancements we needed to make this a technological, educational, cultural process,” added Dr al-Maslamani. more effi cient and eff ective solution for peo- and sporting potentials of Qatar This solution enables patients or their ple. Now we are extending this service to other Residents from Casaverde nursing homes visit the zoo during their first group outing since the start of will be held in the framework of the authorised guardians to apply for a report HMC’s facilities. the coronavirus pandemic, in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. (Reuters) forum’s programme. Page 3 US backs Covid waiver

US President Joe Biden’s administration yesterday announced Unifi ed online platform for its support for a global waiver on Qatar 2022 stadiums excel in patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines, and will negotiate the terms workers’ complaints soon at the WTO. While intellectual property rights for businesses are important, waste management practices Washington “supports the waiver he Ministry of Administrative within the framework of expanding of those protections for Covid-19 Development, Labour and Social communication channels with target vaccines,” US Trade Representative he construction sites of FIFA Practices for Construction Sites: Case TAff airs yesterday announced the groups, developing internal programmes Katherine Tai said in a statement. World Cup Qatar 2022 stadi- Studies from FIFA World Cup Qatar launch of a unifi ed platform for com- for labour complaints, updating and ac- Tums collectively diverted as 2022 Stadiums’, the report aims to in- plaints and disputes at the end of May, celerating them, and facilitating their RAMADAN THOUGHT much as 79% of solid waste from form local contractors – and the wider enabling all members of society to fi le use by converting them into systems and landfill through reuse and recycling construction industry – about effi - complaints against violations of the la- cloud applications that can be used on Whosoever disbelieves will suff er practices, according to a new re- cient waste management strategies. bour law and allowing both Qatari and tablets, computers and smart phones, IT from his disbelief, and whosoever port released by the Supreme Com- The practices described in the re- non-Qatari workers in the private sector Director al-Fadhli added. does righteous good deeds, then mittee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) port outline Qatar’s commitment to subject to the labour law to submit their She said the new platform includes such will prepare a good place and Gulf Organisation for Research environmental sustainability and its complaints against their employers. a set of services, including submitting (in Paradise) for themselves. and Development (Gord) outlining plans to host the fi rst carbon-neutral In a press conference held yesterday via complaints from private sector work- [Qur’an 30:44] the sustainable waste management FIFA World Cup. They also highlight visual communication technology, IT Di- ers, whether Qatari or non-Qatari, practices. Qatar’s ambition to achieve sustain- rector at the ministry engineer Muna Sa- against private establishments or com- Prayer times While 90% of the waste gener- ability certifi cation under the Global lem al-Fadhli explained that the unifi ed panies, complaints of domestic work- ated at Al Janoub Stadium and 84% Sustainability Assessment System platform for complaints and disputes, to ers against employers, and submitting Fajr....3.31; Zuhr....11.30; Asr....2.59; generated at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium (GSAS), which aims to improve a be launched on May 24, aims to enable all a public report from any individual in Maghrib.....6.10; Isha.....7.39 was either reused or recycled, for SC’s sustainability director engineer project’s environmental perform- members of society to submit complaints the community about a violation of la- the ongoing Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Bodour al-Meer. ance and promotes the reuse of against their employers, whether subject bour laws. The launch is in its fi rst stage Fasting times project, the share of waste diverted so waste at construction sites, recycling to the labour law or the authorities that while a second stage will soon follow, far is around 95%. The diverted waste in the report, as announced by the SC wherever possible and responsible the ministry regulates its work such as including fi ve additional channels, in- Iftar today ...... 6.10pm from the four other stadiums ranges and Gord yesterday. disposal at authorised landfi ll facili- nurseries, recruitment offi ces and others. dividuals, categories and segments not Imsak tomorrow...... 3.20am between 72 and 80%, it is explained Titled ‘Waste Management Best ties. To Page 12 The launch of the platform comes included at this stage. To Page 12 Gulf Times 2 Thursday, May 6, 2021 QATAR Sidra psychiatry Saudi provincial governor meets Qatari diplomat department bags prestigious WPA designation

idra Medicine’s Depart- ment of Psychiatry has Sbeen designated as a Col- laborating Center of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) for child and adolescent psychia- try and in maternal and perinatal mental health. The WPA represents 145 psy- chiatric societies in 121 countries Governor of the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud met yesterday with Acting Charge d’Aff airs and promotes collaborative work at the embassy of Qatar in Saudi Arabia Hassan bin Mansour al-Khater. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral co-operation and ties in psychiatry. WPA collaborating between the two countries. centres are institutions that have national, regional and interna- tional recognition as leaders in clinical care, research and teach- ing. Dr Mahmood, Dr Watt, Dr Friden, Prof Azeem and Dr Nazeer. Electronic WPA president Prof Afzal registration Javed hoped that the expertise The collaboration with at a regional level. Sidra Medi- Ministry directs schools to from Sidra Medicine’s Depart- WPA will help improve cine is the world’s fi rst and only announced in ment of Psychiatry will com- the psychiatric care of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry plement the WPA agenda of children, adolescents and Fellowship accredited by the Ac- government improving global mental health women in Qatar as well as creditation Council for Graduate upload certifi cates on NSIS while also spearheading the ef- at a regional level Medical Education International schools forts to improve the standards of (ACGME-I),” continued Prof mental healthcare. Azeem, inaugural chair of the Azeem. he Ministry of Educa- year are completed, especially with ish curriculum, it is necessary to “I am confi dent they will Department of Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine CEO Dr Barbro tion and Higher Education regard to evaluating students and upload IGCSE certifi cates for 10th he Ministry of Educa- achieve this by advocacy and in- Sidra Medicine said the WPA has Friden described the organisa- T(MoEHE) has directed all promoting them to the next grades and 12th grades of previous years tion and Higher Edu- corporating international guide- recognised and honoured Sidra tion’s child and adolescent psy- private schools and kindergartens and stages according to their aca- for all students, even if they move Tcation announced that lines for early identifi cation and Medicine’s reputation in advanc- chiatry and maternal and perina- to start monitoring student results demic performance. from the school. early electronic registration for timely care to women, children ing cutting-edge research and tal mental health divisions as top and upload certifi cates to the Na- The circular emphasised that The circular indicated that it has new students in government and families in Qatar.” healthcare and work in advo- tier services in Qatar. tional Student Information System the students’ results should be been observed that some schools schools for the 2021/2022 ac- Sidra Medicine now joins the cacy, academia and the mental “It is a huge honour for the (NSIS) not later than today. clearly stated in the system. The attach academic certifi cates by ademic year will open start- ranks as one of the eight WPA health care. I would also like to Department of Psychiatry at our A circular from Hamad Moham- result (successful/failed) should be photographing them on a mobile ing from May 6 (today) until Collaborating Centers around acknowledge the vital contribu- organisation to be recognised ed al-Ghali, director of the Depart- verifi ed before the student’s cer- phone. June 16, 2021. The ministry the world, and the only one des- tions of Dr Felice Watt, Dr Ahsan globally as a WPA Collaborating ment of Private Schools Licenses in tifi cate is uploaded. If the student Instead, certifi cates bearing the said that students can enter ignated especially for women and Nazeer, and Dr Omar Mahmood, Center for children and women’s the Private Education Aff airs Sec- fails, the reason should be added school’s seal or signature should the public services portal on children. It will partner with the and their teams in making this mental health. This is very much tor at the ministry, has been sent to to the NSIS system. As for private be scanned and uploaded. With the Ministry of Education and WPA on a number of initiatives designation possible for Sidra aligned with our organisation’s all private schools and kindergar- schools that follow the American regard to British high school cur- Higher Education website and including policymaking and ad- Medicine.” vision of being the beacon of tens. The directive, according to an curriculum, the circular clarifi ed riculum students who are associ- complete the electronic regis- vocacy, aiming to improve the “The collaboration with WPA learning, discovery and excep- offi cial statement, comes from the that only the 12th grade certifi cate ated with centralised tests, schools tration, via the following link: care of women, children and will help improve the psychiat- tional care, ranked among the keenness of the Private Schools Li- and the diploma certifi cate for the can add grades as soon as they are https://eduservices.edu.gov. families. ric care of children, adolescents top academic medical centres in censes Department to ensure that current year be uploaded. For pri- issued by British organisations and qa/Serviceaspxservice=PreEnr Professor Mohamed Waqar and women in Qatar as well as the world.” all aspects related to the academic vate schools that follow the Brit- no later than the end of August. ollStudent. Gulf Times Thursday, May 6, 2021 3 QATAR

Over 50 Qatari institutions to Philippines, Qatar take part in Petersburg forum

QNA and sporting potentials of Qatar commercial and economic re- Doha will be held in the framework of lations. Qatar’s pavilion at the the forum’s programme. Forum, which represents several Commenting on the occasion, national authorities and institu- mark 40 years of atar will take part in Pe- ambassador of Qatar to Russia tions, will work on enriching the tersburg International Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser al- programme of the Petersburg In- QEconomic Forum 2021, Thani underlined that the broad ternational Economic Forum. which will be held from June representation of Qatar in Pe- The pavilion will also host 2-5, with a delegation of senior tersburg International Economic bilateral meetings, discussion offi cials, businessmen, political Forum 2021 refl ects the exten- panels and round tables on the fi gures and heads of civil soci- sive prospects for co-operation bilateral partnerships between bilateral relations ety organisations, representing between Qatar and Russia and Qatar and Russia, as well as oth- more than 50 Qatari institutions. the keenness of the two sides on er countries. QNA Qatar’s participation in the deepening and expanding the re- On the sidelines of Qatar’s Manila event affi rms its commitment to lations. participation in the Forum, a broadening its bilateral econom- The ambassador expressed host of cultural events will take ic relations with Russia and pro- confi dence that the co-oper- place in diff erent parts of Peters- ecretary of Foreign Aff airs moting them to new horizons. ation through this important burg, in accordance with an in- of the Philippines Teo- Discussions about the industri- forum will be fruitful, look- tensive cultural programme that Sdoro Locsin affi rmed his al, economic, investment, tech- ing forward to establishing new aims at highlighting the Qatari country’s keenness on deepen- nological, educational, cultural partnerships and expanding the culture. ing and developing bilateral re- lations with Qatar, expressing his aspiration for more fruitful co-operation between the two MME distributes food kits countries. “Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establish- ment of our diplomatic rela- tions. It is a celebration of enduring friendship, fruitful relationships over the years, and optimism for our future,” Locsin said in a recorded video message marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and the Philippines. Locsin extended his deepest Secretary of Foreign Aff airs of the Philippines Teodoro Locsin expresses his country’s keenness on thanks to the Qatari government developing bilateral relations with Qatar. for ensuring the welfare of about 240,000 Filipino citizens in Qa- recognising the role of migrant of its key economic sectors, in- Qatar’s constant generosity to- tar, adding: “Qatari nationals workers in nation building. He cluding healthcare, construc- wards others, including Filipi- will always be welcome in the added: “Filipinos are looking tion and hospitality.” Secretary nos, especially in diffi cult times. Philippines, and you will feel for additional labour reforms Locsin thanked His Highness He added: “Last year, Qatar do- that you are among friends.” that would further promote the Amir and the Government nated around 50 metric tonnes The Philippine Secretary of the welfare and competitive- of Qatar for continuously caring of rescue and relief equipment While celebrating the International Workers’ Day, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment Foreign Aff airs said that the ness of Filipinos in Qatar, and for Filipinos and other migrant to the Philippine Red Cross fol- distributed food kits to the garden cleaners. This was in co-operation with Ooredoo in appreciation government of Qatar has insti- it brings us pride that Filipinos, workers during the coronavirus lowing the devastation caused of the intensive eff orts made by the workers throughout the year. tuted bold reforms to protect the who regard Qatar as their sec- pandemic and for off ering vac- by the typhoon. We always re- rights of migrant workers, and ond home, have contributed cinations free of charge, adding member and remain grateful for its decision echoed wisdom in signifi cantly to the development this is another manifestation of this help.” Covid-19 measures to continue: Cabinet MoPH reports 645

QNA Draft law approved on FIFA trademarks, copyright Doha new Covid-19 cases ing Minister of State for Cabi- decided to refer it to the Shura decision of the Minister of Justice net Aff airs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali Council. renaming the chairperson and he Cabinet yesterday al-Nuaimi explained that at the Among the provisions con- members of the Experts Aff airs QNA stressed that the precau- outset the Cabinet listened to the tained in the draft law are pro- Committee and defi ning its sys- Doha Ttionary measures adopted explanation provided by HE the visions that stipulate the regis- tem of work and remuneration. to combat the Covid-19 pan- Minister of Public Health on the tration of FIFA trademarks, the The Cabinet took the necessary demic shall continue. HE the latest developments regarding deposit of works, audio record- measures to ratify a memoran- he Ministry of Public Prime Minister and Minister of the steps taken to curb the spread ings, performances of perform- dum of understanding between Health (MoPH) reported Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khali- of Covid-19. ers and FIFA radio programmes the Ministry of Interior and the Tyesterday 645 new con- fa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani chaired The Cabinet approved a draft with the offi ce, at the request of National Police of Ukraine on fi rmed cases of coronavirus the Cabinet’s regular meeting law on the protection of trade- FIFA or its representative for this co-operation in preventing and (Covid-19) - 334 of these were held via videoconference. marks, copyright and neighbour- purpose. The power of attorney combating crime. Also approved from community cases and 311 Following the meeting, HE ing rights of the International must be notarised. was a draft air service agreement from travellers returning from the Minister of Justice and Act- Football Association (FIFA), and The Cabinet approved a draft with Uzbekistan government. abroad. The MoPH recorded 1,385 recoveries from the virus during the past 24 hours, bring- ing the total number of cases re- covered in Qatar to 196,906. Drive against pests in Al Shamal Municipality The ministry announced six new deaths ages of 48, 49, 62, 63, 65 and 91 years, four of them have chronic diseases, and they had received the necessary medi- cal care.

Vaccination data 1,701,914 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the start of the programme. 31,003 vaccine doses have been administered in the past 24 hours. 46.9% of the eligible popula- tion has now received at least one dose of the vaccine. 86.8% of over 60s (the most vulnerable population group) ily between people than the ex- number of Covid-19 cases in Qa- have been vaccinated with at isting strain and may be associ- tar, it is important for everyone to least one dose, while 77.7% have ated with increased severity of play their role in controlling the received both doses. disease. The good news is that virus by following precautionary Every day, hundreds of peo- the Pfi zer/BioNTech and Mod- measures: ple are becoming sick due to the erna vaccines being used in our Adherence to physical dis- Covid-19 with many requiring vaccination program are eff ective tancing. admission to hospital to man- against the new variants. Avoiding close contact with age their symptoms. Since Feb- The pace of the vaccination others, crowded places and con- ruary 1, the number of people programme means that there is fi ned closed spaces where other Al Shamal Municipality, represented by the Public Hygiene with Covid-19 admitted to hos- fi nally hope of a gradual return people congregate. Department of the Services Aff airs Department, carried out a pital has doubled. Qatar’s strict to normal for us here in Qatar Wearing a face mask. comprehensive control campaign against insects and rodents quarantine policy for returning and people around the world. But Washing hands regularly. within its administrative boundaries during April. The inspections travellers enabled us to delay the this will not happen in the next Anyone suff ering from Cov- were done at the farm market, port market, fish market, sewage introduction of new variants into few weeks or months. Covid-19 id-19 symptoms should contact manholes, garbage containers, garbage collection and unload- this country for several months will continue to be a threat to our 16000 helpline immediately. ing vehicles. During the checks, special insecticides, pesticides but we are now seeing positive health for the majority of 2021 This is important as the earlier for containers and sanitation manholes (powder) were used. The Covid-19 cases in the region and and until all eligible members of the disease is detected the eas- department, during April, addressed 162 requests for pest and ro- in Qatar with the new variants our population have been vacci- ier it will be to receive the right dent control and 57 for manholes disposal. These are in addition from the United Kingdom. nated, we must continue to fol- treatment and recover from it. to providing a number of containers for commercial establish- This new variant is much more low the preventive measures. Visit the MoPH website for regu- ments and residential complexes. As many as 2,679,660 transfers contagious and spread more eas- With the recent increase in the lar updates and new information. were carried out to withdraw sewage water at the borders of the municipality. One held for violating home quarantine pledge

The designated authorities precautionary measures in force home quarantine to fully commit 385 face prosecution for violation of Covid norms Fire contained at arrested yesterday one person in the country, approved by to the Ministry of Public Health’s who violated the requirements health authorities represented in condition, to ensure their safety In line with the cabinet decision in force. While 344 were not app, the Ministry of Interior construction site of the home quarantine, he the Ministry of Public Health, to and the safety of others. They based on Law No 17 of 1990 wearing a mask, 17 violated the (MoI) tweeted. The competent in West Bay committed to, following which curb the spread of the Covid-19. added that anyone who violates regarding infectious diseases, ban on gatherings in closed authorities urge the public to he is legally accountable for, in The violator, who is currently the quarantine will be subject the competent authorities places, 21 did not maintain a safe adhere to the precautionary and The Civil Defence contained accordance with the procedures being referred to the designate to Article No 253 of Law No 11 of yesterday referred 385 physical distance, one violated preventive measures in force to a small fire at an under- of the health authorities in the prosecution, is: 1- Salem Mohamed 2004, provisions of Law No 17 of persons to the prosecution for quarantine requirements and protect them and others from construction building in West Bay country. Salem al-Hamis al-Marri. 1990 on communicable diseases, violating Covid-19 preventive two persons were booked the spread of coronavirus, the without casualties, the Ministry of The arrest of the violator The designated authorities called and Law No 17 of 2002 on and precautionary measures for not installing the Ehteraz MoI added. Interior tweeted yesterday. came in implementation of the on citizens and residents under protecting society. — QNA Gulf Times 4 Thursday, May 6, 2021 QATAR MoPH launches extensive campaign to celebrate MoCI announces measures to regulate blacksmithing ‘World Hand Hygiene Day’ QNA healthcare workers and the commu- al-Ajami said: “Our fi ght against care. At the general level, we must and carpentry activities Doha nity as a whole. Director of Strategic Covid-19 has demonstrated the continue to apply precautionary and Planning and Performance at the importance of hand hygiene as one preventive measures to fi ght against Ministry of Public Health Huda al- of the simplest and most eff ective Covid-19 pandemic. We must be he Ministry of Commerce and In- he Ministry of Public Health Katheeri said: “The campaign high- ways to prevent the spread of virus- aware that hand washing is one of dustry (MoCI) has announced that and its partners are celebrat- lights the importance of promoting es, noting that even though the vac- the most eff ective measures that can Tit is taking measures to regulate Ting World Hand Hygiene Day, hand hygiene, especially in light cination levels continue to rise, we be taken to reduce the spread of vi- the work of blacksmithing and carpen- which is observed on May 5 each of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting should not stop following infection ruses, bacteria, other microorgan- try workshops, and warehouses operat- year. that although Covid-19 vaccines are prevention measures such as hand isms and diseases.” ing inside cities and commercial streets, On this occasion and in collabo- currently available, hand hygiene, hygiene – including hand washing The year 2021 was declared an QNA reported. related to the commercial activities in ration with Hamad Medical Cor- appropriate use of personal protec- with soap, using hand sanitisers and International Year for Healthcare The measures are part of the city’s ef- public parking areas, pavement, or any poration and Primary Health Care tion equipment and other preven- reduce the touching surfaces where Workers by the World Health Or- forts to regulate commercial activities in residential units without license is also Corporation, MoPH has launched tive measures are critical for the safe possible. To overcome Covid-19 and ganisation (WHO) to support them the state in co-operation with the Min- banned. an extensive campaign at all health- care of Covid-19 patients and other ensure better health outcomes after and to emphasise the importance of istry of Interior, and the Ministry of Mu- The ministry said that any violation of care facilities in Qatar, highlight- patients. the pandemic, hand hygiene must their role in ensuring patient safety, nicipality and Environment. these measures will subject violators to ing the importance of optimal hand “To prevent infection and ensure remain a priority now and in the fu- and in recognition of the sacri- The ministry said in a statement yes- penalties in line with Law No. 5 of 2015, hygiene procedure in the deliver- access to high-quality health serv- ture.” fi ces made by front-line healthcare terday that the aforementioned work- Law No. 18 of 2017, and decree law No. ing healthcare, under the theme, ices, healthcare workers, patients, Director of Health Protection at workers during the Covid-19 pan- shops and warehouses are not allowed 19 of 2007. The ministry also called on “Seconds Save Lives – Clean Your visitors and community members the Preventive Health Department demic. to conduct their activities outside the citizens and residents to report any vio- Hands.” should follow proper hand hygiene at the Primary Health Care Corpo- The hand hygiene practices have licensed locations, or inside homes. lations via phone on 16001, or through The campaign aims at promot- practices.” ration Dr Khalid al-Awad said, “We gained global recognition from poli- This includes a ban on the use of public social media on the Twitter handle MO- ing and highlighting the importance She has called on healthcare now live more than ever in a world cymakers, health managers, health- parking, pavements, or empty lots and CIQatar, Instagram (MOCIQatar), or the of hand hygiene in health facilities. providers to work together to raise where hand hygiene is critical”. He care workers and the general pub- spaces. Storing products and equipment ministry’s app MOCI-Qatar. The Ministry of Public Health has awareness on hand hygiene now added: “The Primary Health Care lic as the cornerstone in reducing urged all stakeholders and people more than ever before, and to pro- Corporation has always ensured Covid-19 transmission, and keeping working in healthcare facilities to mote the “Seconds Save Lives – that eff ective hand hygiene proce- hands clean has become the fi rst participate in this expanded cam- Clean Your Hands” initiative. dures are applied in the context of line of defence for healthcare teams paign to promote good hand hy- Executive Director of Corpo- care, in order to prevent the trans- of all specialties and roles, in addi- giene practices and its signifi cance rate Infection Prevention at Hamad mission of infectious microorgan- tion to applying other precaution- in improving the safety of patients, Medical Corporation Dr Jameela isms during the provision of health- ary measures.

Taleemabad by Orenda Project (Pakistan). 12 fi nalists picked for 2021 WISE Awards

he 12 fi nalists for the 2021 WISE, an initiative of Qatar Founda- WISE Awards have been an- tion, said, “As we continue to navigate Tnounced, with the projects the long term and short term eff ects – hailing from nine countries – of the global pandemic on education, striving to tackle pressing global the need for innovation is all the more educational challenges. urgent because of the systemic short- This year’s fi nalists are: Peh- comings that the crisis has exacerbat- chan Project by CULP – Centre ed around the globe. for Unfolding Learning Potentials “In this context, the work celebrat- (India); Women Entrepreneur- ed by the WISE Awards is critically ship and Skilling by AISECT (In- important. Each of the 2021 fi nalists dia); The Happiness Curriculum by has built an eff ective, tested solution Dream a Dream (India); Creating to a global educational challenge. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Whether ensuring parental access to Programmes for Children in Indian fundamental early childhood edu- Public Schools by Labhya Founda- cation, imparting social-emotional tion (India); Kinedu (Mexico); One- Creating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Programmes for Children in Indian learning skills to children across billion by Onebillion children (UK); Public Schools by Labhya Foundation (India). school districts, or opening access to Trauma Informed Schools by Maya free knowledge and materials for of- Vakfi Foundation (Turkey); Let’s All munities, and societies in their own refugees struggle to access education; fl ine learning, each project is already Learn to Read by Fundacion Luker contexts or globally. Projects also vulnerable communities don’t have transforming lives and provides an (Colombia); Kiwix (Switzerland); need to be fi nancially stable, have access to the necessary social emo- inspirational model for others to em- Taleemabad by Orenda Project (Pa- a clear development plan, and be tional learning to thrive while the dig- ulate.” kistan); ProFuturo (Spain); Civic scalable and replicable. ital divide remains a learning barrier. The winners of the WISE Awards Leadership for Education equity by The past year has proven that it The 2021 WISE Awards fi nalists will be announced in September 2021 Anseye Pou Ayiti (Haiti). is important to innovate in educa- have developed unique solutions to and celebrated at the WISE Summit, The submissions were evaluated tion: many girls are out of school and tackle these challenges and make sure taking place from December 8-9. In on strict criteria, based on innova- women insuffi ciently empowered; that every child reaches their full po- addition to visibility and networking tion, scalability, sustainability, and millions of elementary students have tential. opportunities, each project will re- their impact on individuals, com- poor literacy and numeracy skills; Stavros N Yiannouka, CEO of ceive $20,000. Doha Festival City to mark Eid al-Fitr with promotions, new collections

oha Festival City (DHFC) is getting daywear and Little Milano Kids will off er spe- ready for Eid al-Fitr celebrations with cial prices on selected items as well as releasing Dexclusive promotions and the launch a special new collection for Eid. DHFC food and of new collections across homeware, cloth- beverage outlets continue Ramadan’s gourmet ing, and food and beverage outlets. celebrations with special takeaway and delivery Mixing modern design with refi ned tra- off ers. Up to the fi nal days of Ramadan, Maia dition, Laura Ashley has a mega off er run- Chocolates will off er special dates arrange- ning until May 15. Madam Coco, the Turkish ments. homeware and home decor brand will off er McDonalds continues a promotion on a QR50 gift vouchers with any purchase start- selection of its chicken dishes starting from ing from QR350 until May 12. QR36, Nando’s off ers its signature set menu Tally Weijl, the Swiss brand for young wom- for QR159, and Jollibee makes available its en, will host a 50% off sale until May 25, while special Ramadan menus up to May 15. launching its new collection for bold and styl- L’ETO cafe will feature exclusive Eid set ish summer looks. Khaadi, Pakistani fashion menus with nutritious, healthy, and refi ned brand, presents a special Eid collection featur- meals. L’ETO and Le Train Bleu will invite ing colourful and sophisticated looks. Speroni, Qatar fi ne dining afi cionados to try their 100% Italian handmade leather shoes brand, special menus in the comfort of their homes introduces a new collection. Monsoon is releas- or their car with the exclusive car dine-in ing a new collection for children’s part wear and experience. Gulf Times Thursday, May 6, 2021 5 QATAR

‘Al Majadwal’ dates found safe for consumption he Ministry of Public Health has an- nation concerning Hepatitis A cases where nounced that the results of laboratory there is a possibility that the infections may Ttests on ‘Al Majadwal’ dates samples be related to consumption of these kind of collected from the local market are safe and dates. According to the notifi cation, the comply with relevant health requirements. dates were imported from the Middle East 1,200 metric tons The ministry had taken a number of pre- and packaged locally. ventive measures to assure safety and suit- The Ministry of Public Health also probed ability of ‘Al Majadwal’ dates available in the Hepatitis cases recorded in Qatar and domestic market after receiving an interna- found no link between the cases and the oxygen to be sent tional notifi cation of a probe in an European consumption of dates. to India from Qatar

By Joseph Varghese community in Qatar has already mo- Staff Reporter bilised a lot of supplies. They have supplied 200 oxygen cylinders and 43 oxygen concentrators, which were ighlighting Qatar as a major sent on board an Indian Naval ship. transport and logistic hub in “The community is also organis- Hcarrying global aid to India ing 200 more oxygen cylinders and to combat the Covid-19 pandemic 100 of them are expected to leave situation, Indian ambassador Dr today. Another 100 will leave on Deepak Mittal, yesterday said in May 8 or May 9 on another Indian Doha that about 1,200 metric tons Naval ship that arrives at Hamad of liquid oxygen will be sent from Port. Each one is a 42-litre cylinder. Qatar to India in the next six to eight “The Indian Community Benev- weeks. olent Forum is co-ordinating the Speaking to the media, Mittal ex- eff orts,” he said. pressed deep gratitude and appreci- According to Mittal, the number ation of the eff orts of His Highness of daily Covid cases in India has the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad been decreasing for two days from al-Thani to extend all support to In- over 400,000 to about 368,000 and dia to face the challenges posed by this trajectory is visible in mortality Covid-19. rates too. He also thanked Qatar Airways The envoy elaborated on the Cov- for its special off er to carry all global id-19 scenario in India and how its aid to India free of charge. second wave has aff ected the popu- “Two cryogenic oxygen tanks Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal lation as several variants of the vi- carrying 40 metric tons of liquid rus became virulent resulting in the oxygen are expected to leave from ical supplies. They are now work- government off ering all help. “India huge demand for oxygen. Qatar today. The tanks are with the ing to carry 4,100 oxygen cylinders has received tremendous support “In March this year, the demand support of French government and from London presented by British from government of Qatar as well as for medical oxygen was about 1,100 the Gazal Company in Qatar is fi ll- Oxygen Company to be airlifted in a several other countries around the metric tons. Now the demand after ing the liquid medical oxygen in few days,” he revealed. world. a month is about 8,000 metric tons. Qatar. It is a display of global soli- “There is a strong logistic sup- “The Qatar Fund for Develop- “Oxygen challenge is a major is- darity. port here and Qatar has emerged ment is working on supplying more sue as the deadly variant of the virus “This is the fi rst such shipment as one of the very important logis- medical aids at the instruction of is creating more breathing issues and multiple such shipments will tic hubs for supporting India from His Highness the Amir. In India, we for the aff ected. Industrial oxygen be sent in the coming weeks,” Mit- wherever the assistance is coming. truly appreciate it and thank Qa- is currently being used and more tal said. Qatar Airways is co-ordinating and tar for the same. It means a lot for oxygen is being sourced from other The envoy said Qatar has been at Qatar has become a logistic trans- my country and is a sign of great countries including Gulf countries. the forefront in helping India. portation centre in the venture,” friendship,” he said. “Transportation of oxygen (with- “Qatar Airways will carry all the added Mittal. Mittal also appreciated the ef- in India) is another challenge and medical essentials from around The envoy noted that the lead- forts of the India community in Qa- we have started Oxygen Express the world, free of charge. Recently, ership including His Highness the tar in mobilising essentials during with the help of Indian Railways and three fl ights left for India with med- Amir has been in touch with Indian the challenging times. “The Indian Indian Air Force,” he added. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, May 6, 2021 QATAR

Our Salaf and Kalyan Jewellers to gift vouchers for QR10mn Kalyan Jewellers has announced gift vouchers gent hygiene and precautionary measures worth QR10mn for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and across our showrooms; offering an unmatched Akshaya Tritiya purchases. retail experience and being part of the festive preservation of time As part of it’s new festive campaign, the jewel- celebrations.” lery brand will be off ering these unconditional Kalyan Jewellers’ 4-Level Assurance Certifica- vouchers on every purchase above QR5,000, a tion on gold jewellery is a special initiative to bu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased statement said. continue enhancing the brand’s commitment with him, reported that the The brand will be giving away vouchers worth towards offering the very best to its loyalists. AMessenger of Allah, sallallaahu QR200 on every purchase of diamond jewellery While jewellery retailed at Kalyan Jewellers ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Hasten to do above QR5,000. goes through multiple purity tests and are all good deeds before you are overtaken by Those buying uncut or precious stone jewellery BIS hallmarked, the 4-level assurance certificate one of the seven affl ictions.” Then (to worth QR5,000 or above can claim their free gift promises customers payment on the value of warn of them) he, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa vouchers of QR150. purity mentioned in the invoice during exchange sallam, said: “Are you waiting for such Additionally, on all gold purchases of above or resale. poverty that would make you unmindful QR5,000, patrons will receive a free gift voucher Also, it ensures free lifetime maintenance of orna- of devotion, or wealth that would make worth QR100. ments at any of the brand’s showrooms. you corrupt, or sickness that would The off er is valid until June 22, 2021 across all “With the pandemic reducing the scale of the fes- With the growing impetus on social distancing, disable you, or such senility that would Kalyan Jewellers showrooms in Qatar. tive celebrations to smaller, more intimate aff airs, Kalyan Jewellers has launched the live video make you mentally unstable, or sudden Customers will be able to redeem these vouch- our aim is to enhance consumer experience and shopping facility (https://www.kalyanjewellers.net/ death, or Ad-Dajjaal (the Anti-Christ) ers against purchases made in the next one year. help them reap maximum benefits from their livevideoshopping/) through which consumers who is the worst expected absent person, Speaking on this occasion, T S Kalyanaraman, chair- jewellery purchases. can browse through the Kalyan Jewellers’ jewel- or the Hour? And the Hour will be most man and managing director, Kalyan Jewellers said: Our unique QR10mn voucher giveaway off er will lery collections. grievous and most bitter.” [At-Tirmithi] “The auspicious month of Ramadan and the festival be able to do just that. More information on the brand’s collections and Abu Barzah, may Allah be pleased of Eid and Akshaya Tritiya are all considered as a “Keeping the safety of our patrons and larger off ers can be had from https://www.kalyanjewel- with him, reported that the Messenger time for new beginnings and fresh hope. community at priority, we are following strin- lers.net/. of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how he had spent it …” [At-Tirmithi] ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez, may Allah have mercy upon him, was told one day about something he wanted to do: “Delay this until tomorrow.” He, may Allah have mercy upon him, replied: “Woe to you! One day’s task is enough to busy my Awqaf’s Ramadan entire day. What would I do if I had to fi nish the tasks of two days?” Daawood At-Taa’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “The days and the nights are but stages that people go through one at a time, until they eventually come to the end of their programme concludes journey. Therefore, set forth provision in each of these stages because the journey QNA for African and Arab Research and biography of the Prophet (peace be Secretariat of the International Union will soon cease, and remember that the Doha Studies, Sheikh Dr Haqqar Moham- upon him) in all its various broad of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr Abdel matter is far too rapid to be delayed.” ed Ahmed, affi rmed that Islam is a and comprehensive aspects that are Razzaq Guessoum, said “Muslims are Moosa ibn Ismaa’eel, may Allah have message of mercy to the world, not in fact the greatest application of Is- required to devote refl ections on the mercy upon him, said: “Hammaad ibn he Ministry of Endowments for a particular nation, nor for a par- lam and faith. reality of our Islamic nation, in light Salamah, may Allah have mercy upon (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs ticular tribe, but rather humanity. The head of the Islamic Schol- of the divine teachings from the Holy him, occupied all his time. You would Tconcluded its Ramadan pro- It is the religion that calls for ars and Sheikhdom in Bosnia and Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet see him teaching others the science of of my life purposelessly. If my tongue gramme ‘Amenhum men Khawf’ peace, co-operation, love and inte- Herzegovina, Sheikh Dr Husein (peace be upon him). Hadith, or reading, or praying, or praising can no longer move to teach others, which was organised on its elec- gration. Kavazovic, said at the beginning of “When we contemplate this Is- Allah. His day was divided between these then my eyes will read, and when tronic platforms and social media Sheikh Dr Ihsan Kahwaji from his speech, “I commend the presen- lamic reality, we notice that our acts.” my eyes go blind, I will use my mind accounts from May 2-4, with the Ibn Haldun University, Turkey, tation of this vital issue, and I hope nation suff ers from tribulations The scholars of biography said about to ponder and think about different participation of a group of scholars, emphasised that people may dif- it will stimulate a process of renewal and calamities. These misfortunes Al-Junayd ibn Muhammad, may Allah jurisprudential matters. I find more under the title ‘Cultural Security fer and their beliefs and opinions in the Islamic world, which seems - including material ones, such as have mercy upon him: “During his death energy in myself - at the age of 80 - to and Questions of Review and Re- may diff er, not only in their reli- to have lowered its voice. Whatever epidemics, high prices, and all kinds sickness, when his situation worsened, seek knowledge and learn than I had newal’. gious choices and beliefs, but also the case, the situation of Muslims of diff erent pests, and the moral he started reciting the Qur’an, and he when I was in my 20s.” The programme was held within in terms of political, cultural and at this time is very critical. They misfortunes, such as division, the refrained from talking to people. His Ibn ‘Asaakir, may Allah have mercy the framework of ‘Doha Capital of social choices. The similar charac- are divided and quarrelling among ruler’s injustice towards his people, family and friends would be talking to upon him, said: “Imaam Saleem ibn Culture in the Islamic World 2021’ teristic in societies often depend on themselves. and foreign interference in what him, but he would only recite the Qur’an. Ayyoob, may Allah have mercy upon activities. the cultural characteristics that are “Muslims occupy the lowest does not concern them - required One day his son said to him: ‘O father! Is him, never let time pass without The third and fi nal session of the created jointly, he said. ranks, politically and militarily, and meditation.” this a time to recite the Qur’an (while in benefiting from it. He either taught programme dealt with two themes: Director of the Imam Ahmad Bin have been affl icted by the scourges For his part, Sheikh Dr Konate this critical situation)?’ He replied: ‘I am or read, and whenever he wanted to ‘the diff erent other in the Muslim Irfan Al-Shaheed University in In- of favouritism and mismanage- Arna, vice president of the Interna- in more need to perform righteous deeds sharpen his pencil, he would start community’ and ‘correcting the im- dia, Sheikh Dr Yusuf al-Husseini, ment.” tional University of Africa in Côte now than ever,’ and he continued to recite mentioning Allah until he finished. I age of Islam and Muslims’. said scholars of the Islamic Um- Chairman of the Association of Al- d’Ivoire confi rmed that Islam is a until he died.” myself try to preserve and better utilise Head of Chad’s Cultural Center mah should explain to people the gerian Scholars and a member of the religion of moderation. Ma’roof al-Karkhi, may Allah have my time, to the extent that I crush dry mercy upon him, was at the barber shop cakes and bread and drink it with water after having performed ‘Umrah. He as this is easier and faster to eat and was mentioning Allah all the while, and not much chewing is required this way New traff ic layout at Abdullah Bin Jassim Street after the barber had shaved his head, he compared to eating it whole. The best instructed him to trim his moustache, thing a person can invest in is his time. he Public Works Authority (Ashghal) while continuing to mention Allah. The Obligations are too numerous, while has announced a six-month temporary barber said to him: “Stop mumbling or I time is too short and snaps out of our Ttraffi c diversion on a stretch of Abdullah may cut your lip.” Those who knew him hands suddenly.” Bin Jassim Street between Jabr Bin Mohamed said that he had never been seen silent, Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy and Grand Hamad streets from May 8. as he was always busy mentioning Allah upon him, said: “Wasting time is more The traffi c on this stretch will be converted - even at the time of sleep, to the extent serious than death, because wasting to a one-way road consisting of two lanes in that his family would not be able to go to time disconnects you from the Hereafter, the direction from Jabr Bin Mohamed Street to sleep. whereas death only disconnects you from Grand Hamad Street. Imaam Ibn ‘Aqeel, may Allah have this worldly life.” The closure in co-ordination with the mercy upon him, said: “I do not believe Article source: http://www.islamweb. General Directorate of Traffi c is to allow in- it is lawful for me to waste even an hour net/emainpage/ frastructure development and beautifi cation works on Abdullah Bin Jassim Street, as part of Doha central Development and Beautifi cation Projects - Package 2A. During the closure, those wishing to use the aforementioned stretch of Abdullah Bin Jas- sim Street, to reach Jabr Bin Mohamed Street, are advised to continue to Al Corniche Street or Ali Bin Abdulla Street, then continue to Jabr Bin Mohamed Street, as shown on the map. Ashghal will install road signs advising mo- torists of the temporary closure and requested all to follow them and abide by the speed limit to ensure safety.

Premium Qatari Vegetables and Qatar Farms programmes see robust sales

he Premium Qatari Vegetables and Qatar Farms programmes Tposted significant sales during April. According to figures released by the Ministry of Municipality and En- vironment (MME) yesterday, total sales stood at 2,798 tonnes with 468 tonnes marketed through the Premium Qatari Vegetables and 2,330 tonnes through the Qatar Farms Programme. The MME launched these pro- grammes in co-operation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to improve local marketing operations and help farmers market their produce. The programmes provide an opportunity for Qatari farmers to display their lo- cal production of high-quality vegeta- bles at affordable prices for consumers without an intermediary. The Premium Qatari Vegetable pro- gramme was launched in January 2017 with the participation of 16 farms in Al Meera complexes only. As a result of the success of the programme, it was launched in other consumer malls (such as LuLu Hypermarket, Carrefour and Family Food Centre) in December 2017. Thursday, May 6, 2021 7 QATAR Qatar Charity Eid clothing and Eid gifts opens 6 new from Qatar Charity

atar Charity (QC) has urged the benevolent people of Qatar to branches in Qatar seize the opportunity of the Q remaining days of Ramadan to multiply their rewards by donating to the ‘Eid Clothing’ and ‘Eid Gifts for Orphans’ projects, aiming to share the joy of Eid with orphans and children from low- income families in Qatar. The ‘Eid Clothing’ aims to benefit 450 children from low-income families by depositing an amount of money into their families’ bank accounts, while the ‘Eid Gifts for Orphans’ project aims to provide Eid gifts for 450 orphans sponsored by Qatar Charity.

How to Donate Benefactors can donate to the ‘Eid Gifts for Orphans’ project by sending an SMS with the code QARA. To donate QR50, QR100, and QR500, an SMS with the code ‘QARA’ can be sent to 92632, 92642, and 92015, respectively. Donations can also be made through Qatar Charity’s website (qcharity.org/ en/qa) and app (qch.qa/appen) in an easy and accessible way, in addition to dialing atar Charity (QC) has from donors, and make it easier for them to 44667711 to donate. opened six new branches, pay their zakat and charity to implement (qcharity.org/en/qa). You also can send the code ‘QARC’ to 92642 and 92015, two in Leabaib, two at the development and charitable projects and For the Eid clothing, you can contribute an SMS with the code ‘QARC’. To donate respectively, in addition to dialing Q Qatar Charity Center for carry out humanitarian interventions through Qatar Charity’s website QR 100 and QR200, you send an SMS with 44667711 to make a donation. Community Development in Al Khor, across the world to maximize the number one in Al Hilal, and one in Madinat of beneficiaries, especially in light of the Khalifa North. With the newly opened continuing coronavirus pandemic. branches, the number has risen to 32 Daily Sadaqa (Charity) branches in the country, of which 20 are With the recently opened branches and for men and 12 are for women. points, Qatar Charity has 127 collection branches and points located in hospitals, s Ramadan is the month of giving, compassion and solidarity, Qatar Charity has recently opened markets, and shopping malls across the Qatar Charity has brought to you the ‘Daily Sadaqa’ service to 12 new collection points in different country to receive donations from donors increase your rewards in the blessed month of Ramadan. locations across Doha during the holy and benefactors, in addition to 1622 month of Ramadan. A This special donation service allows donors to automatically donation boxes, and 39 donation payment donate an agreed amount every day. You can stop the automatic deduction kiosks. The opening of branches and anytime from your page or you can call the customer care service to stop collection points comes, as part of Qatar Donations can be made through the the service. Charity’s efforts to make the process of Qatar Charity’s website (qcharity.org/ donating easy and convenient. For more information and contribution, en/qa) and app (qch.qa/appen) in an easy The new collection branches and and accessible way, in addition to dialing click on: qcharity.org/en/qa/donation/dailysadaqa points are expected to receive donations 44667711. Gulf Times 8 Thursday, May 6, 2021 QATAR

Final week of Chefs of Qatar festival offers exquisite meals and more

Chef Surjan Singh Jolly from Internationally and locally celebrated chefs are representing top restaurants in the Chefs of Qatar festival. The initiative showcases Qatar’s best restaurants and star chefs. Riyasat at St Regis.

atrons of the Chefs of chance to win two return tickets launched on April 1 showcases in the Chefs of Qatar festival. A new chef on board is chef With each order placed destination of their choice. And Qatar food festival can to a destination of their choice. Qatar’s best restaurants and These include Qatari chefs Surjan Singh Jolly from Riyasat through the Chefs of Qatar with each order placed, a dona- Pcelebrate the last week of Hosted by Qatar National star chefs. Hassan al-Ibrahim and Noor at St Regis. The festival features menu on talabat, customers au- tion of QR7 is made towards a Ramadan by ordering special Tourism Council in collabora- A total of 19 internationally al-Mazroei collaborating with delectable dishes and Iftar- tomatically enter a raffl e draw to meal fun by Qatar Charity. The Iftar-dinner combos from their tion with talabat, Qatar Airways and locally celebrated chefs are Mondrian Doha and Park Hyatt dinner combos by 29 top res- win one of 24 return economy festival has until now led to favourite restaurants and get a and Qatar Charity, the initiative representing top restaurants Doha respectively. taurants from 18 hotels. tickets from Qatar Airways to a more than 4,500 meals ordered.

Qatar Airways Qatar Charity delivers Privilege Club Zakat Al-Fitr worldwide off ers more ways atar Charity (QC), with to earn and the support from people Qin Qatar, continues to distribute Zakat Al-Fitr to QC- sponsored low-income persons spend Qmiles and families of orphans as part of its “Ramadan of Hope” cam- paign. atar Airways Privilege and Transfer off ering and now The distribution of Zakat Al- Club members can now Hotel & Car Rewards, will off er Fitr aims to share the joy of Eid Qstay or drive away with members additional value and with the benefi ciaries and to Qmiles, with the launch of Hotel convenience as they make their alleviate their suff ering in light & Car Rewards. They will be able future travel plans for this year of the continuing coronavirus to use their Qmiles to book a stay and beyond with Qatar Airways.” pandemic. The project also aims at one of more than 350,000 ho- Last year, Qatar Airways’ to benefi t 456,700 people at an tels or rent a car at over 20,000 Privilege Club was one of the estimated cost of QR5.9mn. locations worldwide. Members fi rst airline loyalty programmes In Sudan, Zakat Al-Fitr was also earn Qmiles on every cash to announce a tier extension distributed to about 4,800 fami- travel booking they make. off er of up to 12 months to its lies most in need in the states Hotel & Car Rewards enables members and, earlier this year, of Khartoum and South Darfur. Privilege Club members to book Privilege Club honoured a fur- Some 33,000 persons are expect- 5-star hotels such as Sharq Vil- ther protection of tier status un- ed to benefi t from the project. lage & Spa in Doha, InterConti- til December 31. Each family receives 30kg fl our. nental London Park in London Over the past year, Privilege In Palestine, Zakat Al-Fitr or Le Royal Monceau in Paris, Club continued to invest in rede- was distributed to nearly 2,500 Zakat Al-Fitr for QC-sponsored low-income persons and families of orphans. Right: QC distributes food parcels to beneficiaries. using all or part Qmiles as well fi ning the programme, including families of orphans sponsored as booking car rentals across the cutting the number of Qmiles by QC. All benefi ciaries re- receiving Zakat Al-Fitr, which benevolent people of Qatar for QC continues to receive Zakat complexes across the country, globe with brands such as Avis, required to book award fl ights ceived food parcels. The benefi - contributed to easing the bur- supporting them, particularly Al-Fitr through its headquar- in addition to paying Zakat Al- Budget and Sixt. by up to 49% as well as remov- ciaries in Sudan and Palestine dens on them, especially for Eid in light of the continuing coro- ters, branches, and collection Fitr through QC’s website and Qatar Airways Group Chief ing booking fee for award fl ights. expressed their delight with al-Fitr, thanking QC and the navirus pandemic. points located in commercial app. Executive, HE Akbar al-Baker, It also revised its Qmiles policy, said: “At Qatar Airways, we are so that when a member earns continually striving to enhance or spends them, their balance is Privilege Club and off er our valid for a further 36 months. members more value and op- At Hamad International Air- portunities to earn and spend port, Privilege Club members ‘Al Diwan’ celebrates 2,700 qualify for Qmiles.” can enjoy the most luxurious Rob MacLean, CEO of Points, lounges in the world. Qatar Air- a leading loyalty technology ways Privilege Club is the Offi - company who is helping to pow- cial Frequent Flyer Programme World Press Freedom Day exam conducted er Hotel & Car Rewards for Qa- of the FIFA World Cup Qatar tar Airways, said: “Our research 2022 and recently won a Fre- has shown us that enthusiasm quent Traveller award for ‘Best he Arab Cultural House between media and geopoli- She added that in light of the by Ministry of for travel planning has not di- Rewards Programme’ in the “Al Diwan,” sponsored tics. In the panel discussion, coronavirus pandemic journal- minished over the past year. Middle East, Asia, and Oceania Tby the Qatar embassy to Luders expressed his regret at ists today need support more The recently improved Buy, Gift regions for 2020. Germany, held a panel discus- the lack of alternatives to the than ever.Journalist and di- Islamic Aff airs sion through video conference prevailing storytelling in the rector Bashir Omron partici- technology to celebrate World German media, as Russia, Iran pated in the discussion to talk Press Freedom Day, under the and China are criticised, while on the topic, “Press freedom total of 2,700 male and worked to develop ways to or- slogan: “Independent Profes- the actions of the Israeli gov- in Germany between lack of female students and ganise it,” he said. sional Journalism from Politi- ernment and Julian Assange’s objectivity and pressure for Aparents have qualifi ed The number of girls reached cal and Economic Infl uences in imprisonment are noticeably compliance.” Omron criticised for the fi nal exams of Al-Mo- 1,344 while 1,177 boys attend- Germany and the Arab World,” absent from public discourse. the inequality of opportunities hadeth Al-Sagheer examina- ed along with 107 female and QNA reported from Berlin. The panel discussion also within German media insti- tion by the General Admin- 72 male parents. The discussion — in which hosted Julia Leib, a professor tutions between German and istration of Endowments at Students from more than more than 50 participants took at Northwestern University in foreign journalists, which, in the Ministry of Endowments 400 schools for boys and girls part — hosted prominent jour- Qatar, and a TV documentary his opinion, is leading to unfair (Awqaf) and Islamic Aff airs. attended the examination, nalism fi gures for talks on vari- director, who documented with media coverage. with some vocational schools ous topics, namely, TV jour- her camera, the daily life in war After the end of the guest “This year, we were and new schools participating nalist Ali Aslan, broadcaster and crisis areas from Libya, speakers’ interventions, the this year. Qmiles can be used to book car rentals. at CNN, ABC News, Deutsche through Sudan and Congo, to session witnessed a discus- keen to complete According to Sheikh Dr al- Welle, in addition to Profes- Gaza, Syria and Afghanistan. sion between guests and par- it and worked to Thani, this year the compe- sor Dr Michael Luders, author, Leib noted that the majority ticipants about the challenges tition witnessed a large par- journalist and Middle East ex- of German and European jour- that the traditional press faces develop ways to ticipation of schools and new pert for Die Zeit, who spoke nalists live in a closed intellec- in light of fake news and social organise it” methods of conducting stu- about the war of storytelling tual bubble. media. dent exams. Ministry recalls 2021 The exam is held in co-oper- The registration for the ation with the Ministry of Ed- competition is completely ucation and Higher Education electronic, with all commu- Chevrolet Tahoe and (MoEHE) within the activities nication with schools being of Awqaf’s Endowment Bank through the competition web- Shafallah organises lecture on for the Qur’an and Sunnah. site or the competition social Suburban vehicles General Administration of media accounts. Endowments director general “We were keen to equip the improving education for children Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Moham- examination halls for the arbi- he Ministry of Commerce consumers and ensure that deal- ed bin Ghanim al-Thani re- trators in accordance with the and Industry (MoCI), in ers follow up on vehicle defects called that last year, due to un- health standards that stipu- Tco-operation with Jai- and repairs. QNA teachers and parents about the concept of disabil- expected circumstances, the late social distancing, wearing dah Automotive, announced the The MoCI said that it will co- Doha ity and strategies for optimal interaction with peo- competition had to be stopped. masks, and the presence of all recall of Chevrolet Tahoe, and ordinate with the dealer to fol- ple with disabilities, and to introduce their rights “However, this year, we sanitisation materials,” the of- Suburban models of 2021, due low up on the maintenance and and duties. It also raised awareness on integrating were keen to complete it and fi cial added. to a possible malfunction in the repair works and will commu- he Shafallah Center for Persons with Dis- people with disabilities into the society and during third-row seat belts. nicate with customers to ensure abilities of Qatar Foundation for Social the period of the coronavirus pandemic, 50 online 2021 GMC Yukon and that they carry out the necessary TWork organised an awareness lecture on lectures were presented. Cadillac Escalade models repairs. parenting methods and their impact on children The Shafallah Center for Persons with Dis- recalled The MoCI urged all custom- in general and on the disabled category in partic- abilities is keen to provide community and reha- The MoCI also announced, in ers to report any violations to its ular, which was held via video conference. bilitation programmes and activities that work co-operation with Mannai Trad- Consumer Protection and Anti- The lecture, which was held in co-operation to enhance the social integration of people with ing Company, the recall of GMC Commercial Fraud Department, with Hetteen Independent School, witnessed the intellectual and developmental disabilities, in Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade which processes complaints, in- active participation of parents, teachers and stu- addition to providing support and assistance to model of 2021, due to a possible quiries and suggestions through dents, through which they exchanged analyses and families of persons with disabilities and workers defect in the installation of the the following channels: Call cen- ideas that could improve the educational process in the fi eld, raising the level of public awareness third-row seat belt, which may tre: 16001, e-mail: info@moci. for the children. The lecture is held as part of the on disability issues and the rights of persons with lead to its failure to operate. gov.qa, Twitter: @MOCIQATAR, programme, “We co-operate for them,” in co-op- disabilities, to achieve a balanced society based The recall campaign comes Instagram: MOCIQATAR, MoCI eration with schools and educational institutions on the principle of justice and equal opportuni- within the framework of the Mo- mobile app for android and iOS: in the country with the aim of educating students, ties, free from discrimination. CI’s continuous eff orts to protect MOCIQATAR. Gulf Times Thursday, May 6, 2021 9 HOL STIC

Are you talking to yourself? Wellbeing

By Daniel Lavelle can be on the opposite side of The Guardian you when you’re having an ar- gument?” asks the clinical psy- chologist Dr Carla Manly over We should probably go out the phone from her offi ce in Cali- now,” I say to Danny as I fornia. “vegetate in front of the TV. “No, I live on my own,” I say. “Yeah, we should, but I can’t be “There’s why,” she says. “Be- bothered,” Danny replies, sitting cause we all want to have – in- in an identical pose. “C’mon, we herently, if we’re wise – someone need the exercise; can’t sit here to have a discussion with.” I’ve all day,” I insist. “Well, we can spent most of lockdown writing ’cause that’s what we did yester- a book, I tell her, and she says I’m day and the day before,” he an- probably talking to myself be- swers. “Exactly! That’s why we cause I’m missing an alternative Staying calm via have to go. C’mon!” I yell. “God! point of view, someone to con- Fine, then!” he shouts back. tradict the ideas I have, especially breathwork So we get up from our pit and when writing. head into the crisp morning air We watch kids at home “talk- for a much needed dose of fresh ing to the Tonka truck or at the By Zoe Williams The third breath is a deep inhale air and exercise. Only there is process of resocialisation all over talk out loud? The answer, says their thoughts better than those Barbie doll and we call it child’s The Guardian and then a foghorn sound as you no we. There’s only me. I’ve again. Mari-Beff a, is down to the two who spoke in the fi rst person. play,” she says. “But somehow exhale. I’m supposed to imagine had a shouting match with my- Then the pandemic hit. I was sides of the brain: one that is I feel slightly better about we are supposed to lose that as myself as a ship, bobbing above self pretty much every day since isolated and lonely, with only chaotic and random and one that myself, but the kind of self-talk adults. I don’t believe that we harlène Gisèle is a yoga my ocean of concerns. Astonish- Covid came along and changed myself for company. I have al- is orderly and in control. “When these studies point to – helping need to.” She explains that self- teacher and breath facili- ingly, I can. Then there’s a hum- everything. ways talked to myself, usually you talk out loud, it’s not random people keep on track with as- talk can become a problem if you Ctator, and she is here (on ming breath, where you make a At the start of 2020, I em- only a few words of encourage- – you organise it, you control it, signments, for example – sound do it so much that it disturbs Zoom) to teach me how to breathe. noise like a bee and try to feel the barked on a month-long quest ment as I rise in the morning, you give it shape. When people like the innocuous words of en- someone you’re living with, but Many strands of yoga have an el- vibrations in your jaw, which is ap- to fi nd meaningful conversa- or when I’m trying to navigate are under extreme stress, or suf- couragement I used to say to my- otherwise it really depends on ement of breathwork, which is parently very good if you’re on the tions with strangers. Crippling through a dense brain fog, but in fering with mental illness, both self before the pandemic, not the what you’re saying to yourself. characterised, generally speak- edge of panic. I’m nowhere near social anxiety, introversion and lockdown the only person I was networks can be active at the kinds of internal rows I have with “It’s really about: is it appropri- ing, by concentrated, rhythmic panic, at this point. I feel great. sloth had kept me in a depress- guaranteed to speak to every day same time.” This phenomenon myself now. ate for the situation? Is it dis- breathing, designed to use the full Finally, with one hand on your ing bubble of loneliness and self- was me. The problem with this could explain conditions such as Chris Gilham (not his real rupting any relationships, be it capacity of your lungs. belly and the other on your heart, imposed exclusion; I wondered is I know everything about me; Tourette syndrome and schizo- name), a 23-year-old IT student at home, work or otherwise? Is it She calls her sessions Natural a grounding breath to connect you whether random chats with peo- me got boring fast, so I began to phrenia, where the subconscious from Washington DC, started within your control? Does what High Breathwork. The idea de- to your spirit. “Don’t be ashamed ple might burst that bubble and argue with me. And I always lost. chaotic mind is encroaching talking to himself out loud when you’re saying make sense?” rives from the 1960s work of Sta- of your belly,” Gisèle says. “Let it open up a new world of social Do I need help? Not particu- on the more ordered conscious the pandemic hit. Before lock- Manly exchanges only a few nislav Grof, who with ‘Holotropic fi ll like a beautiful balloon.” I can discovery. It did. After overcom- larly, says Paloma Mari-Beff a, a mind. down, he used to socialise in cof- words with herself now and breathing’ tried to reproduce the manage that. Really feel your heart ing my initial shyness, I opened senior lecturer in psychology at Controlled self-talk, however, fee shops with his friends from again, but she does chat with her eff ects of LSD. To go full Holo- with your other hand, send it some my gob and started chatting. By the University of Bangor. She says can have enormous benefi ts. In college; now he spends most dog. “Someone from the outside tropic, you need a practitioner be- love. I can’t feel my heart at all. the end of the month, I was on that most of us talk to ourselves, 2012, Mari-Beff a conducted an of his time alone. He says face might say: ‘Does she really think side you, like a shaman. But Gisèle Could I have died? Or is this just fi rst-name terms with the local silently, all the time – “and by ‘all experiment that asked 28 par- masks have helped: on the rare the dog is understanding her? can give you a natural high via how it feels to be calm? shopkeeper I had avoided even the time’ I mean even when you ticipants to read a series of in- occasions he visits his local gro- She’s insane.’ I’m not, because I video call. eye contact with for more than a sleep”, she says. Come to think of structions either silently or out cery store, he can talk to himself know that I’m doing it.” Breathing is fundamental in the What I learned year; the barber’s was no longer a it, when I have paid attention to loud. The group that read out under his breath and nobody can So, I’m saner than I thought I moment, you’ll get a buzz; over We breathe 22,000 times a day place I went to have silent staring my resting thoughts I realise that loud showed higher levels of see his lips moving. Gilham suf- was – I just need a friend to ar- time, it will renew your vigour without thinking. So a few min- matches with my refl ection; and I can’t claim authorship over any concentration and performance fers with anxiety and says the gue with. Maybe Monty Python and calm your spirit. It can cure utes of conscious breathing seems I even learned some of the names of them. Words, sounds and im- on the tasks they were given. An- self-talk helps him slow down were on to something when they your sleep apnoea, restore your doable of my fl atmates. ages just appear from nowhere, other study, from the University his “constant train of thought … created the argument clinic, for pelvic fl oor and perhaps even re- Then I got evicted from my fl at then dissolve into nothingness of Michigan, found that self-talk It helps with processing some- users to pay and have a row with duce your belly fat (not sure how, Quick fi t: three more exer- in east London. My landlord, who like a shooting star; there and can increase self-esteem, im- thing,” he says. “If I’m reading someone. “No they weren’t,” but stay with it). “Not everyone cises you can do at your desk had packed 13 tenants into a fam- then gone. prove confi dence and help us a textbook, rephrasing it out Danny says. “Yes, they were,” I wants to do a downward dog in Work standing up ily home, lost his Houses in Mul- “The brain is always active,” overcome diffi cult challenges. loud really helps.” Still, Gilham say. “Nonsense,” Danny says. I front of their boss,” says Gisèle, Probably the easiest fi x for the tiple Occupation licence and we says Mari-Beff a. “It is always The paper, published in 2014, isn’t having full-blown shouting think I just like the sound of my but this is something you can do perils of a sedentary offi ce lifestyle all had to fi nd new digs. I moved generating images or words.” If said that those who referred to matches with himself in front of own voice. “Now, that’s some- at your desk. :I can see why she is to get a standing desk. Even if to another part of London, with we are always in conversation themselves with second- and a mirror like I am. thing we can agree on,” says thinks that; when she does her you go 50:50 – sit in the morn- new people, and had to start the with ourselves, why don’t we all third-person pronouns managed “Do you have a partner who Danny. breathwork, she has this delightful ing, stand in the afternoon – you’ll look of pleasant surprise, as if she’s still burn an extra 1,000 calories found a tenner in her jacket pock- a week. A few, rather small-scale et. When I do it, I look horrifi ed, studies have shown that standing appalled, all nostrils, like a dragon also regulates blood sugar and pre- How many hugs does a person need daily? who’s just been stabbed. vents or mitigates lower back pain. Gisèle has divided her breath- Perfect your posture work into fi ve distinct types, each If you think you can just tell connected to an element. The yourself to sit up straight, you’re goes beyond that feeling that we protection and safety, so there is no breath of fi re is a short intake of kidding yourself. You’ll just slide get. They found that a hug has need to fear. breath with a forceful exhalation, back into a slouch as soon as you many benefits in strengthening the quite fast and rhythmic, for one start thinking about anything else. immune system, increasing self- 6. Hugging with the head on the minute, then a break, then another However, you cannot argue with confidence, increasing the secretion chest: minute. It can make your face or a swiss ball – if you’re not sitting of the hormone of happiness, and This hug is usually during a period extremities tingle, but its main ef- right, you’ll fall off . It activates reducing stress and psychologi- of sadness or complaint to the other fect on me was a mild headache, your core at the same time and is cal tension, in which we will show party. like I’d sniff ed a solvent. The con- much more eff ective than a wear- below: centration required is quite intense able posture tracker which costs How many hugs does a person because regular breathing comes fi ve times as much. 1. A hug while looking into the need each day? so naturally that the default is to Wrist stretches eyes: 1. People need at least four hugs a slip back into it; so it’s quite a relief Press your palms together so Shows the depth of love. day to reduce stress. when the breath of fi re stops. that you feel the stretch in both 2. A person needs eight hugs per day The second, “dynamic breath”, joints; then press the backs of By Hala Bader al-Humaidhi 2. Hugging with a pawn: to be able to regain his psychological is the reverse: an active inhale your hands together and curl This type of hug gives support and harmony and to have good commu- and passive exhale, again for one your fi ngers under, for a deli- shows that this person is very close nication and interpersonal skills. minute. My headache magically cious reverse-stretch. You can How many hugs a person needs to oneself as a friend or life partner. 3. A person needs twelve hugs a disappeared. also do little wrist curls using each day? Studies have proven the day to be able to grow in a healthy I still hadn’t experienced any a water bottle as a weight. It’s multiplicity of cuddling and this 3. A distant hug: mental health, and be happier and tingling in my hands or feet – and important not because you want has been clearly demonstrated via Indicates that there is a large healthier. there’s a more extreme eff ect that ripped wrists but because so studies in the field of psychology that distance that neither party is able can happen, T-rex syndrome, much in the core exercise terri- have shown the benefits of a hug for to cross. Surprised? Aren’t we all! Next time where your hands go into claws. tory – press-ups, planks – can be men or women alike, so the greater 4. A Strong hug: This hug indicates you meet your spouse, friend, or a But give me a chance, I’ve only derailed by weakness in this rela- the number of hugs the greater the the strength of the relationship and family member, share a hug! done four minutes. tively tiny joint. health and the more peaceful and the longing between the two parties harmonious a person is with himself  The author is a consultant in Pub- and others. According to scientists, 5. Hugging with one hand: lic Relations and Personality Types. the benefit of a hug in psychology Hugging indicates containment, Instagram: @Tipsbyhalahill Wellness Meal Plan

Happily ever after

friends who are engaged, married, or married with children. It seems like you may never have that kind of life. Dwelling on what you don’t have can make you bitter and resentful, instead trust in God and keep living a beautiful fulfilling life, until you meet the right match. Remember that God has your good in mind. Don’t be tempted to rush into marrying someone because By Shefa Ali you think it will validate your own self-worth. God doesn’t tell us eve- By Turkan Alshaibi rything he is doing, and sometimes This week in Swalif (my weekly we ask him for things that wouldn’t Red bean chocolate brownie Instagram live show) we asked be good for us in the long run. Your the question ‘Do you really need end goal is not only about finding Ingredients: to get married to have a happy happiness on this earth but also to 1 cup boiled red beans, washed and drained ever after?’ The majority of the live a life to your highest potential, 50g melted dark chocolate people who joined in the conver- using all your talents and gifts. 1 tbsp cocoa sation thought it was extremely You can trust that God hears your 5tbsp coconut oil important to get married, some of prayers and has both a purpose and 7-8 tbsp coconut sugar them shared the challenges and his own timing in all he allows. 1 tsp baking powder obstacles they are facing in finding God knows what he is doing, so 1/3 cup chocolate chip the right life partner. you don’t have to be anxious about 1 tsp vanilla I think is absolutely ok to approach the future when it comes to finding 2 eggs marriage like a goal. SMART goals a spouse. Make the most of the encourage us to be specific, realis- opportunities you have to grow in Method: tic and set timelines for ourselves. your faith and love and serve oth- Preheat the oven to 185C. Add all the ingredients in a food processor ex- If you have the goal of marriage in ers and see what happens! That’s cept the chocolate chips, blend it until creamy. Add the chocolate chips mind, it’s important to be honest the beauty of life you never know and mix. Next, grease the pan with coconut oil and add the mixture. with yourself, to be clear about who For anyone who has really wanted or unsuccessful marriage with a social media and think that almost what’s happens tomorrow! Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. It’s super easy and it doesn’t taste like beans you are as a person, think about to get married and it’s just not family member that has resulted in everyone else has the perfect life. plus has good dose of protein. what you are willing to bring to happening, I would ask you to your having a deep rooted fear of They don’t; it just looks that way the partnership. Self-awareness is think about any blocks that could marriage unconsciously? online. Of course, you know people  The author is a consultant and  The author is a welness advocate and aims to promote nutritious extremely important when entering be possibly preventing you from Don’t trust social media; trust God. who are worse off than yourself, coach. Instagram handle: @miss_ meals. Instagram: @the.tals a lifelong commitment. your goal. Has there been a divorce It can be easy to look at posts on but you may be focusing on your shefa, Website: missshefa.com Gulf Times 10 Thursday, May 6, 2021 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka Deputy Managing Editor K T Chacko P.O.Box 2888, Doha, Qatar [email protected] 44350478 (News), 44466404 (Sport), 44466636 (Home delivery) 44350474 facebook.com/gulftimes twitter.com/gulftimes_Qatar GULF TIMES Ruling Peronists face storm in an election year

It’s not a great year to go to the polls. Argentina’s ruling Peronists face crunch mid-term elections in October, and pollsters say how they handle a still-raging pandemic and its fallout will be key to limiting the electoral damage. Speeding up a stalled vaccine campaign, hit by allegations of nepotism that led a health minister to resign, could be decisive as the centre-left ‘Frente de Todos’ coalition defends a majority in the Senate and its strong position in the lower house, where it is the largest bloc. “Vaccines are what matters,” said textile businessman Matías Pérez Montalvo, 49, who voted for the ruling administration in 2019 Europe needs a new but said he will not in the Oct. 24 vote after shutdowns that saw schools closed for most of last year. “That was the point where I said I do not want this (government) anymore... If we had more vaccines we would not have to go through all this again,” he said. A second wave of Covid-19 infections is hitting the grains producing country, straining hospitals and weighing on a nascent fi scal framework economic recovery. But the government hopes that time is on their side as it races The current rules were built the automatic stabilisers” – in But times have changed. For 12 The question now is what Europe to seal vaccine deals, reviving talks with Pfi zer Inc and pressuring for a world that no longer other words, to put it on automatic years now, interest rates have been will do. In March 2020, it wisely AstraZeneca to speed up a supply deal, as well as counting on the pilot. The consensus then was that pinned near zero, making a mockery availed itself of an escape clause in continuation of regular shipments from Russia and China. exists. They are opaque, monetary policy is a nimbler and more of claims touting monetary policy’s its fiscal rulebook, allowing member effective policy tool, because the key effectiveness. Instead of protecting states “to temporarily depart from the “The government will win the legislative elections on three key excessively constraining, decisions are made by an independent the central bank from fiscal vagaries, normal budgetary requirements.” This things: sustained progress in vaccination, the economic recovery and reliant on numerical central bank and implemented with the priority in such an environment exception will likely remain in place that is gaining steam every the stroke of a pen. is to ensure that monetary and fiscal for 2022 but, pandemic permitting, month, and the unity of targets that do not make Nowhere are fiscal rules as policy function in tandem. Breaking a will end in 2023. The government Peronism,” a government sense in a low-interest-rate detailed and prescriptive as in the taboo, Isabel Schnabel, a member of In the meantime, the debate will source said, asking not to European Union, whose budgetary the European Central Bank’s Executive focus on whether the rules should be environment rulebook is nearly 100 pages. There Board, has stressed that today’s reformed before they are reinstated, hopes that time be named. are good reasons for this. Because situation requires unconventional and – more fundamentally – whether Argentina’s economy is on their side By Jean Pisani-Ferry euro members share a currency, they monetary policies and unconventional fiscal initiatives should be regarded as had been slowly recovering Paris cannot inflate away their individual fiscal policies, which should a problem or as a solution. as it races to seal from a heavy hit in 2020, debt burdens. As Paul De Grauwe complement one another to protect The case for comprehensive reform though recent data has of the London School of Economics the economy from large downturns. was strong before the pandemic and vaccine deals showed activity stalling n the mid-1980s, only seven has observed, they are in a position As outlined in a recent Geneva Report, has now become overwhelming. the long-forgotten concept of a policy The current rules were built for a again. countries had fiscal rules. In similar to countries that borrow in a 2015, when the International foreign currency. Yet excessive public mix is back in fashion. world that no longer exists. They are There are 127 seats up for grabs in the lower Chamber of Deputies Monetary Fund last counted, debt results in pressure on partner In parallel, concerns about opaque, excessively constraining, and out of 257 in total, with 24 in play out of the 72 seats in the Senate. I 96 did. Most had provisions limiting countries to come to the rescue to sovereign solvency have greatly reliant on numerical targets that do Pollsters expect the government to lose seats in the election, public debt, budget deficits, or both, avoid severe financial fallout from diminished. As former IMF chief not make sense in a low-interest-rate though the challenge may fall short of erasing its Senate majority. and some had additional rules on pub- debt restructuring or, worse, an exit economist Olivier Blanchard environment. Moreover, they are no Shila Vilker, director of consultancy and pollster Trespuntozero, lic expenditures. from the currency union. This is what notes, there is no such thing as an longer credible. With a debt-to-GDP ratio approaching 160% this year, said currently around 28% of voters support the ruling party, This circumscription of fiscal happened with Greece in the 2010s. unsustainable debt as long as the discretion was partly a response to So there is a real motive for preventing interest rate remains below the growth Italy can scarcely be expected to hit compared to 48% for the opposition, though that would likely traumatic experiences such as Latin fiscal irresponsibility. rate. In many countries, this has now the EU’s debt-to-GDP limit of 60%. narrow as campaigns heated up. America’s “lost decade” following the But there are also bad reasons for been the case for a decade; and even Make no mistake: in a monetary “This weak electoral support is really a criticism of (the debt crises of the 1980s; the painful having codifi ed budgetary behaviour so in the United States, where bond rates union, fiscal responsibility is crucial. government’s) economic and health management,” she said. adjustment suffered by countries extensively. Germany is traditionally have recently increased, the margin The question is not whether member In the 2019 election, Fernandez beat his conservative predecessor caught off-guard by rising interest wary of stabilisation policy (though not remains wide. states should be given high standards Mauricio Macri by a distance, promising more state support to lead rates in the early 1990s; and the in response to the 2008 fi nancial crisis Recognising the implications of to meet, but how this should be European sovereign-debt crisis of or the pandemic), and smaller northern these debt dynamics, US President done. Reformers want to retain the Argentina out of swirling economic, debt and currency crises that 2010-12. But the adoption of fiscal European countries are even more Joe Biden’s administration has lost commitment to fiscal discipline but had stoked poverty. rules also owed something to growing fi scally gun-shy. In addition, member no time pursuing its fiscal agenda. change the yardstick for assessing However, sharpened by the pandemic, poverty levels have distrust of fiscal activism. states lack mutual trust. As a result, Whereas the post-2008 US stimulus actual behaviour. Others, worried that continued to climb, while state spending has depleted reserves the In 2000, John B Taylor of Stanford they have piled up a tangle of rules was too timid, the recently adopted this commitment would not survive a government needs to pay off restructured debts to private creditors University captured the spirit of the so complex that people in Brussels $1.9 trillion fiscal package, coming on renegotiation, prefer to tinker on the and the International Monetary Fund. time when he wrote that it is “best joke that only one person in the top of trillions of dollars in spending margin. But sticking to an obsolete to let fiscal policy have its main whole European Commission actually enacted last year under Donald commandment out of fear of being A weaker Peronist hold on Congress could potentially create an countercyclical impact through understands it all. Trump, amounts to massive overkill. unable to define a better one is a obstacle to pushing through economic and judicial reforms the formula for undermining trust in the government hopes to get approved. Debt talks with the IMF also rules altogether. need the legislature’s rubber stamp. If there is any silver lining to the The government’s strong position so far has allowed it to push Covid-19 crisis, it is that we have though controversial bills. been forced to rethink rules that have survived on inertia. Short of Silvia Lospennato, a national deputy for the centre-right the radical reform advocated by Republican Proposal (PRO) party, which is part of the main some, it is possible to design a fiscal opposition coalition, said a stronger showing for the opposition framework that creates more space would “put a brake” on the government’s more divisive proposals for fiscal discretion but preserves going forward. the essential commitment to Salvador Anido, 23, a student in Buenos Aires, said, however, responsibility. The first step is to accept that all countries cannot be that while the government had made mistakes in its handling of the expected to achieve the same goal. pandemic, he would still vote for its candidates in the mid-terms. The second is to acknowledge that “The government is patching up the complications left by the fiscal discipline must be based on previous government and without hesitation I would vote for them principles and buttressed by well- again,” he said. — Reuters designed institutions, rather than by rigid numerical targets. The EU has not shied away from pursuing taboo-free responses to To Advertise the current crisis. By embarking on a comprehensive reform of its fiscal [email protected] framework, it would signal that it is strong enough to rethink economic Display policy for post-pandemic conditions. 44466621 44418811 It should launch the discussion now, with a view to agreeing on a blueprint Classified within a year. — Project Syndicate 44466609 44418811  Jean Pisani-Ferry, a senior fellow Subscription at Brussels-based think tank Bruegel and a senior non-resident fellow at the [email protected] Peterson Institute for International Economics, holds the Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa chair at the European © 2021 Gulf Times. All rights reserved BACK IN BUSINESS: The long-forgotten concept of a policy mix is back in fashion. University Institute. Gulf Times Thursday, May 6, 2021 11 WORLD Facebook oversight board upholds Trump ban

AFP accounts on January 6 and ex- platform for an undefi ned pe- November election, was banned Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice- In its ruling, the oversight up for free expression,” it wrote. Washington tending that suspension on Janu- riod, with no criteria for when permanently by Facebook the president of global aff airs and board – envisioned by Facebook Calling the ruling “reasona- ary 7,” the board said following its or whether the account will be day after the siege, and was taken communications, welcomed yes- founder Mark Zuckerberg as the ble”, Nate Persily, a law professor review. restored,” the board said, invit- off other platforms including terday’s ruling and said Facebook equivalent of a “supreme court” and co-director of the Stanford acebook’s independent Trump, whose political infl u- ing Facebook to “either impose Twitter and YouTube. would review its options. for thorny content decisions – Cyber Policy Centre, argued that oversight board upheld ence has arguably been severely a time-limited suspension or ac- Shortly after the board ruling, “As we stated in January, we made additional recommenda- the decision was key for how it Fyesterday a ban on former curtailed by the loss of his social count deletion”. Trump issued a statement reit- believe our decision was neces- tions on dealing with potentially “institutionalises the board and United States president Donald media presence, responded with The Trump-Facebook case erating his false claims of voter sary and right, and we’re pleased harmful content from world its powers vis a vis Facebook”. Trump while ordering further a statement slamming bans by had been intensely followed for fraud, and urging his followers to the board has recognized that the leaders. Persily said the panel “has set review of the case, in a decision Facebook and other online giants its repercussions for social net- “never give up”. unprecedented circumstances The panel “called on Facebook precedent for the ways it will re- with a potentially far-reaching as a “total disgrace”. works seeking to curb misin- And in a subsequent state- justifi ed the exceptional meas- to address widespread confu- solve high profi le cases, what it impact on the regulation of on- While endorsing the initial formation and abusive content ment, Trump lashed out at social ure we took,” he said in a state- sion about how decisions relat- can ask of Facebook, and how Fa- line speech. ban, the panel also determined while remaining open to political media bans as an attack on his ment. “We will now consider the ing to infl uential users are made” cebook responds”. The board, whose decisions are that “it was not appropriate for discourse. free speech. board’s decision and determine and said that “considerations Daniel Castro of the Informa- binding on the leading social net- Facebook to impose the indeter- Trump was suspended from “What Facebook, Twitter, an action that is clear and pro- of newsworthiness should not tion Technology and Innovation work, said that Trump “created minate and standardless penalty Facebook and Instagram after and Google have done is a total portionate. In the meantime, Mr take priority when urgent action Foundation think tank called it an environment where a serious of indefi nite suspension”. posting a video during the deadly disgrace and an embarrassment Trump’s accounts remain sus- is needed to prevent signifi cant “a win for transparency and fair- risk of violence was possible” “Within six months of this de- storming of the Capitol by fi red- to our country,” he said. “Free pended.” harm”. ness”. with his comments regarding the cision, Facebook must reexamine up supporters challenging his speech has been taken away from Some analysts said Facebook And it said Facebook needs “With 2.8bn users, no decision January 6 rampage by his sup- the arbitrary penalty it imposed election loss, in which he told the president of the United States and other social networks should to consider how it deals with Facebook makes will ever make porters at the US Capitol. on January 7 and decide the ap- them: “We love you, you’re very because the radical left lunatics have acted on Trump sooner, af- controversial political content everyone happy,” Castro said, “Given the seriousness of the propriate penalty,” it said in a special.” are afraid of the truth, but the ter years of giving him an exemp- around the world. while judging that the company violations and the ongoing risk written opinion. The former Republican leader, truth will come out anyway, big- tion from rules on hateful content “Facebook must resist pres- “has created the most open and of violence, Facebook was justi- “It is not permissible for Fa- who has consistently challenged ger and stronger than ever be- because of his “newsworthiness” sure from governments to silence transparent adjudication process fi ed in suspending Mr Trump’s cebook to keep a user off the the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s fore.” as a political leader. political opposition, and stand available to social media users”.

Town builds giant squid India warned to brace with Covid relief funds

Reuters part of a “long-term strategy” to Tokyo raise awareness about the town’s fi shing industry and increase tourism, a local government of- Japanese coastal town in fi cial said, according to domestic for new Covid waves the western part of the media. Acountry has drawn ire on Reuters called Noto’s govern- AFP/Reuters day while courts have stepped social media for using some of ment but the person who an- New Delhi up pressure on Prime Minister the coronavirus relief funds it swered was not authorised to Narendra Modi’s government was given by the government to speak with the press. over its response. build a statue of a giant squid in Japan’s government buildings ndia, gripped by one of dead- “Admissions suspended in- the hopes of boosting tourism. were closed yesterday for annual liest coronavirus surges seen defi nitely,” said Devlina Chakra- The town of Noto in Ishikawa Golden Week holidays. Iby any country, will have to varty, managing director of the Prefecture was awarded ¥800mn The grants were not specifi - be ready for new waves and badly Artemis hospital in Gurgaon, ($7.31mn) in grants from the cen- cally earmarked for spending re- needs more oxygen from other near Delhi, in a Twitter state- tral government as part of a pro- lated to treating coronavirus pa- countries, offi cials said yester- ment blaming oxygen supplies. gramme aimed at boosting local tients, and Ishikawa Prefecture’s day. Hospitals in Kolkata, Banga- economies amid the pandemic, infection rate is low compared to The coronavirus causes the lore and other major cities also according to domestic media. other parts of Japan, according to Covid-19 respiratory disease. reported serious shortages. From that amount, Noto used local media. Facing critical shortages of India’s courts have become ¥25mn to cover part of the cost However, some people took hospital beds and oxygen, the increasingly vocal critics of the of building the statue, which is to Twitter to question whether warnings came as India reported Modi government’s handling of 4m high and is 9m long, domes- those funds should have been 3,780 new pandemic deaths, a the crisis. tic media reported. used for other purposes. new daily high, and 382,000 new Delhi’s government says it Total construction costs were “No matter how you look at cases. needs 700 tonnes of oxygen a day around ¥30mn, they said. it, this is wrong. They have to Experts say the peak may not for its overwhelmed hospitals, Japan is battling a fourth wave return that money,” one Twitter be reached for weeks. but the Supreme Court was told of coronavirus infections and the user said. According to the International yesterday that it is only getting cabinet approved a $708bn stim- Construction of the pink ce- Red Cross, India is bearing the 585 tonnes. ulus package in December to help phalopod began in October 2020, brunt of a coronavirus crisis bad- Fighting a threat to issue con- the economy recover from the and the fi nished statue was fi - ly hitting all of South Asia. tempt proceedings over its refus- pandemic-induced slump. nally moved to its current home K Vijay Raghavan, the Indian al to send more oxygen, central Squid is a local delicacy in in March of this year, local media government’s principal scientifi c government lawyers said the city Noto and building the statue was reported. adviser, said that the country of needs only 415 tonnes. 1.3bn had to be ready for more The court gave the government trouble even after beating down until morning today to provide a Staff of pharmaceutical company this wave which has taken India’s plan to send extra supplies. busted over reused nose swab scam caseload above 20mn infections. A Delhi High Court which Employees at an oxygen refilling centre in Moradabad, India, refill cylinders for coronavirus patients. “Phase 3 is inevitable given the made the contempt threat ac- Staff at an Indonesian pharmaceutical company have been accused high levels of circulating virus. cused government politicians was invited by Britain to this tion of time. You cannot be able Sabri Yaakob said in a statement. of washing and repackaging used coronavirus (Covid-19) nasal swabs, But it is not clear on what times- and offi cials of “living in ivory week’s summit, along with Aus- to put barriers ... to prevent a vi- Several parts of the surround- which were then sold to thousands of unsuspecting travellers. cale this phase 3 will occur. We towers” while the death toll tralia, South Africa and South rus from accessing your territo- ing Selangor state, Malaysia’s Five employees from the state-owned Kimia Farma have been arrested, should prepare for new waves,” mounts. Korea. ry,” said the ministry’s director- richest region, will also go into while the company may also face a civil lawsuit over the claims. Raghavan told a news confer- The High Court in Allahabad Iran has meanwhile detected general, Dr Patrick Amoth. lockdown later this week. Police believe up to 9,000 people may have been tested with a reused ence. said the deaths of people in Ut- three cases of the Indian Cov- The case was detected among Vietnam has meanwhile ex- swab kit while travelling through Kualanamu airport in Medan, North With the government facing tar Pradesh state hospitals “is a id-19 variant feared to behind a samples taken from Indian trav- tended the quarantine period for Sumatra. criticism as patients die in streets criminal act and not less than a devastating surge of the virus in ellers who were working in Kis- anyone arriving in the country Anyone taking a domestic flight in Indonesia must provide a negative outside hospitals because of the genocide” by those meant to be India, the health minister said. umu, a city in western Kenya, he to three weeks, authorities said, result from a rapid antigen test, which is often conducted on site at an bed shortages, consignments of ensuring oxygen supplies. “We have identifi ed three con- added. following a fresh community airport. oxygen and equipment have been The Group of Seven (G7) fi rmed cases among the Indians Egypt has announced a partial outbreak of the coronavirus. Five employees from Kimia Farma, which supplied the airport, are arriving from the United States, foreign ministers’ meeting in present,” Saeed Namaki said, ac- shutdown of malls and restau- The nation has so far kept case accused of washing cotton swabs with alcohol before repackaging France, Britain, Russia, and other London was hit by a Covid-19 cording to the ministry’s offi cial rants and called off festivities for numbers low – recording just them – a violation of health laws and the consumer protection act. countries in recent days. yesterday when India’s foreign website, with the cases found in the Eid al-Fitr holidays to curb over 3,000 cases and 35 deaths Erick Thohir, minister for state-owned enterprises, said those implicated And India will need more oxy- minister and his entire team said the central province of Qom. rising coronavirus cases. – thanks to strict quarantine should be “subject to very strict punishment”. gen from other countries to fi ght they were self-isolating after two Ministry spokesman Kianoush The closure of cafes, malls and measures and extensive contact Kimia Farma sacked the staff members, and said in a statement that the surge until numbers stabilise, delegation members tested posi- Jahanpour told AFP these were restaurants from 9pm will take tracing. their actions were a breach of its standards. – Guardian another government offi cial said. tive. “the fi rst confi rmed cases of In- eff ect from today until May 21. But Vietnam reported its fi rst “We did not and do not have Britain is hosting the three- dian variant in Iran”. Prime Minister Mostafa Mad- community outbreak in weeks enough oxygen,” the top gov- day meeting – the fi rst such G7 The World Health Organisa- bouli told a televised news con- last Thursday, and other clusters France naturalises 2,000 foreign ernment offi cial told reporters, event in two years – which has tion (WHO) has said that the ference that Egypt was in a “third have since emerged. workers over Covid-19 response speaking on condition of ano- been heavily billed as a chance to virus variant, believed to be wave” of the Covid-19 pandemic, The new quarantine period nymity. “If we could get more ox- restart face-to-face diplomacy contributing to the catastrophe urging citizens to follow health will be 21 days. France has granted citizenship to more than 2,000 foreign-born ygen more lives would be saved.” and an opportunity for the West in India, has now been found in guidelines and register for vac- The Philippines will ban the frontline workers to reward them for their services to the nation during India is also still pressing the to show a united front against more than a dozen countries. cinations. entry of travellers from Pakistan, the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the government said yesterday. United States and other countries threats from China and Russia. But the body has stopped short Malaysia has imposed move- Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh Marlene Schiappa, junior interior minister in charge of citizenship, said to ease restrictions on exports of “Was made aware yesterday of saying it is more transmissible, ment restrictions in the capital from May 7 to May 14 to prevent that 2,009 people, including 665 minors, had been fast-tracked for raw materials for coronavirus evening of exposure to possi- more deadly or able to dodge vac- Kuala Lumpur due to a rising the spread of the coronavirus naturalisation for “showing their attachment to the nation”. drugs such as remdesivir and to- ble Covid positive cases,” Indian cines. number of Covid-19 infections, variant fi rst detected in India, She had instructed the authorities in September to speed up the cilizumab, the offi cial added. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam A case of the Indian variant of adding to lockdowns that have the president’s offi ce announced citizenship applications of essential workers who had “actively India, the world’s biggest ge- Jaishankar said on Twitter. “As a the coronavirus has been detect- been implemented across the yesterday. contributed” to the fight against Covid-19. neric drugs maker, was a major measure of abundant caution and ed in Kenya, the country’s health country. Travellers coming directly She had ordered that they be allowed to apply for citizenship after just supplier of remdesivir last year also out of consideration for oth- ministry said yesterday, a few The capital will be subjected to from those countries, or with a two years in France, instead of the usual requirement of five years. when the pandemic erupted but ers, I decided to conduct my en- days after it was also confi rmed some lockdown measures from history of travel to any of them Those involved include health workers, security guards, checkout cut production when its own fi rst gagements in the virtual mode. in neighbouring Uganda. tomorrow for two weeks, includ- within the last 14 days, would be workers, garbage collectors, home-care providers, and nannies. wave fell back. That will be the case with the G7 “This variant has been picked ing a ban on social activities, barred from entering, Executive More than 8,000 people have applied for citizenship under the scheme, Hospitals across the coun- Meeting today as well.” (up) in Kenya and because of glo- dining indoors, and inter-district Secretary Salvador Medialdea Schiappa’s off ice said, adding that all requests were being given “the try were still suff ering yester- India is not a G7 member but bal connectivity, it is just a ques- travel, Defence Minister Ismail said in a memorandum. greatest consideration”. – AFP

Four Pakistan soldiers killed in ambush Malian woman expected to deliver Four soldiers were killed and six wounded in an ambush yesterday by seven babies gives birth to nine militants from Afghanistan along the border between the two countries, Floyd murder convict seeks new trial Pakistan’s military said. A Malian woman gave birth to nine babies on Tuesday – two more The soldiers were working on fencing along the border in the Zhob than doctors had detected inside her crowded womb – joining a district of Balochistan province, the military said in a statement. small group of mothers of nonuplets. AFP month in a case that prompted a pervasive and so prejudicial be- Zhob sits across from Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province. The pregnancy of Halima Cisse, 25, has fascinated the West African Washington national reckoning on racial in- fore and during this trial that it Late yesterday the Tehrik-e-Taliban, a banned militant outfit operating nation and attracted the attention of its leaders. justice and police brutality. amounted to a structural de- along the border, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement When doctors said in March that Cisse needed specialist care, the Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nel- fect in the proceedings,” Nelson shared with Reuters. authorities flew her to Morocco, where she gave birth. erek Chauvin, the white son argued that his client did wrote. Pakistan’s Foreign Off ice said it had asked Afghanistan to take action “The newborns (five girls and four boys) and the mother are all ex-policeman convicted not get a fair trial due to public- Civil rights attorney Ben against the militants. doing well,” Mali’s health minister, Fanta Siby, announced in a Dof murdering African ity around the case, court and Crump, who represents the A statement said the Afghan embassy in Islamabad had been asked statement. American man George Floyd, prosecution errors, as well as Floyd family, fi ercely opposed “to convey Pakistan’s concerns to the relevant Afghan authorities to Cisse was expected to give birth to seven babies, according to has asked for a new trial on “race-based pressure” on the the motion, writing on Twit- undertake eff ective measures against organised groups of terrorists ultrasounds conducted in Morocco and Mali that missed two of the claims of jury and prosecution jury. ter: “No. No. No. Guilty. Guilty. operating from the Afghan soil”. siblings. misconduct. He also alleges that jurors Guilty.” Pakistan says it is constructing a fence along its 2,500km (1,500 mile) All were delivered by caesarean section. The 45-year-old – who knelt should have been isolated dur- The fi ling came as the impar- frontier with Afghanistan to secure the area, despite Kabul’s protests Nonuplets are extremely rare. on Floyd’s neck for more than ing the trial and that the case tiality of a juror in the case has that the barrier would divide families and friends along the Pashtun Medical complications associated with multiple births of this kind nine minutes in Minneapolis – could only get a fair hearing in a been called into question after tribal belt straddling the colonial-era Durand Line drawn up by the often mean that some of the babies typically do not reach full term. faces up to 40 years in prison diff erent place. a photo surfaced of him at an British in 1893. – Reuters – Reuters after being found guilty last “The publicity here was so anti-racism rally. Gulf Times 12 Thursday, May 6, 2021 QATAR

Graduates share their experiences and aspirations

By Joseph Varghese very infl uential faculty and students Staff Reporter that helped me identify my goals, and ultimately work hard to achieve them,” he said. everal graduates of Weill Cor- Humos hopes to continue his train- nell Medicine – Qatar (WCM-Q) ing in the US in internal medicine, fol- Sshared their journey of medicine lowed by training in cardiology. and aspirations with Gulf Times as the “I plan to come back and work in Qa- university celebrated the graduation of tar, the country that welcomed me and Class of 2021 yesterday. allowed me to change my dreams into Moza Abdulla Almohannadi, who reality,” he added. “I also see myself passed out with academic distinction, going back to my home country, Pales- said that she was fortunate to be able tine, and working to aid the very fragile to get world-class education here at healthcare sector.” home. Finally, Karen Maria John said that “The WCM-Q allowed me to explore Basel A M Humos Moza Abdulla Almohannadi Mariam Imran Gowrii Saswathy Ganesan Tasnim Mushannen Karen Maria John studying at the WCM-Q has shown her diff erent aspects of a career in medicine that being a physician is much more that I will carry with me in the future,” aff ordable, quality healthcare,” Almo- Imran looks forward to serving the tials, and the support we have received community service, tutoring, research, than just being a clinician. she said. “I will be completing a year of hannadi added. community in Qatar. allowed us to achieve goals beyond and more,” she highlighted. “These ex- “Academia and research are two im- internal medicine training in New York Mariam Imran, another graduate, “Giving back to the country that has what we thought we were capable of,” periences have helped me shape my fu- portant aspects of the medical fi eld that and will apply for anaesthesiology resi- felt that the WCM-Q provided her with given me so much, and working as a fu- she said. ture goals.” I knew little about, and the WCM-Q dency.” many opportunities. ture internist, I hope to continue learn- Ganesan aims to pursue a career in Mushannen is planning to take up has broadened my knowledge about She also noted that the current pan- “The education and experiences ing through my patients, colleagues emergency medicine at Hamad Medical adult neurology residency training at them,” she said. “Furthermore, my in- demic highlighted “how connected our have shaped my clinical skills and al- and research,” she added. Corporation. Duke University. volvement in research from the early world is, and how important public lowed me to become the best version of As for Gowrii Saswathy Ganesan, According to Tasnim Mushannen, Basel A M Humos felt that the years has laid a foundation, and I am and global healthcare for the collective myself,” she said. “I was able to explore the WCM-Q has been a pillar of sup- the WCM-Q has given her an incredible WCM-Q is an institution that paves the hoping to pursue research as part of my health of the world”. a variety of aspects of medicine which port and strength. education. path to success. career in the future.” “The work is not completed until enabled me to fi nd my passion: Internal “The educational opportunities al- “The university has provided me “From my very fi rst day until my John aims to do post-graduate train- every human on this earth has access to Medicine.” lowed us to explore a plethora of poten- many opportunities to be involved in graduation, I had the pleasure to meet ing in internal medicine in the US. WCM-Q’s Class of 2021 graduate in virtual ceremony

By Joseph Varghese the spread of the coronavirus has Most of the members of the Staff Reporter been a source of inspiration to all WCM-Q’s Class of 2021. of us at the WCM-Q. “I am grateful to each and eve- Right: Dr Sheikh addressing the ith a call from the dean ry one of you for stepping up to gathering. of the college, “to this challenge, to my colleagues Wmaximise the ability to in the faculty and on the staff at Left: The Class of 2021 at the heal others”, Weill Cornell Medi- the WCM-Q, and to the wider virtual event. cine – Qatar (WCM-Q) celebrat- Education City community, for ed the graduation of the Class of providing essential support in Below: Dr Augustine Choi 2021 at a virtual ceremony with very trying conditions.” 41 new doctors, bringing to 463 He added: “Many of you will the total number of physicians be called upon to help those af- from the institution, since its in- fl icted by Covid-19 and other in- ception in 2001. fectious diseases, to deal with as US President Joe Biden’s chief yet unforeseen healthcare emer- medical adviser for the corona- gencies, and to fi nd new reserves virus (Covid-19) and director of strength to meet the challeng- of the National Institute of Al- es you will encounter.” lergy and Infectious Diseases at “I think I speak for everyone the National Institutes of Health here when I wish you all the very (NIH), Dr Anthony Fauci, was the best as you go forwards from here keynote speaker. to embrace these challenges,” Dr the Minister of Public Health Dr Canada, and the US. medical Education and Professor The graduation ceremony also “As graduates of Weill Cornell The students of the Class of Sheikh said. Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari for Student speakers on the oc- of Chemistry. heard from Dr Augustine Choi, Medicine – Qatar, you have the 2021 recited the Hippocratic The WCM-Q dean thanked their ambition, vision, and lead- casion were Raihan El-Naas and Alongside Dr Sheikh for the dean of Weill Cornell Medicine tools to make a diff erence wher- Oath and were presented with His Highness the Amir Sheikh ership. Lolwa al-Theyab. presentation of candidates and in New York, who said: “There ever you choose to focus your their MD degrees by WCM-Q Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qa- The WCM-Q Class of 2021 The Holy Qur’an recitation was conferment of the MD degree are so many opportunities for energies.” dean Dr Javaid Sheikh. tar Foundation (QF) Chairperson comprises 30 women and 11 men, given by Class of 2021 graduate was Dr Thurayya Arayssi, pro- you to make an impact – in Qatar, “I wish you all the best on the Dr Sheikh told the graduates: Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint hailing from 13 countries: Qatar, Abdulaziz Nasser al-Abdulghani. fessor of Clinical Medicine and in your countries of origin, and journey ahead and look forward “Your dedication to your stud- Nasser, Vice-chairperson and Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, The role of university mar- senior associate dean for Medical around the world.” to hearing about all that you will ies and your commitment to the chief executive HE Sheikha Hind Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, shal was performed by Dr James Education and Continuing Pro- “This past year has shown us achieve as Weill Cornell alumni,” measures put in place to limit bint Hamad al-Thani, and HE South Korea, Egypt, Singapore, Roach, associate dean for Pre- fessional Development. that health is precious,” he said. he added.

Unified online platform for workers’ complaints soon Qatar 2022 stadiums excel in From Page 1 Al-Fadhli indicated that the platform sup- waste management practices ports both Arabic and English languages, with the translation of user guides and the most common questions into 10 other languages, From Page 1 waste management practices and a link will be added to the ministry’s web- by ensuring proper waste seg- site to allow access to the platform from a The SC’s sustainability direc- regation, sorting and storing: communication device connected to the In- tor, engineer Bodour al-Meer, through facilities available on- ternet. said: “Minimising waste and in- site, and by outsourcing author- She pointed out that the submission of a creasing recycling is a key stra- ised licenced waste subcon- complaint is done through an identity card or tegic objective of the Qatar 2022 tractors to handle and transfer entry visa with a mobile number or national Sustainability Strategy and we diff erent types of recyclable authentication and choosing the type of com- are proud of our achievements wastes from construction sites plaint. in this area.” to their correct destinations. If the complaint is a public report, the per- “This report on waste man- The report estimates the son can log in with the mobile phone number, agement serves to document amount of waste generated at adding that the offi cial complaint can be fol- some of our best practices and each site, with the data assisting lowed up with the competent department. share what we have learned so in planning the required setup As for the report, the ministry will send in- that other construction sites for waste management and re- spectors to verify its authenticity and take le- can be operated in similar ways duction. gal measures regarding violators of the labour and ideally achieve even higher Some of these calculations law without referring to the sender or inform- rates of recycling,” she added. include the generated waste per ing them of the outcome. – QNA The Al Janoub Stadium. (File picture) Gord founding chairman Dr gross fl oor area, daily gener- Yousef Alhorr said: “All World ated food waste per worker and Cup projects in Qatar have percentage of diff erent waste adopted unconventional meas- Gord founding chairman streams. ures to manage site waste and Dr Yousef Alhorr. The report also outlines the Qatar Customs limit their carbon footprint various challenges of waste during the construction phase. from landfi ll but also cuts down management in relation to ma- authority “Guided by the GSAS frame- the cost of new materials re- jor construction projects, in- work, we have documented quired for future use.” cluding the requirement to al- launches these best construction waste The report follows the princi- locate ample space, labour and management practices. ples of the circular economy by machinery to the project. new system “Through this report, we outlining best practices linked In addition, the report out- hope to benefi t and support the with reducing, reusing and re- lines the importance of aware- The General Authority of Customs entire construction community cycling. ness programmes and imple- (GAC) has launched a new system in its quest towards developing a Starting with waste segrega- menting waste documentation that enables customers to add all sustainably built environment.” tion, the document guides pro- tracking systems. categories of imported currencies to Alhorr continued: “Embrac- fessionals through a hierarchy This is the latest report pub- their customs declaration to facilitate ing green practices on-site of various steps and aspects of lished by the SC and Gord. obtaining accurate information. presents a range of opportuni- the waste management cycle The two organisations previ- This is in addition to the ability to ties beyond the obvious benefi t with fi eld evidence collected ously teamed up to produce the download currency information of preserving our ecosystem. from their implementation on Dust Management Best Practic- categories via an Excel (*.xls or *.xlsx) “Reusing and recycling con- stadium sites. es for Construction Sites report, file, the GAC added in a tweet. struction materials, for in- Qatar 2022 stadiums have which also focused on Qatar stance, not only diverts waste implemented world-class 2022 stadiums.