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Al Khaliji Al Naama scores net pips Gtnah profi t of in Umm Bab QR544mn Cup thriller

published in QATAR since 1978

FRIDAY Vol. XXXXI No. 11710 October 23, 2020 Rabia I 6, 1442 AH

GULF TIMES www. gulf-times.com 2 Riyals

In brief PM visits S’hail 2020 exhibition Flu vaccine Infantino rules out holding Qatar World Cup without fans FIFA President Gianni Infantino safe and need yesterday ruled out hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar without fans. The competition will take place in winter for the first time-ever from November 21 to December 18. Infantino told journalists of the hour: in Zurich that there will be enough time by the end of 2022 to contain the coronavirus pandemic. He noted that while the health crisis represents a threat to football now, it should be top offi cial contained by the time the World Cup arrives. he fl u virus can cause severe “We have also begun offering the Registration for illness for some people, espe- vaccine to the public, and especially winter camping Tcially those at increased risk to those aged 50 years or above, for developing infl uenza-related children from six months to five reopens on Sunday complications, Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, years of age, people with chronic The Ministry of Municipality and head of the Infectious Diseases Divi- diseases, and pregnant women at Environment (MME) has announced sion at Hamad Medical Corporation all stages of pregnancy,” Dr al-Khal that it will reopen registration for (HMC), cautioned yesterday. added. winter camping in some areas at 9am In a series of tweets, aimed at dis- Launching vaccination cam- on Sunday (October 25). Applications pelling doubts, the Ministry of Public paign earlier this week, the offi cial are to be submitted through the MME Health’s top offi cial said the fl u vac- had explained that Qatar has a stock website’s or Aoun application. The cine was safe. of about 500,000 doses this year registration will be for camping sites HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani yesterday visited the “Reported side eff ects can include against 200,000 last year. at Abu Dhalouf-Al Zubarah, Al Khuraij International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2020), at Al Hikma Square at the Cultural Village Foundation – Katara. He slight pain at the in- “This year it is all the South-Abu Samra, Sealine, Al Udeid, toured the various pavilions, where he was briefed on weapons, hunting supplies, excursions and shooting sports presented jection site and a low- more important to take Zekreet, Oshairij-Umm Al Maa, Al by specialised local, Arab and international companies. The prime minister was also briefed on the activities and artworks grade fever, but these the fl u shot due to the Shamal-Al Ghashamiya, Al Mazrouah- related to hunting sport. Page 12 side eff ects are only prevailing Covid-19 Umm Al Afae-Al Hashm, Rawdat reported in a small per- situation,” Dr al-Khal, Rashed-Rawdat Aisha, Al Naqyan-Al centage of people who who is also chair of the Kharara, Al Otouryah-Al Saneah-Al get the vaccine,” he National Health Stra- Rees West, Al Reem Reserve and Al said. tegic Group on Cov- Khor-Al Waab-Imgaitna, according to a Qatar launched the id-19, said. notification published by the MME on annual seasonal fl u “While flu and Cov- social media yesterday. Sheikha Moza: Make digital vaccination campaign id-19 are two different on Tuesday for citizens viruses, it is impor- and residents. The vac- Dr al-Khal: ‘Important to tant to ensure you are Qatar records 127,328 cine is given free. protect against seasonal flu’ protected against the Covid-19 recoveries learning an inclusive right “It is important to seasonal flu this year. Qatar yesterday reported 252 new highlight that the fl u virus that will Getting a flu shot this year is more confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last be spreading this winter is diff erent important than ever because of 24 hours, of which 225 were community QNA forward. Let us seize this moment from the fl u virus that circulated last Covid-19. The flu vaccine may not cases and 27 were travellers returning Doha to build a new future - a future that winter,” he said. protect you against Covid-19, but it from abroad. There were also three new leaves no one without access to digital “The seasonal infl uenza vaccine is will reduce your risk of developing deaths, the Ministry of Public Health learning behind.” currently available in Qatar and is the the flu and flu-related complica- said in a statement. The ministry also er Highness Sheikha Moza The high-level event featured same vaccine we import every year tions, and reduce the possibility of recorded 235 recoveries during the same bint Nasser, Chairperson of speeches from Ghana’s President from prestigious companies such as getting infected with both the flu period, bringing the total number of HEducation Above All Founda- Nana Akufo-Addo, United Nations Abbott and Sanofi ,” Dr al-Khal said. and Covid-19 viruses at the same recoveries to 127,328. All new cases have tion (EAA) and UN Sustainable De- Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “We have been providing the in- time. It also helps not to get con- been placed in isolation the statement velopment Goals Advocate, yesterday Norwegian Prime Minister Erna fl uenza vaccine for many years and fused with Covid-19 symptoms,” Dr added. Page 3 called for cross-sector collaboration Solberg, Unesco Director-General we have had a positive experience al-Khal explained. to ensure equity in digital learning for Audrey Azoulay, UK Minister for For- with these companies. Moreover, this The campaign, a joint initiative of children across the globe, especially eign Aff airs and Development Baron- vaccine is used by many countries MoPH, PHCC and HMC, runs until Iran, Russia ‘tried to those marginalised. ess Sugg, Unesco Assistant Direc- around the world, including the US February. meddle’ in US election Speaking at an extraordinary ses- tor-General for Education Stefania and EU countries. “But it is important that people get Senior US intelligence off icials have sion on Education Post-Covid-19 of Giannini, and UN Secretary-Gener- “Since the beginning of October, the fl u shot at the earliest possible as accused both Russia and Iran of the Global Education Meeting (2020 al’s Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wick- we have vaccinated more than 20,000 the fl u situation can be more serious trying to interfere with the 2020 GEM), co-hosted by the governments ramanayake among others. people, most of them are healthcare in the months of December and Janu- presidential election, drawing swift of Ghana, Norway, the United Kingdom Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser In response to the unprecedented workers at Hamad Medical Corpo- ary. Therefore it is advisable to take denials from Moscow and Tehran. and Unesco, Her Highness Sheikha global social and economic crisis ration and the Primary Health Care the fl u shot at the earliest,” he added. The announcement two weeks before Moza highlighted the central necessity learners can proceed at their own pace caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Corporation (PHCC). Page 3 the November 3 election showed the of digital connectivity in education to and educators can adapt to learners’ session brought together the expertise level of alarm among top US off icials counter the unjust digital divide. specifi c needs and circumstances, of the UN system and education part- that foreign actors were seeking to “We must rise to the challenge and without disruption.” ners to agree on a set of global priority Palestinians sue Britain for Balfour Declaration undermine Americans’ confidence in democratise digital learning, human- Sheikha Moza also noted that Cov- actions to be put in place by the end of the integrity of the vote and spread ise technology and customise cur- id-19 has shown how creative the 2021 for the recovery and strengthen- Palestinian lawyers yesterday the then British foreign secretary misinformation in an attempt to sway riculum. We must unite across diff er- human mind can be when it is faced ing of education systems worldwide. filed a complaint to sue the British Arthur James Balfour, is seen as a its outcome. ent sectors to make digital learning an with existential challenges that are In fact, recent studies show an government for the 1917 declaration precursor to Israel’s creation in 1948. inclusive right for the most margin- inspiring education solutions across alarming magnitude of Covid-19 im- setting out London’s support for a “The British mandate is at the root alised children and youth across the the globe, and called on companies to pact on education budgets as well as national home for the Jewish people of the suff ering of the Palestinian globe,” she said. invest in these ideas. strong evidence that early and sus- in Palestine. people and has paved the way for COMMUNITY “We also cannot return to the tra- “I ask tech companies to step up tained investment in education will The lawyers filed a complaint in the the violation of their rights and ditional mode of education, measured and contribute to closing the dig- reduce long-term costs for achieving occupied West Bank town of Nablus the plunder of their land,” Munib by the quantity of knowledge ‘de- ital gap by directing their eff orts to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that claimed “the suff ering of the al-Masri, head of the Federation of See Pages posited’ into the minds of students. scale up these innovative, grassroots 4 on education and increase both so- Palestinians” stemmed from this Independent and Democratic Trade We need to develop technologies that solutions. Collaboration across sec- cial and private returns to achieving document. Unions, told a news conference in 4,5 & 6 support personalised learning, so tors and innovation is the only way other SDGs. The Balfour Declaration, signed by Ramallah. Hariri named new Lebanon PM, vows reform cabinet

AFP to help rescue the debt-ridden country backed by a majority of 65 lawmakers, Beirut from crisis. while 53 abstained from naming anyone Hariri said he would “form a cabinet during consultations with the presi- of non politically aligned experts with dent. hree-time Lebanese prime min- the mission of economic, fi nancial and The parliamentary bloc of the Hez- ister Saad Hariri was renamed administrative reforms contained in bollah did not give the president a name Tto the post yesterday to create a the French initiative roadmap”. of a preferred candidate, but its main reform-orientated cabinet that can lift “I will work on forming a govern- ally the Amal Movement supported the country out of its worst economic ment quickly because time is running Hariri’s nomination. crisis in decades. out,” he said, calling it the country’s The UN envoy to Lebanon Jan Kubis Hariri, 50, made his comeback to “only and last chance”. said the onus was once again on politi- take on the diffi cult task almost a year He was set to start consulting the cal parties to back change. after stepping down under pressure country’s various parliamentary blocs “It is the traditional political forces from an unprecedented protest move- from today, the parliament said. that have again put on themselves to ment demanding a complete overhaul Cabinet formation is often a drawn- choose the way forward, regardless (of) of Lebanon’s political system. out process in Lebanon, where a com- their numerous failures in the past and The country is under huge interna- Hariri talks to the media after being plex governing system seeks to main- deep scepticism about the future,” he tional pressure to form a crisis cabinet named Lebanon’s new prime minister tain a precarious balance between its wrote on Twitter. of independents to address a plummet- at the presidential palace in Baabda various political and religious commu- There was no immediate reaction ing economy made worse by the coro- yesterday. nities. in the streets from the protest move- navirus pandemic and the devastating Hariri himself took eight months to ment, which had however long said it blast at the Beirut port on August 4. mier vowed to form a cabinet of ex- hammer out his last cabinet after 2018 did want the return of the political old Supporters of Saad Hariri’s Future Movement Party wave the party flag and the Immediately after President Michel perts, in line with conditions set by parliamentary elections. guard it accuses of ineptitude and cor- national flag during a parade to celebrate after he was tasked with forming a new Aoun named him, the returning pre- French President Emmanuel Macron His nomination yesterday was ruption. government, in Lebanon’s southern city of Sidon yesterday. Gulf Times 2 Friday, October 23, 2020 QATAR

Co-Prince of Monaco FM meets Qatar envoy Andorra receives credentials of Qatar envoy

EAA, partners French President and Co-Prince of Andorra Emmanuel Macron received the credentials of ambassador of Qatar (non- resident) to the Principality of Andorra Abdullah bin Ibrahim al-Hamar. The ambassador call for urgent conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to President Macron, and his wishes to the government and people of Andorra continued progress and prosperity. For his part, investment in President Macron entrusted the ambassador to convey his greetings and wishes to His Highness the Amir, and to Qatar constant progress and prosperity. President Macron wished the ambassador success in his duties, education assuring him of providing all support to promote the bilateral n unprecedented global executive director Dr Mary Joy could turn into a catastrophe relations. coalition of organisations Pigozzi said in a press statement from which millions of children Ahas called for urgent in- issued by Education Above All may never recover. The Save Our Indian embassy vestment in education to prevent (EAA) Foundation yesterday. Future white paper calls on gov- a generational catastrophe. Ninety per cent of students in ernments and the international to hold online Launching a joint white paper all countries and continents – community to commit to ensure Open House at the Global Education Meet- 1.6bn children and youth – had they protect education budgets ing hosted by Unesco, the Save their education disrupted due to and target budgets to those left Ambassador of India will hold an Our Future campaign – a move- the pandemic. furthest behind, fully fi nance ed- online Open House on October ment of the biggest education “Never before have so many ucation as a key part of the Covid 28 from 3pm to listen/redress multilaterals in partnership with children missed out on school. recovery, improve co-ordination, any urgent labour and consular over 600 civil society organisa- This is the greatest disruption and use of evidence to ensure ed- issues of Indian nationals in tions, research organisations, of education systems in history. ucation funding achieves maxi- Minister of Foreign Aff airs of the Principality of Monaco Laurent Anselmi met with non-resident Qatar. Indian nationals who foundations, media, youth and With the catalytic impact edu- mum impact. ambassador of Qatar to the Principality of Monaco Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani. During the want to participate may register infl uencers – put forward an cation has across health, jobs, In addition, governments meeting, they reviewed the bilateral co-operation relations between the two countries, in addition themselves by sending e-mail evidence-based roadmap with income growth, climate change, should also prioritise reopening to issues of common concern. to [email protected], the concrete recommendations for poverty reduction and social schools, resume delivering vital embassy said in a statement. governments to build education justice, the next generation fac- services such as health and nutri- systems back better for post- es devastating consequences if tion to children, and protect and coronavirus (Covid-19) recovery. education emergency will not be treat the education workforce “We have learned from past addressed,” the statement noted. as frontline workers, Transform crises that children at high- Despite the dire and known education – making it more in- est risk who are missing out on social and economic impacts clusive, engaging, and adaptive education may never return to of this fast-growing education so that it can act as the engine MoPH explains exhibitions, the classroom. We cannot allow emergency, there is imminent of sustainable development that this to happen as a result of the risk that governments will depri- we desperately need, Strengthen pandemic. As we build back, we oritise investments in education the education workforce so that must view educators as among as they make short-term fi scal teachers and other professionals the fi rst responders and focus fi - responses to the pandemic. are equipped to enable learning events approval procedures nancing on the children who are This means that low- and and well-being for all children, being left the furthest behind. lower-middle-income countries Focus education technology Let’s enable a better future for all could face an annual fi nancing where it is proven to be eff ective he Ministry of Public are requested to seek approval commitment to adhere to the international sports events and by ensuring equity and inclusion gap of about $200bn. If govern- and most equitable and avoid the Health (MoPH) has ex- from the ministry to hold any precautionary measures pub- competitions, as well as inter- through the provision of qual- ments and development partners risk that technology continues to Tplained the procedures such event by submitting an ap- lished by the MoPH. The appli- national conferences, exhibition ity education,” Educate A Child do not act urgently, this crisis exacerbate inequality. for obtaining approval for hold- plication form with details such cation form can be downloaded and cultural events, were allowed ing exhibitions, conferences and as information on the venue and from the ministry’s website via to resume from October 1 subject cultural and sports events. The participants, the announcement this link: to adherence to the strict pre- MoPH published an announce- states. https://www.moph.gov. cautionary measures published ment in this regard through its This approval is in addition to qa/Admin/Lists/Announce- by the MoPH. social media channels and web- any other necessary approvals mentsDocumentsAnd-Forms/ This followed the resumption Customs arrests passenger site yesterday. required from other authorities. Attachments/4/FORM%20ENG. of local events, which was an- In addition to following the As part of the application, organ- pdf nounced as part of the launch of precautionary measures stipu- isers are also requested to sign As part of the gradual lifting of Phase 4 of the gradual lifting of with illegal drugs at HIA lated by the MoPH, organisers a declaration confi rming their Covid-19 restrictions in Qatar, restrictions on September 1. Legal action taken against cleanliness violation Doha Declaration web story he Air Cargo Customs has arrested a passenger at Hamad International goes down the memory lane TAirport (HIA) with ‘Shabu’, a banned During the periodic inspection drug used in some parts of Asia. This was rounds, the General Control Section The Doha Declaration Global Programme informed by the General Authority of Cus- of the Municipal Control Department published the web story on its website and its toms (GAC) through its social media ac- at Al Daayen Municipality initiated social media accounts. The web story concerns counts. legal action against a truck for a side events that took place on the margins of the The passenger was taken into custody public cleanliness violation. Conference of the Parties to the United Nations after the substance was found to be hidden The off icials found that the material Convention against Transnational Organized inside his clothes. It weighed around 14gm. being transported leaking onto the Crime (UNTOC), within the framework of the One person was arrested with banned road from the truck. Also noted was Global Programme for the Implementation of drugs on October 15 while banned narcotic the truck driver’s failure to use the the Doha Declaration, entitled ‘20 years after the substances weighing 1,500kg were seized on protection cover tightly, causing the signing of UNTOC, crime prevention remains a October 8. These substances were found to leak. multidimensional endeavour’. Qatar hosted the be hidden inside the consignments of hair A statement by the Ministry of 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention in 2015, care products. Municipality and Environment in which the Doha Declaration was adopted that The customs seized 27kg ‘tambaku’ in said that this is a violation of the includes an action plan for the international September and they were found hidden in- provisions of the Public Hygiene community during the next five years in the field side a consignment of various foodstuff s. Law. Legal measures have been of crime prevention and criminal justice. Qatar In September second week, the Air Cargo taken in this regard. has funded a global programme to implement the Customs offi cials seized 34,990 banned Al Daayen Municipality has urged recommendations of the Doha Declaration with Captagon pills that were being smuggled to all transportation companies and more than $49mn implemented by the United Qatar concealed in a consignment of small those implementing infrastructure Nations Off ice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). tables. In July, offi cials foiled attempts to projects to adhere to Law No. 18 of The global programme covered the areas of smuggle four packs of crystal meth (Meth- 2017 regarding public cleanliness The off icials found that the material being judicial integrity, education for justice, youth amphetamine) weighing 734gm. The seizure to ensure that the streets are kept transported leaking onto the road from the protection from crime through sport, and prisoner was eff ected by the Cargo customs at HIA. The banned drug ‘Shabu’ seized at HIA. clean. truck. rehabilitation.

Gulf crisis could be resolved in future but solution will be gradual: AlKhater

QNA the extent to which that country intervention”, “political fl exibili- forts, which was highly appreci- Doha has benefi ted from history to cre- ty”, and “prompt direction toward ated worldwide. In response to a ate a prosperous future, as well as alternative supply chains”, and question about whether there is the areas in which that country most importantly, strengthening an end to the Gulf crisis in the fu- he Middle East Institute can co-operate in and the mecha- unity and solidarity on the do- ture, HE AlKhater assured that it of the National University nisms to achieve this, inferring mestic front, and the realistic and could be, but it will take time, and Tof Singapore (NUS) hosted the vital and important role car- rational approaches have proven that the solution will be gradual. HE Assistant Foreign Minister ried out by Qatar Airways dur- to be more eff ective in the long Commenting on a question about and Spokesperson for the Minis- ing the coronavirus (Covid-19) term. the recent agreements signed try of Foreign Aff airs Lolwah bint pandemic, which received appre- HE AlKhater affi rmed that between some Arab countries Rashid AlKhater in the annual ciation and praise from various Qatar has completely succeeded and Israel, HE AlKhater stressed ‘2020 S R Nathan Distinguished countries around the world. in managing this fi le. Once the that the Palestinian issue must Lecture’ event, which hosts an HE AlKhater highlighted the immediate challenges were ad- be viewed in its historical depth, elite of academics, experts, spe- ability of the State of Qatar to face HE Lolwah bint Rashid AlKhater addresses the annual 2020 S R Nathan Distinguished Lecture. dressed, Qatar resorted to the in- therefore peace can only be based cialists and diplomats. challenges, citing the progress ternational law to obtain its rights on a just and sustainable solution, HE AlKhater gave an online and prosperity that Qatar has transformation into a world more able successes in self-reliance, in huge global projects, some of and prove the fairness of its posi- and no solution or peace can ex- lecture entitled ‘Small States in a achieved despite the ongoing un- interconnected than ever before. foiling all plans that targeted the which are located in the blockad- tion. In the long term, Qatar has clude the Palestinians. Contested Era: A Qatari Perspec- just blockade imposed on it for Despite this fact, there is a lot nation and overcoming the dif- ing countries, such as the project focused on diversifying resources On the United States’ elec- tive’, which shed light on many more than three years, stressing of division in an unprecedented fi culties caused by the blockade. in Egypt which was operational and bilateral relations, and pro- tions and the impact of the next regional and international issues, the pioneering role of Qatar in the way, and this division leads to a She noted the well-deserved suc- in 2019, and it continues to sup- moting important and vital areas US president on the US policy the challenges facing the small international arena, whether in state of chaos. She added that the cesses which Qatar has achieved ply the UAE with LNG despite the such as food security. in the Middle East, HE AlKhater states in a multipolar world and the political or economic fi elds, challenges facing the small coun- in dealing with the repercussions diff erences, based on the strate- She highlighted the vital role said that Qatar has continuously the extent of their ability to pros- as one of the largest exporters of try are diff erent, although there of the blockade, pointing out that gic position Doha adopts on de- of Qatar in all crises, includ- worked to reduce polarisation in per and progress amidst issues of liquefi ed natural gas in the world, are commonalities, indicating Qatar’s gross domestic product politicising energy, gas supplies ing the coronavirus pandemic, the region, and will continue to development, globalisation, se- as well as the active role it plays in that climate change and natural (GDP) increased in 2017 after the and energy projects. where Qatar Airways remained push this message to all govern- curity and pluralism, while pre- mediating regional and interna- disasters are a common concern blockade, and it is constantly in- The assistant foreign minister operational during the pandemic ments in friendly countries. She serving independence and iden- tional confl icts. for all countries of the world. creasing. said that some believed that Qa- in transporting people and goods, stressed that it is important for tity in the face of external threats. At the outset of her lecture, HE HE AlKhater highlighted the HE AlKhater said that Qatar is tar would surrender within weeks and transporting relief, medi- the Gulf states to have unifi ed and The assistant foreign minis- AlKhater said that the world has experience of the State of Qatar a major contributor to the glo- of the blockade, which did not cal and humanitarian aid to the consistent positions towards is- ter touched on the eff ective tools entered a new era of structural in facing the unjust blockade im- bal energy market, specifi cally happen. The steps undertaken by brotherly and friendly countries; sues related to the Gulf security that a small country may possess changes, by moving from bipo- posed on it, and how Doha suc- through the supply of LNG to all Qatar were distinct, and the fi rst therefore, it is considered the and coexistence, independent of to be able to fi nd its way through larity to multipolarity, pointing ceeded in dealing with it since parts of the world. She indicated three decisive steps which Qatar most prominent international any changes occurring outside and determine its position, and to the role of technology in the June 2017, referring to the remark- that Qatar Petroleum is partaking took were “preventing military company that made such ef- the region. Gulf Times Friday, October 23, 2020 3 QATAR

Panel highlights Qatar’s successful MoPH publishes implementation of labour reforms

By Shafeeq Alingal Staff Reporter

panel discussion high- Covid-19 ‘Green lighted the achieve- Aments secured by Qatar in implementing labour reforms, thereby protecting the workers and ensuring their rights. The discussion was organised by the Canadian embassy. Join- List’ of countries ing the discussion, Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly, Assistant he Ministry of Public Europe: 1. Hungary; 2. Fin- and 11. Taiwan al should visit one of the Primary Undersecretary for Labour Af- Health (MoPH) has an- land; 3. Latvia; 4. Estonia; 5. Americas: 1. Cuba; 2. Cana- Health Care Corporation health fairs at the Ministry of Admin- Tnounced a new Covid-19 Norway; 6. Italy; 7. Lithuania; da, 3. Uruguay and 4. Mexico centres to re-test for Covid-19. istrative Development, Labour ‘Green List’ of low-risk coun- 8. Greece; 9. Slovakia; 10. Ire- Africa: 1. Algeria and 2. Mo- If the test result is positive, the and Social Aff airs (MADLSA) tries, which came into eff ect yes- land; 11. Germany; 12. Slovenia; rocco individual is isolated and his/ said Qatar is the fi rst country in terday. 13. Denmark; 14. Cyprus; 15. the Oceania: 1. New Zealand and her health status on Ehteraz will the Gulf Co-operation Council The panel discussion in progress. “As the State of Qatar con- United Kingdom; 16. Poland; 17. 2. Australia. change to ‘Red’. If it is negative, (GCC) that implemented a slew tinues to implement its travel Austria; 18. the Netherlands; 19. Travellers returning from low- then the quarantine period is of non-discriminatory laws and “The ministry is carrying follow the WPS system. We have and return policy, the Covid-19 Iceland; 20. France; 21. Croatia; risk countries must have a Cov- completed by the end of the sev- reforms including the introduc- out programmes in tandem a system that helps us detect the ‘Green List’ has been updated to 22. Switzerland; 23. Belgium; 24. id-19 test upon arrival at Hamad enth day and the health status on tion of a minimum wage system with various competent violators,” he said. include the following countries Portugal; 25. Sweden; 26. Bul- International Airport and sign a Ehteraz will change to ‘Green’. and abolition of the ‘No Objec- authorities to raise Regarding human traffi cking based on public health indicators garia; 27. Malta; 28. Romania; 29. home quarantine undertaking to The Covid-19 ‘Green List’ will tion Certifi cate’ (NOC) for job awareness among workers and absconding, al-Obaidly said in Qatar and around the world, Russia and 30. Serbia comply with the home quaran- be published on the MoPH web- change. and companies about the measures are in place to bring eff ective on Thursday, 22 Octo- Asia: 1. Brunei Darussalam; 2. tine procedure for a week. Their site and announced by the Civil “We would like to move to- law and the reforms” an end to exploitation. “Some ber. The list will be reviewed and Thailand; 3. China, Hong Kong health status on the Ehteraz ap- Aviation Authority. The list will wards becoming a better place persons have engaged in human updated regularly,” the MoPH SAR - China and Macau SAR - plication will be ‘Yellow’, indicat- be reviewed and updated regu- and supporting workers. The sition into a new era. “We have traffi cking. Measures are in place said on its website. China; 4. Vietnam; 5. Malaysia; ing that the individual is under larly based on public health in- main objective of our plans is now moved into a more competi- to prevent human traffi cking and The list includes the following 6. South Korea; 7. Japan; 8. Tur- quarantine. dicators in Qatar and around the to ensure the protection of our tive market and this will benefi t ensure action against the law- countries: key; 9. Maldives; 10. Singapore On the sixth day, the individu- world. workers. This could be achieved companies and result in the mo- breakers,” he said. through co-operation with in- bility of workers. He said the ministry is carry- ternational organisations like In- An unprecedented eff ort is ing out programmes in tandem ternational Labour Organisation taken to ensure a discrimination- with various competent authori- (ILO), trade unions and other free working environment for all. ties to raise awareness among countries,” al-Obaidly noted. We hope that we will receive the workers and companies about 1,400 days behind bars and counting He added that MADLSA con- support of the private sector,” he the law and the reforms. tinues to work to improve “our said, thanking Qatar Chamber “We inform companies how to legislation with its main ob- for its support to the ministry. implement the reforms and the jective of ensuring a safe work He added that MADLSA will law,” he explained, adding that for Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Hussein environment in Qatar and at- support such companies that MADLSA has started the clas- tract more migrant labour force support the ministry and im- sifi cation of companies based on and international investment”. plement the reforms. “We will their implementation of labour riday marks the 1400th leasing our colleague Mahmoud “These are carried out as part of collaborate with them to extend laws and reforms. day that Al Jazeera jour- on the two-year mark and only the country’s commitment and services for the employees.” The discussion was also at- Fnalist Mahmoud Hussein to re-arrest him on an additional eff orts to ensure human and la- He said there are a few compa- tended by Stefanie McCollum, has been in prison under arbi- fi ctitious charge,” the statement bour rights,” he said. nies that do not follow the Wage ambassador of Canada to Qatar trary and illegal detention by the noted. “Al Jazeera condemns the The offi cial said that removal Protection System. “This is not and ambassador Greta C Holtz, Egyptian authorities, without unlawful detention and refutes of NOC and introducing mini- acceptable. Measures will be tak- Chargé d’Aff aires at the US em- trial or conviction. He was de- all charges against Mahmoud, mum wages were Qatar’s tran- en against companies that don’t bassy in Qatar. tained on December 23, 2016, and calls on the international while on vacation with his family. community, media professionals Commenting on Hussein’s and human rights advocates to incarceration, Al Jazeera Media raise awareness and demand the Network acting director-general immediate release of Mahmoud Dr Mostefa Souag said: “Mah- Hussein and all other journalists moud’s detention, which is in imprisoned around the world,” MoPH reports 127,328 grave violation of both Egyptian the network said. and international law, is deplor- the international community to Network has said in a statement. “At Al Jazeera, we stand in able. It must come to an end. pressure Egypt and all govern- Moreover, even under Egyp- solidarity with all our colleagues “With the high risk of trans- ments to reaffi rm the values of tian law, it is supposedly illegal in the media. We demand that no mission of Covid-19 in crowded press freedom.” to hold an individual without journalist should be intimidated, total Covid recoveries prison conditions, we call upon Egypt thus far continues to be charge for more than two years. persecuted or imprisoned for the Egyptian authorities to free “one of the leading violators of “Previously, the Egyptian au- carrying out their duty; journal- all detained journalists and urge press freedom”, Al Jazeera Media thorities eluded the law by re- ism is not a crime.” QNA Doha

he Ministry of Pub- lic Health (MoPH) an- Italian language week underway in Qatar Tnounced yesterday 252 new confi rmed cases of Cov- id-19, in the last 24 hours, of he Week of the Italian The initiative which 225 are from community Language in the World, a is dedicated cases and 27 from travellers re- Tyearly initiative promoted turning from abroad. worldwide by the Italian Minis- this year to the The ministry also recorded 235 try of Foreign Aff airs, has been recoveries in the last 24 hours, underway in Qatar from October theme ‘Italian bringing the total number of re- 19 with a rich programme of on- between Word and coveries to 127,328. In addition, line activities and social media the Ministry announces three campaigns. Image: Graff iti, new deaths, aged 78-73-81, who “I am very pleased that the Illustrations, were receiving the necessary Italian embassy has found a medical care. new way to celebrate the Italian Comic Books’, All new cases have been intro- language Week through online aimed at exploring duced to isolation and are receiv- platforms and social networks, ing necessary healthcare accord- proving its commitment to con- the strong ing to their health status. tinuing cultural promotion ac- connection Measures to tackle Covid-19 tivities in Qatar, considering that in Qatar have succeeded in fl at- the situation allows limited pub- Italian ambassador Alessandro Prunas between language tening the curve and limiting lic events and gatherings,” Italian and these the spread of the virus and the ambassador Alessandro Prunas number of new daily cases and said in a press statement. forms of art hospital admissions is continu- Under the patronage of the ing to decline each week. President of Italy – who vis- organisation promoting Ital- Qatar’s proactive and exten- ited Qatar in January 2020 – the ian culture and language around sive testing of suspected cases Week of the Italian Language in the world – to organise and off er has enabled the authorities to the World, has represented in the free online classes of Italian to a identify a high number of posi- „ Protecting the elderly Now more than ever, we must last two decades the main con- selected group of students, re- tive cases in the community. and those with chronic diseases. be careful and protect the most tainer for events dedicated to the searchers and faculties at Qatar Qatar has one of the lowest Cov- Even though restrictions are be- vulnerable. Anyone suff ering dissemination of the Italian lan- University and Hamad Bin Kha- id-19 death rates in the world. ing lifted, and numbers are de- from Covid-19 symptoms should guage and culture abroad. lifa University,” the envoy said. This is a result of: clining, this does not mean that either contact 16000 helpline or The event, which will conclude “These universities have spe- Very high quality of care the Covid-19 pandemic is fi n- go directly to one of the desig- on October 25, has become over cial relations with Italian aca- provided thorough the public ished in Qatar people continue nated health centers to undergo the years a privileged promo- demic institutes through Memo- healthcare sector for Covid-19 to be admitted with moderate to the necessary checks: Muaither, tion channel in terms of number randum of Understanding and patients severe symptoms. Rawdat Al Khail, Umm Slal, or Al of activities simultaneously or- diff erent forms of collaboration „Qatar’s young population Unless we follow all precau- Gharrafa health centers. ganised by the Italian network of to carry out important research „ Proactive testing to iden- tionary measures, we may expe- This is important as the earlier embassies, consulates and cul- projects, so we thought it could tify cases early rience a second wave of the virus the disease is detected the eas- tural institutes. Italian artist Elisabetta Farina’s webcomics. be useful to identify academic „ Expanding hospital ca- and see numbers increasing there ier it will be to receive the right The initiative is dedicated key-fi gures who will benefi t pacity, especially intensive care, are already signs of this happen- treatment and recover from it. this year to the theme ‘Italian counts diff erent social media selves and using easy conversa- from learning Italian for their to ensure all patients receive the ing in other countries around the Visit the MoPH website for regu- between Word and Image: Graf- campaigns to contribute to the tion. She also wanted to highlight activities, while contributing to medical care they need world. lar updates and new information. fi ti, Illustrations, Comic Books’, diff usion of the Italian language, the important role women play in increase the network of contacts aimed at exploring the strong while raising attention on the building cross-cultural bridges, and relations with Italy. The connection between language many talented Italian illustra- encourage social inclusion and participants will connect online and these forms of art. “Illustra- tors and comic book creators who promote diversity,” Prunas said. with a teacher at Dante Alighieri Five people held for violating home quarantine tion can be very helpful in learn- are internationally renowned for “In order to support the dif- Society in Italy, who will make ing a language. It certainly sup- their art. fusion of the language in Qatar, them discover also the Italian QNA approved by health authorities 5- Jabor Fadel Abdullah al- ports comprehension through Special media contents, videos we have established with Hamad culture and art,” Prunas pointed Doha represented in the Ministry of Mahana al-Nuaimi. The desig- the visual representation of and visuals are being shared in Bin Khalifa University-TII’s Lan- out. Public Health, to curb the spread nated authorities called on citi- words, concepts and ideas, order to explain what illustrators guage Centre a collaboration to “We are also glad that this of the Covid-19. zens and residents under home bringing stories to life and in- do, their techniques and the dif- off er during the week a range of year the Italian students at the esignated authorities The fi ve people are currently quarantine to fully commit to creasing engagement. It is indeed ferent industries they can work free classes for kids and adults International School of London yesterday announced being referred to the prosecu- the Ministry of Public Health’s an extraordinary communication for. “We are very proud that the who wants to start to learn the in Qatar have joined the celebra- Dthat it stopped fi ve peo- tion, they are: directive, to ensure their safety tool which can contribute to im- Italian artist Elisabetta Farina, Italian language. tion of the Italian Language Week ple who violated the require- 1- Eissa Abdullah Eissa al- and the safety of others. prove cultural understanding and based in Qatar, has created for The classes, held by an Ital- by participating in a vast array ments of home quarantine that Khuwaitar al-Ajami They added that anyone who connect people,” Prunas said. the Italian embassy exclusive ian teacher, include also cultural of educational activities. The they committed to follow in ac- 2- Saoud Thafer Mohammed violates the quarantine will be On the occasion of the Week webcomics to teach in a simple activities linked to this year’s school has a specifi c language cordance with the procedures Safar al-Qahtani subject to article no 253 of Law of the Italian Language in the and fun way few Italian words. theme,” he added. “We are proud programme to support mother of the health authorities in the 3- Salem Mohammed Mubar- No 11 of 2004, provisions of Law World, the Italian embassy in She created animated GIFs with to have established a very spe- tongue language literacy among country. This came in imple- ak Juhaiwal al-Juhaiwail No 17 of 1990 on communicable Doha is promoting on its Twit- female characters who talk to cial co-operation with the Dante foreign students, including Ital- mentation of the precautionary 4- Abdulhadi Mubarak Hadi diseases, and Law No 17 of 2002 ter, Facebook and Instagram ac- each other introducing them- Alighieri Society – the no-profi t ian,” he added. measures in force in the country, al-Malhan al-Ahbabi on protecting society. Gulf Times 4 Friday, October 23, 2020 COMMUNITY Italian expat gives strays a 2nd Chance Alessandra Picchio started rescuing abandoned dogs in 2010 and recently got associated with 2nd Chance Rescue as a volunteer

By Mudassir Raja Staff Reporter

ove for animals is a passion that demands care, time, Land labour. There is however no dearth of people who passionately love and care for stray or abandoned ani- mals in Qatar. Italian expatriate Alessandra Picchio is one such person who passionately spares her time for the animals in need. She has been associated with the 2nd Chance Rescue, a cen- tre taking care of abandoned or abused dogs. The animal lover during a recent conversation with Gulf Times shared her care for the dogs and why she does it. Alessandra Picchio with the dog she rescued in a paralysed condition and assisted for a year. The dog was later flown to a US sanctuary. Right : Dog walking at 2nd Chance Rescue centre. The 39-year-old Italian has been in Qatar since 2010 and about her start as an animal res- rescuer said that they take overall ration and a pioneer of animal ing care of the animals selfl essly. building some cover areas to then the responsibility for it. started rescuing abandoned or cuer, Alessandra said that she care of animals in need. “At 2nd rescue in the country.” “We are volunteers and what we protect the animals during harsh Shelters are run by common peo- abused dogs soon after she came started rescuing dogs from the Chance Rescue we do provide The rescuer further shared do is totally based on our love weather.” ple and they help as much as they here. streets soon after she arrived in shelter for the abandoned ani- how they take care of the ani- for the animals. The help of the Alessandra fi nds her pas- can. We should also do what we She got associated with the Qatar. “Since 2010, soon after I mals, especially for very critical mals at the centre. “To keep the community is vital for us. The sion for the animals the most can. It should come out of love 2nd Chance Rescue two years came to Qatar, I start rescuing cases (victims of car accidents, shelter alive, we organise dog 2nd Chance includes a group satisfying.“Rescuing and giving with no obligations.” ago to volunteer herself on a big- dogs from the street. paralysed animals or very badly walking on weekends. The shel- of amazing women namely; a second chance to the animals The animal lover often fi nds it ger scale.“I am an animal lover. “I care for them and fi nd for abused one). During our proc- ter has become a wonderful spot Patrizia, Giselle, Lisa, Ramona, is one of the most satisfactory diffi cult to spare time for animals I have a wonderful husband them a loving family. ess, we rescue an animal and get for families, who want to spend Bea and Martinette who work things you can do. and desires to see more and more who always supports me and an “I have to thank a special it checked by a vet. a diff erent weekend. Before the tirelessly to fi nd homes for the “It is like giving life back to a volunteers.“I am trying my best. amazing two-and-a-half year- friend – Dianne Prior – who re- “Thanks to Park View Pet Cent- Covid-19 outbreak, we were also abandoned animals. soul. I would suggest people to Sometimes I struggle but I wish old baby girl. She is already a res- ally encouraged me to do more er for its continuous support. The doing some awareness projects “Some hotels like Westin Ho- be more responsible in rescuing. that more and more people will cuer. and more.” centre off ers us a very professional with nursery and school children. tel, MGallery or Marriot perform Rescuing an animal is not just come forward and help so we do “I have a PhD in international Speaking about her involve- support. The centre is also owned “We were also working with kids their corporate social responsi- taking a picture and posting it on not have to struggle with time. and diplomatic science with in- ment with the centre that was by Abdulla al-Naemi. who have disabilities or autism.” bility by donating food for the social media waiting for someone “My family and my friends terest in human rights.” founded by Qatari national Ab- “He is not only a very dear The volunteer along with her animals, providing cleaning ma- else to make the move. know the passion I have and they Responding to a question dullah al-Naemi in 2009, the friend of mine but also an inspi- team has been rescuing and tak- terials, leashes and collars, and “It is to take the animal and all are very supportive.”

DPS-MIS arranges virtual tour of zoo

DPS-MIS students attend QatarDebate workshop atarDebate recently workshop in three segments. tion, logic and counter con- baters. It assisted all in critical organised a work- The fi rst segment focused sideration. The refutation thinking since argumenta- Qshop named ‘Argu- on the aspect of argumenta- strategies were explained tion and refutation play major mentation and Refutation’ tion when debaters learned with the help of various ex- role in debate. “The learning via Zoom. As many as 21 de- how assertion, reasoning, amples. The fi nal segment at the workshop will help all baters of the DPS-Modern evidence and impact form was about being practical the students in becoming ef- DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently organised a virtual educational excursion to the zoo through Zoom Indian School (DPS-MIS) an important part of every where debaters tried to form fi cient debaters and will stay for the tiny tots of Class Preparatory. The children saw various animals such as apes, elephants, giraff es, polar bears, along with their coach – Jaya argument. The second seg- arguments through vari- with them forever and guide tigers etc. It was as if the the zoo animals had entered their homes. All the children were overwhelmed and enjoyed Majumder – took part in the ment focused on refutation ous exercises and were also throughout their debating the day thoroughly as it was a surprise for them. At the end of the virtual tour, the teacher clicked the photos of workshop with enthusiasm. strategies, with the most im- tested through a small quiz. career” said the DPS-MIS children watching animals in the zoo. Resource person Mubar- portant refutation strategy The workshop proved principal. rat Wassey conducted the being underlying assump- helpful for all the budding de- Virsa off ers a taste of Pakistani culinary culture

By Mudassir Raja Karachi after the partition of the was the recipe book I compiled, a beautiful family recipe book. Staff Reporter subcontinent. A certifi ed project full of my mother’s ancestral However, I have so far received management professional and family recipes. Sixteen years an amazing response from the a software engineer by profes- later, I still cannot cook without across the world as the book is ood of a certain area or peo- sion, Shehar Bano has been liv- that book and would be com- available in Pakistan, Qatar and ple is like a window to their ing in Qatar for over 16 years. Her pletely lost without it.” US. For Qatar, I have already or- Fculture. Taste buds are de- maternal instincts took over her Explaining the reasons behind dered for the second shipment veloped with the food cooked by career aspirations leading her to compiling the recipe anthology, of the book. The kindle version mothers at home and people tend give up her high-profi le banking the author calls it a tribute to of the book is also available on not to forsake the tastes they career to be a hands-on mother. her parents. “Losing a parent is Amazon.” develop in their younger days. She is a speaker, writer, blogger a life-changing event. It makes Speaking about the idea of Home food can rightly be called and professional photographer. you ponder over every little detail having a printed book during an expression of a certain cul- The author of Virsa claims that and everything you could have the digital times, the author ture. the family recipes have never and should have done to make underlined the need and sig- The book – Virsa (heritage) – failed her even though she had them proud. I lost my father – Dr nificance of a physical book. “I is an anthology of cooking reci- never been keen about cooking Hasan Rizvi – to lung cancer in also had doubts about the book pes that refl ect the family food before she moved out of her par- September 2014. He was an oph- being popular during the times traditions of a Pakistani expatri- ents’ home. Her journey which thalmologist by profession and a when everything is available on- ate who launched her book re- started with zero cooking expe- philanthropist at heart. His pass- line. However, I have received an cently in Qatar. rience to running a successful ing left us all completely devas- overwhelming response so far. A Food is undoubtedly an es- blog, with the recipe section be- tated. I always wished my father book always has a different feel. sential part of the culture in Pa- ing the most popular, owes much could see what his children have There is a great demand for the kistan. From Karachi to Khyber, to these simple and meticulous become, and what his children physical book. There are many the conversations change from recipes. have done to carry on his legacy people who prefer a book in Nihari to Chapli Kebabs, but they “This book also has guides in- after his demise. However, I want hand. I have received an amaz- still revolve around food. cluding: English to Urdu ingre- my mother to be happy today and ing response. People tell me that Virsa – a culinary journey dients guide, desi-cooking styles forever, so I wrote this book.” they can gift the book to their from Agra to Karachi – has some guide, homemade spice blends Shehar Bano, who has already friends as a window to Pakista- delicious recipes and memories guide and even has a visual lentil launched the book in Karachi ni culinary culture. I am happy from a foodie family. guide for beginners who are step- successfully, said that she was that the Pakistanis world over The author, Shehar Bano Rizvi, ping in the kitchen for the fi rst launching the book in Qatar to are taking the book as a pride. I hails from Karachi, also called time,” Shehar Bano said. introduce the recipes of a tra- have gone into reprint before its the city of lights. Her family is “The secret sauce for the suc- ditional Pakistani family to a launch in Doha. People in other originally from Agra in India but cessful launch in the world of multicultural society. “Initially countries are also asking for a Author Shehar Bano Rizvi with her book. her grandparents migrated to cooking for a beginner like me though I simply wanted to have copy.” A collection of traditional Pakistani family recipes Gulf Times Friday, October 23, 2020 5 COMMUNITY

AMUAAQ marks 203rd birth NU-Q webinar anniversary of Sir Syed virtually

he Aligarh Muslim Uni- versity Alumni Associa- on Palestine Ttion Qatar (AMUAAQ), an associate organisation of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) under the aegis of the embassy of India in Qatar, recently celebrated the 203rd discusses birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), un- der the managing committee of the association. The programme was chaired by Jawed Ahmad, recent changes AMUAAQ president. Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister Delhi, attended the webinar organised by the event as chief guest from India. Palestine Student Club at Dr Deepak Mittal, Indian am- ANorthwestern University bassador to Qatar, was the chief in Qatar (NU-Q) on ‘The Future guest from Qatar. Professor M M of the Question of Palestine’ Sufyan Beg, principal of ZHCET included analyses and critical and chairman of Alumni Aff airs insights from Yara Hawari, sen- Committee Aligarh, and P N ior Palestine policy fellow at Al- Baburajan, ICBF president, were Shabaka – The Palestinian Policy guests of honour. Waseem Ah- Sukhan (mushaira). Professor in Qatar should come together all spheres of life. He appreciat- Network, and Tariq Dana, assist- mad Kazi and Professor Sheh- Shepher Rasool presided over to fulfi l the AMUAAQ mission of ed the role of the alumni groups ant professor at the Doha Insti- per Rasool, vice chairman Delhi the second part. Mamnoon Ah- supporting the community and in supporting development and tute for Graduate Studies. Urdu Academy, were special mad Bangash started the pro- alma mater. construction projects in the The event, which was co- guests. The guest speaker was gramme with recitation of vers- Farman Khan briefed about university. sponsored by the Liberal Arts Mohamed Wajiuddin, senior es from the Holy Qur’an. the activities undertaken by Mohamed Wajiuddin spoke Program and moderated by Kay- editor with The Times of India. Professor Beg spoke about AMUAAQ. Jawed Ahmad deliv- high of the life, vision and mis- an Khraisheh, president of the Dr M S Bukhari attended the the vision and mission of Sir ered the welcome address in- sion of Sir Syed. student club, focused on the sta- programme as the patron of the Syed. He also addressed that all cluding a brief about Sir Syed. Faisal Naseem, AMUAAQ tus of the peace process in Pal- association. alumni should come together He reiterated the long-standing vice president, thanked all the estine in light of recent changes Over 1,200 alumni and AMU to fulfi l the AMUAAQ mission. demand to the government of attendees and the guests. The and developments both in the well-wishers connected live He welcomed Dr Mittal and India to confer Sir Syed with national anthems of Qatar and region and globally. with the event through Zoom thanked him for the supporting the Bharat Ratna award in rec- India along with AMU tarana – While the events surrounding and Facebook to remember and and patronising the affi liated ognition of his contributions song – were also played at the Palestine seem to be accelerating think in a more international or and the “incompetence” of the appreciate the achievements of association. P N Babu Rajan said towards development of the end of the programmes. at an “alarming and dishearten- internationalist outlook because Palestinian leadership. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Dr Na- that AMUAAQ initiated the food nation and works for education The event concluded with ing pace,” Hawari argued for the what happened in Palestine isn’t “I think the only hope now lies deem Zafar Jilani, alumnus and drive campaign during the Cov- and communal harmony. the mushaira. Shehper Rasool, need to be “sensible and respon- only happening in Palestine – it’s in the ability and willingness of medical director of Sidra Child id-19 pandemic in India and in Ambassador Mittal said that Johny Foster, Ahmad Ashfaque, sible and to contextualise this as happening beyond,” she said. the Palestinians to rebuild their Advocacy Program, and Dr Ash- Qatar. They also worked jointly Sir Syed was one of the greatest Maqsood Anwar Maqsood, Dr part of ongoing policies vis-à- Dana, however, noted that national institutions and to serve na Nusrat, AMUAAQ chief joint with ICBF and the Indian em- educationists in the world and Arti Kumari, Wasi Ahmad Wasi, vis the Palestinian struggle for there’s something “peculiar” the collective interest of the Pal- secretary, compered the event bassy for the Vande Bharat Mis- felt great to be the part of this Ashfaque Deshmukh, Amreena liberation.” about the recent normalisation estinian people,” Dana said, em- and welcomed all the guests sion and supported food distri- event. Manish Sisodia appreci- Qaiser, Jyoti Azad Khatri, Zeen- Recent policies passed by US deals with Israel in the region, phasising that “the principles of from across the world. Dr Jilani bution, medicine, and medical ated the remarkable work done at Sheikh, Moscha Gupta, and and Israel, she urged, should be explaining that while peace ac- democracy and representation also anchored the second part camps. by Sir Syed and emphasised on Raquim Azmi mesmerised the seen as a culmination of inter- cords are generally “concerned must be incorporated as the core of the programme – Mahfi l-E- M S Bukhari said all Aligarian the importance of education in attendees with their poetry. ventions that have “disregarded with formal agreements, and un- of the project of national libera- Palestinian rights and aspira- derstandings regarding econom- tion and self-determination.” tions for sovereignty” for dec- ics, security, political issues, and The possibility of “a more DoM Qatar representatives meet Indian envoy ades. mutual interests,” the case with unifi ed Palestinian faction” and “Despite the shock and the the UAE and Bahrain was “very potential sources of support in Diaspora of Malappuram Qatar (DoM Qa- hype,” she added, “they did not diff erent.” the wider transnational com- tar) off ice-bearers recently met Indian am- really break from what has been Unlike previous attempts to munity were some of the topics bassador to Qatar, Dr Deepak Mittal, at the previously presented to Palestin- normalise relations with Israel, addressed in a discussion that embassy. During the meeting, they briefed ians as a possible future.” he said, the recent cases reveal a followed the event. the ambassador about purpose and future Hawari said that the same dy- “blatant excitement” in “falsify- On the extension of normali- plans of their community organisation. namic informs the recent nor- ing undisputed facts about the sation to popular media, Dana V C Mashhood, DoM Qatar president; Ab- malisation of relations between confl ict” as well as they intersect said “infi ltrating Netfl ix and dul Aziz, general secretary; Dr V V Hamsa Israel and the United Arab Emir- “with Israel’s strategic vision other Arab media platforms are and M Balan, vice presidents; were present ates and Bahrain, explaining that and historical ambition for po- part of an Israeli strategy and not at the meeting. The ambassador congratu- Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Mo- sitioning itself as a regional and a coincidence.” lated DoM for their initiatives and future rocco, and Tunisia have histori- military power.” Acknowledging that “dis- activities. He extended all possible support cally enjoyed benefi cial ties with These outcomes, Dana argued, course has a huge impact on to the organisation in the empowerment of Israel that involved the sharing are ushered in by a global econ- political thinking,” the panelists and engaging unskilled workforce, particu- of security information, among omy in which the very notion of concluded their talk by empha- larly focusing on blue collar workers and other economic and diplomatic a peace process is non-existent, sising the need for Palestinians other isolated members. The ambassador incentives. “simply because the basic con- to liberate their “imprisoned im- further emphasised that all Indians working “I really think that, amongst all ditions of peace are not attain- agination” from the promises of in Qatar are the ambassadors of their coun- of this doom and gloom, it really able today,” and they come at a NGOs and the “two-state solu- try and the embassy is only serving the off ers us Palestinians a chance, time when “Palestinians are at tion” and to adopt creative strat- community providing all possible support. an opportunity, to recalibrate their weakest point,” both due to egies and visions that help them The delegates assured the ambassador of the Palestinian strategy and to “counter-revolutionary” eff orts dictate their future policy. all support from DoM for expatriate welfare. MES honours winners of INDIQA SIFQ celebrates 89th birth oubiksha Rajesh of class VII and Amina Shahal of class SVI from MES Indian School were recently honoured for win- ning the first and the second anniversary of Dr Kalam places respectively at the IN- DIQA, online quiz competition, organised by a leading media he Science India Forum group – Qatar Stories – in con- Qatar (SIFQ) in asso- nection with celebration of the Tciation with SIF GCC 74th Independence Day of India chapters recently celebrated in Qatar. the 89th birth anniversary of Dr Deepak Mittal, India’s am- Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, former bassador to Qatar, gave away the president of India and well- prizes that included certificates, known scientist. The online plaques and gift coupons to the celebration was well attended winners. In his speech, he em- by eminent dignitaries, sci- phasised upon the need for such entists, patrons and academi- community activities to incul- cians. cate India’s history, tradition and Dr Y S Rajan, professor at culture in the minds of the repre- was conducted on August 15, 2020. pal, congratulated the winners for ISRO (Indian Space Research sentatives of the young genera- The participants had a rapid-fi re their achievement. Manmmadhan Organisation) and co-author tion. session in which they had to an- Mambally, chief co-ordinator for of India 2020 – A vision for the Nearly 2,800 contestants par- swer 30 questions in two minutes. students’ activities, co-ordinated New Millennium, was the key- ticipated in the INDIQA, which Hameeda Kadar, MES princi- the school participation. note speaker on the occasion.

The programme was attended by over BDK Qatar holds blood donation drive 300 participants via Zoom and it was also streamed live through the SIF Qatar YouTube channel.

In his opening address, He- mant Kumar Dwivedi, fi rst sec- retary (culture and education) at Indian embassy in Qatar, high- lighted how the lives of leaders such as Dr A P J Kalam are the constant reminders of the quali- ties that one should imbibe and then pass on to the future gen- ISRO and during the writing of of society. He emphasised on ics, he underlined the impor- erations. He spoke about how the book India 2020. the new business models that tance of science and technol- the various books written by Dr Speaking on the theme of would have to be set up to fac- ogy, symbiotic existence, and Kalam had inspired students ‘Emerging World – Options tor in future pandemics, de- strengthening of health care all over the world to be bold, to before Humanity’, he took a velopment of skill sets and the systems. The programme was dream, innovate and to nurture comparative view of the world importance of becoming in- attended by over 300 partici- the spirit of ‘I can do it’. before and after coronavirus dependent and self-reliant for pants via Zoom and it was also Blood Donors Kerala (BDK) Qatar, LalCares Qatar and Radio Suno 91.7FM recently organised a blood donation camp Dr Y S Rajan reminisced his and how it had altered social, the country. streamed live through the SIF in association with Hamad Medical Corporation at the new Hamad Blood Donor Center. About 100 voluntary donors experiences with Dr Kalam at economic and other aspects Speaking on diverse top- Qatar YouTube channel. participated in the event observing the Covid-19 pandemic precautions. Gulf Times 6 Friday, October 23, 2020 COMMUNITY LEISURE/HOROSCOPE

Wordsearch Super Cryptic Clues Adam

Pooch Cafe

AUSTEN SPENSER MELVILLE HARDY CONRAD YEATS SHAKESPEARE MARLOWE ELIOT BYRON TENNYSON MILTON JOYCE DICKENS FIELDING SHELLEY MARVELL POPE Across Down CHAUCER WORDSWORTH BROWNING 1 Bird to measure plant (10) 1 Go up and get caught on KEATS DONNE THACKERAY 7 Sit on mud awkwardly and branch of tree (5) get off (8) 2 Animal to upset King 8 Press club (4) Arthur’s city (7) Codeword 9 Dance band leader meets 3 Burden a person usually Garfield Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. everybody (4) carries (4) Squares with the same number in have the same letter 10 Exaggerate term of 4 It’s mixed in a pot to drink .in. Work out which number represents which letter imprisonment (7) (8) 12 The loud beat changed 5 Making a racket, one is quickly (2,3,6) thrown out (5) 14 My bases, perhaps, in 6 Painful exclamation ambassador’s residence (7) suppressed by the French is 16 A little lower - a little lower disreputable (6) than the knee (4) 11 The main work of an artist 19 Top tennis player, so we (8) hear, is to step down (4) 12 A miser deployed lots of 20 Film star giving pal a coin soldiers (6) (2,6) 13 A grizzly youngster? (4,3) 21 Pitiful tea bellman prepared 15 Sporting venue taking an (10) age to erect (5) 17 Criminal fight with swords (5) 18 Observe a defect (4) Bound And Gagged Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Solution Sudoku

Answers Codeword Wordsearch

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a ٩x٩ grid. The grid is also divided into nine (٣x٣) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every .anone is repeated

Colouring Horoscope ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Legal matters may be on your mind today, Aries. Maybe your You may need someone’s help or advice today, Taurus. Don’t be Is your significant other uncertain about spending much time with insecurities are blowing a certain diff iculty all out of proportion. You afraid to ask for it. You tend to be proud of your ingenuity and you today, Gemini? You may be hurt at first, as he/she could feel need to view the entire situation a little more objectively. If you can independence. Most of the time others are the ones reaching out to obligated to spend some private time with family members. You find someone in the know, ask him or her to fill you in on the facts. you. You do have the right to ask for help. It isn’t a sign of weakness. should be able to get together as you hoped. Just don’t expect it to You will be relieved to know you’ve been making mountains out of Knowing when to ask for help is a strength. Think about it. be for the whole day. Spend your alone time relaxing and sprucing molehills. For now, try to relax and lighten up a little. yourself up. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Are you doing something special for the people you live with A small gathering may take place in your neighbourhood today if Conversations of various kinds could take place today, Virgo. Some tonight, Cancer? If so, you might be a little worried about what they at all possible, Leo. If you’re currently involved, you will probably older people, perhaps your parents, could call you. It may be a might think of your skills as a chef, host, etc. Don’t waste any time attend it with your significant other. If you aren’t seeing anyone, you rather quiet visit, with conversation that’s more casual than intense, worrying. A good time will be had by all, including you. Everyone will run into some old friends and possibly make some new ones. but it will be nice, nonetheless. Later you could get in touch with is likely to have a memorable evening. Just do your best, be your Relax, let loose, and have a little fun. friends or colleagues to off er congratulations regarding something usual jovial self, and concentrate on having fun. exciting. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Someone you’ve been expecting to call might not do so today, Worries about money could be on your mind today, Scorpio. A check The desire to get together with friends is strong today, Sagittarius, Libra, and this could worry you a little. Don’t be too shy to pick up you’ve been expecting may not have arrived. Perhaps a project but you might be unable to do it in the way you’d hoped. You could the phone and call. Your friend may have overslept or been too you’ve taken on is taking longer to complete than you thought, and be delayed by leftover work or chores, or other restrictions could overwhelmed by work or family life. You haven’t been forgotten. If so expected funds are delayed. The key word to remember here get in the way. Don’t despair, however. You can still have fun as you phone, this person will undoubtedly be glad to hear from you. is ‘delayed.’ It’s late, not cancelled altogether. Be patient and don’t planned. Pitch into whatever needs to be done and get it out of the After the conversation, go for a walk in your neighbourhood. waste any more time worrying! way. You might be able to do what you wanted to do after all. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

A career goal you’ve been hoping to reach may seem uncertain now, Are you spending a lot of time working on something you’ve been Did you wake up this morning with a vague recollection of a half- Capricorn. You could be wondering if your work has gone for naught. trying to learn well? It could be more confusing than usual today, remembered dream bugging you? If so, it won’t do any good to Don’t think this way. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that you Aquarius. You might come across a new concept that doesn’t quite try to pull it up. Perhaps you aren’t meant to remember the entire aren’t aware of yet. When you hear about these developments, you make sense to you at first glance. Don’t waste time puzzling over it. thing, in which case you should try analysing the little bit you do will know that you’re still in the running. Don’t waste your whole day Think about something else. The meaning of it all should come to remember. Perhaps it will come to you when something reminds thinking about work. Try to relax. Tomorrow it may all come together. you out of the blue. Be patient. you later. Don’t let it drive you crazy. It’s only a dream, after all. Gulf Times Friday, October 23, 2020 7 WORLD Trump, Biden face off in high-stakes nalfi debate

AFP has left more than 222,000 peo- of the largest audiences they’ll “The stakes are high for both The fi rst debate on September Nashville ple dead in the United States and reach right before the election.” candidates though – Biden wants 29 was a chaotic aff air with con- millions unemployed. “I think the Trump team must to keep the race just where it is, stant interruptions and name- With the election just 12 days be looking at this as a must to and he doesn’t want to provide calling and measures have been onald Trump and Joe Bi- away, the debate was seen as reach people and convince peo- any late fuel to the Trump cam- put in place this time to try to den were due to hold a perhaps Trump’s last and best ple,” said Dacey, a former chief paign.” ensure order. Dhigh-stakes debate yes- chance to make up ground on Bi- executive of the Democratic Na- Trump trails Biden by 7.7 The candidates’ microphones, terday that may be the fi nal op- den before the November 3 vote. tional Committee. points in a RealClearPolitics for example, will be cut off while portunity for the president – More than 45mn Americans Kyle Kondik, managing di- average of national polls and is the other one answers questions trailing in the polls – to present have already cast their ballots, rector of the political newslet- behind in most of the key battle- from the moderator. his case for re-election to a according to a University of Flor- ter Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the ground states crucial to victory. A second debate planned for primetime American television ida tally, and the candidates will University of Virginia Centre for The 90-minute debate was to October 15 was cancelled after audience of millions. be targeting any remaining unde- Politics, said the debate is the fi - be held at Belmont University in Trump came down with Cov- Trump, 74, was expected to cided voters. nal major event on the road to the Nashville, Tennessee, and was id-19, the disease caused by the use the second and last debate “This is an important last op- election. scheduled to start at 9pm Eastern coronavirus, and declined to take to renew his attacks on the past portunity for the candidates to “Donald Trump went into the Time (4am Qatar time). part in a virtual debate. business dealings of Biden’s son talk to people who haven’t vot- conventions trailing, and he is It will be televised by all the As a health precaution, plex- Hunter. ed,” said Amy Dacey, executive still trailing,” Kondik said. “The major broadcast networks, cable iglass barriers have been erected Biden, 77, was expected to fo- director of the Sine Institute of debate represents one of the last news channels and live-streamed this time alongside the lecterns cus on Trump’s handling of the Policy and Politics at American opportunities to change the tra- on various platforms, including where the two candidates will President Trump coronavirus pandemic which University. “This is probably one jectory of the race. YouTube. stand. Former vice-president Biden

US Senate committee Ireland on lockdown again approves apex court as Covid surges worldwide nominee

AFP cover the capital Rome and busi- millions have lost their jobs and AFP Dublin ness hub Milan. many businesses have gone to Washington As Europe suff ers, China – the wall. where the virus fi rst emerged at Even Europe’s economic usinesses closed across the end of last year – continues powerhouse Germany has been he Senate Judiciary Com- Ireland yesterday for a to make strides back to normal- plunged into recession, and a mittee pushed through Bsecond national corona- ity, announcing that it would study published yesterday sug- TUS President Donald virus lockdown, as record infec- allow 10,000 fans to watch the gested that the situation could Trump’s conservative pick for tion surges in Germany and Italy fi nal of its Super League football get even worse, predicting more the Supreme Court, Amy Coney helped spread gloom across the competition. than 1mn jobs could be lost in Barrett, yesterday as Democrats continent. “It’d be that kind of ceiling small and medium-sized enter- boycotted the vote, saying that it Most European governments because it’s a big game for sure,” prises. was too close to the November 3 have been reluctant to re-im- Chinese Football Association The scramble to develop a election. pose national stay-at-home or- secretary-general Liu Yi said. vaccine, involving dozens of The unanimous vote, with all ders after previous restrictions The virus has killed more than clinical trials across the world, Democrats absent, sets the stage led to deep recessions and wide- 1.1mn people and prompted a also failed to lift the gloom yes- for full Senate approval at the spread bitterness. catastrophic economic down- terday, with a leading public beginning of next week on Bar- But Ireland’s 5mn people have turn, with the International health expert warning that none rett, who will tilt the high court been ordered to stay at home for Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting of the trials would prove wheth- fi rmly to the right. six weeks, with non-essential a 4.4% drop in global output for er a product could prevent peo- On Wednesday Democrats la- businesses told to shut up shop. 2020. ple contracting Covid-19, the belled the nomination process a “It’s just that kind of cloud Germany, along with most respiratory disease caused by the “sham” that broke former Re- of sadness again that the city is European countries, has already A man walks past a mural in Dublin as Ireland entered a second national lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus. publican promises to never vote abandoned,” Dubliner Sunniva banned large gatherings and the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Peter Doshi of the University on a Supreme Court nominee so O’Flynn told AFP during a mut- made face masks compulsory in of Maryland School of Pharmacy close to a presidential election. ed morning rush hour yesterday. certain areas. went into home isolation. try to have registered more than offi cials voiced alarm as infec- also warned that no trials were “My Democratic Senate col- Germany and Italy are both “The overall situation has be- In Belgium, which has one of 1mn infections. tion rates there are now doubling evaluating the drugs for their ef- leagues and I boycotted the Su- facing record surges, register- come very serious,” said Lothar the worst rates of infections per And in Britain local lockdowns every week, while Croatia’s gov- fi cacy in vulnerable groups such preme Court nominee commit- ing their highest one-day tallies Wieler, head of the Robert Koch person, Foreign Minister Sophie were coming into force even as ernment blamed “irresponsible as older people. tee vote today,” Senator Kamala since the pandemic began, and Institute disease control centre, Wilmes is being treated in inten- a bitter political row over the behaviour” for another record “None of the trials currently Harris, a committee member a slew of other European coun- adding that it was still possible sive care after testing positive. measures remained unresolved. day of new cases. under way are designed to de- who is the Democratic nominee tries are voicing alarm at rapidly to bring the virus under control “She is conscious and she can More than 7mn people will Cyprus joined a growing list tect a reduction in any serious for vice-president, said. rising infections. through “systematic compliance communicate,” her spokeswom- face severe restrictions by the of countries imposing curfews outcome such as hospital ad- “Let’s be clear: this nomina- While German health experts with restrictive measures”. an said. weekend, prompting opposition in its main cities, with Poland missions, use of intensive care, tion process is a sham and shows said it is still possible to com- In a symbol of Germany’s As stories of individual suf- leader Keir Starmer – who wants also promising to expand its re- or deaths,” he wrote in the BMJ how Republicans will stop at bat the outbreak by observing woes, Health Minister Jens fering emerge from the latest a national “circuit break” lock- strictions. medical journal. “Nor are the nothing to strip healthcare from recently-toughened rules on Spahn – widely praised for his upsurge of cases in Europe, grim down – to warn of “months of As virus measures have torn vaccines being studied to deter- millions of Americans with pre- distancing and gatherings, Italy calm stewardship during the statistics are also stacking up – agony” ahead. through entire economic sectors mine whether they can interrupt existing conditions,” she said, ordered curfews in regions that pandemic – tested positive and Spain becoming the sixth coun- Elsewhere in Europe, Swiss – particularly travel and retail – transmission of the virus.” referring to Republican eff orts to have the Supreme Court strike down a popular national health Japanese research shows masks work care programme. But Republican committee Japanese researchers showed that masks can off er protection chairman Lindsey Graham dis- from airborne coronavirus particles, but even professional-grade 14 delivery workers die because of overwork missed their action, and, tak- coverings can’t eliminate contagion risk entirely. ing advantage of their absence, The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease. moved up the vote by four hours. Scientists at the University of Tokyo built a secure chamber with Reuters tal, according to an offi cial at yesterday over the deaths of fi ve public scrutiny on the compli- “That was their choice,” he mannequin heads facing each other. Seoul the union representing delivery of its workers, vowing to im- cated employment structure and said before the vote. “It will be One head, fitted with a nebuliser, simulated coughing and expelled workers. prove conditions for its couri- whether the companies failed to my choice to vote the nominee actual coronavirus particles. The dead also included one ers. ensure reasonable working con- out of committee. We are not go- The other mimicked natural breathing, with a collection chamber ourteen delivery work- worker who committed suicide The country’s top logistics ditions for the workers. ing to allow them to take over the for viruses coming through the airway. ers in South Korea have after leaving a note about the company with 20,000 delivery Earlier this week, President committee.” A cotton mask reduced viral uptake by the receiver head by up to Fdied of overwork this year harsh conditions he had toiled workers said that it was dis- Moon Jae-in called for an over- Barrett’s nomination will now 40% compared to no mask. because they had to handle a in, the offi cial said. cussing compensation with the haul of working conditions for go to the full Senate for debate An N95 mask, used by medical professionals, blocked up to 90%. sharply higher volume of pack- One of the deaths was attrib- families. delivery employees, saying they and a planned vote on Monday. However, even when the N95 was fitted to the face with tape, some ages due to the coronavirus uted to heart failure while the “As the company’s chief ex- have suff ered some of the worst With Trump’s Republicans virus particles still sneaked in. pandemic, with the latest fa- causes of death for the rest were ecutive, I feel responsible for a hardships under the pandemic. holding a 53-47 majority in the When a mask was attached to the coughing head, cotton and tality this week, a union offi cial only described as kwarosa by series of deaths of couriers and Smaller delivery company Senate, fi nal approval is near surgical masks blocked more than 50% of the virus transmission. said. the families, a Korean term used deeply apologise for causing Hanjin Transportation also certain, even if two Republican A worker for CJ Logistics for sudden death due to heart concerns to the people,” CJ Lo- made a public apology this week senators say they do not agree Corp collapsed while taking failure or a stroke as a result of gistics’s Park Keun-hee told a over the death of a courier and with voting on her so close to a Women charged over ‘racist’ stabbing a short break late on Tuesday extreme hard work. news conference. pledged to reduce the workload national election that polls show night and later died in hospi- CJ issued a public apology The deaths triggered new for its workers. Trump could lose. Two women accused of stabbing two other women wearing Muslim headscarves near the Eiff el Tower in Paris and trying to rip off their veils have been charged with assault and racist slurs, legal sources told AFP yesterday. The women accused over the assault were drunk when they came across a group of Muslim women and children in the Champ de Thailand revokes ban on protests UK vows action on EU Mars park at the foot of the Eiff el Tower. The Muslim family complained about the other women’s dog, saying that they felt threatened by it. Reuters In one of the biggest shows of “The current violent situation criminals after Brexit In the ensuing row one of the women with the dog pulled a knife Bangkok support by royalists since dem- that led to the announcement of and stabbed two of the veiled women, aged 19 and 40. onstrations began in July, hun- the severe situation has eased,” The 40-year-old woman sustained six stab wounds and is being dreds of people gathered wearing said the statement revoking the AFP rules following its Brexit di- treated in hospital for a perforated lung. hailand has revoked an yellow shirts – the colour of King decree. London vorce earlier this year. The younger victim was stabbed three times and was also treated in emergency decree that was Maha Vajiralongkorn – at a gov- The only specifi c incident giv- “For too long, EU rules have hospital but has since been discharged. Taimed at ending months of ernment offi ce on the outskirts of en for the ban was one in which forced us to allow dangerous protests against Prime Minister the city. Queen Suthida’s convoy was ritain has outlined bor- foreign criminals, who abuse Prayuth Chan-ocha’s govern- Emergency measures imposed jeered by protesters, but it fol- der rules to prevent the our values and threaten our Vatican, China extend deal on bishops ment and the monarchy, after a week ago included bans on po- lowed mass protests that pose Bentry of serious crimi- way of life, onto our streets,” it infl amed anger and brought litical gatherings of fi ve or more the greatest challenge in years to nals from EU countries, once Home Secretary Priti Patel said The Vatican and China have renewed an agreement on the tens of thousands of people onto people and publishing news that the prime minister and the mon- the country is free of the bloc’s in a statement. “The UK will appointment of bishops in China and the Vatican promised to push Bangkok’s streets. could aff ect security. arch. rules allowing people to move be safer thanks to fi rmer and the communist government to allow more freedom of religion. freely among member states. fairer border controls where The accord gives the Pope the final say over the appointment of The interior ministry said foreign criminals regardless of Chinese bishops, and the Chinese government allows all of them, Mexico reaches deal to honour water sharing pact with US foreign criminals sentenced to nationality will be subject to including those hailing from a state-backed church, to recognise the more than a year in jail will be the same criminality rules.” Pope’s authority. Mexico has reached a deal to honour a 1944 bilateral of the country sparked a row between the central banned from entering the UK, Patel’s ministry said EU Beijing and the Vatican announced the two-year renewal in separate water-sharing agreement with the United States, government and the border state of Chihuahua. closing a loophole that it said rules currently require it statements. tapping international dams to make up a shortfall, Speaking at a regular news briefing, President had allowed some convicts to show that EU criminals “It must be recognised that there are still many situations of great the government said yesterday, heading off the risk Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that Mexico from the European Union to present a “genuine, present suff ering. The Holy See is very aware of this, it acknowledges it, and of conflict with Washington. had sealed a deal with the United States to fulfil its come and go. and suffi ciently serious threat” will not fail to bring it to the attention of the Chinese government For weeks, doubts have swirled over Mexico’s ability obligations, under which water would be drawn The changes will come into before their movement rights in order favour a more fruitful exercising of religious freedom,” the deliver its share of the water due to the United from international dams also used for human force on January 1, when Brit- can be restricted, even if they Vatican said in the off icial newspaper Osservatore Romano. States under the accord as droughts in the north consumption. ain will no longer fall under EU were convicted of murder. Gulf Times 8 Friday, October 23, 2020 INDIA

CONTROVERSY SETBACK PEOPLE RULING DEFENCE Govt warns Twitter over Delhi court dismisses Ex-Mizoram governor 32 linked to Palghar Army successfully tests map misrepresentation Hussain’s bail pleas named in cheating case lynchings in custody anti-tank guided missile

Taking strong exception to misrepresentation of A Delhi court yesterday dismissed bail applica- Trouble is brewing for former Mizoram governor A court in Maharastra’s Dahanu yesterday sent The army yesterday successfully carried out the India map, the government has written a stern tions filed by former Aam Aadmi Party councillor Kummanam Rajasekharan after the police at 32 accused in the Palghar triple lynching case to the final trial of the anti-tank guided missile letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, saying that any Tahir Hussain in three cases, on the grounds that Pathanamthita, Kerala, registered a cheating case 15 days judicial custody, a lawyer said. Another Nag. The missile will soon be inducted into attempt by the platform to disrespect the sover- there is ocular evidence of his active role in the against him and eight others on a complaint 18 accused will be produced before Dahanu’s the army. In 2008, the ministry of defence eignty and integrity of India, which is also reflected Delhi riots and that he used his muscle power filed by an astrologer, who claimed to have lost judicial magistrate M V Jawale today. The 50 approved procurement of 300 Nag missiles by the maps, is totally unacceptable. The same is and political clout to act as a kingpin in its plan- Rs3.5mn. The complainant C R Harikrishnan said accused were arrested on Wednesday by the and 25 missile carriers for army. The test was also unlawful, Ajay Sawhney, secretary, ministry of ning. The former political leader had moved the that Praveen, the former close aide of Rajasekha- state criminal investigation department which carried out at 6.45am at the Pokhran field fir- electronics and IT, said in the letter, according to IT court seeking bail in three cases pertaining to ran, under the pretext of starting a business in Pal- has added another 208 persons as accused in ing ranges in Rajasthan, the Defence Research ministry sources. The government issued the letter the Delhi riots case. Besides these three, Hussain akkad had collected money from him. Rajasekha- the sensational lynching case of two priests and and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. after Twitter showed Jammu and Kashmir as part is an accused in eight other cases of communal ran came into the picture after he vouched for the their driver on April 16, said their lawyer Amrut The missile was integrated with the actual war- of China. Twitter later said that it quickly resolved riots. In February, clashes between the pro citi- business venture and the money was handed over. Adhikari. Simultaneously, the Thane Court special head and a tank target was kept at designated the “technical issue”. “The teams have worked zenship law supporters and anti-CAA protesters But after a few years when Harikrishnan asked sessions judge P P Jadhav postponed the bail range. This was launched from the Nag Missile swiftly to investigate and resolve the concerned had spiralled out of control, leaving 53 people for the money, all he got was a few thousands. He pleas of 62 other accused till November 3, spe- Carrier NAMICA. The missile hit the target ac- geotag issue,” a Twitter spokesperson said. dead and 748 people injured. claims he has yet to get back around Rs2.8mn. cial public prosecutor Satish Maneshinde said. curately defeating the armour. Delhi doctors see Doctors protest over delayed salaries rise in breathing issues amid Covid, pollution

Reuters the coronavirus outbreak but air New Delhi quality has deteriorated in the last two months. In October, the air quality in- op doctors in New Delhi dex (AQI) has averaged a “poor” are reporting a jump in 227 on a scale of 500, well above Trespiratory problems the “safe” limit of 60. among its residents, coinciding The index measures the con- with the onset of peak pollution centration of pollutants fi ner season in the capital and raising than 2.5 microns in diameter that concerns about complications can reach deep into the lungs and for Covid-19 patients. cause deadly diseases including Doctors from fi ve diff erent cancer and cardiac problems. Delhi hospitals said they have Delhi’s Environment Minister received twice the number of pa- Gopal Rai said the government tients with respiratory illnesses was working to clear the toxic air such as bronchitis in the past two by restricting construction and weeks. other dust-raising activities. Dust and smoke fi ll Delhi’s air Meanwhile coronavirus infec- every winter, making breathing tions rose by 55,839, taking its diffi cult for adults and children tally to 7.71mn, health ministry alike. data showed yesterday. Government data shows that Cases in rthe country have air quality this October has been dipped since a peak in Septem- worse than in the same month in ber, but experts warn that infec- Resident doctors from the government-run hospitals take part in a demonstration demanding for their salaries to be paid on time, in New Delhi yesterday. 2019 and 2018. tions could surge as the peak fes- “Pollutants have an infl am- tival season approaches. matory eff ect on the lungs and India has the world’s second so does Covid-19,” said Dhiren highest number of infections Gupta, a pulmonologist at Sir after the US, which has a tally of Ganga Ram Hospital in the city, 8.3mn. which has reported more than Virus deaths in the country 340,000 coronavirus cases. rose by 702 in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 116,616, the “We are getting more ministry added. number of cases with West Bengal reported its big- BJP under fi re for pledging respiratory issues but gest daily tally of new Covid-19 we have to run Covid-19 infections as thousands of peo- tests on them too” ple thronged the streets for a ma- jor festival that began last week. There has not been any study Experts have warned corona- in the country to ascertain virus could see a resurgence dur- whether pollution leads to more ing this week, and during Diwali, free Covid vaccine in Bihar severe complications among pa- in mid-November. tients infected by the novel coro- West Bengal’s health ministry IANS cines to one state. Vaccines will mentioned just one state in its leader Tejashwi Yadav. portunities to you but you have navirus. reported 4,069 new Covid-19 Patna be discovered by pharmaceutical manifesto,” Jha said. They claim that it is not real- only deceived them,” he said. But a study by the Harvard T cases late on Wednesday. companies under the guidance “BJP in its manifesto is boast- istic and just a poll gimmick to In the cartoon, Nitish Kumar H Chan School of Public Health The next four days of the festi- of Indian Council of Medical Re- ing that it would create 190,000 gain votes. and Sushil Modi can be seen urg- in the US found that long-term val will be crucial, health offi cials promise of a free coro- search but the Modi government jobs if it comes to power. We Jha pointed out that every ing voters to give them one more exposure to fi ne particulate mat- said. navirus vaccine for the wants to take credit for it,” Jha have a clear vision and our department of the state govern- chance and the public saying: ter known as PM2.5 increased the “Many people were behav- A people of Bihar in the said, mocking the BJP’s claim. leader has already said that 1mn ment has adequate funds which “how many more you need?” risk of death from Covid-19. ing irrationally and crowding election manifesto of the BJP has “What kind of mindset do jobs will be given in fi rst Cabinet the Nitish Kumar government Four days back, Lalu Prasad “We are getting more number markets, said Abhijit Chowd- provoked criticism from the op- they have and who is their advi- meeting. There are no ifs and has not utilised. “I believe they had taken another jibe at the of cases with respiratory issues hury, a doctor who advises the position in the state. sor? It is extremely shameful to buts in it. On the other hand, do not have any vision. We will Nitish Kumar government in a but we have to run Covid-19 state government.”Some of them Manoj Jha, Rashtriya Janata take credit for it,” he said. BJP is not giving any surety. BJP use those funds to pay the sala- similar Twitter post in which tests on them too,” said Hema were not even taking basic safety Dal lawmaker and Rajya Sabha “Suppose a vaccine is discov- leaders and their manifesto only ries of employees,” he added. the chief minister had tried to Gupta Mittal, a senior paedia- measures.” member, pointed out that coro- ered in India and I have great indicates uncertainty for people Meanwhile, RJD supremo Lalu make an excuse of the fact that trician at Ram Manohar Lohia Separately, the central govern- navirus is a worldwide pandemic faith in our scientists working in of Bihar,” Jha said. Prasad yesterday slammed Chief Bihar is not a maritime state and Hospital. ment yesterday said it would re- and it needs a collective eff ort the medical fi eld. I want to say The promise of 1mn jobs by Minister Nitish Kumar and Dep- hence misses out on trade and Delhi had a record spell of lax some visa and travel restric- from all sections to defeat it. people of the entire country will RJD has rattled the JD-U and BJP. uty Chief Minister Sushil Modi commerce. clean air earlier this year after tions for those who want to travel “The BJP is the fi rst party have equal rights. We are one Hence, many leaders in- while referring to a cartoon up- He also suggested that Nitish the government imposed a strict to India for medical, business in the world which announces nation. Coronavirus is a chal- cluding Nitish Kumar and loaded from his twitter handle. Kumar should retire and call it nationwide lockdown to curb and employment purposes. distribution of free corona vac- lenge to humanity. But BJP has Sushil Modi questioned RJD “People have given many op- quits as he has toiled enough. India, US set for military Courting trouble Congress upbeat on MP by-polls victory

IANS seats or limit the BJP to less than pact on satellite data New Delhi/Bhopal fi ve seats. The by-polls are being held for 28 seats. Reuters US companies have sold In- ment, which the US has signed ampaigning is heating up All the seats were held by the New Delhi dia more than $21bn of weap- with many of its partners for in the high stakes battle Congress before its government ons since 2007 and Washing- greater interoperability,” the Cof the by-polls in Madhya fell. To win back these seats, ton has been urging the Indian source said. Pradesh as Chief Minister Shivraj Kamal Nath is focusing on the ndia is closing in on an agree- government to sign agreements India has traditionally been Singh Chouhan seeks to retain his region and addressed rallies in ment with the US that will allowing for sharing of sensi- hesitant about getting drawn supremacy and former chief min- Morena yesterday. Igive it access to satellite data tive information and encrypted into a US-led security alliance ister Kamal Nath eyes a comeback. The Congress is banking on for better accuracy of missiles communications for better use and antagonising China. Amid the charged atmosphere the work done by Kamal Nath as and drones, government and in- of the high-end military equip- But tensions have risen dra- the Congress claimed that the chief minister particularly the dustry offi cials said, as it tries to ment. matically with China this sum- tide is turning in its favour. farm loan waivers. narrow the gap with the powerful Prime Minister Narendra mer, erupting into a clash be- Party chief strategist Digvi- Kamal Nath tweeted “the Chinese military. Modi’s cabinet discussed the fi - tween border troops in the jaya Singh told the media: “The public is fi ghting a big war to The two sides are expected to nal draft of the Basic Exchange western Himalayas. atmosphere is in favour of the save democracy.” The Congress announce the pact during the and Co-operation Agreement This week New Delhi agreed to Congress as the government was claims there is a sympathy wave visit next week of US Secretary of on Geospatial Cooperation on invite Australia into next month’s destabilised by the people who in its favour because of the way State Mike Pompeo and Defence Wednesday, a government source naval exercises scheduled with have dishonoured the mandate its government was pulled down Secretary Mark Esper for talks in said. the US and Japan, disregarding of the people.” by the Bharatiya Janata Party and New Delhi with Indian counter- An accord would provide New concerns it would anger China, Jyotiraditya Scindia, who “Kamal will rise on November 3”. parts Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Delhi with access to a range of which sees such a grouping as di- along with his supporters quit All the 28 seats for which by- and Rajnath Singh. topographical, nautical and aer- rected against it. the Congress and joined the BJP polls are being held were in the The US, which antagonised onautical data, a defence indus- “In tandem, the moves signal which led to the fall of the Kamal Congress’ kitty after the Assem- Beijing this week by approving try source said. a new level of strategic conver- Nath government, is also on an bly elections, but slipped out of the potential sale of three weap- It would also allow the US to gence between the two democ- all out campaign mode as most its hands after the party legisla- ons systems to Taiwan, has also provide advanced navigational racies and a break from India’s Author and activist Arundhati Roy attends a a press of the seats fall in the Gwalior- tors resigned to support Jyotira- been pushing for stronger secu- aids and avionics on US-sup- ‘non-aligned’ past,” said Jeff conference on the Supreme Court’s recent opinion on public Chambal region which is his ditya Scindia in March 2020 and rity ties with India to help bal- plied aircraft to India, the de- Smith, a South Asia expert at the protests, in which it said public places can’t be occupied stronghold. walked into the BJP camp to en- ance China’s growing regional fence source said. Heritage Foundation, about the indefinitely, in New Delhi yesterday. To remain in the political game sure the fall of the then govern- infl uence. “It is a foundational agree- proposed pact. the Congress has to win all the ment led by Kamal Nath. Gulf Times Friday, October 23, 2020 9 PAKISTAN

The (he)art of the matter Opposition tables resolution for Senate investigation into the ‘Karachi incident’

Internews per House should wait for their be presented before the other Islamabad fi ndings. two committees but that “does A ministerial committee not mean that the Senate should was formed by the Sindh gov- remain quiet until the investiga- n a move that turns the ernment to probe the circum- tion fi ndings come out”. heat on the ruling Pakistan stances that led to the early “There will be implications ITehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the morning raid on the hotel room [of waiting for fi ndings]. The opposition parties tabled yes- of PML-N vice president Mar- implications will be political and terday a resolution in the Senate yam Nawaz and arrest of her legal [...] In order to reach the regarding the arrest of Pakistan husband Safdar in Karachi. right outcome, it is important Muslim League – Nawaz (PML- Separately, Army Chief Gen- it should be sent to the house N) leader Captain (retired) eral Qamar Javed Bajwa also committee and anyone who has Safdar Awan and the alleged ab- ordered the Karachi Corps anything to say about [the inci- duction of the Sindh inspector Commander to launch an in- dent] can talk in front of it,” Haq general of police. vestigation into the “Karachi pointed out. The resolution, which de- incident”. Bajwa’s directives PPP leaders Sherry Rehman manded that a Senate committee came shortly after Pakistan and Raza Rabbani also supported be formed to probe the incident, People’s Party (PPP) chair- the resolution, warning that the was tabled by Leader of the Op- person Bilawal Bhutto Zardari matter could have serious im- position in the Senate, PML-N’s called on the army chief and plications if the parliament does Raja Zafarul Haq. Director General Inter-Servic- not take action. Students take part in a drawing competition held among school largest surveillance network in the world, quality data collection Leader of the House Shehzad es Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Rehman welcomed the army children ahead of the World Polio Day in Quetta yesterday. and analysis, state of the art laboratories, and some of the best Waseem, along with other PTI Faiz Hameed to investigate the chief’s order for a probe but said The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has been fighting epidemiologists and public health experts in Pakistan and the senators, opposed the resolu- matter. the “Senate should also be al- to end the crippling poliovirus for over a quarter of a century. world. As of October 1, 2020, there have been 74 documented tion, saying two committees had During yesterday’s proceed- lowed to play its role”. The initiative is driven by up to 260,000 polio vaccinators, the cases in Pakistan this year. (AFP) already been constituted to in- ings, PML-N leader Haq said The matter was referred to the vestigate the matter and the Up- the facts of the incident should existing law committee.

Court orders Sharif urges to provide judiciary to take Shahbaz with notice of arrest home food of son-in-law An accountability court in Hekmatyar urges Days after his son-in-law Captain Pakistan’s Lahore city has (retired) Safdar Awan was ordered the Kot Lakhpat Jail’s arrested in Karachi under dubious administration to provide Leader circumstances, Sharif has urged the of the Opposition in the National judiciary to take notice of the case. Assembly, Shahbaz Sharif, home- When asked by reporters outside cooked food and a mattress, Stanhope House about his views on among other facilities in his Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent prison cell. Pakistan to facilitate speech in which he issued a stark According to a report in daily warning to him, the PML-N leader Jang, the accountability court’s said: “There is a lot happening. order came during a hearing I feel the respected judiciary should of a petition by the Pakistan take notice and that they are capable Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) of taking suo motu notice against president, who was arrested such actions [Safdar’s arrest].” by the National Accountability Last week, Khan in a fiery speech Bureau (NAB) after the Lahore Afghan investors at the Tiger Force Convention in High Court (LHC) turned down Islamabad said he would make it a bail plea he had filed and his priority to bring Sharif back to cancelled his interim bail. Internews Hekmatyar said, adding that of political parties in Afghani- Pakistan and put him in jail. The ruling was announced by Islamabad investing in Pakistan would be stan were not supporting the Safdar was arrested and then Admin Judge Jawadul Hassan, more viable for Afghans than Afghan government’s stance released in Karachi on bail after who said Shahbaz be provided any other country. on the peace process. He felt off icials raided the hotel room where with the facilities as per the law in eteran Afghan politician On the Afghan peace proc- the current government in Ka- he and his wife Maryam Nawaz were light of his medical history. and Hizb-e-Islami’s ess, he said the only durable bul was not ready to enter into staying after a rally of the Pakistan It ordered that a mattress, chair, Vleader Gulbuddin Hek- solution for peace in Afghani- negotiations with all political Democratic Movement. home-cooked meals, and other matyar said Pakistan should stan was that “the US should parties. While Sharif did not directly say facilities be made available to facilitate Afghan investors and withdraw its troops and a “Negotiations would start which matter the judiciary should Shahbaz Sharif. businessmen to enable them non-aligned, independent and between Hizb-e-Islami and take suo motu notice of, he lauded In addition, the accountability to bring their investment to sovereign government should Taliban with the objective to the Sindh police for registering a court sought a report on Pakistan from the rest of the be formed by Afghans in light make the peace durable and protest over the alleged highhanded the facilities from the jail countries. of their beliefs and traditions lasting. Peace is not achievable manner in which he felt the powerful superintendent at the next Speaking at the Institute without any interference”. without bringing every stake- establishment acted in the case. hearing. of Policy Studies, Islamabad, “Otherwise, the country holder on board,” he added. “These actions are out of pure anger The PML-N alleged that Shahbaz upon conclusion of his three- would slip into another civil Hekmatyar said the US-Tal- and revenge. Why? Because I am was ill-treated in the NAB day visit to Pakistan at the in- war,” warned the former Af- iban peace agreement would speaking the truth about these ‘state cell at the behest of a ruling vitation of the Ministry of For- ghan warlord. not have been possible without above the state’ policies that have party funcitionary whereas no eign Aff airs, Hekmatyar said Hekmatyar, who has twice the critical support and facili- hurt Pakistan,” he said. corruption has been proved Afghans had invested about served as Afghan prime min- tation of Pakistan. against him and no evidence has $20 billion in other countries, ister in the 1990s, said it was “Pakistan helped the US in been given, the PML-N alleged. including Turkey and the Gulf the requirement of justice that Afghanistan but the Americans Plan to construct PML-N Deputy General Secretary states during the war. those who have sacrifi ced for still preferred India over Paki- Ataullah Tarar, Malik Ahmad Khan He suggested that Pakistan Afghanistan for so many years stan. “This is because super- 100MW Rohtas and Khalil Tahir Sindhu were should facilitate Afghan in- should have the right to govern powers have their own designs Dam in Jhelum addressing a press conference vestors and businessmen for the country now. and they do things in their own outside the Judicial Complex here. enabling them to bring their He said Afghan groups Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Hezb-e-Islami group in Afghani- interests,” he added. Tarar said these problems are not investment to the country. should have the opportunity stan, speaks during an event at the Institute of Policy Studies in He said that his visit to Pa- The Pakistan Water and Power new to PML-N leaders and workers Afghan investors should to enter into negotiations with Islamabad. (AFP) kistan comes at a time when Development Authority (WAPDA) has and they have faced jails and be given facilities including each other at a neutral venue the Afghan peace negotiation decided to start construction of Rohtas deportations. permission to open bank ac- on only two-point agenda: the another policy other than leav- reason behind India’s support process was at a critical stage Dam project to mitigate impact of floods He said: “The National Assembly is counts, buy property on the withdrawal of the US from Af- ing Afghanistan,” he added. of the current Afghan govern- and that Pakistan was keen and store flood water for agriculture, in session but we will not submit basis of Afghan passports, and ghanistan and an independent He said unfortunately some ment could be Kashmir,” he for an Afghan-owned peace said Chairman of the Authority Lt Gen any request for the production long-term visas such as those sovereign government. countries think a vacuum said, adding that India should process in Afghanistan. (retired) Hussain. The initial studies order to the government.” provided by certain European The other national issues might be created once the US not transfer its Kashmir war to He said the Pakistani of- suggest that Rohtas Dam will have a The speaker of the National countries, Hekmatyar pro- such as constitution and type leaves Afghanistan which they Afghanistan. ficials had assured that all water storage capacity of 2-3 million Assembly has proved that he posed. of government should be left will be able to fi ll. He said his group had en- mutual problems would be acre feet (MAF). In addition, the project supports the ruling PTI in the He said during his meetings for later, after peace is restored, “I hope Americans will not dorsed the US-Taliban agree- solved gradually through mu- will generate 100MW of low-cost hydel House, he said, adding that on with the top Pakistani leader- he said, adding these are na- repeat the deadly mistake of ment although they had their tual understanding. electricity. The project also envisages a the transfer of Shahbaz to jail, the ship he held detailed discus- tional issues and no external the Soviets who established own observations and reser- The forum was chaired by link channel taking off from Mangla and Prime Minister’s House ordered sions on providing facilities forces have the right to decide their puppet government in vations about the process and Executive President IPS Kha- ending at Rohtas to divert surplus flows that no facility should be given to the Afghan investors, and about these matters. Kabul before leaving Afghani- also wanted to be part of the lid Rahman and moderated from Mangla Reservoir to the proposed to him. expressed the hope it would be “The US has been defeated in stan,” he added. negotiations. by former Ambassador Syed Rohtas Dam. Underlining the need for He claimed the jail administration implemented soon. Afghanistan without achieving Hekmatyar warned rival However, it contains the Abrar Hussain. construction of dams, the chairman said forced Shahbaz to sleep on “The response we got from any goals and the corrupt and countries against transferring vital point that the US will Pakistan’s Special Envoy Rohtas Dam, like other water reservoirs, the ground while the facility the Pakistani authorities was incompetent government of their hostilities to Afghan soil. leave Afghanistan, though its for Afghanistan, former am- will also play a pivotal role in saving of providing food from home very positive and I hope Islam- Ashraf Ghani is the main rea- “The continuation of war in timeframe could have been re- bassador Mohammad Sadiq the country from devastating floods was also not given, which was a abad will soon announce these son for its failure. It will be a Afghanistan is not in anyone’s duced. was also present on the occa- and conserving flood water to bring violation of basic human rights. facilities for Afghan investors,” mistake, if the US now adopts favour, including India. The He maintained that majority sion. additional land under plough.

Boxer Amir Khan declines off er to join Pakistan politics Positivity rate highest in 2 months British-Pakistani Boxing star Amir Khan He said he was honoured to be asked has declined the off er to join politics, and that he would love to make Pakistan saying that Pakistan is being run by the a better place and be a massive help in Internews Last week, Federal Miniter ‘amazing’ Prime Minister Imran Khan. many areas like education, sports and Islamabad for Planning, Development, In a tweet, the boxer said he has talked child labouring. reforms and Initiatives Asad to his advisory team and decided Amir and his wife Faryal Makhdoom Umar called it “unmistakable to decline the off er to join Pakistan have also set up a child protection fund akistan reached a coro- signs of rising of coronavirus” politics. ‘The Zohra Shah Child Protection Fund’ navirus positivity rate of when the positivity hit 2.37 % “The country is run by an amazing PM after Zohra Shah was beaten to death P2.58 % on Wednesday, its on October 15. Imran Khan and we all have trust in by her employers for releasing a set highest in over two months. However, on Wednesday, the him,” he tweeted. of expensive parrots from a cage in According to the offi cial tal- positivity percentage further He further said he prefers to continue Pakistan. ly, of the 28,534 tests sampled, hiked up to 2.58 %. with his charity work Amir Khan (AK) The fund aims to protect innocent 736 came back positive. The last time Pakistan re- Foundation in the UK, Pakistan, and the children from human rights violations Todate, Pakistan has a total ported a percentage higher rest of the world to make areas better across Pakistan. During their visit to of 325,756 coronavirus cases than this was on August 19 at and safer. Pakistan this year, the couple also met and 6,703 deaths nationwide. 2.68 %. Earlier, in a series of tweets, Amir with Zohra’s family, which they have Government officials have Also in the last three days, opened about politics, saying he is been supporting since Zohra’s death, expressed concern about the still below the 5 % threshold Pakistan had been reporting asked by many to join Pakistan politics. covering their basic living costs. rising positivity ratio in the set by the World Health Or- deaths in double digits every country, even though it is ganisation . day. Gulf Times 10 Friday, October 23, 2020 COMMENT

CHAIRMAN Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Attiyah EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tackling childhood asthma 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 Presidential debate moderators don’t hide their bias There has been quite a lot of controversy about the presidential debates and the competing town halls between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden over whether they have been conducted on a level playing fi eld. SPOTLIGHT: Widely regarded as a global epidemic, asthma also poses a significant financial burden, accounting for up to 2% of healthcare spending in developed countries. They haven’t. The unfairness charges have focused on the moderators, playing a signifi cant part. For instance, Qatari children is estimated to be the with the most salient partisan claim aimed at the deception Qatar has applied a multi- this is an infl ammatory response of the bronchial tubes to asthmatic triggers. a number of regions in the human same as the world average (about 20% of the scheduled moderator in the eventually aborted second pronged approach to At the cellular level, asthma involves genome containing a variety of genes of children aged 6-14 years). Of these, presidential debate. tackling childhood asthma interactions between the vascular including interleukins (immune cell approximately two-thirds of cases are As everyone who follows presidential rhetoric and politics endothelial cells and leukocytes through secreted protein factors that play a reported among boys. In both males knows by now, C-SPAN’s Steve Scully was scheduled to moderate which falls broadly under a number of cell adhesion molecules. critical role in infl ammation) have been and females, the majority of these cases the second presidential debate until he sent a tweet to Trump- the rights of children, These are proteins that allow for the found to be associated with childhood appear to be moderate in severity (57%) hater Anthony Scaramucci soliciting advice about the president. attachment of one cell to another which asthma. Host factors linked to asthma while the rest are either mild (28%) or Scully claimed he was hacked, and then days later, while he left youth and older persons of is required for many physiological include allergic sensitisation, frequent severe (18%). Besides genetics, several his supporters twisting in the wind, said he wasn’t. C-SPAN also the QNV 2030 processes. The cellular interactions respiratory infections, obesity, family factors are associated with childhood result in the induction of infl ammatory history, low birth weight, heavy asthma in Qatar, including obesity said that Scully was hacked, and the Trump-hating Commission signals and ultimately leads to the physical activity and nutritional factors. (~25% of asthmatic children were obese on Presidential Debates echoed the hacking claim. (Seems there elevation of serum immunoglobulin While these factors impact suff erers compared to ~18% of the non-asthmatic are a lot of Trump haters in positions of making “apolitical” levels. at the individual level, environmental controls), respiratory infections decisions.) The obstruction of bronchial tubes problems such as air pollution, pollens, (~96%) and family history (~86%). Eventually, Scully admitted he lied and now will forever be results in diffi culty breathing which mold and the weather impact at the It is important to note that there are tarnished, as well as all of his friends he allowed to publicly may manifest as coughing, wheezing, population level. increased incidences of asthmatic humiliate themselves by supporting his false claim. shortness of breath and chest pain or A recent study involving 18 European attacks at the beginning of the winter The brilliant Fox News radio host Guy Benson, as honest as a tightness. The latter symptoms are countries, including France, Denmark, season and during sandstorms. worsened during a respiratory viral Spain, and the United Kingdom, suggests In response, Qatar has applied a journalistic pundit can be, said Scully is “the last character ... that infection such as a cold or the fl u. It is that approximately 4 million children multi-pronged approach to tackling you would think would not be playing it straight and would cover important to note that people aff ected (13% of new cases) develop asthma childhood asthma which falls broadly up like that and get caught – it’s just stunning.” by asthma show varying grades of these each year as a result of exposure to under the rights of children, youth and Many others from the symptoms with some only experiencing pollution by vehicles. Researchers used a older persons of the Qatar National right and left had stood minor discomfort. variety of data including national-level Vision 2030. First and foremost, the Seriously ethical by Scully, all due to his On the other hand, some patients fi gures for childhood asthma incidence, country’s healthcare system, including people are few having the perceived may develop severe symptoms resulting estimated distribution of children across HMC and the Primary Health Care integrity to moderate a in interference in their day-to-day countries and regional variations in Corporation (PHCC), has elaborate activities which can potentially pollutant levels. These cases were largely protocols in place for the diagnosis and and far between, sure-to-be contentious become life-threatening. In addition to attributed to the increase in the level of management of asthma in children. debate (again, later variations in the severity of symptoms, microscopic particles (PM2.5, particles Additionally, citizens intending to and when honesty cancelled), despite his By Dr Kabir H Biswas asthmatic episodes may also vary from with size less than 2.5 micrometer) and enter into a consanguineous marriage having a long history of infrequent attacks – for example, when nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the air, both of are required to undergo premarital gets sociologically supporting Democrats exercising – or could be continuous. which are largely generated by vehicles. screening in which they are evaluated and having tweeted A gender-based diff erence in the While this paints a gloomy picture, for a variety of possible factors pressured, there are terribly disparaging hildren are especially suscep- occurrence of childhood asthma has adherence to World Health Organization that might lead to asthma in their points about the tible to a number of diseases also been reported with incidence, prescribed limits of these pollutants off spring. Finally, the controlling of few who shine sources and an overall reduction in air president. including those caused by prevalence, and hospitalisation higher (annual average PM2.5 levels ≤10 μg/ pathogenic microorganisms, in pre-pubertal boys than girls of the m3 and annual average NO2 levels ≤40 pollution is a key priority of strategic The Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty dutifully tweeted her C genetic variations and environmen- same age. μg/m3) can save almost 67,000 cases of plans developed by the Ministry belief in Scully, as did other usual suspects, but also there were tal factors. One of the most prevalent While the underlying causes are childhood asthma annually. of Municipality and Environment. credibility experts on the right who were credulous, such as Fox’s non-communicable diseases amongst not entirely clear, available evidence How is Qatar doing with respect Initiatives include a move towards Chris Wallace and Karl Rove (say it ain’t so, Karl). children is asthma. Childhood or pae- suggests that asthma is a multifactorial to childhood asthma? According to cleaner energy and a greener economy, NBC moderator Savannah Guthrie’s unrelenting attack on the diatric asthma could aff ect almost 1 in disease, with environmental and host Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), reducing energy consumption and president at NBC’s Town Hall last week, including interrupting 5 children worldwide, a trend that has factors, as well as genetic susceptibility the general prevalence of asthma among preserving biodiversity. and talking over him, and haranguing him as well as dominating increased over the past several decades. Given the multifactorial nature the time in an advertised public questioning of Trump, was Widely regarded as a global epidemic, and heterogeneous symptoms with asthma also poses a signifi cant fi nan- diff erent etiologies and prognoses, praised by some as representing the tough style that debates cial burden, accounting for up to 2% About Hamad Bin Khalifa University there are currently no cures for asthma. should have. This Guthrie-Trump clash, however, was over the of healthcare spending in developed Accordingly, appropriate management top, and, like George Stephanopoulos’ town hall, employed a countries. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), ity through an enriching academic of the disease and reducing exposure Democratic-friendly agenda and spin, with both moderators’ Asthma is a chronic disease of a member of Qatar Foundation for experience, innovative ecosystem, and to agents and triggers are the only ignoring Hunter Biden’s involvement with the Ukrainian the bronchial tree, the branching Education, Science and Community unique partnerships. HBKU delivers strategies available to us to thwart this energy company Burisma. The latter town hall also included a network of tubes in the lungs that Development (QF), was founded in multidisciplinary undergraduate and epidemic. question from an audience member who was a former Obama not only allows air to come in and out 2010 as a research-intensive university graduate programmes through its administration Commerce Department speechwriter. but also provides a large surface area that acts as a catalyst for transforma- colleges, and provides opportunities O Dr Kabir Hassan Biswas is an assistant professor at the College of It’s not diffi cult to be fair to candidates with whom you for the effi cient exchange of gases tive change in Qatar and the region for research and scholarship through critical for our survival. In the case of while having global impact. Located in its institutes and centres. For more Health and Life Sciences at Hamad disagree. I have moderated many debates between Democratic asthma, these airways are obstructed Bin Khalifa University. The views and Republican candidates and never had a complaint. But Education City, HBKU is committed to information about HBKU, visit www. due to the narrowing and swelling building and cultivating human capac- hbku.edu.qa. expressed are the author’s own and do the moderator must be more dedicated to political fairness of the bronchial tubes as well as the not necessarily refl ect the University’s than winning approval from his or her employer or group production of extra mucus. In essence, offi cial stance. of professional friends. Nothing destroys disinterest like unprofessionalism. The hatred for Trump allows people who are generally honest to rationalise that “Everything’s fair, including suspending integrity, in getting rid of Trump.” Nice guys are often not so nice when they’re under pressure, Divided between nationalists and patriots political and personal, and their honesty disappears. Guthrie is generally a person of fairness, until her NBC sociology demands By Mark W Moff ett group, patriots emphasise the quotidian status as something to be earned rather are, that doesn’t mean the latter are that she not be. Washington needs of their communities: food, than merely defended. By implication, immune to prejudice. By reserving their None of this is to claim that fairness and probity is the housing, schools, and so forth. patriots allow for the possibility of ardour for fellow citizens or members provenance of the right; it is just to say that seriously ethical By contrast, nationalists couch continual improvement. of their own race or ethnicity, patriots people are few and far between, and when honesty gets he words nationalism and their identity in glorifi cation. As Looking across the natural world, we may also end up discriminating, at patriotism are commonly concerned as patriots are with caring fi nd the closest parallels to nationalists times unwittingly, against those unlike sociologically pressured, there are few who shine – but there are bandied about to describe for their fellow citizens, nationalists shown by the ants, which stick tightly themselves. some. Debate commissions should expend some eff ort to find people’s entrenched politi- are preoccupied with preserving what to what amounts to a colony fl ag: a As it happens, the emergence of these them. T cal commitments, and both labels have they perceive as a superior way of life, particular scent that all members share as confl icting perspectives may have been made frequent appearances in the and with keeping their people safe from a kind of emblem of the group’s identity. integral to our survival. After all, each run-up to next month’s US elections. outside threats. In humans, a patriot can become as teary mode of thinking can be benefi cial To Advertise For a psychologist, however, these terms But patriots and nationalists also have as any nationalist in displaying allegiance in certain contexts. In my own work represent distinct but variable expres- divergent ideas about who constitutes to emblems such as a fl ag or anthem; as a biologist, I’ve found that groups [email protected] sions of how humans identify with their “their people.” Nationalists prize those however, nationalists are especially ranging from chimpanzee communities Display society. In fact, the personality diff er- aspects of their identity that set them sensitive to such symbols. to termite nests tend to serve two ences between nationalists and patriots apart from others. Hence, they place For nationalists, even a brief overlapping purposes: to provide for 44466621 44418811 seem to be universal across cultures, great importance on demonstrations exposure to the national flag or a community members and to protect suggesting they are part of our common of loyalty, customary rules of order, respected leader spurs an intense them. Whereas protection focuses on Classified heritage as humans. obedience to recognised authorities, reaction, as does the absence of a outsiders, the provisioning role looks 44466609 44418811 Although nationalists and patriots are and the preservation of established symbol when one is expected. This inward. both nominally devoted to their society, social relationships. These values is exemplified by the uproar among Subscription they relate to it diff erently. Patriots gained purchase as once-egalitarian American white nationalists over O Mark W Moff ett is Research show pride in a shared identity and hunter-gatherer societies settled down black professional athletes who kneel Associate at the National Museum [email protected] sense of belonging – sentiments that and diff erences in individual and group during the national anthem to protest of Natural History, Smithsonian come naturally to native-born citizens prestige and power emerged. police violence. Institution. This essay draws from his and naturalised immigrants alike. With Patriots also give “their people” a While nationalists are much more book The Human Swarm: How Our © 2020 Gulf Times. All rights reserved their passion directed toward their own high standing, but they regard that suspicious of diversity than patriots Societies Arise, Thrive, and Fall. Gulf Times Friday, October 23, 2020 11 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Muhammad the Celebrating Prophet’s Messenger of Allah

he testimony of faith is “Ash- The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa hadu al-Laa ilaaha illallah sallam) has said: I have been indeed Muhammadar Rasoolullah” been given the Qur’an and something birthday an innovation T[I bear witness that there like it along with it. [Abu Dawood] is nothing worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the The Messenger has rights By Shaykh Muhammad Saalih bin existed. Thus, if the celebration of the Messenger of Allah]. The statement The fourth implication of the al-‘Uthaimeen Prophet’s birthday was something or declaration that Muhammad is testimony is that there are rights meritorious, they would have had a the Messenger of Allah has many due to the Prophet Muhammad better right to precede us in this, as implications, some of which are as (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) that people! Fear Allah the their love and esteem of the Prophet, follows: must be observed. Among these are: Almighty and know that the sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was far To believe in all that the Prophet greatest favour He has ever greater than ours. Also, they were Muhammad was sent to all of (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has O conferred upon His servants far keener to perform good deeds in mankind said. To obey the Prophet (sallallaahu is sending them Prophets as warners general than we were. ‘alaihi wa sallam) in what he has and bearers of glad tidings. Allah sent Loving and esteeming the Prophet, The fi rst implication of the commanded and forsake what he has these prophets with scriptures so sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was thus testimony that Muhammad is the forbidden or discouraged. To worship that He would judge between people represented by the early Muslims in Messenger of Allah is the belief that according to the Shariah (law) of the in their disputes. The most eff ective following his methodology, obeying Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and esteemed message of all of these him, applying his Sunnah inwardly and (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) to all and not by whims and innovations. To was that of the Prophet Muhammad, outwardly, propagating his mission mankind and the jinn until the Day of judge by the Shariah of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, whom and striving in this cause with their Judgment. Allah states in the Qur’an (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and not Allah sent to guide all of mankind – hearts, bodies and tongues. in Surah 7 Al-’Araaf 151 Say (to them by any other law. To love the Prophet and to seal prophethood. Most of those who instigate religious O Muhammad): O Mankind! I am the Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi Allah sent Muhammad, sallallaahu innovations are heedless when it Messenger of Allah to you all, (the wa sallam) more than our parents, ‘alaihi wa sallam, after a break in the comes to the application of the well- Messenger) of Him to Whom belongs children, mankind, indeed our very series of His messengers, when people known principles that were brought the dominion of the heavens and of selves. were in dire need of His guidance. It by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi the earth. There is no god but He. He Allah Most High states: Say (to was through him that Allah guided wa sallam. They are like those who gives life, and makes to die. Believe them O Muhammad): If you love people after they were astray; united ornament the Qur’an but do not recite then in Allah, and in His Messenger Allah, follow me, and Allah will love them after their disunity; and suffi ced it, or recite it but do not follow its (Muhammad), the Prophet who could you, and forgive your sins. Allah is them after they were needy. They thus teachings.” neither read nor write, who believes in All-Forgiving, Alla-Merciful. Say : became brothers and supported the O Muslims! The innovation of Allah and in His Words (the Qur’an), Obey Allah and the Messenger. But religion of Allah, due to his grace and celebrating the Prophet’s birthday, and follows him so that perhaps you if they turn away Allah loves not the bounty. It was due to this that nations which is done on the twelfth night of will be guided. disbelievers (kaafi reen). [Surah Aali submitted to this religion and its the month of Rabee’ Al-Awwal, has no The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa ‘Imraan 31-32] adherents became a luminous series in historical basis. In fact, historians have sallam) has said: And the prophets And let those who oppose his the annals of history. diff ered greatly on the actual birth date were formerly sent to their people (Muhammad’s) command beware, Due to the wholeheartedness of of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa only, whereas I have been sent to all lest a trial befall them (that would the early Muslims with regard to sallam. Some have said that it was on mankind. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] lead them to disbelief) or a painful the comprehensive implementation the second of Rabee’ Al-Awwal, others punishment be infl icted on them. of Allah’s laws in personal issues, said the eighth, ninth, tenth, twelfth, The fi nality of Prophethood [Surah An-Noor 63] fi nancial transactions, and social and seventeenth or twenty-second; thus The second implication of the You have indeed a good example in community aff airs in accordance with making up seven diff erent opinions. testimony is to believe that the the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) the precepts laid down by this religions None of these opinions have any Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu for whosoever hopes for Allah and the guide and leader, Muhammad, evidence which would make them take ‘alaihi wa sallam) is the fi nal prophet Last Day, and remembers Allah much. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, it priority over others. to be sent to mankind. Allah states [Surah Al-Ahzaab, 21] naturally followed that they would be Moreover, the innovation of in the Qur’an in Surah 33 Al-Ahzaab It is not fi tting for any believer, victorious in all their undertakings. celebrating the birthday of the 40: Muhammad is not the father of man or woman, when Allah and His However, when the Muslims Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, any one of your men, but he is the Messenger have decreed a matter, deviated from the correct path, the has no religious basis. Neither the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the to have a choice in their aff air. And order and stability which they enjoyed Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, Prophets. whosoever disobeys Allah and his collapsed, turning the Muslim nation nor any of his Companions or the The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Messenger, he has gone astray into into groups of disputing factions, followers did so. In fact, the Prophet, sallam) has said: And the line of the manifest error. [Surah Al-Ahzaab, 36] whose enemies held as insignifi cant. sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: prophets is closed with me [Muslim] But no, by your Lord (Rabb), they This nation will never regain its past “You must hold fast to my Sunnah and And: Before the Last Hour there will be can have no faith until they make you power and dignity, nor will it re-live the Sunnah of the four Rightly-Guided great liars, so beware of them [Muslim] the judge in all disputes between them, its glorious history, until and unless into this religion is the celebration Muslims would have preceded us in Caliphs – cling to it stubbornly. The above proofs are suffi cient to and fi nd in their souls no resistance its people return to their religion and of the birthday of the Prophet, them? If they were meritorious then Beware of innovations, for every refute any of the heretical groups who against your decisions, but accept practice it in word as well as in deed, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, which surely Allah would never have deprived innovation is misguidance.” (Abu claim any prophet or messenger after (them) fully with submission. [Surah in compliance with the methodology is celebrated in the month of Rabee’ the early Muslims, including the Daawood, Tirmidhi). the Prophet Muhammad such as some An-Nisaa 65] of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa Al-Awwal. People gather in the rightly-guided caliphs of them? The Religious celebrations, festivals and contemporary groups do namely: The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and his companions, may Allah mosques or stay within their homes fact of the matter is that this practice other such occasions which glorify the Nation of Islam who believe that sallam) has said: All my people will be pleased with them. on the twelfth night of that month and was fi rst introduced by people who Allah and His Messenger are acts of Elijah Muhammad (deceased) was the enter Al-Jannah (The Garden) except As a consequence of the send salutations upon the Prophet, lived during the fourth Hijri century. worship. Only that which Allah has Messenger of Allah the Qadianis and those who refused. (On being asked comprehensive implementation of sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, with Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, prescribed among these is considered Ahmadiyyahs who state that Ghulam about those who refused, he replied:) the religion of Islam, no devotional innovated phrases as well as reciting may Allah have mercy upon him, said to be from the pure Shari’ah, or Islamic Ahmed (deceased) was the prophet the He who obeys me will enter Al-Jannah, act or religious ceremonies can be laudatory poems and prose which in his book Iqtidaa’ As-Siraat Al- law. None of these events can be taken so called Submitters or followers of he who disobeys me has refused. [Al- initiated into it unless it has a basis in concern him. These poems and prose Mustaqeem Mukhaalafatu Ashaabu as a means of devotion to Allah except Rashad Khalifah (murdered) who claim Bukhari] the conduct of the Prophet, sallallaahu are excessively commendatory and Al-Jaheem [The Implication of the those that have been sanctioned by that he was a prophet If anyone introduces into this aff air ‘alaihi wa sallam. Mankind have been exceed the limits that were defi ned Straightforward Way Is to Contradict Allah and His Messenger, sallallaahu of ours anything which does not commanded by Allah to do no more by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa the Companions of the Fire]: “Some ‘alaihi wa sallam. Two Revelations belong to it, it is rejected. [Al-Bukhari than the following: to worship Allah sallam. Some people even spend their people, due to their imitation of what The Shari’ah already contains the The third implication of the and Muslim] alone; to off er him sincere devotion; nights cooking certain types of food, to the Christians do on the claimed suffi cient means with which a believer testimony “Muhammad is the None of you believes until I am and to be true in faith. Thus, whoever be served on this occasion. Thus, they birth-date of ‘Eesaa (Jesus), peace be can glorify the Prophet, sallallaahu Messenger of Allah” is to believe that dearer to him than his father, his child, attempts to worship Allah with any act uselessly spend their time and money upon him, or because of their love of ‘alaihi wa sallam, and show his love Allah sent two revelations with the and all of mankind [Al-Bukhari and that He has not prescribed will have in matters that are not prescribed the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa to him. So fear Allah, O servants of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu Muslim] that act rejected by Him. The Prophet, either by Allah or His Messenger, sallam, or out of their wish to glorify Allah, and limit yourselves to Allah’s ‘alaihi wa sallam): the Qur’an and the There are three qualities for which sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, nor were him, celebrate the Prophet’s birthday. obligations and the Prophet’s Sunnah, Sunnah. anyone who is characterised by them “He who performs any deed which practiced by the four rightly-guided This is despite the fact that there to the exclusion of innovations. Allah said: Allah was verily gracious will experience the sweetness of faith: is not according to what we are upon caliphs after him, nor any other of the is controversy among the scholars Allah the Exalted and Almighty said to the believers by sending them a He whom Allah and His Messenger (i.e., the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi Muslims who were from the fi rst three regarding the exact date of his birth. that which translates as: “And verily messenger from themselves, to recite are dearer than all else; He who loves wa sallam, and his companions) then distinct generations, whose merit was The early Muslims did not practice this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and them His signs, and to purify them, and a human being for Allah’s sake alone; it is rejected.” Such acts are held as attested to by the Prophet, sallallaahu this, although there was good reason follow not (other) paths, for they will to teach them the scripture (the Qur’an) and who has as great an abhorrence of innovations in the sight of the lawgiver ‘alaihi wa sallam. to honour and express their love of separate you away from His Path. This; and the wisdom (the Sunnah) though returning to unbelief after Allah has and every innovation is misguidance. If these innovations were of any the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa He has ordained for you that you may before that they were in manifest error. rescued him from it as he has of being Among the innovations introduced benefi t, then surely the pious early sallam, and no preventing factors become the pious.” (Al An’aam: 153). [Surah 3 Al-An’aam, 164] cast in Hell. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] ‘I am as My slave expects Me to be’

t was narrated on the authority be it good or bad. If a person has good that their ill expectations were actually expectations of Allah.” [Muslim; as of Allah over hope in Him lest it leads the vastness of His Grace and generosity of Abu Hurairah, may Allah expectations of Allah and hopes for one of the key signs of their hypocrisy reported from Jaabir, may Allah be him to have bad expectations of his as well as His closeness to His Slave . He be pleased with him, that the His Reward, Allah will not fail him nor and covert wickedness. He Says about pleased with him] Lord and accordingly fall into despair stated that the closer His Slave draws IProphet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa cause his deeds to be lost. Whenever the hypocrites when they fl ed (the Therefore, one should strive to of His Mercy, and both attitudes are to Him, the closer He draws to him in sallam (may Allah exalt his mention) he supplicates Allah, he expects Allah battlefi eld) and abandoned the Prophet, perform his duties while believing blameworthy. Rather, it is obligatory return. In the Qur’an, Allah, The Exalted, said: “Allah, The Exalted, Says, ‘I am to answer his supplications. If he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and his with certainty that Allah, The Exalted, on him to have good expectations stated that He is near His Slave, Saying as My slave expects Me to be, and I commits a sin and repents and seeks Companions during the Battle of Uhud will accept his deeds and forgive him of Allah along with diligently (what means): {And when My servants am with him whenever he remembers forgiveness, he expects Allah to accept (what means): {…while another faction because He promised to do that and performing acts of obedience. Some ask you [O Muhammad] concerning Me. If he remembers Me to himself, his repentance, pardon his fault, and worried about themselves, thinking He never fails in His Promise . If he of the righteous predecessors used Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the I remember him to Myself, and if forgive his sin. If he performs a good of Allah other than the truth – the expects Allah to turn him down or that to say: “Your hope for the mercy of invocation of the supplicant when he he remembers Me in an assembly, I deed, he expects Allah to accept his thought of ignorance...} [Qur’an 3:154] his repentance will be of no avail, then the One Whom you disobey indicates calls upon Me. So let them respond to remember him in a better assembly deed and reward him handsomely. He also Says about the hypocrites and this is despair of the mercy of Allah, disillusion and foolishness!” Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that (i.e., the assembly of angels). If he These are all examples of having good polytheists (what means): {…those who and it is a major sin. Whoever dies they may be [rightly] guided.} [Qur’an draws closer to Me by a hand span, I expectations of Allah, The Exalted. The assume about Allah an assumption of while despairing of His Mercy, Allah Rewards for those Who 2:186] The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi draw closer to him by an arm’s length. Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, evil nature. Upon them is a misfortune of will make his bad expectations come Remember Allah wa sallam, said: “A slave of Allah is If he draws closer to Me by an arm’s said: “Supplicate Allah while certain that evil nature...} [Qur’an 48:6] true. This is why some versions of the In the Hadith, Allah, The Exalted, nearest to his Lord when he is prostrating length, I draw closer to him by a your supplication will be answered.” The Hadith urges us to give Hadith discussed in this article have underlined the virtues of remembering to Him, so make abundant supplication fathom’s length. And whoever comes [At-Tirmithi] precedence to having hope in Allah the following addition at the end: “… Him and the rewards for those who (while prostrating).” [Muslim] to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’” Thus, a slave of Allah continues to (over having fear of Him), because so let him expect of Me whatever he remember Him. He stated that The last three sentences in the [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] have good expectations of his Lord and any sane person who receives this wishes.” [Ahmad and others with an He is with His Slave whenever he Hadith, wherein Allah, The Exalted, aspire to His Reward in all situations, invitation from Allah, The Exalted, authentic chain of narration] remembers Him. Being “with” Allah Says: “If he draws closer to Me by a Status of the Hadith as the Arab poet Ibn Waheeb said would not willingly choose for himself ais a special kind of “with-ness” that hand span, I draw closer to him by an This is one of the great Ahaadith of (translation of meaning): the expectations that will infl ict Between Despair and Self- involves having His Protection and arm’s length. If he draws closer to Me hope that urge Muslims to have good “I supplicate Allah and, verily, by upon him the promised punishment. deception receiving the blessings of steadfastness by an arm’s length, I draw closer to expectations of Allah, The Exalted, and virtue of having good expectations of Rather, he will choose to have good It is noteworthy that having good and success, as indicated in His Saying him by a fathom’s length. And whoever to remember Him abundantly. It also Him, it is as if I can see His Answer to expectations, which is that Allah will expectations of Allah, The Exalted, to Moosa (Moses) and Haaroon (Aaron) comes to Me walking, I go to him at underlines how Allah, The Exalted, my supplications with my own eyes!” bless him with His Reward, pardon, entails good-doing and does not mean (which means): {[Allah] said, Fear not. speed,” indicate this great meaning; draws closer to His Slaves whenever Having good expectations of Allah and forgiveness, and that he will at all to give in to idleness, (false) hope Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I that the grace of Allah and His Reward they draw closer to Him by means of is thus among the implications and receive the promised recompense (i.e. for the forgiveness and pardon of Allah see.} [Qur’an 20:46] are much greater than the good deeds performing various acts of obedience. requirements of Tawheed (Islamic Allah will treat him in accordance or self-deception. Therefore, a slave of The best manner to remember Allah, and eff orts that His Slave exerts, and monotheism) because it is based on the with his good expectations of Him). Allah should avoid two blameworthy The Exalted, is to remember Him with an therefore He grants His Slave more Having Good Expectations of Allah knowledge of the mercy of Allah, His This is the enjoined hope in Allah, The attitudes in this regard: despair of the attentive heart and mind, pondering over than what His Slave did for Him. The Hadith begins with calling Might, kindness, omnipotence, and Exalted, (that is required of a Muslim) mercy of Allah, and feeling secure from the meanings of the Thikr (expressions Glorifi ed be Allah! How abundant is the slave of Allah to have good true reliance on Him. When a person especially at times of weakness and His Makr (schemes and plans). He of remembrance of Allah) being recited, His Generosity and how excellent is expectations of his Lord at all times attains perfect knowledge of these need for Him like the situation of a should not rely solely on having hope and the best form of remembrance His Grace ! and in all states. In the Hadith, Allah, verities, the fruit that this knowledge dying person. He should have good in Allah and having good expectations is adhering to His Obligations and Article source: http://www. The Exalted, explained that He is as yields is having good expectations of expectations of Allah more than of Him without duly performing acts avoiding His Prohibitions . islamweb.net/emainpage/ His Slave expects Him to be, meaning his Lord. anyone else with greater reason, and of obedience, because this would be that He treats him in accordance with In the Qur’an, Allah, The Exalted, this is why the Prophet, sallallaahu foolish, and it also implies feeling safe The Reward of Drawing Close to his own expectation of His Lord and dispraises a group of people who had bad ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Let none from His Makr. On the other hand, he Allah does for him what he expects of Him, expectations of Him, and He underlines of you die without having good should not give predominance to fear Allah, The Exalted, then underlined Gulf Times 12 Friday, October 23, 2020 QATAR

PM visits S’hail 2020 exhibition Visitors full of praise for Katara, S’hail number of dignitaries and dip- lomats visited S’hail – the Ka- Atara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition 2020 yesterday as the premier event completed three days. Among the dignitaries were Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Abdulaziz al-Thani, His Highness bin Abdulaziz al-Thani visited yesterday the International Hunting and Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Tha- Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2020) at Al Hikma Square at Katara – the ni, Mohamed bin Ahmed al-Misnad Cultural Village Foundation. He toured the various pavilions, where he (the security adviser to His Highness was briefed on weapons, hunting supplies, excursions, and shooting the Amir), Qatar Chamber chairman sports presented by specialised local and international companies. The Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani, prime minister was also given a briefing on the activities and artworks and Sheikh Falah bin Jassim bin Jabr related to the sport of hunting. al-Thani, Katara – the Cultural Village Foundation said in a press statement. The diplomats who visited Katara fl ecting Katara’s global position and “achieves a quantum leap every year for the exhibition yesterday included its leadership in hosting major cul- and puts a clear mark on the map of Turkey ambassador Mehmet Mustafa tural and heritage events. international exhibitions specialised Goksu, US embassy chargé d’aff aires They also expressed admiration for in hunting and falcons”, being the Greta C Holtz, Ukraine ambassador S’hail, the wide and distinguished in- largest annual event of its kind in the Andriy Kuzmenko, and ternational participation, and the in- Middle East and North Africa region. Romania embassy chargé d’aff aires novations and high-quality products Meanwhile, the online auction of Iulia Zamfi rescu. on display. falcons saw a great turnout of falcon A number of weapons companies are taking part in the exhibition. Visitors praised the exhibition, re- They stressed that the exhibition lovers. Wednesday’s auction in the cat- egory of “Tarh Iran – Farkh Hur”, saw Nasser bin Ali bin Hazza al-Jabr al- Nuaimi record the highest price of QR200,000, the statement noted. S’hail 2020 sees the participation of a large number of exhibitors and com- panies specialised in hunting weap- ons, rifl es and hunting accessories. Among the weapons companies taking part are Rammai Weapons and Ammunition Co, which is the agent of Beretta in the Gulf, Barzan, Al Gannas Company for Weapons and Ammuni- tion, and Al-Hadaf for Hunting and Equestrian Equipment, which provide all the latest types of hunting weapons and accessories. A number of ministries and offi cial institutions are taking part in S’hail 2020, such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Municipality and Envi- ronment, and the Qatar Red Crescent Society, in addition to Al Gannas As- sociation and Al Galayel Champion- ship. Private clinics dealing with falcons and other birds are also among the important participants, as they pro- vide medical services, examinations S’hail 2020 also sees the participation of companies off ering accessories associated with the sport of hunting. and key information. There was an online auction of falcons. CCQ stages virtual graduation QF’s Education City Speaker Series focuses on nder the patronage of college faced during the last leadership of the Community lic Administration; and Lolwa HE the Prime Minister academic year due to the coro- College as a national higher Rashid al-Rubaiei, AA in Busi- Uand Minister of Interior navirus pandemic, and how it education institution capable ness Administration. regenerative development Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin managed to overcome them of coping with international de- Refl ecting on his journey at Abdulaziz al-Thani, the Com- through the joint eff orts of stu- velopments.” the CCQ, Almohannadi said: munity College of Qatar (CCQ) dents, faculty and staff , and the Speaking on behalf of the “Earning the associate’s degree Virtual event brings together celebrated virtually the gradu- support of the CCQ’s partners. Class of 2020, graduate of the is the fi rst step towards serv- experts to discuss concept ation of 725 nationals from the “The challenges have also led Bachelor of Arts in Public Ad- ing my country and society, and built around long-term 9th batch of associate’s and us to think out of the box and ministration Aysha al-Yarboei contributing to the QNV 2030 renewal of the planet Jaidah: Group chief executive bachelor’s degree holders yes- harness the power of technol- shed light on the extraordinary (Qatar National Vision 2030), and chief architect at Arab terday. ogy effi ciently to provide more experience of the 9th graduat- which focuses on education as he concept of regenerative Engineering Bureau. Addressing the Class of 2020, educational opportunities and ing batch in overcoming all dif- one of the basic pillars of social development will come CCQ president Dr Mohamed services aiming to serve a larger fi culties and obstacles caused by progress. Tunder the Education City al-Naemi congratulated the group of the CCQ’s members the pandemic to continue their “It gives me great pride to Speaker Series microscope next graduates and highlighted the while maximising our resourc- academic journey. graduate top of my class, and I week, when the latest edition of unprecedented challenges the es in a way that enhances the The ceremony included the am determined to keep it up and Qatar Foundation (QF)’s interna- honouring of outstanding grad- earn my bachelor’s degree.” tional dialogue platform explores uates by Dr al-Naemi and CCQ Alghafri praised the active how the world can go further vice-president Dr Khalid al- role of the Community College than simply seeking to build a Abdulqader. in opening the horizons to the sustainable future. Reed: principal at Regenesis They were: Ashwaq Saif Al- community members to pursue Experts from Qatar and abroad Group Incorporated and general ghafri, BA in Public Administra- higher education. will participate in a virtual panel partner at The Place Fund. tion; Zenab Hussain Ahmad, BS On her part, al-Sulaiti discussion titled Beyond Sus- in Cyber and Network Security; thanked all the CCQ’s faculty tainability: Imagining A Regen- Regenesis Group Incorporated Abdulla Jaber Almohannadi, AA members for their eff orts to en- erative Future, focusing on a form and general partner at The Place in Public Administration; Aisha rich students’ knowledge and of global development that aims Fund, and Dr Anne Poelina, the Dr Poelina: the chair of the Ebrahim al-Sulaiti, AA in Pub- hone their skills. to allow human and natural sys- chair of the Martuwarra Fitzroy Martuwarra Fitzroy River “The CCQ has given me the tems to co-exist for the resilience River Council in Western Aus- Council in Western Australia. Left: CCQ president chance to fulfi l my ambitions and prosperity of the planet. tralia and an indigenous com- Dr Mohamed al-Naemi and develop myself, being the While sustainable develop- munity leader who advocates for ers – refl ecting the QF’s commit- honouring Ashwaq Saif right place for anyone who is ment has primarily focused on the rights of both humans and ment to providing opportunities Alghafri. facing challenges with complet- minimising damage to the en- nature. for dialogue. ing their studies due to fam- vironment and people’s health, The discussion – moderated Launched in 2018, the ini- Below: Some of the CCQ ily and work commitments,” she and making more effi cient use of by Jason Twill, director of the tiative enables audiences from graduates. said. “I am currently working resources to limit the harm done World Cup Master Programme Qatar and beyond to hear from, on completing the Bachelor of to nature, regenerative develop- at the QF – will look at issues and interact with, experts and Public administration and then ment looks to reverse the degra- such as what regenerative devel- thought-leaders on topics that earning a master’s degree.” dation of natural systems. opment means, why it matters, are shaping societies and lives. For Abdulrahman Abdulla With its roots in indigenous and where it has been applied, Taking place from 4pm- Alshafai (AAS in Customs Man- culture, it involves taking a more how traditional knowledge and 5.30pm (Doha time) on October agement), the CCQ has greatly integrated and holistic approach modern science can be blended 27, a 45-minute discussion will impacted the way he performs to the design of cities, buildings, to regenerate the world, and how be followed by a question-and- his job duties. and almost all human activities. regenerative development can answer session, with the audi- “Studying at the Community Tackling the topic through the be aligned with specifi c cultural ence having the opportunity to College has enhanced my pro- Education City Speaker Series on contexts. post their questions to panellists. fessional skills necessary to per- October 27 will be Ibrahim Mo- Next week’s talk will be the Viewers tuning in on Microsoft form my duties at the General hamed Jaidah, the Group chief fi fth online edition of the Educa- Teams can watch the event with Authority of Customs, and I am executive and chief architect at tion City Speaker Series, which English, Arabic, French, Spanish, all set to continue my journey Arab Engineering Bureau, plan- has continued in virtual form and Italian subtitles. at the CCQ through the Bach- ning consultant and sustain- during the coronavirus pandemic The discussion will also be elor of Border Management,” he ability and regeneration expert and attracted tens of thousands available on the QF’s Facebook said. Bill Reed, who is the principal at of local and international view- and YouTube channels.