Page 01 June 21.Indd

ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER ON SATURDAY SUMMER Iran rejects ‘excessive demands’ in N-talks VIENNA: Iran told six big powers yesterday it would not accept their “excessive demands” after the latest talks on lifting sanctions against Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear work yielded no breakthrough. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the gulf between the sides. “Still we have not overcome disputes about major issues,” Zarif told reporters as five days of negotiations in Vienna wound up. “There has been progress, but major disputes remain.” See also page 8 Iraqi forces prepare to strike back BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces massed north of Baghdad yesterday, aiming to strike back at Sunni Islamists whose drive toward the capi- tal prompted the United States to send mili- tary advisers to stiffen government resistance. Iraq’s top Shia religious cleric issued a call for unity, saying Shias and Sunnis should rally behind the authorities to prevent the militant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from destroying the country. Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani said Iraq’s next government must be “effective” and avoid “past mistakes”, an apparent rebuke to Nouri Al Maliki, premier since 2006. See also page 5 Saudi king stops in Cairo to meet Sisi CAIRO: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia stopped in Cairo late yesterday to meet Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to show his strong support through a symbolic but brief visit. The monarch, on his way home from Morocco, did not leave his plane, which was on the ground at Cairo airport for just over an hour. Sisi and his delega- tion were on board for just over 30 minutes. The talks covered the importance of the two nations working together to address regional challenges. See also page 8 THE ISSUE HIA announces fee structure for parking DOHA: A new fee structure for the With the sun beating down the government. They are driven by the The Kulluna national safety campaign is short- and long-term car parks at Hamad belief that it is their social responsibility reaching people who work outdoors, espe- International Airport (HIA) will be applied mercilessly during the long as residents or citizens of Qatar to support cially at construction sites, to educate them from June 22. The long-term car park will summer, some good Samaritans low-income workers. on how they can avoid exposure to heat and be available free to passengers and visitors. in Qatar are reaching out to “This is society taking responsibility for heat-related illnesses. Design: Abraham Augusthy At the short-term car park, parking for the supporting people who are not as privileged “We are asking people who work out- first 30 minutes will be free and QR5 will be workers toiling in the open. as others. It is our collective responsibility,” doors to take precautions for prevention charged for the first hour and for every con- said Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, founder of of heat exhaustion, and how to identify it,” secutive hour. Losing a ticket will cost QR35. elieving that those with deep pock- ILoveQatar.net, a community-based web- said Dr Khalid Saideldeen, chairman of the See also page 4 ets should also have a large heart, site that creates awareness of initiatives to Kulluna campaign. THE PENINSULA & AGENCIES these kind-hearted individuals are support low-income workers. Some others who are not willing to go Bproviding food, water, clothes and Like-minded people have formed small out but want to help the less privileged household items to the workers. Others groups and are volunteering to help work- are using social media to create aware- have launched campaigns on social media ers. Volunteers collect material such as ness about helping low-income workers. to create awareness and encourage others beddings, towels, storage boxes, furniture, In the last few weeks, Facebook, Twitter to help the less privileged. kitchen items, sunglasses, hats, umbrel- and other social networking websites have Some others are also educating workers las, sunshades, electrical items, bags and seen many people from Qatar posting com- on precautions to be taken to safeguard suitcases, clothes and shoes. ments on the welfare of workers. Today’s matches their health during the harsh summer. The staff of Reach Out to Asia has Though these good Samaritans may not These people are trying to do everything launched a campaign called ‘We Really be big in number, they believe that soon GROUP F: they can to help those working in tough Care’. They prepare hundreds of food packs others will join them, convinced that a PAGEclimatic conditions. 6 that include water and fruits for construc- journey of a thousand miles begins with ARGENTINA VS IRAN (7PM) Their efforts to help the disadvantaged tion workers and distribute them at differ- a single step. GROUP G: are not the result of any directives from ent work sites. See also page 2 GERMANY VS GHANA (10PM) GROUP F: NIGERIA VS BOSNIA 1AM (SUNDAY) Saturday 21 June 2014 • 23 Sha’baan 1435 • Volume 19 • Number 6103 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 JUNE 21, 2014 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home HelpingYyyyy the less privileged Citizens and expatriates are trying to make the lives of low-income workers more comfortable DOHA: This summer has seen suitcases, clothes and shoes. impact on the relationships we have hundreds of low-income workers. At A group of Qataris and expatri- many trying to make a difference “Dohnates is just a small pilot with this group of people who build least 4,000 people have viewed the ates has also been assisting work- in the lives of the less privileged, by project and we already have more Qatar, clean and maintain it and films of the campaign online, which ers in distress who need help in the reaching out to low-income workers interest than expected,” said a mem- guard it, he added. show how people can help. form of food, transportation to labour with acts of kindness. ber of the group. Jayaprakash also suggests that peo- Some commentators responded courts, and medical assistance. They Some have launched campaigns on In an unplanned moment, Aakash ple report labour law violations, when on Twitter with advice such as, also guide workers through official social media, and several others have Jayaprakash, who is working on they see them, to Qatari authorities. “Distribute water with friends to procedures, documenting the work joined such initiatives and reached migrant worker issues in Qatar for A local online publication, ‘Just workers in the heat. Have a go one for research purposes and for rais- out to low-income workers with small about eight years, decided to tweet Here’, and ‘See My Culture’, a com- weekend!”, and “Going for a car wash? ing awareness in the local community. gestures like giving bottles of water to using the hashtag #WhatIWillDo, munity initiative, have also joined the Get some water for the guys who In a separate initiative, the staff those working in the hot sun or hav- encouraging his friends and others campaign. shine your car.” of Reach Out to Asia (ROTA) has ing a conversation with them to make to share their views on what they can They urge people to start acting Commenting on the campaign, Vani launched a campaign called ‘We them feel appreciated. Some collect do as individuals to improve the lives rather than talking on social media, Saraswathi, a long-term resident and Really Care’. They prepare hundreds old clothes and household goods and of low-income workers. His tweet to step out and start doing something managing editor of Justhere.qa, said, of food packages for construction distribute them to the workers, or received overwhelming support and — even if they are just small gestures “The tie-up with See my Culture was workers and distribute them at dif- educate them on how to remain safe many people got involved. like giving workers bottles of water, to encourage people to interact with ferent work sites. when temperatures rise, and provide One commentator on Twitter said, greeting them, or simply smiling at those out of their social circle. Low- The food packs include water and them food. “I’ll use my social media accounts to them and making their day. income expatriates literally merge fruits to help prevent dehydration. These individuals believe that it is spread the word about the atrocities The workers on the street don’t with the environment. No one really “Charity begins at home. We are their social responsibility as residents faced by migrant workers in Qatar.” have much access to water and there sees the ‘person’ in the blue or yellow proud of our staff, who launched their and citizens of Qatar to enable low- Another said, “What I will do is aren’t many shops around. Even if overall. But when you stop and say own ‘We Really Care’ initiative, pre- income workers live a better life. never pretend its okay when I see they have access to public water taps, hello, or ask them how they are, then paring food packs for construction “This is society taking the responsi- a migrant worker being mistreated. the water is very hot because of the you stop feeling pity. What you feel workers in Qatar,” ROTA says on its bility of supporting people who aren’t I will talk, I will act, I will say heat. Companies do provide water, is empathy for their struggles, which Facebook page with several photos of as privileged as them, it’s our collec- something.” but again, given the daytime tem- are not too different from many of the initiative.

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