Israel’s Intense Practices to Uproot the Palestinians in Jerusalem

Palestinians experienced the bloodiest and most brutal year of all time in 2022. They witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of settlers, settlement expansion, martyrs, and confiscation of lands, especially in jerusalem. The occupation’s relentless endeavours aim at uprooting the palestinians in jerusalem by controlling more palestinian lands. They try to impose facts on the ground by building and expanding settlements and legitimizing building settlements, especially in jerusalem.

Jerusalem is like no other city in palestine. Israel’s ideology puts more greed in jerusalem than any other city in palestine. The focus on jerusalem pictures a conflict between two histories, two geographies and two very different identities. It includes the palestinian arab native and the trespassing zionist. Accordingly, israel’s ideology directs at eliminating the cultural landmarks of the capital or the holy city. In addition, it aims to fake history aimed at reshaping the city with its exclusive jewish output. They make it after erasing the arab historical identity and its expression of christian and islamic diversity. Consequently, taking into consideration all intense practices to uproot the palestinians in jerusalem. 

Geographical and demographical judaization

Israel’s jewdization ideology plan started its first steps in jerusalem by initially cutting off jerusalem from its perimeter. Their point was isolating arab jerusalemites from their civil, national and administrative institutions and from any activity that would maintain their interdependence. Their first planned step was initiating a vast campaign to isolate jerusalem from its palestinian surroundings, politically, geographically, economically, socially and demographically. They also erected the apartheid wall around the holy city as well as settlement belts around it entirely. Israel also constructed and strengthened settlements in the heart of arab neighbourhoods to Practice to uproot the Palestinians in Jerusalem

Land confiscation

Moreover, since israel’s occupation of jerusalem in 1967, israel has begun confiscating lands inside jerusalem, and other palestinian cities until it expanded to the ghetto of the old town which arabs inhabited and had no trace of jews. Land confiscation expanded until it reached the mughrabi neighbourhood, beit safafa village, beit jala, al-nabi ya ‘qub, and sheikh jarrah area lands. Land confiscation has been happening and still happening until this day under israel’s false pretexts. Israel has also promulgated legislation and laws prohibiting construction in large areas covering various areas of the city. In addition, they have announced other areas as “green areas” for no building. 

To this day, the israeli occupation exploits the classification of palestinian lands according to the oslo accord (a, b and c) to tighten control over palestinians, especially in areas classified as (c) under its full control over security, planning and construction. Israel’s occupation directly exploits 76% of the total area classified as (c); 63% of which regional colonial councils control. Equally important, the areas confiscated for military bases and military training sites represent about 18% of the west bank area, as well as the apartheid wall and expansion that isolated more than 10% of the west bank area. 

Shamelessly, israel’s military forces forcibly expel palestinian citizens from their homes, inhabit them by jewish settlers arriving from abroad, and transfer palestinian properties to the settlers. For example, sheikh jarrah’s neighbourhood has been suffering from this issue. In 2008, the occupation authorities forcibly expelled the first palestinian families from the neighbourhood and were repatriated by jews. They expelled the al-ghawi family by force of arms from their homes in the sheikh jarrah neighbourhood. To date, 28 palestinian homes remain threatened with expulsion and transfer of their homes to settlers. 

Demolishing “unauthorized construction”

In order to build homes in east jerusalem and area c, palestinians must apply for a permit from the israeli authorities, who control these areas. The vast majority of demolition orders are issued because a home or structure has been built without an israeli permit. Every year israel demolishes hundreds of palestinian homes under the pretext of what zionists call illegal construction in east jerusalem (unauthorized construction).

Zionist authorities impose doubled penalties on jerusalemites such as high financial fines reaching tens of thousands of shekels, actual imprisonment, and instructions requiring jerusalemites to prove ownership of their land by highlighting the land registry. They would also oblige palestinians to obtain the consent of their neighbours including the mukhtar of the village or the village chief. Generally, demolition orders are based on false pretexts that israel considers demolishing their homes itself or even making the situation harder by issuing self-demolition for the palestinians.

General view

Psychological warfare is israel’s best-known ideology for uprooting palestinians to clamp down on palestinians compelling them to leave their lands.  Palestinians will never forget israel’s true face. They will never forget the execution of the veteran journalist shirin abu akleh. They will never forget the illegal assassinations, willful injuries, arbitrary arrests, torture and other ill-treatment, persecutions and collective punishments against palestinians, including many children. Violence has always been a key feature of israel. Palestinians will never forget. And they will never forgive.

Is chutzpah a national feature in Israel?

To Israel’s deep chagrin, Palestine, though visibly raped,  constantly violated, savaged and grievously wounded by decades of brutal Zionist occupation, has more or less emerged as an ultimate winner at Qatar’s gargantuan world cup carnival. And, although the victory was completely symbolic, its psychological and allegorical impact has been truly universal and overwhelming.

True, this moral victory has not reduced the number of Palestinian children,  slaughtered callously and mercilessly by the trigger-happy grand-children and great grand-children of the holocaust, nor is it expected to mitigate the protractedly harsh Israeli blockade of the thoroughly-tormented Gaza Strip. So, the rape of Palestine and persecution of its people continue unabated.

In fact, the collective Palestinian pain has significantly increased, especially after the election of a purely fascist government in Israel, a government comprising hard-core Talmudic gurus of hate. 

The World Cup Carnival gave supporters of the just Palestinian cause a rare opportunity to tell billions of viewers around the world that Israel’s intimidation, bullying and mendacity will not make them swerve from calling the spade a spade and identifying with the nearly helpless victims of Israel-American oppression and racism. So, Is chutzpah a national feature in Israel?

Zionist disappointment

Israeli journalists are being shunned at the World Cup Carnival in Qatar, with many fans yelling at them and refusing to conduct interviews once they find out which country they are from.

Stunned by the unprecedented overflow of support for their victims, Zionists supremacists felt their magic was failing them at a crucial time.

They regurgitated decades of tales, canards,  and sheer lies in order to turn black into white as they have been doing for many decades.

 Moreover, desperate Zionists sought to invoke the convenient mantra of anti-Semitism to cover up their evilness and barbarianism, but to no avail.

The World Cup fans, even those hailing from countries traditionally considered supportive of Israel, like Britain,  were not deterred or intimidated by the scary  Jewish Golem, as they shouted rather casually “Free Palestine.”

Moreover, the Zionists,  consistent with their timeless shamelessness and pristine chutzpah, , had expected a prodigal son’s reception in Qatar, ignoring the clarion murderous crimes of their fellow soldiers and Gestapo-like settlers, shown live on al-Jazeera TV.

Indeed, in their depraved mindset and racism, the Zionist  thought that they had all rights and privileges to use filthy propaganda,  disinformation and sly prevarication to keep the murderous oppression meted out to the Palestinian people confined to parochial and esoteric circles.

This is because these Zionists, not only took “their right” to torment and savage their victims for granted but actually believed they have every right to silence,  suffocate and besiege every Palestinian and pro-Palestinian voice to prevent it from communicating the Palestinian plight to the world, especially western peoples.

In other words, the self-absorbed Zionists are so eager to maintain the “sanctity” of the big lie in order to proceed as “naturally” as possible with their genocidal designs against a people whose only “crime” is its enduring steadfastness and being non-members in the “Chosen People’s Club.”!  Intoxicated by their characteristic insolence and arrogance of power, the Zionists forgot that warm hospitality is not granted to rapists and child killers! The two just don’t go hand in hand.

Now,  we too are joining the chorus and we will shout in unison,   as loud as possible, Free  Palestine! No to the occupation, No to hatred, and No apartheid.

Chutzpah: The Shameless Zionist

There is no doubt that  Zionist Jews are a shameless people. By the way, the very word Chutzpa, or shamelessness,  is Yiddish- Jewish! Thus, Israeli tourists and hotel customers, wherever they go, are notorious in their anti-social behaviour. They routinely steal objects from their hotel rooms, vandalize furniture, and are quite filthy, given what they leave behind after departing.  There might be certain psychological factors behind this widespread morbid phenomenon, which make these people behave this way, including an intrinsic contempt for non-Jews, the Chosen-people superiority complex and a certain innate collective desire to inflict harm on Goyem (derogatory for non-Jews).

Alan Dershowitz wrote about ” Israeli Chutzpah” :

To the perpetrator of chutzpah, it means boldness, assertiveness, a willingness to demand what is due, to defy tradition, to challenge authority, to raise eyebrows. To the victim of chutzpah, it means unmitigated gall, nerve, uppityness, arrogance, hypocritical demanding.”

THE JERUSALEM POST

JESSICA STEINBERG wrote about ” Israeli chutzpah”:

It’s hard to truly translate Israeli chutzpah, that combination of audacity, nerve and boldness that characterizes the Israeli identity, but there’s no doubting its ubiquity.

As to Qatar, It is well known that Zionist  Jews display condescending attitudes toward  Arabs, including citizens of Arabian Gulf states. This is despite the fact that the autocratic regimes of most of these Emirates behave quite obsequiously toward Israel, mainly to endear themselves to the American government and the powerful American Jewish lobby.

 Israeli media lamentation

As Israeli fans were received in Qatar as “pariahs and unwanted guests, ” some Israeli writers lost their composure and mental equanimity, hurling all sorts of insults, accusations, canards, and insinuations at the Qatari government and people as well as  Arabs and Muslims in general.

Writing in the pro-settler site, Ynet, under the title  “Erratic Arab rage at Qatar World Cup is not a death sentence for Israelis,” Ben Dror Yemeni claimed that the Arabs couldn’t display their joy without expressing their hatred for Israel!

He admitted there was a deep feeling of frustration among Israelis at the hostile reception they encountered in Qatar:

“Israelis flocked to Qatar for the tournament thinking they would be able to reap the fruits of the Abraham Accords. Instead, Israelis were confronted upon their arrival with barrages of hate speech and abuse.”

The fascist-minded writer lamented the fact that despite Qatar’s de facto recognition of the Jewish state,  Israel was still known in the small Gulf state  as “the colonialist apartheid entity.” Resigned to this anti-Zionist reality, Yemeni  said “maybe some Israelis were a bit naïve in thinking a Muslim Brotherhood-run state would welcome us with open arms and “ahlan wa sahlan.”(ed-welcome in Arabic).

You see,  these despicable paragons of racism forgot easily  that by the time Israeli fans arrived in Doha, their trigger-happy soldiers were gleefully murdering the Palestinian children and civilians in the streets of the West Bank.

Talmudic racism triumphs

Moreover, the World Cup carnival coincided with the latest round of Israeli elections, which brought to power a racist-terrorist clique of Politicians, universally considered as the most virulent proponents of Talmudic fascism under the sun.

Needless to say, these contemptible racist terrorists, such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich,  can be compared with KKK in America, the Hitler Youth movement and similar evil groups. For example, Ben- Gvir is demanding the adoption of Talmudic laws as the Law of the Land. As an expert in Talmudic Judaism knows, these laws teach, inter alia,  that the lives of non-Jews have no sanctity and that raping a Goya (non-Jewish woman) should not be viewed as a real crime, only a minor “sin of bestiality,” since the woman is not really a human being! In, light the Zionists would insist on receiving utmost respect and exemplary hospitality, and at the same time maintain their toxic racism and murderous behaviour. It is a gargantuan oxymoron.

The Connection Between Muslim Prayers (Namaz/Salah) and Yoga Poses

Islam isn’t only about religious supplications; instead, it is also about human well-being. Some of us, Muslims, can also be unaware of Salah’s benefits and connection to yoga. People do yoga to stay fit and healthy, but most Muslims don’t understand how Islam promotes healthy living through prayers.

According to many case studies and researches, it is founded that Muslim prayers and Yoga poses have direct connections. Most mental health care clinics treat Muslim prayers as a basement to treat Muslim patients. In a stress-ridden world, it is not easy to stay mentally healthy or fit. People often need the right amount of counseling and therapy. Therapists search for novel ideas and strategies to treat patients. They try to implement new things to cater to patients’ problems. Reiki, Yoga, etc. are some of those methods that therapists attend to. Apart from these methods, religion, as a whole, plays a significant role in healing the mental illness of patients.

There’s therapeutic efficacy when the religious patients are connected with religious belief. Several research pieces concerning this new order have brought the direct connection between salah and Yoga to light. People have started looking for the reason why Muslim prayers have so much significance. Well, let me tell you why and how Yoga poses resemble Muslim prayers. 

How Does Yoga match With the Muslim Prayers?

Yoga is an ancient style of meditation and physical acts that was initiated by Hindus. There are so many scientific proofs concerning the healthy benefits of Yoga. Today, people around the world follow Yoga despite its religious connection. It has become one of the famous fitness programs in the world. 

However, Muslims have got the chance to enjoy similar benefits as Yoga through their prayers, which has been practiced for fourteen hundred years. It is a daily activity that Muslims around the world practice.

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) has said “إن فى الصلاة شفاء” means “There is a cure in prayers.”

The word “Chakras” is used by Yogis, and it is attainted only when all the yoga poses are performed flawlessly. This is similar to the “feeling” that Muslims get when they perform all the salah postures. When salah is performed five times a day, it gives tremendous energy and stamina to run the day effectively. This is similar to the boost that you get when you perform yoga poses.

So there are similarities between yoga poses and Salah, let’s check them below.

Top Three Yoga Poses That Are Similar to the Postures of Muslim Prayers

Qiyam vs. Namaste

Both Namaste and Qiyam require keeping both feet evenly distributed; thus, it balances the body and eases the nervous system. The body gets positive energy when the posture is maintained perfectly. In Muslim prayers, certain Quran verses recited while the individuals are in Qiyam position. According to research, it is stated that sound vibrations from the Quran verses stimulate the thyroid, heart, adrenal glands, pituitary, and lungs. It also uplifts and purifies them.

In a prayer, Qiyam begins with recitals while keeping the body straight in a standing position. While the person remains in the position, he/she will make sure to keep the back, and the overall body straightened. This will not only help steady blood flow but also increase the focus. According to Muslims, this position increases self-awareness and the health of the overall body. Next, when the person engages in dua (prayers), the chakra is activated. This is how the feelings of harmony, love, and peace play a role in the prayer.

In Yoga, Namaste isn’t very much different to Qiyam rather, and it’s just the same posture with a slight difference in what we say and how we move. Namaste means “I bow to you or Bow me you.” If you see the way how Yogis perform this movement, you will witness a slight difference. Instead of placing one hand over the other as Muslims do in prayer, they will place the hands at heart to enhance the divine love. Along with this, they will also close their eyes and bow their head to increase the flow of love.

During Namaste, Yogis come to a standing position in which their body muscles tighten. Yoga helps your body’s metabolism and blood flow, so you don’t have to engage in an intense workout. Also, the motions involved in Yoga will develop flexibility and efficiency.  

Ruk’u vs. Ardha Uttanasana

Both the positions support the muscles in the lower back, thighs, front torso, and calves. When engaging in these positions, your upper torso will receive adequate blood. The muscles in the stomach, kidneys, and abdomen will also be toned when you follow these positions.

In a prayer, Ruk’ u is performed by bending forward to portray the submission to Allah. It shows how a Muslim let go of his/her pride and lowers down to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has advised to lower oneself in Ruk’ u with much calmness and come to a standing position only when the body gets relaxed.

In Yoga, Ardha Uttanasana is a forward fold that in a half-standing position. This prayer yoga pose promotes relaxed breathing and increases the mind’s calmness. However, both the poses strengthen the spine and back while promoting body posture. When you perform the poses correctly, the muscles get stretched, resulting in ease of pack pain.

Besides, the positions send pressure to the abdomen; thus, it helps relieve peristaltic movements and constipation.

Sujud vs. Balasana (child pose)

This is the most critical position of Muslim prayer. Sujud stimulates the frontal cortex of the brain. When Muslims perform sujud, their heart gets placed in a top position than the brain, so the upper part of the body gets enough blood flow. Mainly, your lungs and head. According to hadith, it is mentioned that Muslims are closer to Allah when they are in sujud.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state)” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

The belly fat can be controlled with Balasana and Sujud positions. Knees, forehead, and feet are on the ground, which means there’s more pressure for the abdomen’s muscles to get stronger.

In Yoga, a similar pose to sujud is called child post (Balasana). This is also treated as a famous stretching exercise that can be added to his/her daily routine. This pose relieves tension in the chest, shoulders, and back. As per certain researches, this pose activates crown chakra that deals with a spiritual connection with the world and spiritual pursuits. It also clears mental toxins.

Wrapping Up

People around the world perform Yoga to increase mental peace, stamina, and calmness. When they engage in Yoga, they chant the mantras in a low tone to increase efficiency. However, this is also similar to what Muslims do when they engage in prayers. Quran verses that are recited serve as a guidance and good deed.

Just like Yoga, salah serves as enlightenment and a source of peace. According to Islam, peace and guidance are promoted through five-times prayers. Through prayers, meditation is encouraged, so for example, whenever a Muslim feels worried or disturbed, they can easily get rid of it through prayers.

On the other hand, Quran verses deal with a lot of sociological and psychological benefits. I believe now it’s safe to say that we, Muslims, have been following Yoga since 1,400 years!

Five-time prayers is the Muslim version of Yoga!

Will the West Embrace Kosher Nazism Following the Instalment of the New Israeli Government?

Major Western powers have reacted almost indifferently to the formation of the New Israeli government. The United States, Israel’s-guardian-ally,  said it was looking forwards to working with the returning veteran Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.

In a telephone call to Netanyahu, ostensibly to congratulate him on the swearing-in of his new coalition government, President Biden half-heartedly reaffirmed U.S. commitment to a two-state solution for the Palestinian issue. However, it is absolutely clear that this type of political settlement is irreversibly dead given the intensive Jewish colonization of the West Bank, which has left no room for establishing a credible, sovereign and territorially-contiguous Palestinian state worthy of the name.

Biden’s helpless disenchantment with Israel

The apparently helpless disenchantment of the Biden administration with the ascendency of Talmudic fascism to the helm of power in Israel shows that the indecisive US approach to the Palestinian crisis has effectively reached a dead-end, as Israeli recalcitrance is thwarting all American peace efforts in the region.  

Predictably,  Just a few hours after his telephone conversation with Biden, Netanyahu wasted no time telling the American President that Israel is not occupying anyone’s land and that 100% of the West Bank was an exclusively Jewish territory!

On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the same message during a conversation with the new Israeli foreign Minister Eli Cohen. However, there was a general agreement that the discrepancy over the two-state solution wouldn’t impact the core alliance between Israel and the U.S.

Also on Sunday, a group of Jewish Americans held a rare protest vigil outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, calling for peace, democracy and equality. The protesters who are members of the American branch of Peace Now called the current Israeli government racist, homophobic and promoting apartheid.

Europe and Israel: Ambivalence and hypocrisy

Biden reportedly remained quite reticent as he obviously lacked the will and inclination to challenge Netanyahu’s insolence or confront his characteristic intransigence. A careful reading into Biden’s behaviour shows that his administration will never seek to pressure Israel to give genuine concessions for peace. Instead, he is more likely to continue cajoling and coaxing  the increasingly irrelevant PA to wait for a miracle that would never happen

The European Union issued a general statement, calling on “all parties” to exercise self-restraint and refrain from escalation.

Germany, whose current chancellor got visibly mad this past year when visiting PA President Mahmoud Abbas used the word holocaust to describe mounting Israeli atrocities against Palestinians, issued a rare criticism of Israel after Public Security Minister Ben Gvir paid a provocative visit to the holy Islamic sanctuary, the Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The visit drew a wave of criticisms and condemnations  from many quarters around the world, although it was not expected that the new Israeli government would pay the slightest attention to these negative reactions.

Self-Censored western media refrain from calling the spade by its name

The bulk of the international, especially western media described the new Israeli government in virtually innocuous terms, calling it, inter alia, “most rightest, most nationalist and most-extremist.” However, it is amply clear that these banal labels served as euphemistic epithets intended to mitigate the brutal ugliness of the new Judeo-Nazi government, headed by Benyamin Netanyahu.

As expected, some newspapers of record, like New York Times, Washington Post,  Le Mond, and Times of London, meticulously refrained from using the term “fascist” as if three were still doubts as to whether the use of that epithet to describe the new Israeli government was too hyperbolic and grossly unfair.

We must call the spade by its name

Undoubtedly, this monstrous government already deserves the strongest condemnations from every honest man and woman in this world. The world doesn’t have to wait weeks and months to ascertain the true credentials of that evil entity.

The  Israeli media has already published appalling excerpts of statements by the government of murderers, thugs and child-killers,  who seem quite convinced that the tight  Jewish domination of the American government, including Congress,  grants them a perfect right to carry out a partial or full holocaust against millions of Palestinians, languishing under Talmudic cruelty and barbarianism.

Some Israeli PR experts have warned that statements about “Jewish domination” in America could boomerang on Israel and embarrass Israel’s supporters in the U.S. Another point of possible contention between the U.S. and the new Israeli government is the venomous aversion by the Haredi ultra-religious parties such as Shas and Agudat Yisrael towards Jesus Christ. Toxic anti-Jesus literature, like Hesronot Shas, is taught widely in Talmudic colleges all over Israel.

Ultimate game-changer

Viewed as the worst and most racist, most fascist and murderous Israeli government ever, the new rulers of Israel are expected to put into effect a plethora of racist laws including the following:

1. Passing new laws in the Knesset that would seriously reduce or even revoke legal punishments for Jews convicted of murdering non-Jews.  Needless to say,  Successive Israeli governments have been observing, de facto,  such laws for decades. However, Israeli official agencies used to indulge in such crimes behind the curtain, obviously for public relations purposes.  Human rights groups operating in the West Bank have documented numerous cases where innocent Palestinians were murdered in cold blood by Jewish settler terrorists, and the perpetrators were not even interrogated by the police, let alone imprisoned or even arrested.
2. Israel is expected to instate the “death penalty” against Palestinians convicted of killing Jews, including heavily-armed Israeli soldiers. Of course, the capital punishment doesn’t apply to Jews convicted of murdering non-Jews, including children.
3.  According to cultic Talmudic laws the religious parties would submit for ratification, Jewish doctors may refuse to provide medical care to non-Jewish patients, or even saving their lives on Shabat (Saturday). Thus a non-Jew injured in a car accident on the Jewish Sabbath would have to bleed to death as emergency services offering first aid to Goyem contradict the Jewish religious law. 
4. There are certain Talmudic laws that do not  recognize the sheer humanity of non-Jews in general. It is uncertain whether Netanyahu’s coalition partners will seek to activate such manifestly laws. In Some cases, the ultimate ramifications of such laws could be quite embarrassing for Jews everywhere.  
5. Israel is adopting the desecration and attempted Judaizing of the Aqsa Mosque as official policy. In the Past, Israeli governments blamed fringe fanatic groups for “acts of agitation and provocation” at the Haram el-Sharif of Jerusalem . Now, however, these fringe groups  are more or less in control the Israeli government.

The Holocaust didn’t start with Auschwitz

For those who might accuse me of being unduly hasty in passing a judgment on the new government that is less than one-week old,  I say it is you who are being blinded by your gullibility, naivety and ignorance about that government.

I must remind the world that the holocaust did not start with Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Dachau, Mauthausen, etc. These death concentration camps and the sheer evil they came to represent were only the final or ultimate outcome of  Nazi policies. Thus, the holocaust was by no means a huge winter storm occurring on a beautiful,  clear, sunny day.

The Holocaust started much earlier,  with the sort of things occurring these days  before our eyes in Palestine, like the publication of Mein Kampf (Torat ha’Melekh), the Nazi-Citizenship aw of 1936-37 (the Israeli Nationality Law of 2o9), Kristalnacht (settler vandalism in Nablus, elsewhere),! So, should the world give people like Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich the benefit of the doubt in order to  enable the4m perfect their Holocaustal  designs against a people who rely  mostly on the goodwill of people like you and me to save them from the gloomy clouds of Israeli, Zionist-Jewish Nazism flying over the horizons?

Friendship is a Way For Jannah

Friendship in simplistic words could be a relationship you’ve got together with your chosen family. Friends are the sisters and brothers we nevermore had, and are by our side through life’s ups and downs. It feels excellent to brighten their days “Each friend acts as a world in us, a world perhaps not born until they arrive, and it’s only by this meeting that a different world is born.”

In Islam, the prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) and his honest friends, the rightly guided caliphs Abu Bakar, Omar, Osman, and Ali are pure honest friendship. Their friendship was supported by a shared faith in Allah s.w.t., and therefore the responsibility to assist the nascent Muslim community. All had their portion of trials and tribulations and every one distinguished them. Their effect was felt throughout the centuries.

The Muslim community is inclusive, as every Muslim maybe a brother or a sister. There’s room for people of the book, too, as there are quran verses about friendship that say kind things about them. The way of the prophet (PBUH) was to treat the people of the book well, as long as they treated the Muslims well, too. In fact, the Constitution of Medina guaranteed the rights of the Jews and Christians, and that they were a part of the community (ummah). It’s later that an exclusive brand of Islam appeared.

Quran Verses About Friendship

The friends of God are mentioned because the Hizballah, the party of Allah. Satan is described as an enemy of God and an enemy of the believers. God encourages the believers to not take Satan, the enemy of God and their enemy, for a friend; he and his progeny “watch you from where you cannot see them.” (Q, 7: 27). The Qur’an has advice on the way to protect friendships. We are advised to reply to evil with good:

Good deeds, in some words, turn enemies into friends. This is often nearly like the Christian advice to “turn the opposite cheek,” but during a way better because a positive act brings a few positive results, instead of just additional pain for the casualty. We also are advised to “forgive and overlook” small faults. We also are advised to forgive if we wish to be forgiven. (Q, 24: 22).

How to pick a friend

Islam has installed the characteristics of a righteous friend; in order that we will make the proper choice.

A closer check of the friend’s choice blocks us from regretting it then. While picking the proper friend, we’ve to select on him\her with good mannerism and behavior.

Meantime, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has advised us to withdraw bad companions with bad manners, like, hypocrisy, deception, lying, and miserliness. As Muslims, we shouldn’t take our special friends from non-Muslims and this doesn’t contradict the great treatment of non-Muslims.

Goof friend specifications: Islam has put a number of these characteristics for selecting an honest friend.

• He must be intelligent and believer.
• He must be honest and tolerant.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated

Man is affected by the Faith of his friends. Therefore, Be careful of whom you befriend

Narrated by Abu Dawud Tirmidhi.

The moral importance of friendship

The friend must be of good character and religion. As the person who is devoid of the good morals commanded by our true religion does not believe in his family, nor is he trusted in his friendship, but changes according to the change of passions and desires, in addition to that he may transmit his infection to those who accompany him, and he will be afflicted with his affliction, and he will repulse it, and they said: The patient is not acquitted by having contact with the healthy one, and that is why Abu Al-Alaa Al-Maari said:

Hence, the warning of the Prophet Muhammad, God bless him: (A person is based on the debt of his boyfriend, so let one of you see who breaks)

The greatest kind of friendship

Love in God is one of the greatest types of friendship in Islam, by making love purely for God free from any matter in the world’s interests. Rather, it is based on righteousness and piety. In the saying of the Prophet, peace is upon him: (If one of you loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him).

Suspending women’s college education by Taliban spells ignorance of Islam

It is with great sadness that I write about the latest shocking news from Afghanistan where the Taliban regime has decided to suspend college education for women.

A number of utterly unconvincing excuses were given to explain the sorry decree. These excuses ranged from the need to observe Hejab and modesty rules to financial hardships.

However, these justifications seemed too feeble and rickety to be taken seriously by friend and foe alike.

Predictably, traditional enemies of Islam in several Western countries wasted no time in lambasting Taliban in the strongest language and hurling all sorts of insinuations and innuendos at  Islam itself as if the Taliban regime were the ultimate paragon of God’s final testament to mankind.

I will not allow myself to be swayed or unduly influenced by the vindictive waves of Islamophobia coming from Washington, London and Paris. But the US, for example, is absolutely unfit to give humanity lectures on human rights. Indeed, the American empire needs hundreds of years to atone for its crimes against humanity,  carried out, with malice aforethought, against the thoroughly savaged, thoroughly tormented and thoroughly impoverished people of Afghanistan. The American Yankees, whose ancestors, such as Andrew Jackson,  exterminated millions of Native Americans and then had the audacity to  call the gargantuan genocide “Manifest Destiny,” and designate a special day to celebrate the “victory” calling it a “Thanks-giving Day“

Nor am I eager to further demonize Taliban, in which case, I would be effectively joining the ranks of Afghanistan’s many enemies.

However, consistent with the lofty Islamic ideal of “al-Amr Bilma’ruf Wan-nahye Anel Munkar” (Propagation of Virtue and Prohibition of Vice), I feel compelled to address our Afghani brothers: “Brothers, you have made a grave mistake, education for women is not only perfectly compatible with all schoobls of Islamic thought and Jurisprudence,  it is actually an outstanding commandment in the Sharia of Muhammed (S) who said in the authentic Hadith ” Seeking knowledge (through education) is a duty incumbent upon every Muslim (man and woman). Again I am not invoking this Hadith to appease anyone. I am only trying to tell the truth for its own sake.

Suspending college education for women is incompatible with Islam   

This writer has consulted all major Muslim schools of thought, especially the Four Sunni schools of Jurisprudence (Hanbali, Hanafi, Maliki and Shafie) but couldn’t find a single text or credible opinion supporting the Taliban’s decision.

The opposite is true. There are compelling and overwhelming evidences showing that Islam accords ample attention to education for men and women alike.

The Prophet of Islam (S) said in the authentic Hadith “seek knowledge from cradle to grave.” This Hadith alone should be sufficient to prompt the Taliban leadership to reconsider this unfortunate decision, which has made Muslims a laughingstock around the world. Taliban Suspend college education for women

Azhar: Suspension college education for women violates the Rules of Islam

The Grand Imam of Azhar, Ahmed Tayeb reacted angrily to the Taliban’s decision to suspend college education for women, saying” the decision is manifestly erroneous and is a product of Ignorance.”

He cited a Major classical reference of Fiqh, namely Ketab “Tahtheeb-ul-Tahteeb” (roughly translated as  “Refining the Refined”),  which mentioned more than 30 Muslim women from the  Sahaba era (Companions of the Prophet), Tabi’in (the immediate generation after Sahaba) and the following generations,  who were Sharia scholars, theologians, historians, literary writhers, and poets.

Tayeb cited two other books titled ” Prominent Women”, the first by Zaynab Ameli, and the second by Omar Reda Kahala, which explained Muslim women’s contributions in various fields of knowledge. Tayeb added that the Taliban’s strange feat didn’t represent Islam in any way and actually violated the rules of the Quran itself.

Concluding his remarks, Tayeb appealed to Taliban to “immediately cancel the unfortunate decision and reopen colleges and universities for Afghan women.”

Islam is moderation and moderation is Islam   

There are some Islamic groups who mistakenly think extremism and excessive radicalism make a Muslim a better Muslim. This is not true at all. Extremism is as harmful as indulgence and laxity.

According to the authentic Hadith, three men came to the Prophet to ask about religious obligations. One said: I fast every day, and never eat (in daytime). The second man said: I devote myself to worshipping God and remain celibate. The third said: As for me, I pray all night long and don’t sleep. After the Prophet heard them, he said: As for me, I fast and eat, pray and sleep, and marry. He that shuns my Sunna (Way) is not my follower.

A moderate Umma   

The claim of moderation is not a public relations stunt intended to enhance Islam’s image as some westerners might be prompted to think. It is actually enshrined in the Quran and was encapsulated by the Prophet in his life.

In Surat al Baqara, verse143 (first part), we read:

وكذلك جعلناكم أمة وسطا لتكونوا شهداء على الناس ويكون الرسول عليكم شهيدا

“And thus we have made you a moderate community that you will be witnesses over humanity and the Messenger will be a witness over you.”

I believe the ball is now in the Taliban’s court, and I hope and pray that they will heed the sincere advice of Muslim Ulema to reconsider this un-Islamic feat. After all, this is not a controversial matter, and doing the right thing would dignify, not disgrace or embarrass, the Muslim movement. Doing the right thing is always right.

A final world 

 The decision by the Taliban regime to suspend college education for women in Afghanistan is apparently a symptom of a deeply stressful situation facing the country.

Afghanistan is being severely punished by the US, Britain and a number of other Western countries. The US is withholding hundreds of millions of dollars of Afghani funds  in American banks as a bargaining chip to force the Taliban regime to revolve in the American orbit and meet certain American demands. The money is urgently needed to overcome the harsh financial crisis facing Kabul.

Hence, the latest decision to suspend college education for women should be viewed as a  desperate SOS call by the radical Islamic group.

In light, Muslim states are strongly advised to offer Afghanistan every possible form of assistance to enable the country to stand up on its feet once again. Qatar has been generously helping the Taliban government ever since the movement came to power anew following the defeat and collapse of the American puppet regime earlier this year.

Israeli Filmmaker Nadav Lapid Sparks Outrage in India after calling The Kashmir Files “Vulgar Propaganda”

An outrage has erupted in India after Israeli director Nadav Lapid described the controversial film The Kashmir Files as “propaganda” and a “vulgar movie” at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) late on Monday, November 28. Lapid, who was present at IFFI as a jury member, spoke against the inclusion of the film that was inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.

At the closing ceremony of the 53rd International Film Festival of India. Lapid, the jury chief at this year’s edition of IFFI, also added that he was “disturbed and shocked” to see the film being screened at the film festival. After Lapid’s comments, a severe backlash followed from the Indian public, BJP politicians, and some of the film’s actors on social media, prompting the Israeli ambassador to India Naor Gilon to issue an explanation.

 The Kashmir Files being called vulgar propaganda, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, revolves around the exodus and killing of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in 1990. Since its premiere in March, it has been the subject of heated debate, with critics accusing it of distorting history and propelling an alternative view about the Kashmir issue, with the intent to not just provoke but incite an anti-Muslim agenda. The BJP, including the Prime minister, has openly endorsed the film with several states ruled by the party giving the film tax exemptions. The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, has praised the film, congratulating its makers for having “the guts to portray the truth” and it was the second highest-grossing film in India this year.

Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon slams Lapid in an open letter for hurting Israel’s Ties with India

Naor Gilon, Israel’s ambassador to India, gave Lapid some of the sharpest criticism, telling him that he should be “ashamed” of his remarks and that it was “insensitive and presumptuous” of him to talk on a matter that has political and religious repercussions in India. The statements made by Lapid calling The Kashmir Files “Vulgar Propaganda” were “unequivocally condemned,” by Gilon.

Gilon said Lapid will go back to Israel thinking that he was bold and “made a statement”. “We, the representatives of Israel, would stay here. You should see our DM [Direct Messages] boxes following your ‘bravery’ and what implications it may have on the team under my responsibility.”

In a series of tweets, Gilon said he felt ashamed and wanted to apologize to their Indian hosts for the bad manner in which they repaid them for their generosity and friendship. Gilon also added he had written an open letter to Lapid.

“It’s not in Hebrew because I wanted our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It is also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED.”

Gilon called the friendship between the states of India and Israel very strong. He also added that India and Israel’s bond will survive the damage Lapid has inflicted.

Lapid’s response to the Israeli Ambassador and the backlash

In a 32-minute interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, Lapid revealed that he has “received hundreds, maybe thousands, of threatening messages”. However, standing by what he said at IFFI, he mentioned that he stands behind every word that he said about The Kashmir Files.

“In a way it was my duty, my obligation. I was invited to be frank not to speak about vanities.”

“Criticising a movie is not criticising India or criticising what happened in Kashmir,” he added.

When asked about the Israeli ambassador’s remarks who, in a public letter to Lapid, said that he should be ashamed of himself and claimed he had insulted the Indian hospitality and damaged India-Israel relations.

Lapid said: “I feel ashamed of this reaction of an Israeli diplomat.”

He also denied and rubbished the report of Hindustan Times, an Indian English-language daily newspaper, that reported him calling The Kashmir Files “brilliant movie” in an interview with India Today, another Indian media conglomerate.  

After his remarks at IFFI, many Indian news outlets also shared information about him apologizing for his remarks.

Speaking to Karan Thapar, he clarified that in a separate interview with CNN-News18, he was only apologizing if he hurt the feelings of the relatives of those who were killed in the exodus, but he was by no means apologizing for criticizing the film.

Nadav Lapid’s fellow foreign jury members support his stance, excluding Sudipto Sen from their official statement

Lapid’s co-jury members at IFFI Goa this year were Spanish documentary filmmaker Javier Angulo Barturen, French film editor Pascale Chavance, American film producer Jinko Gotoh and Indian film director Sudipto Sen.

While Indian filmmaker Sudipto Sen has told the Indian Express that discussions about the subject of The Kashmir Files were private and that Lapid acted on his own. BAFTA winner Jinko Gotoh made it clear that she and two of her fellow jurors Barturen and Chavance stand by Lapid’s comments at IFFI regarding The Kashmir Files (2022) being a “propaganda” movie. A joint statement signed by them was posted on Twitter from Gotoh’s handle. Clarifying that the jury’s observation on The Kashmir Files was unanimous, the joint statement said:

“At the festival’s closing ceremony, Nadav Lapid, the jury’s president, made a statement on behalf of the jury members stating: We were all of disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, The Kashmir Files, that felt to us like a vulgar propaganda movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival. We stand by his statement.”

This statement was made at a time when many people were speculating that Lapid, a politically conscious director, gave his own viewpoint rather than the jurors’ during the IFFI closing ceremony.

Post IFFI row, Vivek Agnihotri announces ‘Kashmir Files’ follow-up film

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has announced a follow-up movie titled “The Kashmir Files Unreported” to “reveal the real truth” after challenging the IFFI jury and Israeli director Nadav Lapid to disprove the veracity of the events shown in his film The Kashmir Files. 

In an interview with Aaj Tak, Agnihotri said, “I will soon reveal if it will be a web series or a documentary. This is beyond art now and is more about the reputation of the country and it is my moral responsibility that whatever proof I have with me, I bring them out and present it in front of people,”.

The much-contested film, which opened to conflicting reactions following its release in March this year, starred Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty, and Darshan Kumar.

Following Lapid’s remarks, Joshi and Kher both criticised the Israeli director. Lapid was labeled a genocide denier by Joshi, while Kher branded him as “a person who himself is vulgar and an opportunist.”

Why Muslims Pray 5 Times a Day

“Do you pray FIVE TIMES A DAY?” some of my non-Muslim friends would inquire. “Didn’t you pray yet?” another set of non-Muslim friends would ask. Different people have different perspectives concerning prayers. The latter section is the ones who have been with me since childhood. They have an understanding of Islam and its obligations.

The first set of friends is new to my circle, so they are clueless about why we do these. I’m not judging them because they don’t know why Muslims pray, so we are to educate them about it.

However, what’s unfortunate is most Muslims don’t practice the obligatory prayer though they can. Therefore, it is essential to discuss obligatory prayers and how one feels to do it regularly.

What Exactly is the Five Daily Prayer?

It’s an obligation for Muslims and one of the pillars of Islam. Prayer or in Arabic Salah is the connection between the Creator and the creations. It sets the path to get connected to the one who created. Millions of Muslims around the world follow this practical ritual.

Muslims who understand the benefits of prayers tend to feel as if he/she is standing in front of Him and conversing directly. Every adult who is sane and physically fit must meet this obligation. A child must begin praying at the age of 7, but its parents’ duty to train them.

“You lead by example.” –anonymous

But why is it five times instead of one? Think about it, after praying the early Morning Prayer (Fajr) your mind keeps reminding you to pray Noon Prayer (dhuhr). Likewise, there is a constant reminder of the Creator. The five times prayer will continue as afternoon prayer ( Asr), prayer during Sunset (Maghrib), and the Evening Prayer (Isha).

Therefore, it is more like a reminder that the world is temporary, and you will one day return to God.

“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except for the enjoyment of delusion.” –Surah Ali-Imran (3:185).

How Does it Feel to Pray Five Times a Day?

Most of my non-Muslim friends find it meaningful to engage in prayers five times a day. Sometimes it can be how I portray what praying means to me. I have seen and associated people who’d skip praying for reasons that are not approved in Islam. I have also seen people who’d do whatever it takes to perform their obligatory prayer.

So if you are a Muslim, remember, you are the proof of your religion. People around you see and examine things that you do. If you don’t respect and understand the value of Salah, they will not either.

But, if someone experiences the benefits of prayers, they will not be able to overlook it. As someone who practices five times prayer, I can tell you how relaxing it feels once you have performed all five prayers. what happens when you pray 5 times a day

If you ask someone who regularly mediates to skip meditation for a day, he/she might be disturbed and might not be in a good mood throughout the day.

So this is how a Muslim who prays five times a day would feel if he/she misses a prayer.

Hence, meditation can be considered the non-Muslim version of prayers.

I’ve seen my parents praying to God, so I had the habit of connecting to God through my prayers from a young age. Some days I’d wake up crying if I miss my evening prayer (Isha). So prayers have been an essential part of my life.

However, my adulthood isn’t a bed of roses, so if I was able to manage the thorns in between, it is because of the prayers. When I’m down, I pray. When I’m happy, I pray. For every emotion, I turn to God, and that hits different.

Well, this doesn’t mean that I’m pious, or I consider myself sinless. Praying helps me in tough situations, and will you understand when you practice it religiously.

How to Make it a Habit to Pray Five times a Day?

There have been days that I missed one or two prayers, but not anymore. I have friends and cousins who struggled to pray Fajr. I helped most of them make praying a habit, and now I’ll share some of the tips with you. But remember, Allah (SWT) is the most merciful if you are trying, he knows it.

1. Try to do it when you hear the call for prayers (Azan) or stop procrastinating

Learn to prioritize; if you are a Muslim, you know that praying is obligatory. *in another five minutes* *after this one video* are the excuses that make you delay prayers or miss it altogether. Thus, put an end card to your reasons by prioritizing prayers.  

You can make it a habit to pray right after you hear the Azan. But I sometimes understand it’s not possible given the work hours and other duties. Therefore, you must keep reminding that there’s a deadline for the prayer, so once you get home, perform the prayer as the first thing. You wouldn’t need more than 15 minutes to take wudhu (wash) and pray, so it’s not too much to ask for. Isn’t it?

Or if you are someone who needs a little motivation, you can ask your mother, friend, or someone to remind you to pray until it becomes a practice.

2. Make it a regular thing or in simple words, a habit

We can’t say 21 day-myth will work for everyone. Habit formation depends on hard work, persistence, and patience, so we can’t rely on the number of days. However, if you understand the meaning of prayers and discussed it with people who pray and how they feel, it will eventually create the need to pray regularly.

Thus, you will work hard to make it a habit. During this practice session, if you miss a prayer or two in between, don’t get hard on yourself. Just relax, and remind yourself why you are trying this in the first place and think about the reward –Jannah!

3. Focus on the health and spiritual benefits of praying

To comprehend the actual need for five times prayers, you need to understand the benefits. By praying, you are enhancing the love for God and your spirituality as a Muslim.

Some of the health benefits that I can share are:

Great way to start the day; it’s not only an exercise but also meditation.

Risk of arthritis reduces because your joints and bones are treated well.

It helps digestion, and through experience, I can say how great I feel when I pray after eating. It feels as if I’m actually helping my body to feel better.

Sajadah, or the position in which your forehead touches the ground, supports the blood supply to your brain.

Your body regains energy when the energy drains. For example, taking wudhu (wash) for Asr prayer might boost your productivity.

Some of the spiritual benefits are:

• A reminder about life and death.
• It helps you to stay humble and down to earth.
• The best way to connect with Allah (SWT).
• Offers the perfect balance between life and Islam.
• Acceptance of the Day of Judgment.
• Slows down your rat race and helps you to relax and purify your heart and soul.
• It helps to practice truthfulness, humility, kindness, and patience.
• A chance to offer thanks to Allah.
• Reminder to stay on the right track by removing yourself from bad deeds and evils.

“Worry increases stress, whereas prayer releases peace.” – Dr. Bilal Philips

World Leaders Remain Silent Over Human Rights Violations in the UAE

A Glimpse Into The Human Rights Violations in the UAE

World leaders remain silent over human rights violations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A Human Rights Watch world report released in 2022 highlights how the UAE continues to invest in a “soft power” strategy by falsely concealing its nation as progressive, tolerant, and rights-respecting. However, a reality check reveals UAE’s horrendous human rights track record.

• The UAE violates freedom of expression and privacy rights through the use of arbitrary imprisonment, unlawful international attacks, and detainee abuse.
• UAE subjects migrant workers to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
• UAE pays migrant workers poorly and subjects them to forced labour and illegal deportation without due process rights.
• The UAE contributes significantly to the climate change crisis by being one of the world’s top ten oil producers and a top five per capita emitter of greenhouse gases. The UAE lobbied to push back the oil production cuts agreed between global oil producers during the pandemic.
• Discrimination against women is commonplace.
• All sexual activity outside heterosexual marriage is illegal, carrying a minimum prison sentence of one year.

A glimpse into how the UAE operates highlights a dark reality behind the spectacular skyscrapers, luxury lifestyles, and sunny beaches. The playground for the global rich operates at a high price for human rights.

Arbitrary Imprisonment of Human Rights Defenders

UAE94 Group of Human Rights Defenders

The arbitrary imprisonment of prominent human rights defenders (HRD) showcases the UAE’s strict intolerance of political dissent and freedom of expression. July 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the arrest and arbitrary detention of the UAE94. This is a group of HRD, lawyers, judges, teachers, academics, and students peacefully protesting for political reform in the UAE. UAE wrongfully convicted the UAE94 protesters of “plotting a coup against the government”. As a result, the UAE94 were subject to forced disappearances, torture, and illegal imprisonment. The UAE systematically cracks downs and condemns, online and offline, critical and independent figures who advocate for human rights.

Counter-Extremism Counselling Law

The UAE arbitrarily imprisoned HRD’s Dr Mohammed Al-Roken and Ahmed Mansoor.

Al-Roken is a peaceful human rights activist seeking minimal democratic reforms. UAE authorities have still not released Al-Roken despite finishing his ten-year sentence on July 17th 2022. The UAE continue to hold detainees past the completion of their prison terms under the “counter-extremism counselling” law. This law cannot be appealed. 4/11 prisoners were released under Ramadan pardons during April 2022. However, the other seven remained in prison, despite already completing their sentences.

1. Faisal Ali al-Shehhi (3 years, 11 months after the end of the sentence),
2. Ahmed al-Molla (3 years, 11 months),
3. Saeed Abdullah al-Buraimi (3 years, one month) and
4. Mansoor Hassan al-Ahmedi (1 year, five months).

The UAE released Mansoor, a prominent Emirati HRD, in April 2022. Regional media outlets published Mansoor’s letter detailing the abuse he was facing in prison. In his prison letter, Mansoor highlights a lack of due process rights and access to a fair trial. Furthermore, the UAE held Mansoor in solitary confinement since his imprisonment in March 2017.

Human Rights Watch reported how the UAE authorities retaliated in response to the letter’s publication. Thus, authorities moved Manssor to a more isolated cell and denied him critical medical care. Mansoor was held incommunicado without basic needs such as a bed and mattress.

UAE Commits Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment Towards Migrant Workers

UAE authorities arbitrarily detained 375 African migrant workers taking them to al-Wathba prison on the 24th and 25th of June 2022. The migrant workers, who came from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Uganda, were illegally deported and unable to challenge the UAE decision. The Reuters Foundation reported that UAE illegally deported Cameroonians despite the ongoing violence in Cameroon.

World Leaders Remain Silent Over Human Rights Abuse in UAE

The United Nations and some of UAE’s strongest allies like the United States, United Kingdom, France and others should publically call for an immediate release of UAE HRD. For example, the US provides logistical and intelligence support to the UAE alongside military and arms support. Thus, their continued ignorance of the ongoing human rights abuse has been highlighted time and time again.

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan embarked on his first official visit to France to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron on July 18th 2022. During the visit, they signed a strategic energy deal discussing environmental and technological issues. However, Macron did not discuss UAE’s human rights situation.

This highlights the world leader’s ignorance over the human rights violations in the UAE. Moreover, world leaders should not ignore UAE’s dismal human rights and should call UAE out for its actions. Macron should publically raise human rights concerns and publically call for the release of arbitrarily detained HRD.

UAE Plays Prominent Role in Conflicts Abroad

The UAE plays a prominent role in wars occurring beyond its borders, such as those happening in the Middle East.

Firstly, Saudi and UAE-led coalitions have conducted atrocious military operations in Yemen. This has resulted in horrendous civilian harm and egregious international humanitarian and UAE human rights violations. Since 2019, the UAE has significantly reduced its military presence in Yemen. However, the UAE has built a substantial army of local forces and continues to fuel the conflict.

Secondly, the UAE authorities killed civilians in unlawful air and drone strikes in Lybia while supplying the Libyan Arab Forces (LAF) with weapons and ammunition. The LAF has committed international humanitarian law and human rights violations.

Thirdly, in January 2022, the UAE and Isreal signed a multi-billion dollar free trade agreement. The deal targets more than $10 billion in annual bilateral trade over the next five years. Making this the most significant trade agreement between Israel and any Arab country.

Many have expressed deep anger at the UAE’s support of Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Isreal continues to defy international law, engage in reckless airstrikes, and commit war crimes and crimes against humanity on the Palestinians. Isreal intentionally targets medical facilities, schools, and human rights activists while maintaining an illegal blockade on the Gaza Strip.

In 2020, Emirati poet, scholar and diplomat Dhabiya Khamis from the UAE was banned by authorities from leaving Dubai International Airport on her way to Cairo. The travel ban was enforced due to her opposition to the UAE’s normalization deal with Israel. Khamis was punished for exercising her freedom of expression, which is strictly limited in the UAE.

Mass Surveillance Violates Human Rights in the UAE

The UAE continue to deploy mass surveillance on its citizens, violating numerous human rights laws related to freedom of expression and privacy. Furthermore, the UAE deploy their surveillance capabilities offline through mass facial recognition in public spaces.

Additionally, news reports have demonstrated how UAE authorities exploit Israeli spyware to access journalists, activists, and world leaders’ private communications and encrypted messages.

Discrimination Against Women in the UAE

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women expressed concerns over UAE’s continued discrimination against women in their law and practice.

Some provisions of UAE law regulating personal status matters discriminate against women. An example is a law stating how men can unilaterally divorce their wives. However, a woman must apply for a court order to obtain a divorce. Additionally, is that a woman can lose her right to maintenance if she refuses to have sexual relations with her husband without a lawful excuse. Furthermore, UAE’s nationality law provides that children of Emirati men are automatically entitled to UAE citizenship. However, children born to Emirati mothers and foreign fathers do not have this right.

Key Takeaways

World leaders continue to engage in diplomatic relations and trade deals with the UAE despite the authority’s complete disregard for human rights. UAE authorities rely on torture and abuse to consolidate their oppressive regime.

World leaders must address the arbitrary imprisonment of HRD and the offensive military operations by the UAE in countries such as Yemen, Syria and Libya. Unfortunately, this has not stopped world leaders in France, the United States and the United Kingdom from continuing friendly relations and remaining silent over the human rights violations. In addition, UAE’s billion-dollar trade deal with Isreal in January 2022 highlights the nation’s true colours, which are dishonourable, corrupt and immoral.

Furthermore, UAE continues to violate freedom of expression and privacy through its illegal mass surveillance operations. Women are discriminated against in UAE’s law and practice, which must be addressed by organizations such as the United Nations.

International civil society must continue to raise concerns over UAE’s human rights record and call on world leaders to take action against their violations.