A self-styled “intercultural mediator” and a “link between worlds”, Professor Mustapha Chérif is one of the world’s most respected figures in the fields of intercultural dialogue. The founder and president of Algeria’s Université de la Formation Continue, Prof Chérif is also a former Algerian minister of higher education and ambassador to Egypt and is a permanent delegate to the League of Arab States. A founder of the Groupe d’Amitié Islamo-Chrétienne and the World Islamic-Catholic Forum, Prof Chérif is the only Arab intellectual to have met the last three pontiffs. He has written 13 books on the peaceful coexistence and tolerance between faiths and was awarded the Unesco-Sharjah prize for Arab Culture and the Ducci Foundation peace prize in 2013. Prof Chérif will participate in a panel discussion at the book fair on the “dialogue of civilisations” in the context of contemporary relationships between Islam, the Arab world and the West.
Just before his death, you had a talk with the philosopher Jacques Derrida, which was described as an “attempt to tear down the notion that Islam and the West are two civilisations locked in a bitter struggle for supremacy”. Does history not suggest that is actually the case?
History has also shown that we have lived together for centuries ... that is the reality. We lived together, exchanged humanitarian values, science and culture ... [and] for more than 1,000 years, diversity was the basis for that reality. What was realised in the past can surely be repeated in the future. Many in Algeria, the Emirates, and other Islamic countries believe that there is no alternative but to search for a “common civilisation” that encompasses the world, linking the specific to the universal.
You recently gave a talk on “the future of civilisation”. What are the reasons for your optimism about the future?
In times of crisis, we must remain optimistic, because humanity has shown ... we have the ability to rise above every challenge. It is our duty as good citizens of the world ... to put forward reasonable, and wise solutions to the world’s problems.
How can Islamic culture help us make sense of modernity?
Arab culture contributed directly and greatly to European modernity [and] today, it is possible for Arab culture to participate, and possibly lead, the search for [a] common civilisation. This is definitely feasible if we approach that in a balanced and reasonable way. It is important not to forget about ethics. Focusing only on materialism and consumption is definitely not the answer.
What role can the “Other” (a person or belief system other than one’s self or one’s own) play in our lives?
We all need diversity ... Diversity is a treasure. Through [the] exchange of ideas, cultures and experiences we will benefit from the “Other’s” achievements, and learn important lessons from the challenges we have faced. Through dialogue with the “Other”, it will be easier for us to find solutions to common challenges ... dialogue will help in the realisation of a culture of peace.
• Meet the inimitable Professor Mustapha Chérif on Friday at 7.30pm in The Tent
nleech@thenational.ae
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The years Ramadan fell in May
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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Isle of Dogs
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson
Three stars
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The%20specs
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
