Why leaders are leaders



It is easy for sheikhs to have barriers to the public, but it takes great confidence between a leader and his people for him to be among them. In the history of great leaders, whether in novels, encyclopedias or films, if a king walks through his city he is usually accompanied by a huge entourage. And his public appearances are always made with a lot of protocols and guards. Added to which, most historical leaders made sure their thrones and palaces were vast enough to put an overwhelming fear in the hearts of those who dared to approach. Some leaders, however, create their presence not by their big glorious chairs or huge estates but by their personalities, that demand your awe and attention. These leaders are often among those most remembered. Urwah Ibn mas'uud for example, the Thaqifi chieftain, who was sent by the Quraysh tribe to negotiate with the Prophet Mohammed, came back mesmerised by what he experienced. "O people of Quraysh, indeed I went to the Persian emperor in his kingdom and Caesar in his kingdom and the Negus in his kingdom, but by Allah," he wrote upon his return. "I swear I never saw a king whose people magnify him as the Companions of Mohammed magnify him. "I saw a nation who would not ever disobey him. So you are on your own in this decision." The Prophet had no great palace nor throne that you can find today in a museum, but he was a true leader. Similarly, a Roman envoy visiting Omar Ibn al Khattab, the second Caliph of the Muslims, was directed to a man sleeping peacefully under a tree with no bodyguards, weapons, fortifications or security. He marvelled at the sight of the leader of millions of people sleeping peacefully under a tree without a worry in the world. He then made his famous remarks that remain etched in history: "O Omar! You ruled. You were just. Thus you were safe. And thus you slept." Our late father Sheikh Zayed will forever be remembered for many accomplishments. These did not take place from the throne of a big castle on top of a mountain, but through his interaction with his people in his open majleses in different locations across Abu Dhabi. As well as his impromptu appearances, he took on personal responsibility for the agricultural progress of the country and the buildings being built. One architect who worked with him on the planning of Abu Dhabi once told me that Sheikh Zayed was "the kind of man who would just show up at your home". Many locals have memories of seeing him driving around the city alone or with a friend in his famous black Mercedes that had the flag of the Emirates on the front of it, stopping and talking to locals. At sunset, Sheikh Zayed would pull to the side of the road and pray the al Maghrib prayer on the sand. Passengers in cars would see the president of the UAE alone on the sand praying to the creator. His sons take their lead from their father. They are known for being with their people in happiness and sorrow. They attend different tribes' weddings, in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia, and they also pay condolences when a tribe member passes away. They walk in public places without notice and most sheikhs have open majleses, a legacy and a tradition drawn from the past. They attend graduations and ceremonies recognising excellency, congratulating and encouraging locals to move forward. The times may have changed but the presence of our leaders among us has not.

Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars

US tops drug cost charts

The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.

Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.

In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.

Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol. 

The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.

High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.

Hidden killer

Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.

The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.

Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.

Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.

Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu. 

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
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Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

The Internet
Hive Mind
four stars

While you're here
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

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%3Cp%3EAl%20Khayma%0D%3Cbr%3EBait%20Maryam%0D%3Cbr%3EBrasserie%20Boulud%0D%3Cbr%3EFi'lia%0D%3Cbr%3Efolly%0D%3Cbr%3EGoldfish%0D%3Cbr%3EIbn%20AlBahr%0D%3Cbr%3EIndya%20by%20Vineet%0D%3Cbr%3EKinoya%0D%3Cbr%3ENinive%0D%3Cbr%3EOrfali%20Bros%0D%3Cbr%3EReif%20Japanese%20Kushiyaki%0D%3Cbr%3EShabestan%0D%3Cbr%3ETeible%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile

Name: Carzaty

Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar

Launched: 2017

Employees: 22

Based: Dubai and Muscat

Sector: Automobile retail

Funding to date: $5.5 million

Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
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