Iraq’s parliament moved a step closer on Monday to passing amendments to the country’s Personal Status Law by completing a second reading, the legislature said, despite widespread public fears they will significantly erode the rights of women and girls.
If passed, the amendments would lower the legal age of marriage for girls to nine, a proposal that has led to public outrage. They would also hand religious authorities control over key aspects of life such as marriage, divorce and inheritance.
In the face of widespread rejection by Iraqis, the second reading of the amendments was a key step towards a formal debate in parliament and their adoption as law. Under parliamentary procedure, the second reading presents a draft for formal debate. When the final version is agreed upon it is put to a vote at a third reading.
Critics say the amendments would further cement sectarianism in Iraq as they would allow couples to choose between the provisions of the Personal Status Law or the provisions of specific Islamic schools of jurisprudence. If a married couple are from two different sects, the school followed by the husband’s sect would apply.
The proposed amendments to the legislation, which has long been considered one of the more progressive family laws in the region, have led to widespread demonstrations and heated debate between pro-civil rights Iraqis and religious institutions, which have gained more power over the past two decades.
In an opinion poll conducted by the Iraq Polling Team NGO last month, more than 73 per cent of those surveyed expressed “strong opposition” to the changes to the law, which has been in place since 1959. Only about 24 per cent voiced strong support, while about 3 per cent were indifferent.
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
France 3
Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
Italy 1
Bonucci (36')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
