A comparatively small number of Iraqis took part in Arab Spring protests compared to the large turnouts in squares in Egypt and Tunisia. Yet the Iraqi people now find themselves at the threshold of a new and delicate political phase as they strive to reinvent their state and their political system.
But as Mustafa Fahs, a columnist for the London-based daily Asharq Al Awsat, described it, this is on the Iraqis’ own terms and based on their national specificities.
“What is different in the Iraqi case is that this protest movement, which began a month ago, could bring an end to the political instability that has been disabling the country for over a decade and threatening its national unity as a result of political corruption and marginalisation policies,” he wrote.
Iraq’s political elite – mainly its Shia politicians – seem unable to contain the protests or to circumvent popular demands.
They can no longer resort to their old schemes and accuse protesters of having fallen prey to foreign powers that seek to exploit their genuine demands to undermine Shia gains in power.
This time, the protests have reached most of the predominantly Shia central and southern provinces that have been run by corrupt parties for over a decade.
In the meantime, the Kurds continue to hold on to the quota system and Sunni leaderships are busy liberating their regions from ISIL before they can reintegrate power following forced marginalisation.
In the same vein, the Saudi columnist Abdulrahman Al Trairi, writing in the pan-Arab daily Al Hayat, saw the influence of Tehran in the political events affecting Iraq.
“Since the fall of Baghdad in 2003 and until the present day, Iraq’s situation has clashed with its economic capabilities,” he wrote.
“Following an extended embargo period under Saddam Hussein came Nouri Al Maliki’s eight years of hardship that only cemented sectarianism, poverty and a lack of basic services. All this floundering was an Iranian strategy with US blessing.”
Iran has reason to be alarmed about the ongoing protests in Iraq because they seem to transcend the sectarian division that Tehran and its agents in Baghdad have worked hard to cement.
“Instead of enjoying living standards that befit their standing as an oil-producing country, with plentiful rivers and water resources, Iraqis are reduced to having to take to the streets to express anger at lack of electric power,” he said.
Prime minister Haider Al Abadi’s response to the protests – abolishing redundant government posts – was designed to contain public anger, appease the crowds and avoid making the difficult decision of reconstituting the cabinet, using the basis that there is no better alternative at the moment. He sacrificed a few cards in order to retain power and stay in the game, Al Trairi said.
Iraq is going through a bottleneck, where the people will decide their own destiny. They will either get rid of Iran’s meddling and militias, or accept the proposed reforms even though they do not get to the root cause of the corruption.
Makram Mohammed Ahmed, writing in the Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram, praised Mr Al Abadi’s positive response to the popular protests, rejecting sectarianism and corruption.
“The Iraqi prime minister was right to realise that he must take immediate action in response to the people’s demands and to ensure timely reformative efforts to avoid further inflaming the streets ,” he noted.
The firm support expressed by Ayatollah Al Sistani, the highest Shia religious figure in Iraq, about the need to abolish sectarian discrimination came to reaffirm that the reform process must continue uninterrupted until Iraqis are united, he noted.
“Should the Iraqi people succeed in abolishing sectarianism and removing the elevated walls that separate Shia from Sunnis in Baghdad, it would indeed be a great accomplishment that would re-establish Iraq’s Arab and regional standing and conserve its historical function as a meeting ground for Sunnis and Shiites,” Mr Ahmed concluded.
RMakarem@thenational.ae
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.
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SPECS
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Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Tickets
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
