Regardless of how one feels about yesterday’s Brexit vote, there is an undeniable reality about how the run-up to the referendum went. The most base elements of British society were out in full force, appealing to the most primary of nationalistic instincts.
When we consider the corresponding reflexes in the Arab world, one wonders – when the region is struggling to uphold basic pluralism, what does it mean when one of the most stable democracies in the world is being so deeply affected by such nationalistic forces?
The Leave camp in the referendum over European Union membership pushed identity politics in the UK. The Leave proponents wanted to have Britons feel their identities were under attack, and they needed to stand up against the anti-British forces in Brussels.
One of the chief ironies of the extreme nationalists in the UK, however, is that they have many bedfellows across the European Union itself. Indeed, the EU will next be led by a Slovakian presidency, with a leader who has declared that “Islam has no place” in his country. The spread of anti-Muslim bigotry, under the rubric of nationalistic sentiment has been incredibly common across the continent – and not simply among the far-right.
Many in the Arab world cast an eye over the rise of extreme nationalism in the UK, which may have played a significant role in the tragic murder of Jo Cox, a British MP in the north of England.
They also see the rise of similar sentiments, even if not necessarily violent in expression, across the EU. From a purely reactionary point of view, those in the Arab world who see anti-Muslim sentiments emanating so strongly from Europe can only view it negatively, because the Arab world is so imbued with Islamic tradition. But there is another aspect to this. As the Arab world struggles itself with issues of pluralism, many within the region look specifically at Europe for support on issues pertaining to civil liberties and fundamental freedoms – much of which have to do with pluralism. As the rise of extremist nationalism continues in Europe, how might that be affected?
One can already see that as Donald Trump becomes the presumptive Republican nominee in the United States, many within the Arab world look askance at the West when it claims a superior respect for fundamental rights. It’s a rather poor argument, but one that sentimentally works: “Who are you to tell us about pluralism, when you’re this close to voting in someone who would exclude an entire religious group, Muslims, from entry into your country?”
One can imagine that as the rise of extremist nationalism in different European countries continues, similar arguments will be used by autocrats and authoritarians in the region who view Western pressure on issues around fundamental freedoms to be an infringement of national sovereignty. Indeed, one can see that cynical tool being used already.
But there remains a keen reality here. Indeed, Europe is going through a rather damaging stage, where for the first time since the Second World War, nationalists are feeling they have a voice they can use to exclude others. It’s not healthy – and it is likely to have harmful consequences.
Yet, despite the forces that pushed so hard against pluralism, there were those who pushed back.
We saw that, for example, when Sadiq Khan became London mayor earlier this year and when the Green candidate won against the far-right right for the Austrian presidency. It will continue to be a struggle within the European Union for a long time to come. It is a struggle, fundamentally, about what the UK is, and what kind of Europe it wants to see.
For those of us in the Arab world, there are entirely different struggles – a different history, a different set of challenges that have already cost so many lives and immense suffering over the last few years. The irony is that within the Arab world, the history of pluralism actually fares a great deal better than in Europe – until fairly recently. It’s why you have a great variety of different ethnic and religious groups, who were able, for the most part, to coexist quite comfortably – a far healthier pluralism, historically, than that which prevailed in Europe.
Nevertheless, the region is going through a dark period, as forces intent on wiping out that respect for pluralism continue to grow, whether in terms of religious pluralism or political pluralism. But rather than learn from those in the Brexit debate who sought to make the UK narrower, perhaps the region ought to learn from those who pushed back against that sentiment. To do so would be far more faithful to the values of the Arab region itself.
Dr HA Hellyer is a non-resident senior fellow at Atlantic Council’s Centre for the Middle East in Washington, DC and at the Royal United Services Institute in London
On Twitter: @hahellyer
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456hp%20at%205%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E691Nm%20at%203%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14.6L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh349%2C545%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Masters%20of%20the%20Air
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cary%20Joji%20Fukunaga%2C%20Dee%20Rees%2C%20Anna%20Boden%2C%20Ryan%20Fleck%2C%20Tim%20Van%20Patten%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Callum%20Turner%2C%20Anthony%20Boyle%2C%20Barry%20Keoghan%2C%20Sawyer%20Spielberg%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
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The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (all kick-offs UAE time)
Hertha Berlin v Union Berlin (10.30pm)
Saturday
Freiburg v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Paderborn v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen (5.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)
Sunday
Schalke v Augsburg (3.30pm)
Mainz v RB Leipzig (5.30pm)
Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf (8pm)
Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
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Company%20profile
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The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
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
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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.
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Match info
Who: India v Afghanistan
What: One-off Test match, Bengaluru
When: June 14 to 18
TV: OSN Sports Cricket HD, 8am starts
Online: OSN Play (subscribers only)
