Shelina Janmohamed is an author and a culture columnist for The National
March 29, 2024
A large proportion of the world will be marking different festivals over the coming weeks. It’s hard to talk about joy and celebrations with the war continuing in Gaza, not to mention other conflicts around the world.
This is Easter weekend, and it overlaps with Ramadan. Between the two religions this covers more than half of the world’s population. Then add a further hundreds of millions who have just celebrated festivals such as St Patrick's Day, Holi and Nowruz. Other festivals such as Passover and Vaisakhi are coming up, along with numerous other days that communities all around the world look forward to and enjoy with their loved ones. These celebrations serve as reminders of the richness of human culture and heritage, fostering understanding and appreciation across communities.
Former British Prime Minister Theresa May helps with food preparation during her visit to a Gurdwara to mark Vaisakhi, on April 11, 2018 in Walsall, England. WPA Pool/Getty Images
The diversity of festivals, however, is also a poignant backdrop to talk about the "hierarchy of racism", which is to say, when one group feels they are treated worse than another. This idea comes around every few years and has been increasingly prevalent in conversations and in some timelines on social media of late. Communities often have their own stories about inequalities and discriminations faced.
The mechanisms of systemic oppression include creating in/out groups, of "model minorities". Which is why a period where many festivals fall close to one another is an opportunity to weave connections between groups often pitted against each other and talk of who benefits from the overall systems or hierarchy – whether that’s via race, religion, national identity or other mechanisms, to keep power, resources and wealth in the hands of a few.
Which means all of us with genuine intent should take this moment to celebrate our festivals – many of which are about seasonal renewal, rather than the spiral down a dark rabbit hole of what some people label "oppression Olympics".
A mass Iftar in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 27. AP
Taking my own example, I’ve seen how hierarchies of racism and discrimination can be damaging. My East African-Indian heritage is a result of people from India making their way to East Africa during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They came to build the railways, and as traders, merchants, and sadly sometimes as indentured labourers.
For all but the last of these groups, one of the drivers was the colonial powers wanting intermediaries to govern the local populations. In essence, an establishment of a social and commercial hierarchy of racism.
I have my own faith and perspective, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has wisdom or teachings worth considering
And as someone of South Asian heritage, I can say this: that some South Asians fell for it. Indoctrinated with a racism that allowed us to feel superior to locals in places in East Africa (but still inferior to the colonisers), many South Asians took social and commercial benefit, but the price to do so was to be the upholders of that hierarchy.
It was only a superficial benefit that was gained, but it upheld inequalities and discriminations. Often I see those hierarchies still in place, at the same time too often an inferiority complex. But perhaps saddest of all, groups that seem to need to be the preferred minority. I see similarities in so many current conflicts and struggles as one minority in the claims for its own self, enacts inequality and oppression on others.
It's understandable that we in our own communities and groups can feel the weight of discrimination and trauma of what is inherited. But seeing the bigger picture and our roles within these inherited structures matters.
While each culture and religion have their own meanings, one lesson from festivals is the common thread of renewal, of beginning and of trying to be better human beings. I always enjoying learning the meaning and stories of the festivals of others, and seeing what I can take from them and apply to my own life.
I have my own faith and perspective, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has wisdom or teachings worth considering. If anything – and I’m not talking here about key defining principles of faith and the non-negotiables – faith and religion are typically all built on understanding and improving the human condition, and building on wisdoms that have many commonalities.
It's hard to use the word "optimism" at a time of so much death and destruction around the world. But if religion and cultural celebrations teach us something, it is that we can find commonality, at the same time as seeing the long perspective and the hard graft required to build the societies, the equality and the justice we seek. Even in dark hours, we must retain hope, which is another common thread across multiple and beautiful human traditions.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
Europe’s rearming plan
Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Scoreline
UAE 2-1 Saudi Arabia
UAE Mabkhout 21’, Khalil 59’
Saudi Al Abed (pen) 20’
Man of the match Ahmed Khalil (UAE)
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Centre Court - 4pm (UAE)
Gael Monfils (15) v Kyle Edmund
Karolina Pliskova (3) v Magdalena Rybarikova
Dusan Lajovic v Roger Federer (3)
Court 1 - 4pm
Adam Pavlasek v Novak Djokovic (2)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Gilles Simon
Angelique Kerber (1) v Kirsten Flipkens
Court 2 - 2.30pm
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Marcos Baghdatis
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Christina McHale
Milos Raonic (6) v Mikhail Youzhny
Tsvetana Pironkova v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
