The most telling aspect to the newly launched Fatwa Council in the UAE was neatly encapsulated by Sheikh Omar Al Darei, one of the body's founding members. The director of the fatwa department at the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), which previously carried the responsibility for issuing religious edicts, had this to say at the council's launch on Sunday: "In this country, people of all religions pray side by side. The mosque is next to the church and there is no place for extremists and intolerance."
Some religious leaders prioritise being strict and occasionally authoritarian as being the “proper way” of doing things.
As those who have studied religious text know, its meaning can often be open to interpretation. Religious texts can also be subject to exploitation, with terrorist groups twisting and distorting holy scriptures to suit their own malevolent purposes.
That has been amply demonstrated by the likes of ISIS and Al Qaeda, which claimed to have a divine purpose but were guided by no more than bloodthirsty barbarism. In an age of social media, the young and impressionable are at risk of falling victim to false messages or twisted logic.
The Fatwa Council will offer a touchstone for those seeking spiritual guidance as well as unity in the message being broadcast. It will act as an umbrella under which all fatwas in the country will fall to spare those in need from getting conflicting messages or being manipulated by rogue elements.
Underlying the council’s ethos are the UAE’s founding principles – themselves based on Islam – of tolerance, respect and a peaceful co-existence.
The council members are symbolic of that sense of collective responsibility and hail from all corners of the world, including from the US and Mauritania, as well as having two women as members.
Its values mirror those of the UAE, banning discrimination on the basis of religion, colour or creed. Awqaf already fields more than 1,000 calls a day with queries on everything from organ donation to sharia-compliant banking.
In a region that suffers more than its fair share of conflict and conflicting messages, the council’s guiding light will be a welcome addition and reinforce values of peace and acceptance.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
The specs
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Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
