When the armies and agents of colonial powers ran rampant through the Middle East and South Asia in years gone by, they left many imprints on the lands that fell under their grip.
The history and culture, society and structure of these places would never be the same after being subject to the tinkering of the colonial power. All dimensions of the lands ruled by arriving colonists were repurposed s0 that they would entrench and anoint the new rulers. History existed to promote the lies that theirs was a “civilising” mission and all knowledge existed to underscore their intellectual superiority and their better ways of knowing.
It is no surprise, then, that once the colonial era ended and the pillaged lands were once again in the hands of those to whom they belonged, nearly all dimensions of life that had suffered the intrusions of colonial expansion were viewed with some scepticism and a lot of suspicion. Post-colonial reclamation required that all be reconsidered: clothing, history, art and knowledge all reclaimed in an attempt to return to what was.
One dimension of life that has escaped evaluation for its authenticity, its connection to tradition, is the post-colonial diet. We know that culture is imprinted on cuisine, its flair and flavour reflecting in some approximate way the life of those who have consumed it for centuries. This knowledge and the quest for cultural purity has not prevented the abandonment and marginalisation of traditional diet or of the old ways of preparing and eating food.
In its place are items from the western diet: pasta and cakes, cookies and pastries and of course, fast food. Admittedly, fast food is not technically a colonial import, but it is a neocolonial one brought over by companies not dissimilar from those that were the progenitors of colonialism itself. Like those companies of old, modern fast food franchises are clever in their efforts to appear local, they hire local labour and pretend to respect local mores.
They need not try too hard; the post colonial populations that welcome them seem to require little more than the addition of “Arabia” or “masala” to a hot dog or a burger to believe in its suitability and superiority. Thousands dig in daily and as a result hundreds and hundreds of western fast food franchises can be found all over the Middle East and South Asia.
All over the region there is no escaping the ubiquitous logos for deep fried chicken, greasy burgers and sugar-laden soft drinks that hover over the landscape and dominate the diet. Eating at them is at once a sign of status and a shortcut for convenience. There may be complete disagreement with the West’s politics, but there is complete delight at the West’s culinary offering.
Horrid history and colonial evils are not the sum total of arguments against the western diet and its mainstay “fast food”. It is also actually awful for your body.
A recent meta-analysis published in Psychiatry Research found that a “western diet” (and by “western diet” they mean just the sort of food peddled by fast food franchises: high in fat, fried, composed of processed flour and dairy products) is linked to a higher risk of depression.
The study looked at data from 10 different countries and also suggested that a move away from western dietary patterns and towards a greater consumption of seafood, fruits, vegetables and unprocessed grains, in turn lowers the risk of depression.
Nor is depression the only ill to come from it. A University of California study published in January found that two out of three people in the United States (one of the world’s largest consumers of fast food and the headquarters for the fat- and meat-rich western diet) are overweight or obese. The study found that chronic consumption of a western diet, as compared to a diet low in fat and sugar, increases the endocannabinoids in the bloodstream. An elevated level of these causes an increase in the consumption of calories.
Eating a western diet, then, will make you sadder and fatter. The burgers and fries and tacos and pizzas may taste good but are far from good for you.
A little of the zeal post-colonial societies invest in denouncing western policies must now be diverted to condemning the western diet. A return to traditional methods of food preparation, the grilling and roasting common in South Asia and the Middle East, a prioritisation of seafood over red meat and a complete avoidance of high fructose corn syrup and processed white flour, is necessary if the obesity and depression so endemic in the West is not to be replicated in all the rest.
Rafia Zakaria is the author of The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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
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: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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