ISIL’s brutal terrorist attacks on mosques in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait before and during Ramadan must not be viewed only in a sectarian and political context.
Bloody actions of this calibre also have psychological and sociological dimensions that can’t be ignored, suggested the columnist Dr Shamsan bin Abdullah Al Manaaee in the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Al Awsat.
ISIL’s primary goals behind their heinous attacks are to instil terror in the secure Gulf communities that aren’t used to bloodshed.
And, more importantly, to try and shake the unwavering trust between the people and their leaderships as a prelude to sectarian conflicts and demographic redistribution – following the example of other countries like Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya.
“For these reasons, we expect the recurrence of these actions. ISIL’s main objective isn’t killing and destruction, but rather changing the demographic composition of the targeted communities,” the writer said.
“Although most Gulf communities are quasi-civic and have well-grounded state institutions and laws, they still hold on to tribal affiliations.
“With its terrorist attempts, ISIL is striving to create tribal and partisan turmoil into these Gulf states leading to their disintegration,” he added.
The terrorist organisation’s goals intersect with Iranian ambitions in the Arabian Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia, which continues to stand as a hurdle in the way of its sectarian schemes.
Dr Al Manaaee said the situation calls for enhanced security coordination between Gulf states to protect their unity and solidarity, the writer suggested. The bond that ties these states isn’t one of economic interests, but of a common destiny and common roots.
Gulf states are certainly aware of the threat and repercussions of radicalisation within their generally peaceful communities.
Earlier this year, the UAE had a taste of the atrocities that radicalisation could cause when a radicalised Emirati woman imbued with an extremist ideology killed an unsuspecting American school teacher for no reason other than being a westerner who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The UAE’s response was clear and swift: on Monday this week, the criminal was executed as per the provisions of the new antiterrorism law.
It sends out a message to the world that the UAE will not be lenient with extremists and that it is resolved to combat it to protect its people and the peoples of the world, the writer argued.
“This is how matters are set right,” said the columnist Mashari Al Thaidi also in Asharq Al Awsat.
“Such criminals pose a threat to the community and to the state. They are the enemies of law and order, regardless of their motives,” he said.
Saudi Arabia, too, has moved into action and activated its anti-terrorist law to combat the spread and funding of terrorism in its territories.
It is an effort that needs to be supported within families and in schools to ensure the immunisation of Muslim communities against destructive ideologies, the writer concluded.
Translated by Racha Makarem
RMakarem@thenational.ae
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.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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
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
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Oppenheimer
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Day 2 at the Gabba
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May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
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