It was a day like every day: cold, dreary and hopeless. But all they wanted for Christmas was a Christmas tree.
The biting cold and bitter hunger did not stop a group of Syrian refugee children from wandering about near their camp site in Lebanon’s Bekka Valley to look for what they declared was “the magical tree.”
One of the children was Christian, and the rest were Muslim, so he was their guide.
They didn’t find an exact match, but found a tree nonetheless that was small with bushy branches strong enough to decorate.
Using orange peel, empty soda cans and cut-out potato chips bags, they turned the humble tree into a colourful kaleidoscopic record of what they last had for dinner.
There were no gifts under this Christmas tree, but that didn’t dampen their mood as they danced around it and made a wish.
“It is the same wish they make at every special occasion, they want to go home,” said my friend, who works with refugees in Lebanon.
She told me this story about the search for the Christmas tree as just “one of those things” that children did.
Though humanitarian officials note that most adult Syrian refugees have stopped hoping for better days, the children keep on wishing and hoping. They are the last ray of light and love in the continuing gloomy and deadly story of war. Yet it is they who suffer the most in a crisis.
More than 7.3 million Syrian children have been affected by the conflict. That includes 1.7 million child refugees.
No wonder that Unicef declared 2014 as one of the very worst years for children.
As many as 15 million children are caught up in violent conflict in the Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, including those who are internally displaced or living as refugees. They are even being targeted while at school, as we saw last week in Pakistan, where 132 children were gunned down by terrorists.
With Christmas being celebrated today, why not do something a little bit different this time? Why not give a few moments to someone in need?
If it is difficult to help a refugee family directly, or donate to the various agencies working on the ground, then look to see who is in need in your neighbourhood. It could be something as small as a slice of cake accompanied by a smile. Or look in your own household, and surprise a maid or driver with a gift. These small acts of kindness go a long way.
As for me, I will be spending Christmas day with my parents, and a few hours with my father at the hospital as he undergoes kidney dialysis. There are so many families with a loved one reliant on the procedure. It drains the soul and can trigger depression as dialysis lasts four to six hours a day, three to four times a week.
Often there are several young patients at the hospital and I will take in some balloons and toys for them. Children and adults, we will play games like charades – I will be acting out and the patients will guess. I will probably end up getting kicked out, but at least I will have given them some little pleasure.
Unlike so many across the world, we can be thankful for having a roof over our heads, for something as basic as socks and shoes that warm our feet, and to be surrounded by loved ones.
For those who lost someone dear, every holiday and special occasion is a painful reminder of who and what they lost. Include them in your celebration so that no one feels alone on a holiday that revolves around love and giving.
rghazal@thenational.ae
On Twitter:@arabianmau
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
Naga
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Honeymoonish
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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.
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
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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
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Poacher
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Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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.
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
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.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.