DUBAI //The fossil of a polar bear from the Miocene period sits among the preserved remains of other sea creatures dating back millions of years in an exhibit at Zayed University.
But Dr Cihat Gundogdu, a member of the Harun Yahya organisation, insisted yesterday that the ancient remains were simply evidence against the theory of evolution. The organisation promotes a belief in divine creation, as outlined in the Quran.
"Can chance lead to complexity and a variety of species? What are the odds of a single protein forming by chance?" Dr Gundogdu asked an audience of mostly students during a lecture at the university.
During the presentation, Dr Gundogdu used quotes and clips from various evolutionists to point at what he claimed were gaps in their theories. Instead, he said, species were simply created as they are.
Images of various fossil forms were shown, but Dr Gundogdu claimed no transitional forms of species, for instance half-starfish and half-fish, ever been found.
The event was organised by the office of student life at Zayed University, with co-operation from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
John Burt, assistant professor of Biology at New York University - Abu Dhabi, who did not participate in the event, agreed that there were gaps in the fossil record.
However, he stressed: "We don't have every possible transition for every possible species, but this should come as no surprise given the rare conditions that are required for fossilisation of tissues.
"In addition, radiocarbon dating of fossils that do exist show clear chronological sequences that match expectations provided by the fossil record and the various other lines of evidence. This would not be expected if life were 'created' all at once."
He said: "The theory of evolution underpins all aspects of the biological sciences, from genetics to ecology, and is widely considered to be among the ten most important ideas in the history of the sciences."
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Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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
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MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
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Age: 50
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Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
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Penalties: B Barrett
British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Naga
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