Day: March 23, 2024

PARIS: Hend Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to France, hosted an interfaith iftar under the theme ‘Human Fraternity Values and Peaceful Coexistence’.

The event was attended by prominent luminaries, including Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, Jean Yves le Drian, former French Foreign Minister, and several ambassadors and esteemed guests from various political, economic, and cultural fields, who gathered to celebrate and foster dialogue, understanding and coexistence. This year’s iftar was hosted at the Collège des Bernadins in Paris, which is regarded as an inter-faith dialogue hub, dedicated to nurturing hope in addressing contemporary challenges.

This historical venue resonated with the core values of UAE society, characterized by hospitality, openness, and tolerance. The event conveyed a powerful message advocating for intercultural and interfaith dialogue, reinforcing these principles. The iftar was organised as part of the ninth edition of the ‘Majlon’ initiative, a series of events launched by the
UAE Embassy in Paris to convene prominent voices from France and the UAE around key issues of mutual interest to further deepen French-Emirati ties.

Al Otaiba said: ‘Amidst the challenges confronting our societies, it is important to note that elevating fraternal values and reinforcing inter-faith dialogue supports peace and stability. Following the tenets of tolerance upheld by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE is committed to promoting interfaith and intercultural tolerance, understanding, and dialogue.’ For her part, Audrey Azoulay delivered a speech on the importance of Human fraternity values in fostering peaceful coexistence to build bridges between societies.

Laurent Landete, General Director of the Collège des Bernardins echoed this sentiment in his subsequent address. Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO said: ‘I wanted to be here with you tonight to commend the way in which the United Arab Emirates engage with the internation
al community, at UNESCO, for peace. You do it through the mandate of UNESCO, that is, culture, education, sciences, information, in an exemplary manner.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Sunday to be a day of national mourning and weekend events have been cancelled across Russia.

In a televised address, Putin condemned the massacre – the deadliest in Russia for nearly 20 years – as a ‘barbaric terrorist act’.

He said that all four gunmen who carried out the deadly attack at a packed concert venue in Moscow have been arrested.

At least 133 people were killed and more than 140 injured, according to the Russian Investigative Committee who added that the attackers used flammable liquid to set fire to sections of the concert hall and that the deaths of the victims were caused by gunshot wounds and poisoning by combustion products.

Source: Emirates News Agency

NEW YORK: Cooperating to safeguard water can power and sustain peace and water stewardship can strengthen multilateralism and ties between communities, and build resilience to climate disasters, according to the UN chief.

” It can also drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals – which are the foundation of peaceful societies – including by improving health, reducing poverty and inequality, and boosting food and water security,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message on World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, to focus on the importance of freshwater.

”Action for water is action for peace. And today it is needed more than ever.”

”Our world is in turbulent waters. Conflicts are raging, inequality is rife, pollution and biodiversity loss are rampant, and, as humanity continues to burn fossil fuels, the climate crisis is accelerating with a deadly force – further threatening peace, Guterres remarked.

”Water for peace is the theme of this year’s World Water
Day. Achieving it relies on far greater cooperation. Today, 153 countries share water resources. Yet only twenty-four have reported cooperation agreements for all their shared water. We must accelerate efforts to work together across borders, and I urge all countries to join and implement the United Nations Water Convention – which promotes managing shared water resources sustainably,” he added.

Let’s commit to work together, to make water a force for cooperation, harmony and stability, and so help to create a world of peace and prosperity for all, he concluded.

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Source: Emirates News Agency

_: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt met in Cairo today to discuss the close bonds between the UAE and Egypt and ways to expand them further.

The two leaders explored opportunities for further collaboration within the framework of the strategic partnership that unites the two countries in the economic, development, and political fields.During their meeting, His Highness and President El-Sisi reviewed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the latest developments in the Middle East.

Foremost among these are the ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and alleviate the suffering of its people, by ensuring the urgent, safe, and unimpeded delivery of aid, and through intensified efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire.Both sides emphasised the need for determined international action to support the political process and promote a comprehensiv
e, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, as a way to safeguard regional security and stability.His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and President El-Sisi reaffirmed the depth of relations between the UAE and Egypt, which are characterised by strong ties and mutual respect, alongside a shared interest in further enhancing these relations to meet the mutual aspirations of both countries and their people.

The two leaders also expressed their keenness to maintain ongoing consultation and coordination between the UAE and Egypt on all matters serving their common interests and contributing to improved stability, security, and peace, which are considered essential for achieving development and prosperity throughout the region.President El-Sisi hosted an Iftar in honour of the visit of His Highness the President and his accompanying UAE delegation.

The meeting and Iftar were attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special
Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Jassem Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi and Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) and Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Ali Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President’s Office for Strategic Affairs; Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC); and Mariam Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

From the Egyptian side, the attendees included Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly; Chief of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service Major General Abbas Kamel and a number of high-ranking officials.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed was later accompanied to the
airport by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who bid farewell to His Highness at the conclusion of his visit to Egypt.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: e and announced that it will join as a main partner of the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to honor mothers by establishing a AED 1 billion endowment fund to support the education of millions around the world.

e and will dedicate its various platforms and resources to facilitate donation to the campaign, which gives contributors the chance to make donations in honor of their mothers, highlighting their role in nurturing families and fostering their children’s education. The campaign also aims to support underprivileged individuals through education, allowing them to improve their quality of life and prepare for the job market.

Charity initiatives

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO, e and UAE, said: ‘It is an honor to support the Mothers’ Endowment campaign as a main partner, as this generous initiative extends the UAE’s humanitarian effort by providing quality education around
the world, in recognition of its crucial impact on development across underprivileged communities.’

‘We are proud to be taking part, for the 4th year running, in Ramadan campaigns launched under Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, which affirms e and ‘s commitment to offering digital solutions that facilitate contributions to the campaign, easily and quickly,’ he added, noting that e and continues to support UAE charity initiatives that focus on structured group efforts, long-term planning and sustainable benefits that drive stability and development.

Education projects

e and supports the Mothers’ Endowment campaign by helping mobilize local, regional and global efforts to implement education projects in underprivileged communities, providing millions of individuals with the tools and skills necessary for an independent, stable life.

This support is shown in different ways, including dedicated numbers to send SMS to as mentioned below, the Smiles app as well as promoting the campaign via
SMS and other platforms, and changing its network name.

Special numbers

e and also announced a set of special mobile numbers that will be auctioned at the Most Noble Number charity auction in support of the campaign. The auction, held in conjunction with Emirates Auction on 24 March, will see the participation of UAE’s notable businessmen and philanthropists.

Numbers dedicated for the auction are: 054 5555555, 0548888881, 0569111111, 0561444444, 0564344444, 0563000004, 0564444499, 0564488888, 0568888800, 0544000001 and 0545555551.

Donation channels

The Mothers’ Endowment campaign welcomes donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions and individuals across six main channels including the campaign’s website (Mothersfund.ae), as well as a dedicated call center via the toll-free number (800 9999). Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates Islamic Bank (AE790340003708472909201). Donations via SMS are possible by s
ending the word ‘Mother’ to the following numbers (1034, 1035, 1036, 1038) for e and users. Other possible platforms for donating to the campaign are the DubaiNow app by clicking the ‘Donations’ tab, and Dubai’s community contributions platform Jood (Jood.ae).

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the ‘Mother of the Nation,’ Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), received a number of ambassadresses accredited to the UAE at Qasr Al Bahr on Saturday evening.

During a Ramadan banquet hosted by Her Highness, Sheikha Fatima welcomed the diplomats and exchanged cordial talks with them on the good relations between the UAE and their respective countries, as well as the most important areas of existing cooperation, especially in community, development, family and childhood affairs. She wished them a good stay in the UAE and to work on strengthening relations between the UAE and their countries.

For their part, the ambassadresses praised the development and humanitarian efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak at the regional and international levels, and her support for issues that concern women and children.

They po
inted to Her Highness’ pivotal role in promoting Emirati women and empowering them to participate in the comprehensive development drive that the UAE is witnessing aross various fields.

The reception was attended by a number of Sheikhas, female ministers and leaders in the UAE

Source: Emirates News Agency

RIYADH: In a circular to hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has stressed the importance of adhering to the instructions, guidelines, and circulars issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, to preserve the safety of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims during their stay during the Umrah season in the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the 1445 AH Hajj season.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry also called on hospitality facilities to activate their approved evacuation plans in emergencies, and conduct hypothetical experiments in coordination with Civil Defense.

The Ministry of Tourism’s circular comes within the framework of its efforts to ensure the safety of Umrah performers, pilgrims and visitors during their stay in hospitality facilities, and its role in providing the best services by ensuring that tourist hospitality facilities meet the requirements related to the application of all regulations related to security and the safety of vis
itors and pilgrims.

Source: Emirates News Agency

RIYADH: In a circular to hospitality facilities in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has stressed the importance of adhering to the instructions, guidelines, and circulars issued by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, to preserve the safety of visitors, Umrah performers, and pilgrims during their stay during the Umrah season in the Holy Month of Ramadan, and the 1445 AH Hajj season.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry also called on hospitality facilities to activate their approved evacuation plans in emergencies, and conduct hypothetical experiments in coordination with Civil Defense.

The Ministry of Tourism’s circular comes within the framework of its efforts to ensure the safety of Umrah performers, pilgrims and visitors during their stay in hospitality facilities, and its role in providing the best services by ensuring that tourist hospitality facilities meet the requirements related to the application of all regulations related to security and the safety of vis
itors and pilgrims.

Source: Emirates News Agency

NEW YORK: The UN chief condemned in the strongest possible terms Friday’s deadly terrorist attack at a concert hall outside Moscow.

Gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 100 others ahead of a sold-out rock concert. The media is reporting that a terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities have yet to apprehend the assailants.

‘The Secretary-General conveys his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Russian Federation,’ said his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq Aas quoted by UN News.

‘He wishes those injured a speedy recovery.”

The Security Council also condemned ‘the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack’ in a press statement released on Friday evening.

‘This reprehensible act of terrorism resulted in the grievous loss of dozens of lives,’ Council members said, expressing their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Russian people.

T
he Council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Russian Government as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.

Source: Emirates News Agency

MOSCOW: The latest official figures provided by Russian authorities revealed that more than 60 people were killed, and another 100 were wounded in the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk in the Moscow Region on Friday night.

A group of unidentified gunmen armed with assault rifles went on a shooting spree in the lobby and then inside the concert hall just before a concert, eyewitnesses said. Later an explosion took place in the building and a fire started.

According to the latest figures provided by the Investigative Committee, more than 60 people died in the terrorist attack. The death toll may rise, the Investigative Committee noted.

Some 115 people were hospitalized, including 5 children, said Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko as quoted by Russian news agency TASS. More than 30 people have requested ambulatory care.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Emirates Islamic Bank has contributed AED 5 million in support of the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to honor mothers by establishing a AED 1 billion endowment fund that will support the education of millions of individuals around the world.

With this donation, EIB joins a growing list of businesses and individuals who support the campaign and its aims of spreading education and knowledge across underprivileged communities.

Significant addition

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman of Emirates Islamic Bank, said: ‘The Mothers’ Endowment campaign is a significant addition to the UAE’s humanitarian profile with its focus on mobilizing efforts to establish an endowment fund dedicated to sustainable education. This generous campaign allows everyone to contribute to its noble aims, and has seen a wide response proving the UAE community’s rooted values of solidarity and generosity.’

‘
It is an honor to collaborate with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and be part of a campaign that celebrates mothers. Our contribution to the education endowment fund reflects our conviction that sustainable development in underprivileged communities is only possible when the reality of education there is improved,’ he added.

Compassion

The Mothers’ Endowment campaign gives contributors the chance to make donations in honor of their mothers, while sustainably supporting the education of underprivileged individuals.

The campaign, which revives the culture of endowments as a development tool, promotes the values of honoring parents, kindness, compassion and solidarity, while solidifying the UAE’s leading humanitarian role by offering a sustainable endowment that provides opportunities for education and empowerment across underprivileged communities.

Donation channels

The Mothers’ Endowment campaign continues to welcome donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions an
d individuals across six main channels including the campaign’s website (Mothersfund.ae), as well as a dedicated call center via the toll-free number (800 9999). Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates Islamic Bank (AE790340003708472909201). Donations via SMS are possible by sending the word ‘Mother’ to the following numbers (1034, 1035, 1036, 1038) for Etisalat by e and users. Other possible platforms for donating to the campaign are the DubaiNow app by clicking the ‘Donations’ tab, and Dubai’s community contributions platform Jood (Jood.ae).

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Emirates Islamic Bank has contributed AED 5 million in support of the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to honor mothers by establishing a AED 1 billion endowment fund that will support the education of millions of individuals around the world.

With this donation, EIB joins a growing list of businesses and individuals who support the campaign and its aims of spreading education and knowledge across underprivileged communities.

Significant addition

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Chairman of Emirates Islamic Bank, said: ‘The Mothers’ Endowment campaign is a significant addition to the UAE’s humanitarian profile with its focus on mobilizing efforts to establish an endowment fund dedicated to sustainable education. This generous campaign allows everyone to contribute to its noble aims, and has seen a wide response proving the UAE community’s rooted values of solidarity and generosity.’

‘
It is an honor to collaborate with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and be part of a campaign that celebrates mothers. Our contribution to the education endowment fund reflects our conviction that sustainable development in underprivileged communities is only possible when the reality of education there is improved,’ he added.

Compassion

The Mothers’ Endowment campaign gives contributors the chance to make donations in honor of their mothers, while sustainably supporting the education of underprivileged individuals.

The campaign, which revives the culture of endowments as a development tool, promotes the values of honoring parents, kindness, compassion and solidarity, while solidifying the UAE’s leading humanitarian role by offering a sustainable endowment that provides opportunities for education and empowerment across underprivileged communities.

Donation channels

The Mothers’ Endowment campaign continues to welcome donations and contributions to the endowment fund from institutions an
d individuals across six main channels including the campaign’s website (Mothersfund.ae), as well as a dedicated call center via the toll-free number (800 9999). Donations are also possible via bank transfers in the UAE dirham to the campaign bank account number with Emirates Islamic Bank (AE790340003708472909201). Donations via SMS are possible by sending the word ‘Mother’ to the following numbers (1034, 1035, 1036, 1038) for Etisalat by e and users. Other possible platforms for donating to the campaign are the DubaiNow app by clicking the ‘Donations’ tab, and Dubai’s community contributions platform Jood (Jood.ae).

Source: Emirates News Agency