Author: Mubarak Ahsan

More than half of the region’s residents have been displaced by war, then February’s earthquakes struck, creating what locals call the hardest Ramadan of their lives It is the middle of Ramadan across the Muslim world, including in the rebel-held Idlib region of northwestern Syria, although the celebrations are muted there with markets quiet and food prices skyrocketing. The economic situation is deteriorating day by day, especially after devastating earthquakes struck on February 6. According to a statement issued by the Response Coordination Group, the price of meat in northwestern Syria has gone up by 57 percent during the month…

Speakers at a recent climate and health summit in Abu Dhabi were advised by the conference organizers not to “criticize Islam, the government, corporations or individuals” or protest while in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to a recent investigation by the Financial Times. A chilling message given the UAE is set to host COP28, the global United Nations climate conference, at the end of this year. The warning to speakers is a stark reminder of the UAE government’s zero tolerance policy towards criticism. Since 2011, UAE authorities have carried out a sustained assault on freedom of expression and association, arresting and prosecuting scores of independent lawyers,…

Almost 700 girls have been poisoned by toxic gas in Iran since November, in what many believe is a deliberate attempt to force their schools to shut. No girls have died, but dozens have suffered respiratory problems, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. “It became evident that some people wanted all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down,” the deputy health minister said on Sunday. However, he later said that his remarks had been misunderstood. The prosecutor general announced last week that he was opening a criminal investigation. However, he said that the available information only indicated “the possibility of criminal…

The Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) is returning to Doha between 23-25 May and will bring together key figures from around the world to discuss the latest challenges and trends in the global economy. The date of this year’s event was announced by the Chairperson of the Supreme Committee Organising the Qatar Economic Forum Sheikh Ali Al-Thani in an interview with state news organisation (QNA). Powered by Bloomberg, the event last year gathered at least 1,000 participants including more than 75 keynote speakers, including entrepreneurs, business figures, diplomats, and CEO’s. Among the most notable figures that attended last year’s event was Elon Musk,…