
'Fak Kurbah' initiative frees hundreds of indebted individuals
Muscat: The humanitarian initiative "Fak Kurbah" has achieved the release of 999 indebted individuals since the commencement of its 12th edition, launched just prior to the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative continues its mission to provide hope and relief to those burdened by debt and their families.
The release of these individuals was accomplished in two phases: the first phase saw the release of 511 cases, followed by the release of 488 cases in the second phase, bringing the total to 999. Dr. Hamad bin Hamdan Al-Rubaie, Chairman of the Omani Lawyers Association, stated that the initiative's organisers are committed to releasing even more individuals. He also acknowledged the substantial support received from various institutions, companies, and individuals.
Dr. Al-Rubaie expressed his appreciation to all those who have contributed to the initiative's success, both directly and indirectly, and encouraged continued support as Eid Al-Fitr approaches. Since its establishment in 2012, under the slogan "Because We Believe Everyone Deserves a Second Chance," the "Fak Kurbah" initiative has facilitated the release of over 7,110 individuals, marking a significant humanitarian achievement.

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Muscat Daily
21-05-2025
- Muscat Daily
Lasting peace eludes Thailand's deep south
Bangkok, Thailand – Since January 2004, Thailand's deep south has seen ongoing conflict between Thai military forces and separatist groups seeking greater autonomy. The violence is largely confined to the country's three southernmost provinces, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala – home to a Muslim Malay majority in the predominantly Buddhist nation. The region, located along the Thai-Malaysia border, has seen over 23,000 violent incidents, leading to more than 7,000 deaths, according to Deep South Watch, a local think tank. The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the dominant separatist group, has been implicated in attacks targeting civilians, including Buddhist monks and schoolteachers, according to Human Rights Watch. Deadly attacks escalate conflict Between January and early May this year, 38 violent incidents were recorded – almost as many as in all of 2024. Don Pathan, a Thailand-based security analyst, points to two attacks as key escalations. The first came after Thailand's National Security Council and the BRN failed to reach a Ramadan ceasefire agreement in March, after which Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai insisted that all violence must stop before talks resume. The BRN responded with a March 9 attack on Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok District Office, wounding 12 people and killing two volunteer defence officers. The second major incident came after the April 18 killing of senior BRN member Abdulroning Lateh, which saw the insurgents escalate beyond the rules of engagement in conflict by targeting civilians. A brutal attack came on May 2 when a gunman shot dead at least three people in a residential area of Narathiwat province, including a 9-year-old girl, a 75-year-old man and a 76-year-old blind woman. In response, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra deployed more troops to the region to bolster security. Last week, Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai said that the Thai government is willing to engage in peace talks. Thaksin vows to achieve peace Tita Sanglee, an associate fellow at Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, believes both politicians' efforts are symbolic rather than practical. 'Paetongtarn and Phumtham's peace efforts are more symbolic than substantive. We all know that the situation on the ground is not really conducive to peace,' she told DW. 'Phumtham's stance, at least early on, was quite tough. He was basically saying, 'we won't engage in talks unless the BRN proves its legitimacy by ending violence on the ground'.' 'I see this largely as a way to shift scrutiny onto the insurgents – and ultimately to shield the young and inexperienced prime minister,' Sanglee said, suggesting that controlling the narrative seems to be the government's priority. Thaksin Shinawatra, who was Thai PM when the insurgency renewed in 2004, has also become involved to help find a solution. He visited the region in February and said that he expects to see a complete end to the unrest by next year. Malaysia's role in finding peace Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party, which is strongly influenced by Thaksin, has since faced pressure to act. Tita said the former PM's pledge has pushed the government to respond. 'In light of Thaksin's public pledge to end the Deep South's unrest by next year, there's a real need for the Pheu Thai government to demonstrate that it is taking the issue seriously and is actually doing something,' she told DW. Thaksin is an informal adviser to ASEAN chair Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister of Malaysia, which has been urged to take a greater role in peace efforts. The last official meeting about a peace solution between Thai government representatives and the BRN was in June 2024. But in a post on social media this month, Paetongtarn said Malaysia is now crucial for any upcoming rounds of peace talks. Anthony Davis, a Bangkok-based security analyst, said Malaysia could have more of an impact on reducing the hostilities. 'The Malaysians could arguably be doing more in terms of reining in BRN. Some elements almost certainly knew in advance that a Ramadan offensive was coming and apparently did nothing to head it off,' he told DW, adding that Malaysia's role as 'facilitator' limits its actions. 'There are also questions as to how far PM Anwar is focused on the Patani issue and whether he could afford the domestic political blowback of hard-knuckle moves against BRN leadership inside Malaysia when ultimately this is a Thai problem,' he added. Don Pathan believes Thailand should look at the BRN proposal, rather than relying on Malaysia. 'Malaysia is not exactly an honest broker; Malaysia is a stakeholder. The country shares the same border and the same religious and cultural similarities as the Malays of Patani,' he told DW. Pathan suggested that the Thai government should take seriously the BRN's counterproposal made in February, which included 'setting up a negotiating team, releasing political prisoners, and allowing international observers to monitor a ceasefire'. 'The BRN has said it is willing to negotiate under the Thai Constitution. BRN and the Patani Malays are willing to be part of the Thai state. But it has to be on their terms,' he added. DW


Observer
03-05-2025
- Observer
Egyptian drama shatters silence on child abuse
Cairo - In living rooms across Egypt, a television drama has shattered the silence around child sexual abuse, forcing a national reckoning with a subject long buried in taboo. The show, "Lam Shamseya", follows school administrator Nelly, portrayed by leading actor Amina Khalil, as she confronts an unthinkable reality: her stepson has been abused by a trusted family friend. In a country where discussions of sex and sexual violence are often muffled by social norms, the series has ignited rare open dialogue. It has also led to a noticeable uptick in calls to Egypt's child protection hotline. "We don't talk about these things in our culture," said Amira Abu Shady, a 43-year-old mother. "After this show, I sat with my son and told him he can always tell me anything." For Hend Adel, a 41-year-old mother of three, the show stirred deep unease. "It made me question everything. Who do we trust with our children?" Egyptian dramas, particularly during the peak Ramadan season, have often tackled thorny social issues like drug addiction, custody, and women's struggles in Egypt's patriarchal society. But sexual abuse, particularly involving children, has largely remained off-limits due to the intense stigma associated with such accusations and the social pressure to protect what is often referred to as family "honour". "This is the first time viewers have seen these experiences reflected on the screen with such honesty and boldness," said veteran art critic Magda Khairallah. - 21,000 calls for help - Last year, Egypt's National Council for Childhood and Motherhood recorded over 21,000 reports of children at risk, including cases of sexual abuse, physical violence, and neglect. "The actual number is far higher," Sabry Osman, head of the council's child helpline, told AFP. Many families fear the stigma that comes with speaking out, he said. "So, they stay silent." That culture of silence is precisely what drew 12-year-old Ali al-Beialy to take on the role of Youssef, the young boy at the heart of the story. "Mr Karim told me I would be a voice for the voiceless," he said in an interview with Egyptian TV channel On TV last month, referring to series director Karim El-Shenawy. The action in the show, now streaming across the region, unfolds after Nelly catches family friend Wissam, played by Mohamed Shahin, in a troubling embrace with Youssef. As Nelly seeks the truth, she has to push through the denial, fear, and resistance even from those closest to her who are unwilling to confront the uncomfortable truth. Youssef, traumatised and confused, slowly begins to understand what has happened to him. "People always deny that it's most often relatives who commit this abuse; they don't want to see that it's actually within the child's inner circle," screenwriter Mariam Naoum said on a recent talk show. Naoum insisted the series would air on national television to reach the widest possible audience. "I wanted as many Egyptians and Arabs to see this," she said in a Facebook livestream. According to UNICEF Egypt child protection specialist Salma ElFawal, most abuse happens "at home, schools and in the cyberspace", and stigma often prevents families from educating their children or seeking help. - 'Hesitation and fear' - The UN children's agency reported a direct impact from the series airing, noting a rise in calls to national child protection services during and after the broadcast. Survivors have also increasingly shared their stories online, ElFawal said. This week, a real-life case caught nationwide attention as a 79-year-old school staffer was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting a five-year-old boy -- a rare moment of accountability in such cases. Though the show ends with Youssef regaining his voice and his abuser facing justice, the story's resolution is more hopeful than reality often allows. In "Lam Shamseya", characters have access to legal and emotional support, a luxury many Egyptians, particularly in marginalised communities, do not share. Though Egyptian law carries severe penalties for child abuse, including life imprisonment for those in positions of authority, legal experts say many cases fail to reach court. Egypt's many street children, in particular, are among the most vulnerable, often falling through the cracks of the justice system. Even within more privileged households, few cases make it to court. "For a case to hold up, it requires immediate action from parents," said Hala Abdel Kader, a lawyer and head of the Egyptian Foundation for Family Development. The abuse must be recent, and the child sometimes needs to undergo a forensic medical examination, according to Abdel Kader. "Too often, hesitation and fear get in the way," she told AFP.


Muscat Daily
28-04-2025
- Muscat Daily
Over 1,000 released under 12th Fak Kurbah initiative
Muscat – The Omani Lawyers Association announced the release of 1,088 individuals imprisoned for non-criminal financial cases across Oman, following the conclusion of the 12th edition of its humanitarian initiative, Fak Kurbah, on Sunday. North Batinah recorded the highest number of releases with 334 cases, followed by Muscat with 242, Dakhliyah with 102, South Batinah with 95, and South Sharqiyah with 67. A further 65 cases were resolved in Dhahirah, 60 in Buraimi, 57 in Dhofar, 46 in North Sharqiyah, 16 in Al Wusta and four in Musandam. Dr Hamad bin Hamdan al Rubaie, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Omani Lawyers Association, said the initiative targeted cases that met strict eligibility criteria. 'We received significant contributions from individuals and both public and private sector institutions, due to the growing awareness of the importance of supporting social and humanitarian causes. This support was instrumental in achieving the goals of the 12th edition, resulting in the release of more than 1,000 individuals,' he said. Dr Mohammed al Zadjali, Chairman of the Omani Lawyers Association and overseer of the initiative, said Fak Kurbah has helped create an organised framework for humanitarian and social work in Oman. 'The initiative has reinforced the values of compassion, solidarity and social responsibility among all segments of society,' he said. Since its launch in 2012, Fak Kurbah has secured the release of more than 8,198 insolvent individuals.