Baghdad's Shrine of Rabbi Isaac Gaon restored after decades of neglect
A picture of Dr Dhafer Fuad Eliyahu, who died in 2021 and was one of the last remaining Jews in Baghdad, on the wall of the Meir Taweig Synagogue
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Zawya
31 minutes ago
- Zawya
IATA Middle East
Middle East Market Performance – Year to Date Year to Date demand for Middle East, which compares January to April 2025 with January to April 2024, was up 6% in line with global average. The YTD cargo performance for Middle East reflects some challenges – down 5.3% Middle East passenger numbers will double, reaching 530 million in 2043 Middle East passenger numbers will double, reaching 530 million in 2043 Traffic will grow at an average annual rate of 3.9% over the 2023 – 2043 period MEAN Safety Global Overview: The global accident rate in 2024 was 1.13 per million sectors, up from 1.09 in 2023. That means just over one accident for every million flights. While still below the 5-year average of 1.25, the slight uptick is a reminder that safety progress is not guaranteed—and must be actively defended. MENA saw a positive trend: the all-accident rate dropped from 1.12 in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024. This improvement, although modest, reflects efforts to strengthen oversight, standardize procedures, and invest in safety culture. Continued collaboration between regulators, airlines, and ground operations teams is essential to sustain this momentum Middle East Priorities Two priorities for the Middle East: No country left behind Regulatory harmonization. Aviation in Middle East is not developing evenly Overall, the Middle East is doing well in aviation. But the reality is that the region is not developing evenly. Geopolitical Instability: Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon have resulted in prolonged airspace closures and significant disruption to flight operations. These conditions have weakened aviation infrastructure, eroded investor confidence, and limited access to critical markets. Overflight restrictions, particularly around Iranian and Syrian airspace, have forced airlines to reroute—raising fuel consumption, increasing emissions, and extending flight times. Conflict zones also hinder intra-regional connectivity, slowing economic integration and impeding the mobility of people and goods—especially in countries that would benefit most from enhanced air access. Sanctions limit access to aircraft, parts, and finance—isolating some carriers from the global aviation system and hindering safety and growth. GNSS While aviation has shown remarkable resilience amid political uncertainty, its full potential is unlocked in environments that are stable, peaceful, and open to international engagement. Economic Disparity The region contains some of the world's richest and poorest countries, with stark gaps in aviation capacity and investment. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) have built world-class hubs and fleets with strong government backing. In contrast, lower-income countries like Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria face declining infrastructure, underfunded civil aviation authorities, and outdated fleets. A coordinated regional approach is essential to narrow the gap. Regulatory Harmonization is a Priority for the Region No Unified Air Transport Market in the Middle East: There is currently no overarching framework allowing airlines to operate seamlessly across the Middle East. A more coordinated approach could enhance connectivity, efficiency, and economic integration. Fair and Proportionate Consumer Protection Regulations: Smart regulation that follows global best practices and industry standards is essential for aviation to thrive. Ineffective consumer legislation from Europe and the United States should not be imported. Consumer protection regulations must be fair and proportionate. Enhancing Maintenance and Safety Oversight: Differences in national regulations for MRO operations mean that certifications obtained in one country may not be recognized in another. This lack of mutual recognition creates barriers for MRO providers seeking to operate across multiple Middle Eastern countries, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. Cost-Effective And Timely Investment In Infrastructure Through Smart Regulations: Airport and infrastructure development is guided by diverse economic regulation models. A regionally informed approach could help ensure infrastructure is cost-effective, scalable, and airline-friendly. A regulatory framework that balances ambition with economic sustainability is key. An example is Saudi Arabia's aviation transformation strategy which is driven by growth without overburdening operators. Government Support Essential to Unlock Aviation's Full Potential in Middle East There are varying degrees of prioritization of aviation in the Middle East. A unified and collaborative approach will support in bridging the gap between countries and strengthen the region's role in aviation. Five priority areas to address are: Evolve Towards a More Integrated Air Transport Market: Foster greater regional collaboration on air service agreements to improve connectivity, reduce fragmentation, and enable more flexible route development. Fair and Proportionate Consumer Protection Regulations: Work towards a consistent baseline that follows ICAO principles, global industry best practices and standards of passenger rights across the region—ensuring travelers experience fair, transparent treatment no matter where they fly. Advancing Cost-Effective And Timely Investment In Infrastructure Through Smart Regulations: Promote infrastructure development that is cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with long-term traffic growth—ensuring airports and air navigation services remain accessible and affordable. Enhance Maintenance and Safety Oversight: Encourage mutual recognition of maintenance standards, training, and certifications to ensure consistent safety and support airline efficiency across borders. Support the Reintegration of States Emerging from Sanctions: Create pathways for the safe and structured return of states into the regional aviation system—facilitating access to aircraft, financing, and international standards while prioritizing safety and alignment.
The National
43 minutes ago
- The National
Abu Dhabi health drive raises Dh509 million in two weeks to support patients with chronic diseases
An Abu Dhabi humanitarian drive aiming to provide critical support to patients with chronic diseases and people with various disabilities has raised more than half of its Dh1 billion fund-raising target in only two weeks. The Life Endowment campaign, established by the Endowments and Minors Funds Authority (Awqaf Abu Dhabi), has collected Dh509 million from 93,000 contributors, it was announced on Sunday. The vital initiative, being held under the slogan With you for Life, was announced by President Sheikh Mohamed under the UAE's Year of Community. The impressive running total is thanks to contributions from both individuals and businesses alike, including a Dh172 million donation from Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation. The drive will help to cover treatment costs for people while supporting the research and development of pharmaceutical drugs. Fahad Al Qassim, director general of the Abu Dhabi Endowments and Minors Funds Authority, said the scheme represented a major milestone in the UAE's philanthropic vision. 'The significant contributions received since the campaign's launch demonstrate the UAE community's unwavering commitment to supporting humanitarian initiatives," Mr Al Qassim said. "The enthusiastic response to the Life Endowment campaign exemplifies deep compassion for those suffering from chronic diseases and for people of determination. "The continued flow of generous contributions through various channels underscores the widespread culture of endowment in our society as a key catalyst of sustainability.' Who will benefit from fund? The fund will be continuous and have no end date, Mr Al Qassim previously told T he National. Its finances will be invested and then spent to help patients. 'Assets will be invested and the returns will be spent on treatment, which means that we have a sustainable financial instrument and product that gives returns every single year,' he said in an interview following the campaign's launch. 'This endowment caters for the weakest point in the community and a lot of those people are actually non-UAE nationals. Emiratis today, at the end of the day, they do get the treatment from the government by the leadership. Expats today are more vulnerable in terms of the weaker point of the community. 'Endowments are here to stay for generations. It's not for the next two years, and then it will be mothballed or to a different initiative. No, it will continue to be there, hopefully for generations to come.' Abu Dhabi's Department of Health is overseeing the health-related aspects of the endowment, ensuring contributions are directed effectively to support specialised care and reach those who need the funds most. The campaign has two fund-raising arms – the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, which has been a leading humanitarian entity since 1983, and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, Abu Dhabi's official channel to receive social contributions. How to contribute Individuals and institutions can make donations using various platforms: Awqaf Abu Dhabi's digital donation platform Send the word "Life" in a text message using the e& Emirates network to the following numbers: 3557 to donate Dh10, 3556 to donate Dh50, 3225 to donate Dh100 and 3223 to donate Dh500 Send the word "Life" in a text message using the du network to the following numbers: 3583 to donate Dh10, 3585 to donate Dh50, 3586 to donate Dh100 and 3587 to donate Dh500
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Najm showcases the evolution of traffic accident response procedures in the Kingdom
Riyadh – Mr. Abdullah Al-Khalaf, Acting CEO of Najm for Insurance Services, announced that the company has developed its traffic accident inspection service to be through an integrated digital system. This development contributes to improving the efficiency and speed of handling and responding to traffic accidents, ensuring the safety of road users, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting environmental sustainability. This announcement came during Najm's participation in a workshop organized by Naif Arab University for Security Sciences titled 'Mechanisms for Dealing with Road Accident Offenders Under the Influence of Drugs.' The event was held over two days, May 28–29, 2025, with the participation of group of Arab and international experts specializing in security and safety. Al-Khalaf emphasized Najm's role in supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 through the development of a smart, digital insurance sector that ensures fairness for policyholders, contributes to a safer and more sustainable traffic system, and protects the economy and society from the repercussions of road accidents. On the sidelines of the workshop, Mr. Abdullah Al-Khalaf met with His Excellency Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Banyan, President of Naif Arab University for Security Sciences. They discussed opportunities for joint cooperation and the university's training programs aimed at enhancing the skills and capabilities of accident investigators at Najm. This collaboration is expected to positively impact accident-handling mechanisms, promote transparency, and safeguard the rights of all parties involved. During the workshop, Al-Khalaf delivered a presentation titled 'Najm's Pioneering Role in Managing Minor Accidents,' where he highlighted the company's wealth of experience in responding to traffic accidents. He showcased Najm's field procedures for accident inspections and the transformative changes implemented to achieve a qualitative shift in inspection practices and response times. He also emphasized the use of Najm's digital platforms and advanced technology in accident data analysis and report generation. Al-Khalaf noted that Najm offers its inspection and liability determination services through specialized field teams operating in over 40 cities across the Kingdom. Additionally, the company provides more than 20 insurance and traffic services and solutions developed to enhance road, vehicle, and driver safety. Najm also leads initiatives to address the root causes of traffic accidents, reinforce traffic law compliance, and improve driving behavior. The workshop organized by Naif Arab University, in line with its security and academic mission, addressed several specialized topics focused on enhancing methods for dealing with offenders involved in accidents under the influence of drugs. It also sought to promote integration among relevant entities to mitigate this phenomenon. Additionally, the event aimed to improve public safety by discussing legal and criminal frameworks, showcasing local and international best practices, and exploring the roles of security, health, and insurance sectors in providing a comprehensive and integrated response.
