Latest news with #Al-Hamwi
Arab News
03-05-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Terminally ill Syrian woman permitted to enter UK after govt U-turn
LONDON: A Syrian woman dying of cancer will travel to the UK to see her grandchildren, whom she has never met, after a UK Home Office decision. Soaad Al-Shawa, who has liver cancer and has been given just weeks to live by doctors, was initially denied a family-reunion request by the UK government, The Guardian reported. She had asked to travel to Britain to meet up with her daughter Ola Al-Hamwi, son-in-law Mostafa Amonajid, and their three children, aged seven, five and one. The family fled Syria in 2015 — unable to take Al-Shawa with them — and now reside in Glasgow. Since then. Al-Shawa has only communicated with her grandchildren via video calls. She received a terminal cancer diagnosis late last year, and her daughter applied for a refugee family reunion in the UK, which was rejected. The family appealed and, in April, an immigration judge agreed to overturn the decision. However, the UK Home Office later sought permission to appeal the judge's ruling, in a move that may have taken at least eight months. Al-Shawa may not have that long to live, with her daughter saying at the time that the decision was 'breaking her heart.' Now, the Home Office has told the family's lawyer it is withdrawing the decision, meaning Al-Shawa can travel to the UK, and that it will also expedite the issuing of a visa for her. Al-Hamwi hopes that the visa will be processed in Jordan this weekend, and that her husband can travel there to collect her mother. Refugees cannot return to the country they fled from neither Al-Hamwi and Amonajid are able to enter Syria. Al-Hamwi said: 'My mum really perked up when she heard the news and started to eat more. All she wants to do before she dies is to see us and the kids.' Amonajid said: 'I appreciate the Home Office for listening to Ola and me. The kids are so excited they are finally going to meet their grandmother. She will be sleeping in their bedroom and they are fighting over who will sleep next to her.' The family's solicitor, Usman Aslam of Mukhtar & Co, said: 'We welcome the Home Office decision to withdraw from this case and, moreover, to assist in expediting it. 'We now hope that a daughter and mother can spend whatever time the mother has left together. Refugees are no different from anyone else. They, too, have lives, families and dignity.'
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Syrian refugee says UK government has ‘broken her heart' by blocking terminally ill mother's visit
LONDON: A Syrian refugee has said the British Home Office has 'broken her heart' after it moved to block her terminally ill mother from traveling to the UK to spend her final days with the grandchildren she has never met, it was reported on Sunday. Ola Al-Hamwi fled Syria with her husband, Mostafa Amonajid, in 2015 after the couple lost their baby in a bombing. They were unable to take Al-Hamwi's mother, Soaad Al-Shawa, with them when they escaped the conflict. Now living in Glasgow with their three children, aged seven, five and one, Al-Hamwi and Amonajid were granted refugee status and applied to bring Al-Shawa, 57, to the UK under the refugee family reunion scheme — but their request was rejected, The Guardian newspaper reported. Al-Shawa, who has only communicated with her grandchildren via video calls, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last year. In November, doctors in Syria gave her about six months to live. A second application for family reunion was submitted following her diagnosis, but was again rejected by the Home Office. The family appealed the decision, and in April a judge at the first-tier tribunal of the immigration court ruled in their favor, citing Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to family life. The family were overjoyed by the decision. 'My mum really perked up when she heard the news and started to eat more,' said Al-Hamwi. 'All she wants to do before she dies is to see us and the kids.' Plans were swiftly made for Al-Shawa's neighbors to help her travel to neighboring Jordan or Lebanon, where Amonajid would meet her and accompany her to the UK. Because Al-Hamwi and Amonajid are refugees, they are unable to return to Syria themselves to be with her. However, on April 10, the Home Office submitted a request for permission to appeal the judge's ruling to a higher court — a process that can take an average of eight months. The news has left the family devastated. 'There isn't much time, if we can get her here we will provide everything for her. When the Home Office asked for permission to appeal against the decision of the judge who said my mum could come here they didn't think about how they are breaking my heart,' Al-Hamwi said. 'My message to the Home Office is, 'Please help my mum to see us before she dies.' We haven't told my mum that the Home Office has asked to appeal against the decision for her to come to the UK,' she added. The family's solicitor, Usman Aslam, said: 'We could feel the family's relief when they won the appeal, then their horror that the Home Office have sought permission to appeal. We immediately sought an expedition of their permission application. He continued: 'I have written to the Home Office directly expressing my outrage. Whilst I fully respect their right to seek permission to appeal, it is regrettable they have chosen this case of a dying woman. We are hoping that the Home Office will show compassion and allow her to spend what little time she has left with her family.' A Home Office spokesperson told the Guardian: 'It would be inappropriate to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.'
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
Ramadan 2025: UAE residents consume more fried foods; lack oil smoke point Knowledge, says new report
A recent survey commissioned by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council has uncovered significant insights into UAE residents' frying habits and awareness of cooking oil health implications during Ramadan. The YouGov study, which surveyed 1,200 residents aged 18 and above, found that 42 percent of participants consume more fried foods during Ramadan and Eid. Crucially, 55 percent remain unaware of oil smoke points – a critical factor in determining healthy frying practices. UAE residents would consider switching to an oil with a higher smoke point Experts warn that using oils beyond their smoke point can produce harmful compounds. Dr. Dana Al-Hamwi, a clinical dietician at Dubai London Hospital, said: 'Raising awareness about oil smoke points is crucial, especially during Ramadan. When oil reaches its smoke point, it breaks down and releases harmful compounds and toxic fumes. Using the wrong oil for frying can produce free radicals that may contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases, affect the taste and quality of food, and might lead to digestive issues and discomfort after Iftar.' The survey revealed an encouraging trend: 53 percent of respondents would consider switching to an oil with a higher smoke point if educated about its health benefits. Dr. Al-Hamwi recommends using oils with smoke points above 200°C, including: Avocado oil Palm oil Refined sunflower oil Canola oil She advises against using extra virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil, and walnut oil for deep frying. Dr. Mishika Khithani, a Functional Medicine and Integrative Physician, highlighted the risks of seed oils. 'While occasional consumption of fried foods is acceptable, the type of oil used is crucial. Using seed oils to fry foods can significantly impact one's health and drive-up inflammatory markers leading to metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and cardiovascular problems. These oils are a significant source of oxidative stress to the body because they may skew the ideal omega-6:omega-3 ratio if consumed in excess. An important health tip is to never reuse any oil for frying once it has crossed its smoke point,' she said. Palm oil emerges as a promising alternative, with a high smoke point of 235°C. The oil is trans-fat-free and rich in Vitamin E antioxidants, particularly tocotrienols, which offer enhanced protective properties. For healthier frying during Ramadan, experts recommend: Using fresh oil Frying at medium-high heat (180°C) Draining excess oil with paper towels Considering baking or air frying as alternatives The study underscores the importance of consumer education in promoting healthier cooking practices during religious festivities without compromising taste or tradition.
