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Gulf Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
AUB a pioneering model in education: Sheikh Nahyan
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended the annual gala dinner hosted by the American University of Beirut (AUB) at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital, Abu Dhabi. The event was held in celebration of AUB alumni residing in the UAE and in recognition of the deep academic and cultural ties between the two brotherly nations. The dinner was attended by Dr Paul Morcos, Minister of Information of the Republic of Lebanon; Dr Raymond Sawaya, Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of Faculty of Medicine; Fouad Dandan, Ambassador of Lebanon to the UAE; and Engineer Khalil Joudeh, President of the AUB Alumni Club - Abu Dhabi Chapter, in addition to a distinguished group of alumni and friends of the university. In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak said, 'I greet you all and warmly welcome you to this renewed celebration here in the UAE of the American University of Beirut - a globally renowned institution that, nearly 160 years after its establishment, continues to stand strong and successful. Through its ongoing achievements, the university reflects the talent, determination, and global contributions of the Lebanese people.' He emphasised that the occasion reflects the deep fraternal ties between the UAE and the Republic of Lebanon, stressing that these relations are built on mutual respect, goodwill, and sincere brotherhood. He praised AUB as a pioneering model in education, scientific research, and healthcare, with an active role in engaging communities both locally and internationally. He noted the high calibre of AUB alumni in the UAE, stating, 'We observe, here in the UAE, the capability and excellence of AUB graduates, and we greatly value their contributions to our nation's development. Under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our country is firmly committed to maximising human potential, supporting innovation, and advancing research and development across all sectors.' He further affirmed the UAE's commitment to supporting the mission of universities in Arab societies by promoting values of sustainable development, coexistence, peace, and understanding - values that are also embodied in the UAE's current celebration of the 'Year of Community.' He described AUB as a beacon of excellence, producing highly regarded graduates and serving as a centre for innovation, knowledge, and community service. Following that, Dr Paul Morcos delivered a speech emphasising the cultural bonds between the two peoples and the university's enlightening role in the region. He expressed his gratitude for the invitation and stated that AUB is an institution its alumni take great pride in - one that has shaped leaders who have excelled in various fields and championed free speech and media freedom. He added that the United Arab Emirates has always been, and will continue to be, a sincere and effective partner in supporting Lebanon. He also noted that the Lebanese community in the UAE continues to enrich various sectors through its expertise and professionalism. He explained that the Ministry of Information is currently working on a new media law aimed at transforming the sector by enhancing freedom of expression within a framework of responsibility and professionalism. The ministry also seeks to revamp Tele Liban, strengthen public media, and combat fake news and disinformation in collaboration with local and international partners. He concluded his remarks by saying, 'It is our collective responsibility to continue investing in human potential and to strengthen partnerships that build fairer, more stable, and more prosperous societies. We must also foster media and cultural cooperation with our Arab brothers, foremost among them the United Arab Emirates.' The event reflected the mutual respect and appreciation between the Emirati and Lebanese peoples and highlighted the vital role that esteemed academic institutions like the American University of Beirut play in promoting cultural dialogue and societal advancement through education and knowledge. This gathering comes in the context of enhancing academic and cultural collaboration between the UAE and Lebanon, through strategic partnerships that foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and tolerance. WAM
28-04-2025
- Politics
Lawyers file legal complaint over detention of Egyptian poet and activist in UAE
LONDON -- Lawyers for an Egyptian poet and activist who has been allegedly detained and held in solitary confinement without charge in the United Arab Emirates for over 100 days have filed a legal challenge in the U.K. against UAE authorities. The filing was made Friday on behalf of Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi, an outspoken critic of Egypt's government who had been residing in Turkey. It urges London's Metropolitan Police to launch a criminal investigation into the activist's alleged abduction, torture and extradition to the UAE. Al-Qaradawi was detained in Lebanon on Dec. 28 as he was returning from Syria. He had reportedly visited Syria to join celebrations after the downfall of President Bashar Assad in a lightning insurgent offensive. Lebanon's Cabinet deported him to the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 8. Since then he has been held alone 'without charge, without due process, and under psychological pressure,' his lawyer said, adding that amounts to torture under international law. 'Abdulrahman was taken from his family, forcibly removed across borders and thrown into solitary confinement in a country where he is not a citizen and there is no evidence he has committed any crime," said his lawyer, Rodney Dixon. 'This is not extradition; it's abduction in plain sight.' Dixon is pressing U.K. police to open an investigation under Britain's universal jurisdiction laws, which allow governments to prosecute people for the most serious crimes regardless of where they are allegedly committed. The complaint names the UAE Ministry of Interior, as well as former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who approved the activist's extradition from Lebanon to the UAE, and Royel Jet LLC, the company that provided the private aircraft for the extradition, as responsible parties. All have business or other links with the U.K. and could be arrested and prosecuted if they travel to Britain. 'What we are hoping is that based on the evidence we have, the Metropolitan Police will commence an investigation into these persons and entities and then to seek arrest warrants,' Dixon said. Al-Qaradawi's late father, Youssef al-Qaradawi, was a senior and controversial Egyptian cleric revered by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi was wanted in Egypt on charges of disseminating false news and inciting violence, for which he was convicted and sentenced in absentia to five years in prison. U.N. special rapporteurs have expressed concern over al-Qaradawi's case, and dozens of rights organizations have written a joint letter to UAE authorities calling for information on his whereabouts and his immediate release. Amnesty International has said that while visiting Damascus in December, al-Qaradawi had filmed himself criticizing the authorities of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The rights group said the video may have triggered his arrest. A spokesman for Mikati said in a statement that it was not his personal decision to extradite the activist, and that the Lebanese Council of Ministers had followed due process in deciding to approve his transfer to the UAE. .
