Latest news with #Maryam
Kuwait Times
18 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Trailblazing the globe
Maryam Sultan Abdullah's solo journey across 197 nations breaks barriers, inspires women and proves the world is smaller — and more connected — than we think Her journey began in 2006, when she started traveling with different groups of friends, mainly to Europe and North Africa. 'In 2012, I decided to start traveling solo due to the difficulty of coordinating plans with friends. Traveling solo helped me better organize my trips, meet locals and other fellow solo travelers, and focus more on my surroundings,' she explained. 'I began with easier countries that had more tourist attractions, such as those in Europe and parts of Asia. Over time, I developed stronger skills in planning, documenting cultures and nature, communicating with locals and navigating through towns.' As her experience grew, Maryam began traveling to more remote and challenging destinations, including war zones, areas with epidemics and isolated regions. 'Documenting became the main part of my journey. I wanted to share these moments with people on social media — moments that reflect the lives, cultures, and natural beauty I encountered.' Holding a Kuwaiti passport presented challenges, especially with visa approvals, but Maryam persisted. 'In June 2024, I visited my final UN-recognized country, Uruguay, making me the first Arab woman to officially visit every country in the world. Now that I've reached all 197 countries, I've set my sights on visiting the world's territories.' Her main motivation for traveling has always been learning about people's lives, behaviors and cultures. 'Meeting locals and fellow solo travelers was what kept me going. I never felt like quitting, not even once, until I was verified as the first Arab woman to travel to every country by June 2024.' One of Maryam's most memorable experiences came with an unexpected twist of fate. 'We often see the world as a huge place with a massive population, assuming we'll never cross paths with strangers again,' she said. 'In 2016, I took a random photo of the Blue Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Two men were sitting on the steps, and I posted the edited photo online. Two years later, a stranger messaged me on Instagram claiming he was one of the men in the photo. I checked his account and confirmed it was him. I asked if I could continue using the image, and he agreed and said he loved it. That experience reminded me how small and connected our world really is, especially through social media.' Before the bungee jump Burkina Faso During the jump. Among her most dangerous adventures was bungee jumping over an active volcano in Chile. 'It took the organizing company two years to prepare for the jump. They monitored magma levels and dust density to ensure it was safe. The volcano was still active and could erupt at any moment.' The process involved careful planning and personal preparation. 'The company checked our weight, health and injury history. We were lined up according to weight — from heaviest to lightest — and I was the last to jump. That was frustrating because I kept thinking about what might go wrong due to previous jumps. But I trusted the company; they had a strong track record in extreme sports.' Maryam recalled the mental and emotional toll leading up to the jump. 'I hadn't slept well for weeks. When we were finally in the helicopter, and everything was set, the aircraft suddenly reversed. I couldn't hear what the team was discussing. Apparently, the magma levels had changed and the dust was getting thicker, increasing the danger. Eventually, the helicopter repositioned, and the team began the countdown.' Mali Maryam Sultan with her passports North Korea She knew it was a now-or-never moment. 'I jumped — regardless of the dust. I felt the heat as I came within 90 meters of the magma. It was the most incredible experience of my life. One I'll never forget, and a story I proudly share as an adventurous Kuwaiti woman.' Maryam's travels taught her countless life lessons. 'The first was tolerance. People come from different backgrounds, and what's normal in one culture may be offensive in another. Even within the same country, people are different.' She also learned the importance of patience. 'Some countries have limited access to technology or global exposure. These cultures operate at a different pace, and it's important not to rush or pressure them.' 'Lastly, I learned that life goes on, no matter your circumstances. We only get one life — don't waste it on regret or pain.' She encourages others to travel with an open mind. 'Travel teaches you patience. You'll face incidents and accidents — that's part of life. What matters is how you deal with them. Enjoy your journey. Travel as much as you can. Your memories will become treasures no one can take from you.'
Time Out Dubai
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
23 brilliant restaurants and bars in JLT that you need on your radar
JLT is home to loads of wonderful homegrown restaurants, but there are also a few decent bars in the area if you're looking for a post-work drink, ladies' night or catch up with your mates. Selected from Time Out Dubai's best restaurants, which means you know they've been tried and tested – anonymously and independently. Here are the best restaurants in JLT Asian Street by Thai Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Asian Street by Thai. This teeny, tiny spot in JLT's Cluster F is perched right next door to the popular budget spot San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles, making the area quite the culinary corner. With around 20 seats you need to time it right to make sure you can get a space and once settled in you'll be delighted with the pocket-friendly, totally authentic, fuss-free Thai cuisine. Spring rolls, satay, green curries, pad Thai, pad kra pao and Thai omelette are among the classics here and they're all done expertly. One of the best Thai restaurants in Dubai, and one of the best value, too. Unlicensed. Cluster F, JLT, @asianstreetbythai (04 391 8828). Check out our full Asian Street by Thai review here Bait Maryam Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Bait Maryam. A tribute to chef Salam Dakkak's late mother Maryam, cosy Palestinian restaurant Bait Maryam is nestled in a corner of JLT boasting homely flavours and furnishings. Inside it feels like you're stepping into someone's home – and in essence, you are, with trinkets and booked all owned by Maryam found about the restaurant. Boasting Middle Eastern comfort food, try silky smooth hummus, muhammara and labneh dipped up with fresh bread, as well as pasta with yoghurt, shakshouka, soujouk, moussaka and kibbeh. There's a wide selection of moreish manakish, plus hearty grills, too. Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, (054 704 4774). Check out our full Bait Maryam review here Café Isan Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Café Isan. The winner of Time Out Dubai's Best Thai Restaurant for several years running, Café Isan really is the most authentic, fun and friendly spot to enjoy Thai food in Dubai. Found in JLT, the mismatched plastic furniture, Thai market-style bar, pop tunes and affordable prices make it the best Thai restaurant in Dubai, while the food is utterly delicious. Coming from the Isan region of Thailand, expect punchy flavours (Thai spicy really means spicy) with curries, stir-fries, noodles and more. Take a seat out on the large terrace in winter – but be sure to book ahead, the city's Thai food fans love it as much as we do. Licensed. Armada Avenue Hotel JLT, Cluster P, JLT, (058 529 1003). Check out our full Café Isan review here Canary Club Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Canary Club. This cool Miami-style spot from the team behind The MAINE, Canary Club has retro vibes and a US-inspired menu. Found in Banyan Tree Residences in JLT, the décor is cool and there's a large bar area. The menu ranges from sushi to grills and the short-rib pizza is a dish not to be missed. Popular for its ladies' night as well as its standalone bar, Tiki Club, there are plenty of reasons to shimmy down to Canary Club for your next night out. Licensed. Banyan Tree Residences, JLT, (04 584 5999). Check out our full Canary Club review here Couqley Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Couqley This little French eatery and bar is quintessentially Parisian, with charm, class and a welcoming atmosphere. There's an impressive range of premium drinks and the bar staff are knowledgeable. Chuck a solid playlist of tunes into the mix, and it's hard to go wrong at this petite French haunt in JLT. Good service, good food, good drinks – what's not to like? Licensed. Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (04 514 9339). Check out our full Couqley review here Dhaba Lane Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Dhaba Lane A budget, Indian street food-style eatery in JLT, Dhaba Lane has been delighting savvy diners with its moreish curries since 2017. Serving traditional dishes from Punjab to Delhi, Calcutta and beyond, there are plenty of regional flavours to try here. It serves traditional plates with a modern twist, all at prices that won't make your eyes water. The interiors are cute and the spices are punchy, check out curries, chaat, biryanis and beyond. Open daily, noon-3.30pm, 6.30pm-midnight. Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, dhaba-lane (054 999 4251). Franky's Pizzeria Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Franky's Pizzeria The Park in JLT is one trendy place to visit – being home to cool Asian street food eatery Hawkerboi and café Splendour Fields. And now you'll also find Franky in Florence here – one of the best pizzerias in Dubai, and one of the newest. Neapolitan-style pizzas come adorned with toppings including cavallo nero, black truffle and mushroom, mussels and prawns, 'broken meatball' or classic stracciatella. The interiors are decked out with foliage and artwork, while the views from this rooftop spot are also superb. Order a drink and enjoy a slice at sunset. Licensed. The Park, JLT, @frankyspizzeria (050 427 5217). Check out our full Franky's Pizzeria review here Fusion Ceviche Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Fusion Ceviche. A petite, unassuming Peruvian spot in JLT serves absolutely brilliant ceviche. With super-fresh fish and packed full of flavour (and a fair amount of heat) it's one of the best Latin American restaurants in Dubai and a terrific place to delve into Peruvian food. With only a handful of tables, bag a spot at the counter and go with the chef's recommendations for the most authentic experience. The Peruvian juices are worth a try too. A laid-back restaurant that's a top one to check out if you're looking for something a little more off the radar. Unlicensed. Cluster Q, JLT, @fusionceviche (04 449 6292). Check out our full Fusion Ceviche review here Good Burger at Maiz Tacos Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Good Burger. Part of popular Mexican joint Maiz Tacos, Good Burger opened in 2020 and quickly found a following of burger fans in JLT. Promising to use only the freshest of premium ingredients, it's a small spot that packs a punch when it comes to quality. Get stuck into the original Good Burger if you're keeping things simple, or ramp it up a notch with the mushroom and Gruyère version. If you're a fan of Maiz Tacos, try the Birria Burger for a palate-popping combo of the two concepts. Unlicensed. Cluster Y, JLT, @goodburgerdxb (04 514 4712). Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Hanoi Naturally If you're after authentic Vietnamese cuisine in an unassuming location, Hanoi Naturally is the one for you. Tucked away in the budget eatery haven that is JLT, this cute little spot serves up some of the tastiest Vietnamese grub in town. Proudly using clean cooking techniques and fresh, healthy ingredients, the menu is full of flavour-packed plates such as fragrant prawn summer rolls and zingy papaya salad, as well as truly slurpable pho with everything from brisket to chicken, veggie to prawn. For traditional, healthy dishes on a budget, this is one of the best Asian restaurants in Dubai. Unlicensed. Cluster C, JLT, (04 431 3099). Check out our full Hanoi Naturally review here Hawkerboi Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Hawkerboi. A relative newcomer to the Asian dining scene in Dubai, Hawkerboi can be found at The Park in JLT. Offering cool, moody date night vibes with an interesting list of mixed drinks, Hawkerboi started life as a supper club, before setting up in its permanent location in April 2023. Now one of the best Asian restaurants in Dubai – and Time Out Dubai's Casual Restaurant of the Year for 2024 – Hawerboi is always buzzing. The open kitchen serves street food-style plates, think chicken satay, crispy fried squid, duck gyoza and banana blossom salad, as well as perfectly roast meat, flavoursome curries and palate-popping stir-fries. There's a tasting menu – which comes in at under Dhs400 for nine courses – if you want to explore different dishes, too. Licensed. The Park, JLT, @ (505 427 5217). Check out our full Hawkerboi review here Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria. As to be expected from a pizzeria behind one of the world's most famous chefs, Jamie Oliver's makes the kind of pizza you'll crave for no reason at all. It could be a random Tuesday afternoon, and those bold simple flavours that sit atop traditional doughy bases will pop straight into your head. Popular with a steady stream of office workers who have claimed this JLT spot as their favourite lunch location, book ahead to avoid disappointment. Unlicensed. Cluster R, JLT, (04 874 7082). Check out our full Jamie Oliver's Pizzeria review here McGettigan's JLT Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: McGettigan's JLT One of the most popular Irish bars in the city, McGettigan's JLT pulls in the crowds day and night, thanks to its fun-loving vibe and cracking deals. Brunches, happy hours, roast dinners, ladies' nights, live music, comedy – you'll find it all at this longstanding pub. The terrace is a prime spot for the winter months having all the feels of a proper pub garden. The food menu is a solid selection of burgers, wings, flatbreads, sausage and mash et al, which will fill you up and keep you happy. voco Bonnington Dubai Cluster J, JLT, (04 356 0470). Check out our full McGettigan's JLT review here Mythos Kouzina & Grill Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Mythos Kouzina & Gril Despite facing new competition every year, Mythos remains the best Greek restaurant in Dubai, no question. A go-to if you want incredible Greek food, prepared expertly at a reasonable price, there is now a second, similarly excellent Mythos at C2 in City Walk, but it's the OG that holds our hearts. Found in JLT, this cute taverna-style spot has a friendly vibe, a petite terrace ideal for cooler months and a menu jam-packed with home-cooked favourites that you won't be able to get enough of. From creamy, garlicky tzatziki, to comforting, flavour-laden moussaka and gemista, a glorious baked feta and an unmissable mixed grill platter (those lamb chops are outstanding), this is one you'll be returning to time and again – we guarantee it. Licensed. Armada Avenue Hotel JLT, Cluster P, JLT, (04 399 8166). Check out our full Mythos Kouzina & Grill review here Pickl Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Pickl Everyone's heard of Pickl – and with good reason, it's a giant when it comes to the best burgers in Dubai. A multiple winner of the Best Burger Bar in Dubai award, you can look forward to a perfectly seared patty, smothered in special sauce and snuggled into a squishy potato bun. Not only are the beef versions lip-smackingly good, but Pickl's chicken sando has become the stuff of legend, so make sure you order one of each – you won't regret it. Morning, noon, night – there's never a wrong time to dig into a Pickl burger. Unlicensed. One JLT, JLT, (04 584 6859). Check out our full Pickl review here Pitfire Pizza Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Pitfire Pizza It's done it again. New York-Neapolitan-style pizzas are the order of the day here at Pitfire. Pizzas so loved that they can be found at Time Out Market Dubai, the original branch is nestled in JLT's Cluster D. Set up by a husband-and-wife team, the pizzas here are massive and come fully loaded – Pitfire doesn't skimp on the toppings. There's everything from traditional pepperoni and margherita to turkey ham and pineapple and even potato or dates, meaning whatever your jam you'll find it here. The crusts are puffy and blistered and Pitfire is still the best pizzeria in Dubai (and the only place for those compulsory garlic knots). Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, (800 748 3473). Check out our full Pitfire Pizza review here Saigon Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: Saigon. Don't be deceived by the laid-back atmosphere of this casual Vietnamese spot in JLT – chefs here are serious about authenticity, serving up the likes of crispy spring rolls, healthy salads and steaming bowls of pho and noodles in a tiny, no-frills restaurant that won't break the bank. Prioritising quality over quantity (trust us here, it's one of the best Asian restaurants in Dubai), it's popular with both locals and expats alike, who can't help but be drawn in by the inviting smells emanating from the kitchen. Unlicensed. Lake Terrace Tower, Cluster D, JLT, (04 576 4466). Check out our full Saigon review here San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles Best restaurants in JLT. Credit: San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles Having opened in JLT in 2023, tucked away in an unassuming corner of Cluster F, right next to Asian Street by Thai, San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles' popularity has rocketed into it claiming the title of the best budget restaurant in Dubai, hands down. Service is friendly and there's a concise menu of Northern Chinese classics that you don't want to miss. Serving affordable, authentic Shaanxi cuisine, the main order here is, as the name suggests, those deliciously moreish noodles – which you can watch the chefs pulling in the kitchen. The chicken wontons are a must-try too. In short, don't miss it – it's a mighty find in a low-key location. Unlicensed. Cluster F, JLT, @ (050 759 9584). Splendour Fields From the team behind Tom & Serg and Common Grounds, you know you're onto a good thing if you stop by Splendour Fields. Found at The Park in JLT – in the same building as Hawekerboi and Franky in Florence – there are super views over the lawns, which make for the ideal backdrop for your coffee break. With special home-brews and baked goods from Rise & Dawn Bakehouse, a croissant and coffee is elevated here. In the morning choose from plates such as ricotta hotcakes, mushroom and truffle benedict or smashed avo, while later in the day salads, burgers and mains like Aussie parma star. A cute new addition to JLT's café scene from a respected brand. Licensed. The Park, JLT, @splendourfields (056 603 0897). Check out our full Splendour Fields review here Tiki's Bar by Canary Club Found atop Canary Club in DIFC, this extension of the popular restaurant has proved particularly popular since it opened its doors at the end of last year, and it's got some brilliant bar food to thank. Those taco makis, skewers, rolls and pizzas taste even better washed down with creatively-named mixed drinks – the Tahitian Traveller is a Time Out Dubai favourite. Licensed. Inside Canary Club, Banyan Tree Residences, JLT, (04 584 5999). Check out our full Tiki's Bar review here The Little Bali Credit: The Little Bali Another cracking affordable eatery in JLT – for authentic Balinese cuisine there's nowhere better in Dubai than The Little Bali. With budget plates that are bursting with flavour, the menu is traditional with top choices such as ayam taliwang (grilled chicken with lalapan, rice and sambal taliwang) and ikan goreng (crispy tilapia in a choice of sauces). You can also find more unusual meats such as oxtail and camel on the menu too. Don't miss the nasi goreng and satay sampler platter for classics done well. Unlicensed. Cluster U, JLT, (04 554 8575). Check out our full The Little Bali review here ubk Forget happy hours, it's happy days at this cool and casual hangout. The venue serves up happy hour deals from opening time to last orders. Not only are there great offers to be had, but this is a top spot to catch a game or a live band with pals, enjoy decent-priced, hearty pub grub (including a recently introduced Beyond Burger or a massive hot dog) and soak up the sun from the spacious outdoor area. Licensed. Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (04 438 0000). Check out our full ubk review here Vietnamese Foodies Vietnamese food has become a cornerstone cuisine in recent years, but if it's a no-nonsense venue, healthy cooking and wallet-friendly prices that really float your boat, you could do much worse than Vietnamese foodies. Home to steaming hot pho bowls that feature the legendary 14-hour simmered broth, this is the restaurant to go to for an unapologetically slap-up Asian meal in JLT. Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, (04 565 6088). Check out our full Vietnamese Foodies review here Need a reservation in the meantime? New restaurants in Dubai that you need to visit right now From casual eats to fine dining, there's bound to be a new venue you'll want to try Dubai's best restaurants: 85 incredible places to dine All the winners of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 25 of the best restaurants in DIFC: Reservations you have to make now Tried, tested and highly rated restaurants to try in Dubai's financial district
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Heart bleeds': Kashmiris grieve children killed on India-Pakistan frontier
Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – Javaid Iqbal opens a photo on his mobile phone. It shows a little girl sporting a pink woollen beanie, a grey trinket slung loosely around her neck – her face beaming in a wide smile. Five-year-old Maryam, his daughter, who happily posed for the photo only last month. Today, she is no more. Maryam was killed on the morning of May 7 when an explosive landed on their home in Sukha Katha, a cluster of some 200 homes in Poonch district of Indian-administered Kashmir, some 20km (12 miles) from the Line of Control (LoC), India's de facto border with Pakistan in the disputed Himalayan region. 'Oh, Maryam,' Iqbal, 36, cries out, clutching the phone to his chest. 'This is a loss I cannot live with.' Maryam was among at least 21 civilians – 15 of them in Poonch – killed in cross-border shelling in Indian-administered Kashmir in early May as the South Asian nuclear powers and historical enemies engaged in their most intense military confrontation in decades. For four days, they exchanged missiles and drones, and stood on the precipice of their fifth war before they announced a ceasefire on May 10. That truce has since held, even though tensions remain high and both nations have launched diplomatic outreach initiatives to try and convince the rest of the world about their narrative in a conflict that dates back to 1947, when the British left the subcontinent, cleaving it into India and Pakistan. But for families of those who lost relatives in the cross-border firing, the tenuous peace along the LoC at the moment means little. 'My heart bleeds when I think of how you [Maryam] died in my arms,' wails Iqbal. For decades, residents along the LoC have found themselves caught in the line of fire between India and Pakistan, who have fought three of their four previous wars over Kashmir. Both control parts of the region, with two tiny slivers also administered by China. But India claims all of Kashmir, while Pakistan also claims all of the region except the parts governed by China, its ally. In 2003, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC that – despite frequent border skirmishes and killings of civilians on both sides – broadly held, and was renewed in 2021. But on April 22, gunmen killed 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony rider in Pahalgam, a scenic resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, starting the latest chapter in the India-Pakistan conflict over the region. New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing the gunmen, a charge that Islamabad denied. Since the beginning of an armed rebellion against India's rule in Indian-administered Kashmir in 1989, New Delhi has accused Islamabad of training and financially supporting the rebels. Islamabad says it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the separatist movement. On May 7, the Indian military responded to the Pahalgam killings by launching missiles at multiple cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India claimed it struck 'terror camps' and killed about 100 'terrorists'. Pakistan said more than 50 people were killed – but most were civilians, with a military personnel also killed. Pakistan responded with heavy cross-border firing. Iqbal says he was jolted awake at about 2am on May 7 by the sounds of artillery shells landing 'one after the other, their thuds rattling the earth beneath us'. 'I made frantic calls to everyone, like police, officials in administration I knew, and on toll-free emergency numbers like 108, pleading with them to rescue me and my family,' he told Al Jazeera. 'But no one came.' He says he huddled his family – his wife, three children and three children of his brother who were with them at the time – in an outhouse abutting their main house, hoping that cinder blocks on top of the structure would make it more resilient to any Pakistani shells. The explosions kept getting closer. Shortly after sunrise, he says, a shell whizzed across the mountains, a trail of smoke streaming behind it, and landed with an explosion close to their shelter. Its splinters hurtled in every direction, blasting through the walls behind which Iqbal and his family had sought refuge. As he squinted through the smoky haze, his eyes rested on Maryam, whose little body was perforated with hot metal shards as she lay listless amid the debris, which was soaked with her blood. 'I called a friend for help. He alerted the administration, who sent an ambulance, which tried to come near our house, but the continuous shelling forced it to return,' he said, adding that the ambulance attempted to come closer five times but could not. By the time the shelling subsided and they could get to a hospital, Maryam was dead. Her sister, 7-year-old Iram Naaz, was also hit by a splinter in her forehead and is currently recovering in the family's ancestral village in Qasba, close to the LoC. The shelling continued in Sukha Katha for three days. Today, it looks like a ghost town, its ominous silence shattered only by the strong gales of wind sweeping through the open doors and windows of empty homes, with curtains fluttering and dust swirling around them. Most residents who fled the shelling haven't returned. 'There are about 200 homes here and they are empty because everyone has fled to safety,' said Muhammad Mukhar, a 35-year-old resident. He and a few others remained. 'We are just keeping an eye out for thieves. These townspeople are unlikely to return soon because things are still uncertain.' The villagers have reasons to remain fearful of more attacks, says Kashmiri political analyst Zafar Choudhary. He says the loss of civilian lives on the Indian side of the border in Poonch is due to the 'peculiar' topography of the region, which confers a 'unique advantage' to Pakistan. 'Most of the towns and villages on the Indian side are situated down in the valleys while Pakistani army posts remain high on the mountain tops, overlooking the civilian habitations here,' he says. 'Even if India retaliates, the civilian loss to the Pakistani side would remain minimal. This makes border towns such as Poonch vulnerable.' At Khanetar, a town of rundown structures of bricks and rebars overhung with life-size advertisements of soda drinks, an asphalt road zigzags through the forests and ravines and links the border areas of Poonch with the plains of Jammu, in the southern part of Indian-administered Kashmir. In this village, a Pakistani shell explosion killed 13-year-old Vihan Kumar inside the family's car when they were trying to escape the firing. The boy died on the spot, his skull ripped open. 'It was a loud sound, and at once, my son was in a pool of blood,' recalls Sanjeev Bhargav, Vihan's father. 'We immediately rushed to the district hospital in Poonch, where Vihan breathed his last.' Vihan was the only child of his parents. Meanwhile, at the intensive care unit of the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir, about 230km (140 miles) southeast of Poonch, Arusha Khan is consoling her husband, Rameez Khan, a 46-year-old teacher, who is battling for his life after shrapnel punctured the left side of his liver. They are mourning the loss of their twins – son Zain Ali and daughter Urba Fatima – who died in the shelling of their house on May 7. They had turned 12 in April. The family was cowering inside their home in Poonch when the frightened twins called their uncle, Arusha's brother Aadil Pathan, who lived in Surankote, in the same district, about 40km (25 miles) away, pleading with him to save them. 'The children were scared to their wits' end,' Arusha's sister Maria Pathan tells Al Jazeera over the telephone. 'Aadil left home in his car at 5:30am and reached their place an hour later.' Maria says Aadil called out from outside the house and swung open the door of his car. But as soon as the trapped family came out and began to dash in the direction of the car, a shell struck. Urba died on the spot. Rameez also suffered 'tremendous blood loss' from his injuries, Maria said. 'And suddenly, Arusha couldn't see Zain around,' says Maria. 'He was injured and had staggered into a neighbour's home about 100 metres (300ft) away. When Arusha rushed to see him, he was just a body on the floor.' He, too, had died. 'We don't wish even for our enemies what has happened to my sister and her family,' Maria says amid sobs. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Asia, says attacks on children during such conflicts between two nations could constitute war crimes. 'Indiscriminately striking civilian areas is a violation of international humanitarian law,' she says, speaking to Al Jazeera. 'If such attacks are committed willfully, they would amount to war crimes.' Poonch-based politician Shamim Ganai says the destruction wreaked by the Pakistani shelling was a 'naked dance of death'. 'We weren't prepared for what we eventually came to experience. There were no preparations to evacuate people. People were simply running, many even barefoot, holding on to chickens and other belongings in their arms,' he recalls. 'I have lived through previous border clashes,' he says. 'But this was nothing like I have ever seen.'
Al Jazeera
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Heart bleeds': Kashmiris grieve children killed on India-Pakistan frontier
Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir – Javaid Iqbal opens a photo on his mobile phone. It shows a little girl sporting a pink woollen beanie, a grey trinket slung loosely around her neck – her face beaming in a wide smile. Five-year-old Maryam, his daughter, who happily posed for the photo only last month. Today, she is no more. Maryam was killed on the morning of May 7 when an explosive landed on their home in Sukha Katha, a cluster of some 200 homes in Poonch district of Indian-administered Kashmir, some 20km (12 miles) from the Line of Control (LoC), India's de facto border with Pakistan in the disputed Himalayan region. 'Oh, Maryam,' Iqbal, 36, cries out, clutching the phone to his chest. 'This is a loss I cannot live with.' Maryam was among at least 21 civilians – 15 of them in Poonch – killed in cross-border shelling in Indian-administered Kashmir in early May as the South Asian nuclear powers and historical enemies engaged in their most intense military confrontation in decades. For four days, they exchanged missiles and drones, and stood on the precipice of their fifth war before they announced a ceasefire on May 10. That truce has since held, even though tensions remain high and both nations have launched diplomatic outreach initiatives to try and convince the rest of the world about their narrative in a conflict that dates back to 1947, when the British left the subcontinent, cleaving it into India and Pakistan. But for families of those who lost relatives in the cross-border firing, the tenuous peace along the LoC at the moment means little. 'My heart bleeds when I think of how you [Maryam] died in my arms,' wails Iqbal. For decades, residents along the LoC have found themselves caught in the line of fire between India and Pakistan, who have fought three of their four previous wars over Kashmir. Both control parts of the region, with two tiny slivers also administered by China. But India claims all of Kashmir, while Pakistan also claims all of the region except the parts governed by China, its ally. In 2003, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC that – despite frequent border skirmishes and killings of civilians on both sides – broadly held, and was renewed in 2021. But on April 22, gunmen killed 25 tourists and a Kashmiri pony rider in Pahalgam, a scenic resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, starting the latest chapter in the India-Pakistan conflict over the region. New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing the gunmen, a charge that Islamabad denied. Since the beginning of an armed rebellion against India's rule in Indian-administered Kashmir in 1989, New Delhi has accused Islamabad of training and financially supporting the rebels. Islamabad says it only provides diplomatic and moral support to the separatist movement. On May 7, the Indian military responded to the Pahalgam killings by launching missiles at multiple cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India claimed it struck 'terror camps' and killed about 100 'terrorists'. Pakistan said more than 50 people were killed – but most were civilians, with a military personnel also killed. Pakistan responded with heavy cross-border firing. Iqbal says he was jolted awake at about 2am on May 7 by the sounds of artillery shells landing 'one after the other, their thuds rattling the earth beneath us'. 'I made frantic calls to everyone, like police, officials in administration I knew, and on toll-free emergency numbers like 108, pleading with them to rescue me and my family,' he told Al Jazeera. 'But no one came.' He says he huddled his family – his wife, three children and three children of his brother who were with them at the time – in an outhouse abutting their main house, hoping that cinder blocks on top of the structure would make it more resilient to any Pakistani shells. The explosions kept getting closer. Shortly after sunrise, he says, a shell whizzed across the mountains, a trail of smoke streaming behind it, and landed with an explosion close to their shelter. Its splinters hurtled in every direction, blasting through the walls behind which Iqbal and his family had sought refuge. As he squinted through the smoky haze, his eyes rested on Maryam, whose little body was perforated with hot metal shards as she lay listless amid the debris, which was soaked with her blood. 'I called a friend for help. He alerted the administration, who sent an ambulance, which tried to come near our house, but the continuous shelling forced it to return,' he said, adding that the ambulance attempted to come closer five times but could not. By the time the shelling subsided and they could get to a hospital, Maryam was dead. Her sister, 7-year-old Iram Naaz, was also hit by a splinter in her forehead and is currently recovering in the family's ancestral village in Qasba, close to the LoC. The shelling continued in Sukha Katha for three days. Today, it looks like a ghost town, its ominous silence shattered only by the strong gales of wind sweeping through the open doors and windows of empty homes, with curtains fluttering and dust swirling around them. Most residents who fled the shelling haven't returned. 'There are about 200 homes here and they are empty because everyone has fled to safety,' said Muhammad Mukhar, a 35-year-old resident. He and a few others remained. 'We are just keeping an eye out for thieves. These townspeople are unlikely to return soon because things are still uncertain.' The villagers have reasons to remain fearful of more attacks, says Kashmiri political analyst Zafar Choudhary. He says the loss of civilian lives on the Indian side of the border in Poonch is due to the 'peculiar' topography of the region, which confers a 'unique advantage' to Pakistan. 'Most of the towns and villages on the Indian side are situated down in the valleys while Pakistani army posts remain high on the mountain tops, overlooking the civilian habitations here,' he says. 'Even if India retaliates, the civilian loss to the Pakistani side would remain minimal. This makes border towns such as Poonch vulnerable.' At Khanetar, a town of rundown structures of bricks and rebars overhung with life-size advertisements of soda drinks, an asphalt road zigzags through the forests and ravines and links the border areas of Poonch with the plains of Jammu, in the southern part of Indian-administered Kashmir. In this village, a Pakistani shell explosion killed 13-year-old Vihan Kumar inside the family's car when they were trying to escape the firing. The boy died on the spot, his skull ripped open. 'It was a loud sound, and at once, my son was in a pool of blood,' recalls Sanjeev Bhargav, Vihan's father. 'We immediately rushed to the district hospital in Poonch, where Vihan breathed his last.' Vihan was the only child of his parents. Meanwhile, at the intensive care unit of the Government Medical College Hospital in Jammu, the second largest city in Indian-administered Kashmir, about 230km (140 miles) southeast of Poonch, Arusha Khan is consoling her husband, Rameez Khan, a 46-year-old teacher, who is battling for his life after shrapnel punctured the left side of his liver. They are mourning the loss of their twins – son Zain Ali and daughter Urba Fatima – who died in the shelling of their house on May 7. They had turned 12 in April. The family was cowering inside their home in Poonch when the frightened twins called their uncle, Arusha's brother Aadil Pathan, who lived in Surankote, in the same district, about 40km (25 miles) away, pleading with him to save them. 'The children were scared to their wits' end,' Arusha's sister Maria Pathan tells Al Jazeera over the telephone. 'Aadil left home in his car at 5:30am and reached their place an hour later.' Maria says Aadil called out from outside the house and swung open the door of his car. But as soon as the trapped family came out and began to dash in the direction of the car, a shell struck. Urba died on the spot. Rameez also suffered 'tremendous blood loss' from his injuries, Maria said. 'And suddenly, Arusha couldn't see Zain around,' says Maria. 'He was injured and had staggered into a neighbour's home about 100 metres (300ft) away. When Arusha rushed to see him, he was just a body on the floor.' He, too, had died. 'We don't wish even for our enemies what has happened to my sister and her family,' Maria says amid sobs. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Asia, says attacks on children during such conflicts between two nations could constitute war crimes. 'Indiscriminately striking civilian areas is a violation of international humanitarian law,' she says, speaking to Al Jazeera. 'If such attacks are committed willfully, they would amount to war crimes.' Poonch-based politician Shamim Ganai says the destruction wreaked by the Pakistani shelling was a 'naked dance of death'. 'We weren't prepared for what we eventually came to experience. There were no preparations to evacuate people. People were simply running, many even barefoot, holding on to chickens and other belongings in their arms,' he recalls. 'I have lived through previous border clashes,' he says. 'But this was nothing like I have ever seen.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Why early childhood home visits are cause for celebration in R.I.
Elizabeth Garganese, RN, is a nurse in the First Connections program at Children's Friend, helped connect Maryam and her son Eli with a pediatrician and ongoing education and support. Only the first names for the family are used here to protect their privacy. (Photo by Rise To It Productions, Courtesy of Children's Friend) I am a nurse in the First Connections program at Children's Friend. I recently spoke at Home Visiting Day at the Rhode Island State House and joined Rep. Joshua Giraldo, a Central Falls Democrat, on the floor of the House for the reading of a resolution commemorating May 8 as Home Visiting Day. Home visiting programs are designed to support families during the crucial early days and years of a child's life. Nurses like me, along with social workers and family support specialists, bring our expertise directly into a client's home — making home visiting one of the most accessible forms of support available to new parents. Unfortunately, most new parents don't even know this kind of help exists. Last year, the Rhode Island Legislature included updated rates for First Connections in the fiscal year 2025 budget, which effectively saved the program. I am incredibly grateful for this investment. However, significant challenges remain. Uncertainty at the federal level, combined with Rhode Island's shift to a new fee-for-service Medicaid model, continues to strain our ability to deliver services. That's why passing the RI Home Visiting Act (H6073/S677) is more critical than ever. This legislation would require the state to invest enough to qualify for the maximum federal match. The federal government contributes $3 for every $1 contributed by the state. If the state allocates $356,000 for family home visiting in the fiscal year 2026 budget, that would generate $1.1 million in federal funding. Right now, Rhode Island is one of just three states leaving that money on the table. The other two states are North Dakota and Tennessee. I believe the lack of investment is simply a lack of awareness. More people need to understand just how vital these programs are. First Connections provides peace of mind and essential support to new parents across the socioeconomic spectrum. This includes addressing the mental and physical health needs of postpartum mothers. Through First Connections, I've visited families who needed help with the basics: safe sleep, breastfeeding, diapering. I've also walked into homes where mothers or babies were in acute medical crisis: dangerously high blood pressure, infant dehydration, undiagnosed postpartum mood disorders, infected C-section incisions. In those cases, serious illness — or even death — could have been the outcome. But it wasn't, because First Connections was there. Being able to guide and intervene at such a critical moment in a family's life is deeply fulfilling. I believe the lack of investment is simply a lack of awareness. More people need to understand just how vital these programs are. First Connections is a short-term program, which covers up to three visits. It's crisis management and an essential connection to longer-term resources for many families. At Children's Friend, nearly 40% of the families we serve through First Connections are referred to longer-term home visiting programs, like Healthy Families America and Early Head Start. In some cases, we also refer older siblings for Early Intervention services after observing developmental challenges in their home environment. Take Maryam's story for example: We visited Maryam and her family just days after she gave birth to her son, Eli. Our priority was making sure both mom and baby were safe and healthy. For Maryam, that meant helping her get to a doctor to refill a critical medication for a pre-existing condition. For Eli, we secured a pediatrician and helped resolve a health insurance issue caused by an error on his birth certificate. We also made sure the older children were safe by installing locks and screens on windows and doors. Without First Connections, Maryam's health and Eli's development could have been seriously at risk. For Maryam and Eli, three visits weren't enough, so we connected the family with Early Head Start, a longer-term home visiting program at Children's Friend. Now, the entire family receives ongoing education and support alongside other families with young children. According to a report by the Department of Health, we are only reaching a quarter of the most vulnerable children in our state through home visiting programs. My hope is that awareness will improve participation in these life-changing programs. I consider nursing my life's calling. Through home visiting, I'm not only helping to ensure the immediate health of moms and babies, but I'm working to build stronger, healthier futures for entire families. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
