Latest news with #TariqAli
Middle East Eye
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Leading global academics denounce UK's Palestine Action ban
Scores of leading global academics have signed an open letter denouncing the British government's ban on direct action group Palestine Action as an "attack on fundamental freedoms". The letter, published in the Guardian on Wednesday, was signed by 52 intellectuals including Judith Butler, Tariq Ali, Angela Davis, Naomi Klein, Rashid Khalidi, Avi Shlaim and Ilan Pappe among others. "As scholars dedicated to questions of justice and ethics, we believe that Yvette Cooper's recent proscription of Palestine Action represents an attack both on the entire pro-Palestine movement and on fundamental freedoms of expression, association, assembly and protest," the letter reads. "We deplore the repressive consequences that this ban has already had, and are especially concerned about the likely impact of Cooper's ban on universities across the UK and beyond." The letter further says: "We therefore applaud the growing campaign of collective defiance that aims to overturn the ban." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters British officials proscribed Palestine Action under anti-terror laws on 4 July. The move followed an incident in which members broke into RAF Brize Norton and spray-painted two planes they said were 'used for military operations in Gaza and across the Middle East". 'Ending flow of weapons' Since Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation, more than 200 people have been arrested - including priests, vicars and former magistrates - after they were deemed by police officers to have expressed support for the group. Supporting the group is now a criminal offence, as is inviting or "recklessly" expressing "support for the group'. Those found guilty of supporting or inviting support for the group can face up to 14 years in prison under the Terrorism Act 2000. The letter praises those campaigning against Palestine Action's proscription, saying: "In alliance with thousands of trade unionists, teachers and students throughout the UK and abroad, we affirm our own solidarity with all those who are campaigning against the proscription. Peer sought to 'influence' Palestine Action case on behalf of US company Read More » "We fully share the aim of ending the flow of weapons from Britain to Israel and the belief that all participants in the pro-Palestine movement should be free to make our own decisions about how best to achieve that goal." Last week a High Court Judge ruled in favour of Palestine Action and granted the direct action group a judicial review to oppose the UK government's ban on the group. The ruling marks a setback for the government, which has faced escalating criticism over its handling of the proscription and concerns that the ban on the group could be used to stifle criticism of Israel and the right to protest. The letter declares: "As the organisers of massive national demonstrations face prosecution, as hundreds of people again risk arrest by joining street protests on 9 August, and as students and teachers prepare for the start of another turbulent academic year, we express our full solidarity with those mobilising on their campuses or in their workplaces and communities to put an immediate stop to the escalating genocide and to end all UK complicity with Israel's crimes."
Al Jazeera
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Who decides who can have nuclear arms?
Inside Story Have the actions of Israel and the US increased the risks that more countries will want them? The United States and Israel attacked Iran, saying it could not have a nuclear weapon, which Tehran denied it was trying to build. The US and Israel are among nine countries armed with nuclear weapons. list of 3 items list 1 of 3 list 2 of 3 list 3 of 3 end of list So who decides who can have nuclear arms? And have the actions of Israel and the US increased the risks that more countries will want them? Presenter: Adrian Finighan Guests: Tariq Rauf, former head of verification and security policy coordination at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Laicie Heeley, a nuclear arms control and non-proliferation specialist, and editor-in-chief of Inkstick Media in Washington, DC. Tariq Ali, a historian and editor at the New Left Review journal in London. Video Duration 28 minutes 20 seconds 28:20 Video Duration 29 minutes 05 seconds 29:05 Video Duration 28 minutes 30 seconds 28:30 Video Duration 27 minutes 15 seconds 27:15 Video Duration 28 minutes 44 seconds 28:44 Video Duration 28 minutes 45 seconds 28:45 Video Duration 27 minutes 30 seconds 27:30
Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Eye-opening talk in Sharjah says animation has a long life
The Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) 2025 featured a riveting roundtable discussion titled 'Animation in MENA & Africa: Opportunities & Challenges,' convening leading voices from the region's animation industry to discuss the evolving sector. This anticipated session brought together Zümrüt Pakoy, MENA Programming and Presentation Director at Warner Bros Discovery; Abdulaziz Othman, CEO of ZEEZ Animation in Saudi Arabia; Tariq Ali, Founder of Egyptian studio ZANAD; Raymond Malinga, CEO of Creatures Animation Studio in Uganda; and Damilola Solesi, Creative Director and CEO of Smids Animation Studios from Nigeria. A meeting of industry movers and shakers Warner Bros Discovery's Zümrüt Pakoy opened the discussion with a global perspective, commenting on the rising demand for diverse content in international markets. She also highlighted the delicate art of curating content for children, saying 'For our animation networks, Cartoonito and Cartoon Network, smart, fun storytelling is non-negotiable,' noting how diversity and inclusion are also highly important in shaping their programming. Abdulaziz Othman With streaming platforms expanding children's access to content, Pakoy stressed the responsibility of creators, 'Every show must reflect the world's richness while sparking joy.' She pointed to Warner Bros' global reach as a tool to amplify regional voices, but cautioned against diluting cultural specificity for mass appeal. Nurturing a sustainable ecosystem Abdulaziz Othman brought the cyclical challenges of commissioning and funding to the table and the unique competitiveness of the market saying, 'Animation has a long shelf life and the competition is global,' referencing evergreen shows that dominate screens years after their debut. Tariq Ali To counter this, Othman advocated for systemic solutions including grants, unions, and institutional partnerships to nurture a sustainable ecosystem. 'No single studio can shoulder this alone,' he insisted, reflecting on ZEEZ's journey from bootstrapped projects to award-winning series like 'Nayerat'. Using authentic narratives to unlock the region's potential Tariq Ali, the maverick founder of ZANAD, channelled Egypt's cinematic legacy into his vision for animation. 'We've had a very strong film industry for decades and I think animation is the next wave,' he asserted, underscoring Egypt's untapped potential. Damilola Solesi Ali championed the creation of original IPs tailored for diverse mediums, from TV to streaming, while celebrating local talent. 'We have the talent, we have the know-how; now we need the confidence to own our narratives,' he declared, positioning ZANAD as a bridge between Egypt's storied past and its animated future. Championing African stories through animation Raymond Malinga, the Ugandan filmmaker and CEO of Creatures Animation Studio, spoke with determination about the power of localised storytelling. His 12-person studio has quickly become an example of African excellence, proving that size is no barrier to global impact. His collaboration with Disney+ on 'Herderboy', and the opening episode of the anthology 'Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire', further cemented his studio's reputation. Raymond Malinga The project, which explores a futuristic African pastoralist's journey, marked a milestone as one of the first Ugandan-led animations on a global streaming platform. 'People need to realise that we are building our industry from scratch here, and when young animators in Uganda see characters who look like them, speak their languages, and navigate worlds they recognise, it transforms what they believe is possible,' he said. Education as the foundation for industry growth Damilola Solesi, now a veteran of Nigeria's creative sector with a decorated career spanning the past 15 years, painted a vivid picture of growth amid adversity in her home country. 'Our population is young, ambitious, and wired for innovation,' she said, referencing Nigeria's 200 million people, most under 35. 'There are challenges within our sector, especially within Africa, and it's not always easy to find support and funding, but there is huge potential for this industry, and we are doing everything we can to open doors for others.' Zumrut Pakoy and Raymond Malinga Solesi also stressed that education and mentorship are the foundation of sustainable growth in Africa's animation sector. 'Institutions that prioritise skills development and accessible training are the engines that will drive this industry forward, but unfortunately this is lacking,' she noted. Through her animation studio, Solesi actively bridges this gap by offering hands-on workshops and guidance for aspiring animators ensuring Nigeria's youth are active participants in shaping Africa's animation scene. For more information and the full conference agenda running until May 4th at Expo Centre Sharjah, visit .
