Latest news with #UmmMohammed
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Palestinians clean up after Israeli nationalist march in Jerusalem
Palestinian traders in Jerusalem's Old City returned to their shops on Tuesday to clean up a day after a march by Israeli nationalists that saw scuffles, insults and acts of vandalism. Some had to use crowbars, hammers and wirecutters to regain access to their own shops after many were vandalised during the Jerusalem Day march the day before. Jerusalem Day commemorates Israeli forces taking east Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. On Tuesday, metal shutters protecting the shopfronts bore the marks of the parade's passing, with padlocks blocked and stickers slapped upon them. "No humanitarian aid for Gaza," read one sticker from Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power). The far-right party headed by firebrand politician and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had a major presence in Monday's march. Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, during the Jerusalem Day events. Israel considers all of Jerusalem, including the annexed Palestinian-majority east, its indivisible capital. The international community does not recognise this, and Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. On Tuesday, when employees of an east Jerusalem electricity supplier arrived at their office they discovered the front windows broken and the door blocked. - 'Childish acts' - A company official, Ismail Eshqart, came from headquarters to change the lock and assess the damage. He told AFP they had expected "a little more tension" than usual this year in the alley in the Muslim Quarter where Palestinians and a few Israeli residents, mostly religious Jews, mingle daily. He said there had been "deliberate acts of vandalism", but he did not name the suspected perpetrators. "It's the same story every year," said clothes seller Abu Osama, referring to Jerusalem Day marchers. "They come and attack shops, make them close, and they break things, they throw firecrackers," he told AFP as a municipal employee arrived with an electric saw to cut the padlock on the door of his sabotaged shop. "They do what they want and nobody says to them 'what are you doing? That's not allowed'!" Abu Osama added, angry at lost time over "childish acts" that made him open several hours late. Fruit sellers at stalls in front of the Damascus Gate into the Old City shared his dismay, but shrugged as they unloaded boxes of cherries and peaches. "The situation is worse and worse," said grandmother Umm Mohammed who was born in the Old City and had come to do her shopping. - 'It's crazy!' - "We want to live in peace -- we are kind people," she said, adding that she did not leave the house on Monday. Umm Mohammed said that last year, one man she knows "came out of his house and they hit him -- and he is a big guy!" Armed with solvent and sponges, a group of around 10 Israeli and foreign volunteers arrived on Tuesday morning to help clean up in the march's aftermath. "I came to do what I could, even if it's not much," said one volunteer who asked not to be identified. They scuttled between the shops, trying to avoid police patrols, but several were briefly stopped for allegedly disturbing the peace. Contacted by AFP, police did not respond to a request for comment. "It's really upside down. It's crazy," said 24-year-old Joshua Korn of the Israeli-Palestinian activist group Standing Together. "It's crazy because these people who are here to protect us... they shout at us that we're provoking... just because we're here to remove racist graffiti and stickers that have been put up by settlers in an act of provocation!" Korn said of the police. lsb-crb-agh/mib/srm/ser
France 24
27-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Palestinians clean up after Israeli nationalist march in Jerusalem
Some had to use crowbars, hammers and wirecutters to regain access to their own shops after many were vandalised during the Jerusalem Day march the day before. Jerusalem Day commemorates Israeli forces taking east Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. On Tuesday, metal shutters protecting the shopfronts bore the marks of the parade's passing, with padlocks blocked and stickers slapped upon them. "No humanitarian aid for Gaza," read one sticker from Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power). The far-right party headed by firebrand politician and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had a major presence in Monday's march. Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, during the Jerusalem Day events. Israel considers all of Jerusalem, including the annexed Palestinian-majority east, its indivisible capital. The international community does not recognise this, and Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. On Tuesday, when employees of an east Jerusalem electricity supplier arrived at their office they discovered the front windows broken and the door blocked. 'Childish acts' A company official, Ismail Eshqart, came from headquarters to change the lock and assess the damage. He told AFP they had expected "a little more tension" than usual this year in the alley in the Muslim Quarter where Palestinians and a few Israeli residents, mostly religious Jews, mingle daily. He said there had been "deliberate acts of vandalism", but he did not name the suspected perpetrators. "It's the same story every year," said clothes seller Abu Osama, referring to Jerusalem Day marchers. "They come and attack shops, make them close, and they break things, they throw firecrackers," he told AFP as a municipal employee arrived with an electric saw to cut the padlock on the door of his sabotaged shop. "They do what they want and nobody says to them 'what are you doing? That's not allowed'!" Abu Osama added, angry at lost time over "childish acts" that made him open several hours late. Fruit sellers at stalls in front of the Damascus Gate into the Old City shared his dismay, but shrugged as they unloaded boxes of cherries and peaches. "The situation is worse and worse," said grandmother Umm Mohammed who was born in the Old City and had come to do her shopping. 'It's crazy!' "We want to live in peace -- we are kind people," she said, adding that she did not leave the house on Monday. Umm Mohammed said that last year, one man she knows "came out of his house and they hit him -- and he is a big guy!" Armed with solvent and sponges, a group of around 10 Israeli and foreign volunteers arrived on Tuesday morning to help clean up in the march's aftermath. "I came to do what I could, even if it's not much," said one volunteer who asked not to be identified. They scuttled between the shops, trying to avoid police patrols, but several were briefly stopped for allegedly disturbing the peace. Contacted by AFP, police did not respond to a request for comment. "It's really upside down. It's crazy," said 24-year-old Joshua Korn of the Israeli-Palestinian activist group Standing Together. "It's crazy because these people who are here to protect us... they shout at us that we're provoking... just because we're here to remove racist graffiti and stickers that have been put up by settlers in an act of provocation!" Korn said of the police. © 2025 AFP
Khaleej Times
07-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Ramadan in UAE: How students balance fasting and taking exams during holy month
Many fasting students find themselves balancing exam preparation with Ramadan routines. With exams scheduled during Ramadan, students carefully manage their time, prioritise rest, and maintain a structured routine to perform at their best. Grade 12 student Humaid Adel shared his thoughts on preparing for exams during Ramadan. He explained that his exams would be in the afternoon from 12 noon to 2pm. 'I have plenty of time to sleep the night before the exam, and even on the exam day, I don't have to wake up early. This also gives me a chance to review my lessons one last time before heading to the exam,' he told Khaleej Times. However, he admitted that the first exam would be particularly challenging. 'Physics requires a lot of concentration, so I expect it to be difficult,' he added. To prepare, Humaid plans to review his lessons the night before the exam after Taraweeh prayers and continue studying in the morning before leaving for the test. 'It's hard for me to study properly while fasting, so I'll make the most of my time before noon.' He also pointed out that Ramadan often comes with late-night gatherings, making it tempting to stay up late. 'I know I must organise my sleep schedule and start sleeping early. Concentrating when sleepy is difficult, so I'm adjusting my routine now. Getting into a disciplined sleep pattern takes at least two days.' Adjusting schedules Umm Mohammed, a mother of a seventh-grade student from Sharjah, shared how she is adjusting to her son's routine during Ramadan to accommodate his exams. 'On regular days, my son sleeps early but tends to stay up late during Ramadan. With exams coming up, I will ensure he follows a schedule that allows him to be fully focused,' she said. She explained that her son would wake up for Suhoor at 2.30am. and then go back to sleep until the morning to ensure enough rest. When studying, Umm Mohammed plans to help her son review his lessons immediately after Iftar, maximizing his energy and concentration levels. Some government schools sent out exam schedules last Friday, urging students to start revising for exams. The end of the second-semester exams for the academic year 2024-2025 will start soon. Students in the first cycle, specifically grades 3 and 4, will take exams in all subjects from Monday, March 10 to March 18. Students in the second cycle, due to their performance on project-based skills in the core subjects, will take exams in Islamic Education and Social Studies on March 13 and March 18. Students in the third cycle will take exams in all subjects in the afternoon from 12 noon to 2pm, from March 10 to 19. The exam period for all levels will last two hours, varying between online and written exams. How to prepare for exams Dr Mazen Abou Chaaban, paediatrics and paediatric nephrology specialist at Fakeeh University Hospital Dubai, has advised against fasting during exams for children who have never fasted before. He noted those unaccustomed to fasting may experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating, which could impact their performance. As previously reported by the Khaleej Times, a gradual approach to fasting is recommended to help children adjust without feeling exhausted. There are no special rules on exam days except to ensure students get a good night's sleep. 'Even if they sleep an hour after studying, it's essential to prioritise rest,' said Dr Chaaban, noting: "Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to eating. Proper hydration is also essential for maintaining focus and concentration." There are no strict dietary rules for students who are already fasting on exam days. However, the day before an exam should include healthy habits that start right after breakfast. 'Sleep is crucial for mental health. It's important for students to get enough rest by going to bed early,' Dr Chaaban underscored. Quality over quantity Dr Chaaban warned against consuming heavy, fatty, or sugary foods, which can cause sluggishness and drowsiness. Instead, he recommended a light and nutritious Suhoor rich in protein and low in sugar. 'A great option for Suhoor is dates with bananas or a slice of toast with bananas. These foods provide lasting energy and essential nutrients,' he suggested. Dr Chaaban also stressed the importance of drinking plenty of water. 'Hydration is key. Students should continue drinking water after Iftar and during Suhoor to keep their bodies well-hydrated.' 'These steps can help students feel physically and mentally prepared for their exams,' he added.
