An algerian judoka and his coach have been suspended and sent home after refusing to fight an Israeli athlete. Fethi Nourine was scheduled to compete in the men’s under-73kg division. He said he could not compete against the Israeli, Tohar Butbul, in the second round because of his support for the Palestinian cause.
The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) National Center of Meteorology created a monsoon-like artificial rain to combat the desert heat. A drone technology known as cloud seeding has been used to create the enhanced rain. Electrical charges are used to enhance precipitation by coalescing clouds and generating water. Further, the country receives an average of only 100mm of rain each year.
The Grand Mosque of Makkah held the annual ceremony to replace the new Kiswa, the cloth covering the Holy Ka’aba. The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and Prophet Mosque changed the Kiswa. Additionally, the team of the King Abdulaziz Complex removed the old Kiswa and replaced it with a new one.
A top European Court rules companies may ban Muslim women employees from wearing headscarves if certain conditions are met. The EU court ruled Thursday in two cases brought by Muslim women in Germany who had been fired after they started wearing Islamic clothing. Consequently, the court said that employers may restrict the wearing of visible forms of political or religious expression at work.
The Afghan Taliban claimed to have taken control over key Afghan-Pakistan border crossings. Pakistan has closed its Friendship Gate crossing at the Chaman border with Afghanistan. The Taliban released video footage of a white flag fluttering above the Friendship Gate in the Afghan town of Wesh. Additionally, it connects Chaman, Balochistan, with Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak crossing point.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Sohail Shaheen said: Our countries share cultural, historical, and religious values with Pakistan. The Taliban will not allow any country to use Afghan soil against another country. The spokesperson said no meeting between India and the Taliban had taken place. In addition, he said that no one will be allowed to impose their decision on us.
The United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country to establish an embassy in Israel. Both countries praised the investment and trade opportunities that will facilitate better relations. The president of Israel also attended the flag-raising ceremony. The UAE and Bahrain normalized their relations with Tel Aviv last year.
Dubai, a global financial center and the world’s most coveted entertainment destination, has opened the world’s deepest swimming pool. The pool is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for its depth. The pool has a depth of 60.02 meters and can hold 14 million liters of water. Moreover, the shape of the pool pays homage to the UAE’s rich heritage.
British MP Naz Shah urged the British government to pass legislation to protect the honour and dignity of the holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The sentiments of Muslim people regarding Islamophobia should be given the same weight as that of Western historical figures. Moreover, Shah asserted that the disrespect people show to the Holy Prophet Muhammad through cartoons causes emotional stress to Muslims.
Analysts and officials expect China and Russia to pursue influence in Afghanistan after the U.S. withdraws. Afghanistan, however, is considering the extension of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Beijing opposes the U.S. withdrawing too soon, as this will drag on the country’s uncertain situation even more.