Latest news with #nationalidentity
UAE Moments
4 days ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
New UAE Dirham Symbol Is Here—But Are You Using It Right?
The UAE's newly launched dirham symbol isn't just a currency marker—it's a nod to national identity, heritage, and the country's bold future. First introduced in March, the symbol reflects both tradition and progress, designed with exact structure and cultural references in mind. But beyond its sleek design, the real task lies in using it properly. Local authorities have laid out strict rules to guide how and where the symbol should appear across physical and digital platforms. Read More: UAE Central Bank Introduces New Symbol for Dirham Where You Should Use the Dirham Symbol The symbol is expected to appear in places where currency is typically displayed, including: Printed and digital receipts , invoices , and cheques Price tags in stores and online ATMs , POS systems , and financial apps Accounting software and user interface (UI) fields For cheque books, the symbol should come before the number in the 'amount in figures' field, while the word 'Dirhams' should still be spelled out in the 'amount in words' section. On digital platforms like mobile apps or websites, the symbol should appear cleanly formatted, either centered (for single-language use) or in the top-right corner (for bilingual layouts), always with at least 2mm of clear space around it. Where You Shouldn't Use It The dirham symbol may be sleek, but it's not meant for branding. Authorities say it should not appear as a logo or design element, in splash screens, headers, or in place of the full word 'Dirhams' in formal writing. Visual Rules: Dos and Don'ts Dos: Keep the symbol's original shape and direction Place it to the left of numbers Use consistent font size, weight, and contrast Maintain clear space and proportional balance Use either the symbol or 'AED'—not both Don'ts: Don't stretch, distort, or decorate the symbol Don't place it randomly or beside 'AED' Don't reduce visibility with poor contrast or sizing Don't use it as decoration or in logos It's Not Just a Symbol—It's a Statement More than just a mark of currency, the new dirham symbol brings together culture, clarity, and consistency. Whether you're a designer, cashier, or developer, following the dos and don'ts ensures the symbol serves its purpose: clean, recognisable, and unmistakably Emirati.
Reuters
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Slovak PM seeks control of 'national identity' issues in potential clash with EU law
June 10 (Reuters) - Slovak leader Robert Fico is seeking to change the country's constitution and install what he calls "a dam against progressivism" by declaring that Slovakia has legal precedence on "national identity" issues, such as family and gender. Critics of populist Prime Minister Fico, including some legal experts, fear the amendment will threaten Slovakia's commitments to European Union laws and international treaties. Fico has taken an increasingly anti-liberal stance in rights issues, building on his pro-Russian and pro-Hungarian international policy position. He has promoted closer relations with Russia and China and criticised sanctions on Moscow and the EU's military aid for Ukraine. The amendment states that only male and female will be recognised as genders, and that school curriculums must respect the constitution, including its cultural and ethical positions. It will also tighten adoption rules. "The Slovak Republic maintains sovereignty above all in issues of national identity," the amendments say, in particular on cultural and ethical issues. A report accompanying the bill states it is fully in line with EU law, including the issues of precedence of European law. Some opposition lawmakers however, as well as a group of lawyers including five former judges of the constitutional court, warn it could have far-reaching consequences. "The proposed amendment is contradictory to the commitments resulting from European Union law and international law and creates a legal basis to diverge from values of the European Union and the Council of Europe," the group said. "The amendment would weaken or even preclude enforcement of international law and European Union law in Slovakia," it said, adding that it included vague language, creating legal uncertainty and room for extensive interpretation. Fico's fractious leftist and nationalist coalition has a thin majority dependent on independents, but the amendment has won backing from the opposition conservative Christian Democrats as well as two members of the opposition Slovensko party. This may be enough for the amendment to reach the required 90 votes in the 150-seat parliament when it comes before lawmakers in the next days. "This is not a defence of identity or sovereignty, this is a conscious and deceitful act aimed at severing Slovakia from the system and structure of international protection of human rights," Amnesty International said in a statement. "The proposal threatens all people in Slovakia, but above all the most vulnerable - children, women, the poor, who are exposed to discrimination or inequality based on age or gender identity." Fico's government has accused liberal protesters of planning a coup, changed laws to tighten rules for non-governmental organisations, increased control over public broadcasters, and attacked independent media as foreign agents.
Telegraph
05-06-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The burqa is inconsistent with integration
Churchill once said, 'Nothing can save England, if she will not save herself. If we lose faith in ourselves, in our capacity to guide and govern, if we lose our will to live, then, indeed, our story is told.' Let those words settle – less as a relic of the past than as a stern admonition for the present. As we reopen a debate many in Westminster have long preferred to bury, we must ask: has Britain still the will to save herself? Or will we, through cowardice and confusion, allow our national story to end not with a bang, but a whimper? The question of banning the burqa and niqab is not a trivial sideshow in the culture wars. It is a litmus test of national self-belief. It goes to the heart of whether Britain has a solution to the complex problems caused by rapid population increase and demographic change. Starmer, predictably, has neither the inclination nor the courage to approach this subject. But a new government with spine, conviction, and a willingness to take the slings and arrows of metropolitan outrage might yet do so. And it must – for the issue before us is no longer about fabric and facial coverings. Are we, or are we not, a society confident in our values? And if the answer is yes – if we are to stem the disintegration of national cohesion and restore a shared civic space – then we must start by outlawing one of the most visible symbols of separation: the full-face veil. Libertarian objections, while intellectually consistent, fall short of lived reality. It is true that in a free society, individuals ought generally to wear what they wish. But there are limits to freedom, and always have been – limits defined by the need to preserve what the French, with admirable clarity, call le vivre ensemble: the capacity to live together. France and Belgium, far from authoritarian states, understood this when they enacted bans in 2010. In 2014, the European Court of Human Rights – an institution I criticise more often than not – nevertheless ruled correctly in S.A.S. v France. The court unanimously acknowledged that the ban infringed individual freedoms of religion and private life, but held that the interference was justified in order to protect a broader societal good: the integrity of social life in an open, liberal democracy. Interestingly, the court rejected the public safety rationale, instead identifying the core issue as one of cultural compatibility. In a Western, pluralist society, being able to see and be seen, to look one another in the face without impediment, is not merely a nicety. It is a necessity. It underpins trust, empathy, and the social contract itself. The burqa and niqab are not akin to turbans, yarmulkes, headscarves or motorcycle helmets. They are garments of erasure – of identity, of individualism, and of the mutual recognition that life in community demands. No law compelling British Sikhs to remove their turbans, or Orthodox Jewish women to discard sheitels, has ever been proposed – because those traditions do not negate the possibility of social interaction. Full facial coverings do and any ban could reasonably make exceptions for sporting, health or professional reasons or for riding a motorbike (as in France). There is also a deeper hypocrisy. When I have travelled in Middle Eastern or Catholic countries, I have covered my shoulders, legs, and hair when asked. I have done so not under duress, but in a spirit of respect. I have entered women-only spaces and abstained from alcohol when custom required it. Is it so outlandish to expect that those who come to Britain might return the courtesy? Other nations are unapologetic in defending their ways of life. Why are we so ready to abandon ours at the first hint of discomfort? Our culture – rooted in Judeo-Christian values, Enlightenment reason, and the hard-won principle of sexual equality – has made this country one of the most tolerant and liberal on earth. But tolerance cannot mean indifference. A society that tolerates everything, even its own erosion, will not survive. The answer must now be: no more. Not because we are intolerant – but because we wish to remain a society worth integrating into. A society with the courage to demand participation, not parallelism. A society with the clarity to say: there are lines, and they matter. Churchill warned us that if we lose faith in ourselves, then indeed, our story is told. That warning echoes now more than ever.
Wall Street Journal
27-05-2025
- General
- Wall Street Journal
King Charles Defends Canada's Sovereignty From Trump
OTTAWA—King Charles III delivered a subtle message to President Trump in Canada's Parliament: The country already has a king. Charles, who is king of Canada, said in the rare address on Tuesday that the country is firmly self-determining, rebuking Trump's repeated suggestion that it become part of the U.S. Charles didn't call out Trump directly but played up Canada's proud sense of national identity.
Trade Arabia
26-05-2025
- Health
- Trade Arabia
Active Abu Dhabi launches programme to community well-being
Active Abu Dhabi, an initiative by Emirates Foundation, has launched a programme named Misrah, a programme to promote national identity and community well-being. The initiative, a part of the Year of Community, was announced during an introductory workshop hosted at Active Abu Dhabi headquarters in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi. The workshop brought together representatives from government entities, community organisations, key media and logistics partners, as part of a comprehensive national effort to support community initiatives throughout 2025, in line with the aspirations of the UAE Year of Community. The introductory workshop was attended by by 50 participants, including representatives from government entities, community organisations, and key media and logistics partners. Participants included the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Department of Community Development, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Defense, Nafis Program, Abu Dhabi News Network, National Search and Rescue Center, PureHealth, Abu Dhabi Media, National Library and Archives, Federal Geographic Information Center, National Media Office, Office of the Ruler's Representative, and Abu Dhabi Police, alongside several academic institutions and private sector collaborators. The workshop explored opportunities for cooperation and integration between government and private sector entities, emphasising the vital roles of media, logistics, and culture in supporting the initiative. Misrah is a pivotal national initiative that brings to life the values of the UAE's founding fathers through an immersive journey that weaves together culture, identity, and physical activity. It aims to instill authentic Emirati values in young people. Reflecting Emirates Foundation's commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and social responsibility, Misrah offers transformative experiences that reconnect youth with the UAE's cultural roots and deepen their understanding of the UAE's natural and human environment, by reviving traditions in a modern, meaningful way. Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, said: "Misrah embodies the vision we hold at Emirates Foundation, where we believe that true empowerment begins with a sense of belonging, and that community partnerships are the primary drivers of positive change. We are proud of everyone who has contributed to transforming this vision into a national experience that resonates with pride and commitment." Mansour Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Active Abu Dhabi, said: 'Misrah is more than just an initiative; it is a message to every young man and woman that our past serves as a source of inspiration for our future. Health is not only physical but also resides in the soul, connected to a strong identity and authentic community awareness. This initiative truly embodies the essence of Active Abu Dhabi and brings its vision to life." Misrah is aligned with the national vision of fostering a stronger, more united, and socially cohesive community. Misrah combines physical activities, such as walking and camel riding, with heritage experiences that echo the desert lifestyle of past generations, enhancing young people's appreciation of their cultural heritage and inspiring a profound sense of national pride and belonging. Participants will journey up to 1,000 km, over a 30-day journey, across the UAE's diverse landscapes, undertaking daily walks that emulate ancient travel. Along the way, they will cultivate patience, discipline, and a spirit of cooperation.
