The sensitivity of Qatar and Turkey in delivering humanitarian aid to Afghan people should set an example to the international community, the Turkish foreign minister said on Monday.

“The Afghan people need serious humanitarian aid. The international community needs to deliver this humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, regardless of political motives. Qatar's and Turkey's sensitivity should set an example in this regard,” Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a joint news conference with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha.

Underlining that he is working in coordination with institutions of both countries to deliver additional humanitarian aid, Cavusoglu said Turkey has allocated funds that were transferred for providing humanitarian aid.

“Turkish Maarif Foundation continues its educational activities. It keeps many of its schools there open and 10 of these are schools for girls,” he added.

The Turkish Red Crescent and the Qatari Red Crescent are actively delivering aid to the Afghan people in the field, he said.

Hailing Qatar’s efforts to achieve peace and an agreement in Afghanistan, Cavusoglu said they also discussed ways to keep the airports open in Afghanistan.

These issues need to be well negotiated with the Taliban, he said, adding that Turkey’s cooperation with Qatar continues in different fields.

Turkey has “exceptional and excellent relations with Qatar,” Cavusoglu also noted./aa

Health Minister Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah said on Sunday although omicron virus has spread in many countries, there was no reported cases of the virus in Kuwait. On the sidelines of celebrating the opening of Al-Fnaitees Medical Center, Sheikh Dr. Basel Al-Sabah confirmed that the ministry’s procedures in this regards were exceptional even before the existence of this mutation.

Health regulations and procedure imposed in Kuwait had prevented this virus from spreading among citizens and residents, the Minster noted. “We urge all people to keep wearing their masks in closed areas, get vaccinated and get the third booster dose, and do their PCR tests,” he stressed. He added that even with the good vaccination rate in the country, the number of cases would rise if the new Virus spreads in the country, and this is why “we have to increase out protection level among people and society. (KUNA)

 Next year the National Day on Feb 25 falls on Friday followed by the Liberation Day on Saturday, Feb 26, and Sunday, Feb 27, will be an official holiday instead of Friday, Feb 25, and government work will begin on Monday, Feb 28, reports Al-Anba daily.

The source said the New Year Day of 2022 also falls on a Saturday, which is a day of rest and according to the circulars issued by the Civil Service Commission, if any of the official holiday falls on a Saturday, this day is considered an official holiday and not the following Sunday and is not compensated with another day. Informed sources said the official holidays for the National Day and Liberation Day will be 3 consecutive days./ arabtimesonline

Kuwait’s travel industry remains largely unfazed in the face of the new Omicron coronavirus variant and continues on its path to full recovery from the devastating effect of the pandemic that has paralyzed the world for almost two years, local industry experts said. “There were some initial concerns and panic in the industry. We had some sudden cancellations of bookings as well. But concerns about the potential effect of the new variant lasted only for two days, and everything has become normal now,” said Anasuddin Azeez, a travel professional working at a travel agency in downtown Kuwait.

The new variant ignited concerns around the world and triggered new travel bans after it was detected in South Africa. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union announced almost immediate travel bans from South Africa and other southern African nations. Kuwait’s government also warned citizens against non-essential travel and suspended direct flights from nine African countries following the detection of the variant.

“It was much ado about nothing. The fear over the ‘dubious’ Omicron variant was unwarranted. The virus may be fast-spreading, but we haven’t heard any report of mortalities from the virus yet. We need to be cautious, but no need for panic,” a travel executive told Kuwait Times on condition of anonymity.

Civilian flights are operating normally from Kuwait as of now, barring a few cancellations to some African destinations. Kuwait Airways announced that it will regularly review its flight schedules in light of the emerging COVID-19 situation. It said passengers are required to check the status of their planned flights for the latest information before making their way to the airport.

The local travel sector has begun to bounce back after a two-year long hiatus due to the global pandemic. According to unofficial estimates, recovery in the travel and tourism sector reached nearly 80 percent of pre-COVID levels as of Oct-Nov 2021. “The industry is in recovery mode. Not only the airline sector, but related sectors such as hospitality and service sectors are also witnessing a recovery. The recovery is also helping a considerable amount of job creation in the local market. I don’t think this variant will have any serious repercussions on the travel industry. We have overcome the worst,” said Faizal Ahmad, another travel professional in Salmiya.

Many travel agents who spoke to Kuwait Times said people have overcome initial apprehensions about the new virus and are going ahead with their travel plans. Local airlines are reporting a spike in sales volumes. Hotel chains, resorts, function halls and restaurants across the country are also witnessing a noticeable spike in bookings and as the holiday season approaches the trend is expected to pick up, they said. The country’s tour operators are also reporting a jump in bookings for holiday packages, leisure trips and cruise ship reservations.

“It is interesting to note that a large number of citizens are opting for holiday packages from the new year onwards to destinations such as UAE, Georgia, Turkey and Spain. Some people may be postponing their travel for the time being, but nobody is cancelling their plans. Some prefer to travel in the new year as they want to see how the impact of new virus is going to evolve,” said Thomas Abraham, an executive working with a travel and tourism company in Kuwait. “I don’t think this new variant is going to dampen the holiday mood of the people and derail the travel industry’s recovery momentum.”/ kuwaittimes

Rep. Lauren Boebert’s remarks came to light in a video on social media, and tensions increased after a phone call between Boebert and Omar last week.

Rep. Ilhan Omar said on Sunday she’s confident House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will take “decisive action” soon against Rep. Lauren Boebert after the Colorado Republican made anti-Muslim remarks about Omar.

Boebert’s remarks came to light in a video on social media, and tensions increased after a phone call between Boebert and Omar last week. On CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, the Minnesota Democrat called Boebert’s comments "dangerous" and blasted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for failing to condemn the Islamophobic remarks.

“McCarthy is a liar and a coward,” Omar said, adding that “we have to push them to reckon with the fact that their party right now is normalizing anti-Muslim bigotry.”

Asked if she believes the speaker will move to strip Boebert of her committee assignments, Omar said she’s had a conversation with Pelosi and is “very confident” she will take action.

“As you know, when I first got to Congress, I was worried that I wasn't going to be allowed to be sworn in because there was a ban on the hijab,” Omar told CNN host Jake Tapper. “She promised me she would take care of it. She fulfilled that promise. She’s made another promise to me she will take care of this, and I believe her.”

The ratcheting up of tensions in the House comes in the wake of the censure of Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who came under fire for an anime video that portrayed him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

On Sunday, Omar called Boebert’s remarks part of a pattern, saying such language puts her colleagues and, more widely, Muslims in the U.S., at risk./Politico

The president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Sunday condemned a recent arson attempt on a mosque on the Greek side of the long-divided island.

In a statement, Ersin Tatar deplored the attempt to burn the Grand Mosque in Larnaca and called on the Greek Cypriot administration to prevent such attacks and arrest those responsible at the earliest.

Earlier in the day, the TRNC Religious Affairs Presidency confirmed in a statement that the attack took place on Dec. 2. No casualty has been reported, with police arresting at least one suspect.

The island of Cyprus has been mired in a decades-long dispute between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, despite a series of diplomatic efforts by the UN to achieve a comprehensive settlement.

Ethnic attacks starting in the early 1960s forced Turkish Cypriots to withdraw into enclaves for their safety.

In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at Greece’s annexation led to Turkey’s military intervention as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence. The TRNC was founded in 1983./aa

Criticizing European stance on refugees, Pope Francis on Sunday urged globally coordinated action to tackle the issue as he visited Greek island Lesbos on the second day of his visit to Greece.

The issue of irregular migration is a problem of the world, to which no one can close their eyes, he said in a speech at the Mavrovouni refugee camp on the island.

With the European Union hardening border controls, the pope said: “We are in the age of walls and barbed wire.”

He warned that problems are not resolved by "building walls higher, but by joining forces to care for others ... and in respect for the law, always giving primacy to the inalienable value of the life of every human being.”

Fleeing war or poverty, tens of thousands of people in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya have turned toward Europe in recent years, hoping for a better life or just safety.

The pope said awareness that global action is required to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change is missing when it comes to the issue of irregular migration.

"The future of us all is at stake, and that future will be peaceful only if it is integrated. Only if it is reconciled with the most vulnerable," he said.

Referring to the increasing number of refugees who lost their lives while trying to reach Europe, the pope said: “The Mediterranean, which for millennia united different peoples and distant countries, becomes a cold cemetery without inscriptions. This great basin, the cradle of so many civilizations, now seems like a mirror of death.”

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who accompanied the pope, argued that the country has carried a disproportionate burden from irregular migration and refugee crises.

Addressing these issues transcends national boundaries and is a shared responsibility of Europe, she said.

Pope’s audience on the island also included European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas and Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi, members of the local Greek Catholic community, humanitarian workers, and dozens of residents of the refugee camp.

In Athens on Saturday, the pontiff expressed concern over democracy’s retreat globally due to growing populism and called for dedicated efforts to promote the common good./aa

The Pakistani prime minister announced on Sunday the top civilian award for a man who risked his life while trying to save Priyantha Diyawadana, a Sri Lankan factory manager, from being lynched by an angry mob over blasphemy allegations.

Malik Adnan, a colleague of the slain Sri Lankan citizen, will be awarded Tamgha-i-Shujaat, or the medal of bravery for "endangering his own life by physically trying to shield the victim," Imran Khan said on Twitter.

Diyawadana was beaten to death and his body burned by a mob in Sialkot, a city in Pakistan's northeastern Punjab province, on Friday.

Videos circulating on social media showed Adnan physically shielding the Sri Lankan in an attempt to save him from the vigilante mob.

He, however, had to give in as the mob comprising hundreds of charged protesters overpowered him.

"On behalf of the nation, I want to salute moral courage & bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter & save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot incl endangering his own life by physically trying to shield victim. We will award him Tamgha i Shujaat," Khan said.

Meanwhile, the Punjab police identified and arrested six more of the main alleged culprits involved in the lynching of the 49-year-old, bringing the total number of arrests to 124.

Over 900 protesters have been booked under terrorism charges, with officials promising punishment for all those responsible.

A highly sensitive issue in the Muslim-majority country, blasphemy charges carry a death penalty in Pakistan, but many people have been killed by mobs without their cases making it to court.

Rights groups believe Pakistan’s blasphemy law is often used to settle personal scores against religious minorities./aa

A US congressman has sparked outrage by posting a Christmas photo of him and his family holding guns, at a time when the country is still reeling from its latest school shooting.

“Merry Christmas! ps. Santa, please bring ammo,” Thomas Massie, a Republican lawmaker from Kentucky, tweeted with a photo of him and his family smiling and posing with machine guns in front of a Christmas tree.

The post came days after the Nov. 30 shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan that left four students dead and eight more injured.

Fred Guttenberg, the father of one of the 17 victims of the 2018 Parkland high school shooting, responded to the congressman with a photo of his late daughter Jaime.

“@RepThomasMassie, since we are sharing family photos, here are mine. One is the last photo that I ever took of Jaime, the other is where she is buried because of the Parkland school shooting. The Michigan school shooter and his family used to take photos like yours as well,” Guttenberg said on Twitter.

A Democrat congressman also took aim at his Republican colleague.

“I’m old enough to remember Republicans screaming that it was insensitive to try to protect people from gun violence after a tragedy,” John Yarmuth commented.

“Now they openly rub the murder of children in our faces like they scored a touchdown. Disgraceful.”

Adil Ray, a British comedian, and actor, blasted the photo as “disgusting.”

“Last year in the US over 5,000 children were shot. Over 1,300 died. Yet a Republican politician decided this is the festive photo. Now imagine, if this was a photo by a Black or Muslim family this Christmas. This is what a White Privileged Christmas looks like. Disgusting,” Ray said on Twitter.

Ken Olin, an American actor, wrote on Twitter: “In all seriousness … What kind of true Christian celebrates the birth of Christ this way./agencies  

Tackling hate speech and ending discrimination remains an important objective, said Marija Pejcinovic Buric, secretary-general of the Council of Europe.

Buric said she has “no intention” of ending the council’s campaign to promote women’s diversity and their right to wear headscarves or hijabs, which came under immediate attack from France after its launch last month.

Buric’s remarks came in her reply to a letter by Turkey’s Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop, in which he denounced the backlash against the anti-Muslim discrimination project.

The council was forced to take down images of women in headscarves that were shared on the Twitter account of its Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Division with the slogans “Freedom is in the headscarf,” “Bring joy & accept hijabs,” and “Beauty is in diversity as freedom is in the hijab.”

In his letter, Sentop said the project was a “very valuable initiative” that could prove vital in “combating discrimination against women wearing religious headdress.”

In recent years, he pointed out, Muslim women wearing headscarves, particularly in Europe, have been “subjected to discrimination and unjustified practices which in some instances amount to hate crimes by either public administrations or private persons and institutions, triggered by Islamophobia and xenophobia.”

He said it was unfortunate to see the campaign being “terminated due to the political considerations expressed by some politicians in France, the host State for the Council of Europe.”

“In this context, it is shocking that this meaningful campaign for combating the discrimination faced by women wearing religious headdress and tended to spread throughout Europe, was terminated by the Council of Europe by taking into account the political considerations of a member State,” Sentop wrote.

He said pulling the campaign “means that excluding female members of the Muslim minority living in Europe from social life and exposing them to discrimination due to their adherence to the requirements of their religion have been approved by the Council of Europe.”

“The fact that the Council of Europe places the political concerns of politicians of the Member States above its own fundamental values has taken its place as a shameful event in the history of the institution, which has achieved great success in the protection of human rights in its 70-year history,” read the letter.

“Furthermore, the fact that the concerns forming the basis of this decision have stemmed from public officials and politicians in France raises some serious questions about whether the aforementioned state is a suitable host in order for the Council of Europe to function independently, impartially and professionally.”/agencies