From the Editors: UAE’s resilience, perseverance and discipline are all paying off now

UAE'S RESILIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND DISCIPLINE ARE ALL PAYING OFF NOW: There was some very heartening news on Thursday with the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi announcing that all passengers from its updated ‘Green List’ countries arriving in Abu Dhabi from early Friday morning, October 8, onwards -- whether vaccinated or unvaccinated -- will no longer need to be in quarantine. On the same day, the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management team in Sharjah, in coordination with Sharjah Private Education Authority and Sharjah Police, decided to allow a gradual return to in-classroom learning at all private schools in the emirate, paving the way for a full return to classrooms by October 31. This is to be undertaken in strict adherence to all necessary precautionary and preventive measures in order to ensure the highest standards of safety and hygiene for students and school staff. Seen in its totality, measures such as the ones in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are clear indications that the UAE as a whole is taking significant strides towards normality and the COVID-19 crisis is largely over in this country. The resilience, planning, perseverance and discipline for more than a year now are all paying off. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

NOBEL FOR GURNAH AN HONOUR FOR AFRICA: It’s always refreshing to hear some good news. The Nobel for literature, which has been dominated by European and American writers since it was founded in 1901, has been awarded to Tanzanian writer Abdulrazak Gurnah. He is the fifth overall, after Wole Soyinka of Nigeria in 1986. The 10 novels of Gurnah include “Memory of Departure,” “Pilgrims Way” and “Dottie,” which all deal with the immigrant experience in Britain; “Paradise,” shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1994, about a boy in an East African country scarred by colonialism; and “Admiring Silence” about a young man who leaves Zanzibar for England, where he marries and becomes a teacher. Gurnah said his award would mean refugee crisis and colonialism, which he has experienced, will be “discussed”. The prestigious award for Gurnah is a welcome step that recognises voices dealing with vexing issues. The prize truly is an honour for the country and the African continent. [COMMENT BY: Stephen N.R., Senior Associate Editor]

IPL IN UAE - MUMBAI INDIANS ON A MISSION IMPOSSIBLE TODAY: The last day of league matches of IPL 2021 in the UAE on Friday ends with a double-header - but a thumping win for Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday evening has put reigning champions Mumbai Indians facing a Mission Impossible now. Both matches will start at 6 pm UAE time in a ‘first’ in IPL history - Mumbai Indians taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Abu Dhabi as Delhi Capitals round off their engagements against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai. However, Mumbai need nothing short of a miracle to qualify for the play-offs as the Knights have all but sealed a top four finish with an 86-run win over Rajasthan Royals. Now in fifth position in the table, the holders will need to beat Sunrisers by 171 runs – a permutation which borders on the impossible. [COMMENT BY: Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor]

LIVE CONCERTS WILL BRING JOY TO MANY: The UAE has been a hub for events thanks to its COVID-19 protocols and the vast majority of people being vaccinated. The news of a pre-Christmas concert featuring some of the best stars from the Philippines will be music to many people’s ears. Singer and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Sam Milby, Yeng Constantino and more will be performing on December 10, and organisers say this is a way to beat the homesickness that many might be feeling amid the pandemic. Live concerts can be a way to bridge the distance between people and their home countries, and lift spirits during the festive season. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor]