Year-ender: Palestine, Iraq dominated 2002

A political expert at the UAE University said that the U.S.-Iraq crisis was the most dominant issue of the year 2002.

Expressing his views on the eve of the new year, Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, Professor of Politics at the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, said: "There were many important issues but the threats of a possible U.S. military strike against Iraq preoccupied the minds of people in the Gulf region and the UAE."

Since war brings detestation, destruction and material and human loss, people, societies and the governments of the region were not in a happy mood. Military conflicts usually create long lasting socio-economic problems on the countries of the region, he said.

"The year 2002 was good as it ended without an expected war," he said, adding that the coming year is not looking very promising in that regard.

Dr Abdullah said the U.S. military build-up in the region has increased the prospects of another major Gulf war in the first quarter of the new year. The increasing war clouds are not presenting a good scenario.

The professor also noted that there is no guarantee that the expected war will be the last one in the region.

"It could be a perpetual war involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region as well," he said.

Aaisha Hamilton, Marketing Manager of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club (ADLC), looks forward to the new year as a period of many new and important events, both spiritually and professionally.

"The year 2002 has been a time of change for me, but I hope that 2003 can be a time of consolidation, both in my personal and public life," she said.

Aaisha wishes for a new year in which global peace reigns and that children in particular live in an environment of love and security and get the opportunity to develop their true potential.

"I have been very fortunate as a Scot never to have experienced war or real deprivation like the children of Palestine or Iraq are experiencing. My heart breaks each time I see the horrors of war and political menace," she said.

On a personal note, Aaisha looks forward to finding a true meaning and purpose in life as a result of her conversion to Islam. She hopes that Muslims project a better image to the West and portray Islam accurately.

From a professional point of view, Aaisha is working on many projects to be carried out at the ADLC that cater to the needs of women and aim at developing their skills. One of Aaisha's wishes is to see a successful cancer awareness campaign kicking off on January 12.

"The ADLC will raise funds and create awareness about the dreaded disease. It will donate all the proceeds to various charities focusing on women and children with cancer," she said.

Aaisha will also work on many new projects aimed at providing women with a wide range of activities, including sports, fitness and healthcare, targeting those with health problems such as diabetes, obesity, hormonal problems and among others.

Yvette Van Hauwe is involved in awareness campaigns and healthcare projects related to cystic fibrosis, an incurable disease.

A long time resident in the UAE, Yvette said the most important thing for her in 2002 was the enormous amount of aid she received from the local community to support her humanitarian projects. She helped a group of cystic fibrosis patients from Belgium to come to the UAE to benefit from the sunny weather and the local diet and meet other local patients.

"The cooperation I received was amazing. I am grateful to all those who helped me. I have always suffered from minor health problems, which seem to be unbearable. After meeting those who really struggle through life, I realised what real suffering is," she said.

She said helping the less fortunate has always been a source of happiness and satisfaction to her. In the new year she does not expect anything special to take place. She on her part will keep on helping the needy.

"I have no great expectations in the coming year but I will try to bring something good out of it."

Yvette said she wants people to live in peace, focus more on the spiritual aspect of life and dedicate more time for others.

"A generous action is simply to dedicate your time and listen to what others have to say. Maybe one has to put one's business aside for a few minutes, but one feels much better and gets something in return which no business can ever provide," she said.

The opening of Health Care City was an important event of last year, said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Head of Quality and Productivity Centre, Department of Economic Development.

It will have a direct impact on the lives of UAE nationals and expatriates alike, he noted.

He said patients will no longer need to go abroad for treatment. "Once Health Care City is ready to serve, many patients who now go abroad for treatment will have all the foreign expertise available within the county. It will also attract patients from other Gulf countries because it will be much cheaper for them to receive the treatment here in the UAE. It will also have universities and research centres, which will help as well," he said.

Many businessmen will come to invest in the Health Care City, which will also help the economy, he added.

Jamal Ali Saif Salim, Assistant Director of the Executive Department and Head of the Follow up and Review Section at the Dubai Public Prosecution, said the whole world suffered in 2001 after the September 11 crisis in the U.S.

But according to Salim, the real economic and political effects were felt in 2002 in many Arab and Muslim countries.

"Human rights violations increased all over the Middle East, especially in Palestine and Iraq. The Iraqi people suffered more due to the UN sanctions. The economy of many Third World countries in the Middle East and parts of Africa deteriorated," he said.

Salim expressed his anger towards the so-called "war on terror" led by the Americans. "The U.S. is waging that war against Islam and Muslims and not against terror as they claimed."

"Our brothers in Palestine and Iraq, as well as some other countries, are being slaughtered with American weapons. I think the aim behind that campaign is to eradicate Islam and Muslims," he added.

He said most of the key decision-makers in the U.S. are Jewish.

Abdulaziz Dawood, Egyptian Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, said 2002 was a "difficult" one on all levels.

"The world saw further complications, which mainly came as repercussions of the turbulent political situation, which was aggravated by the September 11 events. Judging by the news in the media and the gruesome images we see on television, one cannot say it has been a good year and also cannot rule out the fact that the tensions will certainly spill over into the coming year. I may sound pessimistic, but the reality the world lives today is frightening, only allowing a glimmer of hope," he said.

"Hopes are now hinged on world leaders to come together and engage in constructive dialogue that will curb the perils of war. Nations should collaborate. No one should assume a position of power or superiority and dictate orders to others. Decisions taken must be for the good of humanity."

Dawood anticipates a tough year ahead, "unless the international community adopts a more rational attitude and does its utmost to preserve peace and stability".

Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi, a member of the UAE Federal Council and Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said the Palestinian cause remains on top of the ag