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creepingsharia · 4 years

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Investigation Exposes Terror Ties Behind Islamic Charity's Humanitarian Facade

Image from Zakat Foundation YouTube video.

by Abha Shankar and Martha Lee

A prominent American Islamist charity is publicizing its role in the nationwide coronavirus emergency response effort.

"Zakat Foundation of America stepped up its nationwide coronavirus emergency response ... delivering thousands of direly needed medical-grade gloves to two far South Side Safety-Net hospitals in Chicago," said the Illinois-based Islamist charity in a March 27 press release.

"We're all in as a frontline charitable provider helping people survive COVID-19, on every level — financially, medically, nutritionally, mentally and spiritually," executive director Halil Demir said in the release. (Demir also spells his first name "Khalil.")

Since its 2001 founding, the Zakat Foundation claims to "have empowered millions of people to recover from disasters and escape poverty by taking control of their own lives." A timeline on the charity's website showcases its humanitarian accomplishments over the years, from providing aid to Iraq war victims to establishing a university for refugees in Turkey.

But behind the Zakat Foundation's outward humanitarian façade lie longstanding terror ties that include support for Hamas- and al-Qaida-tied charities, a joint investigation by the Investigative Project of Terrorism and the Middle East Forum finds.

The misuse of Islamist charitable organizations to support terror is not new. American Islamist charities have been known to use humanitarian assistance as a cover to solicit funds for terrorist groups.

"While some terrorist supporters create sham charities as a cover to raise and move funds, other terrorist groups and their supporters use charities to provide funds or otherwise dispense critical social or humanitarian services to vulnerable populations in an effort to radicalize communities and build local support," says the Treasury Department's 2015 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment.

Soon after the 9/11 attacks, several American Islamist charities were either designated terrorist financiers by Treasury or raided by federal authorities on suspicion of funding terror. A prime example is the prosecution of the Texas charity Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and its senior leaders in what is described as the largest terrorism financing case in U.S. history. In 2008, a jury convicted HLF and five former leaders for illegally routing more than $12 million to Hamas.

One of Demir's previous employers also attracted scrutiny from the federal government.

Before founding Zakat Foundation in 2001, Demir worked for the Benevolence International Foundation (BIF). A business card identified him as "Public Relations Officer," and an IRS tax filing from 2000 states that, "The books are in care of Halil I. Demir."

The Treasury Department designated BIF and related entities as terror financiers in 2002. The Illinois-based BIF and its director, Enaam Arnaout, were charged the same year with misusing charitable contributions to support al-Qaida and other terrorist groups overseas. Later, Arnaout confessed to using his charity to support Mujahideen fighters in Bosnia and Chechnya.

Arnaout served "as an administrator" for Osama bin Laden, a United Nations Security Council report said, "at times disbursing funds on his behalf." He admitted that BIF solicited money for humanitarian needs, "including refugees and orphans," concealing the fact that it "was being used to support fighters" in Chechnya with uniforms, boots, tents and other supplies.

In addition to serving BIF, Demir also has worked with the terror-tied Turkish Humanitarian Relief Organization (IHH). A 2010 news release on the Turkish charity's relief efforts in earthquake-hit Haiti describes Demir as an "IHH aid coordinator." The same year, IHH also referred to the Zakat Foundation as a "partner institution."

IHH has helped fund the Hamas military wing, which used the money to buy weapons and build training facilities, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Relations said. IHH has been designated a terrorist organization by Israel, Germany and the Netherlands. IHH was a key player in the 2010 Free Gaza Movement flotilla that sought to break a blockade on Gaza. Ten people were killed when one of the boats refused to turn back and passengers attacked Israeli commandos as they tried to board.

Reports from that time allege that IHH distributed aid to the Salafist group Ahrar al Sham, which fought alongside ISIS and the al-Qaida affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra. Turkish authorities additionally found evidence that IHH not only recruits militants for al-Qaida and other terrorist groups, but also provides terrorist groups access to arms and medical treatment.

According to a 2009 IHH report, "The US-based Zakat Foundation and Helping Hand, with which the IHH co-organizes social projects in different regions, sent $80,000 and $30,000 respectively to Gaza through the IHH."

Helping Hand is the overseas charitable arm of the Islamic Circle of North America, which has been described as "openly affiliated" with the Sunni revivalist movement Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). The charity has partnered with people closely tied to the U.S.-designated Kashmiri terrorist organization, Hizbul Mujahideen and its leader Syed Salahuddin. Zakat Foundation also partners with the Al-Khidmat Foundation, JI Pakistan's charitable arm.

Despite these documented connections, often promoted by the charities involved, Demir denies his and his organization's terror ties. He blames terror financing crackdowns targeting American Muslim charities after the 9/11 attacks on "Islamophobia."

"The Islamophobia was so strong, emotions ran so high against the Muslim community that whenever we tried to do good work, some people and organizations tried to portray us as bad guys," Demir says in an advertisement for his book, 9 Myths About Muslim Charities: Stories from the Zakat Foundation of America.

Demir made similar accusations in a January interview with the Daily Southtown. "This is propaganda, Islamophobia of white supremacists and hate groups that spread poison against the Muslim community and charities that do great work," he said.

Demir's book bashes national and international agencies for demanding transparency and oversight of Muslim charities. For instance, he calls the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) global terror finance watchdog "the most powerful and pernicious entity in the world," and asserts that "FATF's recommendations, and counterterrorism financing in general, constitute a complex ineffective sham."

The book also criticizes a 1996 CIA "Report on NGOs with Terror Links": "This two-decade-old CIA-write-up's simple-minded, unvetted, erroneous presumption of a 'regular correlation between Muslim humanitarian organizations and terrorist activity' – which shows nothing more than chauvinism—still underpins global policy of transgressing the civil rights of American Muslim charities."

Terrorists are known to use "charities to provide funds or otherwise dispense critical social or humanitarian services to vulnerable populations in an effort to radicalize communities and build local support," the 2015 National Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment said.

Hamas' dramatic 2006 election victory was fueled in part by its social welfare networks that received funding from American Islamist charities. In fact, the Holy Land Foundation was part of a network called the "Palestine Committee" that the Muslim Brotherhood created to advance Hamas's agenda politically and financially in the United States.

The Zakat Foundation has also generously supported the Islamic Charitable Society (ICS) in Hebron. In 2003, Zakat Foundation "worked in coordination with the Islamic Charitable Society in Hebron to supply $10,000" worth of school supplies to Palestinian children. This is not the first time that the ICS has received funding from U.S.-based charities. HLF gave ICS more than $1.6 million between 1991 and 2001. In 2002, German intelligence services described ICS as "the most important HAMAS association in the West Bank" and concluded that its leadership included "numerous" Hamas members.

The Zakat Foundation's work with ICS and association with Hamas continues. It announced in 2017 that it had "taken on costs for 200 students" of the ICS's Al Rahma School. Dina Karmi, an Arabic teacher at Al Rahma, is the widow of Nashaat al-Karmi, Hamas's southern West Bank armed wing leader. Israeli anti-terror police shot and killed him in 2010 in a raid connected with the murder of four Israelis.

In 2018, Israel's Shin Bet arrested Dina Karmi for "serving as the 'operational arm'" of a ring that "operated in coordination with both Hamas headquarters abroad and in the Gaza Strip."

A year earlier, ICS officials expressed their "deepest of thanks to Zakat Foundation" for its support, and "especially" its executive director Khalil Demir.

Zakat Foundation lists a U.S.-based Islamist charity called Baitulmaal as a partner. The Israeli government in 2006 accused Baitulmaal co-founder Sheikh Hasan Hajmohammad of funding a Hamas charity.

However, instead of calling for more intensive oversight of an Islamist charity with established terror ties, U.S. government officials continue to engage with the Zakat Foundation. In 2017, the charity co-sponsored an Iftar dinner with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's office. Last year, Halil Demir was invited to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 100th Day Recognition.

Today, as the nation ramps up its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago mayor's office "now keeps contact with Zakat Foundation and has welcomed its creative capacity and stalwart efforts, as do an ensemble of social service agencies, not only in Chicago, but in key metro areas across the nation."

For decades, Islamist charities have hidden their terror funding and support under a charitable guise, sometimes winning acclaim and support from federal government officials and others for their efforts. The terror-tied Zakat Foundation's response to the coronavirus pandemic, is the kind of thing that might provide a public benefit, but it also serves as a building block toward legitimacy, opening doors at City Hall and elsewhere.

It also helps the organization further obscure its work with charities tied to Hamas and al-Qaida.

#Legal #Finance #Fraud #Islam #Muslim #Sharia #Jihad #News #Politics #Media #Travel #Immigration

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dailymailsky · 2 years

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Ayushman Bharat Health Account — features, benefits and how to apply for ABHA

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), which was earlier known as Ayushman Bharat Health ID was launched by the Indian government in 2021 and is aimed at providing a digital health ID to the population.

This was launched by the National Health Authority (NHA), which is part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As per the government, ABHA is the “first step towards creating safer and efficient digital health records for you and your family.”

What is ABHA?

ABHA ID is a unique health ID that uses a 14-digit identification number and can be generated using an Aadhaar card or your mobile number. It allows users to share their health records digitally with hospitals, clinics, insurance providers and others.

Citizens can create their unique ABHA without any cost.

What are the benefits of ABHA?

The benefits of ABHA are as follows –

You can access all your medical records such as lab reports, prescriptions and diagnoses on the platform.

You can use the platform to easily share your medical records with hospitals, clinics and insurance providers.

This will make it easier for you to present your medical records even if you are in a different city or state.

How to apply for ABHA?

You have the option to generate your ABHA ID using your Aadhaar card, Driving license or using your mobile number.

Let’s take the example of using your Aadhaar card.

To begin, go to the ABHA website.

Click on “Create your ABHA now”.

Then, click on “Generate via Aadhaar”.

Now, enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.

Scroll down and click on “I agree” and complete the captcha below.

Then, click on “Submit”.

Enter the OTP that you have received on your smartphone and click on “Submit”.

Now, enter your mobile number and click on “Submit”.

Then, you will be shown the details that have been fetched using your Aadhaar card.

Verify the details and click on “Submit”.

You will also have the option to create an ABHA address that is similar to an email ID.

Once you have done this, you will be able to download your ABHA card.

#Abha Id Card #HealthOne PHR #Healthone MD #Health ID #HealthOne

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topfygad · 4 years

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Tips and how to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2020

Last year, I was one of the first very few tourists to ever travel to Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa.

Before, the only way to travel to Saudi was on a business visa, via a strong local connection who could sponsor your visit or by getting a pilgrimage visa to visit Mecca and Medina (only for Muslims).

Therefore, the fact that, all of a sudden, Western tourists can visit Saudi Arabia on their own, with a backpack, both men and women, is a very radical change.

This incredibly big change, however, didn’t come alone.

During the last couple of years, a lot of their super strict Islamic laws have been softened or, at least, they have become more flexible. For example, allowing women and men to hang out together in public spaces was one of the most significant changes.

All these small changes will make things easier for future international visitors.

Moreover, you should also know that, despite everything that you may have read in the media, Saudi Arabia is an incredible country which is filled with loads of stunning sites, both natural and archaeological, hugely contrasting landscapes and some extremely hospitable people that could easily rival my beloved friends from Pakistan and Iran.

Personally, this country has been the most surprising country I have ever been to, especially because nobody had ever told me the good things about it.

That being said, after visiting all around the country for a little bit more than two weeks, I have compiled this comprehensive guide that contains plenty of tips and everything you need to know to travel to Saudi Arabia in 2019, one of the least visited destinations in the world.

By the way, if you want to keep track of all my photos and travels, remember to follow @againstthecompass on Instagram.

This guide contains all the practical information. For places to visit read my Saudi Arabia itinerary

Index:

Visa Travel Insurance Getting to Saudi Tourism in Saudi Arabia Is it ethical? Blocked websites How to behave The people – The Saudis The food Solo female travel Safety Money Moving around Saudi Internet and SIM Card Accommodation More information

Hey, have you ever wondered how I make a full living from blogging? Learn here how I started monetizing my blog and get over 200,000 monthly page views in less than 3 years

Check this introductory video from my friend Brian from The World Hiker! (I am also in the video!)

youtube

Visa for traveling to Saudi Arabia

Amazing News October 2019 – E-visa finally available through visitsaudi.com – Continue reading to know more about it

In December 2018, the only way of traveling to Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa was by purchasing a ticket for a Formula-E event that would take place in Riyadh.

You could book your tickets through the website sharek.sa and, immediately after purchasing them, they would issue a legit and valid e-visa to travel to Saudi Arabia.

I paid 395SR (105USD) for the Formula-E ticket and 640SR (170USD) for the e-visa. In total, it was 1,035SR (275USD).

With my Spanish passport, the visa was valid for 30 days and it allowed me to travel anywhere but Medina and Mecca.

My e-visa for Saudi Arabia

This was just a one-time event and, after that, they celebrated one or two more, the last one being in July 2019.

The truth is that there were some rumors saying that the Saudi Government would introduce a regular e-visa system somewhere in 2019, so those events were just a test aimed at seeing how would the country handle independent Western tourists for the first time in their history.

Apparently, their results and experience were rather satisfactory and, along with the fact that Saudi is trying to find alternative ways of not being so dependant on oil revenue, they finally announced the introduction of an e-visa system, starting from September 2019.

How to apply for Saudi tourist e-visa

Applying for the e-visa is pretty straightforward and you can do it through this portal.

Which countries are eligible to get a Saudi tourist visa?

All EU countries within Schengen zone + Andorra, Monaco, United Kingdom and Ukraine, Brunei, China, Canada, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United States

How long is the Saudi visa for?

With this visa, you can travel in Saudi Arabia for 90 days.

How much does the Saudi e-visa cost?

It costs 117USD + VAT.

Can single women apply for the same Saudi e-visa?

Yes, you can, as long as you are 25 years old or more.

Don’t forget to read my 2-week itinerary in Saudi Arabia.

Outside of Riyadh, on the way to the Edge of the World – Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Travel Insurance for Saudi Arabia

Remember to always travel with the proper travel insurance, especially in countries like Saudi Arabia where, for foreigners, the Health Care System is crazy expensive.

I strongly recommend World Nomads for the following reasons:

It is the only company that offers an unlimited budget policy, very useful for Saudi Arabia

It provides coverage for pretty much any nationality

It covers a wide range of adventure activities

Getting to Saudi Arabia

By air – The easiest way to travel to Saudi Arabia is by flying in. There are loads of international flights, especially to Jeddah and Riyadh. Saudia Airlines has many direct flights from Europe and other destinations.

By land – Right before visiting Saudi Arabia, I was traveling in Oman, so my initial idea was to overland via UAE. However, in the visa application, I had to specify my port of entry and they didn’t give you the choice of selecting a land border entry point, so I preferred to just book a flight because, in any case, going from Muscat to Riyadh was a very long way and I didn’t even know about public transportation options.

The border between Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait should be open to anyone with a valid visa. The rest of the borders, however, are currently closed: Yemen, due to the ongoing conflict; Qatar, due to their current diplomatic issues; and Oman, due to it being under construction. I am not sure about the Iraqi border but, most likely, you won’t be crossing from there.

Read: Ultimate 7-day itinerary to Dubai and the UAE

Another very cool canyon outside of Riyadh – Can you travel to Saudi Arabia

Tourism in Saudi Arabia

As you may imagine, tourism in Saudi Arabia is in a very embryonic stage.

Random Saudi: Where are you from? Me: Spain Random Saudi: Where do you live, in Jeddah or Riyadh? Me: Nowhere, I am just visiting Random Saudi: No, I mean where in Saudi are you working?

I had this conversation over and over. They still don’t know that foreigners can now travel to Saudi Arabia.

When I was exploring the southern part of the country and was walking around the souk with my big backpack, people were asking me if I was carrying a parachute and one even said if it was an inflatable boat.

Read: Places to visit in Saudi Arabia – Complete itinerary

Rajal Almaa, a beautiful village in southern Saudi Arabia – Travel guide to Saudi Arabia

So yeah, the idea of having international visitors who are not expats or workers is still a concept they aren’t familiar with.

However, there is a relatively developed domestic tourism infrastructure, so you can find hotels pretty much everywhere, even though they tend to be expensive.

Moreover, as per things to do, you should know that there are loads, loads of things to do in this country. I mean, just check its size and you will see that it is bigger than any European country. I will publish a travel guide to Saudi with itinerary included very, very soon.

The beautiful Old City of Jeddah – This photo was chosen the 2nd best photo in Instagram by Lonely Planet in January 2019

Is it ethical to travel to Saudi Arabia?

When I came back from Saudi Arabia, I received many, many messages from very upset people who claimed that traveling to Saudi Arabia implicated collaborating with a regime that doesn’t respect the basic human rights.

Some messages were from friendly, skeptical people who wanted a response, while others were from really extreme haters who I blocked right away.

Well, let me tell you something: like in any place around the world, you find good and bad people and, when I travel, I don’t meet with Prime Ministers but I visit places and hang out with humble locals.

This a very long and controversial topic, so I recommend you read my article:

Is it ethical to travel to Saudi Arabia as a tourist?

Hanging out with local friends in Abha

How to access blocked sites in Saudi

Something you should know is that, in Saudi, the internet is censored.

This means that some websites might be blocked and inaccessible for regular internet users.

Moreover, because of this censorship and, since there is no freedom of speech, the Government reserves the right to monitor your internet activity.

Therefore, if you want to access blocked sites and navigate anonymously, you will need something called a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Don’t worry, it is less complicated than it sounds and, in this tutorial, you can find out everything about it:

What is it and how to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia travel guide – Tips on how to behave

Heads-up.

Saudi Arabia is the most religious country I have ever been to.

In fact, this is the most religious Muslim country in the world. Everybody knows that.

Most Saudis follow a branch of Islam named Wahhabism, which is characterized for having the most conservative interpretation of Islam and the law of Saudi Arabia strictly follows it.

This means that their penal code includes some very hardcore punishments such as public beheading or getting flogged. This is their country and we are not here to judge and unless you plan to kill someone, smuggle drugs or have sex in public, you shouldn’t be afraid of traveling to Saudi Arabia as a tourist.

Seriously, it is not even close to what you may think.

Note – Saudis prefer to be called Salafis, instead of Wahabis. In their eyes, Wahabism is a few steps ahead than Salafism when it comes to conservatism, meaning that it is really extreme, a term usually used to designate Islamic terrorists. Whereas Salafists are really, really conservative in nature, it is more socially accepted. Thank you, Graham, from Inside Other Places for the clarification

A man reading the Quran is Jawtha Mosque, the second mosque the prophet Mohammed ever prayed at, in Hofuf, east of Saudi Arabia – Can you visit Saudi Arabia?

Some rules you need to follow when you travel to Saudi Arabia

Women need to wear an abaya – The abaya is a local dress that covers your body (not your head).

Some public spaces are segregated by sex – You will figure it out by yourself but some restaurants or cafés are still composed of two areas: men and family section. Women or men that go with women need to sit in the family section. This kind of segregation is slowly disappearing, especially in Jeddah and Riyadh.

Depending on where you are, during prayer time, you can’t be inside shops or restaurants – To be honest, this rule has become more flexible but, outside of Riyadh and Jeddah, they kicked me out from shops during the prayers and I could not even stand in front but I had to walk away. A very weird rule.

Don’t drink alcohol – Drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia is not legal, not even in 5-star hotels.

Seriously, stay away from drugs – Drugs may lead to death sentence, so don’t play with them.

No public shows of affection – Same as when you travel to Dubai or Qatar.

Don’t say you are an atheist – Even if you were, say you are a Christian or any major religion in your home country. Being an atheist can be considered as blasphemy and this is a very serious crime in Saudi. Moreover, you came to Saudi to meet people and make local friends, so saying you are an atheist won’t help you at all.

The Old City of Riyadh – Saudi Arabia travel tips

Misconceptions about Saudi Arabia – Things you can actually do

Like I said before, in the last couple of years, the laws of Saudi Arabia have become more flexible. Well, this is not entirely right. According to my local Saudi friends, some laws haven’t been changed but the religious Islamic police (mutaween) has lost power, so they aren’t controlling what people do anymore.

Men and women who aren’t family related can hang out together, in public – Some years ago, you couldn’t go to a restaurant or a café with a friend from the opposite sex but now you can do it normally, like in any other country.

Foreign women can travel around the country independently, and alone – I have already lost count of all the women who asked me if they can go there by themselves. Yes, you can travel to Saudi Arabia as a woman, by yourself. Would it be challenging? It would be different from being a man, indeed, but it is definitely legal.

Single foreign women can also visit Saudi on a tourist visa – You can travel to Saudi with your unmarried boyfriend and even if you are single, no problem.

Women don’t need to wear hijab – You don’t need to cover your head but, like I just said, you must cover your body with an abaya. If you travel to Iran, you will see that the clothing rules are even more strict.

Women can drive, including renting a car – From June 2018, women can finally drive and, as a female tourist, you can also rent it.

Men can wear shorts – Nobody will say anything to you.

These are the things I could come up with so far. Do you have any more questions about the law in Saudi? Please, post it in the comments section.

with @nadaalnahdi and @esraarayes – Can I visit Saudi Arabia

The people and the culture – The Saudis

Like in many Middle Eastern countries, in Saudi, you find loads of particularly kind people.

Typically, Saudis are so easy to recognize because they wear the thawb, which is the white traditional dress. They also cover their heads with the ghutrah, which can be of different colors but red & white seems to be the most commonly used.

A Saudi man – Can tourists visit Saudi Arabia?

Language – Arabic is the official language. English can be a sometimes problem when you travel in Saudi Arabia, as most people don’t speak it but you will always find someone who does.

Religion – According to the Saudi Government, 100% of the Saudis are Muslim, the large majority being Sunni Wahabbis. There is a large Shia population, as well. Remember that Saudis are very conservative, so try to be respectful and sensitive.

Saudis are extremely hospitable

Before traveling to Saudi Arabia, I knew a lot of people who had been there on a business visa and the truth is that I am extremely disappointed with all of them because they had told me:

Saudis are arrogant

Saudis are racist to anyone who is not from the Gulf

There is nothing to do in Saudi

Seriously, I don’t know where they have been but, from the moment I met the immigration officer who stamped my passport with a big smile while he tried to improve his Spanish, I have just had positive experiences with Saudi people.

Saudi people are extremely hospitable. From endless coffee and meal invitations to random people who insisted on showing me around the city, I seriously met some incredible locals, some of whom I can call now friends.

Honestly, the experience was no different from the blessings of hospitality in Pakistan, Oman or Iran, no kidding. I shared many short moments with so many locals but there were two Saudis in particular who really changed the perspective of my trip.

First, I met Abdullah, an English teacher from Kharj. He picked me up when I was hitchhiking and drove me to a city which was 80km away (and it was not his way). There, we met with one of his friends, we had lunch at his house and then we visited his camel farm. Abdullah taught me many interesting things about Saudi culture, especially their interpretation of Islam.

Do you like extreme destinations? Read: How to travel to Syria

With Abdullah – Can I travel to Saudi Arabia

A few days after, I met Ibrahim, a real Saudi from Abha. We met at the souk of Abha and, after having a chat, he invited me to his famous village named Rajal Alma. We had dinner, stayed at his friend’s house and showed me around on the day after. Ibrahim comes from a very traditional Saudi family (his father was actually a famous Imam from the region) but he married a Filipina girl, something quite unheard of from Saudis with a similar background.

Seriously, don’t trust anyone who has just been to Jeddah or Riyadh for business. First of all, you can’t judge a country by the inhabitants of a several-million people city. And second of all, don’t trust the judgment from someone who has traveled to Saudi Arabia for business because he hasn’t seen much beyond the office, the fancy restaurant, and the hotel.

Saudis are not happy about how the Western media portraits them

Our media doesn’t really do justice to Saudi people, as they portray them as religious fanatics who force women to submit to their Sharia rules.

The reality is miles away from this stereotype.

Like in any country, there are loads of awesome people and, like in any off the beaten track Muslim country, most of them are extra-nice with foreigners.

Saudi women

Most women in Saudi wear the black niqab, which covers the whole face except the eyes.

The reason they wear it is that, according to their interpretation of the Quran, women can’t show their face to any man who isn’t their dad, uncles, grandfathers, sons, and husband, of course.

For years, many pro-feminist groups in Europe have been claiming that the use of niqab is sexist, against the women’s rights and they wear it against their will.

Whereas I fully understand their point, I think that their argument is quite simplistic and it just lets you see one tiny side of the whole picture.

Please note that I am not trying to justify the use of the niqab but I just wanted you to know that many Saudi women actually choose to wear it. Really. They choose to wear it because they think that this is the right thing to do because the Quran says so. They believe they need to wear it as much as men believe it.

Obviously, there will be many cases of liberal Saudi women who will tell you a different story but I am just talking in generic terms.

My point is that this topic is way more complicated than we think and, as tourists, we shouldn’t be talking or trying to change it because you are traveling to Saudi Arabia to learn about their culture and visit beautiful places.

How to deal with women in Saudi – Now that every day you see more and more women working in public spaces, you are likely to talk to quite a few Saudi women who wear the niqab.

If you are a man, don’t try to shake hands and keep a reasonable distance with them but you can talk to them freely and you will see that they are as lovely women like any other. If you are a foreign woman, they will definitely be extra nice to you and, if you are on the countryside, expect them to invite you to their house.

When I visited Al-Jawf, 1,000km north of Riyadh, I went there to work on an assignment for a local company and I was very lucky to be received by two super nice ladies wearing niqab. I spent the whole day with them. They showed me around their province, we went to have some coffee and I even went to their house where they fed me until I exploded. They were as hospitable as any Muslim man I had met before and the only difference is that I didn’t see their faces. It was an enriching experience.

Chilling with a Saudi woman in Al-Jawf – How to travel to Saudi Arabia?

Saudis are multi-ethnic

For centuries, Muslims from all over the world came to Saudi on their journey to Mecca and, at some point, decided to settle there.

Over time, they became Saudi citizens and that is why, today, you find Saudis from all types of ethnicities. From Bedouin to East-African-looking people and even the cultural-Yemeni-like people from the south of the country, in Jizan, Saudi is the most multi-ethnic Arab country.

For me, this was one of the most surprising things about the country.

A Yemeni-like Saudi man from Jizan – Traveling to Saudi Arabia what to know

Food when visiting Saudi Arabia

The food was another extremely surprising thing about traveling in Saudi.

Before visiting Saudi, I was traveling in Oman for 1 month. In Oman, I felt that, after day 2, I had already tasted all the local food, which was always simplified to different variations of rice with meat, chicken or fish. Then, I tasted one or two different local dishes in some houses and the rest was all Indian food.

Saudi, however, is a different story. Since it borders with so many Arabic countries, its huge dimensions with many different geographical areas and its multi-ethnic population, the food in Saudi Arabia is a real blend of all the Arabic food you can think of.

From the Yemeni food-like dishes from the south to the olive oil-rich food from the north of the country, Levantine Arabic dishes such as vine leaves and makluba, foul and hummus for breakfast and, of course, the classic Gulf food that includes all sorts of rice with meat, the cuisine of Saudi Arabia also shows the cultural richness of the country.

By the way, traditionally, Saudis eat on the floor and use their right hand to eat. Eating like them is a sign of respect but if you are struggling, you can always help yourself with a spoon.

– This is mandi, which is originally from Yemen – Travel tips for Saudi Arabia

Solo female travel in Saudi

Since I left Saudi Arabia, I have been bombed with tens of questions from many women who are skeptical about traveling to Saudi.

Sure, Saudi is an extremely patriarchal country, so this kind of reaction is perfectly understandable. However, let me tell you that, as a woman, Saudi Arabia is much safer than you could ever think.

I am perfectly aware that, since I am not a woman, my opinion doesn’t really count here but, luckily, during my journey, I met Nada al Nahdi, a Yemeni / Indonesian girl who was born in Saudi, so she knows the people and culture very well and has traveled around the country extensively.

Nada wrote an article about this topic on my site, so if you want to know more, read:

9 misconceptions about traveling to Saudi Arabia as a woman.

Nada trekking in Saudi Arabia

Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?

From a crime perspective, Saudi Arabia is just another very safe place to visit in the Middle East. I mean, you should always be aware of your belongings but pickpocketing or being robbed is quite unheard of.

As per terrorism threat, I will not deny the fact that there have been some one-off terrorist attacks but even UK travel advice says that, except for the areas close to the Yemeni border, all Saudi Arabia is safe to visit.

However, I also went to Jizan, the region bordering Yemen and everything was extra peaceful. The war is happening on the other side of the border, not in Saudi.

In my opinion, the only actual threat when traveling in Saudi Arabia are the extremely crazy drivers. Seriously, after all my years of travels, I can now confirm that Saudi people are the most insane people on wheels.

For a more detailed analysis, read this article from Joao Leitao: Is Saudi Arabia a safe country to travel?

Hanging out with some Saudis – Photo by @joaoleitaoviagens – Travel tips to Saudi Arabia

Money in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Rial is the official currency – And, in January 2019, 1USD = 3,75SR

Exchanging money – Euros, United States dollars or British Pounds are widely accepted. You can even exchange Indian and Pakistani rupees and other Asian currencies, as there is a large Asian population living in Saudi. Of course, the currencies from other Gulf countries, such as Omani Rials or UAE Dirhams are also accepted.

ATM and credit cards – ATMs are available pretty much everywhere and credit cards are accepted in most modern cafés, restaurants, and hotels. However, bring always some extra cash, as the Indian-run cafés and other more local places don’t accept cards.

Cost of travel to Saudi Arabia – These are the prices of the most typical things:

Budget Hotel – Double room from 100 to 150SR (26 to 40USD)

Breakfast in Indian-run café – 5 to 10SR (1.30 to 2.60USD)

Breakfast in local Saudi eatery – 10 to 15SR (2.60 to 4USD)

Lunch in Indian-run restaurant – 10 to 15SR (2.60 to 4USD)

Lunch in local Saudi eatery – 15 to 20SR (4USD to 5.30USD)

Lunch in mid-range restaurant – From 30-35SR (8-9USD)

Short taxi ride in Riyadh – 15 to 25SR (4 to 6.60USD)

Moving around when traveling in Saudi Arabia

Something you need to know: Saudi Arabia is the least walking-friendly place I have ever been to. That being said, here is what you need to know regarding moving around the Kingdom:

Moving inside cities – Public transportation in Saudi cities is awful and, except in some parts of Jeddah, you must drive with your own car or by taxi. You can’t seriously walk. If you aren’t self-driving, I recommend you download Uber or Careem, so you won’t have to deal with negotiating a price with a taxi.

Domestic flights – Another problem of Saudi Arabia is that distances are ridiculously huge and the nice places to visit in Saudi are scattered all around the country. For example, Al-Ula is nearly 1,000km north of Jeddah and Jizan is another 1,000 south of Jeddah. If you are short of time, a very good alternative is taking domestic flights.

I recommend you check on Saudia Airlines, as they have the largest number of domestic connections in the country. Actually, the most effective way to travel in Saudi Arabia would be taking a domestic flight and then renting a car in the destination itself.

Rent a car – In order to enjoy the country, renting a car is crucial. Gas is cheap, so are the daily rental rates. However, all companies offer limited daily mileage, around 250-300km a day I think, so if you drive to faraway places like Al-Ula or Jizan, you may end up paying quite a lot. By the way, most rental companies won’t rent you a car if you don’t have an international driving license, so remember to convert it before leaving your country.

I strongly recommend you look for the best deals on Rental Car, a search engine that shows you the best available options in each country and city.

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Buses – You can also move by bus between cities. They are very cheap but the problem is that you will have to rely on taxis once you get to any destination. There is not a single city in Saudi which is walking friendly.

You check all bus schedules and buy tickets on this website.

Hitchhiking – As crazy as it may sound, I hitchhiked across Saudi Arabia. I actually hitchhiked from Riyadh to Jizan, 1,300km. I had some really good experiences but, at the same time, I had not so good experiences. On the one hand, it is relatively easy to get a ride and, normally, Saudis will be extremely helpful and, if you are lucky, they will invite you to their house.

On the other hand, most places in Saudi are connected with highways where people drive extremely fast and, sometimes, they overtake cars by the shoulder of the road, which is extremely dangerous if you are waiting there. Moreover, many Saudis are crazy drivers, more than in any other country I have been to. On one occasion, I refused to continue with a man because I was seriously afraid of dying. When I finally reached Jizan, I decided not to hitchhike anymore. It was too intense.

We had some issues when hitchhiking with these guys – Can I travel to Saudi Arabia alone

Internet and SIM Card

Wi-Fi – It works pretty well all across the country, including in the budget hotels. You won’t find Wi-Fi in the cheap cafés but most malls or Western-Style cafés have public Wi-Fi.

SIM Card and 3G – I got ZAIN which, according to locals, has the worst network but it was the only company I found which you could buy just 1 or 2GB. Mobily is the most popular one but they asked me to buy 10GB, at least, which was around 150SR (40USD). With ZAIN, I think I just paid around 30SR for the SIM Card plus 1GB worth of data.

Remember that, in Saudi, the internet is censored and, if you want to access blocked sites, you will need a VPN. Read: How to find the right VPN for Saudi Arabia

Accommodation

In Saudi Arabia, accommodation is quite expensive, especially for solo travelers.

Airbnb – The cheapest option would be finding a room on Airbnb and remember that, if you create an account through my link, you will get up to 35€ of FREE credit on your next booking.

Hotels – Prices start at 25-30USD but, on the bright side, budget hotels are usually apartment-hotels with a kitchen and, for just a few more USD, you could have a 3 or 4-bedroom apartment, so if you are a family or travel with more people they are a great value for money.

You can find hotels all over the country. If you have a larger budget, all cities are filled with good accommodation options, especially in Jeddah and Riyadh, where you can find the most luxurious hotels.

If you are self-driving for long distances, most small towns you pass by will also have budget apartment-hotels which are always clean, at least in my experience.

You can find plenty of hotels in Booking.com

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE BEST HOTELS DEALS ON BOOKING.COM

Falconry is also a very big deal in Saudi – Travel Guide to Saud Arabia

More information for traveling to Saudi

When to travel to Saudi – Winter is, definitely, the best time. Avoid summer, late spring and early autumn, as during day time, temperatures average 40-45ºC.

Weekend falls on Friday and Saturday – This is not different than many Muslim countries.

On Friday, everything is closed until Asr prayer, which is around 4 or 5pm – Not everything will be closed but some restaurants may open in the morning. However, at noon, during Dhuhr prayer, absolutely everything is closed.

Eat with your right hand, always – This is a generic Muslim rule but in Saudi is particularly strict. If you are sharing a meal with more traditional people, try to always eat with your right hand. I am actually left-handed and sometimes I forget about it and Saudi has been the only place where the locals got a bit upset when they saw me eating with my left hand.

Don’t travel to Saudi during the holy month of Ramadan – During Ramadan, the law is really extreme in Saudi, so all business will be closed during day time.

All my travel guides to Saudi Arabia

Places to visit in Saudi Arabia – 2-week itinerary 9 Misconceptions about solo female travel in Saudi How to visit Riyadh in 3 days Is it ethical to visit Saudi as a tourist?

And here you can find all my articles and guides to the Middle East.

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/2XwMxoT via https://ift.tt/2NIqXKN

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ssj2hindudude · 2 years

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u got some incorrect quotes on Valerie and her love for sweets?

This would actually be the first incorrect quotes I make for the series! Although, I was gonna wait until the first book was done...aw what the heck!

*sitting in a cake shop*

Valerie: What are you morons doing here? I don't remember ordering an extra-large migraine.

Priya: Nice to see you too, Vanilla extract.

Valerie: Oh wow. Flavor from a distance, bitter up close. Good one.

Abha: Hey, Valerie! We're just getting some sweets for the road.

Valerie: Well hurry up and leave. I'm busy studying.

Suru: In a cake shop?

Valerie: The background noise helps me concentrate.

Ghata: How about we buy you something!

Valerie: Oh please, you can't afford my palette.

Priya: We can with our dad's royal credit card.

Abha: All you can eat! Or we can just take our own stuff and go...

*Valerie sweats*

Valerie: Ok fine, if you're so insistent.

Ghata: Awesome, so what-

Valerie: I'll have a sample of each of the following: the red velvet with strawberry cream cheese, the double chocolate with orange jelly, the lemon meringue with mint leaves-

Priya: Oh I'm gonna get so much mileage out of this one...

Ghata: Do they have anything sugar free and vegan?

#2nd gen #2nd gen pandavas #aru shah #the pandava quintet #the potatoes #aru shah headcanon #aru shah incorrect quotes #aru shah headcanons

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kulcareindia · 7 months

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ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is an initiative taken by the Indian government to convert health records into digital form so one can safely save, access, and share all their medical history. In this, each individual is allotted a unique 14-digit account number. With this number, one can access his/her medical records from anywhere at any time. This not only helps individuals save their medical records online but also saves them from the hassle of preserving all the medical records in paper form which is not just very time-consuming but also stressful.

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The card also allows you to check for alternative medical facilities like Yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy. Additionally, you can also check the list of information containing working doctors in the area.

Additionally, you can use this card to share your medical history with other doctors and hospitals with ease.

FAQs

Why create your ABHA ID with Kulcare?

Kulcare is a website where we live and breathe just to empower people to live healthier lives. So, create your ABHA ID with the Kulcare website and participate in building a more robust healthcare ecosystem.

What is ABHA ID?

ABHA ID is a unique identity that works like a locker for your health to receive and store all your health records.

Can I consult with a doctor online?

Yes, Kulcare is a platform that provides online doctor consultations. Patients can easily consult a doctor based on their specialization from anywhere at any time depending on the doctor’s availability.

What is the use of the ABHA health card?

The card can be used to save all your medical records. One can share these records or access them whenever required.

Who can do ABHA ID card registration?

Everyone who is a citizen of India can register for ABHA ID.

What documents are required to register for ABHA health ID?

All you need to do is just enter your Aadhaar card number or your mobile number or driver's license for ABHA card registration. No other document is required for the process.

Is it possible to revoke access to my medical records after granting it to someone?

Yes, one can easily revoke access to your medical information if you have shared it with a doctor at any time. If you revoke it then they will no longer be able to access your medical records.

#abha health card registration online #abdm health id card

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senzacaponecoda · 7 years

Text

Wanted to look into a suspected etymology but found disconfirmation. Might as well sketch out what I learned.

There's like 3 or 4 roots that ended up as "main" in English - a river in Ireland, a river in Germany, some gaming jargon, and the main sense.

Suspecting the Latin roots "manus" and "magnus" isn't bad instinct. "Manus" meaning hand gave the gaming sense - compare with "a hand of cards". "Magnus" actually gave the similar word "Maine", albeit indirectly: a Gaulish tribe called the Iceni were given the Roman name Iceni Magni and this was corrupted into Cenimanni, which became the name of their river; today, this is Le Mans, capital of the province of Maine, France. The river in Ireland has a naturally Celtic name, coming from something like *abha magin "river of the plain" in old Irish, to later be ~*Abhainn Mhaighin and later analysed as "an Mhean" while the root "mag" became "má" (and its genitive reanalyzed). This was Anglicised to the Main. The German Main apparently came from Moenis in Latin, beyond which I have no idea. If the o ever really was there (that is, if Moenis wasn't just pronounced like Menis, another form of the rivername), then it wouldn't surprise me if the the *aba magin etymology happened again, thru something like magin > mogin > moin (moen). Then again I don't know where the -is came from and if there were an -is preflex in the probably Gaulish word how it'd get on a genitive I don't know. The main sense actually comes from OE mæġen, related to "may" and "might", the latter both as the noun and the verb. It was used in the "strength" or "power" sense (maybe comparible to the "tyrant" sense of "strongman") and drifted to mean "chief-" or "head-" or "principal". So my idea, that main was maybe from some sort of Germanic river theme (I thought there was also an English Main near Stratford but that was apparently wrong too?) and being that the "Main" river was the main river of its region, the term generalized, is wrong.

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newstfionline · 7 years

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Why some families are boycotting presents this year

By Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, December 22, 2017

Becki Svare has made a radical decision: She won’t buy any more Christmas presents.

It started a few years ago as an experiment with her extended family. The holiday season began as it often did, with a dozen family members drawing names out of a hat. But instead of buying gifts for each other, they had to come up with a meaningful experience to share with their designated person. Suggested price: $20 to $25.

Svare’s children took their aunts kayaking. Her brother took his 9-year-old nephew for a ride on his Harley-Davidson, then out for sushi and a trip to the local reptile center. Others went to the zoo.

“You had to be somewhat creative with it,” said Svare, a blogger who lives in DeLand, Fla., near Orlando. “But we all agreed that it was better than buying things people don’t need.”

Across the country, families are hearing a similar refrain: Fewer items, please. More experiences.

It’s a movement that has picked up steam in recent years, as part of a broader push away from consumerism. And even retailers are taking notice. Major chains like Best Buy, Apple and Nordstrom now incorporate cooking classes, photography workshops and even manicures inside their stores as a way to attract customers who want to do more than just shop.

This holiday season, retail analysts say there has been a discernible shift in gift-giving as Americans think beyond traditional presents. Nearly 40 percent of shoppers plan to give gift cards, event tickets or other “intangible” gifts, according to market research firm NPD Group. And although overall holiday spending is projected to rise about 4 percent to $680 billion this year, Americans say they will spend less on presents: an average of $608 on gifts for family, friends and co-workers, down from $621 last year, according to the National Retail Federation.

“We live in a world of abundance, where most of us just have too many things,” said Jeffrey Galak, a professor who studies consumer behavior at Carnegie Mellon University. “People are starting to realize that items really aren’t that important anymore.”

Also helping the movement: the lack of novel items at the store.

“A lot of retailers are carrying the same old stuff that they’ve been hawking for five years,” said Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School. “People are saying, ‘Uncle Henry’s already got a black sweater--in fact he’s got two that still have the tags on--so why should we get him a new one?’ ‘Let’s do something else instead.’”

And, academics note, there has been no shortage of research in recent years to back up the idea that people derive more joy from experiences than goods. The trend has been good for the likes of StubHub. The online purveyor of sports, concert and theater tickets says sales of gift cards are up 50 percent so far over last year.

Celebrities, too, are increasingly speaking out against holiday consumerism. The actress Mila Kunis said in a recent interview that she and husband Ashton Kutcher wouldn’t be buying gifts for their children this year.

But vowing to cut back on presents is one thing--actually doing so can be a years-long process. It can be tough to get family members on board, and even the most dedicated of gift-boycotters can feel a tinge of panic when, a few days before Christmas, there isn’t much under the tree.

“Social norms can be a difficult thing to overcome,” said Ross Steinman, a professor of consumer psychology at Widener University in Chester, Pa. “If there is an understanding in your family that there should be a tower of gifts under your Christmas tree every year, it’s really hard to change that.”

It’s taken nearly two decades, but Alethea Smartt says her family has (mostly) stopped buying Christmas gifts.

The effort started back in 1999, she says, when she moved to New York to take a job as a flight attendant. She had a tiny apartment and traveled often, which meant she didn’t have room for extra items.

But convincing her family in Tennessee, where she grew up receiving a whopping two dozen gifts each Christmas, was a different story. She started slowly--or so she thought--suggesting a limit of one gift per person.

“I knew we couldn’t go cold turkey, but it was still a total disaster,” said Smartt, 43, a travel writer in Portland. “There were a lot of hurt feelings and tears. Even though we didn’t have money, it was really important to my parents to be able to buy us material things.”

Her mother, in particular, was crestfallen, she says.

But lately, she said, they’ve found a groove--and her mother, Diane Campbell, agrees.

A few years ago, Campbell surprised the family with new luggage--and a cruise to Alaska. Last year, she took her grandsons on a four-day trip to Chicago. She makes photo books for her daughters, and bakes cookies for her son-in-law.

“At first, it almost felt embarrassing,” said Campbell, 67, who works for a tour company in Nashville. “I’d always been so proud that I was able to give everyone so much during the holidays..”

But it’s getting easier, she said, although she does sometimes stash a couple of last-minute McDonald’s gift cards under the tree for her grandsons.

“I do still worry about it,” she said, “about finding ways to create that ‘Oh, wow’ moment.”

(Smartt’s husband, too, says he sometimes has trouble adjusting to the arrangement: “Around Dec. 24, I’ll start to think ‘Wait, do I have enough? Maybe I should go buy more,’” said Greg LaRowe, adding that he now stocks up on extra items like lavender soaps and other locally made items.)

Smartt, though, said she has no complaints.

“It’s gotten better every year,” she said. “We’ve gone from what I’d call excessive materialism to a few thoughtful gifts.”

After years of experimenting--dozens of gifts one Christmas, none another--Christi Chartrand, a home health-care worker in Brantford, Ontario, said she’s finally found a happy medium for her brood of eight, which includes three biological children, four adopted children and one foster child.

On Christmas morning, each child receives exactly three presents worth a total of $100. On birthdays, they get to choose between a birthday party or a $150 outing with mom or dad.

“Almost every single time, the kids ask for a date night,” she said, adding that they’ve gone shopping in Buffalo, visited CN Tower in Toronto, and taken a half-hour airplane ride near Niagara Falls. “They don’t even think twice about it anymore.”

Back in 2010, though, it was a different story. For years, she and her husband maxed out their credit cards to buy mountains of toys.

“We had to unbury the tree on Christmas morning because there were just so many gifts piled up around it,” she said. “And we found that our kids were just so ungrateful. It never seemed to be enough. They would open their presents and then say, ‘Now what?’”

The turning point came, she said, when her son unwrapped a present from an aunt. “He looked at her and said, ‘A book? That’s it?’” she recalled. “I was so mortified and said, ‘This has to change.’”

The following year, she and her husband took the family on a road trip to Florida and didn’t buy a single present. The kids were irked at first, she said, but quickly got over it. The following year, they settled on the three-gift compromise.

“We’re not trying to be radical,” she said. “We just want them to realize that it’s not a life requirement to open 1,000 presents on Christmas morning.”

#Christmas #Christmas without presents

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