Trump’s energy chief vows reversal of Biden climate policies

LONDON: The UK called on Monday for interim authorities in the Syrian Arab Republic to take urgent action to address a surge of violence in the country, including reports of significant civilian casualties in coastal areas.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer described recent events as “deeply concerning,” as he reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Syria’s transition after the fall of Bashar Assad in December.

Falconer said the UK was working “as quickly as possible” to verify reports of the latest violence and identify those responsible. He urged the interim government in Damascus to uphold its commitment to protect all Syrians, and to set out a clear plan for transitional justice.

“This is a critical moment for Syria,” Falconer told MPs. “The interim authorities must demonstrate their intent to promote stability and to govern in the interests of all Syrians.”

Since Assad fled Syria, the UK has been pushing for an inclusive, Syrian-led political process to establish a representative, non-sectarian government.

Falconer welcomed the steps taken so far by the interim president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, including the formation of a transitional government and the National Dialogue conference that took place on Feb. 25. However, he stressed that further action is required to unify factions in Syria and develop a clear road map for governance.

“The violence over the weekend demonstrates that more needs to be done to bring Syria’s different groups together,” he said. “We urge the interim authorities to urgently establish a clear process and timeline for the next phase of the transition.”

UK authorities remain engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions with Syria’s new leaders and international partners in an effort to prevent further conflict, counter security threats, including terrorism, and oversee the destruction of the Assad regime’s stockpiles of chemical weapons.

The British government has said it is also focused on supporting economic recovery in Syria, including the lifting of some sanctions to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid, while maintaining targeted measures against those responsible for past repression.

Falconer said the UK has allocated more than £62 million ($79.8 million) in additional humanitarian assistance since December to help provide essential aid such as food, healthcare and education through UN agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

“The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire for millions of people,” he added. “Over 16 million are in need of assistance and we will continue to support those in need where it is safe to do so.”

Falconer reaffirmed Britain’s long-term commitment to Syrian stability: “This is a critical, fragile moment for Syria. The country faces significant challenges as it transitions after almost 14 years of conflict.

“Stability in Syria is firmly in our interests. The UK remains committed to the people of Syria and will continue to stand with them in building a more stable, free and prosperous future.”

LONDON: The Ramadan Tent Project has returned to one of London’s iconic landmarks, Shakespeare’s Globe, to host for the second time an iftar for nearly 500 people seated in a meticulously rebuilt 17th century theater.

For the past 12 years, the Ramadan Tent Project charity has organized iftar events with a dedicated message of “turn strangers into friends” at some of the UK’s most iconic and loved landmarks, including Trafalgar Square, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Wembley Stadium.

This Ramadan, the RTP’s first iftar event last week welcomed 350 people into Windsor Castle, for the first time in the royal estate’s 1,000-year history, to break their fast in St George’s Hall, which traditionally hosted banquets for heads of state.

Every year, it seems we are creating new history, but at the same time, we are building new bridges, and that’s the most important thing

Omar Salha, founder of Ramadan Tent Project

In 2023, the RTP organized an open iftar at Shakespeare’s Globe for the first time. It was a different experience compared to this week’s event, as the organizers entertained the audience in the gallery from the creaky wooden thrust stage, which has an open roof, without the help of microphones. Since its launch in 1997, directors of the Globe have debated whether to cling to Elizabethan-era conditions or use modern technology.

Fortunately, microphones and spotlights were used during this week’s iftar. However, attendees and media were instructed to take close-up pictures of the interior to avoid capturing images from the “Macbeth” set, which is set to launch this week on March 13.

The long queue for the open iftar on the south bank of the River Thames attracted people from London and visitors from Scotland, Cambridge, Sheffield, and even a family from South Africa.

Omar Salha, the founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project, told Arab News that the most rewarding experience of putting the open iftars for over a decade is “seeing the smiles on people’s faces, the joy, the spirit and the energy in these events.”

He said the charity was grateful for its increasing support and the generosity of King Charles III, who opened his royal castle for British Muslims to host an iftar.

“Every year, it seems we are creating new history, but at the same time, we are building new bridges, and that’s the most important thing,” he added.

This open iftar is a moment of extending and reaching in friendship, connection, and community

Stella Kanu, CEO of Globe Theatre

Sajeda, one of the first in line, waited for the event to start outside the Globe’s unmistakable thatched roof, white plaster facade, and timber frames, looking at the River Thames. She told Arab News that she attended one of the RTP’s open iftars when they were small and organized in a park in central London.

“You didn’t have to register online then,” she said. “It is always a very enjoyable (iftar) because you see the multicultural aspect of it ... you can see Asians, white people, British and non-British and everyone, so it’s like a melting pot of multi-cultures.”

A blog post on the RTP’s website mentions that Shakespeare employed Muslim characters to challenge Elizabethan ideas of race and identity of his time, most notably through the character of Othello in a play carrying the protagonist’s name.

Stella Kanu, the CEO of Globe Theatre, told Arab News that she hopes the RTP’s iftar becomes a recurring event in the venue’s calendar.

“(This) open iftar (is) a moment of extending and reaching in friendship, connection, and community,” she said. “That’s everything about the Globe and what Ramadan is trying to encourage us to think about in those moments of introspection, prayer, and hope.”

The crowd enjoyed some poetry before the Maghreb call to prayer, marking the fasting day’s end. They waited nearly an hour for everyone to finish the Maghreb prayer, which took place in two groups before they were served a delicious meal of chicken or aubergine with chickpeas, pilau rice, and yogurt prepared by the restaurant Comptoir Libanais.

For a moment, everything seemed as though “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players.” People remained seated in the gallery while eating, gazing at the stage, a replica of the original damaged in fire in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, at a site 230 meters from the current Globe.

At the event, Rayyan and Ayaan, two brothers from London, told Arab News that breaking their fast with people from many different backgrounds and nationalities was “something really special.” Shakirah, an aspiring actress, said she will remember the RTP’s iftar for the community spirit, meeting new people, and bonding with family in a historical place like the Globe.