Refugee crises, migration and Syria are expected to dominate the high-level debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) starting on Monday as world leaders are set to gather in New York to discuss pressing global issues.
For the first time ever, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to convene a summit on migration and refugees.
However, it remains unclear what tangible impact the summit will have on the more than 65mn people worldwide who are currently displaced by conflict, including 21mn refugees who have fled their countries.
Months-long negotiations over a political declaration to be adopted by consensus during the summit have resulted in a document that has been criticised for being a mere summation of existing laws and principles on the handling of migrants and refugees.
In the non-binding document, the 193 UN member states will commit to better assist and manage the flow of migrants and refugees by protecting human rights, solving root causes, setting up inclusion programmes in host countries and developing principles for vulnerable migrants such as women and girls.
Human Rights Watch said the document “is a missed opportunity to widen the scope of protection and limits expectations for concrete, new commitments”, while noting that its reaffirmation of refugee rights should have positive outcomes. The non-governmental organisation International Rescue Committee (IRC) called the text “lacking in the detailed commitments” needed to solve the refugee crises.
Ban has acknowledged criticisms of the text noting: “We all wish it could be a stronger document.” However, he said it encapsulated a political will to chart the way forward toward stronger global frameworks on refugees and migrants to be negotiated and adopted over the next two years.
Ban, along with Western and European Union countries, emphasised advancing “global responsibility-sharing” on the issue of refugees, which would mean the global distribution of people fleeing their countries.
However, a strong emphasis on the equitable sharing of responsibilities was opposed by some countries which sought to stress “international co-operation” in the text instead.
A day after the summit, US President Barack Obama on Tuesday will host a leader’s summit dedicated to increasing specific pledges and commitments to assist refugees. The event will be co-hosted by Canada, Ethiopia, Germany, Jordan, Mexico, Sweden and UN chief Ban.
The Syrian conflict will also be discussed at a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The meeting aims to “take stock” of ongoing efforts to reach a political solution, according to a concept note by New Zealand, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member world body.
The meeting also will be an opportunity for world leaders to discuss the state of the ceasefire deal brokered between Russia and the US earlier in September.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Ban will also host a ceremony for countries that have already ratified the Paris Climate Agreement. To date, 27 countries accounting for 39% of total global greenhouse gas emissions have passed the agreement.


Haj can represent a unique
example of sustainability
To achieve a green Haj and reduce the environmental footprint, the pilgrims need to behave in a more environment-friendly way


By Mohamed Abdel Raouf 
Jeddah




Nearly 3mn Muslims perform the Haj pilgrimage every year. The Haj, when Muslims from around the world come to Makkah to perform religious rites, is considered to be the largest gathering of people in the world.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Fulfil the pilgrimage and make the visitation for Allah. If you are prevented, then whatever offering that may be easy” (Surat Al-Baqarah, 196). Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims, which must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every adult Muslim who is physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey.
From the environmental point of view, there are many concerns and hazards associated with the pilgrimage and only by good governance of these environmental issues can the Haj be a win-win situation for everyone, i.e.,the host country (Saudi Arabia), the pilgrims, and the rest of the world where the pilgrims come from.
One of the biggest environmental issues associated with Haj is waste. During the Haj season, huge quantities of waste are generated, which needs to be managed well.
Besides, there is wasteful water usage and wastewater generation. Also, air pollution is another serious environmental problem caused by vehicles transporting the pilgrims.
In fact, most pilgrims are not aware of the importance of protecting the environment that is recognised in the Islamic teachings.
To achieve a green Haj and reduce the environmental footprint, the pilgrims need to behave in a more environment-friendly way. The environment is man’s legacy. He must care for it and refrain from causing any damage for the simple reason that he is its main beneficiary.
If he causes harm to one or more of the environment’s components, he will be the one who suffers. This is very clear during the Haj gathering.
Even slight pollution can cause serious negative impact to the environment and affect the health of the pilgrims.
Thus, Muslims must translate the great teachings of Islam, especially during the Haj, as they cannot perform a religious duty, i.e., Haj, and, at the same time, cause harm to the environment and others.
Environmental stewardship during Haj is a must for the correctness of the religious rites.
On the one hand, it is worth raising the environmental awareness of pilgrims to encourage them to make Haj more sustainable by observing the following tips, for example, during their journey:
Green purchasing, i.e., buying what is required and only environment-friendly products can be a good start. Cloth bags can be used for purchases.
Also, it is of utmost importance to rationalise water consumption by using water prudently for ablution, bath and other personal needs and minimise electricity usage.
It is very important to avoid littering as well as to collect all waste and dispose it at designated locations.
Use of public transportation as much as possible would also be an environment-friendly step.
The Saudi authorities such as the municipality of Makkah are already striving to make the Haj sustainable.
For instance, the municipality has introduced a number of measures for waste management to provide the best environment for the pilgrims.
These measures enable the storage of waste temporarily in the Haj areas, including in 48 hidden containers with 3,000 litre capacity. These hidden containers have several advantages. They do not require electrical or mechanical systems, and they prevent any fire erupting from the stored waste.
In addition, the ministry of municipal and rural affairs, which administers the projects, developed an integrated plan to operate the Sacred Areas Train in 2015.
The operation process of the train includes identifying pilgrim camp sites and trails and providing access to the stations in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.
By December 2016, pilgrims will be able to use the Haramainhigh speed railway for travel from Makkah to Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
The Makkah Metro is the first metro line in Saudi Arabia built to serve pilgrims. Construction of four more lines is scheduled to begin soon.
The Makkah Metro is critical for helping ease the heavy congestion during Haj as it can handle crowds of around 90,000 people per hour.
Using public transportation, including trains, will help in reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
In fact, the protection, conservation and sustainable development of the environment and natural resources should be a religious duty to which every Muslim is committed.
The Haj can represent a unique and pioneering example of sustainability if the pilgrims behave in an environment-friendly manner and avoid pollution and overconsumption.


lMohamed Abdel Raouf is the sustainability research programme manager at the Gulf Research Center.


Muslim pilgrims from all around the world circle around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, on September 14.


Qatar and Turkey friendship grows stronger


By Harun Yahya
Istanbul




Between countries, diplomatic relations carry a cardinal importance. National interests are protected through peaceful methods and diplomacy. Diplomacy, which is often defined as “the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states”, is the employment of tact to find mutually acceptable solutions to common challenges and issues facing nations.
However, relations between some countries go beyond diplomacy. Let me elaborate on this with an example from the recent, most bloody coup attempt in Turkey’s history. 
The night connecting July 15 to 16 was the longest, darkest and the most troublesome night in Turkish history. The hours following the coup attempt, which was set in motion with the bridges on the Bosporus being blocked off at 10pm, were highly critical. Any response that would be made in those hours was doubtlessly very crucial. By then, whether the coup plotters would succeed or not was still uncertain and Turkish government was in dire need of support.
However, the Western countries preferred remaining silent until the morning hours, when it became apparent that the treacherous coup attempt had been foiled. That night, very few countries conveyed messages that vehemently condemned the coup and expressed complete support to the government and the people of Turkey. Among these countries, one of them in particular adopted a brave and sincere stance. That country was our friend and brother, Qatar.
The Emir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, was the first leader to call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 
In fact, Erdogan spoke highly of the messages of support the Emir had issued since the first hours of the coup attempt, expressing his gratitude with the statement: “For the Turkish people, who thwarted this large-scale and atrocious coup attempt and stopped the bloodthirsty coup plotters by risking their lives, this support was of particular importance.”
In an interview to the French News Agency AFP, Rice University’s Kristian Coates Ulrichsen pointed to the significance of Qatar’s support as follows:
“It (Qatar’s statement of its support for the Turkish government) was a significant show of political support at a time when the situation in Turkey was still highly uncertain. And it contrasted sharply with the lukewarm statements that came out of Western capitals, both at the time and in the weeks since the attempted coup.”
Support to Turkey was also underlined by a number of high-level officials of the Qatari government. 
HE the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, emphasised that Qatar is a true friend of Turkey. He stated that the Turkey-Qatar relations would grow closer and ensured the continuous support of his country to Ankara on all forums. Qatar’s ambassador to Ankara, Salem Mubarak Shafi Salem al-Shafi, attended an emergency session held in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, which was targeted by the coup plotters.
These developments are indeed very important for Turkey. By supporting Turkey in hard times, Qatar clearly proved that it is a genuine friend of Turkey. The high-level strategic co-operation agreements in various sectors recently co-signed by both countries are a few examples of this friendship. 
The Turkish state and people are immensely grateful to Qatar and will always remember its support.
 Both countries share a common vision and strategy in bilateral as well as regional matters. The nature of the relationship between the two countries is quite striking – it is not stagnant or unstable; on the contrary, it is quite dynamic and ever growing. 
Qatar’s high capital and financial potential and Turkey’s experience, background, infrastructure, human capital, agricultural and industrial production are in perfect harmony. The volume of trade between the two countries has been rising steadily. There is a fast-growing co-operation in the sectors of energy, finance, investment, construction, infrastructure, real estate, education, agriculture, maritime, science and technology. The Turkish government provides incentive and support to those Qatari companies that wish to invest in the country.
At the root of the brotherhood and unity between these two countries lie mutual spiritual values. Both countries pursue altruistic, benevolent, conciliatory, compassionate and peaceful policies and do not get stuck in the stern, loveless and apathetic world of realpolitik. Both seek diplomatic, conciliatory and amicable solutions to deep-seated problems of the Middle East instead of war, conflict and hatred. As a result of this wonderful unity and co-operation, both countries set an example for the entire world of Islam as great and influential international actors.