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A police motorcycle burns during a protest after a woman died after being arrested by the Islamic Republic’s “morality police” in Tehran, Iran, September 19, 2022. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.two years later Abraham Accords With Arab relations ushering in a new era, much of the Middle East – represented, for example, by the rapidly transforming United Arab Emirates (UAE) society – is fast becoming a quintessential 21st century place to live. Now in contrast to Iran, whose dictatorship has rejected every progressive idea of ​​the past few centuries, we see brutal repression against women and minorities. Now is the time for a Biden administration to encourage other countries to follow the UAE’s model of peace and insist that Iran provides dignity to all of its people.
Until recently in the UAE, even the image of the Star of David — ancient symbols Jewish faith and people – could spark criminal investigation Israel Boycott Office Dubai Customs. 29th August 2020, UAE abolition Boycott Israel, two weeks later, on September 15, 2020, it signed an agreement recognize israel at the White House. In May 2022, Israel and the UAE signed a multi-billion dollar agreement Free trade agreement Covering 96% of the trade between the two countries. thousands of Israelis now visit Dubai, where supermarkets display Israeli products. On September 23, 2022, Israel announced that it would supply Supply of advanced SPYDER air defense system to UAE.
In addition, the UAE is also one of the most women-friendly countries in the Arab world.Currently there are nine female ministers In the UAE, 27.3% of ministerial positions; women also hold 66% of public sector employees and 30% of senior leadership positions, and own 30% of state property. women in uae Be allowed to drive, vote and work, World Economic Forum rated it second In a 2020 report, fighting for women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa — second only to Israel.
Meanwhile, in Iran, the country is moving from Unprecedented feminist protests after Mysterious death in custody 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini.she is due to allegedly wearing her hijab In an ‘improper’ way, ethics police say she suffered fatal heart attack, despite having no prior history of heart health problems.A viral web photo show amini Has swollen dark eyes and bleeding ears.Now, the civilian regime in Iran Internet access is limited As mass protests swept through cities across the country, tens of millions of people.Iran’s small Jewish community had to warn members Do not attend synagogues during Jewish holidays for fear of regime persecution. The regime crushed thousands of innocent protesters.In addition to the horrific abuse of women and other minorities, Iran has public executions of gay men The ancient accusation of sodomy.
On the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords, the Middle East is moving at two very different speeds. Countries like the UAE pursue peace with Israel, integrate into the global economy, and increase the rights of women and minorities. A Biden administration and Congress should encourage more moderate Arab and Islamic regimes to join them. Meanwhile, in the medieval anachronism embodied in modern Iran, women are beaten to death by police for their choice of clothing, Jews are afraid to go to synagogues, and gay men are hanged. This model is doomed to fail, and for the suffering of the innocent we must help it, maintain support for the oppressed, and reject calls to normalize and enable theocratic regimes. We must support the future of the Middle East so that the next generation lives in a region more like Dubai than Tehran – or we will all pay the price.
Sarah Edan A secular Muslim who represented Iraq in the 2017 Miss Universe pageant. During the pageant, she received a flood of death threats after posting a photo of herself and an Israeli woman on Instagram. She and her family were forced to flee Iraq and have since spoken out on Middle East policy.
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