标签： Asia

Foreign employees in Dubai’s mainland face critical immigration deadlines following job termination, with specific legal provisions governing their stay duration after visa cancellation. According to UAE immigration regulations, employers must initiate work permit cancellation procedures through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) channels when employment concludes.

The cancellation process, mandated by Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022, requires employers to: submit applications through designated channels, complete necessary documentation, settle outstanding penalties, and formally acknowledge settlement of all employee entitlements. These procedures ensure proper termination of the employment relationship under UAE law.

Crucially, terminated employees receive a government-defined grace period following residency visa cancellation, during which they may legally remain in the country. This period is explicitly stated on the visa cancellation documentation provided to the individual. Remaining in the UAE beyond this allotted timeframe triggers administrative penalties under Federal Decree Law No. 29 of 2021, which imposes daily fines for illegal residence.

During the grace period, individuals have two primary options: secure new employment and process a status change without exiting the country, or depart the UAE before the grace period expires. Those obtaining new employment may have their new employer apply for a work permit and residency visa conversion internally. Alternatively, individuals may explore converting to visit or tourist visas without departure, though this requires consultation with Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.

The legal framework emphasizes that exceeding the grace period constitutes illegal residence subject to escalating penalties. Professionals recommend seeking specific guidance from immigration authorities regarding individual circumstances, particularly when considering visa conversion options rather than departure.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — In a remarkable annual display of religious exception, tens of thousands of Hindu devotees participated in traditional cannabis consumption during the Shivaratri festival at Kathmandu’s sacred Pashupatinath Temple on Sunday. The event represents one of Nepal’s most significant religious gatherings, drawing both local worshippers and pilgrims from neighboring India.

Against the backdrop of normally strict anti-drug laws, participants openly engaged in cannabis smoking as part of their devotional practices honoring Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity strongly associated with the plant’s ritual use. Holy men adorned with sacred ashes joined predominantly young devotees along the forested Bankali hills overlooking the Bagmati River, creating a vivid scene of religious celebration that contrasts sharply with Nepal’s typical drug enforcement policies.

This ceremonial exception occurs despite Nepal’s general prohibition on marijuana, which carries penalties of up to one month imprisonment for personal use and decade-long sentences for trafficking offenses. The country’s relationship with cannabis has evolved significantly since the 1960s, when Nepal gained international recognition as a destination for psychoactive substances during the hippie movement era. Legal sales ended abruptly with the 1976 nationwide ban.

Contemporary efforts to decriminalize marijuana have emerged from both activist campaigns and parliamentary initiatives seeking to legalize cultivation and consumption. However, these legislative movements have encountered substantial political obstacles, leaving the Shivaratri festival as one of the few legally sanctioned contexts for cannabis use in the predominantly Hindu nation, where approximately 81% of the population practices Hinduism.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan approaches, bringing with it a worldwide period of spiritual devotion and cultural celebration for observant Muslims. This sacred time, expected to commence around February 18-19, represents one of the Five Pillars of Islam and entails daily fasting from dawn to sunset as an act of religious submission and self-discipline.

Ramadan’s commencement traditionally depends on lunar sightings, with variations in start dates occurring across different countries and Muslim communities due to differing methodologies employed by Islamic authorities. This year, Ramadan coincides approximately with Ash Wednesday, marking a significant period of reflection for both Muslims and Christians simultaneously.

The fasting ritual requires complete abstinence from all food and drink, including water, during daylight hours. Muslims break their fast each evening with iftar meals, while consuming pre-dawn sustenance called suhoor to prepare for the daily fast. Beyond physical abstinence, Ramadan emphasizes increased worship, Quranic reading, charitable acts, and heightened spiritual contemplation.

Charity represents a fundamental aspect of the month, with many Muslims providing iftar meals for those in need through various initiatives including food distributions and communal dining. Exemptions from fasting apply to those experiencing illness or travel, with requirements to make up missed days later.

The cultural dimensions of Ramadan reveal the remarkable diversity within global Muslim communities. While religious observances remain consistent, social traditions vary significantly across regions. In Egypt, colorful lanterns and traditional Ramadan songs create a festive atmosphere, while in Indonesia, rituals range from Meugang slaughtering ceremonies in Aceh to symbolic river cleansing rituals in Tangerang.

In the United States, Muslim communities utilize mosque gatherings and interfaith iftar meals to foster communal bonds within their diverse demographic. Some concerns have emerged regarding the potential commercialization of Ramadan in certain regions, where elaborate decorations, television programming, and lavish banquets might overshadow the month’s spiritual essence. Nevertheless, many believers maintain that cultural traditions and religious devotion can harmoniously coexist during this sacred period.