Dubai residents, like Ahmed, spend significant amounts of dirhams daily on feeding, rescuing, treating, and finding homes for stray cats. For some of them, this act of kindness has turned into a daily obligation that affects their routine and financial situation.
Every morning after the Fajr prayer, Ahmed loads a bag of cat food into his car. He heads to Al Twar Park, where over 150 stray cats gather daily, depending on him for food. Calling them out, he watches as they emerge from trees and bushes, gathering around plastic containers that he fills with food and water.
After the cats have eaten, Ahmed collects the containers, thoroughly cleans the area, and goes home to return later in the day. This has been his daily routine for two years, and he spends no less than 5,000 dirhams monthly just on food.
Ahmed is not alone in this endeavor. People all over Dubai spend thousands of dirhams monthly caring for homeless cats. James, for instance, started helping stray animals even before moving to Dubai because he has always loved cats and seen the difficulties animals face in hot weather. Now, he and his wife house four rescued cats but dedicate most of their time to helping those who are still living on the streets.
According to James, they spend about 10,000 dirhams per month, which includes food, rescue operations, and veterinary care. James met Ahmed through a network of volunteers while trying to save an injured cat in Al Twar Park. Seeing hundreds of cats gathered in the park, he realized the work was much greater.
In the last five weeks alone, James and other rescuers have helped approximately six cats, spending nearly 24,000 dirhams on treatment. James emphasizes that saving a cat often requires more than just a visit to the vet; many need blood tests, vaccinations, parasite treatment, spaying/neutering, and weeks of recovery before they are healthy enough to be adopted into a family.
One case particularly stuck with James: it was a stray cat whose face was severely damaged due to illness. The team treated her, restored her health, and eventually found her a permanent home. Another kitten was stuck high up in a tree, and James had to climb up to save it; if it had fallen, it likely would not have survived, and the kitten was subsequently adopted into a family.
For James, these moments justify every penny spent, as what matters is not so much the monetary aspect as the satisfaction derived from helping. He notes that once you start helping, it is impossible to stop.
Although many rescuers know each other, they are not part of any formal organization. Instead, residents communicate in WhatsApp groups where someone posts information about the need for urgent medical assistance or a need for extra food. Volunteers respond quickly, and others donate money for veterinary bills. James believes that many residents develop a stronger bond with stray cats after moving to the UAE, as the harsh weather makes people want to help them.
James urges residents to consider adopting rescued cats instead of buying purebred animals, pointing out that rescue is often cheaper than purchasing from a pet store. He specifies that sterilization through charity clinics can cost around 150 dirhams, while vaccination and routine check-ups will cost approximately 600–700 dirhams if the cat does not have serious health problems, whereas a purebred cat can cost several thousand dirhams.
He advises potential adopters to first choose cats that truly need a home, rather than taking healthy animals already being fed by volunteers. James also insists that rescued cats should be vaccinated and neutered before being passed on to new families. He adds that stray cats in colonies are usually fed and monitored regularly, and priority should be given to the sick, injured, or those unable to survive independently.
Despite common misconceptions, James asserts that stray cats are generally not aggressive; most bites or scratches occur when a person tries to handle the animal for treatment. For Ahmed, the motivation remains simple: every morning he returns to Al Twar Park with bags of food, knowing that hundreds of cats are waiting for him. He considers these animals his family and does not plan to stop his daily visits.
The 'On Social Work' law has come into force in Uzbekistan, significantly transforming methods of providing social support. According to this legislative act, targeted assistance will now be provided based on individual plans, taking into account not only the financial situation but also the general life circumstances of the recipients.
The law, which entered into force on July 23, marks a transition to a preventive model of work. This implies that social difficulties must be detected and resolved at the earliest stages. To implement this concept, an institute of professional social workers is being created, whose activities will cover a wide range of institutions, including polyclinics, schools, employment centers, courts, internal affairs bodies, and correctional facilities.
The methodology for determining need is changing: in addition to income level, the entire life situation of the person or family will be analyzed when providing assistance. Based on a comprehensive assessment, a personal social support plan is developed for each situation, adapted to specific requests.
The National Agency for Social Protection has been appointed as the authorized body responsible for coordinating the entire system. The law also defines the competencies of the Cabinet of Ministers, executive authorities, and local administrations. Mahallas, non-profit organizations (NPOs), business representatives, and citizens themselves will be integrated into the decision-making process.
The document establishes the types of social services provided, regulates the procedures for recognizing citizens as needy, and defines the grounds for starting and terminating support, including funding sources. Furthermore, the law legalizes the activities of social workers, securing their official status, defining measures for their state social protection, and establishing professional frameworks and limitations on their work.
A country's passport strength reflects the degree of freedom its citizens have to travel globally, as well as its diplomatic relations. However, the recent publication of the new version of the Global Passport Ranking has caused serious concern among Indians due to a significant drop in the Indian passport's rating.
According to the updated version of the Henley Passport Index, released in July 2026, the ranking of the Indian passport has slipped another position. The Indian passport now holds the 81st place on the list. Holders of Indian passports can obtain visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 countries.
The drop in ranking directly means that the number of countries providing Indian citizens with visa-free entry or visa on arrival has become more limited. In the current list, India is ranked 81st, whereas in the February edition, it held the 75th position. This decline occurred after an improvement in the rating earlier in the year.
The Henley Passport Index shows how global travel has changed over the last two decades. The report notes that the strength of the Indian passport has weakened over the past 20 years. In 2006, it was ranked 71st, and in 2021, it fell to its lowest level—91st place, followed by some improvement.
Two decades ago, the strongest passports included the USA, Denmark, and Finland, which allowed visits to 130 places without a prior visa. Today, Singapore leads the ranking, and its passport allows travel to 192 countries. The United Arab Emirates, Japan, and South Korea are in second place, with their passports granting access to 188 destinations.
Tourism has become an important sector for many countries because travel has become part of people's lifestyle, and they have started spending more money even on short international trips. If 26 passports were in the top 10 in 2006, this number has increased to 38 today. Previously, the USA held the first place, and the UK held the third. However, in the latest ranking, the USA is in 10th place, and the UK is in sixth place. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list.
