November 21, 2022 - The Chicago Journal

How Abraj Bay Is Redefining the Real Estate Market in Qatar

The Chicago Journal Staff on November 21, 2022

The Qatar real estate market has grown, reaching a new high, a trend attributed to the country’s upcoming mega events (The FIFA World Cup, Formula 1, and FINA World Championships). Another reason for this upward trend is the new and improved home designs made possible by real estate development companies like Abraj Bay.

Abraj Bay is a luxury real estate development company changing the Qatar real estate market by bringing in more sustainable and functional designs. They have built a one-of-a-kind estate, Abraj Bay, in Qatar’s capital, Doha. Abraj Bay features 2 spas, a hair salon, BBQ areas, 2 restaurants, 6 swimming pools, 2 outdoor kids’ play areas, 2 indoor kids’ play areas, 2 coffee shops, 2 padel courts, and resting areas.

In July of this year, Abraj Bay unveiled its modern-day rest stations for delivery drivers. The stations are shaded with large umbrellas and are equipped with water cooler dispensers as well as mini-fridges to store water and other drinks, fruits, and snacks. This is part of their plan to build a luxurious estate with plenty of space and first-class utilities.

The rest stations, which have enough space to accommodate several benches, are designed to help the country’s delivery drivers rest and recharge as they go on with their day-to-day jobs. Abraj Bay has involved tenants in this project as they will also be able to contribute by filling the mini-fridges with food and drinks.

Abraj Bay at Abraj Quartier is redefining luxury family living and Qatar’s real estate market. The properties are equipped with the highest quality fixtures, finishes, and fittings and have received several awards. Abraj Bay received two 5-star awards during the 2022 Africa & Arabia Property Awards, where they were recognized for their property discipline and exceptional residential services.

They are also the recipients of the Best Residential Development Award in the Africa & Arabia region and a winner of 3 awards for the Best Property Video, Rising Star, and Best Developer for the years 2021–2022 by Property Finder Awards. The Abraj Bay delegation was recognized as the Best Residential Development with 20+ Units in Qatar and Best Residential High-Rise Development.

Abraj Bay is pushing for sustainability in luxury real estate as they build a more fulfilling experience for its residents. Other than the great designs and modern finishes, Abraj Bay has a mobile app. Through the Abraj Bay mobile app, you can book/schedule viewings, signings, renewals, request car wash services, water delivery, and more.

With the completion of the new phase, Abraj Bay is redefining luxury living for Qatar and creating the ultimate experience. Their work has enabled them to cement their spot and take the Qatar real estate market to new heights.

As they continue to grow, the team strives to implement sustainable strategies, upscale its facilities and set new benchmarks in the global luxury real estate industry. Abraj Bay sees itself as the pioneer and leader of luxurious real estate developments recognized regionally and globally. Abraj Bay has also been nominated in the Residential High Rise Development category for the upcoming 2022 worldwide IPA event in London, UK.

Pakistan’s Civil-Military Relations A Rocky Road

The Chicago Journal Staff on November 21, 2022

Image commercially licensed from : Unsplash

In a democratic state, civilian supremacy is a norm. However, friendly relations between civil-military leadership are essential for the state to work effectively. Pakistan has had a democratically elected administrations, military rule and hybrid regimes throughout its brief history.

A decade and a half of democratic governance have made one thing very clear: the state’s executive branch, which is responsible for supplying services, cannot effectively carry out its duties or achieve its goals on its own. It cannot simply handle the enormous difficulties and natural calamities that Pakistan has experienced. Perhaps the political elites in Pakistan are aware of this. They might be under the impression that they will have a “controlled democracy,” supported and directed by the security establishment. Ironically, the leaders have exploited the establishment as a scapegoat for their political ambitions. They are fine as long as they have the security establishment’s blessing, but the moment they lose favour, they turn their weapons on the organization. This is what fuels Pakistani politics’ actual conundrum.

Despite all odds, Pakistan has demonstrated the capability to overcome significant obstacles when both the civil and military sectors of the government work together effectively. The management of the Covid-19 pandemic, the fight against locust attacks, the eradication of terrorism, the implementation of CPEC, and overcoming international challenges posed by FATF grey-listing, as well as avoiding multibillion-dollar Reko Diq and Karkey penalties, would not have been possible without a symbiotic civil-military relationship. The institutions would have been overrun without the military’s assistance in the face of such difficulties and cooperation between the civilian and military branches of the government. When there was civil-military synergy, the country has grown and performed better. It’s one of the explanations for why the executive performed better when Pakistan was under military rule.

There are other instances in other nations when civic and military institutions must work together to overcome significant obstacles. Despite having a wealth of resources and knowledge at its disposal, the US civil bureaucracy needs assistance from the National Guard and other military organizations at times of major emergencies, such as hurricanes.

Pakistan’s civil-military impasse is troubling but it can be resolved by passing laws and establishing a system in which both armed forces function harmoniously. The Constitution could specify the requirements for these functions in a way that takes this reality into account. Legal arrangements that permit military assistance, when necessary, with suitable oversight systems, also have to be in place.

How To Be Strong for Your Kids After a Divorce

The Chicago Journal Staff on November 21, 2022

Dealing with a divorce is hard enough, but when you have children, it can be even more difficult. You not only have to deal with your own pain and heartache, but you also have to be strong for your kids. They are probably going through a lot of emotions themselves, and they need you to be there for them. Here are some tips on how to be strong for your kids after a divorce:

Acknowledge their feelings

Your children might feel scared, confused, or even angry after a divorce. Acknowledge their feelings and let them know it is okay to feel that way. Let them express themselves and talk about their feelings. It might even be helpful to get them some counseling so they can talk to someone else about what they are going through.

Spend quality time with them

Make sure you spend some quality time with your kids every day. This can be tough if you are working full-time as well, but it is essential to carve out some time for just them. You can play games together, read together, or take them out for ice cream. Just let them know that you love them and are there for them.

Don’t badmouth the other parent

Do not badmouth the other parent in front of your kids. Even if you are angry with them, try to stay positive when you are around your kids. They need to have a good relationship with both parents, and if you say negative things about the other parent, it will only make things harder for them.

Be consistent with discipline

Divorce can be chaotic for kids, so you need to try and keep some sense of normalcy in their lives. One way to do this is by being consistent with discipline. If there are rules in the house, ensure everyone follows them. This will help your kids feel safe and secure during this time of change.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself

As aforementioned, dealing with divorce can be tough, and while you might be trying to be strong for your kids, remember to take care of yourself too. Make sure you are taking time for yourself and doing things that make you happy. Whether it’s reading, doing jigsaw puzzles or playing games at Sloto, find what relaxes you and takes your mind off the stress of divorce. You cannot be strong for your kids if you’re not taking care of yourself first.

Seek out support

We all need a shoulder to lean on from time to time, and this is especially true after a divorce. Seek support from friends and family members who can help you through this tough time. You can also join a support group for people who are going through a divorce. This can be a great way to meet other people who understand what you are going through and can offer advice too. Talking about your feelings can help you deal with them better.

Sometimes, you do not even have to speak; having a loved one close to you makes all the difference.

Don’t rush into a new relationship

It might be tempting to jump into a new relationship after a divorce, but it is best to take things slow. You need time to heal emotionally before you start a new relationship. Plus, it is not fair to the person you are dating if you are not ready for a serious relationship.

Therefore, to be the best version of yourself, focusing on taking care of yourself first is important. Only then can you be ready to bring someone else into your life and love them wholeheartedly.

Give yourself time to grieve

Divorce is often a loss, and it takes time to grieve the loss of your marriage. Allow yourself the time and space to grieve the end of your marriage. Do not try to bottle up your feelings; they will only come out later in a more destructive way.

Avoid negative talk

After a divorce, it is easy to get caught up in negative talk. You might find yourself complaining about your ex or talking about all the ways your life is better now that you are divorced. But this kind of talk only brings you down and makes you feel worse. Instead, try to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Be easy on yourself and your kids

Lastly, remember to be easy on yourself and your kids during this time. Divorce is hard for everyone involved, so be kind to yourself and your children. Things will get better with time, so try to focus on the positive aspects of your life and the love you have for your children.

Wrapping up

It is normal to feel overwhelmed after a divorce, but remember, your children depend on you. They need you to be strong for them during this difficult time. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup, so ensure you take care of yourself first.

Seek out support from friends and family members, and do not hesitate to join a support group. Avoid negative talk, and give yourself time to grieve the loss of your marriage. Be easy on yourself and your kids, and things will eventually get better.

Cricketer Suneel Kumar Makes an Explosive Comeback After Recovering from Injury

The Chicago Journal Staff on November 21, 2022

A lot of dedicated athletes who went through an injury barely made it back to their respective sports, and those who do make it back often do it with a bang. One such athlete is cricketer Suneel Kumar, who returned with a vengeance in the US Premier League, where strong performances earned him a call-up to the India-based Global Power Cricket League. If anything, Kumar was not ready to give up his passion just yet after incurring a hand injury from a car accident in 2021.

The American-born cricketer has been fortunate enough to play his favorite sport in different parts of the world. He was part of the USA Men’s 30 Man National Training Camp back in the 2017-2018 season and is seriously looking at rejoining the camp. He was crippled by several injuries in between, but he continued to focus on recovering and getting back in the game. Despite his past injuries, he returned to professional cricket in the 2021 season in the Minor League Cricket, playing for the Florida Beamers. In that same season, he encountered a car accident that broke his hand, forcing him out of the game once again.

Known for his determination and strong fighting spirit, Kumar made his comeback this 2022 with a tremendous performance last October 23. He made a remarkable 103 not out in just 46 balls playing for Atlanta Thunder against the Atlanta Heat in the AGCC League, including 11 fours and six huge sixes. That kind of performance is very hard to miss.

Furthermore, during his time in Jamaica, as part of former international cricketer Brenton Parchment’s high-performance training camp, Suneel played for Bowes Cricket Club against Lacovia Cricket Club. The man-of-the-match performance held last November 6 saw Suneel scoring a whopping 24 runs not out off of ten balls, taking three wickets and giving up only five runs in two overs with his remarkable off-break bowling.

To put himself out there and discover more opportunities, Kumar is leveraging the power of the digital world to reach a vast audience. Times are changing, and everything is happening very fast online. Kumar intends to be part of the digital world and share his fondness for cricket and how fans and sports enthusiasts, too, can find fulfillment through it.

Last September 23, Kumar launched his own YouTube channel and premiered a 14-minute video showcasing a day in his life as a cricketer. It shows his followers his early start to training with his teammates and how he draws inspiration from the people surrounding him. Through his recently launched channel, he hopes to inspire people to never give up on their dreams, just as he did. He wants people to have a glimpse of his life, the dreams he holds on to, and how he keeps moving forward until they come to pass.

“I would like to share my message with the readers and let them into who I am as a person. That person is a dreamer, and I want the dreamers of the world to know they can make their dreams come true through hard work and perseverance. You just have to stand the test of time,” Kumar shared.

Apart from being a committed cricketer, Kumar is an out-of-the-box thinker who is not afraid to take risks. Not only is he known as a trendsetter, but he is also very confident with a strong work ethic. Kumar believes that his injuries were a test of his character and how far he is willing to go to see his dreams come to fruition. Choosing to press forward despite the temporary obstacles is a testament to his resilience and drive to succeed.