ALGERIA: Hassiba Boulmerka: The trailblazing Algerian star who defied death threats to win Olympic gold

The former Algerian middle-distance runner won her country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. She navigated a deadly and divisive political crisis within her nation to emerge as “a symbol of victory and defiance”.

Hassiba Boulmerka and her family received death threats, and she was even denounced as anti-Islam at her local mosque.

However, in her home country of Algeria, there was no safe space for her to run.

The world 1500m world champion feared that radical Islamist militants would kill her, and the surrounding atmosphere was equally terrifying.

But despite the risks, the ‘Constantine Gazelle’ continued to train, running even faster and defying the threats to her life.

A year after clinching the first of her two world titles, she made history at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, winning the first Olympic gold for Algeria .

Hassiba Boulmerka: Africa’s first world track champion

Running had been Boulmerka’s way of life since the age of 10.

Growing up in Constantine, in the east of Algeria, she gained recognition for her speed and stamina, which led her to claim four African gold medals in the 800m and 1500m.

Two years after her double triumph at the continental championships, she stunned the field, sprinting to the lead in the homestretch of the 1500m race to clinch the gold.

It was a glorious moment for Boulmerka, as she became the first African woman to earn a World Championships title.

“I screamed for joy and for shock, and for much more,” she said. “I was screaming for Algeria’s pride and Algeria’s history, and still more.”

Her triumph was significant, symbolising progress for Algerian sport and Arab women.

Despite the heroic reception that awaited her and her teammates upon their return from the 1991 World Championships, her running didn’t quite resonate with everyone.

Her sporting endeavours continued to be frowned upon.

Training and competing meant exposing her arms and legs, which was perceived as not adhering to Islam’s code of modesty.

Hassiba Boulmerka was labelled ‘anti-Muslim’ for choosing to run

Boulmerka pressed ahead, enduring the criticism.

She faced hostility, being spat on and having to dodge stones thrown at her while training on Algerian roads.

In a matter of months, her hopes and dreams of participating in the Olympics started to fade as her country was plunged into civil unrest, resulting in over 150,000 lives lost.

Training became not only impossible but also dangerous during the crisis, with Islamist militants seeking to impose oppressive rule.

She was forced to relocate to Berlin to train ahead of the 1992 Olympic Games.

“I remember it well,” she recalled in an interview with the BBC. “It was Friday prayers at our local mosque, and the imam said that I was not a Muslim, because I had run in shorts, shown my arms and my legs. He said I was anti-Muslim.”

When she arrived in Barcelona just before her event, Boulmerka was accompanied by armed escorts into the stadium, highlighting the unprecedented security measures.

“There were police everywhere. In the stadium, in the changing rooms – they even came with me to the bathroom!” she said.

Despite these challenges, the ‘Constantine Gazelle’, as she was affectionately dubbed for her agile and graceful running style, defied the odds and her performance at the Estádio Olímpico was remarkable.

Hassiba Boulmerka: A heroine for women in sport

The Unified Team’s Lyudmila Rogacheva set the pace for most of the 1500m race before the Algerian powered past her with half a lap to go, securing her greatest career victory. Her time of three minutes, 55.30 seconds earned her the Olympic gold medal, marking the second time second time an Arab woman had stood atop the Games podium (after Morocco’s Nawal El-Moutawakel at Los Angeles 1984).

It was a beautiful ending after months of navigating political challenges – an example of ‘courage in defying taboos and pursuing passion’.

“As I crossed the line, I thrust a fist into the air. It was a symbol of victory, of defiance. It was to say: ‘I did it! I won! And now, if you kill me, it’ll be too late. I’ve made history!'”

As Boulmerka stood on the podium, feeling the weight of the medal around her neck, she was overwhelmed by emotions.

“I tried to hold myself together, to be brave…but the tears just started to fall. They were tears of sacrifice, for all the people I loved that I had abandoned for this race.

“It was a triumph for women all over the world to stand up to their enemies. That’s what made me really proud.”

There was no fanfare when the two-time Olympian returned home to reunite with her family.

Algeria was still far away from the end of its dark period, prompting he exile in Cuba before she returned to Algeria after recapturing the gold medal at the 1995 World Championships.

Her medals stand as a testament to her courage, and Hassiba Boulmerka continues to serve as a beacon of inspiration for women in sport.

source/content: olympics.com (headline edited)

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(Getty Images)

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ALGERIA

SAUDI ARABIA: FIRST: ‘I was born a fighter’ — the making of Saudi’s First MMA Female Fighter Hattan Alsaif

The pioneering Riyadh resident knocked out Egypt’s Nada Faheem at the inaugural edition of PFL MENA in Riyadh last week.

As her opponent lay defeated on the floor, the Saudi mixed martial arts fighter marked a landmark victory by waving an imaginary sword in the air.

The celebration was appropriate— Hattan Alsaif’s family name translates directly as “the sword.”

Overnight, Saudi had a new sporting superstar.

On May 10, the 22-year-old made headlines around the world after she knocked out Egypt’s Nada Faheem, delivering a head kick in the second round of their bout at the inaugural Professional Fighters League Middle East and North Africa edition in Riyadh.

Her win, she says, was also a message of love and commitment to her friends, family and fans.

“It [the win] was something I was so proud of,” Alsaif told Arab News. “To make them see how far I reached, and I was doing my best to show them that I will never let them down.”

The future of Saudi women in MMA has been brewing for some time. In February, Alsaif made history when she became the first female from the Kingdom to sign a contract with a major MMA promoter – the PFL, now backed by Saudi’s public investment fund.

Her performance at the Green Halls last week has raised her profile beyond her hometown or even the region. Alsaif is now an international contender.

She said representing Saudi Arabia “meant everything” to her: “I do love my country so much, and I wanted to represent my country in the best way I can.”

But behind the win were three months of relentless training — mental and physical — and even cage-like fights in her gym.

Alsaif is a relative newcomer to the sport. When she first began training in 2021, it was never part of the plan to turn professional.

“First five days I began boxing, I jumped in a championship, and I lost the game,” she said.

Alsaif took the loss as a wake-up call to shift her perspective.

“You have to work hard, you have to work more, so you can have what you want. So I got that point on my mind and I worked on it,” she said.

Alsaif’s appetite for risk and adrenaline rushes dates back to her school days when, she recalls, her late parents received numerous complaints about her behavior.

“They (the school) were always calling my parents. ‘Your kid is jumping from the classes and jumping from the roof and jumping everywhere’,” Alsaif said.

“I was (also) in love with hiking and I was so in love with the desert bikes.”

A fighting spirit feels almost inherited, considering the Kingdom’s own rich history.

“I was born in Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia is my country. Saudi Arabia is in my blood,” she told Arab News.

“If I’m a girl from this city (Riyadh), that means I was born a fighter. I’m ready to sacrifice whatever it is for my country and for my people.”  

For Alsaif, sports such as Muay Thai are more than physical battles against an opponent. She feels there is a psychological fight between the inner critic in her mind and the fighter in her heart.

“Your mind will tell you ‘It’s all right. You’re bleeding now. No one will blame you if you quit…just quit’,” she said. “If your mind says that, then your body is going to move as much as your mind told you. If you moved with your heart, courageous heart, then you win it.”

Alsaif’s Islamic faith and spirituality has carried her through life’s hardships, which included losing her parents as a child.

“But I always believe that God is with me, and that I’m never alone,” Alsaif said.

After religion, it’s mixed martial arts that provides solace, resilience and a feeling of belonging for Alsaif.

In the last three years, she has spent months in Muay Thai training camps in Ko Samui and Phuket, relishing even the hardest moments of tears, cuts and bruises.

“It was so amazing visiting Thailand and having a camp (there). That was one of my dreams,” she said.

The sports scene in Saudi Arabia has transformed so rapidly in recent years that a new generation of homegrown stars like Alsaif no longer needs to look beyond their borders or regions for role models.

Her inspiration is Saudi MMA fighter Abdullah Al-Qahtani, with whom she shares a coach.

“I can see how much discipline, motivation he has […] and how much hard work he does,” she said.

Their coach, Feras Sadaa, is “the best,” she said, adding that she frequently reminds herself she has his complete backing: “I always trust him.”

Alsaif’s routine is simple but rigorously disciplined and follows the vital components of sports development and recovery — train, eat, sleep and repeat.

Alsaif says she is focused on taking any opportunity that arrives in her path and hopes to see more Saudis competing in MMA.

“I know my people and I know that my people are good enough to enter that cage and to show us a good fight,” she said.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The 22-year-old Hattan Alsaifi made headlines around the world after she knocked out Egypt’s Nada Faheem. (Instagram: @hattanalsaif24)

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SAUDI ARABIA

ABU DHABI, U.A.E: Razan Al-Mubarak Chairs the 111th session of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) meeting in Switzerland

The 111th session of the IUCN Council meeting began today in the city of Gland, Switzerland, chaired by Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The 3-day meeting discusses a group of issues, most notably “Vision.” The strategy for the Union” which extends for 20 years, and the Council is preparing it for review and comment by the members of the Union.

Al-Mubarak said in her speech during the meeting: “The strategic vision, which extends for twenty years, places at the heart of its attention the unprecedented challenges facing the climate and the survival of living species,” noting that in light of the increasing possibility of humanity exceeding the 1.5 degree Celsius target set by the Paris Agreement, Conservationists realize that their work will be more difficult and more important. She stressed the need to address these challenges by strengthening efforts and helping to support justice in the world so that we can all be more appreciative of nature and keen to preserve it.

During this session, the Council is scheduled to review and evaluate the initial draft of the Union’s program for the period 2026-2029, as a first step in the Union’s journey seeking to prepare the final version of the four-year plan, which will be voted on by the members, in preparation for its adoption during the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Conference in 2017. 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15 next year, with the participation of representatives of public institutions, civil society, indigenous peoples, academia and the private sector.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Dialogue Center in Lisbon hosts Global Peace Forum, May 14 – 16th

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue is hosting a global dialogue forum in Lisbon, Portugal, from May 14 to May 16, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Themed “Transformative Dialogue: Building Alliances for Peace in a Changing World,” this event marks a significant milestone in the center’s decade-long commitment to fostering global change and peace.

Bringing together influential leaders from decision-making institutions, the forum offers an opportunity to forge partnerships addressing today’s complex challenges, the SPA reported.

It serves as a platform for global political figures, intellectual leaders and clerics to tackle issues of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development amid rapid transformations.

Attendees include former French president, Francois Hollande; Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah; Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the archbishop of Constantinople; Matteo Renzi, former Italian prime minister; and former president of Austria, Heinz Fischer.

Exploring dialogue’s transformative potential, the forum aims to advance human rights, social cohesion, reconciliation and environmental cooperation in line with the center’s mission, the SPA said.

By fostering cooperation among nations, international institutions and civil society, the forum seeks to build understanding between cultures and religions.

With participation from prominent figures across various fields, this forum holds significant potential to shape policies and priorities for peaceful coexistence and societal advancement, the SPA reported.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The Lisbon forum marks a significant milestone in the center’s decade-long commitment to fostering global change and peace. (X: @KAICIID)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Study sheds light on 11th century Arab-Muslim optical scientist whose work laid ground for modern-day physics

Scientists from the University of Sharjah and the Warburg Institute are poring over the writings of an 11th century Arab-Muslim polymath to demonstrate their impact on the development of optical sciences and how they have fundamentally transformed the history of physics from the Middle Ages up to modern times in Europe.

Their research focuses on the legacy of al-Ḥasan Ibn al-Haytham known in Latin as “Alhazen” and particularly his most influential work titled Book of Optics, reputed in Arabic as Kitab al-Manazir and first circulated in Europe via its Latin translation dubbed ‘Perspectiva’. Ibn al-Haytham was born in the southern Iraqi city of Basra in 965 during the Abbasid Caliphate.

The divisions IV-V of this authoritative book have been recently translated into English from Arabic and published by the Warburg Institute under the title “The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham, Books IV–V: On Reflection and Images Seen by Reflection”. Having already rendered divisions I-III into English, the Warburg Institute is bringing together a wide-ranging network of scientists “for a collaborative humanities-science investigation of [Ibn] al-Haytham and the questions his work provokes.

“The role of Alhazen [Ibn al-Haytham] in these processes is simultaneously well-known, but limited; only half of his scientific works have English translation and a quarter are not yet edited.”

Introducing the new translation, the Warburg Institute describes Ibn al-Haytham as “perhaps the greatest mathematician and physicist of the medieval Arabic/Islamic world. His reputation is based not only on the vast amount of material he was able to process, but also on his rigorous scientific methodology.

“He (Ibn al-Haytham) deals with both the mathematics of rays of light and the physical aspects of the eye in seven comprehensive books. His reinstatement of the entire science of optics sets the scene for the whole of the subsequent development of the subject … influencing figures such as William of Ockham, Kepler, Descartes, and Christaan Huygens.”

Professor Nader El-Bizri of Sharjah University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences has just published an academic review of the Warburg Institute’s translation of Ibn al-Haytham. The article, printed in the International Journal of the Classical Tradition, highlights the strong influence the Arab-Muslim optical scientist has exerted over the ages up to the present day.

Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics, Prof. El-Bizri writes, “constituted a monumental foundational opus in the history of science and the visual arts from the Middle Ages to the early modern period in the European milieu and the Islamicate context … The reception of Ibn al-Haytham’s Optics in the European milieu took place from the High Middle Ages via Gerard of Cremona’s Toledo circle in terms of its Latinate translations, and subsequent influence on Franciscan, Dominican, and Jesuit opticians across Europe.

“It influenced François d’Aguilon’s Opticorum libri sex within the Antwerp Jesuit mathematical school and had a direct impact on Johannes Hevelius’s Selenographia. The Optics was also consulted by Girard Desargues, René Descartes, Johannes Kepler and Christaan Huygens.”

Prof. El-Bizri works closely with the Warburg Institute assisting its attempts to reintroduce Ibn al-Haytham to the west.  “A remarkable thinker, not only did Ibn al-Haytham revolutionize optical thought by mathematising its study, [but] his thinking also went on to have similar revolutionary effects in medieval Europe.”

The Warburg Institute is investing in rendering the writings of Ibn al-Haytham on optics into English, which Prof. El-Bizri describes as “voluminous”. “Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics indicates with evidence the impact of Arabic sciences and philosophy on the history of science and the architectural and visual arts in Europe, as well as demonstrating how science and the arts influence each other in the manner the studies of optics in their mathematized physics inspired the invention of projective geometric constructions of perspective as a novel Renaissance method of painting and architectural design.”

Prof. El-Bizri adds “The impact of this book is fundamental not only in the history of science from the High Middle Ages till the early-modern period in Europe, but it was also foundational for architecture and the visual arts in the Italian Renaissance and up till the late Baroque era.  Moreover, it has further significance in modern conceptions of the mathematization of physics, the reliance on experimentation in science, and the philosophical analysis of perception.”

Asked about the importance of translating Ibn al-Haytham into English despite the lapse of nearly 1000 years, Prof. El-Bizri says the Arab-Muslim scientist’s theories and methodologies, specifically those dealing with optics are still considered “seminal” in the literature. Ibn al-Haytham has had a “foundational impact on the history of science and the arts in Europe.”

The influence of Ibn al-Haytham’s writings in the European milieu, according to Prof. El-Bizri, cannot be overlooked. The Arab-Muslim scientist had “a notable effect on Biagio Pelacani da Parma’s Questiones super perspectiva communi, Leon Battista Alberti’s De pictura, Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Commentarii, culminating in the first printed Latin version in the publication of Friedrich Risner’s Opticae thesaurus in the sixteenth century.

“Then, in the seventeenth century, it influenced François d’Aguilon’s Opticorum libri sex within the Antwerp Jesuit mathematical school and had a direct impact on Johannes Hevelius’s Selenographia.”.

In the Book of Optics, notes Prof. El-Bizri, Ibn al-Haytham establishes an “inventive and precise scientific experimental method (al-iʿtibār al-muḥarrar) with its controlled verificative repeated testing, as framed by isomorphic compositions between physics and mathematics.”

He adds that Ibn al-Haytham in his Optics “aims at elucidating the nature of visual perception through studies on the anatomy and physiology of the eyes, the optic nerves and the frontal part of the brain, along with cognitive psychology and the analysis of psychosomatic ocular motor kinaesthetic acts”. 

JOURNAL / International Journal of the Classical Tradition

DOI / 10.1007/s12138-024-00654-4 

ARTICLE TITLE

The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham, Books IV–V: On Reflection and Images Seen by Reflection, translated from the Arabic by Abdelhamid I. Sabra and prepared for publication by Jan P. Hogendijk (Warburg Institute Studies and Texts, 8), London: University of London Press in association with the Warburg Institute, 2023, pp. xiv+343, ISBN 978-1908590589, £90

source/content: eurekalert.org (headline edited)

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Ibn al-Haytham (“Alhasen”) on the left pedestal of reason with Galileo (IMAGE) / Ibn al-Haytham (“Alhasen”) on the left pedestal of reason [while Galileo is on the right pedestal of the senses] as shown on the frontispiece of the Selenographia (Science of the Moon; 1647) of Johannes HeveliusIbn al-Haytham (“Alhasen”) on the left pedestal of reason [while Galileo is on the right pedestal of the senses] as shown on the frontispiece of the Selenographia (Science of the Moon; 1647) of Johannes Hevelius

CREDIT / Public domain provided by the author

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ARAB

MOROCCO: Impressive Ayoub El Kaabi Etches Name in African Football History Books

After a few anonymous years in the Chinese Super League, El Kaabi’s 2023 transfer to Olympiacos is quickly proving to be a game-changer.

Rabat-Olympiacos’s prolific Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi has made history in the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League season. 

At 30 years old, the Moroccan has become the first African player to score an impressive 15 goals in a single European campaign, far surpassing legends like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Mohamed Salah.

The Atlas Lion’s journey to this remarkable achievement is a tale of inspiration and dedication. Born in Casablanca in 1993, he began his football career in the Moroccan amateur league, showcasing his talent with clubs such as Racing AC, RS Berkane, and Wydad AC.

His standout performances domestically earned him a spot in the Moroccan national team, where he excelled, winning the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2018 and 2020 while clinching the titles of top scorer and best player in both tournaments.

After a few anonymous years in the Chinese Super League, El Kaabi’s 2023 transfer to Olympiacos is quickly proving to be a game-changer. His impact has been immediate and decisive for the Greek club, with his bagful of goals playing a pivotal role in guiding the team to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League. 

Notably, he scored five crucial goals in the two legs against Aston Villa in the semi-finals, showcasing his clinical finishing and ability to shine on the grandest stages.

Ayoub’s achievement stands out even more when compared to the performances of other African football stars in European competitions. 

Surpassing the likes of Didier Drogba and Sebastien Haller, as well as outshining Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, the Moroccan striker’s 15-goal tally in a single European campaign is a testament to his exceptional skills and prowess as a striker.

This historic campaign has solidified El Kaabi’s position as one of the most prominent strikers in Moroccan and African football. His journey from grassroots football to the pinnacle of European competition exemplifies his unwavering determination, hard work, and natural talent.

As he leads Olympiacos into the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina, El Kaabi has the opportunity to script another chapter in his extraordinary story, inspiring a new generation of Moroccan and African footballers with his remarkable achievements on the pitch.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Olympiacos Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi

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MOROCCO

ARABIC / SHARJAH, U.A.E: The Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah sheds light on the features of “VERBAL HARMONY ” in the Holy Qur’an

Al-Qasimi Hall at the Council of the Arabic Language in Mauritania hosted a scientific symposium entitled “Feature of verbal harmony in the construction of the Qur’anic surah: an authentic pause,” in which Dr. Muhammad Safi Al-Mustaghanemi, Secretary-General of the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, spoke via video communication technology, in the presence of Dr. Allah Al-Washmi, President of the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language, and an elite group of scholars, researchers and linguists, and it was moderated by Dr. Al-Bakai Abdel Malik, Secretary-General of the Council of the Arabic Language in Mauritania.

Dr. Khalil Al-Nahwi, Chairman of the Arabic Language Council, said that the Council recently launched the “Hadith Al-Tayef” program as part of its research and scientific initiatives with the aim of hosting an elite group of scholars and researchers through audio-visual communication technology from various parts of the world, and Dr. Ahmed Safi Al-Mustaghanemi was chosen, who represents the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah – the Knowledge Edifice. The main partner of the Arab Linguistics Council, he will be the first guest to lecture in this pioneering scientific program.

Mosteghanemi highlighted the unique characteristics that distinguish the surahs of the Holy Qur’an, pointing to the wonderful harmony and precise linguistic organization that reflects unparalleled precision and miracle. He explained that each surah in the Holy Qur’an follows its own axis while adopting studied linguistic choices that are in harmony with this axis.

Al-Mustaghanemi provided illustrative examples from the Holy Qur’an, such as Surat Al-Naba’ and Surat Al-Nazi’at, to highlight these features, noting that linguistic harmony is not limited to the vocabulary of each surah and its focus, but extends to include the relationship between the conclusion of the surah and the opening of the surah that follows it, which is what the scholars of interpretation have confirmed in their previous studies, in addition to the connection between the surahs. Different types that share similar vocabulary, structures, or stories.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E) / ARABIC

Dr. Sara Faris Abdullah Philby, granddaughter of iconic explorer Abdullah Philby, recounts his influence on her life and pursuits

Some of the specimens he has gathered are held in the British Museum in London,” Sara told Arab News.

As the granddaughter of the renowned explorer Abdullah Philby, Dr. Sara Faris Abdullah Philby’s decision to pursue her medical education in Saudi Arabia echoes the pioneering spirit that defined her grandfather’s historic exploration of the Arabian Peninsula.

In honoring her family’s heritage, Sara follows in the footsteps of Sheikh Abdullah Philby, whose multifaceted contributions continue to inspire generations.

“My grandfather led a truly remarkable life,” Sara told Arab News. “From his legendary expeditions to his conversion to Islam, his influence extends far beyond our family.”

She said he has had a profound impact on her life: “Simply contemplating his image fills me with warmth and optimism. My grandfather, Abdullah, possessed a rare combination of traits — uniqueness, dedication, and punctuality — that set him apart. As an explorer and writer, he navigated uncharted territories with grace and determination, leaving an indelible mark on history.”

Who was Abdullah Philby?

Harry St. John Bridger Philby, an explorer and Arabist, received his education at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. After joining the Indian Civil Service, where he mastered several languages including Urdu, Punjabi, Baluchi, Persian, and Arabic, Philby was recruited to Basra in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) in 1915 by Percy Cox. His service in Baghdad and Basra eventually led to a mission to meet Ibn Saud in Riyadh, a journey across Arabia for which he was awarded the Royal Geographical Society Founders Medal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Harry St. John Bridger Philby, or Sheikh Abdullah, left behind a legacy as one of the greatest Arabian explorers.

• Over three decades, he embarked on extraordinary journeys, notably crossing the Empty Quarter in 1932, a feat that tested the limits of endurance.

• His granddaughter Dr. Sara Philby pursued her education in Alfaisal University in Riyadh. • After completing a bachelor’s degree in medicine and another in surgery, she was drawn to the intricate world of embryology.

From their first encounter, Philby was captivated by the magnetic personality of Ibn Saud, and the two formed a friendship that lasted 36 years. Despite his involvement in business and writing, Philby’s true passion lay in exploration. Over three decades, he embarked on extraordinary journeys, notably crossing the Empty Quarter in 1932, a feat that tested the limits of endurance.

Traveling by camel and later by Land Rover, Philby meticulously documented his expeditions, recording place names, temperatures, compass bearings, and more. His scholarly contributions earned him high honors from academic societies worldwide.

“He lived to witness a golden chapter in his life, marked by numerous creations of detailed maps, priceless books including unmatched details of his journeys, and contributions to several fields such as history, politics, and wildlife. Some of the specimens he has gathered are held in the British Museum in London,” Sara told Arab News.

As a trusted advisor to Ibn Saud, Philby’s insights and candid opinions were valued by the monarch. His conversion to Islam in 1930 further strengthened their bond, and Philby was bestowed the name Sheikh Abdullah.

In 1960, at the age of 75, Philby died during a visit to Beirut, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest Arabian explorers. He was buried in the Muslim graveyard at El-Bouchara, with his son Kim’s inscription on his grave marking his profound impact on exploration and scholarship.

For me, honoring my grandfather’s legacy is not merely a goal but a life purpose.

Dr. Sara Faris abdullah Philby, Alfaisal University graduate

“(He) left behind a spectacular life story and a loving family, led by my beloved uncle Khaled Philby and my beloved father Faris Philby, who would adore him for the rest of time,” Sara said.

His involvement in Arabia during World War I, his close relationship with Ibn Saud, and his pivotal role in the Arab Revolt and the creation of Saudi Arabia highlight his enduring influence on the region’s history and culture.

Sara explained that her grandfather’s legacy continues to influence her approach in life and her career in medicine: “His interests in exploration and travel might differ from my academic interests in medicine and clinical embryology. However, that doesn’t diminish his huge impact on my educational decisions.

“With his legacy as a beacon, I am motivated to continuously push myself to new heights, embracing challenges and opportunities for growth along the way,” she added. “His love for history, the desert, maps, and wildlife will forever capture my heart, despite my academic pathway heading somewhere different.”

Sara pursued her education in Alfaisal University in Riyadh. After completing a bachelor’s degree in medicine and another in surgery, she was drawn to the intricate world of embryology.

“My interest in this field stemmed from a personal fascination with reading books on embryology and reproductive sciences,” she noted. “Moreover, I was deeply inspired by the noble goals of this discipline, particularly in addressing infertility and assisting couples in starting families according to God’s will.”

Sara’s religious and cultural background plays a pivotal role in shaping her career aspirations. “As a Muslim, my faith serves as a guiding light,” she affirms. “Islam’s teachings emphasize compassion and kindness, influencing my academic pursuits. The profound references to embryology in the Holy Qur’an have deepened my interest in this field.

“The Holy Qur’an beautifully elucidates the stages of human embryonic development in multiple verses,” she noted. “This further solidified my conviction to pursue a career in clinical embryology and reproductive biology.”

Following her passion, this year Sara graduated from Alfaisal University with a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, specializing in clinical embryology and reproductive biology, achieving first honors.

Speaking about the enriching experience at the university, she said: “Alfaisal University has been an integral part of my life for many educationally fruitful years … I am hopeful for its continued success and prosperity in the future.”

Her journey through academia had its own challenges: “The rigorous demands of the field required unwavering commitment and patience. However, these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today, instilling in me a sense of resilience and determination.

“Embrace the journey, stay true to yourself, and remain dedicated to your goals,” she advises aspiring professionals. “Believe in your abilities and seize the opportunities that come your way.”

Balancing personal aspirations with her family’s legacy is a central theme for Sara. “I place great importance on aligning my personal aspirations with the expectations associated with my family’s legacy,” she explains. “By staying true to myself and honoring my family’s heritage, I find harmony in pursuing my goals.”

As she navigates the complexities of academia and embarks on her own path of exploration, Sara remains steadfast in her commitment to honoring the rich heritage passed down to her by her grandfather.

“For me, honoring my grandfather’s legacy is not merely a goal but a life purpose,” Sara said.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The British renowned explorer Abdullah Philby, or Philby of Arabia. / In honoring her family’s heritage, Sara Philby follows in the footsteps of Sheikh Abdullah Philby, whose multifaceted contributions continue to inspire generations. Supplied/AN photo by Abdulrhman Bin Shalhoub)

Dr. Sara Faris Abdullah Philby, Alfaisal University graduate

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BRITISH / SAUDI ARABIAN