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The award is in recognition of the professor’s efforts in scientific research, teaching, and online learning.
Moroccan scholar and researcher Younes Nafid received this week the Excellence Award in Online Learning from Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia.
He received the award on Thursday, recognizing his academic excellence and efforts in scientific research, teaching, and learning.
Nafid is a professor in the Department of Criminal Law at the College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences in Riyadh. He also serves as an advisor for scientific research and innovation at the same university.
The Moroccan scholar authored various books and studies, and also supervised research projects and doctoral theses.
A PhD in Criminal Law and Forensic Sciences from Mohammed First University in Oujda, Nafid previously worked in Moroccan universities as a professor, including Cadi Ayyad University and Chouaib Doukkali University.
At the award ceremony, the Saudi university celebrated the Moroccan professor and his fellows, honoring the “outstanding efforts in the fields of scientific research, teaching, and online learning, in line with the university’s strategic vision to enhance the academic environment and support the Arab security system.”
In addition to Nafid, several Moroccan professors and teachers were honored on an international scale for their efforts, contributing to enhancing research, teaching, and learning.
In January, Messaoud Ariba, a Moroccan teacher, received an award at the Global Teacher Awards in New Delhi.
Ariba was the sole representative of both North Africa and the Arab world at large, earning recognition from thousands of applicants during the ceremony.
“For me, this is not just about personal achievement but about honoring the incredible work of all those shaping education in the country,” Ariba said.
In February, Moroccan professor Anasse Bari received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Faculty Award for 2025 at New York University. The award recognizes leadership work and commitment to justice and fairness.
In a statement to Morocco World News, Bari said he dedicates the award to his fellow Moroccans.
“Every day in my classroom, I encourage my students to use the skills they have learned at New York University to serve the world,” Bari said, noting that his students are finding “new ways” to use AI and data science to improve the world.
The Kingdom of Bahrain’s Heatwave exhibition , curated by architect Andrea Faraguna has been announced as the winner of the Golden Lion for the Best National Participation at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale.
The winner has been selected by an international jury comprising of Swiss curator, critic, and art historian Hans Ulrich Obrist as jury chair, South African architect, lecturer, and curator Mpho Matsipa, and Italian curator Paola Antonelli .
The awards ceremony is broadcast live from the headquarters of the Biennale at Ca’Giustinian. The pavilion stands out for addressing the pressing issue of extreme heat through a site-specific installation that showcases passive cooling strategies rooted in Bahrain’s climatic realities and cultural context.
The design of the pavilion explores passive cooling using geothermal wells and solar chimneys connected via a thermo-hygrometric axis, which links underground conditions to outdoor air. In exhibition settings where excavation isn’t possible, mechanical ventilation mimics this system. The modular structure features a floor and cantilevered ceiling supported by a central column, adaptable for various urban environments. The project highlights low-impact, climate-responsive design for outdoor workspaces in hot climates, emphasizing environmental responsibility, social fairness, and innovative architectural solutions.
The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and the Special Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Memoriam have been previously announced to be awarded to American philosopher Donna Haraway and the late Italian architect and designer Italo Rota (1953–2024), respectively. Donna Haraway is participating via remote connection to highlight the wider implications of this edition’s biennale. “Intelligence is a word that bubbles with meaning of the power of discerning,” she declares. The Golden Lion in Memoriam is awarded in absentia to Italo Rota.
Two special mentions have been awarded to participants in the international exhibition. The first one goes to Alternative Urbanism: The Central Organized Markets of Lagos by Tosin Oshinowo, Oshinowo Studio. “This award is for the Global South,” Oshinowo declares in her acceptance speech. The second special mention for a project of a participant goes to Elephant Chapel by Boonserm Premthada.
For the national pavilions, a special mention is awarded to Opera Aperta, the Holy See’s Pavilion by Paul Tighe of the Department of Education and Culture of the Holy See. The project is a “construction site, an ongoing process, which everyone is invited to collaborate.” The pavilion is curated by Marina Otero Verzier, curator and researcher, and Giovanna Zabotti, artistic director of Fondaco Italia and former curator of the Venice Pavilion, in collaboration with the design studios Tatiana Bilbao Estudio of Mexico City and MAIO Architects of Barcelona.
The other special mention goes to the Pavilion of Great Britain: GBR: Geology of Britannic Repair, commissioned by Sevra Davis of the British Council and curated by Owen Hopkins, Kathryn Yusoff, Kabage Karanja, Stella Mutegi. The selected team of expositors comprises experts from the UK and Kenya, including Nairobi–based Cave _bureau, aiming to open up difficult conversations about interconnected relationships between the two countries, decolonization, and the embedded relationships to the ground.
Golden Lion for Best Participant in the exhibition Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective
Golden Lion for Best Participant in the exhibition Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective is awarded to Canal Café by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Natural Systems Utilities, SODAI, Aaron Betsky, Davide Oldani. The installation is set up to use natural filtration systems to purify water from the city’s canals and make it info coffee that visitors of the Arsenale can enjoy.
Dr. Bashair Ibrahim is a symbol of hope, a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and a living example of perseverance.
Her story of overcoming disability is an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity.
Ibrahim spoke to Arab News about how she navigated a challenging career, fueled by unwavering determination and a profound passion for healing.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working as a pediatrician is the opportunity to care for children, especially at such a young age when they haven’t yet formed judgments or perceptions about disability,” Ibrahim said.
“I find that my connection with them is pure and genuine; they see me for who I am, not for any physical limitations. We build trust and warmth in a very natural way.”
Ibrahim’s journey, marked by both triumphs and systemic barriers, offers a vital perspective on inclusivity, accessibility, and the importance of challenging societal norms.
Her interest in medicine was sparked early, spending time around medical equipment due to mobility challenges.
“As a result of being in a car or using a wheelchair, I started to see a lot of machines, a lot of devices, X-rays, devices they use, needles,” she explained.
This ignited curiosity, leading her to explore the intricacies of the human body and medical science. This was not a deterrent; it fueled her path to healing.
“These experiences from a young age make one stronger,” she said.
Her fascination with science continued, and she began volunteering for lab activities — excelling in biology. This early experience combined with an interest in medical dramas solidified her career aspirations. The allure of understanding the human body and alleviating suffering proved irresistible.
“I liked the science itself,” she recalled. “I was learning more about humans, about how organs work, what diseases can come from that.”
Applying to medical school presented hurdles. Many universities lacked accessibility for individuals with mobility impairments.
She recounted a disheartening experience at one university where the main entrance was only accessible via a long staircase.
Despite finding an alternative route, the dean still denied her access citing concerns about opening hours.
This highlighted a frustrating reality: systemic biases can hinder progress, even when solutions exist.
Undeterred, Ibrahim sought admission to another private university. The director made a comment that stuck with her, asking: how would a patient treat a patient?
For Ibrahim, this dismissive remark is one example of societal biases surrounding people with disabilities in healthcare.
It underscored the need to challenge preconceived notions and recognize potential regardless of physical limitations.
“It never made sense then, it doesn’t make sense now,” she said, emphasizing the enduring impact of prejudice.
Despite these obstacles, Ibrahim remained committed. She specialized in pediatrics, driven by a deep-seated desire to positively impact children’s lives.
“What also makes this work deeply meaningful is the respect I often receive from families,” she explained.
“Many parents have told me they admire the way I’ve pursued a career in medicine despite the challenges that come with having a disability.
“Their appreciation reminds me that I’m not only helping their children medically, but also offering a visible example of resilience and determination.
“That mutual respect, and the human connection it fosters, is something I treasure deeply in my work.”
Ibrahim is acutely aware of misconceptions surrounding doctors with disabilities.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about doctors with disabilities is the stereotype that we are limited in our ability to practice medicine effectively,” she noted.
“I often notice surprise when families meet me for the first time, but I see that as a chance to challenge those assumptions through my work.”
She has adapted her approach to ensure her disability does not compromise care quality.
“I perform the full physical examination while seated, and I’ve adapted my approach to ensure that nothing is compromised in the quality of care I deliver.
“Over time, families come to see that my disability doesn’t define my capability.”
She believes that mentorship is crucial for aspiring medical professionals with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of role models who understand both the clinical demands and personal challenges they face.
Her message is clear: equal access, thoughtful accommodations and representation are essential, and her story is a testament to how people can overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Dr. Bashair Ibrahim overcame prejudice and lack of accessibility to achieve career success. (Supplied)
Egyptian foil fencer Abdel-Rahman Tolba continued his impressive international trajectory by capturing the bronze medal at the Foil World Cup in Canada, held from 1-4 May.
Tolba’s journey to the podium was a standout performance, marked by a series of remarkable victories over several top-ranked opponents.
Tolba, from Al-Zohour Club, claimed the bronze after a narrow semi-final defeat to world No 9 Alexander Massialas of the US, falling by the slimmest of margins, 15-14, in a golden touch decider.
His campaign commenced in the Round of 64 with a confident 15-11 win over Brazil’s Guilherme Toledo, followed by a hard-fought 15-13 victory against Spain’s Mario Díaz in the Round of 32.
Tolba then produced one of the tournament’s most notable upsets in the Round of 16, dismantling Czech Republic’s Alexander Choupenitch, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist and world No 6, by a commanding 15-7 scoreline.
In the quarter-finals, he delivered another standout performance, overpowering American star Nick Itkin, the bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics and silver medalist at the 2023 World Championships in Milan, and currently ranked No 4 globally, with a decisive 15-9 victory.
Tolba’s semi-final clash with the experienced Massialas proved a thrilling contest, as both fencers exchanged points in a high-calibre bout. Ultimately, Massialas edged past Tolba in sudden death.
The latest medal adds to Tolba’s rapidly expanding list of accolades, including a bronze at the Grand Prix in Italy earlier this year, and a gold medal at the Junior World Championships in China last month.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 8 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
NASA’s mapping of Mars now bears the names of three iconic Algerian national parks, Algerian physicist Noureddine Melikechi, a member of the US space agency’s largest Mars probe mission, has told AFP.
The Tassili n’Ajjer, Ghoufi and Djurdjura national parks have found their Martian namesakes after a proposition by Melikechi, which he sought as both a tribute to his native Algeria and a call to protect Earth.
“Our planet is fragile, and it’s a signal to the world that we really need to take care of our national parks, whether they are in Algeria or elsewhere,” the US-based scientist told AFP in a recent interview.
He said the visual resemblance between some of the Martian landscapes and the ones after which they were labeled was also a key reason for the naming.
“The first one that came to my mind was the Tassili n’Ajjer,” he said of the UNESCO-listed vast plateau in the Sahara Desert with prehistoric art dating back at least 12,000 years.
“Every time I see pictures of Mars, they remind me of Tassili n’Ajjer, and now every time I see Tassili n’Ajjer, it reminds me of Mars,” added Melikechi, who left Algeria in 1990 for the United States, where he now teaches at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The ancient art found in Tassili n’Ajjer depicts figures that can seem otherworldly, he said.
Some of the paintings show single-eyed and horned giants, among others which French archaeologist Henri Lhote dubbed as “great Martian” deities in his 1958 book, “The Search for the Tassili Frescoes”.
“Those paintings are a signature… a book of how people used to live,” said Melikechi.
“You see animals, but also figures that look like they came from somewhere else.”
‘Historic’
Melikechi’s second pick was the Ghoufi canyon in eastern Algeria, whose rocky desert landscape was the site of an ancient settlement off the Aures Mountains.
Now a UNESCO-listed site and a tourist attraction, it has cliffside dwellings carved in the mountain, a testament to human resilience in a place where survival can be adverse.
“Ghoufi gives you a sense that life can be hard, but you can manage to keep at it as you go,” Melikechi said.
“You can see that through those homes.”
The third site, Djurdjura, is a snowy mountain range some 140 kilometers (about 90 miles) east of the capital Algiers.
Comapred to Tassili or Ghoufi, it bears the least resemblance to Mars.
Melikechi said its pick stemmed of Djurdjura’s “reminder of the richness of natural habitats”.
He said the naming process came after Perseverence, NASA’s Mars rover exploring the Red Planet, made it into uncharted territory.
That area was then split into small quadrants, each needing a name.
“We were asked to propose names for specific quadrants,” he said.
“I suggested these three national parks, while others proposed names from parks worldwide. A team then reviewed and selected the final names.”
The announcement, made by NASA earlier this month, sparked celebrations among Algerians.
Algerian Culture Minister Zouhir Ballalou hailed it as a “historic and global recognition” of the North African country’s landscapes.
Melikechi said he hopes that it will attract more visitors as Algeria has been striving to promote tourism, especially in the Sahara region, with authorities promising to facilitate tourist visas.
Official figures said some 2.5 million tourists visited the country last year—its highest number of visitors in two decades.
“These places are a treasure that we as humans have inherited,” Melikechi said.
My dearest friend Fatima Hassouna has been martyred.
Writing this feels unreal – as if I am waiting for her familiar voice to echo in my ear.
We had a playful way of saying “hello” to each other. And Fatima had the most magical of laughs.
She could disarm you instantly.
But the silence remains and the void caused by her absence is too vast to comprehend.
Fatima was a photographer and a filmmaker. More importantly – for me – she was an extremely warm human being.
She was strong and – in a good way – stubborn.
I knew Fatima from childhood. But life – as it often does – had pulled us apart for many years.
It wasn’t until Israel launched its genocidal war against Gaza that we became close again. This happened unexpectedly during a film project.
Fatima was behind the camera, and I was there with a pen in order to write articles.
Our reunion – despite the chaotic circumstances – rekindled something profound. Our shared grief and resilience made our friendship deeper.
Fatima was deeply committed to her craft. She never simply documented a moment. She became part of it.
She had a rare ability to earn trust quickly.
The subjects of her photography were not just faces or stories. They were people she befriended.
Fatima’s camera wasn’t a barrier. It was a bridge.
She always said that she wanted not just to carry a message but to show kindness to the people she filmed or photographed.
At Fatima’s core was a sense of purpose. She came from a place of love.
We lived just a street apart in Gaza City all our lives.
After the genocide began, we would walk everywhere together. There were no taxis around and prices were rising ever higher.
Each morning, Fatima would call.
“Wait for me,” she would say. “Let’s walk together.”
And so we did.
Those walks were more than just a means of getting from A to B. They were our little escapes.
We shared everything: sorrows, secrets, silly thoughts.
I never had to pretend to be anything I wasn’t when I was with Fatima.
There were no walls between us. Just warmth and honesty.
Tender rebellion
When Fatima got engaged recently, her happiness was contagious. Despite the hunger, and the overwhelming darkness that Israel’s genocidal war had brought, she lit up like a child planning a birthday party.
We would go to the market almost daily, hunting for clothes that she could wear as she went out with her fiancé.
I remember how excited she was, how we laughed even as we carried heavy bags for long distances.
Her joy in those days amounted to a tender rebellion, a statement that love and life still mattered in the face of devastation.
We developed a ritual with our friends.
Every week, we would gather in one of our homes. We cooked whatever food we had, brewed bitter tea – we had no sugar – and sang.
We sang until the pain dulled and the laughter returned.
Those nights were our anesthesia. They allowed us to breathe in suffocating times.
Fatima was always our anchor.
She told stories, and her laughter filled the room. We could see sorrow in her eyes, but it was mixed with hope.
An unbreakable hope.
Fatima had an enchanting voice when she sang. Like something from heaven.
When the sound of Israel’s drones became too much for me to bear, I would listen to a recording of Fatima singing. Her voice brought me peace.
It served as a reminder that something pure still existed in this world.
Friendships formed – or in this case, revived – during genocide are unlike any other. They are shaped by shared experiences of hunger, sleepless nights and the constant nearness of death.
When Fatima was killed, it was like a limb had been severed from my body. I felt incomplete.
I still do.
Every night, I continue to wait for her call. I wait for the way she would tell me – without preamble – how she was feeling that day.
She would always wish to God that she would never be deprived of me.
But now I am deprived of Fatima. And it hurts more than words can express.
Fatima and I worked as a team. During the genocide, we would go down to al-Yarmouk – the football stadium that has became a huge shelter for displaced people – she with her camera, I with my notebook.
We inspired each other.
Fatima told me that she loved how I put people’s experiences into words.
“I love your ideas,” she said. “They make me want to shoot better.”
I wish that she was still around to tell her how much I loved her eye for a good photograph or image.
How she saw not just the suffering in a person but the soul behind it.
How she brought dignity to every frame.
Last winter, we were working in al-Yarmouk stadium, where the conditions were especially dire. Seeing the suffering around her, Fatima said that we must help.
I asked her to speak with the director of the film project she was working on about distributing blankets. She did and soon we were part of a mission to not only document hardship but to relieve it.
That day, we weren’t just storytellers. We were part of the story.
And Fatima was glowing. She had done something she had always dreamed of: She had made a difference.
Fatima was only 25.
Just 25.
Yet her heart carried the weight of centuries, and her spirit was brighter than a thousand suns. She was childlike and wise, gentle and fierce, brave and vulnerable.
She was exceptional. I carry her memory with me every moment.
I see her in the morning light, in the silence of a street where we once walked, in the stories we still need to tell.
Losing her is unbearable. But remembering her – keeping her voice, her laughter, her vision alive – is my way of holding on.
She was my sister, my confidante, my light.
May the world never forget the name Fatima Hassouna.
May the stories she told outlive the genocide that took her.
And may we all learn from her to live with courage, to work with purpose, and to love – always – with everything we have.
Asmaa Abdu is an academic writer and a project coordinator at the UCAS Technology Incubator in Gaza.
Pilgrims recreating historic 8,000 km route used by Andalusian Muslims
Three friends rode on horseback from Spain to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, reviving a pilgrimage route last used by Andalusian Muslims more than 500 years ago.
They reached Saudi Arabia’s Northern Borders region last week in time for Hajj after travelling through Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkiye, Syria and Jordan on a 8,000 km (4,970 miles) journey.
The three Spanish Muslims, Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez, are fulfilling a long-held ambition after embracing Islam 35 years ago.
The three riders are accompanied by Bouchaib Jadil, a construction master living in Spain, who is providing logistical support to the team by leading the way in a car.
It all started when Abdullah Hernandez reverted to Islam 35 years ago.
He told Arab News about how he felt grateful toward Allah for blessing him with guidance — Heidaya — and he promised to complete the Hajj pilgrimage the way his Andalusian ancestors did.
The team practiced for two years before setting off in October 2024 from Al-Monaster Mosque, south of Spain.
After crossing the border of Jordan on May 2, the three Spanish friends arrived in Qurayyat city in Al-Jawf Province, in northern Saudi Arabia on Friday after a remarkable seven-month horseback journey.
During their stop in Qurayyat, the pilgrims were hosted by the head of Al-Haditha Center, Mamdouh Al-Mutairi, who welcomed them to the Kingdom and wished them a pleasant stay and an acceptable and easy Hajj, meeting with students and supporters.
The pilgrims were received with a warm welcome from the residents of Qurayyat, who posed for memorable photos with them.
Hernandez told Arab News: “The team is very excited as we are getting closer to Makkah and Madinah. These holy cities are very special to us, and we have been dreaming of reaching them for a long time. Our hearts feel full of love and hope, and we are looking forward to this moment with deep respect and happiness.
“Through this journey we want to recover a historical Andalusian route from Spain to the Harram of Makkah. It is also a trip of challenges where every step is felt by us and the horses, but also is a journey for the soul,” he added.
One of the Hajj pilgrims, Harkassi, said they were happy to revive a lost tradition. He added that the team saved money and trained for several years for the journey.
He said: “We embarked on this journey with pure intentions to realize the Hajj.”
He added: “We are almost there, and hopefully, the rest of the journey will be easier.”
Their journey, spanning diverse landscapes and extreme weather conditions, is being shared with followers on social media.
“Crossing borders has been the biggest challenge. Some countries were more difficult to cross than others as horses are not considered a mode of transport anymore, but instead they need to be ‘imported’ into each country as livestock, but Alhamdulillah, we have managed to complete all the paperwork so far,” said Hernandez.
Their expedition, known as “Hajj on Horseback,” was warmly welcomed by Muslims and non-Muslims. Hernandez added: “We’ve been received with open arms everywhere we’ve gone — each country has somehow managed to be even more welcoming than the one before, MashAllah.
“Whether in Muslim or non-Muslim countries, people have shown incredible hospitality: Inviting us into their homes, sharing meals with us, listening to our stories and engaging in meaningful conversations about Islam.
“The warmth we’ve experienced in Muslim countries has been especially profound, reflecting the deep sense of unity within our Ummah. This beautiful spirit is clearly visible in our recent videos from Turkiye and Syria.”
The team set off with limited funds, but received support from local Muslims along the way to finance the costs of the unique journey.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Abdelkader Harkassi, Abdallah Hernandez and Tariq Rodriguez are fulfilling a long-held ambition by completing a historic Hajj pilgrimage on horseback. (Supplied)
AD Ports Group, and the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), the integrated investment destination for linking industry and global trade, today signed a 50-year renewable usufruct agreement, to develop and operate a 20 km2 industrial and logistics park near the Egyptian coastal city of Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea.
The East Port Said Industrial Zone provides an opportunity to turn a unique location on the Mediterranean Sea into a key hub for international trade and investments serving the East-West trade routes, right at the entrance of the Suez Canal.
The agreement to develop KEZAD East Port Said Industrial and Logistics Zone was signed in Cairo, and witnessed by Egyptian Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, in the presence of Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Affairs Egyptian Minister of Industry and Transport, Mariam Al Kaabi, Ambassador of the UAE to Egypt, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group and Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE.
The agreement was signed by Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, and Admiral Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud, Vice Chairman of SCZONE for the Northern area.
AD Ports Group will develop, construct, finance, operate, and manage the industrial and logistics zone in phases, with a focus on phase 1 to start with, an area covering a total of 2.8 km2. An estimated total investment of $120 million will be allocated to market and technical studies as well as to phase 1 development over the next three years. Construction on the initial 2.8 km2 Phase 1 is expected to start by the end of this year.
The development of Phase 1 will be anchored by key potential clients and partners, including one of the region’s foremost construction and development groups, Hassan Allam Holding.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: “KEZAD East Port Said is a milestone that highlights the strong economic relations between the UAE and Egypt. In line with the vision of our wise leadership, this strategic cooperation is another sign of our Group’s growing focus on Egypt, where we continue to enhance and develop our integrated trade, transport, and industrial ecosystem, offering clients unparalleled end-to-end solutions and services. This infrastructure investment will provide a long-term source of economic growth for Egypt, while enhancing the Suez Canal role in promoting and supporting the East-West trade corridor.”
Waleid Gamal El Dien, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, said: “The launch of this project in the East Port Said Industrial Zone represents an important strategic step that reaffirms the depth of the strong fraternal relations and the growing strategic partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the prominent position held by SCZONE as a pivotal global trade hub for industrial and logistics activities. This project enhances SCZONE’s ongoing efforts to support global supply chains by providing a competitive and integrated investment environment, underpinned by advanced infrastructure, and a unique geographic location, connecting three continents via one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.”
Gamal El Dien added: “Over the past few years, the SCZONE has become a cornerstone for the investment expansion plans of many leading regional and international companies, thanks to its integrated model of combining industrial zones and affiliated seaports. Among these is the KEZAD East Port Said Industrial and Logistics Zone, which seamlessly connects with East Port Said Port, a key strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea. The port features deep berths for large vessels, efficient operations, and excellent connectivity to advanced road and transportation networks. The expertise of a global organisation such as AD Ports Group will help SCZONE achieve its goals.”
Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “KEZAD East Port Said is being built to attract investments, promote industrial and logistics growth, create jobs, increase exports, develop skills, and facilitate technological transfer. It will complement AD Ports Group’s growing business ecosystem in Egypt, and capitalise the natural assets of the Suez Canal area for Egypt, while supporting the country’s manufacturing sector, and increasing the ease of doing business in Egypt as a preferred gateway to global markets.”
Admiral Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud, Vice Chairman of SCZONE for the Northern area, said: “We are working on developing an integrated model that combines industry, maritime transport, and logistics services within a flexible and investment-friendly regulatory environment. East Port Said Industrial Zone stands at the heart of this model due to its strategic location at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal and its direct connection to the modern East Port Said Port, a key hub in global trade, consistently ranked among the top international ports thanks to its operational readiness and advanced capabilities. Furthermore, the integration with West Port Said Port enhances its readiness to offer comprehensive and attractive logistical solutions for investors. Therefore, this project represents a qualitative leap in the development of the northern part of SCZONE, not only in terms of the scale of anticipated investments but also in the advanced industrial and logistical activities to be implemented.”
In addition, AD Ports Group and Hassan Allam Holding, which is one of the Group’s development partners in Egypt, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and invest in the industrial zone and explore other projects.
AD Ports Group in December 2024 appointed Hassan Allam Construction, the construction arm of Hassan Allam Holding and one of the premier engineering and construction companies in the region, to build AD Ports Group’s new multipurpose cargo terminal in Safaga, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The Group in 2023 obtained a concession from Egypt’s Red Sea Ports Authority (RSPA) to build and operate the USD 200 million Safaga multipurpose terminal project, which will be the first internationally operated multipurpose cargo terminal in Upper Egypt.
Since 2022, AD Ports Group has invested significantly in Egypt, acquiring Transmar, a regional shipping company, TCI, a port operator and stevedoring company, and in 2024, Safina B.V., a provider of maritime agency and cargo services. AD Ports Group has also secured long-term concessions to develop and operate three cruise terminals at the Red Sea ports of Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh. In addition, AD Ports Group has initialled agreements for the right to develop and operate a cruise terminal and a Ro-Ro terminal in Ain Sokhna.
The East Port Said project aligns with long-standing ties between the UAE and Egypt, and the objectives of leadership in both countries to support the commercial and industrial sectors and attract high-quality investments. This project also supports the global trend of establishing regional manufacturing centres, thus shortening and sustaining global supply chains, and enhancing connectivity with major global markets.
AD Ports Group is an integrated trade, transport, logistics, and economic zones group with a presence in more than 50 countries. Based in Abu Dhabi, the Group has a maritime fleet of 247 vessels, 34 terminals, in addition to an economic and industrial land bank of over 550 km2, the largest integrated trade, logistics, and industrial business grouping of its kind in the Middle East. Furthermore, SCZONE offers unique investment potential, making it one of the most prominent destinations on the global investment map. It is supported by a strategic geographical location, advanced infrastructure, and modern ports connected to fully integrated industrial zones. These include four industrial zones, East Port Said Industrial Zone, East Ismailia Industrial Zone, Qantara West Industrial Zone, and Sokhna Industrial Zone, which are seamlessly integrated with six seaports: East Port Said, West Port Said, Al-Arish, Sokhna, Adabiya, and Al-Tor, covering a total area of 455 square kilometers. Over the past 33 months, SCZONE has successfully attracted 274 investment projects from around the world, either through direct agreements with it or via industrial developers, with a total investment value of $8.3 billion. These projects span a wide range of sectors, reflecting strong global investor confidence in SCZONE’s viability as a strategic platform for industry, exports, and logistics services.
In an interview with The New Arab, Nahil Bishara’s grandchildren speak about their grandmother’s artistic legacy and her role in preserving Palestinian identity.
History is full of remarkable yet forgotten women whose stories have yet to be told.
One such case is the late Palestinian artist and designer Nahil Bishara, an active and erudite woman who sought to preserve her Palestinian identity through endless creativity despite living through constant political instability in her homeland.
“Generally, artists at the time created art to sell, but she never created art to sell. She created art to anchor her Palestinianness”
Nearly three decades after Nahil Bishara’s passing, her grandchildren are ready to share her story with the world.
“She was always up to something artistic,” the artist’s UAE-based grandson, Assad Bishara, told The New Arab.
“She was somebody who wanted to master any kind of artistic medium she could get onto her hands. Whatever she got her hands on, she created something out of it,” Assad added.
Echoing this sentiment is his sister, Talia Bishara, a public relations specialist in culture, who fondly remembers her grandmother as a woman of taste of the Sixties era.
“She was an elegant woman, whose hair was styled in a chignon with a million pins,” recalled Talia.
“She wanted to project an image. Her persona in society was also very important. Generally, artists at the time created art to sell, but she never created art to sell. She created art to anchor her Palestinianness.”
From Ramallah to Jerusalem
Nahil was born in Ramallah in 1919, shortly after the end of the First World War, and spent most of her life in Jerusalem, where she nurtured her artistic talent.
In 1940, at the age of 21, the artist married Dr Assad Bishara, a renowned gynaecologist who, as Talia claimed, “a whole generation of Palestinians were born under his hands.”
According to Talia, Dr Assad was open-minded and supportive of his wife’s dreams.
As Talia puts it, “Whenever I speak about my grandmother, I have to speak about my grandfather too. He was a larger-than-life person. He wasn’t the type that restricted her to staying at home and raising a family. She did those things, but on top of that, she was exploring her artistic talent and supporting her community of Palestinian women.”
Beyond her personal achievements, Nahil also lived through important political events of the twentieth century, including the Nakba — the mass displacement of Palestinians — which led to the Israeli occupation in 1948.
‘A force and an avant-gardiste’
During this period, Nahil was offered a rare opportunity to study in England, but she refused, choosing instead to remain in her country as an act of defiance.
A woman who made history, she became the first Arab and Palestinian to study art at the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts in Jerusalem, which had been founded as a Jewish art institution in the early 1900s.
Interestingly, at the time, Nahil was one of the few Palestinian artists to formally study art. But her education didn’t stop there.
Always striving to expand her mind and skill set, she undertook a design course by correspondence with an American university in Washington, DC. Then, in the 1960s, Nahil found herself in the Italian city of Perugia, where she studied classical painting and ceramics.
Known for always being on the move, Talia shared, “All her life, my grandmother loved art. She was a force and an avant-gardiste. She wanted to be ahead of everyone in her time.”
‘She wanted to constantly create’
To this day, Nahil is remembered as a Renaissance woman.
The educated artist spoke four languages (including Italian and French), tried her hand at stitching, woodworking, and glassblowing, hosted cultured dinners, volunteered at refugee camps, and mastered interior decoration.
Her most significant project was decorating the interior of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) building in Jerusalem, which was later converted by the Israelis into a hotel called Aelia Capitolina. Today, the hotel is known as the Legacy Hotel.
“People were visiting Jerusalem from all over the world. I think she felt a responsibility to show the world a different image of Palestine”
By using locally sourced materials, Nahil designed its chandelier (made with Palestinian refugees), crafted wooden tables, and donated around 30 of her paintings to the establishment.
“I think she saw that there was power in creation, rather than focusing on destruction. She wanted to constantly create,” explained Talia.
“People were visiting Jerusalem from all over the world. I think she felt a responsibility to show the world a different image of Palestine.”
Another momentous event in Nahil’s career occurred in 1964 when she was commissioned by the Kingdom of Jordan to create a bust of Pope Paul VI in honour of his pilgrimage to Palestine. Today, the bust sits in the Vatican.
‘Capturing everything she could to preserve Palestine’
Exploring Nahil’s artistic legacy, she was known for creating religious landscapes, depictions of Palestinian refugees, and floral arrangements, the latter of which her husband particularly enjoyed.
“She was concerned with the preservation of identity because it was being erased”
Her grandchildren believe that her art carries a strong message beneath the surface, with Assad sharing, “For her, it was about capturing everything she could to preserve Palestine. She was concerned with the preservation of identity because it was being erased.”
During The New Arab’s interview, Talia showed her grandmother’s artwork of female refugees, one of whom is holding a child, painted in 1948.
Talia explained that she was literally holding a piece of history in her hands, adding, “When I watch the news today, it’s like history is repeating itself,” referring to the ongoing bombardment in Gaza.
“A portion of our civil society has been cut off and turned into refugees who live in tents, and this was something that had to be captured,” commented Assad on the theme of displacement in Nahil’s art.
Celebrating a forgotten artist
In 1997, Nahil died of cancer, yet her memory remains alive in the hearts and minds of her family and friends.
Recently, the once-forgotten Nahil has slowly been re-entering the public sphere. Thanks to Talia, Nahil’s name now appears in Google searches, and some of her artworks have found homes in public cultural institutions, such as the Barjeel Art Foundation in the UAE and Dar El Nimer in Lebanon.
According to Talia, some museums have expressed interest in acquiring Nahil’s work since she became more vocal in sharing her grandmother’s story.
For Talia, this recognition has motivated her to one day publish a catalogue of Nahil’s artworks.
“My whole life I wanted to do something for her,” Talia said.
“I didn’t study art but I know its importance and can feel it. I started connecting with art people, but it wasn’t an easy journey. It fuelled me even more after the 7 October attacks,” she added.
“Everyone should be interested in championing these names and putting them on the stage because you need the past… The past is your present. It’s our role to preserve it.”
Iraq has taken a significant step towards preserving its cinematic heritage with the launch of the Cinémathèque Iraq project, a national initiative aimed at digitizing, restoring, and protecting Iraqi film archives. The project was officially announced during an event at the French Institute in Baghdad, attended by Iraqi filmmakers, artists, and cultural figures.
Under the supervision of the Iraqi Visual Memory Committee in the Prime Minister’s Office, the project is being developed in collaboration with the French Embassy in Iraq, with the goal of reviving Iraq’s film industry and ensuring that its rich cinematic history is accessible to future generations.
A mission to restore and preserve Iraqi cinema
Project director Warith Kweish emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating:
“Cinémathèque Iraq aims to restore and preserve more than 100 Iraqi films by training local experts in film archiving and preservation. The project also includes building specialized infrastructure in Iraq for film storage and restoration, ensuring that our visual history is safeguarded using advanced digitization techniques.”
Kweish highlighted that the project’s long-term vision is to make Iraq’s cinematic heritage available to a global audience, showcasing the country’s rich film history on both Arab and international platforms.
Classic Iraqi films undergo restoration
As part of the first phase of the project, two of Iraq’s most iconic films have been selected for restoration and digitization:
“Saeed Afandi” (1957) – One of the most influential films in Iraqi cinema, has arrived in Paris for restoration using modern digital techniques. The film is expected to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival, marking the first time an Iraqi film is featured at the prestigious event.
“Aliya and Issam” – A classic romantic drama is currently undergoing restoration to prepare it for cinematic screenings in Iraq and abroad.
French Ambassador Patrick Durel, who attended the launch, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“We are proud to collaborate with Iraq on this cultural initiative. This project is a crucial step toward preserving Iraq’s cinematic legacy and sharing its stories with the world.”
Building a strong foundation for Iraq’s film industry
Beyond archiving and restoration, Cinémathèque Iraq is envisioned as a comprehensive initiative to develop the country’s film industry. Filmmaker Jamal Amin, who has been involved in the project, explained:
“This initiative aims to establish a strong cinematic foundation in Iraq by supporting filmmakers and enhancing industry infrastructure. Our goal is to create a sustainable film ecosystem that includes training, production, and international collaboration.”
The project seeks to attract local and international investment in Iraqi cinema, providing grants for film projects and facilitating the growth of Iraq’s independent film industry.
Future expansion and international cooperation
Filmmaker Falah al-Azzawi highlighted the project’s potential for international partnerships, stating that Cinémathèque Iraq will expand its reach by:
Collaborating with global film institutions to gain expertise in film preservation.
Encouraging private-sector participation to support Iraq’s film industry.
Establishing cultural exchange programs with international filmmakers.
According to Prime Ministerial Advisor Hassan al-Sudani, the government plans to expand the initiative beyond cinema, with upcoming projects focused on restoring Iraq’s television and radio archives.
The launch event was also attended by prominent cultural figures, including the head of the Iraqi Artists’ Syndicate, Jabbar Joudi, and the director of the Department of Cinema and Theater. They praised the project as a landmark effort to protect Iraq’s artistic and cinematic history.
A new era for Iraqi cinema
With the Cinémathèque Iraq initiative, Iraq is positioning itself as a key player in regional cinema, working towards preserving its cinematic past while building a future for Iraqi filmmakers. As the country embraces digital restoration and industry development, it is opening doors for global recognition and participation in international film festivals.
Through this initiative, Iraq is not only reclaiming its cinematic heritage but also laying the groundwork for a thriving film industry that can compete on the global stage.
