August 4, 2024 – Arabian Records (1st post : Eid Al Fitr – 01st Shawwal 1439 (AH) / 15th June 2018 ) / (BETA testing – Research

ARAB POETRY, SHARJAH : The launch of the ’03rd Arab Poetry Forum’ in Senegal

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and as part of the Poetry Forums in Africa initiative, the Republic of Senegal witnessed the launch of the third edition of the Arab Poetry Forum, which was organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Department of Culture in Sharjah in cooperation with the Senegal Literary Club with the participation of 13 poets, both male and female.

The forum was held in the capital Dakar yesterday and will continue for two days, with the attendance of Dr. Fadil Gueye, President of the Senegal Literary Club, representatives of Senegalese cultural and literary institutions, and a group of poets and writers.

Mohammed Al Hadi Sal, the forum coordinator, thanked His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his continuous support for Arab culture and poetry, stressing that this support had a major impact on the success of the forum and the strengthening of cultural relations until the forum became a vital platform for the creativity of poets in Senegal.

Dr. Fadhel Ghay said, “The forum reflects the spirit of cooperation and constructive cultural interaction between peoples, and confirms the pioneering role of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in supporting Arabic culture and literature.”

He pointed out the importance of strengthening cultural ties between the Arab world and Africa, through organizing such events, which contribute to the exchange of ideas and creativity, expressing his thanks to the Emirate of Sharjah for its great and continuous support for Arabic poetry and literature.

Fadel Gueye stressed that the Arab Poetry Forum in Senegal is the most important event in the country, and one of the most prominent cultural and literary events that celebrate Arab poetry and bring together poets and intellectuals from the Republic of Senegal.

The forum included poetry sessions and a critical symposium entitled “Senegalese Arabic Literature (Poetry and Novel) between Reality and Hope,” which discussed the development of Arabic literature in Senegal, its future prospects, the difficulties facing Senegalese writers, and the challenges that hinder the spread of their works, in addition to reviewing ways to enhance the presence of Senegalese Arabic literature at the local and international levels.

The poetry readings addressed various topics and diverse purposes, such as identity, belonging, and coexistence between cultures.

At the end of the first day of the forum, awards were distributed to 13 participants (poets and lecturers), in honor of their creativity and contributions to enriching Arab and African literature, amidst wide acclaim from the attendees and participants, stressing the importance of continuing such events that strengthen cultural ties between the Arab world and Africa.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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

MOROCCAN Noor Slaoui: 1st Arab woman to represent MENA in equestrian sports at Paris 2024 Olympics

Noor Slaoui, a 29-year-old Moroccan, has become the first Arab female equestrian to represent Africa and the Middle East after qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, it was announced on Wednesday.

The professional rider has officially qualified for the Olympics, becoming one of two representatives from Africa and the Middle East, a media statement said.

Slaoui’s journey to this prestigious event marks a significant milestone in her career and for the region’s equestrian sports.

The 29-year-old is dedicated to promoting the development of equestrian sports in the MENA region, with the aim of inspiring greater representation in the coming years.

“I am honored and excited to represent my region at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This journey has been a testament to the dedication and support of my team and the incredible bond with my horses,” she said.

Slaoui said that she looked forward to challenging herself and showcasing the talent from the MENA region on the Olympic stage.
“While medals are a goal, my focus is on building a strong foundation for success in the years to come,” she said.

Her passion for horses began in childhood while exploring Morocco’s landscape on horseback. This early love of animals and nature evolved into a dream of making a career of her equestrian interests.

After attaining her baccalaureate at 18, Slaoui took a gap year and moved to France. She earned her riding instructor certification at the National Riding School in Saumur, setting her on the path to equestrian sports and competition.

Later, she moved to the UK to pursue her journey and studied political science at the University of Warwick. It was during that time that when she discovered eventing, often described as the “triathlon of equestrian sports.”

Working with professional riders to refine her skills, the Moroccan managed to balance her practical experience and academic studies.

After meeting her coach and business partner, Deborah Fellous, on graduation they launched her professional riding career, representing group F — “Africa & Middle East” — on the international stage.

Currently, they manage a professional yard in England, home to 17 horses, dedicated to breeding, training and preparing them for top-tier competitions.

Over the past seven years, Slaoui has achieved several notable milestones, becoming the first Moroccan female rider to compete internationally in eventing, and representing the MENA region at the World Championships for Young Horses in 2022 and 2023.

She also participated in Nations Cup events and secured top 10 finishes in 4-star competitions.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Noor Slaoui, a 29-year-old Moroccan, has become the first Arab female equestrian to represent Africa and the Middle East after qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Supplied)

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MOROCCO

ALGERIA : PARIS OLYMPICS 2024 : Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif clinches medal at Paris Olympics 2024 after gender outcry

Khelif defeated Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary 5:0 in the quarterfinals of the women’s 66-kilogram bout
She will win at least a bronze medal after defeating Hamori for the second victory of her tumultuous second trip to the Olympics

Boxer Imane Khelif of Algeria clinched a medal Saturday at the Paris Olympics following days of sharp scrutiny and online abuse as misconceptions about her gender have exploded into a larger clash about identity in sports.

Khelif defeated Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary 5:0 in the quarterfinals of the women’s 66-kilogram bout.

Khelif will win at least a bronze medal after defeating Hamori for the second victory of her tumultuous second trip to the Olympics.

Khelif was faced international scrutiny after the banned International Boxing Association claimed Khelif failed an unspecified eligibility test for women’s competition last year. She then won her opening bout Thursday when opponent Angela Carini of Italy tearfully abandoned the fight after just 46 seconds.

The unusual ending became a sharp wedge to drive into an already prominent divide over gender identity and regulations in sports, drawing comments from the likes of former US President Donald Trump, “Harry Potter” writer J.K. Rowling and others falsely claiming Khelif was a man or transgender.

At a Paris Games that has championed inclusion and seen other outcry over an opening ceremony performance featuring drag queens, LGBTQ+ groups say the hateful comments could pose dangers to their community and female athletes.
IOC President Thomas Bach on Saturday defended Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. Khelif and Lin were disqualified in the middle of last year’s world championships by the International Boxing Association, the now-banned former governing body of Olympic boxing, after what it claimed were failed eligibility tests for the women’s competition.

Both had competed in IBA events for several years without problems, and the Russian-dominated body — which has faced years of clashes with the IOC over judging scandals, leadership decisions and financial issues — has refused to provide any information about the tests, underscoring its lack of transparency in nearly every aspect of its dealings, particularly in recent years.

“Let’s be very clear here: We are talking about women’s boxing,” Bach said Saturday. “We have two boxers who are born as a woman, who have been raised a woman, who have a passport as a woman, and who have competed for many years as women. And this is the clear definition of a woman. There was never any doubt about them being a woman.”

The IBA, which received the unprecedented punishment of being banned from Olympic participation in 2019 following years of conflict with the IOC, disqualified Khelif last year for what it said were elevated levels of testosterone.

The IBA, which is led by an acquaintance of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has not released more details on the tests, calling the process confidential.

“What we see now is that some want to own the definition of who is a woman,” Bach added. “And there I can only invite them to come up with a scientific-based new definition of who is a woman, and how can somebody being born, raised, competed and having a passport as a woman cannot be considered a woman?

“If they are coming up with something, we are ready to listen,” Bach added. “We are ready to look into it, but we will not take part in a sometimes politically motivated cultural war.”

Khelif will clinch at least a bronze medal in her second Olympics after failing to medal at the Tokyo Games held in 2021.

Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the 66-kg semifinals on Tuesday at Roland Garros. Suwannpheng, a silver medalist at last year’s world championships, upset defending Olympic champion Busenaz Surmeneli a few minutes before Khelif’s victory.

Lin, also a two-time Olympian, will clinch her first medal Sunday if she beats Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria. Lin won her opening bout Friday comfortably over Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova.

Amid the scrutiny, both Khelif and Lin have received only cheers from the crowds at North Paris Arena.

“What is going on in this context in the social media, with all this hate speech, with all this aggression and abuse, and fueled by this agenda, is totally unacceptable,” Bach said.

The reduced field at the Paris Olympics boxing tournament — which has the fewest number of total boxers since 1956 — means that many fighters can clinch medals with just two victories. Boxing awards two bronze medals in each weight class, which means every semifinalist wins a medal.

The Olympic sport reached gender parity for the first time in Paris, inviting 124 men and 124 women just 12 years after women’s boxing made its Olympic debut.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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ALGERIA