Arabs & Arabian Records Aggregator. Chronicler. Milestones of the 25 Countries of the Arabic Speaking World (official / co-official). AGCC. MENA. Global. Ist's to Top 10's. Records. Read & Enjoy./ www.arabianrecords.org
The ship is the first of its kind to be built entirely by the Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt.
Egypt’s Alexandria shipyard made history, as it launched the fourth and final MEKO A200 frigate, named ‘Sajm Al-Jabbar’ for the Egyptian Navy. This frigate holds significant importance as it is not only the largest locally produced combat vessel but also the first of its kind to be constructed in Egypt under the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) license.
The ship was unveiled in a ceremony held during the EDEX 2023 defense exhibition at Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in attendance as the chief guest alongside other high-ranking officials.
Egypt had placed an order for four identical frigates, with the first three units being built in Germany, while the final ship was constructed at the Alexandria shipyard in Egypt. The construction contract was signed back in September 2018.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today honoured the winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in a ceremony held as part of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai.
The ceremony was attended by numerous heads of delegations participating in COP28, ministers, senior government officials, and prize winners and finalists.
His Highness congratulated the winners, praising their efforts in promoting sustainability and encouraging them to continue their important contributions in this field. His Highness emphasised that the UAE is steadfast in building upon its established legacy in sustainability, a foundation laid by the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In this regard, His Highness highlighted the significant role of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in advancing sustainable development, serving humanity, and empowering innovators, entrepreneurs, and youth to actively contribute towards making a positive difference for our planet.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize aims to perpetuate the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan by honouring and supporting small and medium enterprises, non-profit organisations, and secondary schools that offer sustainable solutions addressing challenges in health, food, energy, water, and climate. Over more than 15 years, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of 384 million people worldwide through the innovative solutions presented by its 106 winners.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize also focuses on promoting youth engagement in sustainability through its Global High Schools category, which encourages youth to play active roles in supporting their communities and leading future sustainability efforts. The winners in this category, numbering 47 global high schools, have positively impacted the lives of more than 55,186 students and 453,887 people in their local communities.
The eleven winners of this year’s edition were unanimously selected in September by the jury after a thorough review of all candidates to assess their contributions and commitment to presenting innovative, impactful, and inspiring solutions across various prize categories, including Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.
During the ceremony, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, stated, “In line with the vision and direction of the leadership, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has been contributing to inclusive sustainable development and advancing climate action for over 15 years. Today, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to stimulating action to mitigate climate change impacts, empowering communities in need of support, and creating positive change in the world, especially in the Global South.”
The winners in the Climate Action category include Kelp Blue Namibia, recognised for its ambitious efforts in cultivating extensive seaweed forests in deep waters. The company has contributed to the restoration of ocean biodiversity and the sequestration of 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, in addition to creating job opportunities in coastal communities.
In the Health category, the Indonesian organisation DoctorSHARE was honoured for its pioneering work in delivering healthcare to remote and hard-to-reach areas through its floating hospitals. The organisation has made a widespread positive impact, treating more than 160,000 patients.
The Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform (GUPAP) from Palestine emerged as the winner in the Food category, commended for its contributions to supporting Gaza’s agricultural sector. This non-profit organisation facilitates access to locally produced food and has provided employment opportunities for about 200 women in agriculture, benefiting over 7,000 individuals.
In the Energy category, Ignite Power from Rwanda was recognised for its significant efforts in providing affordable electricity to remote communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The company has supplied solar power solutions to 2.5 million people through a pay-as-you-go model, thereby avoiding 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. They have also introduced innovative solar-powered irrigation solutions, creating 3,500 job opportunities in local communities.
For the Water category, the French non-profit organisation Eau Et Vie was awarded for ensuring access to clean water in impoverished areas by installing water taps directly in homes in urban regions. The organisation has facilitated water access for 52,000 people across 27 neighbourhoods in 10 cities, raised health practice awareness among 66,000 individuals, and reduced water costs by 75 percent.
The recipients of the Global High Schools awards are Colegio De Alto Rendimiento De La Libertad (Peru), representing the Americas; Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria), representing sub-Saharan Africa; International School (Morocco), representing the Middle East North Africa; Northfleet Technology College (United Kingdom), representing Europe Central Asia; KORT Education Complex (Pakistan), representing South Asia; and finally, Beijing High School No. 35 (China), representing East Asia Pacific.
The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, said, “This year’s winners have demonstrated a remarkable wave of ingenuity in their solutions to address urgent global challenges. We have confidence that these winners will catalyse substantial and scalable change in communities worldwide, propelling us towards vital climate action objectives and forging a path to a sustainable future for all.”
On the opening day of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC23) held in Dubai, Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi was appointed as the Chairman of the Conference. This decision underscores the prominent global position of the UAE, particularly in the ICT sector – a pivotal force driving development across diverse domains. It further attests to the proficiency and capability of the Emiratis in steering and presiding over major international forums and events.
This appointment marks the fulfillment of a decision made by the WRC during its previous session in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, in 2019. The decision involved hosting the UAE for WRC-23, recognised as one of the foremost global gatherings in the telecommunications sector, with a particular focus on radiocommunications. At that time, the conference also endorsed Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi as a candidate for the chairmanship of the 39th session, which is presently taking place in the UAE.
Following the UAE’s successful bid to host the conference in 2019, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) initiated a comprehensive national plan in collaboration with various relevant government entities. This plan is built on two main pillars. The first pillar emphasises meticulous preparations to host the event at the highest standards, aligning with the country’s distinguished reputation and its history of successfully organising major international conferences. This approach aims to facilitate the mission of approximately 4,500 delegates representing 193 countries over the course of the four-week conference period.
The second pillar pertains to the preparations undertaken by Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi, as a candidate for the chairmanship of the conference, with the aim of ensuring the success of this strategic mission. This pillar encompasses a series of global efforts and meetings geared towards achieving the conference’s objectives, particularly in updating the Radio Regulations. It involved conducting various tours to engage with groups representing different global regions under the International Telecommunication Union’s umbrella. Al Ramsi actively participated in negotiation and dialogues, fostering understanding and collaboration among countries and regional groups. The overarching goal is to establish consensus and understanding that will lead to successful decisions on matters related to radio frequencies and other pertinent issues during the ongoing conference sessions.
The nomination of Al Ramsi to chair the conference is rooted in his extensive history of accomplishments and responsibilities within the telecommunications sector. With over 20 years of experience, he has demonstrated expertise in network engineering, infrastructure and standards, central network planning, and the management of regulatory affairs. These cumulative experiences have culminated in his current role as the Deputy Director-General of TDRA.
Beyond his extensive telecommunications expertise, Al Ramsi possesses a well-rounded personality that has facilitated notable successes throughout his career. His global tours of various regions have seen him emerge as a unifying force, adept at fostering consensus on issues that may be points of contention among countries. With his skillful approach, he has achieved significant breakthroughs in the field, contributing to the ITU’s journey with unprecedented decisions, particularly amid the current global geopolitical circumstances.
The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) is one of the major event within the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), occurring every four years with the primary objective of revising the Radio Regulations – the international treaty governing the global use of spectrum. Each conference session marks the initiation of a new era, influencing subsequent developments, plans, and strategies in the fields of technology and digital transformation.
Al Ramsi commented on this appointment, saying, “The global consensus witnessed in the opening session, selecting an Emirati figure to chair one of the most significant and influential conferences in the international ICT sector, is a testament to the leading global position of the UAE. The swift approval of this appointment during the opening session further solidifies the UAE’s prominent position. Today, I feel a great responsibility dictated by my duty as an Emirati towards my country first, and towards the global responsibilities that result from this position.”
Al Ramsi added, “I derive my confidence in succeeding in this mission from the great support that I have received, and that every individual of this generous nation receives, which has made the people of the UAE demonstrate their presence with great merit in all international events and forums in which they have represented their country. Today, I affirm that being appointed to this position serves as a strong motivator for me to exert every conceivable effort in furthering the global mission of the UAE. This mission is encapsulated by “We the UAE 2031” vision and its pillars, positioning the UAE as a key advocate for international cooperation and an influential contributor to achieving global development goals for the benefit of humanity worldwide.”
The World Radiocommunication Conference is held in Dubai, UAE, from November 20th to December 15th 2023. Approximately 4,500 government officials from 193 countries, along with around 900 international organisations, universities, and companies worldwide, will be in attendance. The conference will host a series of sessions with the aim of achieving global consensus on radio communications and frequencies. The outcomes are anticipated to have far-reaching effects across sectors including manufacturing, space, health, education, and transportation.
This session of the WRC gains exceptional importance in light of the rapid changes in today’s world, particularly within the field of radical and emerging technologies that wield substantial influence in shaping the digital future and the evolution of smart cities. Numerous industrial strategies within the ICT products and technology depend on the outcomes of the conference, particularly in the establishment of globally endorsed regulations for radio frequencies.
As the host of this session, the UAE stands as the sole country globally to have hosted and chaired all conferences and events of the ITU, noting that this is the second occasion the UAE has chaired the WRC, with the initial instance occurring in 2012/
Photographers from all over the world compete to capture the most beautiful images of the oldest holy place on earth, hardly anyone in the world has not seen the image of the Kaaba.
Egyptian Mohammed Sadiq Bey, was the first photographer to take pictures of the Kaaba through the lens of a camera; about 138 years ago in 1880 when he went to Mecca.
Sadiq Bey took the earliest pictures on records and wrote four books about his visits to the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during that period.
Nowadays photographers take pictures of the Kaaba to capture its beautiful gold threaded black silk cover and the Koranic verses that adorn it.
We explore the Moroccan community in Belgium, their origins and contributions to various industries as well as politics, arts, food and literature.
Bachir M’rabet was a newborn when his father, a weaver from Tangier, received an offer to work in the textile sector in Belgium.
Despite his wife’s reservations, M’rabet’s father left Morocco in 1966 with the goal of earning as much as possible and returning to his home country after a few years. However, things did not go as planned.
A year later, an infant M’rabet and his mother and siblings joined the family patriarch in the Belgian capital Brussels.
His parents were part of a generation of Moroccan workers recruited by Belgium in the 1960s to make up for labour shortages in industries such as mining, steel, manufacturing and construction.
“I don’t believe any Moroccan migrated to Belgium with the notion that it would be a permanent move,” the younger M’rabet tells Middle East Eye.
Today, there are around 600,000 people with Moroccan heritage in Belgium, with the community accounting for almost one in every five people in Brussels alone, according to figures from the Migration Museum.
Initially, the community was made up of male workers, but in time, like the M’rabet family’s example, women and children joined them, leading to the growth of the Moroccan community which is today the largest minority in the country.
Despite the dramatic change in environment, initially at least, they were “warmly welcomed” by the local Belgian population, M’rabet says.
“It was cold and the winters were harsh. We left behind the Mediterranean blue sky and arrived in the darkness.
“We were kind of an attraction, an exotic sight in the neighbourhood. Locals used to invite my father for coffee, they would touch his hair,” M’rabet recalls.
Overcoming challenges
Many other Moroccans arrived in the 60s and despite the friendliness of some locals, it was not always smooth sailing.
The 1980s witnessed a rise in unemployment and increased anti-foreign sentiment.
“In those years, there was a noticeable presence of racism,” M’rabet recalls. “An extreme right discourse that we had forgotten since WWII resurged.”
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‘While being Belgian, I don’t forget my Moroccan roots. I won’t forget that my parents gave up everything to give us a chance for a better life’
– Bachir M’rabet, Moroccan living in Belgium
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Discrimination became more prevalent, with landlords refusing to rent to non-Belgians and establishments denying entry to foreigners, particularly Arabs and Blacks. “The most common reproach was that foreigners came to steal our jobs and our women,” M’rabet continues.
The situation worsened following 9/11 and the 2016 Brussels attacks in the metro and the airport that killed 32 people.
In the early days of their move to Belgium, the M’rabet family lived in financially austere conditions.
“There was no bath or shower. We did the laundry by hand or washed in public baths,” M’rabet recalls.
In school, his limited French language skills also made things difficult, but he was determined to help others.
Eventually, he started working for Foyer, an organisation created in 1969 to offer activities for the children of migrant workers.
According to M’rabet, the Belgian population does not consider people of Maghrebi origin as Belgians, nor are they fully accepted as such. “It is something that can be felt in the way they look at us, in daily life.”
Today, M’rabet is a coordinator at the community centre in Molenbeek, one of the poorest Belgian municipalites.
In his role, he encourages youngsters with foreign roots to embrace their Belgian identity, as Belgium is their country.
“While being Belgian, I don’t forget my Moroccan roots. I won’t forget that my parents gave up everything to give us a chance for a better life.”
Moroccan coal miners in Belgium
Following World War II, Belgium faced the need for reconstruction but suffered from a shortage of workers.
The government resorted to recruiting workers from abroad for the job as coal mining was the primary source of energy, and required strenuous labour.
The Men for Coal agreement signed in 1946 with Italy attracted men to work in the mines, but miners faced harsh conditions and discrimination leading to a halt in emigration ten years later after the death of 136 Italians in Marcinelle, Belgiums’s worst-ever mining disaster.
To fill the labour shortage, Belgium signed agreements with Spain and Greece in 1957 and with Morocco and Turkey seven years later.
Poverty and unemployment in Morocco drove people, particularly those from rural backgrounds, to leave, and in 1964, hundreds of Moroccan men between the ages of 20 and 35 arrived in Belgium.
Due to Moroccans’ “fairly good” understanding of French, they were seen positively by employers, who also regarded them as neutral, religious and submissive.
When their families joined them, it anchored them in Belgium further, eventually helping rejuvenate the country through economic expansion.
Building up Belgium
The 1960s witnessed growth in Belgian cities with new roads, tunnels, tram tracks, offices, and bridges being built.
“My father helped build many of the emblematic buildings in Brussels,” Zakia Khattabi, Belgium’s minister for climate and environment, tells MEE.
“Brussels was built with the help of the labour force of this first generation of Moroccans. The value of Moroccan immigration lies in my father’s hands,” she adds.
In the 1970s, Moroccans constituted a significant portion of the city’s public transportation system employees, with the percentage rising to 80 percent in certain depots.
The Migration Museum collected testimonies from workers, including Mohammed, who stated that “Belgians were reluctant to work for the trams due to the challenging schedules”.
When economic growth came to a halt in the late 1960s, unemployment began to rise.
Immigrants chose to stay in Belgium, having already settled their families and established a life there.
Official immigration agreements ended in 1974, but migration from Morocco continues to this day, with people seeking economic opportunities that their compatriots had benefitted from, as well as for family reunification.
Nowadays negative incidents involving individuals of Moroccan heritage often receive disproportionate attention, overshadowing their achievements.
“A falling tree makes more noise than a growing forest. We never talk about the many successful careers of Moroccan immigrants, whether in key positions of responsibility or in positions at any other level,” Khattabi continues.
“Although I’m very attached to my Moroccan ancestry, I consider myself part of the Belgian community as I was born here,” she adds.
Moroccan achievements
Today, the Moroccan community in Belgium has excelled in numerous fields, from politics to arts, academia, medicine, business and sports.
During the 2019 elections, six nationals of Moroccan origin were elected to the Chamber of Representatives, while 21 Belgian-Moroccan deputies secured seats in regional parliaments.
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are internationally recognised film directors, celebrated for movies such as Black and Bad Boys for Life and the series Ms Marvel, while Lubna Azabal has performed in critically acclaimed films like Paradise Now and Incendies.
Moroccan food has also had a strong impact on Belgian cuisine.
It is common to find dishes like tagine and especially couscous on the menus of some restaurants and in households across the country.
“People have embraced couscous as an ingredient, incorporating it into innovative and contemporary culinary creations,” chef Faty Khalis tells Middle East Eye.
Based in the Flemish city of Hasselt, Khalis adds that couscous has become a versatile base for various dishes, from salads to stews.
According to Khattabi, the young descendants of the Moroccan diaspora are asserting their right to belong to the community in Belgium today.
“In the past, the parents used to apologise for being there, while today’s youth confidently assume that they are home and claim their rights. They are also aware of their obligations and acknowledge them.”
Feeling at home in Belgium
Writer Taha Adnan left Marrakesh in 1996 to study at a university in Brussels.
In his work Reflections on Writing and Exile, he explains that he is “neither an exile nor an immigrant but rather someone who had to find a new way of life after facing two years of unemployment” in Morocco.
Today, Adnan advocates for Belgian literature in Arabic, during a time when many authors of Arab origin in Belgium choose to write in Dutch or French.
For him, Arabic contributes to a diverse Belgian identity.
He has published poetry, plays and has amplified the voices of Arab writers residing in Belgium through literary festivals and collective books.
Adnan curated two anthologies: Brussels, the Moroccan, which gathers works by Moroccan writers portraying the capital of Europe, and This is not a Suitcase featuring texts by Arab authors sharing their experiences in the northern European country.
Strolling along the canal in Molenbeek, Adnan tells MEE that he “feels at home in Belgium”.
Many people with Moroccan roots feel the same way and have taken their place in all spheres of life.
As Khattabi says: “Perhaps we need to make their presence more visible. It’s the pathways to success that need to be standardised.”
Minister Zakia Khattabi is photographed in Brussels and says that her father was part of the generation of Moroccans that helped build Belgium (MEE/Hatim Kaghati)
Doha-based experienced gymnast Ayoub Touabe smashed the Guinness World Records title for the Most single leg backwards somersaults in 30 seconds with 12, breaking a new, never-previously-attempted world record.
A somersault is a movement in gymnastics in which a person flips in a complete revolution along the ground or in the air bringing the feet over the head.
Ayoub is said to be among a few people globally who are able to do this movement on a consecutive basis on one leg. In fact, the movement puts a lot of pressure on a single leg plus the lower back, making it very challenging even for experienced gymnasts. Based in Doha, Qatar, Ayoub developed this skill during his 23-year career and managed to set a world record at the age of 32.
Ayoub started his journey by mimicking his father’s gymnastic moves at the age of almost 8 years young in 1998. He started professional training at a later age, but also got his degree at a medical institute. He suffered from multiple injuries during his training career. He said:
“I don’t think I spared any part of my body without some sort of an injury”.
“I managed to do my first somersault in 2009, but it took me another 18 months to do another one consecutively. By 2011, I uploaded a video on YouTube doing 10 consecutively. After thorough research, I realised there is no one globally who can do as many.”
Ayoub is currently training people to do gymnastics. His most experienced student has managed to do the first somersault. He adds:
“The moment you realise how to balance and work out your back flexibility and leg stability is when you know how to do it” he added “I am 5 ft 8 in tall and weigh 89kg, which makes somersaults physically very challenging.”
Ayoub’s goal now is to teach more people the value of doing sports, and stand against society’s resistance to sports:
“Throughout the years, I have been told multiple times to give up my sports career, and focus on my university degree, but I refused and today with a Guinness World Records title, I am glad I didn’t give up.”
First held in 2004 to mark Guinness World Records becoming the best-selling copyright book of all time, GWR Day has inspired some now iconic record-breaking achievements. Guinness World Records today celebrates the eighteenth annual GWR Day. Celebrating the theme of Super Skills, record-breaking hopefuls from across the globe have put on a jaw-dropping display of dedication, persistence and elite-level talent. This year over 1000 applications were received from aspiring record-breakers across the world, hoping to attempt records on GWR Day to secure their place in the next edition of the book.
Source and cover image credit: Guinness World Records Press Release
Razan Al-Rajhi is riding high after completing a 100 km endurance race in France.
Saudi jockey Razan Al-Rajhi is riding high after completing a 100 km endurance race in France — less than a year after taking to the saddle.
And her achievement in Le Pertre was recently celebrated at an event organized by the Al-Sarim Al-Battar Academy at its stable in Janadriyah, on the northern outskirts of Riyadh.
The academy offers a program dedicated to training female jockeys.
Al-Rajhi told Arab News: “The endurance race in France was challenging, but I was determined to demonstrate that Saudi women are capable of achieving anything.”
Just 11 months ago, Al-Rajhi did not know how to ride a horse but was determined to learn. She raced twice in Bahrain before applying for the event in France, where she qualified and earned her first star.
More than 60 riders from Europe also took part.
Al-Rajhi leads a team of 15 girls. She said: “As beginners in this field, we support and inspire each other. My girls work hard, push themselves, and I’m proud of their dedication.”
For world cup race qualification, she must now complete 120 km for her second star, and 160 km for her third.
Hatem Hassanein, an international referee, coach, and academy owner, said Al-Rajhi, the only Arab female participant in the championship, amazed jockeys, participants, and judges with her skills.
“I teach girls to ride horses while also helping them build bravery and commitment,” he added.
Al-Rajhi is preparing for the 2024 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup in AlUla, an international endurance racing world cup.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Al-Rajhi is the first female horse rider from the program to participate in European races, specifically in France in the Le Pertre region, after obtaining the approval of the Saudi Federation to participate in this tournament in which more than 60 male and female riders from various European countries participated, achieving the distance required of them. (Supplied)
The Khartoum-based photographer’s work has become ‘a nostalgic collection’ of what his city looked like before the current outbreak of violence .
When the Khartoum-based Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir was approached to feature in “Reframing Neglect,” a group show in New York presenting works by African photographers, he had no idea that the exhibition would be staged as his country was plunged into another violent conflict.
Sudan has been in the throes of political turmoil since authoritarian leader Omar Al-Bashir was overthrown in 2019, but the explosion of violence on April 15 between Sudan’s two warring generals Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan of the Sudanese Armed Forces and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces took the world by surprise, including Kheir.
“Reframing Neglect,” curated by contemporary artist and activist Aïda Muluneh, is focused not on warfare, but on the need to end what are termed “neglected tropical diseases,” which included leprosy, sleeping sickness and river blindness. It showcases works by Kheir and photographers from six other countries in Africa — Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and Ethiopia.
Kheir’s works in the exhibition were shot in the Stables Industrial Area, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Khartoum where families fleeing unstable regions have made makeshift homes. It’s also where the majority of the people in Sudan living with NTDs reside. But now, with the violence that has transformed Khartoum into a constant battleground, even they have been forced to find refuge elsewhere.
Kheir’s work subtly addresses Khartoum’s complexity, as well as the socio-economic issues that shape it, or at least shaped it before the current violence.
“I work in a way that feels more like seeing,” Kheir explains from his home in Khartoum. “This city has been my playground for so long. Even though I am from Darfur, Khartoum is where most of my work is. Through my photography I try to document and engage with the city and understand it better.
“With my camera I’ve been to all parts of the city, all parts of the community,” he adds. “I’ve been photographing projects in the outskirts — in the poor, relatively new neighborhoods — and in the center of the city, where the action is.”
Through photography, Kheir strives to raise awareness of the community of artists whose lives are now at risk in Khartoum.
“I try to use photography with the aim of self-reflection, while also enjoying the process and the difficulty of making a simple photograph that delivers a message,” he says.
Kheir runs The Other Vision, a platform that focuses on photography education and training in Sudan, through which he assists young photographers and connects Sudanese artists to the rest of Africa, as well as engaging with the public to address social issues to bring about change in Sudan.
“When I look at my photography now and think about the war that is currently taking place in Khartoum, my work has become very important to me,” he tells Arab News. “I keep looking at the photographs I took of the city; they have become a nostalgic collection of what it used to look like.
“Since I cannot photograph the city now like I did before, I am reviewing the work I have done over the past 10 years and I want to publish a book with these images,” he continues. “Khartoum and Sudan will not be the same after this war.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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‘Home is Here,’ one of Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir’s images from the New York group exhibition ‘Reframing Neglected.’ (Supplied)
Dr. Najm: Award is ‘culmination of a long journey and diligent work in the field of heart surgery’
Doctor attributes success to ‘great education’ he received in Saudi Arabia
Saudi surgeon Dr. Hani Najm has been named the first winner of the Great Arab Minds award in medicine, which was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai, in January 2023.
The award, which celebrates the most brilliant minds in the Arab world and their positive impacts on society, acknowledges accomplishments across six categories: engineering and technology, medicine, economics, architecture and design, natural sciences, and literature and arts.
It was presented to the Saudi surgeon in recognition of his outstanding contributions to pediatric and adult cardiac surgery, as well as his innovations in surgery to treat congenital heart diseases.
The doctor is credited with the design and development of a flexible, growth-compatible heart valve to be used inside a child’s body. It can be implanted in the heart and adjusts according to a child’s growth over the years, sparing infants and children the risks of multiple surgical procedures.
Najm participated in over 10,000 surgical operations in newborns, children, and adults with heart diseases, managing complex and critical cases.
Born in Riyadh, Najm graduated from the College of Medicine, King Saud University in 1985. He was trained in general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and pediatric congenital heart surgery in Canada.
For 17 years, he headed the Children’s Heart Center at the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh and was a pioneer in performing critical heart surgeries for patients in the Kingdom, sparing them the need to travel abroad for treatment. He was also one of the first surgeons to perform an artificial heart transplant in Saudi Arabia.
He headed the Saudi Heart Association, served as editor in chief of the Journal of Saudi Heart Association, and was an associate professor at King Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh. He is also an international lecturer in the field of congenital heart surgery.
He joined Cleveland Clinic in 2016 as the chair of pediatric and congenital heart surgery and is currently a member of many national and international professional organizations, including the Gulf Heart Association, the Board of Trustees of the American College of Cardiology, and the European Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Speaking to Arab News, Najm said: “This award is the culmination of a long journey and diligent work in the field of heart surgery. I did not expect this much success in the beginning.
“This award will reflect greatly on my work and on the work of eminent Arab scholars, who in turn will aspire and work hard to obtain the award … a source of pride for all Arabs.
“When I came to the US, one of my most important goals was to be an ambassador for my country. I was striving to gain the trust of the team, the hospital, and the community. Everyone knew that I was coming from a different society, so I worked hard to prove myself and (show) that my recruitment was the right move,” he said.
Najm dedicated this award to his homeland, which he said opened the doors for him to the best centers in the world for training.
He underlined that the excellence he has achieved is the result of the great education he received in Saudi Arabia.
He also thanked his wife and children for supporting him during this journey and the many long hours he spent in the hospital for surgeries.
In a message to Saudi doctors, Najm said: “You have a high level of professionalism, just like all the doctors in the world. The root of my distinction is the education I got from King Saud University, on which I built my scientific and practical experiences. You are the seeds of success, and you can get global recognition, especially in light of the great support provided by our country.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Saudi surgeon Dr. Hani Najm joined Cleveland Clinic in 2016 as the chair of pediatric and congenital heart surgery. (acc.org)
Dubai has been ranked among the top 10 cities in the Global Power City Index (GPCI) 2023, a prestigious and internationally recognised league table issued by the Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies in Japan. The new ranking makes Dubai the first city in the Middle East to attain this prestigious global recognition.
In the 2023 index, which ranks major cities on to their ‘magnetism’ – or power to attract people, capital and enterprises – Dubai climbed three places to eighth overall. The achievement cements Dubai’s position as a leading global city, driven by the vision of its leadership and the collective determination of its citizens and residents.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, said that Dubai’s progress in the Global Power City Index 2023 reflects the dedicated efforts to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to attain top global positions across various vital sectors and establish Dubai as the world’s best city to work and live in.
Congratulating Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on the emirate’s achievement as the first city in the Middle East to make it into the prestigious list, Sheikh Hamdan said, “There is no limit to our ambitions, and with the unwavering dedication of our nation’s people, we will continue to strengthen Dubai’s position as a model for the cities of the future, achieving milestones that set the global standard. Dubai’s excellence and accomplishments stem from the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, propelling the city at an accelerated pace towards the pinnacle of leadership and excellence.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed urged both the private and public sectors in Dubai to persist in their efforts to establish Dubai as a sustainable development model that places the development of people’s capabilities and enhances their quality of life at the forefront of its priorities. He underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to achieving further milestones in various global competitiveness indicators and consolidating a knowledge and creative economy through the adoption and implementation of modern legislative frameworks and regulatory rules, carefully crafted to address global changes. These efforts affirm Dubai’s capability to efficiently keep pace with the evolving landscape, he said.
“To cement Dubai’s position as a global economic powerhouse and its role as a catalyst for growth, we must cultivate world-class working environments that empower our national talent and attract the brightest minds from across the globe. This commitment to excellence will propel comprehensive development, establishing Dubai as a global benchmark for sustainable economic prosperity and resilience,” His Highness added.
In the 2023 index, Dubai retained its fourth position for the second consecutive year within the Cultural Interaction parameter, surpassing Tokyo, Istanbul, Madrid, Moscow, and Singapore. Meanwhile, London, New York, and Paris maintained the top three spots. The ranking is an outcome of Dubai’s commitment to enhancing its status as a cultural destination, a major hub for creativity, and one of the best cities in which to live and work. This effort aligns with Dubai’s cultural vision that aims to cement the emirate’s position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. Dubai has also maintained its top regional ranking in Cultural Interaction.
The Global Power City Index (GPCI), which has been published annually since 2008, is a global benchmark for measuring the performance and competitiveness of global cities. It is used by governments, businesses, and individuals to make decisions related to investment, immigration, and travel. The index reflects the dynamic nature of cities and their ability to adapt and thrive in the face of global challenges. It provides a comprehensive overview of cities’ standing and impact on the global stage. The index comprises six parameters, including Economy, Research and Development, Cultural Interaction, Liveability, Environment, and Accessibility.
Dubai progressed in several sub-parameters within Cultural Interaction, ranking first globally in the Number of Foreign Residents and second in the Number of Luxury Hotel Rooms, reinforcing the emirate’s cultural offering, creative environment, and diverse tourist attractions.
The index further revealed Dubai’s excellence and leadership across various sub-indicators, encompassing work flexibility, low unemployment rate, and city cleanliness. It also highlighted Dubai’s success in hosting global exhibitions and events, attracting visitors and tourists, and increasing the influx of travellers through its airports.
Today, Dubai stands as one of the world’s most renowned cities in terms of economies, finance, business, tourism and travel. It is also one of the most successful cities in attracting talent, with more than 200 nationalities from various backgrounds living together in a tolerant and welcoming society. Dubai is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
