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Mohammed Sulaiman Al Shuaili. Mahir Naseer Al Khusaibi. Zamzam Bain Oraba.
For the 5th time in a row, the Sultanate of Oman has won the two world cups of the International Federation of Photographic Arts (FIAP) in its 40th round, within the age-group of 16 years and the age-group of 21 years.
Oman bagged 462 points through the presentation of 20 works submitted by 13 of its photographers.
In the age-group of 21 years, Oman bagged 457 points through the entries of 13 photographers who submitted 20 works.
In the age-group of 21 years, Mohammed Sulaiman Al Shuaili won gold medal for his photograph titled “Tafkeer” (Thinking), while Mahir Naseer Al Khusaibi bagged silver medal for his photo titled “Iltwaa” (inflection) and Zamzam Bani Oraba won the bronze for her photo titled “Talashi” (blackout).
source/content: omannews.gov.om
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Mohammed Sulaiman Al Shuaili – “Tafkeer” (Thinking) ‘Iltwaa’ by Mahir Naseer al Khusaibi‘Talashi’ by Zamzam Bani Oraba
The Ministry of Culture and Youth announced the 30 winners of the 16th edition of the Al Burda Award at a gala evening held on 19th December, 2021, at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai.
The awards were in six categories: Classical Poetry, Nabati Poetry, Classical Calligraphy, Modern Calligraphy, Ornamentation and Typography.
Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of State, attended the awards ceremony and honoured the 30 winners and took memorial photos with them. Alongside was Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth.
The current edition awarded Egyptian poet, Heba Alfeky, the first prize in Classical Poetry, with the second position in the same category secured by her compatriot Diyaa Alkilany. Lamis Al Rahabi and Bahija Masri Idlbi from Syria won the third and fourth prize, respectively, in the Classical Poetry category.
Abdulaziz bin Hamed Mohammed Al-Omairi from Oman won first place in Nabati Poetry, followed by Mohammad Hamdan Alanezah from Jordan in second place. Ali Alqarni from Saudi Arabia and Muzna Rabia Albrieki from Oman took the third and fourth places,respective.
Egypt’s Mohamed Gaber Abouelella was placed first in Classical Calligraphy, followed by Meryem Nuruzi Halilani of Turkey, who secured the second place. Noman Tayseer Rajab from Syria, Ahmad Ali Namazi Reihanloo from Iran and Mahfod Thunnun from Iraq won third, fourth and fifth positions respectively in the Classical Calligraphy category.
The Modern Calligraphy category had four awards, with Mahsa Javad Davachi, from Iran, winning first prize and Dhia Al-Jazaeri from Canada coming second. Third and fourth prizes were taken by Iran’s Babak Mohammad Ali Hejazi and Masoud Asghar Mohebbifar, respectively.
Mihriban Beyza Kaya, from Turkey, won first prize in Ornamentation, while the second, third, fourth and fifth positions went to Iranian compatriots Masoumeh Ahmad Moradi, Afsaneh Khademreza Mahdavi, Asgar Ahmad Moradi, and Zaynab Ibrahim Shahi.
Eight winners were announced in the Typography category, namely Syrian national Duaa Abzeed, Jamal Eldin Elsamani Mohammed from Sudan, Tarek Samir Alsawwa, from Syria, Reza Babajani, from Iran, Bita Amel, from Iran, Lama Kadri, from Lebanon, Asia Alsheshani, from Jordan and Fatima Abdulla Alketbi, from the UAE.
The awards evening hosted several standout performances from a cross-section of genres, with artists including Watar Orchestra from Iraq, Dubai Chamber Choir and Sheikh Mahmoud Eltohamy from Egypt, the latter with a piece titled “Anin”. Noumoucounda Cissoko from Senegal delivered a musical recital titled “Mandi Strings”, while Lebanese singer Jahida Wahba presented several songs from her catalogue.
The closing performance was an Emirati Malid delivered by Rashid Al Nuaimi and Saif Fathel.
The Al Burda Award is a global platform that reflects the diversity of creative expression throughout the Islamic world and seeks to revitalise the Islamic cultural and artistic movement. The award was launched by the Ministry of Culture and Youth in AH 1425/2004 under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Morocco’s bid to host the first African office of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was ratified at the 24th session of the Organization’s General Assembly.
The bid was approved amid strong competition from four other African countries, and UNWTO’s first regional office will open in Marrakech.
Morocco’s bid to host the first African office of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was ratified at the 24th session of the Organization’s General Assembly.
The bid was approved amid strong competition from four other African countries, and UNWTO’s first regional office will open in Marrakech.
Ammor led the Moroccan delegation at UNWTO’s General Assembly, which was attended by more than 500 government officials and several tourism professionals from member countries.
Morocco’s participation shed light on the village of Sidi Kaouki in the province of Essaouira as “Best Tourism Village 2021.”
The seaside village of Sidi Kaouki was selected from more than 170 villages from 75 countries, echoing Morocco’s continuous efforts to build an eco-friendly destination for global tourism.
source/content: moroccoworldnews.com
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UNWTO Regional Office for Africa to Open in Marrakech. Credits: UNWTO
The 2021 King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam has been awarded to Mohamed Al-Sharikh from Kuwait, chairman of Sakhr Software Company.
He is one of five winners chosen by a selection committee led by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Prize Board.
The others are Moroccan Professor Mohamed Mechbal of Abdul-Malik Al-Saadi University in Tétouan, Morrocco (Arabic language and literature); Stephen Mark Strittmatter, an American neurologist at Yale School of Medicine, and British Professor Robin Franklin of the Wellcome Trust-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (co-winners in medicine), and Professor Stuart Parkin from the UK, an experimental physicist at Stanford University in California (science).
Mechbel was recognized for work that lays the foundations for the creation of modern Arab rhetoric within a vision inspired by the call for renewal.
Previous winners in this category of the King Faisal Prize have included rulers, heads of state, thought leaders and social scientists, as well as many distinguished institutions
‘Al-Ghadha Park in Unaizah (Makkah), which covers an area of more than 172 million square meters, has earned a Guinness World Record for the largest saxaul tree botanical garden.
“The saxaul trees give the area a unique beauty and magic that draws hikers from the Qassim region and beyond.”
Saleh Al-Waneen, a spokesperson for the Saxaul Association, told Arab News how the trees evolved to withstand the harsh desert climate.
“The tree grows and reproduces without any human intervention, and can go without water for many months,” he said. “In fact, this type of tree flowers, grows and thrives in the hottest temperatures in the summer without any irrigation or rain. It loves the heat and direct sun. Temperatures sometimes reach 58 C.
source/content : arabnews.com
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The people of Unaizah, a governorate in Al-Qassim Province, have cared for the indigenous trees for more than five decades, and there are strict laws against cutting them down. (Supplied) / arabnews.com
The 13-year-old Egyptian-Hungarian violinist Mariam Abuzahra won the silver award at the Nutcracker International Television Contest for Young Musicians in Moscow, Russia, on 6 December.
Abuzahra, representing Germany and Austria, participated in the third and final round of the Nutcracker, a renowned contest organised by the state cultural TV channel ‘Russia-K’, whose most recent edition took place in Moscow at the Tchaikovsky Hall.
In the string instruments category, Abuzahra competed with two other young finalists: Franz Ludwig Serafin Kraggerud (8) from Norway and violinist Sofia Demetriades (14), representing Great Britain and Russia.
Mariam Abuzahra started playing violin at the age of three, following the example of her elder sister Amira. Both sisters have been performing extensively and winning in international contests, such as the German youth national competition, the Virtuózok Talent show in Hungary and many others.
Just recently in 2020, the sisters received the highest awards at one of the most prestigious competitions for young violinists, the International Arthur Grumiaux Competition in Belgium.
Born to a Hungarian mother, Nóra Emödy, and an Egyptian father, Ahmed Abuzahra, both pianists, the young musician is also the granddaughter of famous Egyptian actor Abdelrahman Abuzahra.
On 18 December 1878, Sheikh Jassem bin Mohamed bin Thani succeeded his father as the ruler of Qatar.
With that, Qatar became a country with a vision… a country that would find unity, grow rapidly, and reach toward ever-higher heights.
National Day, also known as Founder’s Day, celebrates the rise of Sheikh Jassem as the father and founder of the State of Qatar.
It was founded in 2007 to give people an occasion to honour the history and identity of their country, and to commemorate those who have worked and continue to work to make Qatar a great nation.
The 18th of December is a special day – a day of unity for the people of Qatar.
source/content: qatarnationalday.qa
December 18th, 2021
H.H. the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in Qatar’s Arda (traditional sword dance) held at Amiri Diwan Yard to celebrate Qatar National Day.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced that Arabic calligraphy was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as a monumental cultural symbol in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
The addition was underpinned by the fact that Arabic calligraphy “represents the story of a civilization, heritage and culture, and that it is closely linked to the Arabic language,”
After a successful collaboration between 15 Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia and under the supervision of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, Arabic Calligraphy: Knowledge, Skills and Practices has been officially added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In addition to the importance of its use in religious texts, calligraphy has played a pivotal role in the advancement of the Arabic language throughout history. For centuries, it has contributed to the transfer and spread of Arab culture, customs and religious values, in the process instilling a sense of pride and belonging among Arabs.
It is the ninth element registered by the Saudi Kingdom on this list, after registering eight elements of the intangible cultural heritage. Arabic calligraphy is a symbol of Arab identity, and has contributed to the transmission of culture and religious texts throughout history.
Minister of Culture Dr. Ines Abdel-Daim said Egypt being chosen as the capital of Islamic culture for 2022 attests to Egypt’s outstanding cultural role in the world.
Ines Abdel-Daim said Cairo is a city of diversity and cultural richness reflecting many of the salient features of human civilisation in general and the Islamic civilisation in particular, as it has always been a meeting-point of civilisations, old and modern, and a unique centre of art, intellect, and creativity.
Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) Salim bin Mohammad Al-Malik participated in the gathering that took place in the Cairo Opera House’s Small Hall to elaborate on the details marking the start of the festivity.
source/content: english.ahram.org.eg
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Egyptian Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Daim and Director General of the ISESCO Salim bin Mohammad Al-Malik during the press conference in Cairo on Tuesday (photo courtesy of Egyptian cabinet)
Egyptian star Mohamed Mamdouh received the Best Actor Award for his role in Abu Saddam, which premiered at the festival.
The Best Actress Award went to Swamy Rotolo for her performance in A Chiara, directed by Jonas Carpignano (Italy – France), while The Golden Pyramid Award for Best Film went toThe Hole In The Fence, by director Joaquin del Paso (Mexico, Poland), and produced by Fernanda de la Peza and Joaquin del Paso. Blind Spot, by director Lotfi Achour (Tunisia, France) won the Best Short Film Award.
creening over 111 films from 63 countries, the activities of the CIFF’s 43rd edition ran from 25 November to 5 December, including 34 world premieres, workshops, seminars, as well as ceremonies to honour a number of renowned filmmakers, including Egyptian actors Nelly, Karim Abdel-Aziz and Indian composer A.R. Rahman.
The CIFF awards went to:
International Competition awards
Henry Barakat Awardfor Best Artistic Contribution: Jose Angel Alayon for the cinematography of They Carry Death (Spain – Colombia)
Best Actress Award: Swamy Rotolo for her performance in A Chiara, directed by Jonas Carpignano (Italy – France)
Best Actor Award: Mohamed Mamdouh for his performance in Abu Saddam, directed by Nadine Khan (Egypt)
Naguib Mahfouz Award for Best Screenplay: Péter Kerekes and Ivan Ostrochovský for 107 Mothers, directed by Péter Kerekes (Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Ukraine)
The Bronze Pyramid Award for Best First or Second Feature of a Director: Aloners, by director Hong Seong-Eun (South Korea)
The Silver Pyramid: Small Body, directed by Laura Samani (Italy, France)
Special Jury Award for Best Director: Laura Samani for Small Body (Italy, France, Slovenia)
The Golden Pyramid Award for Best Film: The Hole In The Fence, by director Joaquin del Paso (Mexico, Poland), produced by Fernanda de la Peza and Joaquin del Paso
International Short Film Competition awards
Youssef Chahine Award for Best Short Film: Blind Spot, by director Lotfi Achour (Tunisia, France)
The Special Jury Award: It’s Nothing Nagy, Just Hang Up!, by director Youhanna Nagy (Egypt)
The Horizons of Arab Cinema Competition awards
Saad Eldin Wahba Award for Best Film: Awarded for directors Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige for their film Memory Box (Lebanon, France)
The Special Jury Award: Fiasco, by director Nicolas Khoury (Lebanon, the Netherlands)
Best Non-Fiction Film Award: From Cairo, by director Hala Galal (Egypt)
Best Acting Performance Award: Afef Ben Mahmoud for her performance in Streams, directed by Mehdi Hmili (Tunisia, Luxembourg, France)
Special Mention: A Second Life, by director Anis Lassoued (Tunisia)
International Critics’ Week Competition awards
Shadi Abdel-Salam Award for Best Film: Awarded to Ameer Fakher Eldin, director of The Stranger (Syria, Palestine, Germany)
The Special Jury Award: Wild Roots, by Hajni Kis (Hungary, Slovakia)
Special Mention: Actress Arcelia Ramírez for her performance in La Civil, by director Teodora Ana Mihai (Belgium, Romania, Mexico)
Best Arab Film Award: The Stranger, by Ameer Fakher Eldin (Syria, Palestine, Germany), produced by Tony Copti, Jiries Copti, and Dorothe Beinemeier
Special Mention: Fiasco, by Nicolas Khoury (Lebanon, Netherlands)
FIPRESCI Award: Tomorrow, directed by Dhafer L’Abidine (Tunisia)
Audience Award:Daughters of Abdel-Rahman’, directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan (Jordan)
