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The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) member countries have unanimously chosen the UAE to head the Permanent Committee for Arab Culture.
Salma Al Darmaki, Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, has been appointed to chair the Permanent Committee.
The decision comes after the 22nd edition of the Conference of Arab Culture Ministers, held in December 2021 at Expo 2020 Dubai. Al Darmaki is the second woman appointed to this position in ALECSO’s history.
The Permanent Committee for Arab Culture is responsible for coordinating the work of various ALECSO member states in cultural fields. The Standing Committee is also mandated to prepare for the Conference of Arab Ministers of Culture.
Al Darmaki has been an Assistant Under-Secretary for Knowledge and Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture and Youth since 2018. She has served as a Research Fellow at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development from 2017 to 2018. She was a researcher at the Permanent Mission of the UAE to the United Nations in Switzerland from 2016 to 2017; an expert on Social Policy in the General Secretariat of the Executive Council in Abu Dhabi from 2011 and 2016, and a parliamentary researcher in the General Secretariat of the Federal National Council from 2009-2010. She also worked for the Abu Dhabi Government Restructuring Committee in 2008.
Al Darmaki holds a post-graduate degree in International Law from the University of London, a Master’s in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom, and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Zayed University in the UAE.
As Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Al Darmaki managed the campaign for securing a seat for the UAE on the UNESCO Executive Board from 2019 to 2023. She played a crucial role in the first decision submitted by the UAE to the Executive Council of UNESCO on “A Framework for Arts and Culture Education” and the passing of a resolution on the “Building on the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development through Consolidated Action”. Some of her other achievements include the declaration of World Futures Day by UNESCO as an annual international day after being proposed by the UAE. The UAE secured a seat in the intergovernmental committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Al Darmaki has been working with the national authorities to further the cause of cultural, educational and scientific endeavours, such as extending the registration of the falconry file for the fourth time in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to become the largest file in the history of the organisation. She also manages the UAE partnership with UNESCO in the pioneering “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative. In addition to supporting the nomination of Abu Dhabi as a Creative City for Music, she has helped make Abu Dhabi the third Emirate to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network along with Dubai and Sharjah.
Morocco has been continuously creating opportunities for women to integrate many fields and take the lead in positions that were once designed only for men.
Moroccan women are now represented in all fields, from sports and arts to politics and economics.
Indeed, the list is very long of inspiring, canonized Moroccan women whose bravery and infectious passion for social change remain central to the country’s history. For now, however, let’s just revel in the New Year spirit and celebrate the power of women in Morocco by looking back on the achievements of female Moroccan changemakers who made headlines in 2021.
Women in politics
This year, Moroccan politics welcomed seven new ministers in the Aziz Akhannouch government, making a third of the government’s representatives.
Nadia Fellah Alaoui, who is now the Minister of Economy and Finance, was the first woman to be appointed as the Minister of Tourism in the previous, Saadeddine El Othmani-led government.
Minister Delegate Ghita Mezzour has made a name for herself through her active engagement in Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.
Other women at the forefront of government include: Fatima Zahra Ammor as Minister of Tourism and Handicraft, Fatima-Zahra Mansouri as Minister of Housing, Aouatif Hayar as Minister of Women, Family, and Social Integration, and Leila Benali as Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development.
Nabila Rmili, who stepped down from her new position as Minister of Heath a few days after her appointment, retains her role as the first female mayor of Casablanca. Meanwhile, Asmaa Rhlalou, a journalist and the former deputy of the National Rally of Independents party (RNI) in the House of Representatives, and Fatima-Zahra Mansouri are the mayors of Rabat and Marrakech, respectively.
Moroccan women in science
Two Moroccan scientists and researchers at Mohammed V University, Rajaa Cherkaoui El Moursli and Farida Fassi, have made it to the list of top 50 scientists worldwide according to the international 2021 AD Scientific Index. They hold 33rd and 38th place respectively.
El Moursli, a professor of nuclear physics, holds the highest-ranking in Morocco, Africa, and the Arab League, while Fassi, a professor of physics at the Faculty of Sciences, follows closely in second-ranking across the regions.
In 2015, El Moursli received the L’Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science for her contribution to proving the existence of the Higgs Boson. She is the first Moroccan woman to receive the prestigious award.
Professor Fassi contributed to the research of High Energy Physics, as well as to the Worldwide Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Computing Grid, which sets out to solve the problem of data storage for the LHC.
Moroccan women as global influencers
Sanae Lahlou was selected as a Young Global Leader in 2021 by The World Economic Forum (WEF).
She is now the director of consulting firm Mazars’ Africa Business Unit in Morocco. Lahlou works to connect African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and creative start-ups by expanding their growth opportunities and transforming them into African and global champions.
Another Moroccan to make the headlines for her activism and commitment to provide girls around the globe with proper education is Iman Hammam.
Super Model Hammam was the first to receive the She’s the First (STF) inaugural Powerhouse of the Year Award. She is also the ambassador of STF, an organization that sponsors girls’ education in developing nations.
First Moroccan woman as General Manager of Microsoft Morocco
In November 2021, Salima Amira was appointed General Manager of Microsoft Morocco.
With 17 years of experience as a leader in competitive environments, such as Inwi and IBM, Amira firmly established herself in a field historically dominated by men when she became the first woman to hold the position of General Manager of Microsoft Morocco. The Casablanca subsidiary was founded in 1993.
Amira graduated from the Mohammadia School of Engineers in 2003 and from the Ecole des Ponts ParisTech in 2010.
Moroccans as Most Powerful Businesswomen in the MENA region
In February 2021, Forbes magazine featured four Moroccan women in the Middle East’s Power Businesswomen 2021 list.
Nezha Hayat was the first Moroccan to appear on the list, ranking eighth in the list of 50. Hayat is the CEO of Morocco’s Capital Market Authority and the president of the Africa Middle East Regional Committee at the International Organization of Securities Commissions.
The founder and CEO of AKSAL Group, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch ranked 19th. Married to the current Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Salwa is an accomplished businesswoman. Her company is engaged in social community work and implemented a social project to support cultural, educational, and health projects across Morocco.
Rita Maria Zniber, the chairman and CEO of Diana Holding, occupied the 33rd rank. With over 50 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Zniber’s company scope mainly includes agriculture, olive growing, poultry farming, trade, and distribution.
She is also the founder of the Rita Zniber Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports abandoned children in Morocco.
The 36th ranking went to Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun, the director of Holmarcom Group and the CEO of Oulmes, the largest mineral water company in Morocco. In 2019, the Moroccan businesswoman was appointed by the United Nations’ Secretary-General to join the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) alliance.
Women in cinema and arts
The Moroccan artist Meriem Bennani was the first Moroccan in the history of the Paris Fashion Week to assume the artistic direction of the fashion show.
Bennani decorated the show space and operated the Miu Miu livestream through displaying artwork and a series of artistic interventions starring her own mother and highlighting a fine line between virtual and real life.
Born in 1988 in Morocco, Bennani attended Cooper Union College in New York where she studied visual arts.
During the lockdown last year, Bennani teamed up with documentary filmmaker Orian Barki to animate a series of videos posted on Instagram titled “2 Lizards.”
In September 2021, Morocco hosted the first female-only organized Short Film Festival in Marrakech. The event was co-organized by Moroccan artist Ramia Beladel and French national Thais Martin.
In her work, Beladel illustrates subjects of everyday life in a multi-layered way. Her aim is to make the viewer imagine and interpret her artwork without being hindered by the historical reality.
In another film accolade, in October 2021, Moroccan actress Sandia Tajeddine won the Best Actress award at the 2021 Jordan International Film Festival.
Born in 1994, the actress began her career in theater at seven years old in school plays and camps. She graduated from the Rabat-based Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Activities in 2017 and has since played challenging roles in many films and series, such as “Banat El Assas,” “The Punch,” and “Yacout W Anbar.”
These are just a few examples of Moroccan women who made the headlines this year.
source/content: moroccoworldnews.com
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Significant Achievements by Moroccan Women in 202 / pix; moroccoworldnews.com
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, today launched the Great Arab Minds initiative. The initiative will be driven by and headquartered at the Museum of the Future, the Emirates’ new global scientific landmark.
Great Arab Minds is the Arab world’s largest movement designed to search for exceptional talents among Arab scientists, thinkers, and innovators across key fields, aiming to highlight and celebrate leading thinkers in the region and inspire young people with their example. It will work with regional and global partners to develop and maximise the positive impact of their ideas and work. The five-year initiative will focus on fields including physics and mathematics, software and data science, economics and higher education and research.
The initiative is backed by an AED100 million fund and will be administered from the Museum of the Future, with a committee of four Emirati Ministers who will develop a system to identify and highlight the extraordinary thinkers and talents that the initiative will support. The fund will support local and global partnerships in fostering research, development and innovation.
In a series of tweets, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Today we launch a new project to search for 1,000 Great Arab Minds in the fields of physics and mathematics, software and data science, economics and higher education and research. Great minds built Arab civilization – today I believe we have the talent to build a better world.”
He added, “We will accelerate the Emirates’ role as an incubator for fostering Arab and global talent. We built the Museum of the Future as a global hub for scientists, thinkers and innovators – it is the ideal headquarters for a fund to develop the potential of our region’s finest minds.”
The Committee leading Great Arab Minds is chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi, President of the Museum of the Future, and the membership of Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency; and Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
More details about the Great Arab Minds project will be announced over coming weeks, including information about each of the paths as well as processes for nomination and registration.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been elected President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) following the FIA Annual General Assembly gathered in Paris , on December 17th, 2021
Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the UAE will be the first non-European president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), motorsport’s world governing body.
The 60-year-old Dubai-born former rally driver was standing against British lawyer Graham Stoker, who has been Todt’s deputy president for sport since 2009.
The FIA is the governing body for Formula One, the World Rally Championship, World Endurance, and Formula E among other series. “The votes are in and we’ve won. We are thrilled that 62% of all clubs have given us their vote,” said Ben Sulayem’s ‘FIA for Members’ campaign on Twitter. An FIA spokesman confirmed the result.
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
International organisations have hailed the establishment of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) in the UAE as an independent entity in line with the Paris Principles to promote and ensure the protection of human rights in accordance with international best practices.
The heads of these organisations have issued separate statements where they commended the formation of the NHRI and the appointment of its Board of Trustees from qualified Emirati cadres enjoying long experience in the field.
Advisor Issa Rashid Al Arabi, President of the Arab Federation for Human Rights (AFHR), said that the NHRI’s establishment in the UAE is a major stride, noting that it reflects the keenness of the UAE’s wise leadership to ensure that human rights are respected, and its firm belief in the importance of promoting human values.
Lawyer Ala Chalabi, the Chairman of the Arab Organisation for Human Rights, an entity with an advisory capacity at the United Nations, has commended the formation of the Institution, stressing that it will contribute to safeguarding human rights in the UAE and the entire Arabian Gulf region.
Dr Amjad Shamout, the former head of the Standing Arab Human Rights Committee at the Arab League, who is also the Chairman of Al-Jisr Al-Arabi Human Rights Centre in Jordan, said the establishment of NHRI is a qualitative addition to the efforts made in the human rights field in the Emirates that reflects the UAE leadership’s strong will to prioritise human rights and ensure all those living in the country enjoy the same rights without any discrimination.
Ayman Nasri, the Head of the Arab- European Forum for Dialogue and Human Rights, another entity with an advisory capacity at the UN, said the formation of the NHRI is a step forward toward reinforcing cooperation between local and international human rights agencies and organisations that will significantly contribute to establishing human rights organisations capable of communicating efficiently with the international community.
Khalid Al Ajami, Chairman of the Board of Kuwait Human Rights Society, noted that the establishment of NHRI is a step in the right direction toward reinforcing the human rights-related initiatives taken by the UAE in line with the determination of their leadership to promote human rights in continuation of the efforts pioneered by the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
For his part, Mohamed Fazie’, the former Chairman of the Human Rights Committee at the Arab League, congratulated the UAE on forming the NHRI, which he described as a culmination of the diligent efforts being made by the UAE for long years to protect human dignity and empower the human capital being the mainstay of sustainable development.
Dr. Abduljabbar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Bahrain Jurists Society, another entity with an advisory status at the UN, said that the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure 50 percent of the NHRI members are women in line with the Paris Principles reflects the pioneering role played by women in the UAE.
It’s worth mentioning that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan has issued federal law No. 12 of 2021 pertaining to the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).
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.
Bahrain declares its independence from the United Kingdom, after one hundred and ten years of British occupation – !6th December 1971.
16 December 2021:
HM King patronises Bahrain’s celebration of its National Days
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa today patronised, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the celebration held at the Al-Sakhir Palace on the occasion of the kingdom’s National Days, in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini State as an Arab and Muslim state, founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, and the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne.
HM the King bestowed the “Prince Salman bin Hamad Medal for Medical Merit” upon the honourees.
Hamad Yacoub Al Mahameed conveyed to HM King Hamad the pride of the members of Team Bahrain, who are at the front lines of the fight against the pandemic, noting that they always draw inspiration from HM the King’s strong will and determination.
He underlined the frontliners’ honour to be essential partners in the national efforts, led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to defeat challenges and bring about more successes to kingdom in combating COVID-19, pledging that they will make all sacrifices for the sake of the cherished homeland, under HM the King’s wise leadership.
He also extended, on behalf of all the honourees, heartfelt thanks and gratitude to HM the King for the honouring, as well as deepest congratulations on the kingdom’s glorious National Days.
The honouree list included:
– His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Prime Minister – Deputy Prime Minister, His Highness Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa A Khalifa – National Guard Commander, General His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa – HM the King’s Personal Representative, His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa – National Security Advisor and Royal Guard Commander, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Commander of the Royal Guard’s Special Force, His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa – His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – Royal Court Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa – Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa – Deputy Prime Minister, Jawad Salem Al Arrayed – Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa – Cabinet Affairs Minister, Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Mutawa – President of the Supreme Council for Health, Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa – Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa – Follow-up Minister at the Royal Court, Shaikh Ahmed bin Atiyatillah Al Khalifa – Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa – Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al-Zayani – Health Minister, Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh – King Hamad University Hospital Commander, Major-General Dr. Shaikh Salman bin Atiyatullah Al Khalifa – Retired Major-General, Dr. Tariq Hameed Abdulhameed Shafee, – Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Waleed Khalifa Al Manea – CEO of the National Health Regulatory Authority, Dr Mariam Athbi Al-Jalahma. – Director-General of the Office of the Prime Minister, Hamad Faisal Al-Maliki – CEO of the Information and eGovernment Authority, Mohammed bin Ali Al Qaed – Director of Military Security at the Bahrain Defense Force, Major-General Dr. Riyadh Nasser Al-Areej – Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Cardiac Specialist Centre, Major-General Dr. Fuad Abdulqader Mohamed Saeed – Assistant Director of Officers and Personnel Affairs at the BDF, Brigadier General Hassan Ali Al-Mehanna – Brigadier-General Dr. Hassan Mohamed Noor, Head of the Royal Medical Team – Chief Physician, Chief of the Orthopedic Department at the Military Hospital, Colonel Dr. Shaikh Fahd bin Khalifa Al Khalifa – Colonel Dr. Mohammad Khalifa Al-Dossary – Colonel Hamad Mohammed Al-Khayyat – Lieutenant-Colonel Fawaz Nasser Al-Jairan, – Infectious Diseases Consultant and Microbiologist at the Military Hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Manaf Mohammed Al-Qahtani – Undersecretary for Research and Projects at the Prime Minister’s Office and Head of the Operation Room to Combat COVOD-19, Hamad Yacoub Al Mahameed – CEO of Government Hospitals, Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al-Ansari – Chief Executive Officer of Primary Health Care, Dr. Jaleela Al-Sayed Jawad – Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Maryam Ibrahim Al-Hajri – Director of the Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Najat Abu Al-Fateh – Member of the WHO COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance Development Group, Dr. Jameela Mohammed Al-Salman – Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Health, Ibrahim Ali Al-Nawakhda – Chief of Medical Services at Salmaniya Medical Complex Dr. Nabeel Ahmed Al Asheeri – Member and Coordinator of the Supreme Council of Health, Dr. Mohammad Ali Al-Shaaban – Representative of King Hamad University Hospital, Dr. Omar Ibrahim Al-Shareef – Dr. Adel Salman Al-Sayyad- Health Ministry – Aysha Al-Balushi (Procurement and Efficient Use of Antibodies) – Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Amin (Cardiac Centre) – Sarra Ahmed Buhejji- Office of the Prime Minister – Mansoor Ali Mansoor – Health Ministry – Mohammed Ahmed Muqbel- Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism
Deha Dhalac. Community Activist. Community Leader.
South Portland’s other city councilors, who are all White, elected her in a unanimous vote. The 4th largest city in Maine, is the whitest state in the country and South Portland is 90% White.
In 2018, she ran against a local business owner and won, making history as the first African American and first Muslim elected to the council.
In 2020, she ran unopposed for a second term. The city council selects from among its members who will be mayor, and in November, her colleagues unanimously supported her nomination.
Education / Community Work highlights:
Master’s Degree in Development Policy and Practice, University of New Hampshire
Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of New England
Past Program Manager for The Center for Grieving Children
Former South Portland Schools Community Builder for the Opportunity Alliance
Somali Community Center of Maine
Board president of the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition
Board member of the Maine Women’s Fund
Family Engagement and Cultural Responsiveness Specialist with the Maine Department of Education
South Portland City Council, District 5 Representative
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pix: Twitter / @NewAmericanLd , New American Leaders
Dr. Muna Tahlak, CEO, DHA’s Latifa Hospital for Women and Children.
The United Arab Emirates achieved an important victory in the global health front as Emirati Dr. Muna Tahlak, CEO of DHA’s Latifa Hospital for Women and Children, was elected as the President of the International Hospital Federation. (IHF).
This is the first time that an Arab woman will hold this esteemed position, the highest international position in the history of the Union.
The IHF Governing Council voted to elect Dr Tahlak as the new IHF President Designate. In doing so, Dr Tahlak ends her term as Treasurer with IHF and now begins her two-year term as President Designate of the IHF.
She added that her work with the IHF over the past five years has helped her gain experience and gave her the opportunity to highlight the successful work of hospitals in the UAE on a global scale.
Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), congratulated Dr Muna Tahlak on this important and historic victory.
A few days ago the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) selected Dr Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital for Women and Children, for the for the position of FIGO Regional Trustee Africa – Eastern Mediterranean 2021–2023.
