Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali Wins 1,500m Race in France : September 2020

Soufiane El Bakkali’s win at the 14th International Marseille Athletics meeting in France, comes less than a month after breaking the fastest world time for 2020 in the 3,000 meters steeplechase.

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pix: moroccoworldnews.com

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MOROCCO

Designer of the Door of Holy Kaaba – Syria’s Engineer Muneer Sarri Al-Jundi

The door of the Holy Kaaba was designed by Syrian Engineer Muneer Sarri Al-Jundi last in 1399 AH (1978). The door was commissioned by King Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz.

The entrance of the Holy Kaaba is made of 280 kg of pure gold.

The door is 3 metres in height, 2 metres in width and half metre in depth. It consists of 2 rudders and a 10cm base made of Thailands’, Macca Moon Wood.

It was made in the factory of the famous goldsmiths the Badr family of Mecca – Sheikh Al-Sagha, Sheikh Mahmoud Badr.

The lines engraved on the door were made by Syed Abdul Rahim Bukhari.

Engineer Muneer Sarri Al-Jundi had the honour of having his name inscribed on the door of the Holy Kaaba.

Muneer Al-Jundi died on December 16th, 2020 (Wednesday – Jumada Al-Awal 04, 1442 AH).

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pix: haramainsharifain.com

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SYRIA

Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) at MIT, Wins ‘Oscars of Education ‘ – for COVID-19 Project at 2020 Reimagine Education Awards : December

Full STEAM Ahead — an education project developed in response to COVID-19 by the Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — took top honors at the 2020 Reimagine Education Awards in the category for innovation in kindergarten–grade 12 (K–12) education. 

J-WEL was co-founded by MIT and Community Jameel, an international organization tackling some of the world’s most urgent challenges, using a pioneering approach grounded in evidence, science, data and technology.

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pix: saudigazette.com.sa

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SAUDI ARABIA / U.S.A

Halima Benbouzza – Biotechnology and Plant Geneticist. Scientist.

Dr. Halim Benbouzza . Scientist. Academic. Researcher – Genetic Diversity, Plant Breeding, Bioethics, Biosecurity.

Posts:

  • Director – National Biotechnology Research Centre
  • Chair of Joint-Committee between Health and Biology sector – appointed by Algeria Government (2011)
  • Chair of the Guidance Committee of the Pharmacy and Biotechnology Project- Algeria. Appointed by the Prime Minister (2013)
  • Professor (Agronomic Science), University of Batna 1, Batna

Awards and Honours:

  • ‘Women in Science’ – Hall of Fame Program, honoured by U.S. State Department (2014)
  • ‘Next Einstein Forum’ – one of the 6 best female researchers contributing to advancing science in africa (2010)

Education :

  • Ph.D – Agro Biotech Gembloux, Belgium
  • Masters in Biotechnology – Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Belgium
  • Graduate – University of Batna’s Faculty of Engineering, Algeria

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pix: twitter.com

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ALGERIA

Amin J Barakat known for the Diagnosis of ‘Barakat Syndrome’

Dr. Amin J Barakat, MD, FAAP. Pediatrician

Education:

  • Medical Education : American University of Beirut
  • Pediatric Residency : Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore
  • Fellowship Residency in Pediatric Nephrology : Georgetown University Medical Center
  • Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP)

Positions:

  • Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephropathy, Georgetown University
  • President, American Foundation for Saint George Hospital
  • Member – ALSAC / St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital Leadership Council

Barakat Syndrome :

In 1977, Barakat and co-authors J.B. D’Albora, M.M. Martin, and P.A. Jose described four siblings with familial nephrosis , nerve deafness , and hypoparathyroidism. This syndrome is now known as Barakat Syndrome

Barakat syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by hypoparathyroidism, sensorineural hearing loss, and renal (kidney) disease. Most cases have been attributed to a mutation on chromosome 10p which affects the GATA3 gene. Inheritance is likely autosomal dominant. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive (source: wikipedia)

Awards and Honors :

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  • Ellis Island Medal of Honor
  • Best Doctors in America
  • Guide to America’s Top Pediatricians
  • Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World

Books :

  • Barakat, Amin Y; et al. (1986). The Kidney in Genetic Disease. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. 
  • Barakat, Amin Y. (1990). Renal Disease in Children: Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 
  • Amin J. Barakat and Russell W. Chesney, editors. (2009). Pediatric Nephrology for Primary Care. Amer Academy of Pediatrics. 
  • Amin J Barakat and H. Gil Rushton, editors. Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract: Clinical Implications in Children. Switzerland, Springer, 2016. 
  • In 2007, Barakat edited the Arabic edition of the American Academy of Pediatrics’s  Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. Beirut, AllPrints. (source: wikipedia)

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pix : pressrelease.healthcare . Health News Today

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U.S.A. / LEBANESE-AMERICAN / ARAB AMERICAN

UAE leads with Highest Number of Guinness World Records across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region : November 2020

  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to 425 Guinness World Records with 34 of them achieved in 2020.
  • Saudi Arabia comes second with 96 GWR titles
  • Egypt is a close third place with 93 GWR titles
  • Dubai is also the most record breaking city across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

source: Khaleej Times, by Waheed Abbas, November 14th, 2020

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pix: logo / guinnessworldrecords.com

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Dr. Elias Zerhouni – Scientist, Radiologist, Inventor and Entrepreneur

Dr. Elias Zerhouni (aka) Elias Adam Zerhouni. Scientist. Inventor. Entrepreneur. Researcher. Radiologist and bio-medical engineer.

Position/s:

  • President – Global Research and Development at pharmaceutical company – Sanofi (2011 – 2018)
  • Senior Fellow – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (2009 – 2010)
  • President Obama appointed Dr. Zerhouni as ‘Presidential Science Envoy’ – (2009)
  • First immigrant to head the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in (2002 – 2008)
  • Executive Vice-Dean – Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine (1995-2002)

Awards:

  • Gold Medal for American Roentgen Ray Society
  • Gold Medal – Radiological Society of North America
  • 2 awards – Paul Lauterbur Awards for MRI Research
  • Woodrow Wilson Award for services to the Johns Hopkins University
  • Ben Franklin Medal
  • etc….

Honours:

  • Elected to National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (2000)
  • Elected to National Academy of Engineering (2013)
  • Legion d’honneur for French National Order by President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008)
  • etc….

Entrepreneur : Co-Founder of

  • Computerized Imaging Reference Systems (CIRS) – (1982)
  • Advanced Medical Imaging (1989)
  • Biopsys Corporation
  • American Radiology Services (1996)
  • Surgivision Inc.

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pix : en.wikipedia.org

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AMERICAN / ALGERIAN-AMERICAN

Abu Dhabi Mina Plaza Demolishing Enters Guinness World Records. Gone in 10 secs : December 2020

MODON Properties, Abu Dhabi based integrated master-developer claimed a Guinness World Record title for controlled demolition of a 165.032m tall building, making it the ‘Tallest building demolished using explosives 13,227 pounds (6,000 kg) , all safely carried out.

A total of 144-floors, the 4-high rise towers were demolished in approximately 10-seconds through a controlled imploding using non-primary explosives placed in 18,000 drill holes within the structure.

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The Mina Plaza Towers / Openvibes by Safeer/YouTube / pix: interestingengineering.com

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Abu Dhabi , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Yazeed Al-Rajhi – Saudi Businessman and Rally Driver

Yazeed Al-Rajhi. Business man. International Rally Driver.

Competes in World Rally Championships, Cross Country rallies and other rally events.

Established his own racing team – Al-Rajhi Racing Team (renamed) Yazeed Racing Team.

Some of his wins:

  • 5 time Hail Rally Winner
  • Silk Way Rally (2018)
  • Saudi Desert Rally Championship (2019)
  • Al Sharqiya Rally (2018, 2019) etc…

Businessman:

  • Chairman of the Board – Mohammed Al-Rajhi Investment Company
  • Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Brothers Holding company
  • Member, Al-Rajhi Steel
  • Member, Mohammed Al- Rajhi Awqaf

Other Accompolishments:

  • First Saudi and Arab professional driver to win the Silk Way Rally (2018). The 6,700 miles rally took place in Russia (between July 21st and July 27th).
  • First Saudi to be selected by Unicef as ‘Goodwill Ambassador in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf’ (2008)
  • First Saudi to be appointed as ‘Donate life’ Ambassador (2009)
  • Awarded title ‘ Gentleman’ by Rotana magazine readers (2009)
  • Third in position by ‘Mobily and Riyadiah’ as ‘Most Distinguished Athlete in Saudi Arabia competion
  • Awarded title ‘Ambassador for Fighting Drugs in Saudi Arabia’ etc..

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pix: press.bmwgroup.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

Emel Mathlouthi Tunisian Singer Releases new Album ‘EMEL – The Tunis Diaries : 2020

Emel Mathlouthi (aka) Emel . Singer. Songwriter. Music Producer.

On October 23, Tunisian-born/New York-based experimental singer Emel released‘The Tunis Diaries’ .

A double EP that features a collection of newly recorded reworks from Emel’s catalog (‘Day’), paired with an eclectic selection of covers (‘Night’).

Equipped with only a laptop, tape recorder, and a classical guitar she crowdsourced from a local fan via Facebook, Emel created ‘The Tunis Diaries’ entirely in Tunis after she was unexpectedly quarantined in her childhood home this Spring.

www.emelmathlouthi.com

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pix: emel.bandcamp

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TUNISIA / New York, U.S.A.