UAE is First in MENA region, 10th Globally in Overall Influence: GSPI

The United Arab Emirates has been ranked first regionally and 10th globally for Influence in the Global Soft Power Index (GSPI) 2022.

The UAE advanced to 15th place globally in the overall GSPI ranking, up from last year’s 17th in the GSPI 2021. The country sits at the top in the region and remains at the forefront of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa, achieving progress in all indicators and sub-indicators.

His Highness added, “More than 100,000 respondents worldwide chose the UAE as the first regionally and 15th globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2022. Our country also ranked 10th globally in its influence, enhancing our status and positive impact.”

Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the country’s progress in all indicators and sub-indicators results from the unique model it provides.

H.H. noted, “The UAE’s soft power lies in its development model, which brings together the best ideas and minds across the world and gathers people of all races to build the best development experience in the world.”

The UAE continued its progress in the GSPI 2022, developed by “Brand Finance” British company. The index interviewed more than 100,000 people from 101 countries worldwide to assess the various axes of soft power and its positive influence. The UAE’s overall Soft Power score improved more than 11 percent, progressing to 15th place globally, up from 17th place in 2021.

The UAE’s performance in the 2022 Index that included 120 countries had many core strengths, including its distinguished position as a leading destination for Business and Trade, the ease to do business within a stable economic environment.

Also, the country has a positive impact as the most influential in the region and its reputation as one of the most generous and helpful countries internationally. The UAE has improved its reputation among developed nations during the past year.

The UAE also recorded an outstanding performance in the main indicators during 2022 compared to 2021. The UAE ranked 10th globally in the “Overall Influence” index compared to 12th in the previous year. The UAE ranked 20th globally in the “Reputation” index.

The UAE achieved an overall stable performance in all pillars, especially in the “Culture and Heritage” pillar, where it ranked the 24th, by advancing seven positions from 2021, where it ranked the 31st.

The UAE’s performance on the “International Relations” pillar has shown genuine improvement, as it ranked 11th up from last year’s 16th ranking, showing a strong reputation for being “Influential in diplomatic circles” and “Helpful to other countries in need”. The country’s improving perceptions regarding environmental protection could move UAE into the top 10 in the future.

Also, the UAE ranked first regionally and 10th globally in the “Influence” pillar, the 10th globally in the “Influential in diplomatic circles”, and the 11th globally in the “International relations” pillar. The UAE’s reputation score has marginally improved, and it has moved up to 20th globally, by far the highest among all Arab nations.

The UAE achieved the 8th position globally in the “Strong and Stable Economy” pillar, the 9th globally in “Supporting Economic Recovery” after Covid-19, and the 10th globally in “Business and Trade”. The “Future Growth Potential” of the UAE has improved, ranking 11th globally in the 2022 index.

The UAE is perceived to have managed the pandemic of COVID-19 effectively, which made it a distinguished model regionally and globally. The country succeeded in facing challenges in a balanced way through its proactive policies and procedures.

In this context, the UAE ranked 12th in the overall COVID-19 score. The country ranked 12th in the “Helping other countries manage and recover from COVID” pillar, and 13th in the “Health and wellbeing of its people, including vaccination”.

The UAE ranked 10th globally in the overall influence, while the nine countries that preceded the UAE are among the countries with a large population density. Many countries in the region have advanced in the “Influence” pillar, while the UAE remains at the forefront regionally. The progress achieved by countries in this pillar came in the developing markets of the Middle East and Asia.

Due to its developed strong educational system over the past years, the UAE achieved score improvements across the “Education & Science” pillar, ranking 17th in 2022.

source/content: wam.ae

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Ahmad bin Saeed tops Forbes Middle East’s Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders list

 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, topped Forbes Middle East’s Top 50 Travel & Tourism Leaders list.

The list spotlights 50 leaders who drive growth in the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry, building on their desire to reconnect with the world.

Emirates Airline and Group’s revenue reached US$6.7 billion in the first half of the 2021/2022 fiscal year.

Moreover, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths ranked third on the list.

The UAE dominated this month’s list with 24 of the leaders featured based in the UAE, followed by 11 in Saudi Arabia, and four in Egypt.

The hotels and hospitality sector is the most dominant on the list with 26 entries, followed by aviation with 17, and tourism with seven entries.

source/content: wam.ae

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

Team Bahrain Win the inaugral ‘MMA Super Cup ‘ : March 12th, 2022

Bahrain vs Ireland

In the highly anticipated final, host nation Bahrain took on Ireland. With $100,000 on the line, all was to play for on the last day of competition. 

Sabrina De Sousa (Bah) won the first bout of the day against Kerry Ann Vernon (Ire). She showed once again why she’s the #1 ranked female athlete in the world, finishing Vernon with a rear-naked choke in the first round. 

Jordan Bradshaw (Ire) then took on Haj Mohammad Ali (Bah). Bradshaw landed a beautiful headkick, almost finishing the bout. However, Ali survived, then finished Bradshaw via a head-and-arm-triangle. This took the score to 4-0 in favour of Bahrain. 

Next up, Lewis Byrne (Ire) attempted to turn the tide against Kurban Idrisov (Bah). In one of the closest matches of the day, Idrisov managed to edge out the unanimous decision, taking the score to 5-0. This clinched the MMA Supercup for Bahrain, along with the $100,000 prize. 

Jordan Furey (Ire) was impressive in this competition, finishing both of his previous matches. However, Magomed Isaev (Bah) fought the perfect fight, taking Furey down and finishing him with a rear-naked choke early in the first round. 

Then the pound-for-pound #1 ranked Ramazan Gitnov (Bah) faced off against Cameron Clements. Gitnov extended his win streak to 22, and Bahrain’s lead to 7-0, with a TKO win in the second round. 

Gadzhi Gadziev (Bah) then finished Dennis Perry (Ire) via TKO in the first round. 

And in the final match of the day, Sultan Gapizov (Bah) defeated Gustavo Lopez (Ire) via a unanimous decision, taking the final score to 9-0. 

Bahrain finished as dominant winners of the inaugural MMA Supercup. The host nation claimed the $100,000 prize in style, remaining undefeated. Ireland will be disappointed to have lost all of their matches, however, they still take home the massive second place prize of $75,000. 

The inaugural MMA Supercup concluded in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Eight teams battled it out for the biggest prizes ever awarded in amateur MMA.

Kazakhstan finished 3rd, winning $50,000, Ireland 2nd, winning $75,000, and Bahrain claimed the first place prize of $100,000.

source/content: immaf.org

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BAHRAIN

Luxor African Film Festival announces Winners of 11th edition : March 10th, 2022

Taking place between 4 and 10 March in Luxor, the festival screened over 45 films from 35 countries in its numerous competitive categories.

The jury of this competition included director Moussa Touré (Senegal), director Yousry Nasrallah (Egypt), director Apolline Traoré (Burkina Faso), critic Kamal Ben Wanas (Tunisia) and actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (Haiti).

The winners are:
Best Film: Communion (Tunisia)
Jury Award: The Gravedigger’s Wife (Somalia)
Special Mention: L’accord (The Agreement) (Cameroon)

The Long Documentaries Competition included 11 titles, with five renowned filmmakers on its jury — director Katie Needy (Senegal), critic Phoebe Curry (Uganda), director of photography Mahmoud Abdel-Samie (Egypt), director Mohamed Seyam (Egypt), and director Peter Sedovia (Ghana).

The winners are:
Best Film: Faya Dayi (Ethiopia)
Jury Award: Morning Star (Madagascar)
Special Mention: The Last Shelter (Mali, South Africa)

The Short Films Competition screened 15 films. The jury consisted of director Khaled El-Haggar (Egypt), director Fatomato Coulibaly (Mali), critic Ahmed Shawqy (Egypt), director Daoud Wilad Al-Sayed (Morocco), and actress Ghalia Ben Ali (Tunisia).

The winners are:
Best Film: Tender Threads (Morocco)
Jury Award: Baby Blue (Senegal)
Special Mention: Sixteen Rounds (Uganda)

The festival also presented films in the Diaspora Competition, screening nine films to a jury consisting of director Rachid Mashharawi (Palestine), producer Doura Bouchoucha (Tunisia), and actor Ahmed Magdi (Egypt).

The winners are:
Best Film: As Far As I Can Walk (Serbia)
Special Mention: A Brighter Tomorrow (Algeria)

The festival also granted film The Gravedigger’s Wife (Somalia) the FIPRESCI Best Film Award while Egyptian film Batool received Best Film Award in the Women Issues Competition.

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Celebrating African identity through filmmaking, the LAFF was launched in 2010 by the Independent Shabab Foundation (ISF) — a non-profit organisation registered at the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Founded and chaired by scriptwriter Sayed Fouad, the festival’s board includes Mahmoud Hemida, the LAFF’s honourary president, and Azza El-Husseini, the LAFF’s co-founder and executive director.

In its 11th edition, LAFF chose Uganda as the country of honour and also honoured the late Senegalese director Djibril Diop Mambéty and Tunisian director, Férid Boughedir. The iconic Egyptian star Hussein Fahmy was granted the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Moreover, the festival honoured Egyptian singer and actress Hoda Sultan, actor Mahmoud Morsy and Moroccan director and producer Mohamed Ismail.

The LAFF paid tribute to Egyptian star Amr Saad and Burkinabe filmmaker Apolline Traoré.

The LAFF is organised by the ISF under the auspices of the Egyptian culture, tourism and foreign ministries with the National Bank of Egypt and other partners.

source/content : english.ahram.org.eg

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EGYPT / ALGERIA / MOROCCO / PALESTINE / SOMALIA / TUNISIA

March 09th – Egypt Commemorates Martyr’s Day

The day is originally held in the memory of Lieutenant General Abdel Moneim Riyad’s martyrdom in 1969, when he went to the front on the second day of the War of Attrition to personally follow up on the results of the previous day’s battle and to be among his armed forces’ colleagues

“I Am from Every Egyptian House.” Under this slogan, Egypt’s armed forces launched the celebration of Martyr’s Day on the 53rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Abdel Moneim Riyad.

source/content : egypttoday.com (edited)

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EGYPT

Egypt’s Zeinab El Kawashti: The Female Wedding Officiator Defying Gender Roles

In December 2020, Zeinab el Kawashti married a couple, Sondos and Karim, in front of their family and friends. In a different time and place, this would have been a normal occurrence, yet it was the first time any of the guests had seen a woman as a marriage officiant.

This is not odd, given that female Ma’azin (Muslim marriage officiants) are extremely rare.

The first-ever female marriage officiant in Egypt was Amal Soliman; she was hired in 2018 by the Egyptian family court and has since then married more than 300 couples. Many were inspired by Soliman, among them El Kawashti.

El Kawashti is a female M’azoun, a mother of three, and an Azhar Law and Religious Studies graduate.

To become a Ma’zoun in Egypt, one must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. Ma’azin are restricted to their jobs as officiants, with no further commitments. There are around 45 requirements to become a Ma’zoun in Egypt, including age. As of 2014, a Ma’zoun can only be between the ages of thirty and forty. The requirements also include maintaining optimal physical wellbeing.

source/content : egyptianstreets.com

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Zeinab El Kawashti officiating at a katb ketab. Photo Credit: Sondos Moussa

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EGYPT

Winners of 17th Algerian International Quran Contest Awarded

Top winners of the 17th edition of Algeria’s international Quran competition were awarded in a ceremony on Sunday, February 28th

Zeinab Bin Yousuf won claimed the title of the event. Yahya Bilal Yousuf from Bahrain and Syrian Abd al-Rahman Mohammad Hardan ranked third.

The ceremony was attended by a host of Algerian Quran activists and officials.

Representatives from 48 countries took part in this edition, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The contestants went to Algeria’s embassies and consulates in their country to take part in the competition via video links.

Members of the panel of judges were from Algeria, Egypt, and Guinea.

According to Algeria’s Awqaf ministry, Wa Rattil al-Quran Tartila (referring to verse 4 of Surah a-Muzmmil that orders reciting the Quran in Tarteel) was the motto of this year’s competition.

Unlike previous editions that were held in the holy month of Ramadan, this edition was organized in the lunar Hijri month of Rajab on the occasion of Lailat-Al-Miraj, the day when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ascended to all the seven stages of heaven.

Launched in 2004, Algeria’s international Quran contest is held annually on memorization of the Holy Quran with the participation of young people under the age of 25.

source/contents: iqna.ir

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ALGERIA / BAHRAIN / SYRIA

Saudi Arabia Unveils Guinness World Record-Breaking Riyadh Season Postage Stamp

Saudi Arabia has officially unveiled a special Riyadh Season stamp that set a new Guinness World Record.

Measuring an incredible 64 square feet 7 square inches, it broke the record for the biggest special stamp in the world on Feb. 14. The public finally got a glimpse of it when Saudi Post displayed it at Boulevard Riyadh City, one of the special Riyadh Season zones.

“By revealing this stamp, the world’s largest special stamp, we broke Walt Disney’s record, set in 2019,” Bandar Al-Toaimi, Saudi Post’s general manager of corporate communications, told Arab News.

“We are so delighted it has been achieved by Saudi capabilities; from concept to design and implementation, it was all done by Saudi talents devoted to Riyadh season.”

The special stamp celebrates Riyadh Season, which was introduced in 2019 and has become one of the biggest events in the Saudi entertainment calendar. The design includes a winter wonderland scene, the Riyadh Season logo, a hot air balloon, a fountain, a racing car and fireworks.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The special stamp is modeled around Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia’s major event, and features winter wonderland, the Riyadh Season emblem, an airship, a fountain, a race vehicle, and fireworks. (Basheer Saleh)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Jordan’s King Abdulla II and Queen Rania Receive ‘2022 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity’ in Abu Dhabi

 Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan on Saturday, February 26th, received the 2022 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

In the presence of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi, the award, presented during a ceremony hosted by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity at the Founders Memorial in Abu Dhabi, was granted in appreciation of Their Majesties’ efforts to promote human fraternity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence. The award was also presented to Haitian humanitarian organisation FOKAL.

Attending the ceremony virtually, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyib and His Holiness Pope Francis congratulated Their Majesties, describing them as role models for fraternity and coexistence.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, also delivered a speech during the ceremony.

The award is organised by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, an independent international committee instituted to promote human fraternity values in communities around the world and to fulfil the aspirations of the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyib and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

source/content: wam.ae

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JORDAN

Kuwait Celebrates 61st National Day – February 25th & Kuwait Liberation Day February 26th

Kuwait National Day is always celebrated on 25th February. This holiday marks the day when Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah ascended to the throne in 1950.

To commemorate the day , Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense held a show of military vehicles and equipment

NATIONAL DAY KUWAIT – Timeline

1613

Kuwait City is Founded

Kuwait City is founded as a fishing village.

1792

The East India Company Arrives

The East India Company secures the sea routes between Kuwait, India, and the east coasts of Africa.

1946 — 1982

Golden Era of Kuwait

Kuwait experiences a period of prosperity driven by oil and its liberal atmosphere.

2006 — 2009

The Peak of Prosperity

Kuwait has the highest Human Development Index ranking in the Arab world

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KUWAIT LIBERATION DAY

Kuwait Liberation Day is observed annually on February 26.

This holiday remembers the day Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation in 1991.

The Liberation was the U.S. marshaled military operation — Operation Iraqi Freedom, to recoup Kuwait from Iraq after the 1991 bombing of Iraq. U.S. troops arrived to find the Iraqis surrendering as a whole, although pockets of resistance prevailed, especially at Kuwait International Airport where Iraqi troops, supposedly clueless that a retreat order had already been given, proceeded with fighting, which only resulted in an intense battle over the airport itself. Most of the fight happened in Iraq instead of Kuwait. The military operation is also commonly referred to as the Gulf War.

source/content : nationaltoday.com

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On February 25, Kuwait celebrates 61 years since it gained its independence from the British mandate. While the treaty was signed in June, Kuwait’s National Day was changed to February 25 in 1963 to coincide with the date that Abdullah Al Salem became ruler of Kuwait back in 1950. / Image Credit: Supplied / www.gulfnews.com

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KUWAIT