Tag: Arabian World Records

ARABS – HISTORY : Arabs migrated from central region to establish kingdoms in Iraq, Levant, Egypt, says Saudi historian Prof. Suleiman Al-Theeb

Dr. Suleiman Al-Theeb presents research at Riyadh International Book Fair

Kingdom’s literature commission organized the event from Sept. 26-Oct. 5

Only a group of tribes later described as Arabs inhabited the area now known as the Arabian Peninsula in antiquity and modern times, and other ethnicities lived there temporarily, a leading Saudi Arabia historian has said.

Dr. Suleiman Al-Theeb, who is a professor of ancient Arabic inscriptions at King Saud University, presented some of his research during a panel discussion titled “Ancient Arabic Writings” at the Riyadh International Book Fair.

The panelists focused on the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The fair was organized by the Kingdom’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission between Sept. 26 and Oct. 5.

During the discussions, Al-Theeb talked about the meanings of ancient Arab inscriptions, and writings in the Arabic script.

He said the term “Arab” was first used to describe a group of tribes during the Assyrian era, in the 8th and 9th centuries B.C.E.

He added that migrations from the Arabian Peninsula began from the central region, moving northward to Mesopotamia, Greater Syria, and Egypt, where immigrants settled and established kingdoms.

Al-Theeb said the oldest known Arab inscription, found in the city of Lachish in Palestine, is Thamudic and dates to 1300 B.C.E.

“Initially, it was believed to be Phoenician and dated to 1509 B.C.E., but it was later confirmed to combine South Arabian script and Thamudic letters,” he said.

Al-Theeb has written extensively about civilizations dating back thousands of years in the Arabian Peninsula.

He is a writer, historian, researcher and an expert in archaeology and ancient languages of the region, and spoke extensively about his work at the fair.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Prof. Suleiman Al-Theeb said the term “Arab” was first used to describe a group of tribes during the Assyrian era, in the 8th and 9th centuries BCE.  (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA / ARAB WORLD

MAURITANIA: Fatimata M’baye honoured as ‘Mauritanian Woman of Courage Award Winner’

On January 21, Ambassador Larry André hosted a lunch in honor of, Fatimata M’baye, the 2016 Mauritanian Woman of Courage Award winner, and a nominee for the United States Department of State International Woman of Courage Award.

  M’baye was Mauritania’s first ever female attorney and she is the president of local human rights NGO Association Mauritanienne des Droits de l’Homme. She has spent her career courageously for advocating and defending human rights, equality, and justice in Mauritania.

The lunch was attended by notable leaders from Mauritanian civil society, especially women and human rights leaders, and is a part of the American Embassy’s on-going efforts to engage in a dialogue with government and civil-society on shared priorities.

source/content: mr.usembassy.gov / US Embassy in Mauritania (headline edited)

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2016 Mauritania’s Women of Courage

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MAURITANIA

TUNISIAN Nadia Selmi – Food Heroes archive of FAO

“I believe in the power of women. The seaweed farm is run by women, and women represent 80 to 90 percent of all staff in administration, the labs and research.”

For most people, the word ‘engineer’ doesn’t immediately bring up images of food, and even fewer will think of seaweed. And yet, that’s exactly the niche where Nadia Selmi is pioneering new uses for an oft-overlooked marine resource. 

Today, she is the commercial director of SELT Marine, a Tunisian seaweed company that employs more than 100 women in producing nutritious seaweed powder that can be made into vegetable gelatin for dairy, sweets and vegan products

“I believe in the power of women,” says Nadia. “The seaweed farm is run by women, and women represent 80 to 90 percent of all staff in our administration, the labs and research.”

Many of the women working on the seaweed farm come from vulnerable rural communities and have found a new kind of job in the growing sector. 

And the potential that the sector holds for food security and food system transformation is significant. Using just 0.03 percent of our oceans’ surface, seaweed could add up to 10 percent to the world’s food supply. Importantly, seaweed tends to be rich in vitamins and fibres and low in calories, making it a great addition to a healthy diet.

Beyond the food industry, seaweed powder is already used in many pharmaceutical and cosmetics products. And more recently, it is being transformed into biodegradable bottles and bags.

But that’s not the only way seaweed can contribute to a better environment.

Increasingly, scientists and policy makers are also seeing its potential as a “nature-based solution” to mitigate climate change and support ecosystem services. For example, if seaweed production keeps growing at the current rate, it could absorb 135 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by 2050, and 30 percent of all the nitrogen entering the oceans from land-based pollution.

Nadia, who started out as a researcher in the company’s lab, is now championing the uptake of Tunisian seaweed by building partnerships with businesses around the world and working with research institutions to get even more goodness out of the aquatic greens.

FAO supports innovators like Nadia through its General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, which promotes seaweed aquaculture as a way to boost sustainable growth, marine conservation, and livelihoods in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

source/content: fao.org (headline edited)

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TUNISIA 

SUDAN: The Sudanese scientist Ashwag Mukhtar is carrying out a meta-analysis at CNIO on bladder cancer in Spain and North African countries 

Ashwag Mukhtar is working as a visiting researcher at the National Cancer Research Centre thanks to the Ellas Investigan programme organised by Fundación Mujeres por África

“It will be the most important experience of my life, I am now part of CNIO,” says Sudanese scientist Ashwag Mukhtar, assistant professor with the Department of Histopathology and Cytology at the University of Alneelain (Khartoum), referring to her time at the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), where she has been a visiting researcher linked to the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group of this centre since last December. 

Ashwag Mohammed Mukhtar is one of the African scientists selected by Fundación Mujeres por África to take part in its Ellas Investigan programme,  which promotes stays in Spain for senior African women researchers  from affiliated scientific institutes. The stays are for six months and allow these researchers to carry out, in collaboration with these institutes, projects previously selected by the programme’s Scientific Committee. In this case, funding was provided by Exolum.

The Sudanese scientist aims to compare bladder cancer in Spain and North African countries. She will compare and contrast the environmental factors causing this cancer and genetic diversities in order to provide important findings and data regarding this type of cancer and its treatments.

Holder of a PhD from the University of Alneelain, Ashwag Mohammed Mukhtar explains what her work will entail during her time in Spain: “On the one hand, I am conducting a meta-analysis, focusing on reanalysing the treatment of bladder cancer, genetic mutation, and mortality, and comparing it with data from the Spanish Bladder Cancer Foundation. On the other hand, I intend to determine the expression of certain genes that can predict the type of chemotherapy. We are doing this on Sudanese tissue samples and comparing our findings with Spanish tissue samples.”

As well as science, her other passions are music, meditation, and nature walks, as she explains in this video. In it, she gives recommendations about the Sudanese music she likes most, including the band AGD Aljalad. “Having the opportunity to work in another country is a very enriching experience, both professionally and personally,” says the scientist.

About Ellas Investigan

Ellas Investigan (Women Researching) is the most important programme promoted by Fundación Mujeres por África in the scientific field and has achieved spectacular growth. Since it was launched in 2014 with five associated research centres, it has grown to more than 20 affiliated centres and has launched seven editions. 

The centres brought into this programme in the last edition are the Barcelona Institute of Material Science (ICMAB); IIS Biodonostia; and INCLIVA, Research Institute of the Clinical Hospital in Valencia. The company Abertis has also been brought on board as a sponsor, which will finance the chosen researcher’s stay at the National Biotechnology Centre on Biodiversity Issues. So far more than a hundred African women scientists have been involved in Ellas Investigan.

About CNIO

CNIO is a Spanish institution dedicated to the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. CNIO has obtained accreditation as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence for the third time in a row. It is ranked seventh among the world’s best cancer research centres (according to the Scimago report; Nature Index) and has been named Europe’s leading cancer research centre.

More than 450 scientists work at CNIO to transfer their results quickly and efficiently to Spain’s National Health System and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology market. In recent years, the strand of research devoted to metastasis – responsible for 90% of cancer deaths worldwide – has been strengthened with the incorporation of several fully dedicated research groups. Interdisciplinarity has also been boosted by recruiting computer experts to gain a more in-depth view of the complexity of cancer and to propose new therapeutic hypotheses.

One of the goals at CNIO is to bring science closer to society through initiatives such as CNIO Arte , a project that brings together scientists and artists to create new works of art around scientific research, and  CNIO Friends, a philanthropic platform through which any person, company or association can support cancer research carried out at the Centre, and through which a CNIO Friends International Contracts Programme has been launched to attract research talent.

source/content: cnio.es (headline edited)

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Ashwag Mukhtar. / Laura M. Lombardía. CNIO

Ashwag Mukhtar. Visiting researcher from Sudan. Women for Africa Foundation / source: youtube.com / canalcnio

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SUDAN

Palestinian American Chef Michael Rafidi Wins James Beard Culinary Award 2024 in Chicago

Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi has been honored with the James Beard Awards in Chicago, winning the title of Outstanding Chef 2024.

The culinary world is full of awards and accolades that honor talented chefs, and among them is the James Beard Awards. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the food world”, it is one of the highest honors in the industry. This year, Palestinian chef Michael Rafidi, the owner of Albi — a Michelin-starred restaurant in the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. was titled winner under the category of Outstanding Chef.

Previously, Rafidi’s restaurant garnered a Michelin Star in 2022, an award that is only granted to restaurants that are able to present an exceptional dining experience using top-notch ingredients consistently. Rafidi’s food encapsulates the rich flavors of his Palestinian heritage, with each dish presenting remnants of his culture.

Chef Micheal Rafidi’s caption on his Instagram post, or speech as he called it included a poignant homage to his grandfather who was a chef in Washington for decades, and a big source of inspiration to delve into his restaurateur journey. “I accepted this award on the shoulders of my Palestinian ancestors, my grandparents and my mother. Through it all, they held onto their love of food, a taste of our lineage that told stories of love, resilience and hope,” stated Rafidi. He added, “As I grew in my career, I realized my Palestinian identity would become my purpose for the restaurants we would build, the menus we would create, and the food we would serve. Ending the caption with, “In case I wasn’t clear on stage. This award is dedicated to the people of Palestine.”

Regarding the win, Ayman, the Palestinian-Egyptian news anchor at MSNBC posted, “Now after last night’s James Beard Awards, Palestinian cuisine is not only recognized as part of the tapestry of America, it is celebrated among the very best cuisines in the world thanks to generations of Palestinians who are constantly pushing their food to new heights.”

source/content: en.vogue.me (headline edited)

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Photo: Getty

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AMERICAN / PALESTINIAN

TUNISIA: WOMEN IN MEDICINE: More numerous than men: more than 13,000 women doctors in Tunisia

The CREDIF (Center for Research, Studies, Documentation and Information on Women) issued Thursday 1st digital medium “Tunisian Women in figures 2024”, a scientific document, based on collecting statistical data from various public institutions and national professional bodies.

In the health field, this booklet indicates that women represent 51% of the total number of physicians in Tunisia. As of February 15, 2025, there were 13,197 women doctors, 6,895 of which are registered in the “General Medicine” branch.

“Tunisian women in Figures 2024”, includes various and diversified data, varying from those demographics, including questions relating to the experience of women and their difficulties, in terms of violence, health and unemployment and their accomplishments in terms of ‘Medical assistance, teaching and positions occupied in education and education.

It constitutes one of the updated references, to be consulted by both researchers and civil society members and administrators and experts, which can equip them, and help them study certain phenomena and possibly in decision-making.

source/content: news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com

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TUNISIA

ARABIC TEXTS AVAILABLE: German publisher showcases rare manuscripts at Riyadh International Book Fair 2024

 German publishing house Mueller and Schindler is participating in the Riyadh International Book Fair for the third consecutive year with a showcase of rare manuscripts and books.

The annual gathering’s literary treasures are a major attraction for book lovers and academics. 

Mueller and Schindler specialize in creating high-quality replicas of historic texts that are typically inaccessible to the public.

Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an. 

Their exhibit at the fair highlights not only the beauty of these manuscripts but also their historical significance.   

The owner and CEO of Mueller and Schindler, Charlotte Kramer, elaborating on their mission, told Arab News: “We provide facsimiles, which derive from the Latin term ‘fac simile,’ meaning ‘make it similar.’” 

A facsimile is a faithful reproduction of a manuscript or printed book, capturing all the visible characteristics of the original — vibrant colors, gold and silver embellishments, as well as age marks and irregularities.

Their facsimile editions are published in limited quantities, combining technical precision with the spirit of the original work. 

Highlighting the uniqueness of their offerings, Kramer noted: “One of our notable replicas is Katta Langar Qur’an, which dates back over 1,200 years, making it one of the oldest Qur’anic fragments. This fragment, written in Hijazi calligraphy, is significant for the development of the Qur’anic text.” 

In addition to the Katta Langar Qur’an manuscript, Mueller and Schindler showcased a Moroccan Qur’an, comprised of 50 volumes, meticulously crafted in Kufic script.

They also presented manuscripts containing prayers of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as scientific Arabic texts, including Al-Sufi’s “Book of the Fixed Stars.”

The enthusiasm of the Saudi audience has made a lasting impression on the team. 

“We are thrilled to be here for the third time. The people are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely interested in our work. They engage with us, asking insightful questions and listening intently to our explanations,” Kramer said.    

The fair concludes on Saturday.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Among their remarkable offerings are the famed notes of Leonardo da Vinci, and a selection of Arabic works, including the renowned Blue Qur’an. (AN photo)

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ARABIC TEXTS AVAILABLE

EGYPT: General Motors celebrates production of one-millionth vehicle in Egypt

General Motors Egypt has celebrated a significant milestone with the production of its one-millionth vehicle at its local factory. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir. This achievement underscores General Motors’ commitment to local manufacturing and its role in Egypt’s industrial development.

This milestone marked General Motors as the first private car manufacturer in Egypt to produce one million locally made vehicles, in partnership with General Motors Global. The company established its first regional manufacturing facility in Alexandria nearly 90 years ago and exports to countries in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and Africa.

Al-Wazir stated that General Motors collaborates with numerous local, regional, and global partners, producing over 90% of its sales locally. The company is also committed to increasing the local component percentage in its products.

He noted that General Motors Egypt supports the registration of its new car model in the National Program for Developing the Automotive Industry. This program incentivizes manufacturers based on local component ratios, investment levels, production and export volumes, emissions reduction, and adherence to global environmental standards.

In line with this, the Ministry of Industry has developed the National Industry Strategy (2024–2030), leveraging Egypt’s regional advantages and advanced infrastructure to enhance the industry across seven key pillars.

He noted that the strategy includes an urgent plan to boost the Egyptian industry, focusing on several main pillars. The first involved deepening the industry by establishing new factories to meet part of the local market’s needs and reduce reliance on imported production inputs, aiming to attract investors with high-quality products at competitive prices.

The second pillar focused on expanding the industrial base to increase exports, particularly for green industries that utilize locally available raw materials or technologies, such as iron and aluminium. This leverages Egypt’s natural resources (agricultural, industrial, and mineral) to produce high-quality goods for export markets at competitive prices.

The third entailed immediate efforts to reactivate and assist closed or stalled factories, as well as supporting projects under construction to enhance industrial activity and production capacity. The fourth emphasized improving the quality of Egyptian products to compete in the local and global markets, with support from entities under the Ministry of Industry.

The fourth pillar aims to enhance the quality of Egyptian products for both local and global markets through the Ministry of Industry, meanwhile, the fifth pillar focused on increasing employment in the industrial sector to 7 million by 2030, doubling the current workforce, while recognizing General Motors Egypt’s role in attracting investments and creating jobs.

Additionally, the sixth pillar emphasized training the workforce via partnerships with research centres and universities to improve skills, particularly through the development of 41 technological schools. These schools, financed by private companies, aim to produce skilled graduates ready for the industry, with potential collaboration between the Ministry and General Motors to improve vocational training.

Finally, the seventh pillar addressed modern industrial trends and digital transformation, including providing technical support for factories and raising awareness of green industries. It also involved launching a digital platform to streamline industrial services and licensing processes for investors.

source/content: dailynewsegypt.com (headline edited)

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EGYPT

SAUDI ARABIA : Hassan bin Moejeb Al-Huwaizi appointed as first Vice -President of Union of Arab Chambers (UAC)

Appointment made during UAC’s 135th session, being held in Doha.

The Union of Arab Chambers appointed Hassan bin Moejeb Al-Huwaizi, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, as its first Vice President, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The appointment was made during the UAC’s 135th session, which is being held in Doha.

In addition to his new role, Al-Huwaizi holds several prominent positions, including VP of the Federation of GCC Chambers, and president of the Abha Chamber, SPA added.

He thanked the Union of Arab Chambers for its confidence in his abilities, and Al-Huwaizi emphasized the need to strengthen intra-Arab trade.

Currently, intra-Arab trade constitutes just 13.8 percent of the total foreign trade of Arab countries, a figure he described as modest compared to other regional economic blocs.

Al-Huwaizi urged for intensified efforts to eliminate regulatory, customs, and procedural barriers that hinder trade among Arab nations.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The Union of Arab Chambers appointed Hassan bin Moejeb Al-Huwaizi, President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, as its first Vice President. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

U.A.E: Emirati student Ali Al-Loughani receives a sash, a leadership medal and two gold medals at the London Inventions Exhibition

Emirati student Ali Humaid Al Loughani received the Leadership Sash and Medal at the 6th International Exhibition of Inventions and Trade held in the British capital, London, in which he participated under the patronage and support of the Dubai Digital Authority, outperforming 285 inventors from different countries of the world, despite being the youngest participant in the international event.

Emirati inventor Ali Al Loughani presented two of his inventions: the “Ship Accident Prevention Project,” which relies on artificial intelligence technologies and aims to protect ships and enhance safety in the maritime navigation sector to high levels, in addition to the “Hydropower” project for generating hybrid energy, which combines solar energy and hydrogen fuel cells, and employs Internet of Things technologies.

 for the two projects he participated in, and was honored by the Inventors Association of Romania, Norton University of Cambodia, and the National University of Science and Technology in Bucharest.


Al Loughani’s project, a ship accident system based on artificial intelligence technologies, is an advanced innovation that aims to enhance safety levels in the maritime sector through advanced technologies that monitor and analyze potential risks during navigation.

The technology of this project relies on collecting detailed data on sea conditions, ship speed, and weather conditions in real time, and analyzing them using artificial intelligence techniques.

Based on these analyses, the system can make proactive decisions to avoid collisions and marine accidents that could threaten the safety of passengers and cause significant damage to ships and marine infrastructure.

This innovative project can be part of global efforts to enhance sustainability in maritime transport, as it contributes to reducing the environmental impacts of marine accidents, such as oil spills and the resulting pollution. In addition, the system contributes to protecting marine life and ensuring the smooth and safe continuation of global trade.

 combining solar energy and hydrogen fuel cells to provide a sustainable and efficient energy source.

The project depends on converting solar energy into electrical energy using solar panels, and then using this energy to produce hydrogen through the electrolysis process.

The hydrogen is stored and later used to generate electricity through hydrogen fuel cells, which contributes to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.

The project consists of solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen, a charge controller to regulate the electrical voltage, batteries to store electrical energy, and an electrolysis generator to produce hydrogen from water.

The project aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, enhance energy sustainability, improve energy storage efficiency, and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, especially in the field of clean energy and climate action. It is considered a model for renewable energy that can be widely applied in the future.

Student Ali Al-Loughani has a long record of creativity and invention, as he has previously won a number of awards and honors for his efforts and achievements.

Last year, 2023, he won the 34th edition of the Technology, Innovation and Invention Exhibition in Malaysia for his invention of a robot that helps senior citizens in their daily lives using Internet of Things technologies.

He won second place in the Young Inventors category out of 700 competing inventors from 19 countries around the world.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)