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‘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.
Algeria defeated Tunisia 2-0 to lift the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup trophy in Qatar on Saturday, in a hard-fought final between the two North African giants.
It took a spectacular strike from Amir Sayoud after 99 minutes to break the deadlock in a tight game that had been goalless at the end of normal time. Yacine Brahimi then sealed the win with the final kick.
Earlier on Saturday, Qatar took third place ahead of Egypt, winning a penalty shootout 5-4 after 120 minutes of football ended goalless. Mohamed Sherif was the one to miss the target for Egypt.
source/content: arabnews.com
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Algeria’s goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi lifts the trophy as they celebrate winning the Arab Cup Final against Tunisia at Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar on Saturday. (Reuters) / arabnews.com
Tunisian world No 10 defeated Belinda Bencic in the one-off women’s match.
Ons Jabeur said it was a dream to compete at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship after the Tunisian world No 10 became the first Arab player to win at the pre-season tournament in Abu Dhabi.
Jabeur defeated Switzerland’s Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in a third set championship tie-break 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 in an entertaining match .
“It’s amazing to be here in Abu Dhabi; to be here in an Arab country, representing Tunisia, representing the Arab world. I’m so glad I had this opportunity, so I’m really grateful for that.”
Jabeur is accustomed to creating new milestones for Arab tennis. After becoming the first Arab female player to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final at the 2020 Australian Open, Jabeur emulated her feat at Wimbledon in July – two weeks after becoming the first Arab player to win a WTA Tour title.
The world No 10, who reached a career-high No 7 last month, is the highest-ranked Arab player, female or male, in tennis history.
source/content: thenationalnews.com
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Ons Jabeur of Tunisia at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship. Victor Besa/The National.- thenationalnews.com
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 Moroccan-German woman won a seat in the Cologne 1 region under the banner of the Social Democratic Party.
Abdi is the first Moroccan woman to successfully be elected to Germany’s legislative body. Born in Tetouan, Abdi moved to Germany to attend the Adolf Reichwein Comprehensive School in Ludenscheid.
During this time, Abdi also joined the SPD in 2008, at the age of 22.
source/content: moroccoworldnews.com
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Sanae Abdi was elected to represent the Cologne I constituency after Sunday’s elections. Photo Credit: Sanae Abdi / pix: moroccoworldnews.com
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
In a new achievement for the UAE, the United Nations (UN) honoured the UAE government with a special award in recognition of its role in government modernisation.
This recognition came during the United Nations Public Service Awards ceremony, the most prestigious global award in the field of public service.
The ceremony was attended by Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the UN.
Catherine Pollard: The UAE has developed an exceptional government work model
Catherine Pollard commended the experiences of the UAE government, and the advanced models it has developed in the field of public service.
She further noted that the special award presented by the UN reflects its appreciation of the efforts and initiatives of the UAE government, its unique model of government work, and its effective partnership with countries and international organisations for exchanging knowledge and sharing experiences.
Top Rankings on Global Competitiveness Indicators
Over the past years, the UAE government has launched strategic partnerships in the field of government modernisation under the umbrella of the government knowledge exchange program, with 9 countries worldwide. The partnerships yielded 241 successful initiatives in more than 55 work fields, and upskilled 290,000 employees and trainees through 3 millions training hours and 565 workshops.
The UAE ranked first regionally and 21st globally in the E-Government Survey 2020 conducted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. According to the Global Competitiveness Report issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF), it ranked third globally on the Government’s Responsiveness to Change indicator and fourth on the Government Long-term Vision indicator.
The UAE also ranked third globally as the most trusted government according to the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer.
In addition, the UAE Government Accelerators, the first of its kind worldwide adopting acceleration and innovation to develop proactive solutions for addressing challenges, has become a hub for knowledge partnerships worldwide.
Moreover, the UAE government has also launched the World Government Summit, which serves as the largest global platform that brings together government officials and experts from around the world to shape the future. Since its launch, the Summit has held up to 1,000 sessions and hosted more than 25,000 participants and 40 international organisations. It also has signed more than 80 agreements and published more than 100 reports.
source/content: wam.ae
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Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Catherine Pollard, Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance at the UN.
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
