Nuruddin Farah – International Award Winning Writer : Somalia

Nuruddin Farah (aka) Nuuradiin Faaraa . Novelist. Essayist. Short Stories. Playwright. Educator.

Books /Novels :

-From a crooked rib (1970) /A naked needle (1976) / Sweet and Sour Milk (1979) / Sardines (1981) / Close Sesame (1983) / Blood in the Sun (1986) / Maps (1986) / Gifts (1993) / Secrets (1998) / Past Imperfect / Links (2004) / Knots (2007) / Crossbones (2011) / Hiding in Plain Sight (2014) / North of Dawn (2018)…etc..

Awards/Honours :

-English-Speaking Union Literary Award (for Sweet and Sour Milk) (1980) / -Corman Artists Fellowship (1990) /- Kurt Tucholsky Prize, Sweden (1991) / -Best Novel Award (for Gifts), Zimbabwe (1993) / Premio Cavour (for Italian translation of Close Sesame),Italy (1994) / -Neustadt International Prize for Literature (1998) /- St Malo Literary Festival Award (for French edition of Gifts) (1998) etc…

Presently lives in Cape Town, South Africa

pic: hiiraan.com

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Somalia

World’s Oldest Bread Discovered. 14, 400 Years Ago. Jordan.

Researchers working in the black desert of north-eastern Jordan found the charred remains of a flat bread baked by hunter-gatherers 14,400 years ago.

The bread was found in a stone fireplace. The oldest direct evidence of bread yet found, predating the advent of agriculture by at least 4,000 years ago.

The excavation was led by Tobias Richter, Archaeologist and researchers were led by Amaia Arranz Otaegui of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 2018. Findings were published in the Journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Science’.

pix: jordantimes.com

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Jordan

Largest Copper Bas-relief Sculpture : Ali Moneer Alassad , Syria 2009

The largest copper bas-relief created by Ali Moneer Alassad in Qurdaha, Lattakia, Syria, on 2 July 2009.

The bas-relief measures 122.5 sq mtr (1,318.5) sq m and is 50.10 m long and 2.44 m tall.

Alassad and his team spent 4,000 working hours to finish the copper bas-relief. The copper bas-relief is surrounded by ornamental plant Islamic framework and includes a 78 portraits represent the most important archaeological finds in Syria throughout history.

The bas-relief reflects the history of Syria since 9 thousand years BC. until the present time.

source: Guinness World Records / world-records.org /

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Syria

Mohammad Burbayea : World Jet Ski Champion : Kuwait

Mohammad Burbayea, Jet Ski racer, has the most IJSBA World Championship wins (male) by an individual : 22 , achieved by between 2007 and 2018.

Burbayea has won over 28 titles including 15 World Championships with 12 consequtive wins.

IJSBA : International Jet Sports Boating Association

pix : jetski-worldseries.com

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Kuwait

Largest aluminum sculpture , Saudi Arabia : October 2017

Novartis Oncology , a medical company specializing in cancer patients, achieved the Guinness World Records of ” Largest Aluminium Sculpture ” on October 7, 2017. 

The statue – 7.71 m tall,  5.03 m long, 3.95 m wide – was made in the shape of a jackhammer to represent “the powerful tool breaking through cancer,” and was presented at the Novartis Oncology Breast Cancer Summit, Sofitel Event Hall, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

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Saudi Arabia

IM’Hungry : World’s Largest Burger Restaurant – Saudi Arabia : December 2019

IM’ Hungry, Jeddah , Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest burger restaurant.

It has an area of 2,860 sq.m (30,784 feet) almost the size of 11 tennis courts.

Burgers are served with only fresh, non-frozen meat daily. The menu ranges a variety of dishes.

The record attempt took place in Jeddah on December 12th, 2019 and was certified by Guinness World Records.

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Tunisia’s ‘National Dialogue Quartet’ Wins Nobel Peace Price : October 2015

The Quartet of Tunisian General Labour Union (UGGT), The Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDH) and the Tunisian Order of Lawyers were awarded the Nobel.

Winner of Nobel Peace Prize for helping building pluralistic democracy in Tunisia.

pix: abc.net.au

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Tunisia

Internationally Celebrated Kuwaiti Haute Couture Designer – Yousef Al Jasmi

Yosef Al Jasmi . Couturier. Designer and Owner – Yousef Aljasmi Haute Couture and Youef AL-jasmi.

Celebrities who have adorned and graced his creations read like a Who’s Who . Some of them are Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell, Maria Menounos, Khloe Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Nawal, J.Lo, Zendaya, Taylor Swift etc. etc…

www.yousefaljasmi.com

pix : Yousef Aljasmi / en.vogue.me

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Kuwait

Saudi Falconry Festival Breaks World Record : Feb 2019

‘ King Abdul Aziz Falconry Festival ‘ confirmed by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the ‘ World’s Largest Falcon Racing Tournament ‘

The participation of a record 723 falcons , competing for 10 day ( Jan 25 to Feb 03, 2019). The total purse value at SR 17,630,00.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Ranks 4th Globally – Usage of 5G Technology : May 2020

Saudi Arabia ranks fourth globally in the use of 5G technology and 10th in internet speed.

Findings were presented by Deputy Minister for Technology, Industry & Digital Capacity, Ministry of Communicaion and Information, Dr. Ahmed Al-Theneyan – at the webinar ‘Digital Lanterns’ event launched by Makkah Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

The Kingdom jumped from 150th to 10th place globally in terms of internet speed.

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Saudi Arabia