Tag: Middle East Records

SHARJAH, U.A.E: Arab Leader Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qassimi Develops Rich Historical Work on France in Arabic to Educate the Region on Their Invaluable Contributions to Western Civilisation

Sharjah Ruler collected 8,000 rare titles documenting French cultural history.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is a leading Arab scholar and historian who has made contributions to documenting France’s cultural history from an Arab perspective.

The historian has been recently conferred the title of The Legion of Honour, with the rank of Commander – one of the highest national honours in the Republic of France in recognition of his efforts to strengthen cooperation relations between the French Republic and Sharjah in a variety of fields, particularly culture. The honour was granted to the Sharjah Ruler by His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, the French President, and presented by Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of the French Republic to the UAE.

His Highness is currently developing the chapters of a comprehensive work, the first of which is titled ‘The Century of Lights.’ Set in the 18th century – the chapter focuses on the era that established the foundations of Western society and examines the pivotal role played by Denis Diderot, the founder of the Encyclopédie, in collaboration with D’Alembert, as well as the contributions of liberal philosophers of that century such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire.

The Arab historian navigates the remainder of the 18th and 19th centuries in the following two chapters, before penning the fourth chapter titled, ‘Controversial Issues on Globalisation and Cultural Exception’ detailing everything that had happened in relation to globalisation and France’s role in it.

“France, at the helm of the European Union, began vigorously defending the idea of cultural exception; it has prevailed. From my end, I will publish this book in Arabic to introduce all Arabs to French culture,” His Highness said.

“In 2003, the French Republic conferred the ‘Order of the French Republic for Arts and Letters,’ with the rank of ‘Knight Commander’ upon me. I saw this honour as a mandate to continue cultural giving, and I discussed the Republic of France’s pioneering role in intellectual enlightenment and civilised communication, as well as its contributions to the cultural field, translation, and literature, and the spread of the concepts of freedom and justice,” His Highness added.

From that day forward, the Ruler of Sharjah initiated the acquisition of available written records that document the cultural history of the French Republic, using the titles of books in the Egyptian Scientific Institute in Cairo. “I collected nearly 8,000 rare titles in French and decided to establish a scientific institute for those books in Sharjah, similar to the French and Egyptian Institute,” His Highness added, saying he donated his entire collection to the institute in Egypt after it was turned to ashes by a violent fire in December 2011.

source/content: businesswire.com / AETOSWire (headline edited)

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His Highness Ruler of Sharjah while receiving the title of The Legion of Honour, with the rank of Commander (Photo: AETOSWire)

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

SAUDI ARABIA: Riyadh set to host World Economic Forum (WEF) Special Meeting amid rising geopolitical tensions, April 28-29

The event aims to bridge the growing North-South divide and drive inclusive economic development and a sustainable energy transition.

The World Economic Forum’s special meeting on global collaboration, growth and energy for development, scheduled to take place in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, is expected to address global challenges as geopolitical tensions increase.

The meeting will bring together more than 700 participants, including stakeholders from governments and international organisations, politicians and corporate leaders, as Saudi Arabia aims to boost its global profile.

The Riyadh gathering of global leaders will overlap with a recently announced visit by US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to meet with regional partners. The goal is to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, according to the State Department on Saturday.

WEF, held under three themes – catalysing action on energy for development, a compact for inclusive growth and revitalising global co-operation – the event aims to bridge the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition and geopolitical shocks, it said.

Amid these intricate challenges, there is a strong need for action-orientated dialogues from the Global North and South, the Switzerland-based organisation added.

Faisal Al Ibrahim, the Saudi Arabian minister of economy and planning, said the world was at a global inflection point and that his country will implement its “full diplomatic might”, and ensure that conclusions made are not one sided.

“We are working to ensure that progress for one part of the world does not come at the expense of another,” he said, as the kingdom seeks a mutually beneficial path to prosperity for the intertwined destinies of the global community.

“This WEF special meeting comes at a time when Saudi government officials are accelerating efforts to shine a positive light on the country’s economic transformation and specific development initiatives,” Robert C Mogielnicki, senior resident scholar, The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, said.

“This special meeting is almost certainly going to be a net positive for Riyadh, as it is hard to see significant downsides to convening a dialogue with prominent global voices.

“However, events alone will not accomplish the government’s ambitious agenda. International investors are increasingly looking beyond splashy, organised events and talking points to gauge for themselves examples of concrete progress and future opportunities in Saudi Arabia.”

The world economy is facing geopolitical shocks, unabating inflationary pressures and central banks’ efforts to keep interest rates at elevated levels to stabilise consumer prices.

After a “surprisingly resilient” 2023, the International Monetary Fund revised global growth slightly higher this year to 3.2 per cent.

The global economy is set to post its slowest half-decade growth in 30 years, with the raging conflict in the Middle East among key downside risks to the outlook, the World Bank said in its Global Economic Prospects report.

Global economic prospects remain subdued and are fraught with uncertainty as more than half of chief economists expect the world economy to further weaken this year, a WEF report said in January.

The report stated that the world is facing a critical turning point and identified economic downturn and inflation, the lack of economic opportunity, disrupted supply chains for essential goods and energy, in addition to the impact of climate change as the issues that need the immediate attention over the next two years.

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

SAUDI ARABIA : World’s Largest Grand Arabic Opera opens in Riyadh

The opera was produced by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission.

 “Zarqa Al-Yamama,” the world’s first and largest grand opera in Arabic, made its debut at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh, taking the audience on a lyrical journey through one of the best-known folkloric tales in the Arabian Peninsula.


The opera was produced by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission, and will run until May 4, telling the story of the central character’s attempts to warn her Jadis tribe of an imminent invasion.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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ـ “Zarqa Al-Yamama,” the world’s first and largest grand opera in Arabic, made its debut at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh. (SPA)9

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SAUDI ARABIA

US State Department’s Arabic spokeswoman Hala Rharrit resigns over Gaza policy

Hala Rharrit also served as the Dubai Regional Media Hub’s deputy director.

The US State Department’s Arabic-language spokeswoman has resigned over Washington’s Gaza policy.

“I resigned April 2024 after 18 years of distinguished service in opposition to the United States’ Gaza policy . Diplomacy, not arms. Be a force for peace and unity,” the bio portion of a LinkedIn page believed to belong to Hala Rharrit said.

Ms Rharrit’s resignation took effect on Wednesday, according to her State Department biography page.

She also served as the Dubai Regional Media Hub’s deputy director.

A State Department official confirmed to The National that Ms Rharrit no longer works for the Dubai Media Hub.

She first joined the Foreign Service in 2006. Her tours have included Yemen, Hong Kong, Qatar and South Africa.

In a previous interview with Al Arabiya News, which first reported her resignation, Ms Rharrit had warned about the generational cycle of violence and advocated for a return to diplomacy, not more arms transfers.

“There are channels … through which our workforce can share their points of view when they disagree with a certain policy or a certain action that the US government is taking,” Vedant Patel, deputy State Department spokesman, told reporters on Thursday after being asked about Ms Rharrit’s reported resignation.

He added that dissenting opinions “help lead to stronger, more robust policymaking”.

“Ultimately, anybody’s decision on whether they want to continue to repeat, remain employed somewhere or not, that is ultimately a decision for them to make.”

Ms Rharrit is the latest State Department employee to resign over President Joe Biden’s policy on Gaza, where more than 34,300 people have been killed amid the Israeli siege, according to local health authorities.

Late last month, staffer Annelle Sheline resigned publicly over the administration’s Gaza policy.

Josh Paul, another staffer who resigned last year over Gaza, told The National in March that while the resignations have likely put pressure on the administration, “it will still take an awful lot to actually shift” its actions.

There has been growing domestic discontent over Washington’s continued support of Israel, which includes a bill that was signed into law this week allocating $26 billion in aid to Israel.

US State Department official condemns Gaza policy after announcing resignation

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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Hala Rharrit called for ‘diplomacy, not arms’. US Department of State

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U.S.A / ARAB

SAUDI ARABIA / MENA : IMF opens First MENA office in Riyadh

The International Monetary Fund has opened its first office the Middle East and North Africa region in Riyadh.

The office was launched during the Joint Regional Conference on Industrial Policy for Diversification, jointly organized by the IMF and the Ministry of Finance, on April 24.

The new office aims to strengthen capacity building, regional surveillance, and outreach to foster stability, growth, and regional integration, thereby promoting partnerships in the Middle East and beyond, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Additionally, the office will facilitate closer collaboration between the IMF and regional institutions, governments, and other stakeholders, the SPA report noted, adding that the IMF expressed its appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its financial contribution aimed at enhancing capacity development in its member countries, including fragile states.

Abdoul Aziz Wane, a seasoned IMF director with an extensive understanding of the institution and a broad network of policymakers and academics worldwide, will serve as the first director of the Riyadh office.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The office will facilitate closer collaboration between the IMF and regional institutions. Shutterstock

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SAUDI ARABIA / MENA

MOROCCAN Ilyas Hajri Wins World Quran Recitation Prize (Hafiz Category), BAHRAIN’s Mohamed Sameer Mohamed Mujahid (Tajweed Category) & YEMEN’s Ahmed Mohamed Saleh Ahmed ( Junior Reciter) , in 4th edition of ‘Bahrain Online Quran Recitation 2014

Moroccan reciters performed well at the competition and demonstrated exceptional talent and proficiency in Quranic recitation.

Moroccan Ilyas Hajri has clinched the title of World Quran Reader in the Hafiz category at the fourth edition of the Bahrain Online Quran Recitation Competition. 

The Moroccan Quran reciter won the prize for his exceptional proficiency in reciting the Holy Quran.

This win adds to a string of previous successes, as Hajri has consistently shown excellence in Quranic recitation competitions. Last year, he won first place in the International Quran memorization competition in Astana, Kazakhstan.

In addition to Hajri, Moroccan Yassine El Kazzini secured the second position in the same category. 

Meanwhile, Moroccans Abdelbasset Ourach and Mustapha Zahid claimed third places in the categories of memorized recitation (Tajweed) and melodious recitation (Murattal) respectively.

The finals of the competition were conducted in-person in Bahrain’s capital city Manama, where the top performers competed to secure their positions in various categories of Quranic recitation.

The competition brought together over 5,000 participants from 74 countries. 

Meanwhile, Mohamed Sameer Mohamed Mujahid from Bahrain was crowned the World Quran Reciter in the Tajweed category, while Ahmed Mohamed Saleh Ahmed from Yemen secured the same title in the category of junior reciters.

Organizers of the competition highlighted its mission to promote and celebrate the recitation and memorization of the Holy Quran.

It also aims to serve the Quranic tradition by providing a platform for individuals of all ages and nationalities to showcase their skills and proficiency in reciting the Quran.

Moroccans have built a strong reputation for their excellence in Quran recitation competitions, consistently shining on the global stage.

Last month, Moroccan Elias Al-Mahiawi won first place at the 20th International Quran Competition in Tanzania.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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BAHRAIN / MOROCCO / YEMEN

SAUDI Scholars Fatimah Hassan Buali & Retaj Al-Saleh Shine at European Girls’ Math Olympiad 2024 : A Testament to Excellence

Two Saudi students distinguished themselves at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad, which took place in Georgia from April 11 to 17. The Olympiad stands as a prestigious international platform tailored for high school girls with a profound enthusiasm for mathematics that extends beyond conventional academic boundaries. This year’s event witnessed the participation of 212 students hailing from 54 different nations.

A bronze medal and certificates of appreciation, respectively, were awarded to Fatimah Hassan Buali from Al-Ahsa and Retaj Al-Saleh from the Eastern Province, who represented Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), and the Ministry of Education. This marks the Kingdom’s 12th engagement in the Mathematical Olympiad, showcasing a consistent presence on this global stage. Over the years, Saudi students have amassed a commendable collection of accolades, including two gold, six silver, and 13 bronze medals, alongside seven certificates of appreciation.

Amal bint Abdullah Al-Hazzaa, the Secretary-General of Mawhiba, underscored the significance of the students’ triumphs, emphasizing the cooperation between Saudi institutions and their dedication to nurturing young talents through education and training, aligning with international benchmarks. She commended Mawhiba and the Ministry of Education’s collaboration, noting that both institutions have as their common objective the development of Saudi human resources in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.

Mawhiba, in close partnership with the Ministry of Education, administers the Mawhiba Program for International Olympiads, meticulously preparing Saudi teams for such competitive arenas. This comprehensive initiative encompasses advanced training modules and curriculum updates that are carefully timed to coincide with Saudi scientific teams’ yearly participation in international contests. The Saudi female participants in the Mathematical Olympiad underwent rigorous training regimes designed to sharpen their scientific acumen, their selection for participation being predicated on their performance in the training sessions convened by Mawhiba.

source/content: abouther.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

ARAB FESTIVAL: 03rd Hollywood Arab Film Festival: Showcasing Arab cinema in Los Angeles, April 2024

The third annual Hollywood Arab Film Festival began this week, bringing the best of 2024’s Arab cinema to Los Angeles and giving fans a chance to see the films in theaters as well as introducing a new audience to the Arab world’s top talent.

The event, which runs until April 21, was attended by a number of celebrity guests including Egyptian producer and screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy, Tunisian actor Dhaffer L’Abidine, renowned Egyptian star Elham Shahin and Egyptian producer Tarek El-Ganainy.

At the event, Hefty said: “Arab cinema really needs a platform to tell our stories and to show who we are, our identity, our hopes and dreams, our pains, and all the different social topics that are tackled in some of the films that are being presented are maybe more relevant today than ever. So I think it’s a great opportunity to have this dialogue.”

Hefzy’s film “Hajjan” was showing at the event. It is a Saudi Arabia-based film directed by Egyptian filmmaker Abu Bakr Shawky.

“Hajjan is a film about a young boy who got a very special connection to his camel, who has a brother who was a camel jockey and races,” Hefzy said. “And, one day when something really unexpected happens to his brother, and shatters his world, it forces him to step into his brother’s shoes and become a camel jockey, and so starts racing himself.”

The movie is a co-production between the Kingdom’s King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, or Ithra, and Hefzy’s Film Clinic.

“It was a film made in Saudi Arabia with Saudi talents and actors with an Egyptian director, but with the Saudi co-writer and Saudi actors and shot mostly in Saudi Arabia,” Hefzy said. “So I think it’s, it was a great experience, and learned a lot about Saudi Arabia, learned a lot about the culture.”

The festival featured cinema from various Arab countries, presenting films from 16 different nations. Marlin Soliman, strategic planning director of HAFF, highlighted the inclusion of six feature films, ten short films and six student films.

Spanning five days, HAFF offered its audience a vibrant experience, including a red-carpet affair, panel discussions on filmmaking and diversity in Hollywood, and, of course, screenings of high-profile films.

The festival also saw several filmmakers singing the praises of Saudi Arabia’s expanding film industry.

L’Abidine, the writer and director of “To My Son,” said: “I’m thrilled to be back again with my second feature film ‘To My Son,’ a Saudi film… I think there is a great evolution of Saudi cinema that’s been happening in the last few years.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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ARAB

OMAN : Winners of 10th Sultan Qaboos Award for  Culture, Arts and Literature announced

Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Shaikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah al Khalili, Chairman of the State Council handed over the 9th version of Sultan Qaboos Awards for Culture, Arts and Literature to the winners at Al Wahat Club.

This edition is allocated for Omanis in areas of Omani heritage (culture category), theatre teams (arts category), and article (literature category).

The Award’s handing over ceremony included a speech for the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science delivered by Habib bin Mohammed al Riyami, chairman of the centre during which he reviewed the march of the awards since its inception. He also congratulated the winners.

Harith bin Mohammed al Batashi won the first place in the culture category for his investigation conducted on the book of Sheikh Said bin Khalfan Al Khalili. Al Dann Theatre Team won the first place in the theatre teams category whereas the writer Dr Muna Hibras al Sulaimi won the the first place in the literature category.

During the event, fields of the 10th edition of the awards which will be dedicated for Omanis, as well as Arabs were unveiled. They include media and communication (culture category), cinema production (arts category), and novel (literature category).

source/content: muscatdaily.com (headline edited)

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OMAN

ARABIAN ART : Al Sadu: An enduring age-old Arabian Art and Cultural Importance listed in UNESCO

Far from being a forgotten tradition, Al Sadu is a centuries-old practice that is perpetuated and reinvented in Arabia.

Historically, Al Sadu met the needs of nomadic life. Women used available resources – sheep’s wool, goat’s and camel’s hair – to create robust textiles, essential for survival in arid environments. Their method, based on rudimentary floor looms, produced tight, durable fabrics characterized by geometric patterns that reflected the environment and culture of their creators.

Al Sadu production begins with shearing the wool and collecting the hair, followed by thorough cleaning to remove impurities. The yarns are then dyed with bright colors derived from local plants and spices, such as henna, turmeric, saffron, aloe and indigo. Weaving is done on traditional looms made from palm or jujube wood.

It also has significant cultural importance, recognised by UNESCO.  Kuwaiti Sadu was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia.  

Keeping the art alive

Once the preserve of nomadic tribes, this time-honored art is now being revitalized by young designers. In Kuwait , for example, with the aim of perpetuating this heritage, designers are collaborating with Bayt Al-Sadu and specialist researchers. The aim of this collaboration is to develop unique art exhibitions that showcase this nationally recognised culture.

Bayt Al Sadu, or the House of Sadu, is a museum dedicated to the traditional textiles of Kuwait. It is dedicated to the preservation, documentation and promotion of Bedouin textile heritage, ranging from nomadic weaving to urban weaving styles.

A study conducted by Manal Alkhazi at the University of Southampton among 120 young Kuwaiti women aged between 15 and 21 from the six districts of Kuwait revealed that 48.3% of young Kuwaitis interviewed in an electronic survey had Sadu garments at home. In addition, 69.2% of those questioned said they knew the basic Sadu colors.

source/content: kawa-news.com (headline edited)

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ARABIAN ART