Middle East World Records – Page 56 – Arabian Records (1st post : Eid Al Fitr – 01st Shawwal 1439 (AH) / 15th June 2018 ) / (BETA testing – Research

Expo 2020 Dubai: A Future Story that Generations will Proudly Narrate. The 1st World Expo Hosted by an Arab Nation in the Middle East, held Over 182 days ended March 31st, 2022

The first world expo held in the Middle East ends in style.

After 182 days of diverse and rich activities and events, which enjoyed by millions of visitors from across the world, the curtain of Expo 2020 Dubai, the first world expo held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region and the first hosted by an Arab nation, came down on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at the iconic dome-structured Al Wasl Plaza.

The six-month-long exposition, staged under the central theme, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, defied the tremendous challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering a resounding success.

By organising the world greatest show amidst such challenges, the UAE has removed the world ”impossible” from its lexicon to present a wonderful edition in the event’s long history as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said in an audio message delivered at the closing ceremony of the mega global event.

We will not be exaggerating if we repeat what millions of visitors have said that Dubai’s remarkable success offered a great challenge for those to come.

Expo 2020 Dubai, which brought together 192 participating nations, is not a mere event that tells the culture and history of participating countries, rather than an invitation to engage and share visions to address challenges facing the humanity.

The UAE selection of the theme, ”Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” as a headline for its campaign to host the exhibition, did not come by chance. The UAE used to look to the future with proactive visions. Despite humanity’s passing through the most difficult and challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effects on the economies of the world, there was no confusion in the UAE’s approach and calculations.

Projects did not stop or affected by slowness, delay or hesitation. Rather, they continued in an unprecedented harmony that encouraged the international community participate and engage with confidence enhanced by millions of visitors who and their families enjoyed events and activities that many of them may not be able to repeat again and they will proudly tell them to the future generations.

Since the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) announced on 27th November 2013 in Paris that Dubai had won the bid to host Expo 2020, no one doubted the UAE’s ability to present to the world the most beautiful and brightest image of an event that had been exclusively hosted by certain cities in regions far away from the Middle East and North Africa.

As usual, the UAE has a proven track-record in areas of communication and fresh innovative concepts and ideas which have been turned into reality over the past decades. An indicator of success of Expo is that the large number of visitors came from outside the country.

Over six months, Expo 2020 Dubai brought together over 190 participating nations, including multilateral organisations and academic institutions, in a defining moment to exchange new ideas and perspectives, inspire meaningful change and create a brighter future for all under the theme, ”Connecting Minds and Creating the Future” through sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

There is no better place and environment than Dubai and the UAE in general to discuss these issues that of major concern to the world. This was clearly reflected in the World Government Summit 2022, which was the best conclusion to an exceptional event.

It was an opportune coincidence that hosting this event preceded the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2021, as the UAE shared its visions, ideas and rich experience in development with the world in an event that chronicles the World Expo events a new.

The UAE deserves deepest congratulations for the remarkable success of Expo 2020 Dubai as the world welcomes Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan.

Opinion: by: Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi is the Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM)

source/content: gulfnews.com (edited)

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Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan (L2), UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, hands the BIE flag to His Excellency Jai-chul Choi (C), President of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) during the Expo 2020 Dubai Closing Ceremony at Al Wasl alongside Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy (L), UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai, His Excellency, Dimitri Kerkentzes (R2), Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos and His Excellency Wakamiya Kenji (R), Minister for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Image Credit: Expo 2020 Dubai

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

Abdulaziz Fahad Al-Jouf, Founder and CEO of Payment Processing Company ‘PayTabs’

Abdulaziz Fahad Al-Jouf is the founder and CEO of PayTabs, a payment processing company founded in Saudi Arabia in January 2014 and now based in Bahrain.

He graduated from Riyadh’s Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Islamic business and subsequently obtained a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a master’s degree in e-business from the New York Institute of Technology.

PayTabs was founded in 2013 after Al-Jouf “faced problems finding a suitable payments gateway for one of his business startups … and figured there would be many others with the same issues.”

PayTabs was, according to Al-Jouf, “taken under the wing” of Saudi Aramco’s entrepreneurship scheme “Wa’ed” and made headlines in August 2017 when it raised $20 million investment from unnamed sources.

In 2018 PayTabs was recognized by Forbes Middle East as No. 1 among “the top 20 Fintech startups to watch.”

In the same year, Al-Jouf was featured on the cover of Arabian Business magazine, and PayTabs was named “Fintech Company of the Year” at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards.

source/content : arabnews.com

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SAUDI ARABIA / BAHRAIN

UAE’s MoHAP launches World’s First Metaverse Customer Happiness Service Centre

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the world’s first Metaverse customer happiness service center at the Arab Health 2022, the first experience of its kind in a health exhibition in the world.

The step ushers in a new era of digital reality and human-computer interaction in government health care services, by enhancing the integration of the real, virtual and digital world.

The Ministry’s stand at the Arab Health being held at the Dubai Trade Centre from 24th to 27th January, will be a unique stage to showcase this unique technology and test the performance of virtual activities that provide real experiences in one of the most innovative and future initiatives launched by the ministry.

Although the full version of the MoHAP MetaHealth platform is expected to be launched by mid-2022, visitors to Arab Health 2022 will have the opportunity to instantly teleport into the world of MetaHealth and choose to speak with a real employee from the Customer Happiness Center in a must-try experience.

he new technology also provides an opportunity for customers to join the MetaHealth space and move from their current location to the Ministry’s virtual Customer Happiness Center, without actually crossing the distance between the two areas. Customers, then, can request information, submit documents, pay fees and more, with the actual faces of users being displayed in the virtual room instead of avatars.

The new service also provides a tangible solution for the people of determination who are unable to move physically from their homes to one of the Ministry’s customer happiness centers and finish their transactions smoothly.

Al Owais added, “Today, we are experiencing the world of “Metaverse”, with the launch of the world’s first virtual customer happiness center in the three-dimensional digital space, in the first experience of its kind, in preparation for a new and promising future health sector through Arab Health, one of the largest international exhibitions.”

The UAE health minister asserted that Virtual Reality technology will play a more important role in the future of the UAE during the next fifty years, especially in light of the development of advanced digital infrastructure, which is one of the best in the world.

“The flourishing of digital transformation in the government sector pushes us forward to continue achieving the goals and aspirations of the UAE to lead the artificial intelligence and virtual reality sector, which places the country in a perfect position to attract and use advanced technologies, especially Metaverse,” said Dr. Muhammad Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Health Services.

source/content: wam.ae

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

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)

‘Rally Jameel’ Saudi Arabia’s First ever All-Women (and Women Only) Race that Spans 900 kilometres – scheduled March 17-19

The three-day race event will start in Hail before finishing in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia is readying to host its first women’s-only motoring event.

Called Rally Jameel, the event consists of 34 teams from 15 countries and takes place from March 17 to 19. It will feature both beginners and seasoned veterans in competition.

The 900-kilometre race, which is being held over three days, will start in the north-central city of Hail, taking in the sites of Al-Qassim city and then heading to the capital, Riyadh , via hidden checkpoints and challenges.

Motorsport racer Dania Akeel, who was the first Saudi woman to participate in the Dakar Rally in 2022, says she hopes the event will help women to feel more at ease while driving.

Elsewhere in the region, the UAE is represented by Atefa Saleh, while Oman will have Sanaa Al Shekaili and Halima Al Balushi behind the wheel.

Al Shekaili was the first Omani racer to participate in the 2020 Middle East Rally Championship, finishing in third place.

Al Shekaili also established the first women’s car club in Oman.

There are three teams taking part from the US while Europe will be represented with a team from Sweden and a team from Spain. There will also be one team from Egypt.

“Taking part in Rally Jameel, for me, is an incredible way to support women who are new to the scene of off-roading and motorsports,” says Sedona Blinson, who has previously participated in Rally Jameel’s inspiration, the Rebelle Rally.

The rally, which is not designed as a speed test, was first announced back in December. It is open to any entrant aged 18 or above and holding a driving license accepted in Saudi Arabia. No special equipment is needed, as the cars are required to be totally unmodified, although they must be a 4×4 or AWD.

source/content : thenationalnews.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

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

New Cookbook ‘Cooking Her Heritage, Saudi Arabia’ Showcases Cultural Heritage

A new cookbook focusing on traditional meals titled “Cooking Her Heritage, Saudi Arabia” was launched on Mar 02nd, Wednesday at the Diriyah Art Biennale Foundation.

Five women prepared the book: Dr. Awatif Alkeneibit, Sahar Jamal, Begoña Mateos, Jacqueline Jackaman, and Cristina Sanchez.

It is divided into five sections, each incorporating specific recipes from the Kingdom’s regions. It highlights the most classic and iconic Saudi dishes, revealing the cooking secrets and culinary practices handed down over many years in the nation’s homes.

Five female co-authors seek to highlight regional dishes, more than 100 recipes drawn from Kingdom’s homes
Over 100 recipes drawn from Kingdom’s homes published in Arabic and English

source/content: arabnews.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

Latifa Ibn Ziaten, Awarded ‘Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2022’ : March 01st, 2022

Latifa Ibn Ziaten . French-Moroccan Activist. President, Association for Youth and Peace (IMAD).

Zayed Award for Human Fraternity has empowered me to continue fighting: Latifa Ibn Ziaten.

Anti-extremist French-Moroccan activist Latifa Ibn Ziaten, President of the Association for Youth and Peace (IMAD), called on countries participating in Expo 2020 Dubai to support the efforts aimed at supporting peaceful coexistence and combatting extremism.

She also lauded the UAE’s efforts to encourage social peace and promote the principles of tolerance and human fraternity.

In an exclusive interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Latifa Ibn Ziaten, winner of the award in 2021, expressed her appreciation for the award.

“I am proud to be here in the UAE, the country that gave me the opportunity to win the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which empowered and motivated me to continue my journey and fight to help marginalised youths,” she said.

“We need to help each other, most notably the youth who engage in terrorism. I will explore the reasons that led them to choose extremism, as people are not born terrorists, but factors, such as misery, ignorance, desperation and specific lifestyles, have led them to become prey for terrorism,” she added.

Ibn Ziaten said that she delivered several lectures in Abu Dhabi on terrorism and participated in seminars on how to save the youth from terrorism, in addition to delivering lectures in Morocco, the US, India and Mali. In France, she has worked with the Ministry of Education and conducts weekly lectures to raise the awareness of the youth.

After her son was killed in a terrorist attack in 2021, Latifa Ibn Ziaten has dedicated herself to promoting tolerance and countering terrorism.

source/content: wam.ae

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FRANCE / MOROCCO

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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SAUDI ARABIA