Month: September 2023

TUNISIA: Saida Manoubiya: The Story of a Tunisian Feminist Icon

By calling for women’s education and freedom, Saida Manoubia was truly a feminist ahead of her time.

Her shrine, located in the governorate of Manouba, west of Tunis, is a historical and cultural landmark of the city. It’s a gathering spot for locals and a venue for musical events. Visitors partake in the eating, conversing, and singing of folk songs praising and singing the saint’s virtues.

When I got inside, I was advised to talk to Aunt Zaziya, an elderly woman who resides in one of the building’s rooms. A long line of people had formed outside her door. I stepped in and sat down while she was having lunch in a small room surrounded by a few bags of gifts from the visitors a short time later.

People bring Aunt Zaziya treats to give away to visitors, as well as meat to cook and eat there, and she sends them away with Lella Saida’s blessings. She told me stories about couples who were able to conceive after years of unsuccessful attempts and women who married at a very advanced age thanks to the saint’s blessings. Aunt Zaziya, on the other hand, refused to continue the conversation when I told her I wanted to learn more about this renowned and revered woman.

I had the opportunity to speak with some of the women present and hear their stories. Amira, 25, described her visits to the shrine as providing her with “interior comfort.” But she didn’t know anything about Lella Saida’s background, her life story, or Sufism in general. Saida Manoubiya was described as a “smart and nice woman who assisted the underprivileged” by other regular visitors. However, the specifics of what made her such a wonderful woman were not widely known.

This lack of understanding runs against to Saida Manoubiya’s own beliefs, as well as how she lived her life and why she is regarded as one of Tunisia’s greatest women.

Education in a Patriarchal Society

Aicha, who grew up in Tunis during the Hafsid reign in the 13th century, possessed outstanding intelligence and intuition. Her father was a religious figure, an Imam or a Quran instructor. In his relationship with Aicha, it’s worth noting that he encouraged her education by teaching her Arabic (her native tongue is Amazigh) and the Quran.

It was evident that Aicha was different; she was a free spirit who refused to conform to the limits put on women at the period, something the villagers did not appreciate. Her behavior was viewed as unconventional or liberal, to the extent where her father was frequently chastised for her conduct.

When Aicha was told she would be married to a relative, she refused and decided to leave, an option that is still frowned upon now in Tunisia, let alone in the 1200s. Aicha was seeking freedom, financial independence, and education when she left Manouba for Tunis and sacrificed her family life. She was leaving behind the confines of a loveless marriage and traditional social constraints, as well as the confines of a loveless marriage and traditional social constraints.

According to historian Abdel Jalil Bouguerra, education was only available to specific women during that time: foreigners from the Mashreq, Al-Andalus, or the ruling family’s elite women. Aicha, on the other hand, was neither of these things.

She began knitting and spinning wool to support herself after settling in Montfleury, and she quickly became a disciple of Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili, one of the most renowned religious personalities of his time, who was immersed in the Sufi school of Ibn Arabi al-Andalusi. Women and men are equal, according to Ibn Arabi, a controversial yet prominent person in Islamic history. It’s no wonder that Aicha picked this Sufi order as her educational path because he wrote extensively about the different female teachers who molded his spiritual knowledge.

Aicha continued to break social conventions at the time. She studied the Quran and attempted to analyze it attentively in order to comprehend its contents, opting for inquiry as a way to religion. She would leave her house without a male companion and go out to preach and debate with men. Some Sheikhs are said to have called for her stoning as a result of this.

She, on the other hand, worked hard in class, passed multiple exams, and swiftly advanced from student to teacher. Sufi intellectuals and kings were drawn to her arguments with her mentor, al-Shadhili. Continuing her schooling at that time is a remarkable achievement in and of itself. But pursuing and teaching Islamic studies and religion, a field dominated largely by men, is even more impressive.

Prominence & Influence

Aicha rose to prominence as a significant religious person in Tunisia, with connections to the most powerful religious groups. In Sufi societies, accompanying her master to various prayer spots on top of mountains and hills is considered a luxury. She then got close to prince Abou Mouhamad Abdel Wahed and Sultan Abou Zakariyah, and she received access to prayer sites formerly only open to men, such as Mousalla Al-Idayn, erected by Abi Zakariya in 1229.

Aicha’s fluent style and advanced language skills, which were once exclusively expected of prominent male intellectuals, as she preached at the Mosque of Safsafa (the area is now the shrine of Abdallah Chrif), astounded and amazed people.

Aicha was a philanthropist who lived off her earnings and gave the remainder to the underprivileged, especially women, in addition to her scholastic and religious qualities. There is also evidence that she purchased some Tunisian slaves who were being shipped to Italy only to free them six centuries before slavery was abolished in Tunisia in 1846.

In an official ceremony, Al-Shadhili gave Aicha his cloak, ring, and the title of Qutb, and referred to her as a “Imam of men” as he was leaving Tunisia. In Sufism, the highest spiritual position is Qutb (literally “pole”), and Aicha was a pole of knowledge and religion during her lifetime and beyond.

Her spirituality and deeds influenced people’s lives in such a way that she was elevated to the status of a Saint, and her life was surrounded by supernatural and divine legends known in Sunni Islam as “Karamat.” Her father once gave her a bull for agricultural purposes, but she instead gave it all to the impoverished, requesting them to return the bones. The bull came back to life once the bones were retrieved.

What is certain about her life is that she was a strong, independent woman who was able to break free from social constraints and establish herself as an equal and intellectual superior to males of her time. Saida Manoubiya was a feminist ahead of her time, advocating for women’s education and freedom.

source/content: carthagemagazine.com (headline edited)

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An October 2012 file picture shows Tunisians gathering outside the Saida Manoubia shrine after hard-line Salafists torched the important Sufi shrine.

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TUNISIA

SAUDI ARABIA: Aramco to Buy 100% Stake in Chile’s Fuel Retailer ‘Esmax’ to bolster downstream expansion

The deal enables world’s largest oil exporting company to enter South American fuels and lubricants retail market.

Saudi Aramco , the world’s largest oilexporting company, has agreed to buy a 100 per cent equity stake in Esmax Distribuscion, a downstream fuels and lubricants retailer in Chile, from private equity company Southern Cross Group.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

“Aramco’s planned acquisition of Esmax would be its first downstream retail investment in South America, recognising the potential and attractiveness of these markets while advancing Aramco’s strategy of strengthening its downstream value chain,” Aramco said in a statement on Friday.

The transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, it added.

Esmax’s businesses include retail fuel stations, airport operations, fuel distribution terminals and a lubricant blending plant.

Aramco said this deal would enable it to “secure outlets for its refined products and help expand its retail business internationally”.

he acquisition would also further unlock new market opportunities for Valvoline branded lubricants, following Aramco’s acquisition of the Valvoline global products business in February 2023, the company added.

This agreement “creates a platform to launch the Aramco brand both in Chile and South America more broadly, unlocking significant potential to capitalise on new markets for our products”, Mohammed Al Qahtani, Aramco downstream president, said.

Aramco is the third most valuable company in the world, with a market value of $2.08 trillion, behind Microsoft ($2.44 trillion) and Apple ($2.86 trillion) as of August 6. It is the second largest company by revenue behind Walmart, which has held the top position since 2014.

Last month, the company said its second-quarter net profit softened due to voluntary production cuts and lower crude prices, although the results were in line with analyst expectations.

Net profit after zakat for the three-month period to the end of June fell 38 per cent to about $30.1 billion, from its record $48.4 billion in the year-earlier period, the national oil company of Saudi Arabia said in a regulatory filing to the Tadawul stock exchange, where its shares are traded.

Net income for the second quarter of this year fell about 6 per cent from the first quarter of 2023.

Net income for the first half of the year fell nearly 30 per cent to $61.96 billion from the same period of 2022, due to lower crude oil prices and weakening refining and chemicals margins.

The company has been expanding its presence in vital markets globally.

This week, Saudi Aramco’s venture capital arm Wa’ed Ventures and BOLD Capital Partners , a US-focused firm, led a $52 million funding raised by US-based Mighty Buildings, a 3D-printing construction technology firm.

In July, Saudi Aramco closed a deal to acquire a 10 per cent stake in Shenzhen-listed Rongsheng Petrochemical for $3.4 billion.

Four months earlier, a Saudi Aramco unit had acquired a 10 per cent stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical, in a deal valued at $3.6 billion that would “significantly” expand its refining operations in China.

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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At the signing ceremony( front row, from left) Southern Cross group partner Raul Sotomayor and acting president of Aramco Europe Mansour Al Turki. Back row, from left, Southern Cross group partner Jaime Besa, Aramco executive vice president of products and customers Yasser Mufti, Aramco director of retail business solutions Nader Douhan and Aramco director of mergers and acquisitions Mohammed Al Qahtani. Photo: Aramco

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SAUDI ARABIA

PALESTINE: UNESCO votes to list ‘Ancient Jericho Ruins’ of ‘Tell es-Sultan’ as World Heritage Site during annual meeting in Saudi Arabia

Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth.

The United Nations’ cultural organization UNESCO inscribed the pre-historic site of Tell es-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on its World Heritage List on Sunday.


Tell es-Sultan, which predates Egypt’s pyramids, is an oval-shaped tell, or mound, located in the Jordan Valley that contains the prehistoric deposits of human activity.

The UNESCO decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at its 45th world heritage committee meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“The property proposed for nomination is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell es-Sultan, located outside the antique site of Jericho,” UNESCO’s assistant director general, Ernesto Ottone, said at the session.


The site was inscribed following a three-year candidacy “during which no state party raised any objections,” said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. “There are no Jewish or Christian remains found at the (Tell Al-Sultan) site. It’s a place of pre-historic remains,” the diplomat told AFP.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he considered the decision to inscribe Tell es-Sultan “a matter of great importance and evidence of the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people.”He vowed that the Palestinian authorities would “continue to preserve this unique site for all humanity,” according to a statement from his office.


UNESCO’s listing shows that the Tell es-Sultan site is “an integral part of the diverse Palestinian heritage of exceptional human value,” Palestinian tourism minister Rula Maayah, who was attending the meeting in Riyadh, said in a statement.Given Tell es-Sultan’s “importance as the oldest fortified city in the world… it deserves to be a World Heritage Site,” she said.


“A permanent settlement had emerged here by the 9th to 8th millennium BC due to the fertile soil of the oasis and easy access to water,” UNESCO said on its website.

UNESCO said the “skulls and statues found on the site” testify to cultic practices among the neolithic population there, while the early bronze age archaeological material shows signs of urban planning.


The Tell es-Sultan site has been under excavation for over a century and is billed as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the planet, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.


Tell es-Sultan is the fourth Palestinian site to be listed on UNESCO’s world heritage list, alongside the Church of the Nativity and the Old City of Hebron.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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A view of the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, which predates Egypt’s pyramids. (Hazem Bader/AFP) 

A tourist rides a camel at the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank on September 17, 2023, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on the same day. (Hazem Bader/AFP) 

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PALESTINE

The Awafi Kitchen Connects Iraqi and Jewish Food Cultures

Annabel Rabiyah moves through the kitchen with familiarity. She’s unconcerned with measurements and makes Iraqi kubbeh (meat wrapped in a wheat pastry and fried) and khubz tawa (Iraqi flat bread) from memory, using her hands to mix ingredients. She knows when to add more water to the farina and flour mixture for the kubbeh based on the feel of the dough, and she’s generous with the black pepper, a spice central to Iraqi food.

As head chef and co-founder of the Awafi Kitchen, a Boston-based pop-up culinary space dedicated to sharing Iraqi-Jewish food and culture, Rabiyah cooks the Iraqi food she learned from her family. She started the Awafi Kitchen in 2017 with several family members to tell stories through food and highlight the overlap between Iraqi and Jewish food.

“The more I delved into learning about the cuisines, [what] I thought was essentially Jewish was [also] Iraqi food,” Rabiyah said. “It’s not even similar, it’s essentially just Iraqi food.”

Before the pandemic, the Awafi Kitchen partnered with local artists and venues to offer a culinary element to their projects, hosted pop-up meals at restaurants in the Boston area, and used these collaborations to uplift Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish history and culture. More recently, Rabiyah has pivoted to teaching online cooking classes, and occasional baked good deliveries. She can be seen on YouTube, demonstrating a recipe for ba’be ‘btamur, Iraqi-Jewish hand-rolled date pastries, and khubz tawa, which she taught herself by watching Iraqi videos and experimenting in the kitchen.

Rabiyah—who has a Master’s degree in nutrition and has a day job as an urban farmer supporting 56 community gardens in Boston for The Trustees of Reservations—has used her work with Awafi Kitchen to go deeper into her own cultural background. It’s also part of a larger effort to bring attention to the cuisine and culture of Jewish people who aren’t part of the Ashkenazi majority.

Creating Space for Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish Identities

Rabiyah, who grew up in the U.S. with an Ashkenazi Jewish mother and an Iraqi father, spent years grappling with questions about her heritage. “I grew up with a very politicized identity,” she said. “As a child, people really didn’t believe that Iraqi Jews existed.”

Rabiyah’s family immigrated to the U.S. from Baghdad after the 1967 Six-Day War. Before that, she says, Jewish and Iraqi culture were synonymous there, largely because of the size of the Jewish population. “In the [1930s] it was 40 percent Jewish in Baghdad,” said Rabiyah. “They shut down the main commercial street for Shabbat.” Now, the Jewish community there is essentially non-existent.

It’s hard to say how many Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews live in the U.S.; the U.S. Census doesn’t ask about Jewish religion or culture, and most national surveys of American Jewish life fail to ask respondents about lineage. One survey conducted by Brandeis University found that 88 percent of American Jews identify as white, 2 percent as Black, 5 percent as Hispanic, and 4 percent as “other.” One analysis by a group of Stanford researchers concluded that 12–15 percent of American Jews are people of color. For the same reasons, there’s little data on how many Jews in the U.S. identify as Ashkenazi, but immigration throughout the 20th century was largely from Eastern European countries.

Judaism is a global religion with multiple distinct cultures. Yet in the U.S., a country that has long been a site of refuge and relocation for Jewish people fleeing persecution, the dominant stories about Jewish culture center Ashkenazi Jews, whose ancestors hail from Eastern European countries and Russia. They’re often perceived as white and of European descent, and their assimilation into American culture has helped to create a false narrative that Ashkenazim are the norm. The impact of this, Rabiyah said, is an erasure of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, whose lineages begin in North Africa, Spain, and the Middle East.

Rabiyah is using food to record family history, document generations of Jewish movement across countries, and to demonstrate that people like her—Jews of color—exist. Take tbeet, a famous Iraqi-Jewish dish that involves slowly cooking a chicken in rice and is deeply embedded in Jewish faith and culture. It was traditionally started on Fridays, before it was forbidden to start a fire to honor the Sabbath, and served 12 hours later on Shabbat.

She also hopes to show how Iraqi Jews have acculturated to the U.S. and continue to adapt traditional foods here by swapping out ingredients that are easier to find. In order to develop recipes for the Awafi Kitchen, she reached out to elders in her family and in her community and asked them to tell her about recipes that have never been written down.

“Family is at the core of our food, and our story,” Rabiyah wrote on Instagram. “Our family members include some of the last Iraqi Jews that grew up in Iraq. Their memories feel so important to preserve.”

Collaborating with Sephardic and Mizrahi Creative Culinary Projects

In December, Rabiyah partnered with the Brooklyn-based collective Experimental Bitch Presents in their production of a play called In The Kitchen. Rabiyah developed the recipe for ba’aba beh tamur, an Iraqi cookie typically made for the Jewish holiday of Purim. To adapt to the pandemic, the project was a play-in-a-box: audience members received boxes with the audio play and the ingredients and recipe for the cookies.

Listeners heard the voice of Hannah Aliza Goldman, an actor, performer, writer, and food historian, draw on her own family history—her father’s lineage is Sephardic from Morocco, and her mother is Ashkenazi.

In preparation for the play, Goldman retraced her grandmother’s journey and returned to the village in Morocco where she grew up. In the 1930s, more than 250,000 Jewish people lived in Morocco, while today that number hovers around 3,000. For Goldman, much like Rabiyah, cooking traditional Sephardic recipes is a way to rebuild lost connections to that side of her cultural heritage.

“In Jewish culture we have different definitions of homeland,” Goldman said. “My grandmother was very religious. For her, Eretz Zion—Israel—was the homeland and they chose to move there for religious reasons. In the same vein, Morocco was also her home.”

Championing Sephardic and Mizrahi cuisine while telling the stories of migration and multiple homelands is a way of preventing cultural erasure, said Coral Cohen, the play’s director. For this reason, she plans to work with other Sephardic and Mizrahi artists in the future as well. Like Goldman, Cohen comes from a Mizrahi and Ashkenazi family. “Being white-passing, it’s important to acknowledge the privilege that we have, but really important to strongly identify as Mizrahi Jews, as Sephardic, as Iraqi, or Persian, because we are so erased in this country,” Cohen added.

Cohen and Goldman relied on community partners, such the Sephardic Mizrahi Q Network, a community of LGBTQ-identifying Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews who gathered around meals before the pandemic, to get the word out. The Q Network was inspired to use food as a way to reconnect with heritage, tell stories, and demonstrate that there are multiple valid ways of being Jewish.

In 2017, Ruben Shimonov, born in Uzbekistan and raised in the U.S., found himself searching for a Jewish community of people like himself: queer, non-Ashkenazi, and able to hold multiple identities at once. Every Friday night for Shabbat, members of the Q Network would share a meal together. Now, the community shares space on a Zoom screen, but prior to the pandemic the New York-based organization would rotate hosting responsibilities, eating in a different home every week.

“Food is one of society’s oldest technologies of community building,” Shimonov said. “We’ve had everything from chicken with preserved lemon and green olives to Persian rice. All the food represents the beauty and the diversity in [the Jewish] community.”

Representing that diversity is equally important to Rabiyah. For her, cooking her own family’s recovered recipes is a way of ensuring that other Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews feel increasingly seen and heard. “If you want your perspective to be shared,” she said. “Especially if you’re in a context of a lesser-told history—you have to tell it yourself.”

source/content: civileats.com (headline edited)

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AMERICAN IRAQI

SAUDI ARABIA / EGYPT: Sayeda Zeinab – The story of the ‘chief of el-Diwan’ (6- 62 hijri)

In the heart of Historic Cairo, the mausoleum and mosque of Sayeda Zeinab (6-62 hijri), the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad, centres the square and district that holds her name.

Sayeda Zeinab is known among Egyptians as Om Hashim (Hashim’s mother) since she was the one who took care of the wounded and martyred members of her tribe during the battle of Karbala. She is also known as El-Tahra (The Pure) and as ” Om El-Awagez” (mother of the disabled) because she attended to elderly and disabled women. Egyptians also know her by the title El-Mushira (The One to Consult) and Raeisat El-Diwan (The chief of diwan) because she opened her house for the people who sought her guidance and proclaimed her the head of her diwan of spiritual guidance.

Born in the sixth year of Hijra in Madina, this bright and beautiful girl was known for her sound mind and intellect and was often referred to as Aqilat Bani Hashem (The sound mind of the tribe of Bani Hashim).

She got married and had four boys and two girls. She became known for her gatherings on Islamic jurisprudence, where she shared her knowledge. She lived a simple, pious life until she witnessed the harshest moments in Islamic History.

In Aisha Abdel-Rahman’s book titled Al-Saida Zeinab Aqilat Bani Hashim, published in 1985 by Dar El-Ketab El-Araby, she was described as the hero of the famous Karbala battle, which occurred between the party of Al-Hussien Ibn Ali, grandson of the prophet Muhammed and Yazid Ibn Umayya. Sayeda Zeinab was spotted protecting the women, soothing the injured, and protecting the bodies of the dead. She lost her brother Al-Hussien in this battle but managed to spare the life of his son Ali Zein Al-Abdein, a child back then.

After losing this battle, her staying in Al-Madina became a real threat to the Umayyads after they seized the caliphate and killed Al-Hussien and almost all of Prophet Muhammed’s descendants (Ahl al-Bayt). Consequently, Sayeda Zeinab, the representative of the Ahl al-Bayt had to choose their exile. She chose Egypt, arriving in modern-day Cairo in year 61 of Hijra.

When she came to Egypt with her family, almost all Egyptians came out to greet her. She was greatly honoured by the Egyptian people who visited her and consulted her constantly on her premises at Qanater Al-Sibaa (The Lions Barrages ), approximately the current location of El-Sayeda Zeinab’s mosque and mausoleum.

According to Ali Pasha Mubarak’s series Al-Khetat Al-Tawfiqia, ” Sayeda Zeinab Street was named after Sayeda Zeinab, daughter of Imam Ali, bless be upon him, because this is where her mausoleum is situated in a golden copper compartment with an embroidery silk cover underneath a high dome that is situated inside Al-Zainabi mosque near Qanater Al-Sibaa. The mosque was renovated by Prince Ali Pasha Al-Wazir in 955. Then, it was renovated and enlarged during the reign of Prince Abdel-Rahman Katkhuda in 1173. The mosque is always full of visitors. A Hadra (Sufi ritual of praising God’s presence) is held every Sunday night, and a Maqraa ( A night of reading the Quran) is held every Wednesday night. The mosque also witnesses the celebration of her Moulid (her ascension) every year,” reads the book.

Touched by the emotions of Egyptians, Sayeda Zeinab is said to have blessed Egypt, saying:  ” O People of Egypt, you stood by us, may God stand by you, you were our refuge, may God be yours, you helped us, may God always help you out of all difficulties. “

She died in year 62 of Hijra, with conflicting stories surrounding her burial. Some say she was buried in Madina. Others say she was buried in Egypt. But the fact remains that she came to Egypt and that her presence is still felt, appreciated and celebrated. People still refer to her for spiritual guidance.

Her annual moulid, one of the largest and most iconic, takes place on the 28th of Ragab in the Hijri year.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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Egyptians walk outside Cairo’s Sayeda Zainab mosque during celebrations marking the birthday of Prophet Mohamed s granddaughter Zeinab, late on February 14, 2023. AFP

Egypt celebrates moulid of Sayeda Zeinab

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EGYPT / SAUDI ARABIA

MOROCCO: The First Moroccan Watchmaker Fouad Zrhari Embraces Arab, Moroccan Culture with Timeless Elegance

Besides his Elaqsa Watches and the newly launched Lion Watch, Fouad Zrhari unveiled plans to launch a third brand in 2024 that is entirely Moroccan.

 In the world of horology, where time is measured with precision and elegance is crafted into every tick of the clock, Moroccan watchmaker Fouad Zrhari managed to fuse passion and craftsmanship and create meticulously designed pieces.

In an interview with Morocco World News, Zrhari shared his journey, one that transformed his love for watchmaking into a brand that blends the artistry of Arabic calligraphy and Morocco’s rich heritage.

A Passion ignited by chance

Zrhari’s love for watchmaking began by chance, as he describes it as “just a coup de foudre,” love at first sight. 

It was the charm of timepieces that captured his heart and the idea of creating an instrument capable of measuring time, with its intricate mechanical diversity, was simply fascinating.

“The idea of creating an instrument that measures time fascinates me,” he said, adding that “the precision of tiny pieces fitting together one by one until they tell the time is just incredible.”

Like many young individuals searching for their path in life, Zrhari initially found himself at a crossroads. He stumbled upon an opportunity to attend a school for micro-mechanics, a choice that would become instrumental in shaping his destiny. 

Little did he know that this decision would later lay the foundation for his future world of watchmaking. “The effort I exerted during that time serves me well today in the world of watchmaking,” he underlined.

“The school of micro-mechanics brought me immense value because it shares many similarities with instruments of measurement and calculation” which are used in watchmaking, he explained.

With his newfound skills, Zrhari went on to work with prestigious names in the industry, including Franck Muller, Roger Dubuis, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, which became his training ground. He reminisced about those days when celebrities graced the workshops.

Within these workshops, Zrhari undertook various roles, each offering a unique perspective on the art of watchmaking. 

Through various roles and tasks, he learned the intricacies of the watchmaking process and emphasized the importance of the diverse trades within the industry. “This experience taught me about the entire process of watchmaking,” he said.

Turning a Dream into Reality 

Yet, the defining moment of Zrhari’s journey came when he decided to take a leap of faith. Despite the challenges and strict regulations of designing watches while employed in Switzerland, he chose to work discreetly from his own home.

It was a risk, but it was fueled by a dream. “I saw many Arab personalities visiting the workshops and ordering their own models,” Zrhari recalled. “I turned to my friend and asked, ‘Why don’t Arabs manufacture their own watches?’ I didn’t understand it. Even though it might not be easy, I felt we should at least try.”

The response he received was one of doubt and skepticism. “Impossible,” his friend responded as he laughed. “It’s very difficult to gain recognition, very difficult to sell, and very difficult to invest in, as it demands a significant amount of money and time,” his friend told him.

However, Zrhari embraced this skepticism as a challenge, one he was determined to overcome.

That’s when Zehari decided to craft timepieces that are more than mere instruments that tell time, but a reflection of his heritage and a celebration of Arab culture.

Championing Arab Heritage in Watchmaking

Zrhari has infused his watches with a distinctive signature that pays homage to his Moroccan origins. “Arabic calligraphy, whether subtly concealed or prominently displayed, and Indo-Arabic numerals adorning the dial are the hallmarks of my creations,” Zrhari proudly said. 

His watches stand as unique works of art, capturing the essence of his Moroccan roots.

These watches are not just timekeeping instruments; they are an embodiment of his identity, designed to be “recognizable from a distance,” Zrahri said.

What sets them apart further is their exclusivity. Zrhari’s watches are exceptionally limited in number, with the ultra-exclusive Elaqsa Watches, and the newly launched Lion Watch offering affordability to a wider audience. 

Zrhari’s promise of a third brand, entirely Moroccan, in 2024 hints at an exciting future, where Zrhari’s artistry and Moroccan heritage will shine brightly in the world of horology.

Today, Zrhari’s journey has evolved into a mission. His passion for watchmaking has become more than just a hobby, as it is now a driving force with a clear purpose. 

“There is a huge market and enthusiasm in this business,” Zrhari emphasized as he spoke of his ambition to establish a watchmaking training center in Morocco. This endeavor is not just about creating timepieces; it’s about creating added value for the African continent, he noted.

In addition, Zrahri conveyed an important message of perseverance and ambition to the youth. 

“Don’t give up, even when faced with difficulties,” Zrhari advised. “Failure is not a setback; it’s an opportunity to become even stronger.”

He encouraged young individuals to transform their passion into a profession, regardless of the field they choose. With faith and determination, success will eventually come their way, he concluded.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Moroccan watchmaker Fouad Zrhari and some of his deisgns

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MOROCCO

OMAN: National Museum issues Special edition for Omani Navigator Ahmed bin Majid Al Saadi

 The National Museum has issued a special edition titled ‘Collection in Marine Science.’

The issue documents the greatness of Omani navigator Ahmed bin Majid Al Saadi, reviving his marine prowess and navigational creativity.

The collection documents the origin of the manuscript titled “Kitab al-Fawa’id fi ‘Ilm al-Bahr wa al-Qawa’id” (Collection of Manuscripts of Benefits in the Science of the Sea and Rules, as well as the abbreviation container in the origins of marine science and Arajiz), which has been on loan from Al Assad National Library in the Syrian Arab Republic to the National Museum since 2019.

In the opening speech of the publication, Jamal Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum, said, “The display of the original manuscript ‘Collection in the Science of the Seas’ by the author Ahmed bin Majid al Saadi at the National Museum is an affirmation of the Omani identity of this unique scientific and historical personality.

This display comes in the context of the existing cooperation between the National Museum and the Ministry of Culture of the Syrian Arab Republic as part of the cultural diplomacy pursued by the National Museum.”

source/content: muscatdaily.com (headline edited)

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OMAN / SYRIA

ABU DHABI, U.A.E: ‘Zayed Sustainability Prize’ announces 33 Finalists Advancing Global Sustainability Initiatives

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has announced this year’s finalists following a deliberation by its esteemed Jury.

The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 1st December during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held from 30th November to 12th December.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Jury elected the 33 finalists from 5,213 entries received across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – a 15 percent increase in submissions compared to last year. The new Climate Action category, introduced to mark the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and hosting of COP28 UAE, received 3,178 nominations.

From Brazil, Indonesia, Rwanda and 27 other countries, the finalists represent small and medium sized businesses, nonprofit organisations and high schools, and reflect the Prize’s growing mandate to reward innovations that transcend borders and tackle pressing global challenges.

Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said the finalists exemplify the remarkable ingenuity and unwavering commitment to shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.

Dr. Al Jaber added, “The Zayed Sustainability Prize carries forward the enduring legacy of UAE’s visionary leader, Sheikh Zayed, whose commitment to sustainability and humanitarianism continues to inspire us. This legacy remains the guiding light of our nation’s aspirations, propelling us forward in our mission to uplift communities around the globe. Over the past 15 years, the Prize has been a powerful force for positive change, transforming the lives of over 378 million people across 151 countries. We have incentivised solutions that are driving climate and economic progress in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.

“This cycle, we received a record-breaking number of submissions from every continent. The innovations put forth by the finalists reflect a profound dedication to inclusivity and an unyielding resolve to bridge critical gaps. These solutions directly align with the four pillars of the COP28 UAE agenda: fast-tracking a just and equitable energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. The work of these sustainability pioneers will contribute practical solutions for climate progress that protect the planet, improve livelihoods, and save lives.”

Through the Prize’s 106 winners to date, 11 million people have gained access to safe drinking water, 54 million homes have gained access to reliable energy, 3.5 million people have gained access to more nutritious food, and over 728,000 people have gained access to affordable healthcare.

Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, said, “As global challenges continue to mount, our newest group of Prize finalists reveal the extraordinary efforts being made worldwide to meet the needs of the moment with purpose and innovation – inspiring hope for a brighter future. Whether it’s restoring the ocean wilderness, using technology to ensure better, more sustainable farm yields, or driving change for individuals without access to affordable healthcare, these innovators are transforming our world.”

The Health finalists are:
• Alkion BioInnovations is an SME from France that specialises in supplying cost effective and sustainable active ingredients for large-scale pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
• ChildLife Foundation is an NPO from Pakistan that employs an innovative Hub & Spoke healthcare model, linking Emergency Rooms as hubs to telemedicine satellite centres.
• doctorSHARE is an NPO from Indonesia dedicated to expanding healthcare access in remote and inaccessible regions using barge-mounted floating hospitals.

The Food finalists are:
• Gaza Urban & Peri-urban Agricultural Platform is an NPO from Palestine that empowers female agripreneurs in Gaza to achieve food security in their communities.
• Regen Organics is an SME from Kenya that specialises in a municipal-scale manufacturing process that produces insect-based protein for livestock feed and organic fertiliser for horticultural production.
• Semilla Nueva is an NPO from Guatemala that specialises in the development of biofortified maize seeds.

The Energy finalists are:
• Husk Power Systems is an SME from the United States of America that deploys AI-enabled minigrids that provide 24/7 renewable energy to homes, micro enterprises, health clinics, and schools.
• Ignite Power is an SME from Rwanda that specialises in delivering solar powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify last mile communities.
• Koolboks is an SME from France that provides off-grid solar refrigeration solutions with integrated Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring for last mile communities, through a lease-to-own sales model.


The Water finalists are:
• ADADK is an SME from Jordan that employs wireless smart sensors that use machine learning and augmented reality for the detection of both visible and hidden water leaks.
• Eau et Vie is an NPO from France that offers individual taps to the homes of impoverished urban residents, ensuring access to clean water in slum areas.
• TransForm is an NPO from Denmark that employs innovative soil filter technology for the cost-effective treatment of wastewater, sewage, and sludge without relying on energy or chemicals.

The Climate Action finalists are:
• CarbonCure is an SME from Canada that specialises in carbon removal technology. They inject CO₂ into fresh concrete, effectively reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining performance standards.
• Foundation for Amazon Sustainability is an NPO from Brazil that is dedicated to implementing projects and programmes that advance environmental conservation and empower indigenous communities to protect their rights.
• Kelp Blue is an SME from Namibia that contributes to the restoration of natural ocean wilderness and the mitigation of excess CO₂ by establishing large-scale giant kelp forests in deep waters.

The Global High Schools’ finalists presented project-based, student-led sustainability solutions, with finalists divided into 6 regions. The regional finalists include:

The Americas: Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad (Peru); Liceo Baldomero Lillo Figueroa (Chile); and New Horizons School (Argentina).
Europe and Central Asia: Northfleet Technology College (United Kingdom); Presidential School in Tashkent (Uzbekistan); and Split International School (Croatia).
Middle East & North Africa: International School (Morocco); JSS International School (United Arab Emirates); and Obour STEM School (Egypt).
Sub-Saharan Africa: Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria); Lighthouse Primary and Secondary School (Mauritius); and USAP Community School (Zimbabwe).
South Asia: India International Public School (India); KORT Education Complex (Pakistan); and Obhizatrik School (Bangladesh).
East Asia and the Pacific: Beijing No. 35 High School (China); Swami Vivekananda College (Fiji); and South Hill School, Inc. (The Philippines).

In the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, each winner receives US$600,000. Each of the six winning Global High Schools receives up to US$100,000.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited0

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    أبوظبي في 12 سبتمبر /وام/ أعلنت جائزة زايد للاستدامة، الجائزة العالمية الرائدة التي أطلقتها دولة الإمارات لتكريم حلول الاستدامة المبتكرة، عن المرشحين النهائيين لدورتها لهذا العام بعد مداولات أعضاء لجنة التحكيم.        وسيتم الإعلان عن الفائزين في حفل توزيع الجوائز الذي تعقده الجائزة يوم الأول من ديسمبر القادم خلال مؤتمر الدول الأطراف في اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة الإطارية بشأن تغير المناخ “COP28” الذي تستضيفه دولة الإمارات في الفترة الممتدة من 30 نوفمبر إلى 12 ديسمبر المقبلين.        واختارت اللجنة 30 مرشحاً ضمن ست فئات تشمل الصحة والغذاء والطاقة والمياه والعمل المناخي والمدارس الثانوية العالمية.         كانت الجائزة قد تلقت هذا العام 5,213 طلب مشاركة، محققةً بذلك زيادة بنسبة 15 في المائة مقارنة بالدورة الماضية.. واستقطبت فئة العمل المناخي وحدها والتي تم استحداثها مؤخراً تزامناً مع عام الاستدامة في دولة الإمارات والاستعدادات لاستضافة مؤتمر(cop28) حوالي( 3,178) مشاركة.         تضم قائمة المرشحين النهائيين مؤسسات صغيرة ومتوسطة ومنظمات غير ربحية ومدارس ثانوية من البرازيل وإندونيسيا ورواندا و27 دولة أخرى، ما يعكس الانتشار العالمي المتنامي للجائزة وسعيها المستمر لتكريم الابتكارات التي تواجه التحديات العالمية الملحة في مختلف بقاع الأرض.         وبهذه المناسبة، قال معالي الدكتور سلطان بن أحمد الجابر، وزير الصناعة والتكنولوجيا المتقدمة، الرئيس المعيّن لمؤتمر الأطراف (COP28)، مدير عام جائزة زايد للاستدامة: “تواصل الجائزة إحداث تأثير إيجابي ملموس والارتقاء بالمجتمعات حول العالم تماشياً مع رؤية القيادة الرشيدة واستلهاماً لإرث الوالد المؤسس الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان، طيب الله ثراه، في مجالات الاستدامة والعمل الإنساني.. وعلى مدار السنوات الخمس عشرة الماضية، أسهمت الجائزة في تحسين حياة أكثر من 378 مليون شخص في 151 دولة، وذلك من خلال تكريم ودعم الحلول المبتكرة القادرة على دفع التنمية الاقتصادية ومواجهة أزمة المناخ، لا سيما في المجتمعات الأكثر تأثراً بتداعيات تغير المناخ”.          وأضاف: “تلقت جائزة زايد للاستدامة في هذه الدورة عدداً قياسياً من المشاركات من كل القارات، وتقدم الابتكارات المقترحة من قبل المرشحين النهائيين حلولاً فعالة لمجموعة من التداعيات الملحة الناجمة عن تغير المناخ، ما يعكس الالتزام الراسخ للجائزة بإحداث تغيير واسع النطاق لبناء مستقبل أكثر استدامة ومرونة لكوكبنا.. وتنسجم الحلول المتأهلة مع الركائز الأربع للأجندة المناخية التي تسعى دولة الإمارات لتحقيقها خلال استضافتها لمؤتمر الأطراف (COP28) والهادفة إلى تسريع تحقيق انتقال منظم ومسؤول وعادل في قطاع الطاقة، وتطوير أداء التمويل المناخي، والحفاظ على البشر وتحسين الحياة وسُبل العيش، وضمان احتواء الجميع بشكل تام”.       وأسهمت الجائزة من خلال الفائزين بدوراتها السابقة، والبالغ عددهم 106 فائزين، في تمكين 11 مليون شخص من الوصول إلى مياه الشرب المأمونة، وإيصال إمدادت الطاقة النظيفة إلى 54 مليون منزل، وحصول 3.5 مليون شخص على الأطعمة المغذية، وتوفير الرعاية الصحية ميسورة التكلفة لأكثر من 728 ألف شخص.       من جانبه، قال فخامة أولافور راغنار غريمسون، رئيس لجنة تحكيم الجائزة: “تعكس الحلول المقدمة من المرشحين النهائيين لهذا العام الجهود الاستثنائية التي يتم بذلها في جميع أنحاء العالم لتسخير الابتكار بهدف تلبية الاحتياجات الراهنة الملحة في ظل تنامي التحديات المناخية، ما يبرهن على الدور المستمر للجائزة في تغيير العالم نحو الأفضل من خلال توفير منصة داعمة لرواد الاستدامة.. وتميزت الحلول بالابتكار والتنوع وشملت مجموعة مختلفة من التحديات بما في ذلك استعادة الحياة البرية في المحيطات، واستخدام التكنولوجيا لزيادة وتعزيز استدامة إنتاجية المحاصيل الزراعية، وتحسين الوصول إلى خدمات الرعاية الصحية ميسورة التكلفة في المجتمعات الأشد حاجة لها”.     وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الصحة كلاً :.   – من “ألكيون بيو إنوفيشنز”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في فرنسا متخصصة في إنتاج مكونات نشطة مستدامة وفعالة من حيث التكلفة للأدوية واللقاحات المستخدمة على نطاق واسع.   – “تشايلد لايف فاونديشن”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في باكستان تستخدم نموذج الرعاية الصحية المبتكر (Hub and Spoke) لربط غرف الطوارئ مع بعضها البعض وبالمراكز التي تقدم خدمات التطبيب عن بعد عبر الأقمار الصناعية.   – مؤسسة الأطباء للرعاية “doctorSHARE”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في إندونيسيا تعمل على توسيع نطاق خدمات الرعاية الصحية لتصل إلى المناطق النائية باستخدام المستشفيات العائمة المحمولة على السفن.   وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الغذاء كلاً من:.    – منتدى غزة للزراعة الحضرية، وهو منظمة غير ربحية في فلسطين تهدف إلى تمكين رائدات الأعمال في القطاع الزراعي في غزة لتعزيز الأمن الغذائي في مجتمعاتهن.   – “ريجين أورجانيكس”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في كينيا وتعمل على إنتاج البروتين المشتق من الحشرات لتغذية الماشية، والأسمدة العضوية لإنتاج المحاصيل البستانية. – “سيميلا نويفا”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في غواتيمالا متخصصة في إنتاج بذور الذرة المدعّمة. شملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الطاقة كلاً من:. – “هاسك باور سيستم”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وتعمل على نشر شبكات صغيرة مدعمة بالذكاء الاصطناعي لتوفير الطاقة المتجددة على مدار الساعة للمنازل والمؤسسات الصغيرة والعيادات الصحية والمدارس. – “إغنايت باور”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات  الصغيرة والمتوسطة في رواندا، وتقدم حلول الشراء بنموذج الدفعات الدورية (go-you-as-pay) بالاعتماد على الطاقة الشمسية لإمداد المجتمعات بطاقة الكهرباء. – “كولبوكس”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في فرنسا، وتوفر من خلال نموذج التأجير المنتهي بالتمليك حلول التبريد بالطاقة الشمسية والمدعومة بنظام مراقبة قائم على تقنية إنترنت الأشياء (IoT) في المجتمعات غير المتصلة بشبكة الكهرباء.  وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة المياه كلاً من:.  – “عدادك”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في الأردن، وتستخدم أجهزة استشعار ذكية لاسلكية مدعومة بتقنيات “تعلّم الآلة” والواقع المعزز للكشف عن تسربات المياه المرئية والمخفية. – “الماء والحياة” (Eau et Vie) هي منظمة غير ربحية في فرنسا، توفر صنابير مياه لمنازل الأسر الفقيرة في المناطق الحضرية، لتضمن بذلك إمكانية الوصول إلى المياه النظيفة في الأحياء العشوائية الفقيرة. – “ترانسفورم” هي منظمة غير ربحية في الدنمارك، تستخدم تقنية ترشيح مبتكرة للتربة لمعالجة مياه الصرف الصحي والمجاري والرواسب الصلبة دون الاعتماد على الطاقة أو المواد الكيميائية.  و شملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة العمل المناخي كلاً من:. – “كاربون كيور”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في كندا، والمتخصصة بتقديم حلول إزالة الكربون.. ويتضمن حلّها حقن ثاني أكسيد الكربون في الخرسانة أثناء مرحلة الإنتاج مما يقلل من حجم الانبعاثات بصورة فعالة دون التأثير على معايير الكفاءة والأداء.  – “مؤسسة استدامة الأمازون” هي منظمة غير ربحية في البرازيل، وتنشط في تنفيذ المشاريع والبرامج التي تسهم في الحفاظ على البيئة وتمكين الأفراد من حماية حقوقهم.  – “كيلب بلو”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في ناميبيا، والتي تسهم في استعادة الموائل الطبيعية في المحيطات والحد من فائض ثاني أكسيد الكربون في الغلاف الجوي.   أما المرشحون النهائيون عن فئة المدارس الثانوية العالمية فقد قدموا حلولاً مستدامة قائمة على مشاريع يقودها الطلاب وتم تقسيم المتأهلين إلى 6 مناطق جغرافية.. وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن هذه الفئة كلاً من:.  – منطقة الأمريكيتان: مدرسة الحرية للأداء العالي “Colegio De Alto Rendimiento De La Libertad” (بيرو)، مدرسة “ليثيو بالدوميرو ليلو فيغيروا” (تشيلي)، “مؤسسة أوزوريس – مدرسة نيو هورايزنز” (الأرجنتين).   – منطقة أوروبا وآسيا الوسطى: “معهد نورث فليت تكنولوجي” (المملكة المتحدة)، المدرسة الرئاسية في طشقند (أوزبكستان)، مدرسة سبليت الدولية (كرواتيا).   – منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا: المدرسة الدولية (المغرب)، “جيه إس إس الدولية” (الإمارات)، مدرسة المتفوقين للعلوم والتكنولوجيا بالعبور (مصر).  – منطقة إفريقيا جنوب الصحراء الكبرى: “أكاديمية جواني ابراهيم دان هاجا” (نيجيريا)، مدرسة “لايت هاوس الابتدائية والثانوية” (موريشيوس)، “مدرسة يوساب المجتمعية” (زيمبابوي).  – منطقة جنوب آسيا: مدرسة الهند الدولية العامة (الهند)، مجمع كورت التعليمي (باكستان)، مدرسة أوبهيزاتريك (بنغلاديش).  – منطقة شرق آسيا والمحيط الهادئ: “مدرسة بكين 35 الثانوية” (الصين)، “كلية سوامي فيفيكاناندا” (فيجي)، “ساوث هيل” (الفلبين).       ويحصل كل فائز ضمن فئات الصحة والغذاء والطاقة والمياه والعمل المناخي على 600 ألف دولار، فيما تحصل كل مدرسة من المدارس الثانوية العالمية الست الفائزة على ما يصل إلى 100 ألف دولار.  

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRAES (U.A.E)

EGYPT’s Tennis Superstar Mayar Sherif Wins Valencia Open, Breaks to World Top 35

Egypt’s Mayar Sherif continued her dominant rise in the tennis world at the BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia in Spain, winning the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 title and leaping into the Top 35 world singles ranking for the first time.

This is also the tennis champion’s second consecutive WTA 125 title, having clinched the WTA 125 Makarska Open trophy in Croatia on 11 June.

Sherif enjoyed a winning streak throughout the tournament, eventually defeating Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera 6-3, 6-3. With this victory, Sherif, now ranked 31st in the world, maintained her remarkable record in WTA 125 finals, extending it to 6-0.

“I came into this tournament with great momentum from Makarska, and I wanted to capitalize on it,” expressed Sherif after her dominant display. “Right from the beginning of the tournament, I felt very comfortable, and I believe that reflected in my straight-set victories throughout.”

With an astounding 9-place leap to 31st place in the singles world ranking, Sherif is now the highest-ranked Egyptian tennis player in history – surpassing the legendary Ismail El Shafei’s career-high of 34th place.

source/content: egyptianstreets.com (headline edited)

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Image Credit: Women’s Tennis Association

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EGYPT