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Elected chairman of the Executive Board was Australia
The board’s new officials will hold office until mid-2028
Saudi Arabia was elected Friday as vice chair of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Executive Board for the 2025–2028 term.
The election was held during the board’s first meeting of its 57th session in Geneva following the conclusion of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly.
Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the session was led by Rakan Khalid Bin Dohaish, Ministry of Health undersecretary for international cooperation, reporesenting Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel, SPA reported.
Composed of 34 members from various member states, the WHO Executive Board is responsible for implementing the resolutions and recommendations of the World Health Assembly — the supreme decision-making body of the WHO. The Executive Board oversees priority health programs and policies at both regional and international levels.
Elected chairman of the Executive Board was Australia, represented by Blair Comley, secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Also elected to the Board’s three other vice chair positions were Norway, Togo and Thailand.
A statement by the Saudi delegation, quoted by SPA, said the Kingdom’s election to the WHO Executive Board underscores “the growing international confidence in the Kingdom’s leadership and its significant role in advancing global public health.”
According to the WHO, Saudi Arabia has since 2018 consistently supported the organization, contributing over $385 million to global health initiatives and emergency-related operations in various countries including the occupied Palestinian territories, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Rakan Khalid Bin Dohaish, Saudi health undersecretary for international cooperation, attending the WHO Executive Board meeting in Geneva on Friday. (SPA)
The sacred site has been documented meticulously by historians and travelers
With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains
Rising from the landscape north of Madinah, Mount Al-Fahlatain has served as a geographical beacon and spiritual waypoint for more than a thousand years.
The landmark, on the historic route to AlUla, bears witness to one of Islam’s most significant military expeditions — the Prophet Muhammad’s journey to Tabuk in 9 A.H.
The mountain’s name tells its own story. Two colossal rocks crown its summit, their silhouette resembling the horns of a bull — “fahl” in Arabic, giving rise to “Al-Fahlatain,” or “the two bulls.”
The sacred site has been documented meticulously by historians and travelers.
Ali Al-Samhudi’s work, “Wafa Al-Wafa Bi Akhbar Dar Al-Mustafa,” places the location precisely one day’s march from Madinah, describing twin peaks sheltering underlying rock formations. Firuzabadi reinforced its historical significance in “Al-Maghanim Al-Mutaba fi Ma’alim Taba,” cataloging it among the landmarks witnessed by the Prophet’s army on their way to Tabuk.
Mohammed Ibn Abdullah Al-Mawlawi provided additional detail in “Rihlat Al-Shita Wa Al-Sayf,” positioning the twin peaks on the mountain’s western flank alongside the main thoroughfare. Al-Suwaidi offered an alternative etymology in “Al-Nafha Al-Miskiyya Fi Al-Rihla Al-Makkiyya,” suggesting the name reflects the mountain’s solitary stance in the landscape, isolated like a bull among grazing camels.
Historian and Islamic history researcher Fouad Al-Maghamsi identifies Mount Al-Fahlatain — sometimes called Faifa Al-Fahlatain — as strategically positioned near Shajwa village, northwest of Madinah.
With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains, bordered by complementary ridges and highlands.
Al-Maghamsi said the site functioned as a vital rest station along the Syrian Hajj route, known as Darb Al-Hajj Al-Shami, earning local appellations including “Antar’s Fortress” and “Antar’s Stable.”
Archaeological evidence such as building foundations and service facilities suggests a sophisticated infrastructure designed to support the thousands of pilgrims and merchants who annually traversed these routes.
The Syrian Hajj route encompasses diverse terrain rich with sites linked to prophetic biography and pilgrimage heritage.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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With an elevation of 1,084 meters, the mountain commands sweeping views across the surrounding plains. (SPA)
The Middle Eastern and North African music scene has a long history of artists blending traditional sounds with contemporary influences to create a truly unique sound.
Today, a new generation of artists are emerging from across the region, pushing boundaries and challenging norms with their bold sounds, unapologetic voices, and groundbreaking talent.
These women are leading the charge for the next generation, redefining what it means to be a female artist in the Arab world and opening new doors for Middle Eastern music on the global stage.
Nemahsis
Photo: Instagram @nemahsis
Nemah Hasan, aka Nemahsis, has captivated audiences around the world with her bold sound and fearless approach to the music industry. The 29-year-old Palestinian-Canadian artist first rose to fame with “what if i took it off for you?” in 2021, sparking conversation in the Muslim community about the hijab. The following year, she took off after releasing her debut EP eleven achers, exploring themes of immigration, mental health, and depression. However, Nemahsis was then dropped by her then label in October 2023. The artist stated: “My label just dropped me, a Palestinian artist, for being pro-Palestine”. After being dropped by her label, she turned to TikTok, Twitter, and Spotify to build an audience, making a comeback through self-advocacy and transparency through sharing her experience and music. She recently released her debut album Vertabhim, creating a sound that is raw, personal, and powerful, all while challenging the conventions of both music and identity. Through her resilience and authenticity, she’s paving the way for a new generation of Middle Eastern female artists, making her voice one to watch.
Zeyne
Photo: Instagram @zeyne
Palestinian-Jordanian singer Zeyne blends Arabic heritage with Western influences. Born to Palestinian parents, she grew up in a home where music was always present, learning piano and performing in a dabke (traditional Palestinian dance) group. During the pandemic, Zeyne began sharing covers on Instagram, gaining global recognition with her performance on the show Colors. Her debut single “Minni Ana” mixes Arabic R&B with modern sounds, while her latest track, “Balak” (featuring Saint Levant), explores love and longing. Zeyne’s music reflects her personal experiences and the challenges of being a young Arab woman in the industry, tackling topics not often discussed in her culture, such as mental health, anxiety and more, giving a voice to those who feel silenced by society. Her ability to blend genres and tell deeply personal stories that resonate with listeners, have made her a rising star, gaining attraction and fans worldwide.
Almas
Photo: Instagram @almasofficial_
Almas, an Emirati singer from Khor Fakkan, began her career at just 15. Inspired by the natural beauty of her hometown, Almas initially focused on Khaleeji pop and Iraqi songs. But as she grew, she started experimenting with rap, producing her own beats, and collaborating with young music producers. Almas continues to inspire with her bold and unique sound, transforming Khaleeji pop by mixing traditional sounds with fresh, new genres. Her major breakthrough came when she performed at the Expo 2020 opening alongside big names like Hussein Al-Jassmi, where she sang the official theme song “This Is Our Time”, celebrating the UAE’s culture, the future, and bringing together nations from around the world. Recently, she became the ambassador for Spotify’s Equal Arabia program, further establishing her as a trailblazer for women in the Arab music scene.
Laura Mekhail
Photo: Instagram @lauramekhail_sop
In early 2024, Egyptian soprano Laura Mekhail made her mark on the classical music scene, performing with Andrea Bocelli in AlUla, performing at the Dubai Opera and becoming the first Arab woman to receive the prestigious Bocelli-Jameel scholarship. Raised in Minya, Egypt, Laura initially faced concern about pursuing classical singing, but she stayed determined to follow her passion. Now, Laura is changing perceptions of classical music and making her mark globally, inspiring future generations with her story of perseverance and dedication to her passion. Her success story is now an inspirational one, setting new standards for young Arab women.
Cosmiccat
Photo: Instagram @cosmicatx
Saudi Arabia’s first female DJ, Nouf Sufyani, aka Cosmiccat, has taken the electronic music world by storm, paving the way for women in electronic music. Born and raised in Jeddah, her love for music began at an early age, though she initially pursued dentistry before following her passion for music production. Since 2016, she has performed at some of the world’s most renowned festivals, including Ultra Miami and Exit Festival. Cosmiccat’s journey is one of determination and ambition, challenging societal expectations and navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry. Through her deep passion for music, unique sound and unapologetic persona, she’s become a trailblazer for women in the Arab electronic music scene, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of Arab women in music.
Nour
Photo: Instagram @r4wlight
Egyptian singer Nour is making a name for herself in the global music scene with her mix of soul, R&B, jazz, and UK garage. She developed an interest in music at a young age, often performing in school talent shows. Despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, Nour’s music resonates with fans around the world. Her debut single “Purple Heart” and recent track “Wana” blend Arabic and English lyrics to address themes like grief and self-reflection and has since taken the music scene by storm with her unique sound and identity helping her rise to fame. Nour’s rise has been nothing short of impressive, pushing boundaries and setting new standards for what it means to be an Arab woman artist in today’s music world.
Yara Mustafa
Photo: Instagram @yaraalmustafa
Saudi-born, raised in Kuwait and Jordan, and now based in the US, Yara Mustafa is a trained soprano singer and actress known for her powerful voice. At just 17, she was cast in Netflix’s AlRawabi School for Girls, where she also recorded a theme song for the series. Though she faced societal pressure, Yara rose above it and kept pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an Arab woman in the entertainment industry. Recently, she has became the face of Erborian and is also sponsored by Samsung, while continuing to inspire through her bold and captivating performances.
Tamtam
photo Instagram grazia_me and tamtamsound
Previous GRAZIA cover star, Riyadh born singer Tamtam is reshaping the music scene. Born in Riyadh and now based between Los Angeles and Saudi Arabia, Tamtam blends alternative pop, R&B, and Arabic influences, breaking cultural boundaries. Her debut album “Ma3assalama Side A” merges old-school Arabic cinema vibes with modern pop beats and her bold sound and empowering lyrics have earned her a loyal fanbase worldwide. Each track highlights how Tamtam’s music transcends both borders and generations through her sound. Despite early struggles, including her family’s concerns, Tamtam has made a name for herself globally. She is now on a mission to take Arabic music to the world and bridge the cultural divide between East and West while championing issues of identity, gender equality, freedom, and empowerment.
Nadine El Roub
Photo: Instagram @nadineelroubi
Sudanese-Egyptian artist Nadine El Roubi blends Afro-Arab influences with modern sounds. Raised across multiple countries, Nadine’s music is inspired from her diverse upbringing. Her debut EP Triplicit in 2022 explored themes of self-discovery and empowerment. Known for her freestyles on social media, Nadine uses her platform to speak out on issues like gender, culture, and the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Palestine. Her recent single New Era is an anthem of confidence, showcasing her blend of trap and Arabic influences and her unapologetic lyrics and unique sound have made her a standout artist in the global music scene. While her songs feature a range of sounds, the underlying themes remain consistent: self-love, self-discovery, and human connection, all through the lens of a third-culture Afro-Arab woman. Nadine is redefining what it means to embrace one’s heritage while pushing the boundaries of music. Her unapologetic, genre-blending style is challenging stereotypes and giving a voice to a new generation of Arab women.
Art has long served as a powerful connector across geographies and ideologies, while its role in bridging cultural divides in these times is vital. The Arab Media Summit featured a session on art and culture, underlining the growing recognition of creative expression as a central pillar in shaping public discourse.
The session, titled “Dialogue on Art and Culture”, was held on the second day of the Arab Media Summit at the Dubai World Trade Centre. It was moderated by Antonia Carver, CEO of the Art Jameel Centre, and featured Saeb Eigner who is an international author and scholar.
Eigner presented his new book, “Artists of the Middle East: 1900 to Now”, a comprehensive 400-page volume chronicling the work of 259 artists from across the region.
Both Carver and Eigner expressed their enthusiasm at the inclusion of an art session within a major media summit, calling it a much needed and timely initiative.
Eigner, known equally for his leadership in financial regulation and his deep involvement in art and culture, shared insights on balancing his dual careers. “Art holds a firm third place in my life, after work and family,” he said.
While his previous book, “Art of the Middle East” – an international success that is now in its fourth edition – offered an introduction to regional art, the new volume dives deeper into the artistic evolution of the Middle East, featuring both early modernists and contemporary voices.
Among the iconic works discussed were Dia al-Azzawi’s “Angry Man”, Mahmoud Saïd’s “Peasant Girl”, and Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq’s evocative pieces. The book also highlights artists such as Inji Efflatoun and Abdulhalim Radwi, offering myriad stories, regional styles, mediums, and influences. The book cover features AI-influenced work by Palestinian artist Samia Halaby.
Eigner reflected on the depth of history behind each selected artist, some deceased, others actively shaping the contemporary art scene. He noted the inclusion of Arabic calligraphy from pre-Islamic times, highlighting the linguistic and visual legacy carried through the arts.
Importantly, the book also shines a light on female artists. “Selecting just 259 artists was no easy task,” Eigner said, “but the intent was to present a wide-ranging, authentic narrative of Middle Eastern creativity.”
The session closed on a poignant note, emphasising that art is not merely an expression, but a necessity in times of division. By celebrating cultural heritage and individual narratives, it fosters empathy and shared understanding across borders.
The Founding Day celebrations concluded on Sunday evening, after being organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Principality of Riyadh region over four days, from February 20 to 23, 2025.
The event witnessed a high turnout, with over 50,000 visitors from various backgrounds.
The celebrations set a Guinness World Record for the largest Saudi Ardah performance, with 633 participants showcasing this traditional dance.
This achievement highlights the significance of Ardah as a deep-rooted national tradition, reflecting pride in Saudi identity and a commitment to preserving and promoting cultural heritage globally.
Renowned Lebanese novelist, journalist, critic and lifetime advocate of the Palestinian cause Elias Khoury died on Sunday aged 76. We delve into his life & work.
Elias Khoury (1948-2024), who died last Sunday in Beirut, once said: “I confess I’m scared. I’m scared of a history that has only one version. History has dozens of versions, and for it to ossify into one leads only to death.”
This sentence remains highly significant when it comes to defining the career of the Lebanese novelist, storyteller, critic, and journalist.
In his career, in both literary terms and human, as all of the above, he never ceased to experiment and innovate, but more than that, his work showed his deep preoccupation with the search for the meaning in history and events, and the significance of this aspect is evident in most of his literary works.
It was perhaps the Palestinian issue, which took on a central place in many of his works, where he probed the sufferings which had befallen the Palestinian people and the dilemma of their fragmentation.
He did this by intertwining the human and political dimensions using characters and events, which were both rooted in reality – yet brimming with imagination.
This style was among what imbued his works with a literary depth and created a unique experience for the reader.
The way he interwove these aspects allowed him to explore psychological, political and cultural worlds, through characters and events which in some cases seemed unconventional, often relying on the technique of polyphony (using multiple voices), and alternating between narrative and inner dialogue.
Time, as a concept in his novels, was often non-linear, reflecting the complexities of life and memory.
This style is clearly evident in novels like Yalo and Gate of the Sun, where his poetic prose infuses the narrative with an aesthetic beauty.
However, when it came to addressing issues around identity and belonging, Khoury often relied on the emotional depth of the characters and events to tackle these aspects; he dealt with Palestinian and Lebanese identity in relation to their background of political unrest, occupation, and displacement.
In this way, he offered ethical and philosophical insights into the meanings of belonging in a world beset by constant upheaval.
The theme of Palestinian asylum appears extensively in his most prominent works, rooted in the many stories he collected from refugee camps during the long years of Israel’s occupation.
Many critics consider his novel Gate of the Sun (“Bab Al-Shams”) (1998) to be the first epic work with regard to the Palestinian narrative, which gave voice to their unfinished journey and their continuing torment.
The novel Gate of the Sun was associated with a later youth-led experiment opposing settler colonialism in the Palestinian territories in 2013, where young Palestinian activists gave the novel’s name to a tent village they established that year on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Israeli forces demolished the site less than two days after it was erected.
In 2013, Khoury gave a speech from Beirut to a group of 250 Palestinian activists who had been involved in establishing the Gate of the Sun encampment.
He said among other things that day: “I will not say, ‘I wish I were with you,’ for I am with you … This is the Palestine that Yunis envisioned in the novel Bab Al-Shams.”
The stories in this novel, although told from the viewpoint of Khalil, one of its protagonists, are written as different versions of the same story, with the narrator moving back and forth with the passage of time, as he wrestles with the evasiveness of memory, and questions of motive and identity, which reflect the instability of the truth, and the impossibility of capturing even one version of it.
In one interview, Khoury said: “I discovered, to my surprise, that there were basically no written accounts of the war. There was no archive to consult, there were only the whispers you might hear at home—the Druze killed your grandfather, the Christians murdered your uncle, that kind of thing.
“To me, this lack of a specifically written past meant that we Lebanese had no present, either. I’m not interested in memory as such, I’m interested in the present. But to have a present, you have to know which things to forget and which things to remember. Our lack of written history made me feel that I didn’t even know the country I grew up in. I didn’t know my place in it.
“I don’t think I made any great discoveries as a historian, but when I began writing novels, a few years later, I found that I wanted to write the present—the present of our own civil war.”
In his novel, White Masks (1981), which he wrote during the Lebanese Civil War, Khoury used a journalistic style to portray the physical devastation wrought on Beirut, its buildings and infrastructure, and the psychological toll of the war on its residents. He dealt with issues rarely addressed by Arabic novelists at that time, like women’s rights, societal restrictions and religion.
Moreover, in his novels, Khoury did not simply describe the horrors that took place, but went further: he went into their impact on people, nature and relationships.
The relevance of the colour white in this novel is in its ability to reveal; its symbolism of light, which exposes things as they are, revealing scenes with all the absurdity, tragedy, and madness they contain.
Khoury did this, letting us read into phenomena and what lay behind them, to understand what was happening around us, so that we would not unwittingly become tools in a game in which we had no choice but compliance; to perform a part.
This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition. To read the original article click here
Translated by Rose Chacko
This article is taken from our Arabic sister publication, Al-Araby Al Jadeed and mirrors the source’s original editorial guidelines and reporting policies. Any requests for correction or comment will be forwarded to the original authors and editors
Have questions or comments? Email us at: info@alaraby.co.uk
Technology Innovation Institute says model is ‘one of the most advanced Arabic’ offerings.
Concerns that Arabic might be left behind in the fast-developing AI sector are starting to evaporate with the introduction of the Falcon Arabic language model, created in Abu Dhabi.
The model was unveiled on Wednesday by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) , an Abu Dhabi government-backed research centre which first introduced its Falcon large language model back in 2023.
Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, spoke about the development as a leap forward for Arabic at the UAE’s Make it in the Emirates event.
“We’re proud to finally bring Arabic to Falcon, and prouder still that the best-performing large language model in the Arab world was built in the UAE,” he said.
According to TII, Falcon Arabic is trained on a native (non-translated) Arabic data set that covers both Modern Standard Arabic and regional dialects.
“It captures the full linguistic diversity of the Arab world,” said TII.
The research centre also said that so far the model outperforms other Arabic language models.
Large language models are complex systems designed to be trained on large amounts of text and data that help AI implementations identify patterns, come to conclusions and even understand nuances. In short, the models can make or break the user experience with AI.
Although Arabic is spoken by about 400 million people worldwide, it was not initially a focus during the initial growth of AI and large language models, with English the most prevalent.
The complexity and diversified Arabic dialects, coupled with various language nuances, posed a challenge for engineers and programmers trying to perfect machine learning technologies.
In recent years, the UAE has sought to bolster Arabic’s presence in the AI race.
In 2023, Jais, an open-source bilingual Arabic-English model, was introduced by G42, Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Silicon Valley-based Cerebras Systems.
Later that year, Jais Climate , the world’s first bilingual large language model dedicated to climate intelligence was also announced.
In addition to Falcon Arabic, TII also announced on Wednesday the release of its Falcon H1 model, which it says “outperforms comparable offerings from Meta’s LLaMA and Alibaba’s Qwen, enabling real-world AI on everyday devices and in resource-limited settings”.
The research centre explained that efficiency was at the core of Falcon H1 development.
“This fundamentally shifts what’s possible at the smallest scale, enabling powerful AI on edge devices where privacy, efficiency, and low latency are critical,” said Hakim Hacid, chief researcher at the TII AI and digital science research centre.
“It demonstrates how new architectures can unlock new opportunities in AI training while showcasing the potential of ultra-compact models.”
Saif Karam, a student at the Government Model High School and a member of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, won first place globally in the Chemistry Awards category. He participated with the national delegation, sponsored by the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2025), hosted by Ohio, USA.
Saif Karam received the award from the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies supporting chemistry research, for his project, “Developing a Classification of New Materials Used to Convert Carbon Dioxide into Valuable Multi-Carbon Compounds, Opening Broad Horizons for Application and Use in the Fields of Industry and Sustainable Energy.
Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, regarding the importance of building generations that innovate in all fields to preserve the richness and diversity of human production. It also embodies the prominent pioneering role of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation in empowering future generations to lead the future.
It also comes as a culmination of the concerted efforts, constructive cooperation, and effective partnership that brought together the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators and the Ministry of Education, which is keen to cooperate with all its partners to highlight their talents and scientific capabilities in international forums. Saif completed his project with academic support from the University of Sharjah, while he was introduced to performing theoretical calculations on high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
Khalifa University played a pivotal role in enabling Saif Karam to complete his project and experiments. He worked under the direct supervision of Dr. Sharmarke Mohammed, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Head of the Chemical Crystallography Laboratory (CCL) at Khalifa University, along with his team in the University’s Chemistry Department, who provided comprehensive academic supervision during the preparation of the scientific paper.
This included the implementation of computational and experimental research aspects completed in the university laboratories, including performing theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) on high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
Jassim Al Balushi, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, and Mohammed Abdul Qader, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Strategy Sector at the Ministry of Education, received Saif Karam and the national delegation participating in the ISEF 2025 exhibition in appreciation of them.
Chef Mostafa Seif of Khufu’s has been awarded the Skillet of Distinction by The Best Chef Awards, becoming the first Egyptian chef to receive the accolade. The award follows Seif’s recognition last year as the first Egyptian to earn a one-knife “Excellent” rating under the awards’ updated tiered system.
The Best Chef Awards, which moved away from its traditional top-100 ranking in 2023, now recognises chefs through one, two, or three “knives,” denoting levels of excellence. Seif’s one-knife placement in Dubai was the first for an Egyptian chef and signalled growing international attention to his work.
At Khufu’s – founded by Pier 88 Hospitality’s Giovanni Bolandrini – Seif leads a kitchen grounded in technical discipline and regionally sourced ingredients. His cooking is rooted in Egyptian culinary traditions but avoids nostalgia or showmanship, favouring clarified broths, cured seafood, and slow-roasted meats that reflect a restrained, detail-oriented approach.
In January, Seif participated in The World’s 50 Best Signature Sessions in Abu Dhabi, where he co-hosted a dinner with Argentinian chef Sergio Cabrera at MouzMari. He also joined 50 Best Talks for a panel titled Memory on a Plate, exploring the role of food in cultural and personal memory.
The Skillet of Distinction acknowledges Seif’s consistency in the kitchen and his contribution to platforming Egyptian cuisine in international settings – through technique rather than adaptation.
