Arabs & Arabian Records Aggregator. Chronicler. Milestones of the 25 Countries of the Arabic Speaking World (official / co-official). AGCC. MENA. Global. Ist's to Top 10's. Records. Read & Enjoy./ www.arabianrecords.org
The African literary world is celebrating as Sudanese author Leila Aboulela receives the 2025 PEN Pinter Prize. The announcement was made at English PEN’s summer party, where actors Khalid Abdalla and Amira Ghazalla brought Aboulela’s words to life with powerful readings from her work.
Aboulela will officially receive the award on October 10 at the British Library in London. At this ceremony, she will also reveal her choice for the PEN Pinter Writer of Courage award, an honor reserved for an author “active in defence of freedom of expression, often at great risk to their own safety and liberty.”
In a moving statement, Aboulela reflected on the significance of this recognition:
“This comes as a complete and utter surprise. Thank you English PEN and the judges for considering my work worthy of this award. I am honoured to win a prize established in memory of Harold Pinter, a great writer who continues to inspire so much loyalty and consistent high regard. For someone like me, a Muslim Sudanese immigrant who writes from a religious perspective probing the limits of secular tolerance, this recognition feels truly significant. It brings expansion and depth to the meaning of freedom of expression and whose stories get heard.”
This year’s judges include Ruth Borthwick (British arts administrator and literature executive), Mona Arshi FRSL (award-winning British poet and novelist), and Nadifa Mohamed FRSL (Somali-British novelist). Mohamed praised Aboulela’s work for its “commitment” to the “lives and decisions of Muslim women,” how she centers both their “struggles and pleasures with dignity.” She also noted the timeliness of such a work: “In a world seemingly on fire, and with immense suffering unmarked and little mourned in Sudan, Gaza, and beyond, her writing is a balm, a shelter, and an inspiration.”
Aboulela is a prominent voice in the global literary space for her celebration and examination of the lives of Muslim women. Her writing has been translated into 15 languages. She has published 11 books, with River Spirit, Lyrics Alley, and Translator gaining high critical acclaim. She is also know for being the inaugural winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing when it was launched in 2000, an award that would go on to define 21st century African fiction.
The PEN Pinter Prize, established in 2009, honors writers of outstanding literary merit who, in the spirit of Harold Pinter, cast an “unflinching, unswerving gaze upon the world” and display a “fierce intellectual determination to define the real truth of our lives and our societies.” Their work draws public attention to literature that engages with contemporary realities and injustices. Past African recipients include Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2018) and Tsitsi Dangaremgba (2021).
Congrats to Aboulela! This is a well-deserved win. Her work truly challenges the boundaries of whose stories are heard and brings a whole new meaning to the idea of freedom of expression in a way that makes sense for our time.
The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, or LAAF, the UK’s longest-running annual celebration of Arab arts and culture, returns this month with a theme that feels both timely and timeless: “Nostalgia.”
Now two decades in, the festival has grown from grassroots beginnings into an internationally recognized celebration.
Running through to July 20, this year’s program explores how memory, heritage and longing shape artistic expression across the Arab world and its diasporas.
The dynamic, bilingual line-up spans film, music, literature, performance, food and family activities — all underscored by deeper reflections on identity, loss and cultural continuity.
Arab News spoke with Taher Qassim, originally from Yemen, who founded LAAF in 1998 as a community-led effort to foster cultural pride and preserve Arab identity in Liverpool.
“The theme of ‘nostalgia’ is a reflection of both how far we’ve come and where we began,” Qassim said. “Twenty-three years ago, we set out on a path that was uncertain but filled with excitement and purpose. We knew we wanted to create something that represented the Yemeni and Arab presence in Liverpool, but we didn’t yet know how to express it.”
What began as a handful of cultural activations has since evolved into a platform for Arab artists. “From those humble beginnings … the festival began to blossom,” he said. “Today, we proudly offer a platform to artists from across the Arab world, Europe, the US, and beyond — something we could only have dreamed of.”
Two events stand out for him: ‘Arabs Are Not Funny’ and ‘The Book of Sanaa.’ The former, he says, “directly challenges the long-held stereotype that Arabs lack a sense of humor. It’s refreshing, bold and liberating — exactly what the festival stands for.”
The latter brings together literature, poetry, food, and a model of Yemen’s historic capital.
“The richness of this event would’ve felt like a fantasy to us two decades ago. Now, it’s a reality — something we’ve made possible through years of dedication and community.”
Qassim, who was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2008 for services to community cohesion, handed over the festival’s leadership to his daughter, Afrah, who now steers LAAF with the same vision and care.
Today, LAAF is no longer seen solely as a festival for the Arab community. “That perception has shifted dramatically,” Qassim said. “People from all backgrounds and ages attend and engage. The festival has become a space for dialogue, curiosity and connection.” As he put it, “Conversations happen naturally — before, during and after events.”
One event he hopes visitors will not miss is the now-iconic “Family Day” at the Palm House in Sefton Park. “It’s become the signature event of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival — our legacy day,” he said. “Families travel from across the UK, Europe, and even further afield to be part of it. The atmosphere is joyful, welcoming, and truly inclusive … a vibrant, heartwarming celebration of Arab culture at its best.”
Some events require tickets, but “Family Day” — an afternoon of music, crafts, performances and community — is the grand finale and free to all.
Saudi Arabia have hosted the Dakar Rally since 2020, when it moved from South America.
The Overdrive pilot held onto his overnight lead to beat South Africa’s Henk Lategan in a Toyota by 3min 57sec with Mattias Ekstrom of Sweden third in his Ford, 20min 21sec adrift.
Saudi Arabia have hosted the Dakar Rally since 2020, when it moved from South America.
There was also a first win in the world’s most famous endurance rally for Australia’s KTM rider Daniel Sanders in the motorbike category.
Sanders, 30, dominated from the moment he won the prologue and finished a comfortable 8min 50sec faster than Spanish runner-up Tosha Schareina on his Honda.
Sanders is the second Australian to prevail in the motorbike category, Toby Price emerging victorious in 2016 and 2019.
“It was a tough race,” said Sanders.
“The last three days couldn’t come quick enough. It was really, really exciting to see the finish line when we came over one dune.
“You see the whole bivouac, I just smiled and had chills go through my whole body. Super special, won’t forget that moment.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Yazeed Al Rajhi celebrates after winning the Dakar Rally 2025 in the car category at the end of the 12th and last stage in Shubaytah, on January 17, 2025 (AFP)
Independent Pan African Youth Parliament awarded Humanitarian Visionary Award to Hassan Idow Muhumed Kobac – a Senator, a business elite and humanitarian worker among other awardees at the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
The three-day summit gathered over 50 youth leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society voices from across the continent focusing youth-driven solutions for key challenges including education, employment, leadership, democracy, climate change, and digital innovation.
“I am honoured to receive this important award which is the recognition of the humanitarian work I have been doing in Somalia for more than a decade and all other humanitarian workers” Hassan Idow Muhumed Kobac said, “The Award not only encourages the humanitarian workers, but also boosts the morale of other humanitarian workers.”
“My goal is to create a better life for the Somali people and restore their dignity.” Hassan Kobac who is a true example of honest leadership that stands for progress and compassion said.
Mr. Kobac has dedicated his life to the development of vulnerable communities. Through the Hassan Kobac Foundation (HKF), a foundation he founded himself, has become a source of hope for many people affected by drought, displacement, and poverty.
In the face of one of the most severe droughts in recent history, the Hassan Kobac Foundation (HKF) has emerged as a beacon of hope, delivering emergency water trucking assistance and food rations to thousands of families in the Hiiraan region of central Somalia.
In February this year, Hiiraan Youth Association honored and celebrated the achievements of Senator Hassan Kobac in a grand event held in Beledweyne. The ceremony, attended by various societal groups, intellectuals, and youth, honored Senator Kobac’s four-year tenure in the upper house of the Federal Parliament of Somalia
Hassan Kobac has been described as the true voice of the people of Hirshabelle, continuously working to defend their rights and improve their well-being. His dedication to youth empowerment and community development has earned him the admiration of and respect of many.
Student Aisha Nizar Nazim won the title of champion of the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge in Iraq, after qualifiers in which 1,339,270 students from 38,100 schools participated, under the supervision of 16,310 supervisors, who contributed to the success of the ninth edition of the largest reading event of its kind in the Arabic language in the world, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation since its launch in 2015.
Student Aisha Nizar Nazim, a seventh-grade student at Zaha Hadid School for Excellence in Nineveh, was announced as the winner during the closing ceremony of the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, which was held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Namis Al-Jabouri, Minister of Education; Dr. Adnan Al-Sarraj, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Education Affairs; Mohammed Dayea Al-Azzawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative Affairs and Chairman of the Higher Committee; and Mr. Mohammed Saleh Al-Taniji, Acting Charge d’Affaires.
At the UAE Embassy in Baghdad, Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi, Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, participated, along with a number of officials and educators in charge of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative, and a large crowd of parents of the participating students.
The closing ceremony also witnessed the announcement of Maria Hassan Ajeel, a fifth-grade student at Al Fara’a Girls School in the Salah al-Din district, as the winner of first place in the People of Determination category, out of 450 students who participated in the qualifiers
The list of the top ten finalists from which the judging committees selected student Aisha Nizar Nazim as the champion of the ninth Arab Reading Challenge at the level of the Republic of Iraq, included: Muntadhar Ahmed Mardan from the fifth grade at Al-Insaf School in the Karbala region, Akram Khalil Abdullah from the tenth grade at Al-Dhakirin Intermediate School (Kirkuk), Fatima Muhammad Abdul-Amir from the eleventh grade at Shams Al-Hurriyah Preparatory School (Najaf), Yusr Hamza Farhan from the eleventh grade at Al-Nabaa Al-Azim Secondary School (Qadisiyah), Rawan Muntadhar Mansour from the tenth grade at Haifa Intermediate School for Girls (Babylon), Hadi Hassan Hadi from the eleventh grade at Al-Nahrawan School for Boys (Rusafa 3), Aya Ziad Subhi from the eleventh grade at Al-Rafidain School (Kirkuk), Hussein Ali Ahmed from the tenth grade at Al-Dhakirin School (Kirkuk), and Haider Ali Abdul-Aziz from the seventh grade at Al-Muhwebin School (Najaf).
The ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative achieved a record participation of 32 million and 231 thousand students from 50 countries representing 132,112 schools, under the supervision of 161,004 supervisors. His Excellency Professor Ibrahim Namis Al-Jabouri, Minister of Education of the Republic of Iraq, praised the vital role played by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation in empowering new Arab generations to acquire the knowledge, sciences, and skills necessary to build the future. He pointed to the successive successes achieved by the Arab Reading Challenge initiative in this context, and its tangible impact in spreading the culture of reading and developing the potential of Arab students.
He said: “We are proud of this new participation in the Arab Reading Challenge initiative. 133,920 students, through their interaction with this knowledge competition and their outstanding performance, have proven the development of the educational and cultural landscape in Iraq and the effectiveness of the plans put in place by the Ministry of Education to advance students’ levels and enhance the status of the Arabic language, in line with our rich cultural heritage and the creativity of the people of Iraq in various fields, thus strengthening our confidence in a brighter tomorrow for our country and the Arab nation.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jubouri extended his congratulations to student Aisha Nizar Nazim, all the winners, participating students and their families, as well as to the schools and educational staff across Iraq. He extended his thanks to the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation and everyone who contributed to the success of the ninth round’s qualifiers.
Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi affirmed that the Arab Reading Challenge initiative continues to fulfill its mission of spreading the culture of knowledge, providing the means for rising Arab generations to enhance their capabilities, hone their talents, and strengthen their connection to the Arabic language, thus providing them with the visions and tools necessary to revive Arab civilization and contribute effectively to the development of Arab societies.
The Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation praised the wide Iraqi participation in the qualifying rounds of the ninth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, saying: “We greatly appreciate the participation of more than 1.3 million students in the ninth edition, which reflects the great efforts made by the Ministry of Education in the sisterly Republic of Iraq, and those concerned with cultural affairs and Iraqi society to motivate students to read. These efforts represented a significant contribution to the achievement of the ninth edition, in which more than 32.2 million students from 50 countries around the world participated.”
On behalf of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation and the Arab Reading Challenge, Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi congratulated the ninth edition’s champions in Iraq and all the participants. He also thanked the Iraqi Ministry of Education and everyone who helped the students advance to the ninth edition’s qualifying rounds.
The Arab Reading Challenge, launched in the 2015-2016 academic year under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to foster a comprehensive reading and knowledge movement, instill a culture of reading in Arabic as a language capable of keeping pace with all forms of literature, science, and knowledge, and encourage young generations to use Arabic in their daily interactions. It also aims to develop mechanisms for understanding and self-expression in fluent Arabic, and foster creative thinking skills.
The challenge seeks to enhance the importance of cognitive reading in building self-learning skills and fostering a value system for young people by exposing them to the values, customs, and beliefs of other cultures. This instills the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others, and encourages dialogue and cultural and human openness.
Elevated above ground and connected to Riyadh’s metro, the skywalks help workers, visitors, and residents move easily.
The King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh was awarded a Guinness World Record on Sunday for the world’s largest continuous pedestrian skyway network.
The network spans 15.46 km, linking 95 buildings through 42 climate-controlled skywalks, allowing year-round pedestrian access.
Elevated above ground and connected to Riyadh’s metro, the skywalks help workers, visitors, and residents move easily through the district while avoiding traffic and weather.
Built with 30,000 sq. meters of glass and more than 3,000 tonnes of steel, the project required more than 5 million safe work hours from 1,200 personnel.
The skywalks connect offices, homes, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, making it easier to walk between work, home, and leisure.
“This recognition by Guinness World Records affirms KAFD as a platform for urban development,” said Faddy AlAql, chief asset delivery officer at KAFD Development and Management Co.
“The skywalk network reflects a mobility strategy that connects assets, enhances walkability, and supports our goal of delivering a smart city experience.”
Mbali Nkosi, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, said: “First set in Minneapolis in 2016, this record has now been redefined by KAFD. In an era where sustainability drives innovation, KAFD’s skyway network sets a new benchmark for walkable urban design.”
The district hosts more than 90 international and local companies and 19 regional headquarters, including Goldman Sachs, Bain & Company, and PepsiCo.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Mbali Nkosi, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, presents the award to Faddy AlAql, chief asset delivery officer at KAFD Development and Management Co. (SPA)
Kuwaiti line umpire Aseel Shaheen was one of the 350 people selected to officiate in the main round of the prestigious tournament.
She is making waves at the All England Club this year after becoming the first Arab woman to officiate in the tournament.
Kuwaiti line umpire Aseel Shaheen was one of the 350 people selected to officiate in the main round of the prestigious tournament.
“It’s an indescribable feeling being here. It’s something big, it’s a challenge. I’m the first female from the Arab world to be an umpire at Wimbledon,” Shaheen, who is on the waiting list for the U.S. Open, told UAE sports paper Sport360.
“I was worried that they wouldn’t accept me because I wear a hijab, but on the contrary, they really accepted me,” she said.
“London is quite open towards hijab, but maybe it’s not too common around the tennis world. But me wearing the hijab and working on court during a tennis match at Wimbledon is a sign that the world is starting to accept us more,” the former swimmer and coach added.
Shaheen, who started officiating classes in 2002 said that reaching her position was a “challenge … because they would always nominate the guys and ignore me.”
“I told them I wanted to be an international umpire, I have the qualification and I have the language skills, because I speak good English. So I went to officiating school and I became a white badge in 2011.”
Last year, Shaheen gained experience of working in the Wimbledon qualifiers.
Nobel Peace Prize nominee was an internationally recognised human rights activist who documented abuses under Ben Ali.
Tributes are pouring in after prominent Tunisian human rights activist and blogger Lina Ben Mhenni, one of the heroes of the 2011 revolution, died in the early hours of Monday from a chronic illness.
The 36-year-old was an English teacher at the University of Tunis. Her father and fellow activist, Sadok Ben Mhenni, was a political prisoner under Habib Bourguiba and one of the founders of the Tunisian branch of rights group Amnesty International.
Her final blog post was published on Sunday morning, in which she took aim at a spat-turned-fracas between MPs in parliament, asking Tunisians to remember their political past and learn from it.
A cyber-dissident, Ben Mhenni became well known for her “A Tunisian Girl” blog and using her real name at great personal risk, documenting human rights abuses under Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. In response, Ben Ali’s government banned her blog in 2007.
But in the 2011 uprising that toppled the longtime autocrat, Ben Mhenni began blogging once again, becoming a vital source of information through her documentation in English, French and Arabic of the violent crackdown on protesters by police, particularly in Sidi Bouzid, Regueb and Kasserine.
Her blog soon gained international recognition. In 2011, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and received the Best Blog Award at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum in Germany’s Bonn.
“I had to ensure that the voices of these people and their families be heard so that they hadn’t died in vain,” she said speaking at the time.
In 2013, following the assassinations of leftist politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi, she was informed by authorities of being “number 1 on a kill list” drawn up by hardline groups.
Despite her ailing health and being in need of a kidney transplant, in recent years Ben Mhenni participated in many panels and cultural events, most recently at the Arab Women Literature Festival, and she campaigned for Tunisia’s youth and a reading initiative in Tunisian prisons.
Tunisia’s culture ministry expressed “great sorrow” at Ben Mhenni’s death.
US Qatari artist and writer Sophia Al-Maria has been announced as the recipient of the 2025 Frieze Artist Award, one of the art world’s most highly anticipated annual commissions.
The award is part of Frieze London, a leading international art fair that will return to Regent’s Park from Oct. 15-19, bringing together more than 280 galleries from 45 countries.
Presented in partnership with Forma, the award supports early- to mid-career artists in debuting new works. This year, Al-Maria will perform “Wall Based Work (a Trompe LOL),” a live stand-up comedy show held daily inside the fair tent.
The work marks Al-Maria’s first attempt at stand-up, in which she will blend sharp humor with her long-standing interest in mythology, empire and pop culture.
“In partnership with Forma, we are proud to continue supporting artist-centered programming,” said Eva Langret, director of Frieze EMEA. “Al-Maria’s debut stand-up promises a collective experience exploring vulnerability, creativity, shared anxieties and LOLs.”
Meanwhile, Chris Rawcliffe, artistic director at Forma, said: “By wielding humor as a tool for survival, Al-Maria not only provokes reflection but actively reshapes the cultural conversation … Al-Maria is more than an artist and critic, she is a catalyst for change, and an indispensable voice in both the art world and the wider social landscape.”
Al-Maria’s proposal was selected by a jury of leading industry professionals, including curator and museum consultant Lydia Yee and the artistic director of exhibitions at Ikon Gallery, Melanie Pocock, artistic director of exhibitions at Ikon Gallery, as well as Langret and Rawcliffe.
Based in London, Al-Maria works across drawing, collage, sculpture, film and writing. Her practice is unified by a focus on storytelling and mythmaking, often reimagining histories and envisioning speculative futures. Her work has been shown at major institutions and biennales, including the Gwangju Biennale, the New Museum and Whitney Museum in New York, the Venice Biennale, and Tate Britain.
For over two decades, Gabriel Sayegh has worked to keep Arab culture alive in spaces throughout the city of São Paulo.
Born in the southern region of São Paulo city, Gabriel Sayegh, 65, is proud of his Arab heritage. The ancient culture, which comes from both sides of his family and has been part of his life since the beginning, became an essential part of his routine in 1999.
“Since I was a child, I used to go to Esporte Clube Sírio and take part in its cultural activities, and when I was 39, I was invited to become the club’s cultural director. I didn’t think twice and accepted the offer,” says Sayegh.
“It’s very important to keep Arab culture alive because we’re our ancestors. We come from a place that has its own culture, language, and cuisine, and many people don’t know about it. That’s why it’s so important to preserve our culture and make sure others learn about our origins.”
Because of his professional choices, Sayegh would never have been close to Arab culture, but his desire to keep the tradition alive spoke louder. “I always liked math, so I graduated in civil engineering and worked in the field for many years. But I always had the desire to promote the culture of my parents and grandparents, which is why I still work as the cultural director of the club today,” says the engineer.
With a full schedule all month long, the club offers different types of free classes, including Arabic language, belly dancing, and music classes that use traditional Syrian instruments. And at least once a month, there is a lecture given by an important spokesperson from the community.
“We’ve already had writers, politicians, businesspeople, and even the president of the Institute for Arab Culture (ICArabe) here. We also organize sessions to screen Arab films,” says the cultural director of Esporte Clube Sírio.
Despite the effort, the Syrian descendant says he finds it difficult to spread Arab culture among the younger generations. “Culture is no longer as much a part of the younger generations as it was during my youth. Today, there are many things that distract them.”
In addition to working at Esporte Clube Sírio, Gabriel is also involved in two other organizations: the State Parliamentary Council of Communities of Foreign Roots and Cultures (CONSCRE) of the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (Alesp) and ICArabe.
At CONSCRE, he arrived in 2019, served as president for two terms, and is currently vice president. The São Paulo native has been part of ICArabe since its inception in the early 2000s. He has held several positions within the institute, including vice president, and currently works as financial director.
“In all these places, my work is done voluntarily to help my community. At Alesp, where the space was created to bring together Arab descendants living in São Paulo, we have political ties and try in some way to highlight the culture of my country. At the Institute, the effort is greater. We hold cultural events at different times of the year. The next one will be the Arab film festival to take place in August.”
Very proud of his journey as a promoter of Arab culture, Sayegh is happy to be able to share the richness of his ancestors’ country. “For many years, Arab culture was neglected and ignored by the West, so people still don’t know much about it.”
Culture from the beginning
His mother, Ivete Abdelmalack Sayegh, came to Brazil at the age of 18 with her parents and siblings. His father, Jorge Gabriel Sayegh, is the son of Syrians and lived in São Paulo, where he met Ivete. The family grew when Gabriel’s sister was born and was completed years later when he and his twin brother arrived.
“My parents spoke Arabic when they wanted to say something so we wouldn’t understand, since my maternal grandmother only spoke Arabic. She never really learned to speak Portuguese. Because of that, I ended up speaking Arabic to talk with her,” Sayegh recalls.
Besides the language, Arab food has been and still is part of Sayegh’s and his children’s lives. “I have a daughter from my first marriage and twin sons from my second marriage who love my mother’s cooking; the tradition of Arab food is part of their daily routine. But the culture is more difficult,” Sayegh explains.
“My first wife, who is my cousin, still passed on our heritage to my daughter—however, these younger generations are drifting away from their origins. That’s why I keep stressing how important it is to know your roots. It’s only this way that you can better understand yourself as a human being and learn to respect others.”
