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
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.”
The opening ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Lebanese artist Ragheb Alama, with proceeds dedicated to supporting the people of Palestine.
Abdelrahim Suleiman, Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi, President of ASBU and CEO of Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA), presented the awards to the winners of the 24th Arab Radio and Television Festival that was held in Tunis from June 26 to 29.
Part of the Text is Missing, a Kuwaiti TV show won the award for Best Arab TV Programme at the festival.
Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA) secured four radio and TV awards, including the second prize in the health programmes category for “Mental Health: Violence in Schools.” In the TV category, Saudi Arabia won three awards, including the second prize in the news category for talk shows, honouring the Saudi street programme on its episode about Vision 2030. Heritage in the Maqam of Hijaz took first prize in the general documentary films and programmes category, while the Saudi social drama series Al-Arbaji 2 secured second place in the social series category.
Additionally, the SBA received the second prize in the 2024 news exchange competition and also, the second prize in the 2024 programme exchange competition. The festival also honoured the judging panels for its radio and television competitions and distributed the exchange awards.
Qatar Media Corporation won three awards. Qatar TV took first prize for the documentary film Museums in Qatar, showcasing the distinctive museums of the country, and secured the second prize for Programme Exchanges of 2023 within the festival’s Arab Radio and Television competition in Tunisia. Qatar Radio won second prize in the “Notable Arab Figures” category.
The Ministry of Information, represented by the Sultanate of Oman Radio and the Sultanate of Oman Television, along with the private media institution Al Wisal, bagged 10 awards. Sultanate of Oman TV won four awards, including the Arab Joint Television Production Award for the documentary Holding Breaths, produced by the Ministry of Information and directed by Issa al Subhi.
Meanwhile, the Palestine Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) secured six awards. The radio programme Psychological Counseling in Times of War claimed first prize, while Radio Flash on school violence also earned top honours. Additionally, PBC received first prizes for radio news exchanges and a television report dedicated to the late journalist Mohammad Abu Hattab, a correspondent for Palestine TV killed by Israeli troops in Gaza. Furthermore, PBC was awarded second prize for the cultural programme Sadanat al-Riwaya and another award for the film Noura, produced by Palestine TV.
A powerful portrait of compassion under fire, ‘The Man Who Feeds Gaza’s Children’ takes home one of journalism’s highest honors.
‘The Man Who Feeds Gaza’s Children,’ a short documentary following Gazan food blogger and humanitarian Hamada Shaqoura, has won a News & Documentary Emmy Award in New York, honoring its remarkable storytelling and emotional depth.
The film captures Shaqoura’s decision to set aside his food blog and cook for thousands of children and displaced families during the war in Gaza. He turned his kitchen into a frontline of resistance—preparing familiar comfort foods like chicken wings, tacos, croissants, and popsicles, often while bombs fell nearby.
“I cooked under bombs not for recognition, but because hunger doesn’t wait,” Shaqoura said following the win. “Gaza deserves to be seen.”
Led by Reem Makhoul, Senior Managing Producer at Business Insider, the film is part of a growing body of work that centers the human experience in conflict zones. By focusing on daily acts of care, the documentary invites viewers to see Gaza not only through the lens of tragedy, but also through the enduring power of resilience.
“This award is for every child who stood in line for a plate of food, to every family who shared it with love, and to every voice that refused to be silenced,” Shaqoura shared. “To the people of Gaza—you are the story. And now, finally, the world is listening.”
Also a James Beard Award nominee, the documentary’s recognition by the Television Academy underscores the strength of its message, a simple yet radical truth: feeding people is a form of dignity, and storytelling can be an act of survival.
Zouaki made history in 2023 as the first Moroccan to join the Royal Academy of Pharmacy in Catalonia.
Moroccan biologist Jinane Zouaki has been appointed as an academic corresponding member of the Ibero-American Academy of Pharmacy.
Her appointment marks a big milestone, as she is the first Moroccan, Arab, and African woman to receive this honor. The official ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Granada, Spain. The event gathered many scientists from Spain, Portugal, Latin America, and Morocco.
In her speech to the academy, Zouaki spoke about her history of pharmacy in Morocco. She outlined the country’s recent efforts to strengthen its health sovereignty under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
She explained that this national strategy has helped Morocco become a leading industrial hub and a strong, competitive player in both regional and international healthcare sectors.
Speaking to Morocco’s state news agency MAP, Zouaki shared her pride and gratitude for joining such a prestigious institution. She said the recognition is not only a personal achievement, but also a proud moment for Moroccan women and for the country as a whole.
This recognition contributes to Morocco’s scientific presence on the international stage, she added.
Originally from the northern city of Tetouan, Zouaki holds a doctorate in pharmacy. In 2022, she became the first Moroccan and African to receive the Medal of Privilege from the University of Granada, a high honor that celebrates her long journey in education and biomedical research.
Zouaki also made history as the first Moroccan to join the Royal Academy of Pharmacy of Catalonia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered to help medical teams. At her molecular biology lab in Saniat Rmel Hospital in Tetouan, she worked on COVID-19 testing and helped train healthcare workers.
In an achievement that strengthens the UAE’s position on the global innovation map, Emirati student Ali Hamid Al Loughani, from the Emirates Science Club, won the gold medal and special award presented by the Saudi delegation at the International Young Inventors Championship, part of the 36th edition of the International ITEX 2025 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. The competition saw the participation of nearly 900 innovations from 15 countries.
Al-Loughani’s innovation is part of an innovative security project to screen passengers at airports using motion amplification technology and biometric signal processing through cameras without any contact. This enables the analysis of physiological indicators such as heart rate and breathing, and the detection of signs of stress or suspicious behavior.
Bilal Al-Badour, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Culture and Science Forum, emphasized that Al-Loughani’s achievement reflects the spirit of a true researcher and the passion of innovators, commending his determination to transform his idea into a realistic solution that serves society and enhances security.
Dr. Eisa Al Bastaki, Chairman of the Emirates Science Club, commended Al Loughani’s intellectual and scientific maturity, emphasizing that this level of innovation reflects the country’s drive toward a knowledge-based economy based on creativity and technology, and enhances the UAE’s global standing in the fields of science and invention.
It’s worth noting that more than 80% of the innovations on display at ITEX 2025, which spanned 15 categories including artificial intelligence, automation, and medical technologies, demonstrated promising potential for commercialization.
Pioneering Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour has been appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors, the Red Sea Film Foundation announced on Instagram.
“As one of three newly named governors-at-large, Al-Mansour will represent the Directors Branch and bring her singular voice, vision, and global perspective to the Academy’s leadership for the 2025–2026 term and beyond,” they captioned the post.
“An incredible milestone for one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated filmmakers. We’re proud to see her continue shaping the future of cinema on a global stage.” In 2012, Al-Mansour made history as she released her first feature film “Wadjda.” It was the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director.
Over the years, Al-Mansour has also become one of the most in-demand television directors in Hollywood, helming episodes of hit series including “Archive 81,” “City of Fire,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” and “Bosch: Legacy.”
In 2019, Al-Mansour’s feature film “The Perfect Candidate” was submitted as Saudi Arabia’s official entry for the International Feature Film Award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
