Obituary – Iraqi Poet Lamia Abbas Amara : June 18th, 2021

Lamai Abbas Amara. Arabic Poetess. Writer. Columnist. Cultural Ambassador.

Published her first poem when she was thirteen (13).

Popular Poems:

  • The Empty Corner – 1960
  • I Am Iraqi –
  • They Call Him Love – 1972
  • Had The Fortune Teller Told Me – 1980’s
  • etc..

Posts held:

  • Member, Board of Directors, Iraqi Writers Association – 1963-1975
  • Deputy to the Iraqi Representative for UNESCO in Paris – 1973-1975
  • Director of Culture, Arts – University of Technology, Baghdad – 1974

Laid to rest in California, US – June 18th, 2021

______________

pix: twitter/iraqesque

____________________

AMERICAN / IRAQI

Arab Filmmakers Kaouther Ben Hania and Sameh Alaa Join the Short Film Jury – Cannes Film Festival 2021

The jury for short films and the Cinefondation competition for Cannes Film Festival 2021, which will take place next month, has been announced, and it includes Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania and Egyptian director Sameh Alaa.

___________

Arab filmmakers Kaouther Ben Hania, left, and Sameh Alaa join the short film jury for Cannes Film Festival 2021. La Biennale di Venezia, Getty Images / pix: thenationalnews.com

____________________

EGYPT & TUNISIA

June 17th – Birth Anniversary of Legendary Egyptian Yusuf el-Sebai

Yusuf el-Sebai was an Army Officer, Novelist, Journalist and Minister of Culture, Editor in chief of Al-Ahram National newspaper and the Head of the Journalist’s Syndicate.

Sebai had an effective role in establishing the Supreme Council of Arts and Literature. 

Sebai was born on June 17, 1917, and outside the borders of his homeland was killed in 1978.

He wrote many works that turned into successful cinematic works, including 10 works of the 100 best films in the history of Egyptian cinema. 

Through his writings, the prominent writer was able to chronicle the 1952 revolution, the aftermath of the war of attrition and the positive vibes of the October war. 

Rod Qalbi :This is one of the most powerful accounts of the pre-July 1952 revolution period. It portrays the previous feudal domination of the land, classism and injustice that took hold of the Egyptian society during that era. The novel was turned into one of the most successful films depicting the 1952 revolution in 1957. 

Hata Akher el-Omr (Until the last breath) : The film illustrates the impact of war on the lives of individuals, and the negative consequences that prevail. The film stars include Mahmoud Abdel Aziz, Omar Khorshid and Najwa Ibrahim. It is the production of 1975, and is the story, script and dialogue of Youssef Sibai. The film’s music was composed by Nina Rahbani. 

Gafat al-Domoo (No more tears) : The novel was political, with a romantic love story happening on the sidelines. The novel focused on the unity between Egypt and Syria and the events that preceded it through the character of Sami, the famous journalist and politician. Sami falls in love with an infamous singer struck by numerous rumors. 

El-Omr Lahza (Life is short) : This novel speaks of the situation that preceded the victory of October 6, 1973 in the war of attrition. It describes the political situation, exploiting power, and corrupt citizens making use of the sacrifices of the soldiers fighting in the battlefield. 

Aqwa Min el-Zaman (Stronger than time)  : This novel depicts Egypt in the era of building the High Dam and the ambitions and dreams that accompanied this period in the history of Egypt, shedding light on the challenges the country faced. 

source/content: egypttoday.com

___________

FILE – Yusuf el-Sebai / pix: egypttoday.com

________

EGYPT

‘Emirati Day on December 02nd’ Declared by New York State, USA : 2021

New York state has named December 2, 2021, Emirati Day in recognition of the country’s golden jubilee.

Adopted on June 2, Senate Resolution No 980 stated that “this legislative body declares December 2, 2021, as Emirati Day in New York state.”

Dubai-born New York state senator Kevin Thomas put forward the resolution.

____________

Abdalla Shaheen, consul general of the UAE in New York, with New York state senator Kevin Thomas. Kevin Thomas’s Instagram / pix: thenationalnews.com

__________________________________

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Zuhair Murad – Fashion Designer, International Arab Label

Zuhair Murad. Couture, Ready-to-Wear, Bridal and Accessories.

The House of Zuhair Murad – designs, manufactures, distributes and retails coveted high fashion clothing. The brand is present in over 100 points of sales spread over the globe.

Inception and growth of boutiques:

Lebanon:

  • 1997 – First Atelier opened in Beirut
  • 2006 – First Boutique in Downtown Beirut
  • 2010 – Relocated Corporate Office and Design Studio, Beirut
  • 2013- Inaugrates Bridal Boutique, Beirut

International:

  • 2001 – First Parisian ‘Maison de Couture’ in Paris
  • 2016 – First store within a store, Kuwait
  • 2017 – Shop in a shop, Vakko-Zorlu Center, Istanbul
  • 2018- First Boutique in UAE, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall

Launches:

  • 2001 – First Couture collection present in Haute Couture Week in Paris
  • 2005 – First Ready-to-Wear (RTW) evening collection
  • 2011 – Launches RTW Bridal collection

Honours:

  • 2012 – Elected as Guest Member on the Supervisory Board of the ‘French Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’

www.zuhairmurad.com

____________

pix: www.zuhairmurad.com

____________

LEBANON

Ahmed Helmy Appointed by UNICEF as Regional Ambassador for Middle East & North Africa (MENA) : June 06th, 2021

UNICEF chose Egyptian megastar Ahmed Helmy to serve as Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa.

“I am truly excited about this new role, I am delighted to continue to work with UNICEF to advocate for children’s rights across the region” said Helmy during the ceremony tailor made to announce his appointment as regional ambassador which was held through online video on June 6.

In 2017 Helmy was chosen to serve as UNICEF Ambassador in Egypt and has participated in multiple events to advocate for child protection and empowerment.

Helmy has previously cooperated with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to promote for the Food for Education project.

Additionally, Helmy collaborated with UNICEF in the #FightUnfair social media campaign launched in December 2015 to shed the light on the challenges facing children and young adults in Egypt. 

Both Helmy and his wife Zaki were appointed as UNICEF Egypt Ambassadors; both were featured in two short videos promoting for ending violent disciplinary practices. 

source/content: egypttoday.com

_____________

pix: egypttoday.com / File: Ahmed Helmy.

________

EGYPT

Hollywood Movie ‘ The Mauritanian’ -True Story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi : April 2021

The Mauritanian is a 2021 legal drama film based on the true story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a Mauritanian man who was held for fourteen years (from 2002 to 2016) without charge in the Guantanamo Bay detentian camp, a United States military prison.

Awards / Nominations :

 – 78th Golden Globe Awards the film received two nominations; Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (for Rahim), with Foster winning Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.

At the 74th British Academy Film Awards the film received five nominations, including Best Film, Outstanding British Film , and Best Actor for Rahim.

____________

Theatrical release poster / pix: en.widipedia.org

_______________________________________

MAURITANIA / HOLLYWOOD MOVIE

Younes Bendjima , French-Algerian model

Younes Bendjima. ex-boxer. Model.

Walked the runaway for Givenchy. As well as at the Milan Fashion Week (Feb 2016), etc…

____________

pix: pagesix.com

________________________________

FRENCH / ALGERIAN-FRENCH

Saba Anglana – Actress and Singer

Saba Anglana . Italian TV actress. International Singer.

Saba is an actress on Italian television. In a popular local TV series entitled La Squadra, she played a policewoman of dual Somali-Italian heritage.

Saba released her first studio album entitled Jidka: The Line, (2007) in which she mixes the traditional sounds of her native Somalia with contemporary Italian.

www.sabaanglana.com

_______________

pix: rhythmpassport.com

_____________________________

ITALIAN / SOMALI-ITALIAN

Zeena Zaki – Haute couture Fashion Designer

Zeena Zaki. Haute couture Fashion Designer. Entrepreneur. Own label ‘Julea Domani’.

Launched her first fashion atelier in Dubai, UAE in 2003. Zaki launched her first collection at the Dubai World Trade Center in 2006.

Zeena Zaki’s fashion house operates under the label “Julea Domani”

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark to Iraqi parents. Currently Dubai, UAE based.

Awards:

  • 2009 Best Female Designer for Pret a Porter Award at Dubai Fashion Week

www.zeenazaki.com

__________

pix: zeenazaki.com

___________________________

DANISH / IRAQI-DANISH