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Riding on one wheel of his Kawasaki ZX-6R, he completed 14 circles in one minute.
Saudi stunt rider Mohammed Ibrahim Scotch kept his cool to set a new world record for a motorcycle wheelie — on ice.
Riding on one wheel of his Kawasaki ZX-6R, he completed 14 circles in one minute, a feat that has earned him entry into the Guinness World Records 2023 edition.
Scotch, 39, told Arab News that he had been preparing for around two years for the record attempt, which took place at an ice hall in Jeddah.
He said: “I’m proud of achieving this new record because it carries the name of Saudi Arabia, my country. I didn’t break the record, but I achieved a new world record that no one had done before.
“In 2017, to deviate from the norm and at the same time to have fun, the idea stuck in my mind, and I tried it first in a skating rink in Makkah.
“(In 2022), after researching and communicating with officials (from Guinness World Records), they informed me that no one in the world had achieved this record, so I decided to do it.
“I began the journey of rebuilding the project from scratch after obtaining approval from Guinness World Records. I searched for a private ice rink to execute this experiment,” he added.
Scotch designed studded tires and worked out the variables for his motorbike.
“When I received the official email from Guinness World Records congratulating me as a new world record holder, I could not believe it or comprehend it.
“I read the email more than once, and I told my mother, my family, and all my friends who stood with me in obtaining this record, and their joy was unbelievable,” he said.
Scotch has been riding and doing stunts since the age of 16 and turned professional in 2013. He has participated in several international stunt competitions including in Bulgaria, Egypt, and the UAE.
At the beginning of last year, he became a certified trainer with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
“I am glad that I could raise the name of Saudi Arabia to new levels with my latest achievement and my international appearances,” he added.
Scotch, whose achievements were recently acknowledged by the federation’s chairman, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, aims to set more records.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Saudi stunt rider in Jeddah recently set new world record as he popped a wheelie on his motorcycle then drove in 14 circles on ice for one minute. (Supplied)
A satellite jointly built by Arab nations is a step closer to launch, with lift-off preparations complete.
More than 30 engineers from the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain and engineers and researchers from 11 other Arab countries helped to develop the 260kg Earth observation satellite called 813.
It was expected to be launched in June from China aboard a ride-share carrier rocket, but it is now scheduled for the last quarter of this year, according to state news agency Wam.
The project was announced in 2019 with the intention of bringing Arab nations together and increasing their space sectors’ capabilities.
The satellite is named after 813AD. That was the year that Baghdad’s House of Wisdom became a public academy and library. It would attract the finest minds and usher the Arab world into a period of intellectual advancement known as the Islamic Golden Era.
Engineers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Kuwait, Oman and Lebanon have taken part in the satellite’s development.
Amar Vora, head of space for Serco Middle East, told The National in an earlier interview that the project was a “powerful signal from the Arab world”.
“Much like Europe’s model under the European Space Agency, where long-standing co-operation has transformed Europe into a space leader, this satellite shows that Arab nations can also leverage collective strength to advance strategic capabilities,” he said.
“It brings together engineers, scientists, researchers and policymakers across the region in a way that builds not only hardware, but human capital, sovereign capability and institutional trust.”
The satellite will enter a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 550km to 650km, where it will help to capture data on agriculture, natural resource management and environmental monitoring around the world.
Engineers installed a hyperspectral imaging payload system in the satellite, which will allow in-depth analysis of soil conditions, water quality, crop health, land cover changes and pollution levels.
All stages of the satellite, including its design, assembly, integration and environmental and functional testing, were completed at the university’s National Space Science and Technology Centre.
It has also developed an operational system on campus so that data from the satellite can be received, processed and converted into maps and scientific resources that will be available for researchers and university students.
The Holy Qur’an Museum at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is showcasing a monumental handwritten copy of the Holy Qur’an, recognized as the largest Qur’an of its kind in the world.
The manuscript measures 312 cm by 220 cm and comprises 700 pages, earning the museum recognition from Guinness World Records for displaying the world’s largest Qur’an, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The manuscript is a magnified reproduction of a historic Qur’an dating back to the 16th century, the SPA stated.
The original copy measures 45 cm by 30 cm, with the chapters written primarily in Thuluth script, while Surah Al-Fatiha was penned in Naskh, reflecting the refined artistic choices and calligraphic diversity of the era.
The Qur’an is a unique example of Arabic calligraphy, gilding and bookbinding, showcasing Islamic art through intricate decorations, sun-shaped motifs on the opening folio, and elaborately designed frontispiece and title pages that reflect a high level of artistic mastery.
The manuscript was endowed as a waqf in 1883. Its original version is currently preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, serving as a lasting testament to Muslims’ enduring reverence for the Qur’an and the richness of Islamic arts across the centuries.
“Contributing to mitigating climate change” is the great challenge that Aziza Sidi Bouna, a 32-year-old Mauritanian renewable energy engineer, has set for herself. To achieve this, she has developed an innovative solution: producing biogas from animal, plant, and domestic waste. She is a pioneer in her field and is determined to revolutionize this sector in Mauritania. In 2019, she launched SBGAZ, a start-up specialized in valorizing agricultural and livestock by-products.
Regularly, she roams the markets of Nouakchott, the capital, in search of this precious raw material. “Until today, cow dung, excrement from certain ruminants like camels, were undervalued in my country. I wanted to change that,” explains this dynamic entrepreneur. “You can find the raw material everywhere: on the farm, in the village, at the slaughterhouse, and of course, at home. It is an almost inexhaustible source,” she adds. In fact, in Mauritania, livestock production is one of the pillars of the national economy. It represents more than 15% of GDP, which is thousands of tons of animal waste per year. It is more than enough to produce huge quantities of biogas.
A Source of Clean Energy
Once collected, livestock manure is placed in a biodigester, a natural solution for recycling organic waste, which allows for the production of a combustible gas, biogas, and also a highly effective fertilizer, digestate. “Production lasts between 15 and 45 days, depending on the season,” explains Aziza Sidi Bouna.
“Our biogas has the advantage of being carbon neutral. We don’t use any fossil energy to extract the gas. It’s called methanization, and it’s 100% carbon natural.”
Aziza Sidi Bouna, Founder and CEO of SB-GAZ
“We started designing several biodigester prototypes in 2019,” she continues. “The resulting biogas is a clean energy that can be produced cheaply. It’s much less expensive than propane gas traditionally used for cooking.” And to demonstrate this, the engineer highlights an irrefutable argument: with one kilogram of cow dung, according to her, one can produce gas for one to two hours of gentle cooking.
But that’s not all. Aziza Sidi Bouna’s biodigesters also transform organic waste and excrement into biological fertilizer, which is excellent for increasing agricultural yields. And she affirms, “Out of 100 kilograms of organic waste digested by the machine, we recover 10 kilograms of manure that is as good as or even more effective than chemical fertilizer.”
It Runs in the Family
Aziza Sidi Bouna is not alone in her ambitious project. Her right-hand man and the technical director of SBGAZ is none other than her father, Ahmed Sidi Bouna. As a rural economics engineer, he is particularly proud of his daughter, whom he has always supported, especially in a country where women are often confined to domestic work. Together, they aim to popularize biodigesters throughout society. Thanks to funding from the International Committee of the Red Cross, they have installed several biodigesters in the Mbera refugee camp, providing relief for families in their daily struggles. In Bassikounou, in the southeast of the country, SBGAZ’s first industrial biodigester is up and running, and “almost daily, more than 200 households come to fill their biogas bottles,” says Aziza. “With a USD150,000 grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), I hope to achieve my dream of providing a clean and accessible source of energy to all Mauritanian and Sahelian households in the future,” she adds.
An Alternative to Fossil Fuels
This dream is within reach and, if realized, would have a tangible impact. In fact, the widespread use of biodigesters in Mauritanian households would reduce dependence on fossil fuels such as oil or coal, which are imported mainly from abroad. This would also reduce the emissions of fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. “With my project, I want to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the future of our children and our planet. This is the challenge of our century, and it is my responsibility as an entrepreneur,” says Aziza.
Protecting the environment by producing green energy is thus Aziza Sidi Bouna’s promise, and she hopes to create hundreds of new jobs through the development of this new sector. The young woman already employs five workers aged 28 to 45, including two women, “and many more in the future,” she says confidently. Aziza believes in the future, not just for herself but for all her country’s youth. She wants her journey to serve as an example for all the young people in Mauritania and beyond. “I want to change the mindset of the youth here, in the Sahel, and even in Africa. We, young people, have the power to make a difference,” concludes Aziza Sidi Bouna.
The residents of Wadān commemorated the 111th anniversary of the Battle of Qarat al-Tawza, which took place in 1915 between Libyan resistance fighters and the invading Italian forces.
The local youth council of the Jufra municipality organized a celebration on this occasion, during which several speeches were delivered praising the sacrifices and bravery of their ancestors in confronting the heavily armed Italian forces, who suffered heavy losses in lives and equipment, despite the limited resources and weapons of the heroic resistance fighters.
The celebration included equestrian displays, highlighting the prominent role horses played in the battles of the Libyan resistance and their importance at that time. The event also featured the lighting of the torch of resistance, the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah in remembrance of the martyrs of the Battle of Qarat al-Tawza, and the laying of flowers in memory of the martyrs of Wadān who fell in the battles against colonialism.
The event was attended by youth from the National Agency for Voluntary Efforts, the Tozeur Martyrs Camping and Summer Resort Center in Wadān, the Scout and Guide Troop, the Cultural Forum, the Wadān Heritage and Tourism Association, and the Tozeur Martyrs Equestrian Club.
The program also included a detailed historical account of the Battle of Qarat Tozeur, a review of the heroic deeds of our ancestors in defense of the homeland, and the participation of a select group of poets who recited patriotic poems that embodied pride in history and struggle, and affirmed the deep sense of belonging and loyalty to the sacrifices of the martyrs.
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, said that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s official inclusion in the Guinness World Records as the country with the highest density of places of worship for different religions represents international recognition of Bahrain’s established approach to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and respect for human rights and religious, cultural, and civil freedoms.
The minister said that the achievement reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahrain’s national approach to coexistence, which is grounded in the rule of law, justice, and constitutional institutions, and supported by consistent government policies that have made tolerance and coexistence an integral part of national practice.
Dr. Al Zayani extended congratulations to His Majesty the King and to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the achievement, noting that it reflects Bahrain’s longstanding commitment to religious and cultural diversity.
The minister noted that the global achievement coincides with the international observance of the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly following a Bahraini initiative, as well as with the national observance of the Year of Isa Al Kabeer. He said this alignment highlights Bahrain’s historical standing as a society rooted in religious and cultural coexistence, and its role in promoting dialogue and peace, drawing on a legacy shaped by the leadership of His Highness Isa Al Kabeer, founder of the modern Bahraini state, and carried forward under the current national approach led by His Majesty the King.
Dr. Al Zayani explained that Bahrain’s ranking in the Guinness World Records, with an average of 2.577 places of worship per square kilometre, reflects the Kingdom’s long-established practice of accommodating places of worship for different religions and denominations. These include mosques and “grand mosques” (congregational mosques), alongside churches, a Jewish synagogue, one of the oldest churches in the region, and a Hindu temple established in Manama more than two centuries ago.
He said that this diversity reflects social cohesion, equal citizenship, and respect for freedom of religion and belief, and represents a practical expression of Bahrain’s values of coexistence and peace.
The minister highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to share its experience in religious coexistence and dialogue at regional and international forums through initiatives launched under the leadership of His Majesty the King. These include the declaration on freedom of religion and belief, international conferences on intercultural dialogue, the King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance, and other initiatives aimed at serving humanity, empowering women and youth, and promoting a culture of peace.
Dr. Al Zayani reiterated that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the directives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, continues its human rights and development efforts, as well as its diplomatic and humanitarian role through its non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, in support of regional and international peace, dialogue among religions and cultures, the National Human Rights Plan, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the World Laureates Summit, the largest global gathering of Nobel Prize winners and recipients of other prestigious scientific awards.
Also present at the inauguration were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
The World Laureates Summit, which commenced today and runs for three days, brings together more than 100 scientists and participants, including Nobel laureates, recipients of major international scientific awards, and leaders of research institutions.
It coincides with the World Governments Summit 2026, taking place from 3 to 5 February, with 3 February designated as a joint day that brings laureates together with heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organisations and institutions participating in the World Governments Summit.
During the summit, Their Highnesses were briefed on key discussions involving a distinguished group of Nobel laureates and researchers from various vital disciplines, affirming the summit’s role as an international scientific platform for dialogue focused on long-term strategic thinking and multidisciplinary cooperation. The summit supports the role of basic sciences in addressing global challenges at a time of mounting economic, social, and political pressures and an urgent need for innovative solutions to sustain development efforts and ensure the continuity of humanity’s civilisational progress.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted that scientists are essential partners in shaping the future and that investing in knowledge and scientific research is the key to navigating global challenges. His Highness stated that the UAE will remain a global platform that brings visionaries and thinkers together and supports innovation in service of all of humanity.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed continued by stating that science and scientists are at the core of the UAE’s vision for the future, extending from the belief that countries that make knowledge a national priority are the ones capable of leading global transformations and shaping a better tomorrow.
His Highness added that the World Laureates Summit reflects the UAE’s efforts and unwavering commitment to building a comprehensive scientific ecosystem that enhances quality of life and lays the foundations for sustainable prosperity rooted in solid scientific principles.
His Highness remarked that the world today faces major challenges that require unconventional solutions, underscoring the importance of this major scientific gathering. His Highness stated that the responsibility of scientists today extends beyond the confines of research centres, as they must become active partners in decision-making and in shaping development-focused policies.
His Highness expressed his hope that this scientific dialogue would contribute creative solutions to global challenges, ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations. He added that the UAE will continue to strengthen its role as a bridge connecting scientific outputs with the needs of societies while supporting scientific research and the development of emerging technologies in service of peace and development.
Science is the Wealth of Nations
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum affirmed that the UAE has been, and will continue to be, a nexus for visionaries and bold ideas. “Convening 100 scientists and Nobel Prize laureates in the World Laureates Summit is our way of saying: Civilisation happens when we appreciate science and scientists. Our goal is to open the doors wide for innovators so they can turn the impossible into tangible reality.”
His Highness added: “Science is the true wealth of nations, and scientists are the architects of humanity’s future. The UAE embraces bright minds, empowers researchers and offers the space to turn ideas into accomplishments.
His Highness stated: “People are our greatest asset. Through science, we can forge a better future for all. The UAE continues to establish itself as a global hub for science and knowledge and a magnet for talent and creative minds from around the world, driven by our belief that investing in people is key to achieving sustainable development and shaping the future.”
Investing in Knowledge and Science
His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit, said in his opening remarks at the World Laureates Summit that the vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has made the UAE an incubator for intellect and a meeting point for global thought leaders, praising His Highness’ continued support for science and scientists.
His Excellency Al Gergawi said the UAE believes that building a nation cannot be achieved by relying solely on resources, but also on people, and that the greatest investment in the future is an investment in knowledge and science. His Excellency noted that a nation that prioritises science and believes strongly in knowledge as the shortest path to prosperity and in research and openness as integral to its foundations is a strong nation capable of achieving and sustaining excellence.
His Excellency added that humanity’s journey of knowledge is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and the aspiration for longer, healthier lives require new scientific approaches. He pointed out that conventional boundaries separating physicists, computer scientists, and biologists are beginning to dissolve, stressing that, where such boundaries continue to exist, society must overcome and redefine them.
His Excellency Al Gergawi affirmed that the World Laureates Summit draws its value and historical significance from being held at a pivotal time marked by political shifts, rapid technological acceleration, and unprecedented economic pressures amid growing concern about humanity’s future. In such moments, he said, the role of scientists is not secondary, but critical.
His Excellency concluded: “Our gathering today sends a message of hope to humanity: Despite the negative noise filling the world, human beings are still capable of choosing the path of reason and of working to improve this world. This is where the spirit of the UAE echoes the spirit of this scientific gathering, as neither sees the past as a ceiling or finish line but the future as a responsibility. Both believe that hope is not awaited but created, and that progress does not happen by chance, but as the result of collective action, clear vision, and faith in human potential.”
His Excellency Al Gergawi thanked the attending scientists, whose presence makes them part of a future that is more humane, just, and knowledgeable. He concluded: “Your being in the UAE today, in the presence of our leadership, will help shape a better future for humans and a healthier, more advanced planet.”
New WLA base in the UAE
Professor Roger Kornberg, President of the World Laureates Association (WLA), Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2006) and Professor of Medicine, Stanford University, revealed WLA plans to launch a new base in the UAE, bringing together scientists from around the world and positioning the UAE as a global hub for scientific collaboration, research, and innovation.
Prof Kornberg stated: “The UAE is not following the future of science—it is setting its direction.”
Delivering the opening remarks for the World Laureates Summit, Kornberg described the event as a remarkable and unprecedented gathering in its scope, diversity and breadth.
Kornberg said: “This joint summit is also unprecedented in another way: it places science alongside government, industry, and finance. Scientists rarely have the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers at this level and on this scale. Here, we create a space where discovery and decision-making meet.”
Kornberg added: “In organising this summit, our goal was not only to explain science, but to address questions of broad societal importance. This is reflected in the sessions you will see over the coming days: Can AI actually discover anything? Can science save the Earth? Are we approaching the end of disease? These questions help ensure that science is not only understood but heard far beyond these halls.”
He added: “This is where the partnership with the World Governments Summit is so important. By convening the world’s leaders, the WGS ensures that the voice of science reaches decision-makers at the highest level.”
Knowledge as a driver of progress
Wang Hou, Executive Director and Secretary-General of the World Laureates Association, stated that the UAE’s deep appreciation for science and of its people’s belief in knowledge as a driver of progress are the reasons that helped the World Laureates Summit convene with great success.
He expressed his sincere thanks to members of the World Laureates Association for joining the summit, noting that their work has shaped human understanding of the world and continues to advance humanity in profound and lasting ways.
Hou stressed that the world stands at a pivotal moment that demands joint efforts for the future of humanity and the advancement of modern science. He highlighted the UAE’s hosting of the World Laureates Summit as a major step on this path, stating: “From the UAE, the future of science is not observed—it is shaped. Here, knowledge leads policy, and discovery is translated into global progress.”
The World Laureates Summit, organised in partnership between the World Governments Summit and the World Laureates Association, is the largest scientific gathering of its kind. It brings together an elite group of laureates who are recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, the Wolf Prize, the Lasker Award, the Fields Medal, and the Breakthrough Prize, alongside other recipients of prestigious international scientific awards.
The World Laureates Association comprises 187 leading scientists, including 78 Nobel laureates, as well as recipients of the prestigious scientific honours.
The summit’s agenda features a high-level programme centred on the theme “Basic Sciences: Scientific Consensus for Addressing the Challenges of Humanity” and includes keynote addresses, plenary sessions, specialised forums, strategic roundtables, and extended dialogues spanning a wide range of fields – most notably artificial intelligence and machine learning, quantum science and nanotechnology, biotechnology and genomics, data science and cryptography, and neurotechnology.
Discussions focus on how fundamental sciences contribute to governance and economic systems, how emerging technologies can be developed responsibly, and how international scientific cooperation can be strengthened in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
The first day’s agenda, in addition to the opening ceremony, included the AI Sciences Forum, the forum titled “AI Science Forum: Can AI Discover Anything?” and the Disruptive Technologies Forum, the New Energy Forum, and the Scientific Discovery Forum.
The second day’s agenda includes nine forums: “Six Senses and The Brain Forum”, “Genetic Science Forum”, “Life Sciences Forum”, “Physics Forum”, “Hospital Leaders Forum”, “Blockchain Science Forum”, “Carbon Materials Forum”, “Nuclear Physics Forum”, and “University Leaders Forum”.
The third day features the Young Scientists Forum, as well as joint sessions between the World Governments Summit and the World Laureates Summit.
Morocco won the 11th edition of the FIFA Arab Cup with an action-packed 3–2 victory over Jordan in the final.
Exactly three years on from the unforgettable 2022 FIFA World Cup final, Lusail Stadium once again hosted the coronation of a champion. This time, it was the Arab world that came together in Qatar for the FIFA Arab Cup.
After 29 matches over 18 days, Morocco and Jordan were the last two teams left in contention for the title. The Atlas Lions had previously won the tournament in 2012, while Jordan were appearing in their first Arab Cup final, just a few years after losing the Asian Cup final at the same venue.
Before kick-off, there were concerns that the match would not go ahead at all. An unusually heavy downpour in Doha led to the suspension of the third-place match between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, raising doubts about the final. While several events were cancelled due to the weather, the showpiece match proceeded as planned.
Tens of thousands of fans braved thunderstorms to pack Lusail Stadium, and they were rewarded just minutes into the game. Oussama Tannane opened the scoring with a stunning long-range effort from inside Morocco’s own half, giving the Atlas Lions an early lead.
Jordan were unable to find an equaliser before the break, but tournament top scorer Ali Olwan levelled the match just two minutes into the second half with a powerful header. He then put Jordan ahead from the penalty spot in the 68th minute, setting up a dramatic finish.
Morocco’s pressure paid off late on when substitute Abderrazak Hamdallah turned the ball in from close range just three minutes before full time, sending the match into extra time. The veteran striker struck again in the 100th minute, restoring Morocco’s lead. This time, the Atlas Lions held firm to seal a memorable victory.
While the atmosphere of the World Cup was always going to be impossible to replicate, echoes of that tournament were felt throughout the Arab Cup. Fans travelled from across the region, filling stadiums, metro stations and fan zones to create a festival-like atmosphere.
There were memorable moments across the competition. Hosts Qatar endured a difficult campaign and exited at the group stage, while Palestine captured widespread admiration with their first-ever run to the knockout rounds. They pushed World Cup-bound Saudi Arabia to extra time in the quarter-finals before eventually bowing out.
Individual honours were also handed out following the final. Jordan’s Ali Olwan was awarded the Golden Boot, Morocco’s Mehdi Benabid received the Golden Glove, and Morocco’s Mohamed Rabie Hrimat was named Best Player of the tournament.
Attention will now turn to the future, with the FIFA Arab Cup set to return to Qatar for its next two editions in 2029 and 2033.
source/content: dohanews.co (headline edited)
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Morroco’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 final football match between Jordan and Morocco at the Lusail Stadium Stadium, in Lusail on December 18, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images)
Nelly Attar has made history by becoming the first Lebanese person to summit the five tallest mountains on Earth, including Everest and the notoriously deadly K2. She has completed over 40 climbs across five continents. A two-time Guinness World Record holder, extreme sports athlete, and former psychotherapist, Nelly blends athletic grit with a community-driven mission: to get people moving, especially across the Middle East.
From founding Saudi Arabia’s first dance studio to training for high-altitude ascents in desert heat, Nelly’s journey is as much about resilience and purpose as it is about summits. Cosmopolitan Middle East sits down with her to reflect on the climbs that changed her, the lessons learned at the edge of endurance, and her vision for making movement and adventure more accessible to all.
CosmoME: What first drew you to mountaineering?
Nelly: My dad took me on my first multi day hike when I was 17. I was going to university soon, so I was moving countries, and we were living in Kenya at the time. Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa. We didn’t know what it was gonna entail. We actually didn’t summit the mountain. My dad got hypothermia, but there was something about the climb or the hike, and just being in nature for two or three days that I was like, this is just amazing. I want to do this when I’m older. I also want to do sports because I was raised in Saudi, and we didn’t really have access to outdoor sports.
CosmoME: Did you feel a calling towards the mountains?
Nelly: No, I felt a pull. A calling is more gentle. It sits at the back of your mind; a pull may feel like swimming against the current, but you can’t let go of the pull. I think I don’t want to do this anymore. It has very high risk and opportunity costs. But then, I feel this same pull, and then I find myself up in the mountain area.
CosmoME: Could you share some details about the mountains you have climbed?
Nelly: When I was 25, I had the summer off, so I went to Mount Kilimanjaro. I fell in love with hiking and climbing. K2 is the second most dangerous. It’s a lot steeper, so avalanches do happen, but not that severe as Annapurna. There is a 33% chance you won’t come back from that mountain. I went to clean up a lot of the waste and we cleaned up about 400 KGs of waste. Annapurna has a very high risk of avalanche. So no matter where you are on the mountain, you’re constantly hearing avalanches break out around you. It’s because of the angle of the mountain, where it sits in a position where just a bit of snow accumulates, and then it slides off. Apart from the altitude, you also have this added layer of constantly being so scared. We don’t know if we’re going to die up there; it just feels like a Russian roulette.
CosmoME: How do you navigate making high pressure decisions in extreme conditions?
Nelly: We were 500 meters away from the summit of Annapurna after being there for one month, and we turned around. I made the call because I was with the team of eight men and most of the guys were from the production team. We got to a point where there was little rope left, not enough for all of us. I was like, if we all made it up together to this point, it doesn’t make sense for three of us to continue and the five to turn around. We either all turn around together, or we all climb up together. It would be another four or five hours to the summit with little or no rope. So if anyone slips, they will slip to their death. And if you’re in doubt, if there’s this much risk on a mountain, you turn around. Climbing is considered the noble art of retreat. You have to know when to turn around. If you want to stay in this game, you have to know when to turn around. My whole team made it down alive and this is what counts.
CosmoME: Which was harder—training your body for extreme altitudes or training your mind to endure the isolation and risk?
Nelly: When you’re training your body, you train your mind. I don’t see them as individuals. I train even when it’s 40 degrees with a heavy pack and that’s a lot of mental training. That discipline and mind/body go hand in hand. The times that I want to give up and I don’t give up is when I train my mind to grow stronger. I always try remind myself that I have so much within me.
CosmoME: Does climbing bring you closer to a sense of God, nature, or something beyond yourself?
Nelly: I think it always makes me feel stronger to God, because it’s almost like I’m stripped away from civilisation. No comfortable beds or showers. I’m left with connecting with my family every now and then through a satellite device, but then it’s just Allah. There’s so much uncertainty. We don’t know what the day is gonna look like. We don’t know who from the team might get hurt. We don’t know who’s not going to come back. I don’t even know if I will come back. God forbid. What keeps me calm is feeling that God is always with me. God is always protecting us. God always chooses what’s best for us. And if we don’t get the summit, that’s God protecting us. If we get to summit, God made that accessible to us. During the times that I’m really really scared, the only thing that gives me calm or peace is thinking: we’re in the safety of Allah. It’s like a mantra I keep repeating. And honestly, it keeps me so calm.
My dad took me on my first hike and he passed away almost five years ago. Climbing connects me to him. When I’m on a mountain, my grief is amplified. I have days on a mountain where I wake up and I start crying uncontrollably.
CosmoME: How does it feel to carry your country’s name on summits?
Nelly: I was born and raised in Saudi, but I started to feel more and more connected to Lebanon when I started to make history around these climbs. Beyond Lebanon, I feel very proud of my Arab heritage. I’ve always been happy about my identity, but I think even more so now, because I have this responsibility to show what Arab woman can do anything. When I started to see how people responded and starting to see how it inspired Arab woman and Muslim woman, I want to continue. I want to pave the way for other Arab women in sports.
CosmoME: What would you like to say to Arab girls and to our readers?
Nelly: I want people to see that if I can, they can too. I’ve done things that were unconventional, creating a job, a career, and a life that are so different from the standard. I managed to excel in it and inspire others. I never imagined I’d make it onto the cover of a magazine for climbing K2. Most people here don’t even know what K2 is. But you have to believe in your dream so strongly that others start to believe in it too. Then it’s no longer just your dream—it becomes everyone’s success.
If I can do this in a career as niche as mountaineering, a sport dominated by men and barely recognized in our region, then they can too. I hope I inspire girls to take the unconventional road, to follow the path that makes sense to them. They will face challenges, resistance from others, and doubt from themselves. But those obstacles will make them stronger. The ups and downs are what make the journey meaningful. When you persevere, lean into your gifts, and live your purpose, that’s when you make the greatest contribution to the world.
CosmoME: Could you share more about the business side of mountaineering?
Nelly: Initially, it was all self-funded. But as it started to take up more of my time and energy, I thought—why not turn this into a job? I was already creating content, so whenever I worked with brands, I’d try to merge it with my climbs. Instead of doing a standard campaign here, I’d say, ‘Why not make it unique and create the campaign up there?’
Over the years, through sponsorships, I’ve partnered with a range of brands—from apparel companies to climbing operators to even medication brands. After a decade, the variety is wide, but sponsorships are what make this possible. Sometimes, it’s still my own savings. Even now, I pay for some climbs myself, funding them through other work and setting money aside for the mountains.
CosmoME: Mountaineering has long been a male-dominated space. What challenges did you face as a woman in that world?
Nelly: I was often the least technically experienced climber on the team. I didn’t grow up with snow, and I didn’t have a climbing background. There was a lot to catch up on. Gear was another challenge. Being petite, I could never find equipment that fit—everything from summit suits to sleeping bags would swallow me whole.
Thankfully, as more women have joined the sport, more brands have started catering to women’s sizes. Now, I don’t see my size or the fact that I’m an Arab woman as a challenge. It’s my strength. I love it when people are surprised and say ‘Oh, you’re a climber?’ and I get to let my performance speak for itself. Training in the extreme heat back home has given me an edge.
CosmoME: What is recovery like? How does coming back to everyday life feel after climbing?
Nelly: It usually takes me two weeks (sometimes a month) to feel like myself again after a climb. My nervous system, my sleep, my training… everything needs time to reset before my body feels strong again. I ease my way back into everything. I don’t like to stop training entirely, but I’m gentle with myself and very aware I’m still recovering.
Even my concentration takes a hit. That first week, I find it hard to focus at work, so I give myself that two-week buffer to slowly re-engage. Psychologically, there’s often a dip too. After so much adrenaline and constant movement in nature with my team, coming back to the noise and overstimulation of the city can feel jarring. That adjustment period, both physically and mentally, is part of the process.
CosmoME: You’ve made history. What is next for you?
Nelly: I’d love to keep climbing, but there’s so much more to life than just summits. For me, sports have always been about community—that’s why I started in the first place. It feels good to be back, training with friends and moving alongside others.
Over the next six months, my focus is on enabling as many people as possible to get active. My background is in therapy, and when I began, sports weren’t widely accessible to women in Saudi. Creating spaces for women to move together changed my life, and I saw firsthand how it transformed theirs. I want to return to that mission.
I have a few adventurous trips planned across the region, coaching sessions, speaking engagements, and an initiative in the works aimed at making movement more accessible to everyone. That’s my goal for now. Then, maybe in six or seven months, I’ll be ready to climb again.
Nezha Bidouane has been granted a new four-year term on the governing board of the International Sport for All Federation (FISPT) following elections held during the organization’s general congress in central Italy.
The Moroccan sports official, who serves as President of the Royal Moroccan Federation for Sport for All, retained her seat as delegates from dozens of countries convened on January 24 and 25 to determine the federation’s future leadership.
Bidouane’s renewed mandate reinforces Morocco’s representation within global sports governance at a time when the country continues to expand its engagement on the international sports stage. Her role reflects sustained efforts to promote wider access to sport, emphasizing community participation and inclusivity beyond elite-level competition.
A former world-class athlete, Bidouane built a distinguished career in athletics, securing multiple international titles in the 400-meter hurdles and earning a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. She has since transitioned into sports administration, where she remains actively involved in advancing inclusive and developmental sporting initiatives worldwide.
