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Regional Director for the Guinness World Records in the Middle East and North Africa region Ahmed Bakr Meklad said Bahr Al Baqr wastewater treatment plant has received a Guinness World Records’ certificate for being the largest water plant in the world with a capacity of 64.8 cubic meters per second along with the use of ozone in the wastewater treatment process.
Speaking to “Good Morning Egypt”, Meklad said the plant has been established with the highest and best international standards.
The plant was inspected by Guinness World Records team of judges over a period of one year during which data were exchanged to review the plant’s competitiveness with similar projects.
The cost of this massive project is LE20 billion, and its daily capacity is 5.6 million cubic meters to be used in the reclamation of 400 acres in Sinai, he said.
Considered one of Egypt’s most important projects, the plant treats more than 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater per year which will be used to irrigate 1,400 sq km of land in Sinai. It is located east of the Nile Delta in the town of Bahr El-Baqar, about 35 km south of Port Said.
The project is set to improve water security, provide jobs, support communities, and reduce pollution for decades to come.
The plant comprises the pumping building of the water intake – rapid mixing basins – slow mixing basins – sedimentation basins – filters with discs – ozone basins – chloride tanks, treated water, sludge condensing basins – mechanical drying buildings – solar units for sludge drying and an administrative area which includes (headquarter building – employers building – mosque – generators – workshops – chemicals – chloride – ozone) – interior roads networks and landscaping.
Fully electric tugs have quickly emerged from a novelty in the industry and now Damen Shipyards Group and its client SAFEEN Group, part of AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, have set a Guinness World Record as the Most Powerful Electric Tugboat. The vessel delivered earlier this year demonstrated what the companies are calling “unprecedented for a fully electric tug” and further the growth of this sector of the industry.
The record was set by measuring the bollard pull of Damen RSD-E Tug 2513 Bu Tinah, which achieved an average high peak pull of 78.2 tonnes. It is the first fully electric tug to operate in the Middle East and now has the unique distinction of the unique honor by a world-recognized body for record keeping. Launched in 1954 as a promotional idea for the Guinness Brewery, the Guinness Book of Records (today Guinness World Records) is an often-quoted source of data.
“This Guinness World Record achievement demonstrates that the transition to alternative energy does not come at the cost of performance,” said Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime & Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group. “We are very proud that the first electric tug in the Middle East is also making waves on a global level with this accolade and the fact that in parallel it is improving the sustainability of our operations alongside cost efficiencies in terms of overall fuel saving is extremely important.”
The record-breaking performance took place at Khalifa Port, AD Ports Group’s flagship facility where the tug is a key component of AD Ports Group’s Marine Services fleet and its electrification strategy.
The RSD-E Tug 2513 according to Damen is designed with a focus on sustainability. It offers zero emissions from tank to wake playing a significant role in reducing emissions.
The RSD-E Tug 2513 builds on the already efficient design of the diesel propulsion RSD Tug 2513. The spec sheet highlights a 320 gross ton tug with a length of 24.73 meters (81 feet). It is designed to operate at a speed of up to 12 knots and can be recharged in two hours.
The vessel can operate with a crew of just two or three persons or a maximum of up to sic and can be customized with options for oil and pollution control or fire fighting.
The electric version according to its spec sheet is very similar to the earlier diesel version which has a maximum bollard pull of 80 tonnes. It operates at a speed of 12.6 knots.
Damen has been at the forefront of electric tug development, including delivering the world’s first electric harbor tug, aptly named Sparky, in 2022 to Ports of Auckland. It won the prestigious “Tug of the Year” at the 2022 International Tug and Salvage Awards ceremony and pioneered the growing deployment of electric tugs in ports around the world.
source/content: maritime-executive.com
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Damen’s electric tug delivered to AD Ports set a new record for pull power for electric tugs (Damen) / Published Nov 12, 2024 7:44 PM by The Maritime Executive ________________________________________________
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.
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.
501 vehicles drive through the dunes of scenic Tuwaren.
Hail entered the Guinness World Records at the weekend after producing the largest-ever off-road production car convoy.
The previous record, some 449 vehicles in Australia, was smashed with 501 vehicles driving through the dunes of the scenic Tuwaren area, 42 km northwest of Hail and a location surrounded by the Aja Mountains.
A large number of people from various regions of the Kingdom, Gulf and Arab countries gathered to navigate an unpaved desert trail of 7 km, showcasing their spirit of adventure and the diversity of the region’s terrain.
The event was open to both seasoned off-road drivers and newcomers looking for a unique winter entertainment. This made it suitable for individuals, groups of friends, and families.
The convoy was accompanied by a variety of cultural and entertainment activities that contributed to enhancing the experience for visitors and participants.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Hail Province and the chairman of the board of the Development Authority, thanked the Saudi leadership for supporting the development of the Kingdom’s regions. He also praised Hail’s youngsters for taking part in breaking the world record.
Omar Abdullah Al-Abdul-Jabbar, the CEO of Hail Region Development Authority, told Arab News that Hail’s entry into the Guinness World Records was a national achievement.
He said: “Hail’s achievement of this Guinness world record for organizing the largest off-road rally further solidifies its position as a leading destination for desert adventures and activities, and strengthens its presence on the local and regional tourism map.”
The event was organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority and Hail Region Development Authority, with sponsorship from the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, and Culture House.
In addition, 14 government entities supported the event, including the Principality of Hail Region, and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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501 vehicles took part in an off-road drive in Hail over the weekend, smashing the previous world record. (Supplied)
