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Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on earth.
The United Nations’ cultural organization UNESCO inscribed the pre-historic site of Tell es-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, on its World Heritage List on Sunday.
Tell es-Sultan, which predates Egypt’s pyramids, is an oval-shaped tell, or mound, located in the Jordan Valley that contains the prehistoric deposits of human activity.
The UNESCO decision, which was posted by the organization on X, formerly Twitter, was taken at its 45th world heritage committee meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The property proposed for nomination is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell es-Sultan, located outside the antique site of Jericho,” UNESCO’s assistant director general, Ernesto Ottone, said at the session.
The site was inscribed following a three-year candidacy “during which no state party raised any objections,” said a diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media. “There are no Jewish or Christian remains found at the (Tell Al-Sultan) site. It’s a place of pre-historic remains,” the diplomat told AFP.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said he considered the decision to inscribe Tell es-Sultan “a matter of great importance and evidence of the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people.”He vowed that the Palestinian authorities would “continue to preserve this unique site for all humanity,” according to a statement from his office.
UNESCO’s listing shows that the Tell es-Sultan site is “an integral part of the diverse Palestinian heritage of exceptional human value,” Palestinian tourism minister Rula Maayah, who was attending the meeting in Riyadh, said in a statement.Given Tell es-Sultan’s “importance as the oldest fortified city in the world… it deserves to be a World Heritage Site,” she said.
“A permanent settlement had emerged here by the 9th to 8th millennium BC due to the fertile soil of the oasis and easy access to water,” UNESCO said on its website.
UNESCO said the “skulls and statues found on the site” testify to cultic practices among the neolithic population there, while the early bronze age archaeological material shows signs of urban planning.
The Tell es-Sultan site has been under excavation for over a century and is billed as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the planet, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.
Tell es-Sultan is the fourth Palestinian site to be listed on UNESCO’s world heritage list, alongside the Church of the Nativity and the Old City of Hebron.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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A view of the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan, near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, which predates Egypt’s pyramids. (Hazem Bader/AFP)
A tourist rides a camel at the pre-historic site of Tell al-Sultan near the Palestinian city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank on September 17, 2023, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on the same day. (Hazem Bader/AFP)
In the heart of Historic Cairo, the mausoleum and mosque of Sayeda Zeinab (6-62 hijri), the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad, centres the square and district that holds her name.
Sayeda Zeinab is known among Egyptians as Om Hashim (Hashim’s mother) since she was the one who took care of the wounded and martyred members of her tribe during the battle of Karbala. She is also known as El-Tahra (The Pure) and as ” Om El-Awagez” (mother of the disabled) because she attended to elderly and disabled women. Egyptians also know her by the title El-Mushira (The One to Consult) and Raeisat El-Diwan (The chief of diwan) because she opened her house for the people who sought her guidance and proclaimed her the head of her diwan of spiritual guidance.
Born in the sixth year of Hijra in Madina, this bright and beautiful girl was known for her sound mind and intellect and was often referred to as Aqilat Bani Hashem (The sound mind of the tribe of Bani Hashim).
She got married and had four boys and two girls. She became known for her gatherings on Islamic jurisprudence, where she shared her knowledge. She lived a simple, pious life until she witnessed the harshest moments in Islamic History.
In Aisha Abdel-Rahman’s book titled Al-Saida Zeinab Aqilat Bani Hashim, published in 1985 by Dar El-Ketab El-Araby, she was described as the hero of the famous Karbala battle, which occurred between the party of Al-Hussien Ibn Ali, grandson of the prophet Muhammed and Yazid Ibn Umayya. Sayeda Zeinab was spotted protecting the women, soothing the injured, and protecting the bodies of the dead. She lost her brother Al-Hussien in this battle but managed to spare the life of his son Ali Zein Al-Abdein, a child back then.
After losing this battle, her staying in Al-Madina became a real threat to the Umayyads after they seized the caliphate and killed Al-Hussien and almost all of Prophet Muhammed’s descendants (Ahl al-Bayt). Consequently, Sayeda Zeinab, the representative of the Ahl al-Bayt had to choose their exile. She chose Egypt, arriving in modern-day Cairo in year 61 of Hijra.
When she came to Egypt with her family, almost all Egyptians came out to greet her. She was greatly honoured by the Egyptian people who visited her and consulted her constantly on her premises at Qanater Al-Sibaa (The Lions Barrages ), approximately the current location of El-Sayeda Zeinab’s mosque and mausoleum.
According to Ali Pasha Mubarak’s series Al-Khetat Al-Tawfiqia, ” Sayeda Zeinab Street was named after Sayeda Zeinab, daughter of Imam Ali, bless be upon him, because this is where her mausoleum is situated in a golden copper compartment with an embroidery silk cover underneath a high dome that is situated inside Al-Zainabi mosque near Qanater Al-Sibaa. The mosque was renovated by Prince Ali Pasha Al-Wazir in 955. Then, it was renovated and enlarged during the reign of Prince Abdel-Rahman Katkhuda in 1173. The mosque is always full of visitors. A Hadra (Sufi ritual of praising God’s presence) is held every Sunday night, and a Maqraa ( A night of reading the Quran) is held every Wednesday night. The mosque also witnesses the celebration of her Moulid (her ascension) every year,” reads the book.
Touched by the emotions of Egyptians, Sayeda Zeinab is said to have blessed Egypt, saying: ” O People of Egypt, you stood by us, may God stand by you, you were our refuge, may God be yours, you helped us, may God always help you out of all difficulties. “
She died in year 62 of Hijra, with conflicting stories surrounding her burial. Some say she was buried in Madina. Others say she was buried in Egypt. But the fact remains that she came to Egypt and that her presence is still felt, appreciated and celebrated. People still refer to her for spiritual guidance.
Her annual moulid, one of the largest and most iconic, takes place on the 28th of Ragab in the Hijri year.
Egyptians walk outside Cairo’s Sayeda Zainab mosque during celebrations marking the birthday of Prophet Mohamed s granddaughter Zeinab, late on February 14, 2023. AFP
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has announced this year’s finalists following a deliberation by its esteemed Jury.
The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 1st December during the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held from 30th November to 12th December.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Jury elected the 33 finalists from 5,213 entries received across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – a 15 percent increase in submissions compared to last year. The new Climate Action category, introduced to mark the UAE’s Year of Sustainability and hosting of COP28 UAE, received 3,178 nominations.
From Brazil, Indonesia, Rwanda and 27 other countries, the finalists represent small and medium sized businesses, nonprofit organisations and high schools, and reflect the Prize’s growing mandate to reward innovations that transcend borders and tackle pressing global challenges.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said the finalists exemplify the remarkable ingenuity and unwavering commitment to shaping a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.
Dr. Al Jaber added, “The Zayed Sustainability Prize carries forward the enduring legacy of UAE’s visionary leader, Sheikh Zayed, whose commitment to sustainability and humanitarianism continues to inspire us. This legacy remains the guiding light of our nation’s aspirations, propelling us forward in our mission to uplift communities around the globe. Over the past 15 years, the Prize has been a powerful force for positive change, transforming the lives of over 378 million people across 151 countries. We have incentivised solutions that are driving climate and economic progress in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
“This cycle, we received a record-breaking number of submissions from every continent. The innovations put forth by the finalists reflect a profound dedication to inclusivity and an unyielding resolve to bridge critical gaps. These solutions directly align with the four pillars of the COP28 UAE agenda: fast-tracking a just and equitable energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. The work of these sustainability pioneers will contribute practical solutions for climate progress that protect the planet, improve livelihoods, and save lives.”
Through the Prize’s 106 winners to date, 11 million people have gained access to safe drinking water, 54 million homes have gained access to reliable energy, 3.5 million people have gained access to more nutritious food, and over 728,000 people have gained access to affordable healthcare.
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, said, “As global challenges continue to mount, our newest group of Prize finalists reveal the extraordinary efforts being made worldwide to meet the needs of the moment with purpose and innovation – inspiring hope for a brighter future. Whether it’s restoring the ocean wilderness, using technology to ensure better, more sustainable farm yields, or driving change for individuals without access to affordable healthcare, these innovators are transforming our world.”
The Health finalists are: • Alkion BioInnovations is an SME from France that specialises in supplying cost effective and sustainable active ingredients for large-scale pharmaceuticals and vaccines. • ChildLife Foundation is an NPO from Pakistan that employs an innovative Hub & Spoke healthcare model, linking Emergency Rooms as hubs to telemedicine satellite centres. • doctorSHARE is an NPO from Indonesia dedicated to expanding healthcare access in remote and inaccessible regions using barge-mounted floating hospitals.
The Food finalists are: • Gaza Urban & Peri-urban Agricultural Platform is an NPO from Palestine that empowers female agripreneurs in Gaza to achieve food security in their communities. • Regen Organics is an SME from Kenya that specialises in a municipal-scale manufacturing process that produces insect-based protein for livestock feed and organic fertiliser for horticultural production. • Semilla Nueva is an NPO from Guatemala that specialises in the development of biofortified maize seeds.
The Energy finalists are: • Husk Power Systems is an SME from the United States of America that deploys AI-enabled minigrids that provide 24/7 renewable energy to homes, micro enterprises, health clinics, and schools. • Ignite Power is an SME from Rwanda that specialises in delivering solar powered pay-as-you-go solutions to electrify last mile communities. • Koolboks is an SME from France that provides off-grid solar refrigeration solutions with integrated Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring for last mile communities, through a lease-to-own sales model.
The Water finalists are: • ADADK is an SME from Jordan that employs wireless smart sensors that use machine learning and augmented reality for the detection of both visible and hidden water leaks. • Eau et Vie is an NPO from France that offers individual taps to the homes of impoverished urban residents, ensuring access to clean water in slum areas. • TransForm is an NPO from Denmark that employs innovative soil filter technology for the cost-effective treatment of wastewater, sewage, and sludge without relying on energy or chemicals.
The Climate Action finalists are: • CarbonCure is an SME from Canada that specialises in carbon removal technology. They inject CO₂ into fresh concrete, effectively reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining performance standards. • Foundation for Amazon Sustainability is an NPO from Brazil that is dedicated to implementing projects and programmes that advance environmental conservation and empower indigenous communities to protect their rights. • Kelp Blue is an SME from Namibia that contributes to the restoration of natural ocean wilderness and the mitigation of excess CO₂ by establishing large-scale giant kelp forests in deep waters.
The Global High Schools’ finalists presented project-based, student-led sustainability solutions, with finalists divided into 6 regions. The regional finalistsinclude:
The Americas: Colegio De Alto Rendimiento La Libertad (Peru); Liceo Baldomero Lillo Figueroa (Chile); and New Horizons School (Argentina). Europe and Central Asia: Northfleet Technology College (United Kingdom); Presidential School in Tashkent (Uzbekistan); and Split International School (Croatia). Middle East & North Africa: International School (Morocco); JSS International School (United Arab Emirates); and Obour STEM School (Egypt). Sub-Saharan Africa: Gwani Ibrahim Dan Hajja Academy (Nigeria); Lighthouse Primary and Secondary School (Mauritius); and USAP Community School (Zimbabwe). South Asia: India International Public School (India); KORT Education Complex (Pakistan); and Obhizatrik School (Bangladesh). East Asia and the Pacific: Beijing No. 35 High School (China); Swami Vivekananda College (Fiji); and South Hill School, Inc. (The Philippines).
In the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, each winner receives US$600,000. Each of the six winning Global High Schools receives up to US$100,000.
source/content: wam.ae (headline edited0
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أبوظبي في 12 سبتمبر /وام/ أعلنت جائزة زايد للاستدامة، الجائزة العالمية الرائدة التي أطلقتها دولة الإمارات لتكريم حلول الاستدامة المبتكرة، عن المرشحين النهائيين لدورتها لهذا العام بعد مداولات أعضاء لجنة التحكيم.
وسيتم الإعلان عن الفائزين في حفل توزيع الجوائز الذي تعقده الجائزة يوم الأول من ديسمبر القادم خلال مؤتمر الدول الأطراف في اتفاقية الأمم المتحدة الإطارية بشأن تغير المناخ “COP28” الذي تستضيفه دولة الإمارات في الفترة الممتدة من 30 نوفمبر إلى 12 ديسمبر المقبلين.
واختارت اللجنة 30 مرشحاً ضمن ست فئات تشمل الصحة والغذاء والطاقة والمياه والعمل المناخي والمدارس الثانوية العالمية.
كانت الجائزة قد تلقت هذا العام 5,213 طلب مشاركة، محققةً بذلك زيادة بنسبة 15 في المائة مقارنة بالدورة الماضية.. واستقطبت فئة العمل المناخي وحدها والتي تم استحداثها مؤخراً تزامناً مع عام الاستدامة في دولة الإمارات والاستعدادات لاستضافة مؤتمر(cop28) حوالي( 3,178) مشاركة.
تضم قائمة المرشحين النهائيين مؤسسات صغيرة ومتوسطة ومنظمات غير ربحية ومدارس ثانوية من البرازيل وإندونيسيا ورواندا و27 دولة أخرى، ما يعكس الانتشار العالمي المتنامي للجائزة وسعيها المستمر لتكريم الابتكارات التي تواجه التحديات العالمية الملحة في مختلف بقاع الأرض.
وبهذه المناسبة، قال معالي الدكتور سلطان بن أحمد الجابر، وزير الصناعة والتكنولوجيا المتقدمة، الرئيس المعيّن لمؤتمر الأطراف (COP28)، مدير عام جائزة زايد للاستدامة: “تواصل الجائزة إحداث تأثير إيجابي ملموس والارتقاء بالمجتمعات حول العالم تماشياً مع رؤية القيادة الرشيدة واستلهاماً لإرث الوالد المؤسس الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان، طيب الله ثراه، في مجالات الاستدامة والعمل الإنساني.. وعلى مدار السنوات الخمس عشرة الماضية، أسهمت الجائزة في تحسين حياة أكثر من 378 مليون شخص في 151 دولة، وذلك من خلال تكريم ودعم الحلول المبتكرة القادرة على دفع التنمية الاقتصادية ومواجهة أزمة المناخ، لا سيما في المجتمعات الأكثر تأثراً بتداعيات تغير المناخ”.
وأضاف: “تلقت جائزة زايد للاستدامة في هذه الدورة عدداً قياسياً من المشاركات من كل القارات، وتقدم الابتكارات المقترحة من قبل المرشحين النهائيين حلولاً فعالة لمجموعة من التداعيات الملحة الناجمة عن تغير المناخ، ما يعكس الالتزام الراسخ للجائزة بإحداث تغيير واسع النطاق لبناء مستقبل أكثر استدامة ومرونة لكوكبنا.. وتنسجم الحلول المتأهلة مع الركائز الأربع للأجندة المناخية التي تسعى دولة الإمارات لتحقيقها خلال استضافتها لمؤتمر الأطراف (COP28) والهادفة إلى تسريع تحقيق انتقال منظم ومسؤول وعادل في قطاع الطاقة، وتطوير أداء التمويل المناخي، والحفاظ على البشر وتحسين الحياة وسُبل العيش، وضمان احتواء الجميع بشكل تام”.
وأسهمت الجائزة من خلال الفائزين بدوراتها السابقة، والبالغ عددهم 106 فائزين، في تمكين 11 مليون شخص من الوصول إلى مياه الشرب المأمونة، وإيصال إمدادت الطاقة النظيفة إلى 54 مليون منزل، وحصول 3.5 مليون شخص على الأطعمة المغذية، وتوفير الرعاية الصحية ميسورة التكلفة لأكثر من 728 ألف شخص.
من جانبه، قال فخامة أولافور راغنار غريمسون، رئيس لجنة تحكيم الجائزة: “تعكس الحلول المقدمة من المرشحين النهائيين لهذا العام الجهود الاستثنائية التي يتم بذلها في جميع أنحاء العالم لتسخير الابتكار بهدف تلبية الاحتياجات الراهنة الملحة في ظل تنامي التحديات المناخية، ما يبرهن على الدور المستمر للجائزة في تغيير العالم نحو الأفضل من خلال توفير منصة داعمة لرواد الاستدامة.. وتميزت الحلول بالابتكار والتنوع وشملت مجموعة مختلفة من التحديات بما في ذلك استعادة الحياة البرية في المحيطات، واستخدام التكنولوجيا لزيادة وتعزيز استدامة إنتاجية المحاصيل الزراعية، وتحسين الوصول إلى خدمات الرعاية الصحية ميسورة التكلفة في المجتمعات الأشد حاجة لها”.
وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الصحة كلاً :.
– من “ألكيون بيو إنوفيشنز”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في فرنسا متخصصة في إنتاج مكونات نشطة مستدامة وفعالة من حيث التكلفة للأدوية واللقاحات المستخدمة على نطاق واسع.
– “تشايلد لايف فاونديشن”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في باكستان تستخدم نموذج الرعاية الصحية المبتكر (Hub and Spoke) لربط غرف الطوارئ مع بعضها البعض وبالمراكز التي تقدم خدمات التطبيب عن بعد عبر الأقمار الصناعية.
– مؤسسة الأطباء للرعاية “doctorSHARE”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في إندونيسيا تعمل على توسيع نطاق خدمات الرعاية الصحية لتصل إلى المناطق النائية باستخدام المستشفيات العائمة المحمولة على السفن.
وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الغذاء كلاً من:.
– منتدى غزة للزراعة الحضرية، وهو منظمة غير ربحية في فلسطين تهدف إلى تمكين رائدات الأعمال في القطاع الزراعي في غزة لتعزيز الأمن الغذائي في مجتمعاتهن.
– “ريجين أورجانيكس”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في كينيا وتعمل على إنتاج البروتين المشتق من الحشرات لتغذية الماشية، والأسمدة العضوية لإنتاج المحاصيل البستانية.
– “سيميلا نويفا”، وهي منظمة غير ربحية في غواتيمالا متخصصة في إنتاج بذور الذرة المدعّمة.
شملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة الطاقة كلاً من:.
– “هاسك باور سيستم”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، وتعمل على نشر شبكات صغيرة مدعمة بالذكاء الاصطناعي لتوفير الطاقة المتجددة على مدار الساعة للمنازل والمؤسسات الصغيرة والعيادات الصحية والمدارس.
– “إغنايت باور”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في رواندا، وتقدم حلول الشراء بنموذج الدفعات الدورية (go-you-as-pay) بالاعتماد على الطاقة الشمسية لإمداد المجتمعات بطاقة الكهرباء.
– “كولبوكس”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في فرنسا، وتوفر من خلال نموذج التأجير المنتهي بالتمليك حلول التبريد بالطاقة الشمسية والمدعومة بنظام مراقبة قائم على تقنية إنترنت الأشياء (IoT) في المجتمعات غير المتصلة بشبكة الكهرباء.
وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة المياه كلاً من:.
– “عدادك”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في الأردن، وتستخدم أجهزة استشعار ذكية لاسلكية مدعومة بتقنيات “تعلّم الآلة” والواقع المعزز للكشف عن تسربات المياه المرئية والمخفية.
– “الماء والحياة” (Eau et Vie) هي منظمة غير ربحية في فرنسا، توفر صنابير مياه لمنازل الأسر الفقيرة في المناطق الحضرية، لتضمن بذلك إمكانية الوصول إلى المياه النظيفة في الأحياء العشوائية الفقيرة.
– “ترانسفورم” هي منظمة غير ربحية في الدنمارك، تستخدم تقنية ترشيح مبتكرة للتربة لمعالجة مياه الصرف الصحي والمجاري والرواسب الصلبة دون الاعتماد على الطاقة أو المواد الكيميائية.
و شملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن فئة العمل المناخي كلاً من:.
– “كاربون كيور”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في كندا، والمتخصصة بتقديم حلول إزالة الكربون.. ويتضمن حلّها حقن ثاني أكسيد الكربون في الخرسانة أثناء مرحلة الإنتاج مما يقلل من حجم الانبعاثات بصورة فعالة دون التأثير على معايير الكفاءة والأداء.
– “مؤسسة استدامة الأمازون” هي منظمة غير ربحية في البرازيل، وتنشط في تنفيذ المشاريع والبرامج التي تسهم في الحفاظ على البيئة وتمكين الأفراد من حماية حقوقهم.
– “كيلب بلو”، وهي من فئة المؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في ناميبيا، والتي تسهم في استعادة الموائل الطبيعية في المحيطات والحد من فائض ثاني أكسيد الكربون في الغلاف الجوي.
أما المرشحون النهائيون عن فئة المدارس الثانوية العالمية فقد قدموا حلولاً مستدامة قائمة على مشاريع يقودها الطلاب وتم تقسيم المتأهلين إلى 6 مناطق جغرافية.. وشملت قائمة المرشحين النهائيين عن هذه الفئة كلاً من:.
– منطقة الأمريكيتان: مدرسة الحرية للأداء العالي “Colegio De Alto Rendimiento De La Libertad” (بيرو)، مدرسة “ليثيو بالدوميرو ليلو فيغيروا” (تشيلي)، “مؤسسة أوزوريس – مدرسة نيو هورايزنز” (الأرجنتين).
– منطقة أوروبا وآسيا الوسطى: “معهد نورث فليت تكنولوجي” (المملكة المتحدة)، المدرسة الرئاسية في طشقند (أوزبكستان)، مدرسة سبليت الدولية (كرواتيا).
– منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا: المدرسة الدولية (المغرب)، “جيه إس إس الدولية” (الإمارات)، مدرسة المتفوقين للعلوم والتكنولوجيا بالعبور (مصر).
– منطقة إفريقيا جنوب الصحراء الكبرى: “أكاديمية جواني ابراهيم دان هاجا” (نيجيريا)، مدرسة “لايت هاوس الابتدائية والثانوية” (موريشيوس)، “مدرسة يوساب المجتمعية” (زيمبابوي).
– منطقة جنوب آسيا: مدرسة الهند الدولية العامة (الهند)، مجمع كورت التعليمي (باكستان)، مدرسة أوبهيزاتريك (بنغلاديش).
– منطقة شرق آسيا والمحيط الهادئ: “مدرسة بكين 35 الثانوية” (الصين)، “كلية سوامي فيفيكاناندا” (فيجي)، “ساوث هيل” (الفلبين).
ويحصل كل فائز ضمن فئات الصحة والغذاء والطاقة والمياه والعمل المناخي على 600 ألف دولار، فيما تحصل كل مدرسة من المدارس الثانوية العالمية الست الفائزة على ما يصل إلى 100 ألف دولار.
Egypt’s Mayar Sherif continued her dominant rise in the tennis world at the BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia in Spain, winning the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 125 title and leaping into the Top 35 world singles ranking for the first time.
This is also the tennis champion’s second consecutive WTA 125 title, having clinched the WTA 125 Makarska Open trophy in Croatia on 11 June.
Sherif enjoyed a winning streak throughout the tournament, eventually defeating Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera 6-3, 6-3. With this victory, Sherif, now ranked 31st in the world, maintained her remarkable record in WTA 125 finals, extending it to 6-0.
“I came into this tournament with great momentum from Makarska, and I wanted to capitalize on it,” expressed Sherif after her dominant display. “Right from the beginning of the tournament, I felt very comfortable, and I believe that reflected in my straight-set victories throughout.”
With an astounding 9-place leap to 31st place in the singles world ranking, Sherif is now the highest-ranked Egyptian tennis player in history – surpassing the legendary Ismail El Shafei’s career-high of 34th place.
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2023 edition of the BCI Middle East Awards.
The BCI Middle East Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Business Continuity, Risk and Resilience professionals and organizations living and operating within the Middle East region. All winners will be automatically shortlisted for the BCI Global Awards 2023, which will be held at BCI World Hybrid 2023.
Most Original Exercise Programme:
Crisis Management and Business Continuity Team, ADNOC Offshore
Continuity and Resilience Professional (Private Sector):
Abdulla Mohammed Naqi MBCI
Continuity and Resilience Professional (Public Sector):
Khaled Hassan Abouzeid
Most Effective Recovery:
e& Group
Continuity and Resilience Newcomer:
Hassan Abdulameer Ali Yusuf
Continuity and Resilience Team:
Bank ABC
Continuity and Resilience Provider (Service/ Product):
Mohamed Al-Fayed had waged a war of words with the British royal family after his son was killed in a car accident alongside Diana, Princess of Wales.
Mohamed Al-Fayed was an outspoken and successful Egyptian business tycoon. His death comes almost 26 years to the day after the car crash in Paris that killed his eldest son, Dodi, and Diana, Princess of Wales, on August 31, 1997.
Here are five points on the self-made billionaire:
1.Far from being the scion of a dynasty of cotton and shipping barons he made himself out to be, Fayed was the son of a poor Alexandrian schoolteacher who, after an early venture flogging lemonade, set out in business selling sewing machines.
2.He later had the good fortune to start working for the arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, who recognised his business abilities and employed him in his furniture export business in Saudi Arabia. He became an advisor to the Sultan of Brunei in the mid-1960s and moved to Britain in the 1970s.
3.Fayed lived most of his life in Britain, where for decades he was never far from the headlines. But to his frustration, he was never granted UK citizenship or admitted into the upper echelons of British society.
4.The defining tragedy of Fayed’s life came in August 1997, when Dodi and Princess Diana died when a car driven by one of Fayed’s employees, chauffeur Henri Paul, crashed in a Paris road tunnel. For years afterwards, Fayed refused to accept that the deaths were the result of speeding and intoxication by Paul, who also died. The distraught Fayed accused the royal family of being behind the deaths and commissioned two memorials to the couple at Harrods.
5.According to Forbes list of the world’s billionaires, Fayed was worth $1.9 billion in November 2022. With a business empire encompassing shipping, property, banking, oil, retail, and construction, Fayed was also a philanthropist whose foundation helped children in the UK, Thailand, and Mongolia.
source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)
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Mohamed Al-Fayed was born in Alexandria and was the son of a schoolteacher.
Acquisition marks company’s first foray into UK market.
Abu Dhabi-based PureHealth has signed an agreement to buy British hospital operator Circle Health Group for 4.41 billion UAE dirhams ($1.2 billion), Emirates News Agency reported.
PureHealth is the UAE’s largest healthcare provider and the acquisition marks its first foray into the UK market.
According to the report, Circle Health Group has the UK’s largest network of private hospitals and was the first European healthcare provider to enter the Chinese market.
Under the agreement, PureHealth will acquire 100 percent of the group’s portfolio, which includes orthopedics, oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, ophthalmology, neurosurgery and general surgery, as well as the UK’s first purpose-built rehabilitation hospital.
“This acquisition marks an important milestone in our journey toward creating a global healthcare network which revolutionizes patient care,” PureHealth Group CEO Farhan Malik said.
“Our mission at PureHealth is to drive scientific innovation to unlock longevity and greater quality of life for humankind. Through integrating the expertise of both organizations, we positively impact the lives of patients globally.”
Egypt’s Grand Mosque in the New Administrative Capital
According to the explanation, Egypt’s Grand Mosque obtained three international certificates from the Guinness World Records.
The first was for the largest pulpit in the world with a height of 16.6 meters, handcrafted from the finest types of wood.
The second and third were for the main chandelier of the mosque, being the heaviest chandelier in the world of 50 tons, and it being the largest chandelier with a diameter of 22 meters and four levels.
Egypt’s Islamic Cultural Center in the New Administrative Capital
Egypt’s Islamic Cultural Center in the New Administrative Capital is a great achievement and one of the most important projects established in the New Administrative Capital.
The Islamic Cultural Center was established in the new capital on an area of 15,000 square meters. It has a large place for services, as well as a group of spacious and multi-storey garages, with a capacity of about 4,000 cars.
Saudi Arabia has stepped up measures to increase the scope of halal foods following the partnership of Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, also known as SASO, with several entities, the agency said.
“More than 60 accredited entities from around the world work with us in the halal sector,” Nawaf Al-Shahri, head of the conformity assessment body acceptance department at SASO, told Arab News.
This information was revealed on the sidelines of the Thai Trade Exhibition Riyadh 2023, a four-day event that began on Aug. 27 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.
Al-Shahri further elaborated that SASO’s primary role in this sector involves accrediting entities responsible for issuing certificates for halal products beyond the Kingdom’s borders.
This responsibility complements the Food and Drug Authority’s task of certifying imported products in Saudi Arabia.
The authority is currently assessing the competence of these entities and will subsequently grant them a certificate of acceptance based on their qualifications. The Halal Center will then oversee their operations, both within their offices and in practical settings.
Winai Dahlan, founding director of the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University, highlighted that there has been a noticeable increase in interest in halal meat among Thais in recent decades.
In 2003, the establishment of the cabinet marked a significant milestone in the evolution of halal products in Thailand.
He indicated that the growing interest in halal meat among Thais is fundamentally rooted in religious considerations.
In 1995, he founded the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University to create a hub for the advancement of halal science in Thailand.
The principal duties of the center encompass the research and development of halal science and technology aimed at supporting the expansion of the industry while ensuring the quality and safety of the specialized products.
The halal products sector stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, with a projected 6.1 percent increase in spending on food and beverages, anticipated to reach $1.9 trillion by 2023.
Islamic spending on halal pharmaceuticals was $87 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $131 billion by 2023. Meanwhile, spending on cosmetics was $61 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach $90 billion by 2023.
Dr. Yousuf Al-Harbi, director of the Halal Center, affirmed that halal meat is a societal norm in Saudi Arabia.
He pointed out that the center aims to meet halal food requirements, adding that they are continually confident that “any local product we guarantee is 100 percent halal.”
“We have several initiatives, especially regarding the reliability of Halal food, from farm to consumer table, confirming that their experience in this area is thriving,” said Al-Harbi.
He said they are committed to ensuring that meats and poultry are slaughtered and stored according to Islamic law.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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This discussion was held at the Thai Trade Exhibition Riyadh 2023, a four-day event that began on Aug. 27 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. (Huda Bashatah
Last week’s Arabian Flavour Festival in the Dutch capital celebrated Arab culture, cuisine, crafts
‘It’s all about sharing love, identity and culture,’ organizer tells Arab News
The first edition of the Arabian Flavour Festival took place in Amsterdam last Saturday.
In an intimate outdoor setting, the festival celebrated the diversity and richness of Arab culture, cuisine and crafts.
Organizer Shadow, originally from Syria, said his aim is to create a platform for promoting both international and Middle Eastern artists, for people to mingle and to share their cultures through storytelling and arts.
Set in the idyllic Tolhuis garden, a cultural and culinary meeting place in Amsterdam, the one-day event welcomed over 1,000 visitors from different backgrounds.
Organized by The Shadow Projects, the festival featured two stages with performances by dancers, singers and poets, along with a dabke workshop, pop-up food and merchandise, all within an Arabian atmosphere.
“It’s called Arabian Flavour because there’s a flavor of Arabic culture, but at the same time it’s an opportunity for people to integrate,” Shadow told Arab News.
“There’s always a performance other than Arabic to let people understand that this isn’t an Arabic party (but) just an Arabian Flavour.”
The idea started after Shadow starred in the documentary “The Story Won’t Die” about Syrian artists in Europe and America, from award-winning filmmaker David Henry Gerso.
In 2021, because of Shadow’s efforts, the documentary was showcased at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, whereafter the concept gained more and more traction.
Initially, it began as a gathering showcasing talents at home, but expanded to various stages throughout Amsterdam, and now the Arabian Flavour Festival is the biggest such festival in Europe, according to Shadow.
The organization places significant emphasis on diversity and inclusion. “If you’re an Arabic singer who isn’t well known, you don’t have work anymore if you move to Europe,” he said, adding that Bottom of Form the festival is open to whoever wants to perform.
The organizers state: “It is magical to see people who share their passion, and it is most important that they express themselves authentically.”
Among the performers was DJ Maherrie, a Syrian DJ who amazed the audience with a fusion of Middle Eastern melodies and modern European rhythms to raise awareness of his heritage.
Dutch singer-songwriter Maxine Zain shared her hopes of inspiring people with her heartfelt songs, and specifically highlighted her enjoyment in seeing traditional Arabic music connecting well with the artistry of Dutch artists like herself.
Pauline Koning, a passionate self-taught Dutch musician and belly dancer, made an impact with her performance of her own song “Kefaya Ghyab.”
In her music, she blends Arabic, Western, and Yemeni musical elements, drawing inspiration from her nostalgic love for Umm Kulthum, and praises the language’s poetic nature and rich emotional vocabulary.
The Arab tradition of belly dancing, Koning said, “represents a powerful symbol of empowerment for all women, not only embodying archetypes but also having the power to transfer certain emotions.”
Shadow earned his name for his ability to bring subcultures from the shadow into the light, and the event lived up to this name as confirmed by visitors’ reviews. “I’m very curious about Arab culture. It’s a refreshing perspective opposite Dutch traditions,” said one visitor.
Another visitor attended the festival as an opportunity to connect with language partners and practice Arabic.
Three friends from Yemen were interested to meet Dutch people and exchange stories about their respective cultures.
Aside from the Arabian Flavour Festival, they also host monthly Arabian Flavour Nights. “The dream is to, in the next year or so, organize a three-day festival,” but in the end “it’s all about sharing love, identity and culture,” Shadow said.
All the projects are funded by the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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The first edition of the Arabian Flavour Festival took place in Amsterdam last Saturday. (Instagram/@theshadow.amsterdam)
