UAE leads with Highest Number of Guinness World Records across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region : November 2020

  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to 425 Guinness World Records with 34 of them achieved in 2020.
  • Saudi Arabia comes second with 96 GWR titles
  • Egypt is a close third place with 93 GWR titles
  • Dubai is also the most record breaking city across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

source: Khaleej Times, by Waheed Abbas, November 14th, 2020

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pix: logo / guinnessworldrecords.com

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Aviation Business Awards 2020 – December 15th, 2020

13 Winners of the 14th Aviation Business Awards 2020 were presented at the gala at JW Mariott Marquis, Dubai.

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Presented to : Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates
  • Pride of Aviation Award : Etihad Engineering
  • Airline of the Year : Emirates
  • Airport of the Year : Dubai International Airport
  • Low-cost Airline of the Year : Air Arabia
  • Environmental Initiative of the Year : Etihad Airways
  • Training Provider of the Year : Etihad Aviation Training
  • Fixed Base Operator of the Year : Jetex
  • Business Aircraft Operator of the Year : Empire Aviation Group
  • MRO Service Provider of the Year : Sanad Aerotech
  • Ground Support Service of the Year : Dnata
  • Technological Innovation of the Year : Honeywell
  • Engineering Achievement of the Year : Strata Manufacturing

source: aviationbusinessme.com

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Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Aviation Business Awards 2020. Image: ITP Media Group

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Yazeed Al-Rajhi – Saudi Businessman and Rally Driver

Yazeed Al-Rajhi. Business man. International Rally Driver.

Competes in World Rally Championships, Cross Country rallies and other rally events.

Established his own racing team – Al-Rajhi Racing Team (renamed) Yazeed Racing Team.

Some of his wins:

  • 5 time Hail Rally Winner
  • Silk Way Rally (2018)
  • Saudi Desert Rally Championship (2019)
  • Al Sharqiya Rally (2018, 2019) etc…

Businessman:

  • Chairman of the Board – Mohammed Al-Rajhi Investment Company
  • Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Brothers Holding company
  • Member, Al-Rajhi Steel
  • Member, Mohammed Al- Rajhi Awqaf

Other Accompolishments:

  • First Saudi and Arab professional driver to win the Silk Way Rally (2018). The 6,700 miles rally took place in Russia (between July 21st and July 27th).
  • First Saudi to be selected by Unicef as ‘Goodwill Ambassador in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf’ (2008)
  • First Saudi to be appointed as ‘Donate life’ Ambassador (2009)
  • Awarded title ‘ Gentleman’ by Rotana magazine readers (2009)
  • Third in position by ‘Mobily and Riyadiah’ as ‘Most Distinguished Athlete in Saudi Arabia competion
  • Awarded title ‘Ambassador for Fighting Drugs in Saudi Arabia’ etc..

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pix: press.bmwgroup.com

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SAUDI ARABIA

Egyptian Hala El-Said Awarded ‘Arab Government Excellence Award’ : December 2020

Dr. Hala Helmy El-Said was awarded the ‘Arab Government Excellence Award’ as the Best Arab Minister.

Hala H El-Said Ph.D . Minister. Egyptian Economist. Academic. Author.

  • Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Egypt

Positions:

  • First elected Dean- Faculty of Economics and Political Science (2011)
  • Deputy President – Scientific Research and Exterior Relations , Cairo University (2013)
  • Board Member – Central Bank of Egypt
  • Executive Director – Egyptian Banking Institute(EBI) for 8 consequetive years
  • Advisor to the Governor – Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)
  • Member, Board of Trustees of Anti-Money Laundering Unit at Central Bank of Egypt (CBE)
  • Board Member – Arab African International Bank

Education :

  • Ph.D – Economics – Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University (1989)

Academic Papers :

  •  Author of a wide range of internationally acclaimed research papers, studies and reports

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pix : egypttoday.com

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EGYPT

UAE Satellite ‘Falcon Eye 2’ launched into Space to mark UAE’s 49th National Day – December 02nd, 2020

UAE’s latest satellite Falcon Eye 2 lifted off into space on a Russian Soyuz ST-A rocket from French Guiana Space Centre, South America on December 02nd, 2020 at 0533am UAE time.

It is now the 4th reconnaissance satellite launched in the UAE.

The space craft will provide high-definition images from around the world for military and civilian use.

The 1,190 kilogram satellite was built by Airbus Defence & Space and Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse, France. The UAE Space Agency oversaw its development.

This was a part of the Falcon eye programme, where two identical satellites were built for the UAE Armed Forces.

The first was Falcon Eye 1 which was lost in space last year after the Italian Vega rocket that carried it failed.

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pix: thenationalnews.com

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Winners of ‘Gulf Business Awards 2020 ‘ – November

The eighth edition of the Gulf Business Awards was held on Thursday, November 26, 2020 to honour business leaders and pioneering companies across the GCC for their special achievements during a tough year.

LIST OF WINNERS 2020

Lifetime Achievement Award: Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline

Gulf Business

Company of the Year: Cafu

Business Leader of the Year: David Hadley, CEO of Mediclinic Middle East

COMPANIES OF THE YEAR 

Banking: First Abu Dhabi Bank

Investment: Century Financial

Energy: GE Power

Healthcare: Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA)

Real estate: Danube Properties

Retail: Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons

Transport and logistics: Emirates SkyCargo

Tourism and hospitality: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Consumer tech: OPPO

Emerging tech: Micro Focus

Digital transformation: Huawei Middle East

BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR

Banking: H.E. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq

Energy: Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Masdar

Healthcare: David Hadley, CEO, Mediclinic Middle East

Real estate: Arif Mubarak, CEO, Dubai Asset Management

Retail: Alain Bejjani, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim

Transport and Logistics: Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and co-founder of Careem

Tourism and Hospitality: H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

Technology: Leopoldo Boado, Senior vice president of Business Applications for Eastern and Central Europe and MEA region at Oracle

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE CATEGORIES

Businesswoman of the Year: Nayla Al Khaja, Emirati filmmaker, CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films

Sustainability Company of the Year: Careem Bike

Disruptor of the Year: Cafu

SME of the Year: Bayzat

Covid-19 Heroes: Ma’an; Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives; Burj Khalifa; Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education; and Alwaleed Philanthropies

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source: http://www.youtube.com / Gulf Business Awards 2020 / Motivate Events

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GULF

Hotelier Awards 2020: The Middle East’s top hospitality professionals in 2020 across 18 separate categories

The Hotelier Awards 2020 recognised 18 of the region’s most talented hospitality professionals, with many more leaving Highly Commended or with a special mention.

Held at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai on Tuesday November 24, the gala event welcomed more than 200 people, who were kept safe from COVID-19 by the event team’s hygiene measures and partnership with Bee’ah.

Housekeeper of the Year
Winner – Asif Khatri, Executive Housekeeper, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and Hilton Dubai The Walk
Highly Commended – Harsh Gaur, Executive Housekeeper, Taj Dubai

IT Person of the Year
Winner
 – Fritzi Lescano, IT Manager – Internal Communications, Accor Regional Office MEA
Highly Commended – Abdul Baseer Mohammed, Technology Manager, InterContinental Jeddah

Hotel Engineer of the Year
Winner
 – Gurpal Singh, Chief Engineer, InterContinental Hotels at Dubai Festival City
Highly Commended – Fernandez Nicholas, Director of Engineering, Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights – Hotel Suites & Apartments

Safety & Security Person of the Year
Winner
 – Muhammad Waqar Azeem Qamar, Risk Champion / Learning & Quality Manager, InterContinental Jeddah
Highly Commended – Onkar Sawant, Director of Security, Taj Dubai

HR & Training Person of the Year
Winner
 – Feryal Haddon, Cluster Director of Human Resources, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Dubai The Walk, Hilton Dubai Creek
Highly Commended – Yasmine Farouk, Director of Human Resources, Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)

Procurement Person of the Year
Winner
 – Alan Lewis, Purchasing Manager, Fairmont Dubai

Finance Person of the Year
Winner
 – Mazen Salha, Director of Finance, Swissotel Al Ghurair & Swissotel Living Al Ghurair
Highly Commended – Joanna Talegon, Assistant Credit Manager, TIME Oak Hotel & Suites

Concierge/Guest Services Person of the Year
Winner
 – Kamal Kariyawasam, Chief Concierge, InterContinental Hotels at Dubai Festival City
Highly Commended – Swapnil Patrikar, Complex Guest Services Manager, The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Special Mention – Vinay Govande, Front Office Manager, Taj Dubai

Fitness/Spa Person of the Year
Winner
 – Rosemary Read-Larsen, Director, Wellness at Atlantis Dubai
Highly Commended – Majd Kassab, Recreation Supervisor, TIME Oak Hotel & Suites

Sales Person of the Year
Winner
 – Valentina Sobeshchuk, Director of Sales and Marketing, Rixos Bab Al Bahr and Regional Director of Sales, Rixos Hotels UAE
Highly Commended – Ileshaa Nijhawan, Multi-Property Senior Sales Groups & Events Manager, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre and Le Méridien Fairway

Marketing & PR Person of the Year
Winner
 – Shamia Abdul Aziz, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Highly Commended – Ahmad Jaber, Cluster Director of Marketing, Digital & Communications, InterContinental Hotels at Dubai Festival City
Special Mention – Richard Thorburn, PR & Marketing Manager, Six Senses Zighy Bay

Executive Chef of the Year
Winner
 – Jay Williams, Complex Director of Culinary, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Highly Commended – Luigi Vespero, Executive Chef, Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Special Mention – Nasser Lamei Rayes Khalil, Executive Chef, Crowne Plaza Dubai-Deira

F&B Manager of the Year
Winner
 – Emad Ramzy, F&B Manager, Crowne Plaza Dubai-Deira
Highly Commended – Jodie O’Meara, Hotel F&B Operations Manager, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens

Young Hotelier of the Year
Winner
 – Bhavesh Tanwani, Assistant Front Office Manager, Bab al Qasr Abu Dhabi
Highly Commended – Tatiana Radchenko, Revenue Manager, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

Unsung Hero of the Year
Winner
 – Leonora T. Manuel, Senior Nurse, Raffles Dubai
Highly Commended – Simone Troxler, Sustainability Manager, Six Senses Zighy Bay
Special Mention – Myra Macalma, Hotel Nurse, Fairmont Dubai

General Manager of the Year
Winner
 – Christophe Schnyder, General Manager, Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Highly Commended – Luke James, General Manager, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens

Mid-Market Hotel Team of the Year
Winner
 – Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens
Highly Commended – Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis           

Hotel Team of the Year
Winner 
– Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Highly Commended – Al Baleed Resort Salalah By Anantara

source: hoteliermiddleeast.com

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Bahrain’s Deena Rahman Breaks World Record in Football for ‘Taking The Most Penalties in 24 Hours : November 18th, 2020

Deena Rahman, Bahrain’s National Team mid-fielder breaks the World Record in Football for ‘Taking the Most Penalites in 24 Hours’.

Deena Rahman hammered home 7,876 penalties including facing 24 female goal-keepers, at the Kick Off Academy in Saar – smashing the previous record as a part of 2020’s Equal Playing Field’s (EPF)

.The challenge started on November 17th at 7am and ended 24-hours later at 7am on November 18th coinciding with Guinness World Record Day.

The previous record was held by Vickrant Mahajan in 24 hours with 1,111 penalties.

This was the 5th Guinness World Record held by Deena Rahman.

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pix: gdnonline.com

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BAHRAIN

Emirati Omeir Saeed breaks two Guinness World Records : Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 2020

Omeir Saeed – wakeboarder from Abu Dhabi broke 2 Guinness World Records (GWR) previously set by Jerome Macquart 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Omeir Saeed’s new GWR records are in the category

  • For fastest wakeboard ramp jump
  • For most wakeboard rail airs in 30 seconds

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source: https://www.surfertoday.com / https://www.youtube.com

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Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Female Emirati Adventurer-Traveller Breaks World Record. ‘Around the World in 3 Days ‘ – Dr. Khawla Al Romaithi: 2020

Dr Khawla Al Romaithi travelled the world solo, across the 7 continents and broke the world record for ‘fastest time to travel all seven continents’ .

The whole trip took 3 days, 14 hours, 46 minutes and 48 seconds. Her epic travel journey ended in Sydney, Australia on February 13th, 2020.

The record was announced on the occasion of Guinness World Records Day. The journey was in sync with this years’ theme ‘Discover Your World’.

Dr. Khawla Al Romaithi’s record broke the previous record achieved by Kacey Stewart and Julie Berry (both of USA) on December 2017.

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pix: guinnessworldrecords.com

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Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)