Sarah Gamal: First Arab Woman Basketball Referee at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Hijab-wearing referee to become first Arab and African woman to officiate 3×3 games at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Both the 32-year-old and 3×3 will make their debuts at the Olympic Games with Gamal becoming the first Arab and African woman to officiate a 3×3 basketball game at the Olympics.

The Egyptian proudly wears a black hijab and is the first hijab-wearing basketball referee for FIBA at an international level.

The headscarf worn by many Muslim women is allowed to be worn by players under certain conditions since FIBA changed its rules in 2017.

Gamal will follow in the footsteps of Moroccan referee Chahinaz Boussetta as a fellow Arab, who refereed five-on-five basketball at Rio 2016.

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Egyptian Basketball referee Sarah Gamal gestures while holding a ball during a match in the country’s northern city of Alexandria, on April 17, 2021. (AFP) / pix: thearabweekly.com

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EGYPT

Tunisian-American Chemist Moungi Bawendi : MIT Professor

Dr. Moungi Bawendi is a Tunisian-American chemist.

He is the Lester Wolfe Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Moungi Bawendi is one of the original participants in the field of colloidal quantum dot research, and among the most cited chemists of the last decade.

This work has included: (1) the development of novel methods for synthesising, characterising, and processing quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles, and tubular J-aggregates as novel materials building blocks, (2) studying fundamental optical and magnetic properties of nanostructures using a variety of spectroscopic methods, including the development of optical photon correlation tools to study single nanoscopic emitters, (3) incorporating quantum dots and magnetic particles into various optical and electronic device structures, and (4) developing nanoparticles and other agents for biomedical imaging.

  • Became a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2020.
  • Received his A.B. in 1982 from Harvard University
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1988, University of Chicago.
  • Two years of postdoctoral research at Bell Laboratories, working with Dr. Louis Brus, where he began his studies on nanomaterials.
  • Joined the faculty at MIT in 1990, becoming Associate Professor in 1995 and Professor in 1996.

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pix: energy.mit.edu

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AMERICAN / TUNSIAN-AMERICAN

Dr. Tawhida Abdel-Rahman – First Female Doctor Working in the Government, Egyptian Health Ministry : 1933

Dr. Tawhida Abdel-Rahman was one of the first six girls, sent to England from Egypt to study medicine in 1922 based on King Fouad’s decision.

On her return she was appointed in ‘Kitchener Charitable Hospital – The General Hospital in Shubra, Government Health Ministry – making her the First Female Doctor working for the Egyptian Government Health Ministry.

She passed away in 1974.

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Tawhida Abdel-Rahman – Photo courtesy by Facebook page /pix: egypttoday.com

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EGYPT

Dr Malik Badri, Founder and President – ‘International Association of Islamic Psychology (IAIP)

Professor Dr Malik Badri (aka) Malik Babikr Badri Mohammed Ph.D.

Founder and President – ‘International Association of Islamic Psychology  (IAIP) (www.islamicpsychology.org)

First/s :

  • The first one who reminded many of modern Muslim psychologists not to be trapped in Western psychology ‘lizard hole’.
  • Founding father of Islamic Psychology
  • The First President of International Association of Muslim Psychologists (IAMP)

Education:

  • Ph.D – University of Leicester, England (1961)
  • Postgraduate Certificate of Clinical Psychology, Academic Department of Psychiatry Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London University (1966)
  •  Fellow of the British Psychological Society (1977)
  • Holds the title of Chartered Psychologist, C.Psychol
  • Master’s degree, University of Leicester (1958)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, American University of Beirut (1956)
  • Honorary D.Sc. , Ahfad University

Honours:

  • Decorated by President of Sudan with Medal of Shahid Zubair
  • Chair of Ibn Khaldun, Faculty of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences,e International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Books :

  • Contemplation: An Islamic Psychospiritual Study
  • Abu Zayd al-Balkhi’s Sustenance of the Soul: The Cognitive Behavior Therapy of a Ninth Century Physician
  • Cultural Adaptation and Islamization of Psychology: A book of collected papers
  • Cyber-counseling for Muslim Clients
  • Islam and AIDS: Between scorn, pity and justice
  • Islamizing and Indigenizing Psychology
  • The AIDS crisis: A Natural Product of Modernity’s Sexual Revolution
  • The AIDS Dilemma: A Progeny of Modernity
  • The AIDS Crisis: an Islamic socio-cultural perspective
  • The Wisdom of Islam in Prohibiting Alcohol
  • Use and abuse of human sciences in Muslim Countries
  • Tafakkur from perception to insight
  • Psychology from an Islamic perspective
  • Islam and Alcoholism
  • General Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • The Psychology of Arab Children’s Drawings

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pix: iamphome.org

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SUDAN

Mohammed bin Rashid Launches ‘100 Million Meals’ to Provide Food Support in 20 countries : April 2021

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign to provide food parcels for families and people in need across 20 countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Launched as an expansion from last year’s locally-held ’10 Million Meals’ campaign that empowered COVID-19-hit communities across the UAE, the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign will provide food support for the vulnerable in the Middle East, Africa and Asia

The campaign is part of UAE’s response to global efforts to combat world hunger, a major challenge that has been exacerbated by outbreak of COVID-19 that has pushed millions of disadvantaged populations to greater insecurity, poverty and unemployment. The campaign also aims to support the international community in achieving the second of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to end hunger by 2030.

The MBRGI will carry out the campaign in collaboration with the UN World Food Programme, the Food Banking Regional Network, humanitarian and charity organizations in beneficiary countries, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (MBRCH), and UAE federal and local entities.

source: wam.ae

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pix:pressreleasenetwork.com

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Omani Businessman Suhail Bahwan among World’s Richest Arabs – Forbes : April 2021

Forbes has released its annual World’s Billionaires ranking for 2021, featuring the world’s 2,755 richest people—660 more than there were in 2020, including 493 newcomers that have never featured on the Forbes’ list before.

This year there are 22 Arab billionaires worldwide compared to 21 in 2020. Combined, the cohort has seen their aggregate fortune climb to $53.4 billion in 2021, compared to $47.3 billion a year earlier.

Qatar’s Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani with an estimated wealth of $1.3 billion, and Morocco’s Othman Benjelloun & family, also with $1.3 billion.

Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris is still the wealthiest Arab worldwide, with a net worth of $8.3 billion—$3.3 billion more than last year. His most valuable asset is a nearly 6% stake in sportswear maker Adidas. He also runs OCI, one of the world’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers, with plants in Texas and Iowa.

Algeria’s only billionaires, Issad Rebrab & family, are the world’s second-richest Arabs, worth $4.8 billion. Rebrab is the founder and CEO of Cevital, Algeria’s largest privately-held company. Cevital owns one of the largest sugar refineries globally, with the capacity to produce two million tons of refined sugar a year.

Oman’s only billionaire, Suhail Bahwan, is valued at $2.3 billion.

Lebanese jeweler Robert Mouawad is the only billionaire living in Bahrain and is valued at $1.4 billion.

Najib and Taha Mikati are the only Lebanese billionaires living in Lebanon and are worth $2.5 billion each. Bahaa, Ayman, and Fahd Hariri—sons of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafiq Hariri— all now live in Europe and are worth $2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.1 billion, respectively.

Forbes has not considered Saudi Arabia for the ranking since 2018.

source/content: timesofoman.com

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pix: timesofoman.com

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OMAN

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi wins 13 Awards in ‘2021 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards’ : March 2021

DoH has won several Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Awards for an array of its innovative initiatives, including its unique response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has positioned the Emirate of Abu Dhabi at the global forefront in various aspects and industries.

The Department has won 7 Gold awards, which was the highest number of Gold awards on the list, besides winning two Silver and four Bronze awards.

The initiatives for which DoH has won the Stevie Awards included the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Quality Index “Muashir”, the Healthcare Programme for Senior Citizens and Individuals with Chronic Illnesses, the nation-wide awareness campaign against COVID-19, and Artificial Intelligent Solution in Exam Delivery.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has also won two prestigious Stevie Awards, namely the Gold Award for “Innovative Management in Government – Organizations with 100 or More Employees” and for “Government Hero of the Year”, in the COVID-19 response category.

source: wam.ae

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pix: stevieawards.com

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Dubai – Another Guinness World Records in Energy Sector : March 2021

Dubai project recognized as largest single-site natural gas power facility in the world.

Dubai has chalked up another Guinness World Records entry — and this time it’s for a gas project.

The Jebel Ali complex of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been recognized as the largest single-site natural gas power generation facility in the world, state news agency WAM reported.

The complex has an electricity generation capacity of 9,547 megawatts.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The Jebel Ali complex of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has an electricity generation capacity of 9,547 megawatts. (File/AFP) / pix: arabnews.com

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

UAE Turns ‘Largest Major Investor’ with $10bn Pledge for Indonesia Wealth Fund: 2021

Indonesia welcomed the UAE’s commitment to invest $10 billion in its recently launched sovereign wealth fund, which a senior official said made the emirates the “largest major investor” in the initiative.

“With this investment, so far the UAE has become the largest major investor in the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA),” Husin Bagis, Indonesia’s ambassador to the UAE, told Arab News.

The UAE helped Indonesia establish the INA through its Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (AIDA) in February this year, with the AIDA serving as one of its advisers.

source/content: arabnews.com

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The UAE helped Indonesia establish the INA through its Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (AIDA) in February this year, with the AIDA serving as one of its advisers. (Shuttertstock/File Photo) / arabnews.com

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

Zeina Barhoum, Arab Soprano to perform at Palestine Museum US on March 21st, 2020

Zeina Barhoum – Arabic Soprana. Classically trained Soprano. Opera singer.

 Jordanian opera singer Zeina Barhoum is set to perform at the Palestine Museum US on March 21, organizers announced. The renowned singer will virtually perform in Arabic and other languages, including the songs “Sanarjeo Yawman,” “Jerusalem, Flower of Cities,” “O mio babbino caro” and several others according to reports in ArabNews.com

Founder :

  • Founder of Alcántara Music and Art series
  • Amman Opera Festival (AOF). First Opera Festival in the Arab World launched in 2017. Under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein, Jordanian soprano Zeina Barhoum launched the first opera festival in the Arab world, the Amman Opera Festival (AOF), with the full operatic production of Verdi’s La Traviata at the 2000-year old Roman Amphitheater in July 2017, alongside over 150 International musicians and dancers from more than 10 countries.

Awards / Honour:

  • Best Soloist Award, The Eisteddfod competition
  •  Award at the 2nd Taras Shevchenko International Singing Competition, where she sang Taras Shevchenko’s popular folk song The Mighty Dnieper Roars and Bellows in Arabic and Ukrainian for the first time
  • Appointed by the United Nations World Food Programmed (WFP) as its advocate and humanitarian voice (May 2020)

Education:

  • Bsc – Visual Communication, American University of Sharjah

website : www.zeinabarhoum.com

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pix: zeinabarhoum.com

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JORDAN