Category: Uncategorized

King Faisal Specialist Hospital sets record on World Organ Donation Day

Program ‘opens door’ for patients without suitable donor, it says

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre this week set a world record by performing 10 kidney exchange transplants in just 48 hours.

The achievement coincided with World Organ Donation Day, which falls on Aug. 13 and aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Dr. Ehab Abufarhaneh, deputy executive director of the hospital’s Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, told Arab News: “KFSHRC performed the kidney exchange transplants over two consecutive days setting a global record. This happened with a great team led by Dr. Khaled Almashary and Dr.Tariq Ali of the department of kidney and pancreas transplant.

“This initiative opens a door for many patients who have no suitable donor.”

The KFSHRC said the record was for the highest number of such procedures conducted within a two-day span at a single center.

“This milestone reinforces the hospital’s position as a global leader in organ transplantation. It also reflects its high clinical readiness, the seamless coordination of its multidisciplinary medical teams and the advanced systems for managing donor-recipient matching, alongside its extensive experience in executing complex transplant procedures,” it said.

Paired kidney transplantation is an innovative approach where two or more incompatible donor-recipient pairs swap kidneys to achieve compatible transplants. The process significantly improves compatibility rates and offers hope to patients who face challenges in finding a suitable match within their families.

Last year, the KFSHRC celebrated another milestone with the completion of its 500th transplant since the program was launched in 2011. Since the creation of its organ transplantation program in 1981, it has successfully performed more then 5,000 kidney transplants, placing it among an elite group of global transplant centers.

Last year it conducted 80 pediatric kidney transplants, more than any other facility in the world for the period.

By leveraging its skilled workforce, advanced technologies and the integration of research and clinical programs, the KFSHRC aims to deliver world-class treatment while enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leader in organ transplantation.

In 2023 and 2024 it ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and 15th globally on the list of the world’s top 250 academic medical centers and was last year recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East by Brand Finance rankings.

It also ranked among the world’s 250 best hospitals in 2024 and was included in Newsweek magazine’s list of best smart hospitals for 2025.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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KFSHRC set a global record by performing 10 kidney exchange transplants in just 48 hours, coinciding with the World Organ Donation Day. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Israel has killed nearly 270 journalists and media workers since it launched its war on Gaza.

Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, 28, has been killed along with three of his colleagues in a deliberate Israeli attack on a media tent sheltering journalists outside the main gate of Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital.

Al Jazeera reporter Hani al-Shaer said an Israeli drone hit the tent about 11:35pm (20:35 GMT) on Sunday.

In total, seven people were killed in the attack, including Al Jazeera correspondent Mohammed Qreiqeh, 33, and Al Jazeera cameramen Ibrahim Zaher, 25 and Mohammed Noufal, 29.

(Al Jazeera)

Israel deliberately kills Al Jazeera journalists

This is not the first time Israel has targeted Al Jazeera journalists covering the war in Gaza. Before Sunday night’s attack, at least five Al Jazeera journalists had been killed by Israel.

[Al Jazeera]

On December 14, 2023, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa was targeted by an Israeli air strike while reporting alongside Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh, who was injured in the same attack.

Abudaqa was left to bleed to death at the Farhana school in Khan Younis, where they were filming, as emergency workers were blocked by the Israeli military from reaching the site.

On January 7, 2024, Wael’s eldest son and fellow Al Jazeera journalist, Hamza Dahdouh, was killed in a missile strike on the vehicle he was travelling in in Khan Younis.

On July 31, 2024, Ismail al-Ghoul and his cameraman Rami al-Rifi were killed in an Israeli attack on the Shati refugee camp despite their vehicle bearing clear media markings and both wearing vests identifying themselves as members of the news media.

On December 15, Israel killed Al Jazeera journalist Ahmed al-Louh in an air strike in central Gaza’s Nuseirat camp.

On March 24, Hossam Shabat, 23, was killed in an Israeli attack in the eastern part of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.

[Al Jazeera]

Gaza: The deadliest war for journalists

Israel’s war on Gaza has been the single deadliest conflict for journalists.

​​According to Brown University’s Costs of War project, more journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, than in the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the wars in the former Yugoslavia and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan – combined.

[Al Jazeera]

According to Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF, 2024 was the deadliest year for journalists with more than 120 killed. Since the start of this year, more than 50 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza.

source/content: aljazeera.com (headline edited)

Saudi Arabia has approved a landmark law allowing foreigners to own property across the kingdom, including in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia has approved a landmark legal change that will, for the first time, allow foreign nationals to own property across the kingdom, including in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, under specific conditions.

The cabinet decision, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Tuesday, marks a historic shift in real estate regulation and is part of broader reforms aimed at opening the economy and attracting foreign investment.

The new law is expected to take effect in January 2026, with executive regulations to be published in the coming months.

It grants foreigners the right to own property in designated areas, including key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, and in limited zones within Mecca and Medina, though ownership in the holy cities will be restricted to Muslims and confined to major projects such as Masar Makkah.

Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, said the reform is an extension of real estate legislation “designed to grow the sector and encourage direct foreign investment”.

He added that it would increase supply by drawing international developers into the Saudi market.

Economic ambitions and market reaction

The announcement triggered a sharp rally in real estate stocks, with some development firms seeing gains of over six percent in the Saudi stock exchange.

Analysts expect the reform to be a turning point for the sector, unlocking new capital, increasing project quality, and helping balance demand and supply.

The new law aligns with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious transformation plan, which includes major urban developments like NEOM and the Red Sea Project.

According to Knight Frank, the capital Riyadh is expected to reach 1.7 million housing units by 2030, up from 1.4 million at the end of 2024, driven by infrastructure expansion and population growth.

The housing market recorded transactions worth SR 60 billion ($16 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 alone, 65 percent of which were residential in a sign of strong demand even before the law was passed.

The new regulations include safeguards to protect Saudi citizens, with geographic and market controls built into the system.

Ownership in Mecca and Medina will be limited to Muslims and subject to project-specific conditions, while areas open to foreign ownership in Riyadh and Jeddah will be defined by the General Real Estate Authority.

Economic editor Khaled Al-Rabiah told Al Arabiya Business that the reform was not aimed at raising housing prices but at improving the quality and diversity of projects by attracting specialised foreign investment.

Link to premium residency and long-term plans

The legal reform may also lead to a review of the current premium residency ‘iqama’ scheme, which requires ownership of property worth at least SR 4 million ($1.1 million).

Easing that threshold could expand the pool of foreign buyers, especially among the kingdom’s large expatriate population.

While challenges remain, including limited mortgage options for foreigners and the early stage of off-plan sale models, observers say the law could spark a new phase of growth, making Saudi Arabia’s real estate market one of the most dynamic in the region.

The country is targeting the delivery of over one million new homes and hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms, retail spaces, and office units by 2030.

The General Real Estate Authority is expected to release the executive regulations on the government’s Public Consultation Platform for Laws and Regulations (Istitlaa) within 180 days.

source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)

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The law grants foreigners the right to own property in designated areas, including the capital Riyadh [Getty]

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SAUDI ARABIA

An Egyptian archaeological mission from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) has unveiled a significant discovery in the heart of the Western Desert of the remains of the central residential city of Kharga Oasis, dating back to the early Coptic period.

Located in the Ain al-Kharab archaeological site within the Islamic and Coptic archaeological zone, the city offers rare insight into Egypt’s transition from paganism to Christianity.

Among the findings are the ruins of residential structures, churches, and cemeteries, as well as a mural depicting Christ healing a sick person.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, described the discovery as a testament to the depth and diversity of Egyptian civilisation during one of its most transformative periods. “This find enriches our understanding of religious transition in Egypt and highlights the values of tolerance and cultural diversity deeply rooted in our history,” he said. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s continued support for archaeological missions nationwide and commended the achievements of Egyptian teams working to enhance Egypt’s global standing as a cultural tourism destination.     

“This discovery is considered as a valuable window into early Christian life in Egypt,” asserted Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA. He emphasised the importance of the find in shedding light on the beginnings of the Coptic era in Egypt. “Kharga Oasis played a key role as a religious and social hub throughout many historical periods, and this discovery further confirms its significance,” Khaled stated.

He explained that the unearthed structures include mudbrick homes with plastered walls, service areas equipped with daily-use ovens, and storage spaces containing large, fixed pottery jars once used for preserving food and grain. The mission also recovered ostraca, pottery fragments, glass and stone artefacts, burial remains, and a vivid mural illustrating Christ performing a healing miracle.

Seham Ismail, Director General of Antiquities in Kharga and head of the mission, revealed that the team also uncovered the remains of two churches. One is a large basilica-style church featuring a central hall flanked by two aisles, separated by rows of square columns, with service buildings lying to its south. The second church is smaller, rectangular in shape, with remnants of seven exterior columns and Coptic inscriptions still visible on its interior walls. Additional service structures were found on its western side.

Ismail added that findings from previous excavation seasons indicate that the site was used continuously across several historical eras. Roman-era buildings were later adapted for use during the early Coptic period and again in the Islamic era — a testament to the region’s long-standing role as a centre of life and continuity.

This latest discovery further cements Egypt’s Western Oases’ status as historical treasures and reinforces the country’s enduring significance in the region’s religious and cultural narrative.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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EGYPT

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) today announced the delivery of the first shipment of low-carbon aluminium produced in the UAE using electricity generated at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant.

Emirates Global Aluminium markets this low-carbon aluminium under the name Minimal. The metal will be supplied to Canex Aluminium Extrusion, a leading aluminium producer in Egypt. Canex will become the first customer to use Minimal aluminium to manufacture advanced products for infrastructure, solar energy, transportation and architectural applications.

This new product from Emirates Global Aluminium contributes to strengthening the UAE’s position as a reliable supplier of low-carbon industrial materials to global markets and expands the company’s portfolio of low-carbon metals available to local and international customers.

His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC), said that this achievement highlights the pivotal role of nuclear energy in enhancing energy security in the UAE, in addition to supporting the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the industrial sector. He pointed out that the Barakah plants provide clean electricity around the clock to sectors that require large quantities of electricity, such as the aluminum industry, contributing to consolidating the foundations of a carbon-free economy and achieving long-term sustainable benefits.

For his part, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, noted that demand for low-carbon aluminium is growing rapidly, with demand expected to triple by 2040. He emphasized the importance of consolidating the company’s position as a trusted partner in the future of sustainable industries through the Minimal product, supported by the UAE’s vision and strategic investment in nuclear energy.

For his part, Moatasem Daboul, General Manager of Kanex Aluminum Extrusion, affirmed their commitment to achieving sustainability at every stage of production, from raw materials to the final product. This approach embodies the company’s recycling model, by transforming waste into valuable products. He explained that by using Minimal Aluminum, the company is strengthening this path by reducing embedded emissions from the very beginning of operations.

Clean electricity is certified through the UAE’s Clean Energy Certificates program, using the International Renewable Energy Certification (I-REC) protocols to ensure traceability and reliability. Energy is supplied by the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) via the national grid.

The Barakah nuclear energy plant produces 40 terawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, equivalent to approximately 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs and the total annual energy demand of Switzerland. The carbon-free electricity generated by the Barakah plant contributes to reducing 22.4 million tons of these emissions annually, equivalent to removing 4.6 million cars from the roads.

Emirates Global Aluminium is the world’s first company to produce aluminum using solar power, having produced 80,000 tonnes of CelestiAL aluminum in 2024. The company also produces recycled aluminum, marketed under the brand name RevivAL, at its plants in the United States and Germany. Emirates Global Aluminium is building the largest aluminum recycling plant in the country at Al Taweelah, with production expected to commence in the first half of 2026.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Artwork is based on an original Qur’an manuscript written by calligrapher Mustafa Dhul-Fiqar in 1656.

The Holy Qur’an Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah features a mosaic panel of Surah Al-Fatiha and the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah, spanning 76.67 sq. meters and composed of over a million porcelain mosaic pieces.

This artwork is based on an original Qur’an manuscript written by calligrapher Mustafa Dhul-Fiqar in 1656, preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries in Madinah.

As the first museum in Makkah dedicated solely to the Holy Qur’an and located near the historic Mount Hira, it serves as a cultural and civilizational beacon for the holy city, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The museum houses a rich collection of rare artifacts and Qur’an manuscripts from various Islamic eras, showcasing diverse calligraphic styles throughout history.

It also features educational exhibits tracing the evolution of Qur’anic writing, along with modern interactive technologies that highlight the Qur’an’s profound significance.

Visual displays further illuminate the history of Qur’anic documentation through the ages. The museum also holds Guinness World Records for the largest Qur’an and the largest Qur’an stand.

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A mosaic panel of Surah Al-Fatiha and the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah is made up of over a million porcelain pieces. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Space42 announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft and Esri to develop high-resolution digital maps covering the entire African continent. The initiative aims to support development and planning efforts in infrastructure, investment, and corporate decision-making across the continent.

This step comes within the framework of the “Map of Africa” initiative, which aims to create a unified and comprehensive map of the continent. It is the largest of its kind to date, encompassing 54 countries and more than 1.4 billion people.

The MoU aims to establish a smart information infrastructure that enhances the ability of governments, institutions, and communities to make accurate decisions and drive economic and social development based on data-driven knowledge.

The five-year partnership also aims to enhance geospatial capabilities in both Africa and the UAE, and provide accurate and accessible data to stakeholders at the national and regional levels.

Hassan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, a subsidiary of Space42, emphasized that building a more sustainable and resilient future begins with access to reliable data and accurate insights, especially in markets with information gaps. He explained that advanced geospatial maps and geospatial intelligence solutions are essential tools for supporting decision-makers, achieving comprehensive economic development, and empowering communities in Africa and beyond. Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, said that artificial intelligence is the cornerstone of societal development, yet access to it remains limited in many countries in the Global South. From this perspective, this partnership represents a strategic step to bridge the data and knowledge gap and enable governments to make decisions based on insights and advanced analysis. He pointed out that through this collaboration, we are working to transform artificial intelligence into a practical tool that contributes to smarter urban planning, the development of resilient infrastructure, enhanced natural resource management, and accelerated economic empowerment.

Jack Dangermond, President of Esri, explained that transforming satellite imagery into accurate continent-wide maps requires advanced geospatial technologies and precise professional methodologies. These same capabilities have supported similar initiatives in various regions of the world and are now being put to use in Africa. He said, “With this initiative, the partnership contributes to the creation of a vital resource that will support infrastructure planning and enhance economic and sustainable development across the continent.”

Space42 is leading this pioneering project by securing funding, overseeing implementation, and providing satellite data through its sovereign capabilities and network of strategic partnerships. This data is analyzed using AI-powered digital twin models to produce dynamic maps tailored to different uses. The company is also leading an integrated research and development roadmap aimed at innovating new models and automating map production processes to meet future requirements.

Esri is leading the map development methodology, leveraging its advanced geospatial intelligence and remote sensing technologies, while supporting regional centers to train local talent and build sustainable capacity. In return, Microsoft provides secure cloud infrastructure via the Azure platform, enabling data processing, integration, and sharing at scale, ensuring operational efficiency and rapid access to actionable results.

As part of the G42 ecosystem, Space42 is further strengthening its collaboration with Microsoft to develop smart solutions that meet the needs of communities and support business ecosystems.

The initiative is expected to have a broad positive impact across multiple sectors, such as ports and logistics, renewable energy, security and disaster response, smart cities, and digital economies.

The data will be licensed to national government entities, ensuring their sovereignty over it and ensuring its continued updating by the relevant mapping authorities. The initiative also aims, in the long term, to enable an innovative commercial ecosystem that includes African startups that contribute to expanding the scope of geospatial solutions. The data will subsequently be stored in data centers operated by G42 and Microsoft on the continent.

The UAE is the largest foreign investor in Africa, with investments exceeding $44 billion by 2024, roughly equivalent to the combined investments of the United Kingdom and China. As the leading national space entity, Space 42 supports this agenda by exporting Emirati capabilities in artificial intelligence and geospatial data, enabling data-driven development.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

When Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport in 2018, she confronted a world unfamiliar with the Kingdom’s pulse.

“When I first began this journey,” she said, “I realized that many people around the world had never truly experienced our culture, our energy or our vision.”

Six years and more than 135 global events later — from the electrifying debut of Formula 1 to the pioneering E1 Electric Boat Race — Al-Saud now orchestrates a marketing portfolio that has drawn more than 3 million attendees and broadcast Saudi Arabia’s evolution to more than 160 countries.

Her greatest triumph? Rewriting the narrative. Al-Saud told Arab News: “We’ve evolved from being seen simply as a destination that hosts events, to being recognized as a forward‑thinking leader in sports.”

Where skepticism once lingered, Al-Saud now projects certainty: “Today, the most important message is that Saudi Arabia is not only open to the world, but actively shaping the global sports narrative.”

This conviction permeates every campaign — whether amplifying community participation at Extreme E or embedding cultural storytelling into the WTA Finals.

The most profound transformations, however, unfold in Saudi stands. “A decade ago, it was rare to see parents, daughters and sons attending events side by side,” Al-Saud said.

Now, stadiums brim with multi-generational energy. Al-Saud said: “Girls are proudly wearing team jerseys, parents are cheering with their children and young fans are recognizing themselves in the athletes they watch.”

She calls this phenomenon “a ripple effect where sport becomes a shared cultural language” — a testament to Vision 2030’s societal impact.

Challenging global perceptions remains intrinsic to her work. “We viewed every global event as a fresh opportunity to open a new window,” she said, countering stereotypes with experiential proof — be it through world-class venues or volunteers’ warmth.

Her creative arsenal relies on authentic storytelling: “We flip the script by designing campaigns that don’t just market a match or a race, they tell stories.”

These narratives, showcasing international fans’ pilgrimages or homegrown talent, serve a higher purpose: “Our role goes far beyond ticket sales; it is about inspiring the next generation of athletes.”

As chair of the Women’s Sports Committee, Al-Saud wields platforms like the WTA Finals as catalysts. “It’s never been enough to simply host a women’s tournament,” she added.

Her strategy is inclusion at every level: “We use these platforms to show that Saudi women are athletes, leaders, strategists and innovators.”

From mentorship programs to leadership panels, the objective is unequivocal: “Redefining roles not just on the court, but in boardrooms, production teams and strategy tables.”

Amid the scale of progress, human moments anchor her. She vividly recounts the Italian Super Cup: “Watching them, dressed in their club colors, walking through our fan zones with their children, laughing, taking photos, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride.”

In that instant, the mission crystallized: “It wasn’t just about the game. It was about Saudi Arabia becoming a magnet for people who love sport, wherever they come from.” For Al-Saud, those smiles are more than rewards — they are proof that sport can build bridges no statistic can measure.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Princess Nouf Al-Saud started her role as general manager of marketing at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport in 2018. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Exiled vocalist who released his first album, Maqam Al-Iraq, in 25 years this month does not know who will follow him.

Hamid Al-Saadi is worried he might be the last one in the lineage, the final master of a musical tradition that dates back centuries.

The 67-year-old is recognised as the most prominent practitioner of Iraqi maqam, the only vocalist to have mastered the tradition’s entire repertoire of 56 pieces. He is also the author of the first two new maqams to have been composed in the past century – both appear on Maqam Al-Iraq, Al-Saadi’s first album in 25 years, which was released on July 18.

Yet it’s not clear to Al-Saadi when, or if, the next additions to the canon will come.

“I remain the last link – I carry all the traditions of maqam with me,” says the exiled musician. “There’s nobody else alive who knows this entire tradition and nobody who’s actively performing it, or taking on the responsibility to pass on the maqam.”

Elements of Iraqi maqam can be traced back to the Abbasid golden era of AD750 to AD1258, when Baghdad’s place at the heart of Islamic civilisation was akin to modern London or New York as the “centre of inspiration for artists from all over the world,” says Al-Saadi.

While the Arabic maqam can be considered a system of modes, Iraqi maqam refers to a repertoire of compositions, where each maqam has a specific episodic structure. Its preservation has been inscribed on Unesco’s Intangible Heritage list .

Unique to Iraq is Maqam Mukhalif, reputed to have first been sung after the Mongols sacked Baghdad in 1258, ending 500 years of prosperity. “A lot of Iraq has seen pain and suffering, and most maqams were born from a specific story that affected the singer or musician,” explains Al-Saadi. “It’s a malleable form that can adjust to current events – that’s what keeps maqam alive, able to persist throughout many generations.”

Yet there is no set text for each musical composition, with the lyric the choice of the performer. “You could have three different singers perform the same maqam, following the same musical structure, but each choosing a different poem,” adds Amir ElSaffar, a member of Al-Saadi’s band and founder of Maqam Records, which is releasing Maqam Al-Iraq. “One could be an extremely sad poem, the other could be joyful or divine, one could be very secular – that keeps it dynamic and constantly changing.”

Al-Saadi was one of the last musicians to grow up amid affluence and intellectual freedom. It was a time when maqam performances were regularly heard in Iraq’s concert halls and coffee houses, and performers were supported by institutes and conservatories.

Born in 1958, and having mastered the entire repertoire by his mid-twenties, Al-Saadi became an in-demand performer on stage and television throughout the 1980s. Yusuf Omar, the most recorded Iraqi maqam singer in history, eventually named Al-Saadi his successor.

Before him, Omar had learnt from Mohammed Al-Gubbanchi, who in turn studied with forefather Ahmed Zaidan – a ceremonial torch-passing that dates back centuries. But Al-Saadi is not sure there is anyone to pass the torch to next. “I became the link from those masters to the generation that I live in,” says Al-Saadi, humbly claiming he did not ascend to “even one quarter” of Omar’s technique.

After the UN Security Council imposed sanctions in 1990 and the first Gulf War, Iraq’s civil society crumbled and, unable to support himself as a musician, Al-Saadi fled to London in 1999. He busied himself writing a book about Iraqi maqam, Al-Maqam wa Buhoor Al-Angham.

In 2003 he was approached by ElSaffar, a young and hungry Iraqi-American jazz trumpeter who had already made a name for himself performing with free jazz pioneer Cecil Taylor. Raised in Chicago and on a mission to reconnect with his roots, ElSaffar arrived in London fresh from six months of fruitless study in Iraq.

“I went to Baghdad at a very difficult moment – 35 years of dictatorship, 12 years of sanctions, and it was a very tense time politically post 9-11,” remembers ElSaffar. Moreover, all the teachers he approached refused to take a novice Arabic speaker seriously.

When it became clear a second invasion was inevitable, ElSaffar decamped to London and tracked down Al-Saadi, who took him on as a student. “Hamid was my dream teacher because he would sit and teach me, phrase by phrase, and he wouldn’t let me move on until I mastered it,” adds ElSaffar.

The knowledge he gleaned enabled ElSaffar’s later experiments with Arabic music – witnessed in Abu Dhabi with a performance of his 17-piece Rivers of Sound ensemble at NYUAD in 2016.

In 2018, ElSaffar repaid the favour, bringing Al-Saadi to the US on an Artist Protection Fund Fellowship. Now based in Brooklyn, New York, Al-Saadi has held teaching positions at Sarah Lawrence College and Rutgers University, and lectured through institutions including Lincoln Centre, the Smithsonian and Kennedy Centre.

His greatest influence may have been on stage, leading Safaafir, the only Iraqi maqam ensemble in the US – a family affair featuring ElSaffar on santur, his sister Dena ElSaffar on violin and joza, and her husband Tim Moore on percussion.

It was this group that recorded Maqam Al-Iraqi via ElSaffar’s continuing Maqam Studio preservation initiative. The 87-minute, four-track album is named after its first piece, a maqam of longing Al-Saadi composed since moving to the US, based on a text by the highly regarded Iraqi poet Ni’mah Hussain. “I lived in exile for seven years,” adds Al-Saadi. “I missed my homeland, my people – the essence of longing comes from the poem and the text.”

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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Hamid Al-Saadi is recognised as the final master of Iraqi maqam, a musical tradition that dates back centuries. 

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IRAQ