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Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have developed a new technology for non-surgical blood flow monitoring using piezoelectric pressure sensors.
The technology relies on special materials that generate electric fields when subjected to mechanical stress, helping to measure vital physiological parameters such as blood flow velocity and viscosity.
This enhanced version provides greater accuracy in interpretation and is more cost-effective, making it suitable for use in both hospitals and home settings. This technology also provides real-time data that can help detect conditions such as blood clots.
Professor Mahmoud Al Ahmad from the Department of Engineering and coordinator of the research team said, “Our goal is to improve an existing technology to make it more accurate and user-friendly, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. It is worth mentioning that this project provided a training opportunity for four undergraduate students in scientific research.”
He added that the team plans to incorporate artificial intelligence technologies to further enhance the system and expand its use.
This innovation aligns with the UAE’s vision to advance medical technology and reduce reliance on imports. It also strengthens the local medical device manufacturing sector and supports the UAE’s shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
Smartphone bot developed by Maqsam transcribes speech, understands intent, and responds fluently in Arabic, offering 24/7 automated support
Unlike existing machine-learning solutions, which are predominantly optimized for English, the bot handles linguistic variations across the Arab world
Saudi-based tech company Maqsam has unveiled the region’s first phone bot powered by artificial intelligence capable of handling customer service calls entirely in Arabic and English, including several dialects.
Speaking to Arab News at LEAP 2025 Tech Conference, Fouad Jeryes, cofounder and chief business officer of Maqsam, said the innovation tackles a central challenge businesses face when trying to provide a seamless Arabic-language customer service.
“Most global AI solutions do not support Arabic well,” Jeryes said. “There aren’t solutions that actually speak Arabic, so it’s a big gap here.”
The smartphone bot developed by Maqsam transcribes speech, understands intent, and responds fluently in Arabic, offering 24/7 automated support.
Unlike existing machine-learning solutions, which are predominantly optimized for English, the bot handles linguistic variations across the Arab world, ensuring a more natural and effective customer experience.
Despite Arabic being one of the world’s most widely spoken languages, businesses have struggled to implement tech-powered customer service solutions that accurately process different dialects.
The bot’s ability to recognize and adapt to different Arabic dialects makes it particularly valuable for businesses operating in several markets in the MENA region.
“Good customer service is crucial for customer retention and trust, as it takes many positive experiences to offset one negative one. Better service leads to happier customers, reducing time wasted and improving overall customer experience,” Jeryes said.
Maqsam’s bot has the potential to transform customer interactions, making services faster and more accessible, while reducing operational costs.
“If you can get to someone where you don’t have to be on hold, where they pick up every single time and service you immediately, it’s going to be easier — less time wasted, more efficiency, and better service overall, which keeps you happy as a customer,” Jeryes added.
The bot also acts as a co-pilot for human agents, reducing their workload and improving efficiency.
“The agent speaking to the customer doesn’t have to know all the information or handle every process. The bot listens in real time and translates that information into necessary actions,” Jeryes said.
However, automation will not completely replace human agents.
“There will be fewer human agents and more bots in the future,” he said. “But the human element needs to be there, because the bots will not be able to service all the scenarios.”
While the technology presents significant advances, risks and regulatory concerns surrounding AI-powered customer services remain.
“There’s a lot that’s going to come into the realm of regulation in this space in particular,” Jeryes said. “In general, humans will remain a very integral part of this community.”
As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its digital economy under Vision 2030, such innovations contribute to the development of a more tech-driven business landscape, enhancing efficiency and supporting the Kingdom’s push for digital transformation.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Saudi-based tech company Maqsam has unveiled the region’s first AI-powered phone bot capable of handling customer service calls entirely in Arabic and English. (AN Photo) _________________
Following Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s official approval on Saturday, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini (Aga Khan IV), the 49th imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, was buried in the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan on Sunday.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an Aga Khan charity, announced on Tuesday that Prince Karim passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88.
Aga Khan IV was buried in Aswan alongside his grandfather, Aga Khan III, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
His funeral service was held on Wednesday in Portugal before Sunday’s private burial ceremony in Egypt.
On Saturday, Aswan Governor Major General Ismail Kamal received Aga Khan’s son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, and his family at Aswan International Airport in preparation for the official funeral ceremony, according to a statement from the governorate.
According to an AKDN post on X, his son Aga Khan V was named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims a day after his death.
Who was Prince Karim Aga Khan?
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the Ismaili Muslim community’s 49th imam and spiritual leader.
This Shia sect traces its spiritual leadership through a lineage of imams, including Imam Ismail, who passed away in 765 AD.
Ismailis believe they are direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was born in Switzerland and held British citizenship.
In 1957, at age 20, he became the imam of the Ismaili Muslims, succeeding his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
He founded the AKDN, a network dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in need, primarily in Asia and Africa.
He also established the Nation Media Group (NMG), one of the largest independent media organizations in East and Central Africa, serving as a voice for the African population.
Aga Khan also established the Om Habibeh Foundation in Aswan, which plays a vital role in implementing development programmes supporting healthcare, education, and microfinance initiatives to improve the lives of local communities.
In 2015, former President Pranab Mukherjee awarded Aga Khan the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to social development in the country.
Global tributes
World leaders and public figures have honoured Prince Aga Khan and recognized his contributions to global development.
Emirati Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum extended his condolences on Wednesday through X.
He described Prince Karim Aga Khan as one of the “world’s greatest philanthropists, whose life’s work was dedicated to relieving the hopelessness of poverty, promoting human development, building bridges between communities, and working tirelessly in the cause of peace.”
Activist and Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also paid tribute in a post on X: “His legacy will continue to live on through the incredible work he led for education, health, and development around the world.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described him as “a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our troubled world,” extending his condolences to his family and the Ismaili community in a post on X on Wednesday.
I am deeply saddened by the news that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, has passed away. He was a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.
I express my deepest condolences to His Highness’s family and the Ismaili community. pic.twitter.com/VvXCrq8zPQ
On a historical preservation tour around the Arabian Gulf region, the World Monument Fund recently visited the city of Muharraq in Bahrain before visiting Saudi Arabia.
A historically rich city with a story that dates to the late 19th century, Muharraq is the cultural heart of Bahrain.
Prior to gaining independence from British rule in 1971, Muharraq was Bahrain’s capital and center for public and governmental administrative, educational, and planning projects, before being replaced by Manama in 1923.
Though the city held many significant historical sites, its residents began to leave soon after and the area was left neglected.
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and chairperson of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, founded the Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in 2002, a non-profit organization, as a form of cultural renaissance.
Since its founding, the center’s purpose has been to form a space where thinkers could gather and share ideas in philosophy, literature, poetry, art, and culture.
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In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.
The most significant aspect of its work, however, has been the house restoration projects in Muharraq and Manama, where 28 historical houses, many of which belonged to prominent Bahraini figures and families, have been brought back to life under the leadership of Al-Khalifa.
Over the weekend, a delegation from the World Monument Fund visited the Sheikh Ebrahim Center to see the restored houses firsthand.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the mission of the World Monuments Fund is to safeguard heritage all around the world, Benedicte de Montlaur, president of the fund, told Arab News.
Al-Khalifa was awarded the Watch Award by the World Monument Fund in 2015 and after a few visits to their offices in New York, she was asked to join them as a member of the board of trustees, making her the only Arab on the board.
In an interview with Arab News, Al-Khalifa said she felt it was her responsibility to keep them informed about the Arab world and all that it has to offer.
“The picture that travels to the world is not always true or complete, and in our Gulf countries there are many landmarks, monuments, and national identities that we would like to showcase,” she said.
The delegation first visited the Abdullah Al-Zayed House for Bahrain Press Heritage, the house of the first journalist to start a daily newspaper in the kingdom and which now hosts local and international speakers from the media sector.
Next up was the Kurar House, where Al-Kurar Ladies spend their time embroidering traditional Bahraini thobes and other garments by hand. Like the strings of an instrument, three women work on the thread separately, and one stitches them together simultaneously on the fabric, creating a harmonious rhythm.
The delegation also got to see the only room left of Sheikh Ebrahim’s original house, a room that dates back around 200 years.
Following the tour of the Sheikh Ebrahim restored houses projects, they also visited the houses of the Pearling Path and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dilmun Burial Grounds.
With over 70 projects in the Arab world including the Louvre, the Smithsonian, and Babylon in Iraq, restoring the Imam Palace in the city of Taizz in Yemen, and Abydos in Egypt, the fund’s next mission is to become more active in the Gulf region.
“We see that there is a lot of interest in heritage in countries from the GCC,” de Montlaur said.
The first stop was Kuwait, where plans are underway to have Failaka Island added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
After visiting their partners from the UNESCO Regional Center and the Sheikh Ebrahim Center in Bahrain, the delegation’s next destination is Saudi Arabia, “a country that is devoting a lot of time and energy at the moment to heritage,” de Montlaur said.
In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.
“If you do not know your past, it is very difficult to build a future because you lose your identity,” de Montlaur said. “Especially in countries like here, that are developing really fast … it is extremely important also to pay attention to heritage places because it is very easy to destroy them, but when they are gone, they’re gone. They cannot be rebuilt.
“Once you have lost the spirit of a place and built modern buildings everywhere, then you have lost touch with your past.”
Preserving the land’s past also draws in crowds of tourists who get to experience each country’s distinct identity and history for the first time to learn about the place and its people, de Montlaur added.
“Heritage places represent the pinnacle of human achievements of history.”
On how the Arab world can work together to create a stronger stance for historical preservation, de Montlaur said: “I think it is already happening,” citing the various projects in Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, etc.
She also added: “There is a big need for heritage preservation in other countries outside of the GCC, so they could align their forces.
“There is so much need in Egypt, in Gaza … in Syria … and I think what is very much part of the Arab countries is this solidarity, they can all unite around this heritage because this is the heritage of all the Arabs.”
Al-Khalifa added: “In Gaza, many landmarks have been destroyed, part of the upcoming plan is restoring some of those sites.
“It’s really a heritage of humanity as a whole and that is why every one of us, whether we are from the region or not, should care about it. But before anything else, it is the history and identity of the Arabs,” de Montlaur noted.
Speaking on the shared language and culture that unite Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Al-Khalifa, who is also a part of the Royal Commission of AlUla, said that emotions and love between peoples are what bond them forever.
“This visit is not only to Bahrain but to our Gulf,” she said. “We always repeat: our Gulf is one, our goals are one, and our history is shared; so everything that distinguishes us — from identity to monuments — is an extension of civilizations thousands of years old.”
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Bahrain’s cultural heart, Muharraq, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa at World Monument Fund’s visit to Bahrain / Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa poses for a group picture with visiting guests in Bahrain. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)
Archaeologists Discover Ancient Artifacts in Iraq, Unlocking Secrets of Mesopotamia.
Significant discoveries have been made at the ancient site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq, shedding light on Mesopotamian history. Artefacts including clay cuneiform tablets, a game board, and structural remains have been unearthed by a team led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida. The findings are believed to date back to the Middle Bronze Age, around 1800 BCE, and may provide fresh perspectives on the daily lives, literacy, and socio-political connections of the people from this ancientcivilisation.
According to the research conducted at Kurd Qaburstan, the clay tablets are the first of their kind to be discovered in the region. Preliminary analysis suggests they hold valuable information about the city’s residents and the historical events they faced, as reported by phys.org. Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at UCF, shared with phys.org that studying names, word choices and writing styles may offer an enhanced understanding of cultural identity and literacy in northern Mesopotamian cities.
The Middle Bronze Age in northern Iraq remains under-researched due to historical biases and limited prior excavations. The ongoing work aims to provide a narrative from the perspective of the city’s inhabitants, rather than relying on external accounts, as noted by the lead researcher.
Exploring a Forgotten Urban Center
Excavations at the site have uncovered monumental architecture, human remains, and evidence of destruction, hinting at significant historical events. A newly identified lower town palace, revealed through geophysical surveys, is being closely studied to determine its administrative significance. Artefacts found in the palace, including pottery and animal remains, suggest a more nuanced understanding of social and economic structures, with signs of private wealth and dietary diversity among the city’s population.
Future Research Potential
The site is hypothesised to be the ancient city of Qabra, a regional hub mentioned in Old Babylonian records. While definitive identification is ongoing, findings from the tablets and architectural remains bolster this theory. As reported by phys.org, researchers expect further analysis to uncover details about possible warfare and societal dynamics, potentially rewriting aspects of Mesopotamian history. Work at Kurd Qaburstan is set to continue in 2025, with hopes of revealing more historical secrets from this fascinating period.
source/content: gadgets360.com (headline edited)
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Excavations at Kurd Qaburstan revealed storage jars with key Mesopotamian artifacts / Photo Credit: Tiffany Earley-Spadoni
The deal between ADNOC and Covestro is the biggest buy out of a European firm by a company from the Gulf.
German chemicals group Covestro said Tuesday it had accepted a takeover bid from UAE state energy company ADNOC, as one of the key sectors in Europe’s largest economy is gripped by crisis.
Elevated energy costs in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have weighed heavily on chemicals producers, which account for around five percent of Germany’s GDP.
The deal valued Covestro, a maker of plastics, at some 12 billion euros ($13.3 billion), the German group said in a statement.
Under the terms of the agreement, valid until the end of 2028, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will make an offer for all remaining Covestro stock at a price of 62 euros per share.
The state energy company of the United Arab Emirates will also inject around 1.2 billion euros into the chemicals firm through the issuance of new shares, once the deal is completed.
With ADNOC onboard, Covestro would have “an even stronger foundation for sustainable growth”, the German group’s CEO Markus Steilemann said in a statement.
ADNOC was a “financially strong and long-term oriented partner”, Steilemann said.
The takeover offer was subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of “50 percent plus one share”, as well as regulatory controls, Covestro said.
Chemicals crisis
ADNOC’s bid for Covestro comes while the challenges facing the Germany’s energy-intensive chemicals industry show no signs of abating.
The sector was “struggling in a difficult environment”, the German chemical industry association VCI said in a report last month.
Weak demand and high energy costs in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine were weighing on producers and leading them to cut back on production in Germany.
BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group, said last month would cut costs and refocus on its “core businesses”, while some of its German plants lacked competitiveness.
For its part, Covestro said it was “making significant progress in its strategic transformation”.
The group, which makes chemicals used in everything from building insulation to electric vehicles, unveiled savings plan in June amid ongoing takeover talks with ADNOC.
Leverkusen-based Covestro, which was spun off from chemicals giant Bayer in 2015, said it would cut material and personal costs in the hopes of saving some 400 million euros annually.
With ADNOC’s support, Covestro could grow in “highly attractive sectors and can make an even greater contribution to the green transformation”, Steilemann said.
Covestro’s board said it would recommend shareholders accept ADNOC’s offer under the terms of the agreement.
Diversification move
The deal was a coup for ADNOC as it seeks to expand its operations beyond oil, and if completed, would mark the first takeover of a company in Germany’s blue-chip DAX index by a Gulf state-owned firm.
Covestro was a “natural fit” for ADNOC’s growth strategy, the energy giant’s CEO Sultan Al Jaber said in a statement.
Al Jaber, who served as president of last year’s COP28 climate talks in Dubai, said the acquisition represented a step towards “diversifying ADNOC’s portfolio”.
The deal aligned with ADNOC’s “future-proofing strategy and our vision to become a top five global chemicals company”, he said.
Under the terms of the deal, Covestro said ADNOC had committed to maintain the group’s “corporate governance and organisational business structure”.
ADNOC would also respect existing agreements with workers’ unions, while “there are no plans to sell, close or significantly reduce Covestro’s business activities”.
source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)
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ADNOC is seeking to expand its operations beyond oil [Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images]
Technology makes industrial-scale lithium extraction possible, KAUST finds
Lithium essential for batteries in electric vehicles, computers, smartphones
Scientists at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have developed a new technology that could turn the Kingdom into a leading producer of lithium, the state institution has said.
In a news release posted on its website recently, KAUST said the “innovative technology,” which involves the direct extraction of lithium from brine in oilfields and seawater, is described in a study published in the latest issue of the journal Science.
Lithium is an essential metal for the production of batteries now widely used for electric vehicles, computers and smartphones. Global demand for lithium is expected to increase to more than 5 million tonnes in 2030 from about 750,000 tonnes in 2020, according to KAUST.
Lithium is said to be present in oilfields and seawater but at low concentrations and difficult to extract in useful quantities.
But the KAUST research team led by Prof. Zhiping Lai said the new technology makes extraction possible on an industrial scale.
“Accessing lithium in brine can expand the availability of lithium worldwide by several hundreds of billions of (tonnes) and may transition Saudi Arabia from a major importer to producer of this highly sought-after element,” Lai explained in the study.
The method also achieves extraction without introducing any pollutants or additives, he said.
Saudi Arabia is thought to have plenty of sources rich in lithium in its surrounding seas and oil fields, considering that brine and seawater are estimated to contain over 10,000 times more lithium than conventional lithium reserves.
Lihytech, a KAUST startup founded by Lai and his colleague Prof. Kuo-Wei (Andy) Huang, who also contributed to the study, aims to bring the technology from laboratory to market, the university stated.
The startup has received an initial investment of $6 million from the Saudi mining company Ma’aden and the KAUST Innovation Fund.
Lihytech and Aramco announced last year a partnership in which the international conglomerate is providing brine from its oilfields to test the technology’s lithium-extraction capabilities.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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This combination image shows an aerial view of an Eramine lithium extraction area in Salta province, Argentina, (left) and a bottle containing a sample of lithium carbonate in a laboratory of the Eramine lithium extraction. Like Argentina, Saudi Arabia has vast sources rich in lithium. (AFP photos)
For centuries, Morocco’s Amazigh – the “free people” – celebrated Yennayer behind closed doors, their New Year a quiet act of defiance against systematic erasure of their identity.
Dozens of bonfires illuminate the rocky slopes above Tisselday in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains as night falls on January 13. The flames dance against the darkness, marking the eve of Yennayer 2975, the Amazigh New Year.
In villages and cities across North Africa, indigenous communities prepare for a celebration that predates recorded history, carrying forward traditions that have survived centuries of marginalization and cultural pressure.
From mountainside “douars” (small villages) to busy city quarters, the air fills with calls of “Aseggas Ambarki,” “Aseggas Amaynou,” “Aseggas Ighoudan,” “Aseggas Anammar,” and “Aseggas Ameggaz” – ancient wishes for a blessed, new, prosperous, and happy year. The greetings, passed down through generations, carry both the weight of history and hopes for the future.
A heritage written in time
The Amazigh calendar carries the weight of three millennia, marking time since 950 BCE when Sheshonq I, a Libyan-born pharaoh ascended to Egypt’s throne. As founder of Egypt’s 22nd dynasty, he unified Egypt and later invaded Palestine, where he captured the treasures of Jerusalem’s Temple of Solomon – an event significant enough to be recorded in the Bible.
Yennayer, derived from the words “yan” (one) and “ayyur” (month), literally means “first month” in the Amazigh language – Tamazight. An alternative etymology traces the word to the Latin “ianuarius,” from which January itself originates.
Known by various names across regions, including “id seggas” or “haguza” in Morocco’s indigenous communities, the celebration transcends mere historical commemoration, pulsing with living traditions, agricultural rhythms, and seasonal cycles that have governed life in these lands since before written records began.
The celebration marks the beginning of the agricultural calendar, rooted in the Julian system that dominated North Africa during Roman times. Local communities refer to this period as the beginning of the “Black Nights,” a 20-day stretch marking one of the year’s coldest periods, reflecting the deep connection between Amazigh cultural practices and the agricultural heritage of the region.
This year’s celebration marks a watershed moment in Morocco. As the second year of official recognition unfolds following King Mohammed VI’s historic May 2023 decree, schools and businesses will close their doors, transforming what was once a day of quiet cultural resistance into a nationally acknowledged celebration.
The shift represents a dramatic change from a challenging past when Amazigh children faced punishment for speaking their mother tongue in classrooms for decades.
The holiday’s institutionalization, following Algeria’s 2018 recognition, came after tireless advocacy by indigenous rights activists.
The royal recognition extends beyond a symbolic gesture. The government increased its 2023 budget supporting the Amazigh language by 50% to MAD 300 million ($30 million), pledging to hire hundreds of official clerks for public services.
This institutional support marks a decisive break from policies that once actively suppressed Amazigh identity, ushering in a new era of cultural recognition in Morocco.
Celebration across regions: More than a meal
The celebration known as “imensi n’Yennayer” typically begins as darkness falls on Yennayer eve. In Morocco’s diverse regions, families gather for rituals that blend agricultural traditions with cultural preservation. The evening starts with “id seggas” or “thabbourth aseggas” (the door of the year) as called by Kabylies in Algeria, marking the transition between seasons.
In High Atlas villages, the aroma of “ourkemen” fills homes – a rich mixture of seven varieties of dried legumes and grains simmering with sheep’s or cow’s foot. The dish combines lentils, split peas, chickpeas, white beans, broad beans, corn, wheat, and barley, symbolizing agricultural diversity and abundance. Traditional beliefs hold that eating well on Yennayer ensures prosperity throughout the year.
The Ouirgane Valley, an hour south of Marrakech, sees families preparing fine couscous garnished with peeled hard boiled eggs and dusted with cinnamon.
In the Souss region, particularly around Tiznit, “tagoula” takes center stage on family’s tables. This ancient dish demands hours of patient preparation, cooked slowly over wood fires until the corn or barley semolina transforms into a thick, nourishing porridge. Served with olive or argan oil, honey, and traditional smen (fermented butter), each component carries symbolic weight in the celebration.
The ritual of “amnaz” – hiding a date pit in the “tagoula” – adds an element of festive anticipation. While traditionally believed to bring good fortune to its finder, some families have adapted the practice, using almonds instead of date pits to prevent dental mishaps while maintaining the tradition’s spirit.
Rituals of renewal
The celebration encompasses more than just communal meals. Families undertake thorough house cleaning, symbolically purifying their spaces for the new year. Women burn aromatic herbs and branches, filling homes with cleansing smoke.
Traditional beliefs discourage certain activities: sweeping (to avoid chasing away good fortune), removing fire from the house, or speaking words associated with hardship or misfortune.
Children receive handfuls of sweets and dried fruits – a tradition known as “trèze” in some Algerian regions, containing precisely thirteen different varieties for luck. Women maintain the ancient practice of sharing food with nature, setting aside crumbs for birds and insects, embodying beliefs in universal abundance.
From marginalization to ‘recognition’
The path to official recognition winds through decades of systematic marginalization.
Following independence, Morocco’s drive to assert itself as an Arabo-Muslim nation led to aggressive Arabization policies that actively suppressed Amazigh identity. Schools became primary tools of cultural assimilation, where children were punished for speaking their mother tongue.
Traditional systems of land management were dismantled, while Amazigh customary laws guaranteeing rights to land – never reinstated after the colonial period – left communities vulnerable to displacement.
The state’s Arabization strategy extended beyond language policy. Public institutions, media, and administrative services operated exclusively in Arabic, effectively excluding Amazigh speakers from participating fully in civic life.
This institutional marginalization pushed Amazigh cultural practices to the periphery, treating them as folkloric remnants rather than living traditions of Morocco’s indigenous population.
The impact of these policies rippled through generations. Amazigh communities faced systemic barriers to education, employment, and political representation. The abolition of traditional land rights led to widespread displacement, forcing many to abandon ancestral territories.
This erosion of land access not only threatened economic stability but struck at the heart of Amazigh cultural identity, where connection to ancestral lands forms the foundation of community life.
The devastating earthquake of September 2023, which claimed over 2,800 lives, exposed the ongoing consequences of this historical marginalization. Often lacking basic infrastructure and emergency services, Amazigh villages suffered disproportionate damage.
Remote communities found themselves isolated from aid, with crumbling infrastructure and inadequate emergency response systems revealing the stark disparities in development and public investment. The disaster laid bare how decades of exclusion from national development planning left Amazigh regions particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.
The earthquake’s aftermath magnified the persistent gap between symbolic recognition and substantive equality, demonstrating how historical marginalization continues to shape present-day vulnerabilities in Amazigh communities.
Language rights and education
These structural inequalities persist despite recent cultural recognition. While Tamazight gained official language status in 2011, the implementation of this policy remains limited in practice.
Government services, healthcare information, and emergency communications still primarily operate in Arabic and French, creating persistent barriers for Amazigh communities.
The struggle for meaningful linguistic inclusion continues, with the current 31% rate of Tamazight instruction in primary schools reflecting both progress and persistent challenges, though government initiatives aim to reach 50% by 2025-26.
The Ministry of Education’s ambitious roadmap envisions expanding this initiative from the current 1,803 primary schools to 12,000 institutions by 2030, potentially benefiting four million students.
The 2019 law formalizing Tamazight’s use in governmental administration, local authorities, and public services marked another milestone. Yet, practical implementation often falls short of legal promises, with usage largely limited to official signage rather than substantive integration into administrative functions.
Even the 2024 census sparked controversy, with the Moroccan Association for Research and Cultural Exchange criticizing the High Commission for Planning for “systematic exclusion of Tamazight” in the process.
The census claimed only 25% of Moroccans speak Amazigh, a figure strongly contested by activists who assert the real number could be as high as 85% of the population.
The journey toward recognition has seen significant milestones. King Mohammed VI’s historic 2001 Ajdir speech affirmed Amazigh identity as fundamental to Moroccan culture, leading to the establishment of the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture. In 2003, Morocco officially adopted the Tifinagh script, culminating in the 2011 constitutional recognition.
Yet, activists note a concerning trend. Moroccan human rights activist Ahmed Assid points out that “Amazigh language lost two thirds of its speakers in five decades,” highlighting the urgent need for preservation efforts despite official progress.
Living heritage
With Morocco marking its second year of officially recognizing Yennayer, the celebration comes at a time of both progress and persistent challenges for the Amazigh people.
Traditional Amazigh land management systems, dismantled during colonial times, remain un-reinstated. Remote communities still struggle for basic infrastructure and services.
Yet in villages across the High Atlas, families gather around communal plates, sharing meals that symbolize abundance and renewal. Children search for hidden dates in their “tagoula,” while elders pass down stories of harsh winters and resilient communities.
Young couples choose this time for weddings, and families mark their sons’ first haircuts, linking personal milestones to the cycle of seasonal renewal.
The celebration of Yennayer 2975 thus stands as both a victory and a reminder – of battles won for cultural recognition, and of continued struggles for full equality and justice.
Scholars highlight the camel’s role in Arab history and the Arabic language
Experts from Saudi Arabia and abroad gather in Riyadh
Scholars at a Riyadh conference this week underscored the fundamental role the camel has played in shaping Arab heritage, emphasizing the profound link between camels and the Arabic language.
King Saud University, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, is hosting the Fifth International Conference, titled “Camels in Arab Culture,” which ends on Thursday.
Prominent scholars and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad are participating in the conference, which is exploring key topics related to camels, including heritage, history and geography, and archaeological findings.
Hajed Al-Harbi, conference chairman, said: “Honoring camels is a tribute to our deep-rooted values and rich heritage, reflecting our pride in our origins and historical legacy.”
Ibrahim Al-Furaih, conference secretary, told Arab News how the conference underscores the central role camels have played in shaping Arabic literature and intellectual thought throughout history.
“Camels are a fundamental element of our national identity and Arab culture, with a significant presence in our heritage.
“Whether through literature, poetry, inscriptions, or the daily life of early Arabs, they have left an indelible mark. Their influence endures, continuing to shape the lives of Arabs to this day,” Al-Furaih said.
Bedoor Al-Fassam, chair of the public relations committee for the conference, said organizers spent months preparing for the event.
Dr. Al-Fassam, who is also an assistant professor of literature and criticism in the Arabic language department at the university, confirmed that conference participation requests exceeded 300, from which 40 research papers were selected. The submitted papers covered a wide range of fields, including literary, linguistic, historical, and social studies, in addition to anthropology research.
Alongside participants from Saudi universities, the conference features academics from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Canada.
The attendees discussed the definition of camels in language and lexicography, as well as their effect on cultural and national identity.
Additionally, they explored the role of camels in Arabic poetry, narrative storytelling and biographies, highlighting their significance in other literatures and cultures.
The conference further delved into the role of camels in the national economy, addressing sectors such as investment, tourism, and entertainment, in addition to camel festivals, sports and racing events.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Dr. Hajid Alharbi, Conference Chairman, delivered a speech during the opening of the “Camels in Arab Culture” conference on Tuesday in Riyadh. (supplied)
