Category: Uncategorized

MOROCCAN Student Zakaria Abisourour Wins Historic Silver at International Informatics Olympiad

Zakaria Abisourour’s breakthrough in Tashkent marks Morocco’s first silver medal at the prestigious global competition.

A year after he left the International Olympiad in Informatics with an honorable mention, Moroccan student Zakaria Abisourour returned to the world’s top programming competion with a far stronger result: a silver medal and a place among the world’s leading young programmers.

Abisourour scored 332.42 points at the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from August 9 to 16. His score placed him 63rd out of 375 contestants from 92 delegations.

More importantly for Morocco, his result delivered the country’s first silver medal in IOI history.

The 17-year-old’s score comfortably cleared the 303.28-point threshold for silver, by more than 29 points. He finished ahead of more than 83% of the competition’s participants.

A remarkable leap in one year

The scale of Abisourour’s progress becomes clearer when compared with his result at last year’s competition.

At the 2025 IOI in Sucre, Bolivia, he scored 228 points and ranked 190th among 330 participants. That performance earned him an honorable mention.

This year, he added 104.42 points to his total and moved up 127 places in the global standings.

His six scores in Tashkent were 47, 36, 100, 75, 70.42, and four points. A perfect 100 point score on one of the problems proved particularly valuable as he pushed into the silver-medal bracket.

The jump from an honorable mention to a silver medal in just one year puts his achievement among Morocco’s strongest results at the competition.

A new chapter for Morocco at the IOI

Before Abisourour’s breakthrough, Morocco’s IOI record stood at three bronze medals and four honorable mentions.

His silver medal now gives the country its first medal of that level, although Morocco is still waiting for its first gold.

His 63rd-place finish also represents the country’s best individual ranking at the IOI, according to the competition’s results.

The achievement could give a boost to Morocco’s competitive programming scene, where young programmers face demanding algorithmic challenges long before they enter university.

Morocco’s other competitors

Abisourour was one of four Moroccan students who took part in this year’s Olympiad.

Mohammed Cherki finished 216th with 198.50 points and received an honorable mention. Yassir Salama placed 232nd with 176.05 points, while Mohamed Aada ranked 307th with 77.64 points.

Together, the four students represented Morocco at one of the most demanding international competitions for secondary-school programmers.

Where young programmers meet

The IOI brings together some of the strongest student programmers from around the world. Unlike team-based competitions, contestants compete individually and must solve complex algorithmic problems under strict time and memory limits.

The 2026 competition featured two five-hour sessions, with six problems designed to test programming, algorithm design, data structures, and analytical thinking.

This year, competitors needed at least 361.12 points for gold, 303.28 for silver, and 228.80 for bronze. Organizers awarded 32 gold medals, 62 silver medals, and 94 bronze medals, alongside 43 honorable mentions.

For Morocco, however, the most significant number was 332.42, the score that carried Abisourour to a historic silver medal.

His result shows how quickly a young programmer can rise with sustained preparation and experience. More broadly, it offers a promising sign for Morocco’s next generation of competitive programmers, while setting a new target for those who follow: the country’s first IOI gold medal.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Zakaria Abisourour scored 332.42 pointsat the 38th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI),held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from August 9 to 16. His score placed him 63rd out of 375 contestants.

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MOROCCO

HAIFA (Ottoman Empire, part of Mandated Palestine, now present day Israel) Haifa Liberation Day: Over a century-old war memorabilia rests in a family home connected with erstwhile Mysore royals

A sword that belonged to Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim, known for most raids on Suez canal and disruption of the movement ships during the World War I, has been with the family of the late Risaldar Lingaraj Urs, who was part of Mysore Lancers.

The role of Mysore Lancers in the liberation of Haifa, an important port city in Israel during World War I, has been well documented. Even as the Haifa Liberation Day is set to be observed on Monday (September 23, 2024), another slice of Mysuru’s connection to the history of World War I has largely remained in the shadows.

A war memorabilia is tucked away inside a family home connected with the erstwhile Mysore royals. The sword that belonged to Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim, known for most raids on the Suez Canal and disruption of the movement of ships during World War I, has been with the family of the late Risaldar Lingaraj Urs that resides in Mysuru.

Though it has been in their home for over 100 years, it became public only recently. Those in the Urs community connected to the family knew of the sword of the Bedouin leader that was seized by Lingaraj Urs after killing him in a hand-to-hand combat. He had kept it as part of his personal belongings.

The late Risaldar Lingaraj Urs, who killed Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim in a hand-to-hand combat in October 1915, effectively putting an end to the raids on the Suez Canal during World War I. | Photo Credit: Sriram M.A.

Lingaraj Urs was part of Mysore Lancers, that fought in the war as part of the Imperial army. They were posted in the Suez Canal area and assigned to guard it from the East Bank from the Ottomans and Germans, who were regularly attacking the canal area, says Traces of War, which tracks the war history.

“In October 1915, in the eastern parts of Kantarah area, Mysore Lancers saw 60 camel mounted Turkish troops, with a back up of 200 more, advancing. They were engaged, chased seven miles, eastwards. The notorious Salim was engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, and was killed by A. Lingaraj Urs. After Salim’s death, the attempts on the canal entirely ceased. For his act of bravery, Lingaraj Urs was awarded the Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class).”

A photo of the late Risaldar Lingaraj Urs, who killed Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim in a hand-to-hand combat in October 1915, is seen along with the latter’s sword which Mr. Urs kept as part of his personal belongings. The sword has remained with the Urs family for over 100 years. | Photo Credit: Sriram M.A.

Decorated for bravery

Lingaraj Urs, however, could not be part of the jubilant returning troops that received a royal welcome. Just before the World War I ended, a fight broke out at Aleppo in current day Syria on October 25, 1918, between the British army and the Ottoman troops that were moving toward Damascus. As many as 13 soldiers from Mysore Lancers, including Lingaraj Urs, were killed on October 26. According to Commonwealth Grave Commission, Lingaraj Urs was cremated at Basra memorial in Iraq. His name is also engraved in the Teen Murti Memorial at Delhi and World War I memorial in Bengaluru.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

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T.V. Nagaprasanna Raje Urs (81), an agriculturist and grandson of Mysore Lancers soldier Risaldar Lingaraj Urs, holds the sword that belonged to Bedouin leader Rizkalla Salim who was killed in 1915. The sword, a war memorabilia has remained with the family of the late Lingaraj Urs in Mysuru for over 100 years. | Photo Credit: Sriram M.A.

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HAIFA (Ottoman Empire, part of Mandated Palestinen, now present day Israel)

ARAB : Rare photos from 1890s can now be viewed on NYU Abu Dhabi’s photography archive

Over 1,500 photographs dating from the 1890s to the 1960s are now live.

Over 1500 rare photographs, some of the dating back to the early 1900s, have been digitised and published in 12 photo albums and prints by Akkasah, the photography archive at NYU Abu Dhabi’s al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art.

The photographs offer a fascinating peek into a slice of history of countries in the region including Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Iraq.

A particularly rare image in the album is one taken at the famous oil drilling site of Baba Gurgur ‘father of fires’ in Kirkuk, Iraq, shortly after its discovery, showing the first gusher which occurred in October 1927.

Another album depicts peace protests during the Iran Oil Crisis of 1951 while yet another is of a naturalist’s travelogue of Algeria in 1902.

The images were researched and cataloged by Collections Management Archivist, Jasmine Soliman and NYUAD alumna, Emily Broad.

“The photographs date from the 1890s to the 1960s and feature incredible diversity of regional dress, customs, architecture, landscapes, and daily life,” says Jasmine.

‘We’ve been able to develop such a diverse archive due to our flexible model of building collections.’’

In addition to acquiring photographs, Akkasah works with individuals and families who want their collections to be digitally archived and shared on akkasah.org, whilst they retain the physical photographs. ‘’Over 2,800 of the images currently online are a result of ‘digitize and return’ collaborations,” says Jasmine.

Akkasah boasts a thriving archive of the photographic heritage of the Arab world and the neighboring regions and is dedicated to documenting and preserving the diverse histories and practices of photography from the region. It also welcomes proposals for new collections and collaborations.

Its growing archive contains over 35,000 images, with over 12,900 online. The archive is open to scholars, students and the general public by appointment.

The al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art at NYU Abu Dhabi explores interdisciplinary research on the history of the visual arts in the Arab world. The Center’s mission is to build an archive documenting modern art and photography, and to serve as a nexus for research that expands scholarship and teaching in the humanities and social sciences.

For more information, visit:  akkasah.org (headline edited)

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Dar Chaabane El Fehri, Nabeul, Tunisia. Circa 1951. Stonemasons. / Supplied

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ARAB

U.AE. – EMIRATES : UAE President meets Fatima Al Awadhi youngest Arab woman to conquer Antarctica’s highest peak

Fatima Al Awadhi is the youngest Emirati to climb Mt Vinson and Europe’s highest mountain.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi, who became the youngest Arab woman to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, and the youngest Emirati to scale Europe’s highest mountain, Mount Elbrus.

Earlier this year, the 18-year-old achieved a landmark feat for the Arab world by reaching the 4,892-metre summit of Mount Vinson, making her the first and youngest Arab to conquer the continent’s highest peak.

The achievement marks the third stage of Al Awadhi’s ambitious quest to complete the Seven Summits challenge, which involves climbing the highest mountain on each of the world’s seven continents, reflecting the determination of Emirati youth to take on some of the world’s toughest challenges.

Al Awadhi dedicated her achievement to President Sheikh Mohamed and to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation”, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, in recognition of their continued support for Emirati youth and women and their commitment to empowering new generations to achieve their ambitions and raise the UAE’s profile internationally.

The accomplishment followed an arduous expedition through one of the harshest natural environments on Earth, where she endured temperatures of more than 40 degrees Celsius below zero, severe weather conditions and powerful winds that demanded a high level of physical endurance and preparation.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headlines edited)

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Emirati mountaineer Fatima Abdulrahman Al Awadhi became the youngest Arab woman to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, and the youngest Emirati to scale Europe’s highest mountain, Mount Elbrus. / X

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EMIRATES (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES)

SHARJAH, U.A.E. : Sheikha Bodour brings story of ancient Arab queens to life in heart of Europe

Polish edition of ‘Let Them Know She Is Here’ opens a new window onto UAE’s past.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi’s ode to ancient Arab queens is set to help more people discover the incredible history of the UAE.

Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha is now available in Polish thanks to publishing house Sonia Draga Sp. z o.o.

“I feel a lot of people don’t know about the history of the United Arab Emirates or Mleiha, or any of our region. This book is a starting point, I would say, for that information”, said Sheikha Bodour at the launch in a quaint Polish bookstore.

The packed-out event in Warsaw’s Księgarnia Korekty shop took place during the Warsaw International Book Fair, where Sharjah was the first Arab Guest of Honour in the event’s history.

During the session, Sheikha Bodour, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, read an excerpt from the book in ِEnglish followed by the publisher, Sonia Draga, who read the same passage in Polish. Sheikha Bodour then signed copies for a queue of local literature enthusiasts.

Sheikha Bodour added: “Let Them Know She is Here brings to light a forgotten history of ancient Arab queens whose sovereignty was etched into the mountains, sands, and coins of Mleiha.

“I am pleased that this part of our heritage will find a new home in the hearts of Polish readers, expanding our cultural dialogue and inviting them to explore a narrative rich in historical truth and complexity.” 

Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha blends personal reflections with historical moments to examine the role of women in early history and the relationship between place, memory, and cultural identity.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi in the Księgarnia Korekty bookstore in Warsaw for the launch of the Polish version of her book Let Them Know She Is Here: Searching for the Queen of Mleiha / Sharjah

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

DUBAI, U.A.E. / ARAB : Mohammed bin Rashid: 40 million students join Arab Reading Challenge

Record participation from 60 countries marks 10th edition of literacy drive.

More than 40 million students from 138,000 schools across 60 countries took part in the 10th edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, one of the world’s largest literacy initiatives, it was announced on Friday.

In a post on X, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the continued growth of the initiative reflects the UAE’s long-term commitment to investing in education and building future generations equipped with knowledge and critical skills.

“Our journey with the Arab Reading Challenge continues,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding “Our nation-building projects do not stop. They are driven by our firm belief in the importance of developing educated, aware generations equipped with the skills of the future,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

Quoting a well-known Quranic verse, he added: “As for the foam, it vanishes, but what benefits people remains on earth,” describing the reading challenge as a project with a lasting impact on millions of students.

Launched in 2015 under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the Arab Reading Challenge encourages students across the Arab world and beyond to read and summarise dozens of books each academic year, with the aim of strengthening literacy, critical thinking and lifelong learning habits.

Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed continued support for the initiative, describing it as a long-term investment in knowledge and a project that will continue to benefit students and societies alike.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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Students at the 2025 Arab Reading Challenge award ceremony. / Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

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

MOROCCO / DUBAI, U.A.E: Sheikh Mohammed honours Moroccan Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi, the Winner of ‘Arab Hope Makers

Humanitarian Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi was named the leading winner and awarded Dh1 million.

 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated Morocco’s leadership and people following the victory of Moroccan humanitarian Fawzia Mahmoudi in the sixth edition of the “Arab Hope Makers” initiative.

“In the presence of thousands of Arab youths today in Dubai, we honoured the winner of the sixth edition of the “Arab Hope Makers” initiative, Fawzia Mahmoudi from Morocco,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on his X account.

The Vice President added: “We congratulate the Moroccan people and their wise leadership, as well as Arab youths on this positive movement. We stand firmly behind them and believe that creating hope is creating life itself. We must continue to plant the seeds of optimism and hope, through which nations thrive, generations flourish, and miracles are made.”

The winners of the “Arab Hope Makers” initiative were honoured at a glittering ceremony in Dubai, recognising humanitarian champions whose work has transformed lives across the Arab world and beyond.

Moroccan humanitarian Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi, Senior Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at Operation Smile, was named the leading winner and awarded Dh1 million in recognition of her efforts to help more than 19,000 children receive life-changing cleft surgeries.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi during the awarding ceremony. / WAM

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MOROCCO / DUBAI, U.A.E.

ARAB Cinema dominate 2026 Oscars International Feature Shortlist with Brad Pitt’s Voice Of Hind Rajab and revolt epic Palestine 36

These politically-charged films make it clear: Arab cinema is set to command Oscars stage.

The 2026 Oscars are shaping up to be a landmark moment for Arab cinema, with four films from the region making the coveted international feature film shortlist.

It’s a mix of historical epics, family sagas, and award-winning debuts that prove the Arab world’s storytelling is gaining global recognition.

Leading the charge is Iraq’s Hasan Hadi with The President’s Cake, a compelling drama that has already turned heads on the festival circuit. From Tunisia comes Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, set in Gaza and resonating with audiences for its raw, human storytelling. Palestine is represented by Annemarie Jacir’s Palestine 36, a sweeping historical epic set against the Arab revolt of the 1930s.

Jordanian filmmaker Cherien Dabis completes the Arab lineup with All That’s Left of You, an intergenerational drama tracing Palestinian history from 1948 to the late 1980s.

These films will face stiff competition from a global roster including entries from India, Japan, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

Some films bring additional regional resonance: Spain’s Sirat, filmed in Morocco, stars Algerian-Turkish actress Jade Oukid, while France’s submission It Was Just an Accident is an Iranian production by Jafar Panahi, who recently faced a one-year prison sentence in absentia after secretly making the film in Iran.

This year, 86 countries and territories threw their hats in the ring for Best International Feature. According to Academy rules, qualifying films must be made outside the US and feature predominantly non-English dialogue. Members from all branches took part in preliminary voting, with the final nominations set to be revealed in January 2026.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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From left : US actor Joaquin Phoenix, US actress Rooney Mara, Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, actor Motaz Malhees and actress Clara Khoury pose with a portrait of late Palestinian girl Hind Rajab during the red carpet for the movie “The Voice of Hind Rajab” presented in competition at the 82nd International Venice Film Festival, at Venice Lido on September 3, 2025. / AFP-TIZIANA FABI

Billy Howle, Annemarie Jacir, Saleh Bakri and Hiam Abbass of “Palestine 36” pose in the Getty Images Portrait Studio Presented by IMDb and IMDbPro during the Toronto International Film Festival at InterContinental Toronto Centre on September 06, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario./ AFP-GARETH CATTERMOL

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ARAB

ARAB / ABU DHABI, U.A.E: Amazon launches Digital Arabic Library with over 38,000 titles and 1,000 free books

The Digital Arabic Library features books in Kindle eBook and Audible audiobook formats.

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and Amazon have joined forces to make Arabic literature more accessible to readers around the world.

The new Digital Arabic Library was launched on January 20, 2026. It offers more than 38,000 Arabic language books to global audiences. Over 1,000 of these titles are available completely free.

Filling a critical gap

The initiative addresses a major problem in the digital world. Despite having 400 million Arabic speakers worldwide, Arabic content remains scarce online.

“Given the small percentage of Arabic content available online despite the large number of Arabic speakers, this initiative will play an important role in breaking down barriers,” said Dr Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre in a statement.

The library can be accessed at www.amazon.com/digitalarabiclibrary.

What readers will find
The Digital Arabic Library features books in both Kindle eBook and Audible audiobook formats. Readers can explore various genres including history, science, health, memoirs, fiction, and non-fiction.

The collection includes over 33,000 Kindle eBooks and 5,000 audiobooks. Popular titles available include The Muqaddimah by Ibn Khaldun, and Cairo Modern by Naguib Mahfouz.

The platform also features contemporary works like The Blue Elephant by Ahmed Mourad and The Lost Star by Sara Al Shamsi.

A user-friendly experience

Amazon has created a unique browsing experience for the library. The storefront features vibrant colors and traditional Arabic calligraphy that celebrate the region’s cultural heritage.

Customer ratings and reviews help readers discover new books easily. The platform brings together both timeless classics and modern works in one convenient location.

“The Digital Arabic Library delivers a seamless experience where customers can easily discover thousands of Arabic Kindle eBooks and Audible audiobooks across different genres in one place,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

Supporting regional publishers

The initiative does more than just provide books to readers. It also supports publishers across the Middle East and North Africa region.

The platform helps publishers adapt to the changing digital publishing landscape. It gives them access to millions of potential readers worldwide.

Audiobooks represent the fastest growing format in publishing. The inclusion of Audible’s catalogue gives Arabic speakers more options for how they consume content.

Arabic literature ahead

Over the next three years, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre will work with publishers to expand the collection even further. Amazon will promote these titles to ensure they reach millions of readers globally.

Dr Ali bin Tamim emphasised the cultural importance of the project. “This project will provide new and innovative channels to facilitate access to Arabic cultural content for readers wherever they may be,” he said.

Areeba Hashmi is a trainee at Gulf News.

source/content: gulfnews.com (headlines edited)

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The collection includes over 33,000 Kindle eBooks and 5,000 audiobooks / Amazon

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ARAB / ABU DHABI, U.A.E

ARAB / U.A.E : Actualize launches Faseeh, the first human-like Arabic Voice for the GCC

The most comprehensive Arabic voice library, starting with 12+ regional dialects.

Actualize, a Conversational AI platform headquartered in the UAE, has announced the launch of Faseeh, the first human-like Arabic voice model built natively for regional Arabic dialects and enterprise communication.

Faseeh introduces the most comprehensive Arabic voice library, starting with 12+ regional dialects including Emirati-neutral, Najdi, Hijazi, Kuwaiti, Omani, and Qatari, and soon expanding to the full spectrum of MENA Arabic dialects.

Arabic speech technology has lagged behind English, often producing audio that sounded robotic, generic, or disconnected from cultural identity. Faseeh addresses this gap by providing natural tone, emotional inflection, cultural rhythm, and everyday Gulf speech expressions.

While rooted in deeply localized Arabic dialects and accents, Faseeh also delivers state-of-the-art English and multilingual speech, ensuring a single, consistent voice experience across all touchpoints.

“Arabic wasn’t an afterthought for us, it was the priority,” said Muhammed Shabreen, Co-Founder & CEO of Actualize.

Faseeh’s training leverages a large, well-curated Arabic audio corpus sourced from diverse domains and speakers. This dataset diversity translates directly into model flexibility, allowing Faseeh to adapt seamlessly to varied use cases including content creation, telecommunications, e-learning platforms, and customer engagement systems. Combined with its human-like prosody and low-latency inference, Faseeh meets the demands of production environments where both quality and speed are critical.

A key differentiator is deployment flexibility. Faseeh is available in small, medium, and large model sizes and can run fully on-premise or via API / cloud marketplace, with hosting across GCC data centers to ensure full data residency and regulatory compliance. Optimized to deliver ~350ms TTFB, Faseeh is currently the fastest and most natural Arabic voice model for real-time interaction.

Actualize delivers the region’s first fully on-premise Conversational AI stack, already operating at scale and powering tens of thousands of real customer interactions every day. The platform includes:

  • AI Voice Agents with native GCC telephony integrations
  • Chat & WhatsApp Automation
  • Email Resolution Agents
  • Post-Call AI Auditing and Analytics
  • Data Studio
  • And now, Faseeh – the region’s most advanced native Arabic speech model.

“Faseeh is Arabic spoken with precision and respect,” – Shabreen added

source/content: gulfnews.com (headline edited)

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From Left: Co-Founders Khalid Ghiboub and Muhammed Shabreen, CEO.

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ARAB / UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)