Category: Women / Girls

SUDANESE / BRITISH : Honoured by King Charles III, the Sudanese born visual artist Omeima Mudawi, interviewed by Altaghyeer

Following the official ceremony of her receiving the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from King Charles III, Sudanese born, UK national, artist Omeima Osman Khalid Mudawe has been on the spotlight, not only within her country of birth, the Sudan, but globally.

When she moved to live in the UK, Omeima had carried her first country Sudan in her heart. Her work there as a crafts and visual artist was influenced by her Sudanese heritage. She was nominated for the award thanks to her significant services with and for people with special needs, namely deaf, within the arts field.

Omeima spoke to Altaghyeer about the OBE and other topics. Following are excerpts from the interview:

 Khartoum, Altaghyeer: Abdallah Berair

1/ did you expect to win the award?

When I received the news from Buckingham Palace informing me of the award, it arrived in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL. I wondered what it was, opened it up, saw the Buckingham Palace logo and decided that it was my husband playing a practical joke on me. I had no idea!

2/ how did you feel when you got the news that you were awarded an MBE?

I was in shock and confused – why had I been awarded it? What did it mean? I confess that I didn’t really know what an MBE was, so I had to look it up. My nomination was for services to deaf and disabled people in the Arts but I didn’t know who had nominated me for it. Eventually I discovered that the Crafts Council had nominated me for the award, in recognition of the 25 years I have spent working to be a positive role model and develop projects that bring hearing and Deaf artists together. I had conducted some work with the Craft Council, specifically looking at Access and Equality policies, and helping to ensure that crafters and artists who are also Deaf have equitable opportunities and access to the work that they do.

I kept my award confidential but on 1 January 2022, it was announced in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. I was overwhelmed by the response I received from people getting in touch to congratulate me and from various news outlets and organisations to interview me. I even received a personal letter from my local MP. The public recognition of my life’s passion and work is what has moved me the most, and from that time on I have gradually adjusted to feeling proud to be a role model for aspiring artists and craft-makers who are also Deaf. I also want to show wider society that once Deaf people have our communication needs recognised and accommodated, we can achieve anything. The sky’s the limit! I am proud to be a Muslim woman of colour who has been recognised first for her work as an artist and then for her Deafness. This is what this honour means to me – that other young artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, but who also happen to be Deaf, can see that it is possible to achieve their dreams because their work comes first and their deafness/disability second, not the other way round.


3/ did the Qatar trip and visit affect your career in any way?

The trip to Qatar happened when my daughter was 3 – it was the first time I had been away from her for so long, so it was difficult, but it really helped to open doors to new networks that have sustained my working career. The relationship I developed with the British Council led to me making connections at the Arab British Centre, and later I had my first solo exhibition with their support. This led me to meeting many other mainstream hearing artists which helped to develop my confidence and self-belief. Ultimately, because of the networks I have developed since that time, I received a runner-up prize from the Arab British Centre in 2019 (for cultural achievements), the same year I became a Clore Fellow: another life-changing, career-defining moment.


4/ what did you take from your Sudanese culture that is present in your work?

The shapes and recurring motifs that are present in my work are directly influenced by my Sudanese heritage. Shapes are influenced by things like the cowrie shells and the beads of a prayer bracelet, and the sweeping lines of Arabic calligraphy and architecture. Colour plays an important part in my work, particularly colours that represent the heat of the Sudanese landscape that I remember so well, like reds, browns and oranges. I like to contrast these with the colours of my adopted country, the UK, to reflect the integrated nature of my identity. My memories as a child in Sudan have formed the inspiration for several of my exhibitions, for example A River Runs Through where I worked with several members of the Sudanese ex-pat community in the town where I now live, Brighton and Hove, to explore what the River Nile means to them and how it influence their journeys to the UK. I carry Sudan in my heart through everything that I do.


5/ your time in Saudi, do you remember it?

I remember it as a very lonely time as there was no access to the education there – there was very little understanding of what a deaf child needed in order to access what the teacher was saying and so it was a frustrating experience. I felt like I was the only deaf child in the world as I didn’t see any other deaf children or adults. That was when the decision to move to the UK was made. You can see more here about my brother’s experience that mentions this time: https://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/found-uk


6/ are you going to have a art exhibit in Khartoum?

I had a solo exhibition in Khartoum at the Hilton Hotel in 2002 – a long time ago! Even though it wasn’t at a proper gallery, I did manage to sell a few pieces of work but it was a challenge to organise. There was not a good understanding around the needs of an artist who was also Deaf which meant that barriers were not easily overcome. I would love to organise an event that celebrates art work made by people that happen to be disabled or deaf but without that being the main focus.


7/how do you feel when you see the revolution in Sudan on the TV?

It was shocked to see this news and obviously I was worried for my father, siblings and other family who were living in Khartoum. Later, when it became clearer what was happening, I was inspired to see women taking a lead in the demonstrations, especially the woman who stood above the crowds, whose image became famous around the world.


8/ how was the support from the family during your upbringing?

I had a lot of support at home as a child, but it reached a point where it seemed the best thing was for myself and my deaf brother Ahmed to receive our education in the UK and get other kinds of support that would help us to be independent later in life. It meant a lot of upheaval for all my family and from that time on my mother spent much of her time in the UK to be with us, separating her from Sudanese life and friends. Sadly, my MBE investiture was delayed due to covid, and my mother passed away before my ceremony was due to be held. Losing her and my father in such a short space of time meant that the day of my award investiture was emotionally charged; their absences were keenly felt. But I am grateful that, although my father passed before I received news of the award, my mother was alive for me to share the news with her. We both cried a lot that day as we recognised that this honour was only possible because of her incredible sacrifice. Because of her selflessness, I am who I am today and have achieved what I have. My mother asked me to remember my heritage as a Sudanese woman by wearing a traditional Sudanese sari on the day and I was so proud to wear the outfit that my sister had brought for me and the necklace that my mother had gifted to me when she died.

source/content: altaghyeer.info

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BRITISH / SUDANESE

EGYPT : Sarah Goher Among Variety’s ‘10 Directors to Watch’ List

Sarah Goher has become the first Egyptian director included in Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” list.

Among the 10 emerging directors on Variety’s list are Kristen Stewart, Walter Thompson-Hernandez and Akinola Davies. Goher’s selection follows the runaway success of her debut feature film, Happy Birthday, a tender yet powerful story about class and longing, told through the eyes of an 8-year-old maid.

Goher co-wrote the script with Mohamed Diab; production is handled by Ahmed El Desouky, Ahmed Abbas, Ahmed Badawy, along with Hollywood-heavyweights Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner.

‘Happy Birthday’ premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, winning Best International Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay and the Nora Ephron Award for Outstanding Female Director.

The film was also Egypt’s official submission to the Oscars.

source/content: cairoscene.com (headline edited)

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EGYPT

EGYPT’s Salwa Bakr wins inaugural BRICS Literary Prize in Russia

Egyptian novelist Salwa Bakr has won the inaugural BRICS Literary Prize, receiving one million Russian rubles at a ceremony in Khabarovsk, Russia.

The first edition of the prize drew nominees from across the BRICS bloc—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—as well as the United Arab Emirates.

Bakr’s victory reflects the growing international recognition of Arab authors on major literary platforms.

The BRICS Prize Board of Trustees had previously announced a longlist of 27 writers competing in the literature category.

Egyptian authors included Ibrahim Abdel Meguid, Salwa Bakr, and Fathi Imbabi, alongside UAE writers Sheikh Ali bin Tamim, Maisoon Saqr, and Reem Al Kamali.

The longlist also featured Russian writers Alexey Varlamov, Andrey Gelasimov, and Dmitry Danilov; Brazilian authors Ana Maria Gonçalves, Patrícia Melo, and Ricardo Aleixo; Indian writers Jay Vasavada, Dr. Rajan Kumar.

It also included Sonu Saini; Chinese authors Ma Boyong and Ai Yi; South African nominees Ntabiseng Jah Rose Jafta, Bongiwe Mhlongo, and Zainab Khan; Ethiopian writer Abere Adamu; Iranian authors Mansour Ali Moradi, Majid Ghasemi, and Reza Amerihani; and Indonesian writers Ekasakti Panu, Intan Paramaditha, and Deni Jha.

The winner receives a cash prize, a commemorative shield and a certificate of appreciation.

Organizers said the award aims to promote cultural exchange among BRICS nations and highlight literature’s role in advancing shared human values, including solidarity and peace.

Salwa Bakr (born 1949, Cairo) is a renowned Egyptian writer, novelist, and critic. She is the author of seven short story collections, seven novels, and a play.

Bakr graduated from Ain Shams University and has worked as a film and theatre critic for leading Arab publications, as well as a professor at the American University in Cairo.

Her works, including the novel The Golden Chariot, often explore the lives of the disadvantaged and marginalized, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by women in Egyptian society.

Bakr’s books and stories have been translated into numerous European languages. Her novel The Man from Bashmour was selected for the Arab Writers Union’s list of the 100 Best Arabic Novels.

She has received the Deutsche Welle Literary Prize and is a member of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Culture and the Egyptian Writers’ Union.

The award was established by participants of the BRICS Forum “Traditional Values” in Moscow, November 2024.

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

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EGYPT

TUNISIAN Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

On February , 2025, the 10th edition of the Trophées de Femmes Entrepreneures de Tunisie (FET) honored nine outstanding Tunisian women entrepreneurs for their innovation, resilience, and the impact of their ventures. Organized by Managers magazine in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the event brought together a distinguished audience, including ministers Asma Jabri (Family, Women, Children, and Seniors), Fatma Thabet Chiboub (Industry, Mines, and Energy), and Jihene Srioui (Financing and Partnerships, Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training).

In her opening speech, Sahar Mechri, Executive Director of Managers, emphasized that the FET Awards are more than a celebration, they are a validation of bold journeys and a source of inspiration for future generations of women leaders.

Spotlight on the 2025 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Malak Boukthir, founder of Ecofeed, was named Tunisian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 for her groundbreaking project that transforms crab waste into sustainable animal feed a powerful example of eco-innovation.

Other Honorees Included:

  • Teycyr Chtioui (Chkarty) – EU Inclusivity Award
  • Hadhami Rjiba (Relead) – UIB Tech Impact Award
  • Mejda Khaled (Agaruw) – BYD Sustainability Award
  • Sonia Amiri (Oléa Amiri) – CDC Agribusiness Award
  • Ibtihel Ben Hadj Mbarek (Herbalya Natural Care) – PGH Industrial Excellence Award
  • Asma Daoudi (Lihaf Home) – MAE Heritage Award
  • Imen Bakhti (La Seine) – Microcred Empowerment Award
  • Fatma Midani (Soul & Planet) – Meninx Marketplaces Award

Beyond Recognition: Support for Growth

Along with financial prizes from sponsors, the winners will benefit from a tailored mentorship program offered by the Club des Femmes Entrepreneures de Tunisie. Thanks to the support of the European Union Delegation, they will also receive personalized guidance through various EU-funded projects, including Adapt, Greenov’i, CQE (Qualitative Growth for Employment), Insadder, and Initiative Tunisie.

The FET Awards go beyond accolades, they celebrate a thriving community of women entrepreneurs driving Tunisia’s social and economic development. By highlighting their stories and successes, the event strengthens the spirit of sorority and underscores the transformative power of female entrepreneurship in Tunisia.

source/content: freiheit.org /Friedrich Naumann Foundation (headline edited)

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Tunisian Women Entrepreneurs Honored for Innovation and Impact at the 10th FET Awards

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TUNISIA

SYRIA : Maysaa Sabrine becomes first woman appointed as Syria’s Central Bank governor

Syria’s new administration announced on Monday the appointment of Maysaa Sabrine as the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, making her the first woman to hold this position in the bank’s history.

Prior to her new role, Sabrin held several prominent positions within the Central Bank, including First Deputy Governor and Supervising Director. She also served as the Head of the Office Supervision Department.

In addition to her roles within the Central Bank, Sabrin has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Damascus Securities Exchange since 2018, representing the Central Bank.

Sabrine holds a master’s degree in accounting.

Her appointment comes amid calls for the inclusion of Syrian women in the new Syrian government.

Earlier this month, Aisha al-Dibas was appointed as the head of the Office for Women’s Affairs, becoming the first woman to hold an official position in the new Syrian administration.

source/content: english.alarabiya.net / AlArabiya English (headline edited)

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Maysaa Sabrine. (File photo)

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SYRIA

SAUDI ARABIA : Dalal Al-Matrudi: Young Saudi innovator using science to ease pain and inspire change

This combination of compassion and technology earned Al-Matrudi’s team multiple global awards this year.

For Dalal Al-Matrudi, innovation began not in a lab but at home, watching a loved one battle multiple sclerosis. What started as empathy soon turned into invention, leading her and her team to develop a smart medical device that is now winning awards on international stages.

“Our innovation is a smart medical device designed to assist patients with multiple sclerosis by providing localized muscle massage controlled through a mobile application,” said Al-Matrudi. “It helps relieve pain, reduce muscle stiffness and improve patients’ comfort and daily mobility.”

The device also connects patients directly with their doctors for real-time monitoring. “In emergency situations, it can instantly alert healthcare providers to ensure the patient receives immediate assistance,” she said.

This combination of compassion and technology earned Al-Matrudi’s team multiple global awards this year, including the Gold Medal with Jury’s Honor, the GCC Patent Office Award, and the Grand Prize at the International Invention Fair of the Middle East, or IIFME, hosted by the Kuwait Science Club. The invention was also recognized at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, one of the most prestigious global platforms for innovation.

For Al-Matrudi, 21, who hails from Riyadh, the project was deeply personal. “Our inspiration came from personal experience — one of my family members suffers from multiple sclerosis, and seeing their daily struggle with pain and mobility challenges deeply affected me,” she said.

Together with her teammates, she transformed that emotional drive into a purpose-driven invention. “We wanted to create something practical and compassionate that could truly improve patients’ lives,” she said.

Under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Kholoud Al-Muqrin, a distinguished professor of nuclear physics known for empowering young Saudi innovators, the team refined their prototype into an award-winning solution. “Her continuous guidance and scientific insight played a vital role in shaping our project and transforming our idea into a tangible, award-winning innovation,” Al-Matrudi said.

She believes the foundation of every great innovation is care. “We believed that technology should serve humanity, and that small ideas born from care can evolve into meaningful advancements that bring relief and hope to many,” she added.

Months of research, design and testing culminated in an unforgettable moment at IIFME 2025.

“The most emotional moment was standing on stage when our team’s name, Team May, was announced as the Grand Prize Winner,” she said. “I remember holding my teammates’ hands tightly, feeling both disbelief and overwhelming pride.”

For Al-Matrudi, the victory symbolized much more than recognition. “It wasn’t just about the prize — it was about realizing that months of dedication, late nights and countless trials were finally worth it,” she said.

She recalls how their mentor’s tears turned the win into a collective triumph. “I could see tears in everyone’s eyes, especially our supervisor’s, which made it even more special,” she said. “That moment reminded me that passion and persistence can turn ideas into achievements that reach beyond borders.”

Although the invention is not directly tied to her academic major, medical physics, Al-Matrudi says her background gave her the edge she needed to design effectively.

“Studying medical physics enhanced my scientific thinking and deepened my knowledge of how the human body interacts with medical devices,” she said. “This understanding helped me design a solution that is both safe and effective.”

She believes the key to meaningful innovation lies in combining technical knowledge with emotional intelligence. “Gaining international recognition encouraged me to continue combining my medical knowledge with creative thinking to develop innovations that make healthcare more compassionate, practical and accessible for all,” she said.

Al-Matrudi’s story reflects a growing wave of young Saudi women who are redefining the global image of innovation.

“I hope my journey shows Saudi women that ambition and creativity have no limits,” she said. “Science and innovation are not exclusive fields — they welcome curiosity, persistence and passion.”

Her experience also underscores how inclusion fuels progress. “When women step into these spaces, they bring empathy and fresh perspectives that drive real progress,” she said.

Her message is simple but powerful: “I want every Saudi girl with a dream to believe that she can represent her country globally, no matter her field. Our achievements are proof that with teamwork, guidance and confidence, Saudi women can lead the way in shaping the future of science and technology.”

Today, Al-Matrudi stands as one of the brightest examples of how Saudi youth are translating Vision 2030’s goals into real-world impact. Through her invention, she’s proving that innovation is not just about devices, it’s about dignity, hope and humanity.

As she proudly waved the Saudi flag on stage in Kuwait, surrounded by fellow inventors and mentors, Al-Matrudi’s message was clear: Saudi women are not just participating in the global innovation movement, they’re leading it.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Saudi innovator Dalal Almatrudi proudly holds the Saudi flag after winning the Grand Prize at the International Invention Fair of the Middle East 2025 in Kuwait. (SUPPLIED)

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SAUDI ARABIA

MOROCCO : Mohammed VI Museum Marks 50 Years of Green March (on November 06th, 1975) with Special Exhibition.

This year’s commemoration is especially significant, coming just a week after a UNSC resolution placed Morocco’s autonomy plan at the heart of efforts to resolve the Sahara dispute.

The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Green March with a new exhibition titled “50 Years of the Green March: A Memory in Motion.” 

The exhibition pays homage to one of Morocco’s most defining moments and invites visitors to reflect on the enduring values of peace, unity, and loyalty that continue to shape the nation’s identity five decades after the historic march.

Opened this week, the exhibition combines historical documentation with contemporary artistic interpretation. The exhibition includes an evocative collection of photographs that aims to reaffirm the strength of visual memory and its role in preserving national heritage. This is a key element in Morocco’s ongoing narrative of sovereignty and unity.

A tribute to a defining moment

Organized by the National Foundation of Museums (FNM), the exhibition brings together works by renowned Moroccan photographer Daoud Oulad-Syad and a selection from the Rencontres de la Photographie de Marrakech (RPM). Together, they offer a visual journey that captures both the emotion and symbolism of the Green March, which represents a cornerstone of Morocco’s modern history.

Nadia Sabri, Director of the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, emphasized the exhibition’s importance as a bridge between generations.

“What we can really emphasize is that this exhibition provides both visual and historical archives for the public,” she told Morocco World News. 

“It caters to a wide audience, including younger visitors as well as older ones who may have experienced this historic event but do not necessarily remember its key moments, particularly during the march,” Sabri added.

She noted that the exhibition spotlights major figures in the Moroccan photography scene, like Daoud Oulad-Syad, with a photographic series dedicated to the Sahara and the beauty of the desert.

Through Oulad-Syad’s lens, the exhibition moves beyond mere documentation to celebrate the spirit of a nation united under a shared cause. His photographic series dedicated to the Sahara, showcased in the museum’s second gallery, highlights the region’s natural beauty and its deep cultural and emotional connection to the Moroccan people.

The Green March, which took place on November 6, 1975, was a peaceful mass demonstration that changed the course of Moroccan history. Called for by the late King Hassan II, it saw over 350,000 unarmed volunteers, men and women, from all regions of Morocco march southward to reclaim the territory of Western Sahara, then under Spanish occupation.

Carrying Qurans and Moroccan flags instead of weapons, the marchers symbolized Morocco’s unity and commitment to recovering its southern provinces through peaceful means. The event came shortly after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion affirming that Western Sahara was not “terra nullius” (empty land or unclaimed territory) before colonization and that it had historical and legal ties to Morocco.

The enduring significance of the Green March for Morocco

This year’s commemoration carries added significance, as it comes just a week after the United Nations Security Council adopted a new resolution embracing Morocco’s autonomy plan as the most “serious and credible” framework for achieving a lasting and realistic political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

The resolution is widely seen as a diplomatic success for Morocco, as it reinforces international support for its initiative and paves the way for renewed efforts toward a peaceful settlement.

Mehdi Qotbi, artist and President of the National Foundation of Museums, highlighted this connection in his remarks to MWN at the exhibition.

“We are very happy to be celebrating this anniversary today, here at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art … is not only an occasion to mark the anniversary itself, but also to celebrate the diplomatic success achieved thanks to the foresight of His Majesty King Mohammed VI,” Qotbi said.

For him, this success “paves the way for a definitive resolution of the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara and for a better future for the entire region.” The Moroccan artist added that the Foundation and the Museum are proud to take part in this “popular enthusiasm for this cause, for this victory at the United Nations.”

Beyond commemoration, the “Memory in Motion” exhibition aims to spark dialogue about the meaning of the Green March in contemporary Morocco. For many visitors, especially younger ones, the exhibition is an opportunity to connect with a pivotal chapter in Morocco’s collective memory.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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The exhibition includes an evocative collection of photographs that aims to reaffirm the strength of visual memory and its role in preserving national heritage

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MOROCCO

LIBYAN teen scientist Halima Al-Khazali wins bronze for natural antibiotic discovery​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A young Libyan scientist has secured a bronze medal at the International Festival of Science and Technology (I-FEST) 2025 in Tunisia after developing a patented natural antibiotic.

Halima Al-Khazali, 18, from Bayda, claimed third place among 800 international competitors for her invention of an antibiotic derived from wormwood and other herbs. Her achievement adds to Libya’s growing reputation in scientific innovation.

The breakthrough came after five months of rigorous research into a traditional Libyan remedy for dental infections, culminating in Al-Khazali obtaining a patent for her discovery.

This latest success follows her previous gold medal at the Bosnia and Herzegovina Science Olympiad (BOSEPO) 2025, where she finished first among 300 participants.

Al-Khazali’s accomplishments highlight both her exceptional scientific talent and Libya’s potential contributions to global scientific research, making her an inspirational figure for young people across Libya and the broader Arab world.

source/content: libyanexpress.com (headline edited)

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Libyan teenager wins bronze medal at Tunisia science festival for natural antibiotic

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LIBYA

SYRIAN-AMERICAN : Who is Zohran Mamdani’s Syrian-American wife Rama Duwaji?

While the world is hailing New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for his win, his artist wife, Rama Duwaji is now also in the spotlight.

With Zohran Mamdani making history on 4 November after being elected New York’s first Indian-American and Muslim mayor, attention has turned to his wife, First Lady Rama Duwaji.

Duwaji was born in Houston, Texas, in the US but her parents are originally from Damascus, Syria, and she spent most of her childhood in Dubai after relocating there. She returned to the US in 2016.

Dubbed a “modern-day Princess Diana”, the 28-year-old works as an illustrator and animator in Brooklyn, New York, graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, then moving to New York City in 2021 to pursue a career in art.

Her work has been featured by Spotify, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, the BBC, Apple, and the Tate Modern in London.

After meeting on dating app Hinge in 2021, while the now-mayor was a member of the state assembly, Duwaji and Mamdani tied the knot in a private Muslim religious ceremony in 2024, followed by a civil ceremony in New York City Hall the following year.

While the illustrator has kept a low profile, reportedly turning down interviews and mostly sharing her work across social media, she paid tribute to Mamdani on Instagram after winning the primary in July.

Mamdani has previously praised his wife as “an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms”.

Pro-Palestine art

Along with Arabic culture and feminist themes, Duwaji frequently uses her art to speak out about current events and politics, including Israel’s war on Gaza and immigration issues, such as the heavy-handed activities of ICE, which has been conducting mass deportation raids in the US since Trump’s appointment.

In May, Duwaji created an animation of a young Palestinian girl holding a large empty pot with the words “not a hunger crisis”, followed by a transition into drawings of several people also holding empty vessels with texts reading “it is deliberate starvation”.

“As I was making this, Israel has been bombing Gaza nonstop with consecutive airstrikes. Keep your eyes on Gaza and support”, the artist said in the caption.

Duwaji had also created an illustration in support of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained by ICE over his activism. She called it “an attack on freedom of speech, and sets a scary f**king precedent for anyone who speaks up for what’s right”.

Following her husband’s win, the artist wore a black top made by Palestinian-Jordanian designer Zeid Hijazi on stage as he delivered his winning speech. Hijazi’s designs fuse ancient folklore with Arab futurism.

MAGA supporters were also quick to target Duwaji after she publicly mourned the death of Palestinian influencer Saleh al-Jafarawi, who was accused of “celebrating” the 7 October attacks.

Mandani has been quick to defend his wife against “right-wing trolls”, who are “trying to make this race – which should be about [the people] – about her”.

Attacks by right-wingers 

Like her partner, Duwaji has also been subjected to attacks from American right-wing personalities and the media, particularly the New York Post, which described the illustrator as “aloof”, claiming she “quietly steered” her husband’s campaign from behind the scenes.

MAGA supporters were also quick to target the artist after publicly mourning the death of Palestinian influencer Saleh al-Jafarawi, who was accused of “celebrating” the 7 October attacks.

Mandani has been quick to defend his wife against “right-wing trolls”, who are “trying to make this race – which should be about [the people] – about her”.

source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)

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AMERICAN / SYRIAN

ARAB : The Arab World’s Greatest Modern Achievements

The Golden Age never really ended

Arabs are known for having had numerous contributions to civilizations—notably in the fields of Mathematics (Arabs invented Algebra), Astronomy (Al-Biruni discussed the earth’s rotation centuries before it was confirmed by Galileo), and Medicine (Al Razi was one of the first to diagnose diseases like smallpox and measles).  

But Arab achievements didn’t end in the Golden Age and have continuously evolved to modern fields, so we’re here to round up some of the lesser-known greatest modern achievements by Arabs..

Noor Ouarzazte

Morocco is turning the Sahara Desert into the largest concentrated power complex in the world. The project is currently in progress, due to be complete before the end of 2018.

Arabs in Space

Sultan bin Salman Al Saud became the first Arab in space in 1985 – he was also the first royal astronaut ever. Syrian-born Mohammed Ahmed Faris followed in Al Saud’s footsteps in 1987.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Photo credit ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images

The Tunisian national dialogue quartet was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for their role in building a democratic state in Tunisia following the Arab Spring.

Yemeni journalist and activist Tawakkol Abdel-Salam Karman preceded the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet in 2011 as Nobel laureate—she became the first ever Yemini and Arab Woman to win the Peace Prize, as well as the second youngest ever.

The ‘Father of Femtochemistry”

Femtochemistry is probably something too difficult for most of us to understand—but according to Wikipedia it’s “an area of chemistry that studies chemical reactions on extremely short timescales”. Ahmed Hassan Zewail, and Egyptian-American scientist, is known for pioneering a laser technique that allowed for easier analysis of chemical reactions. He even won a Nobel prize for his work in 1999.

Pritzker Architecture Prize Winners

The late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid was an internationally-acclaimed architect, renowned for her sci-fi creations. Having built some of the world’s most innovative spaces. In 2004, she became the first ever woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize—the most prestigious award in architecture.

source/content: mille.com (headline edited) / Olfa Farha

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ARABS