Second edition of Saudi art biennale seeks to modernize Islamic tradition
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Under a vast canopy of tents in the Saudi city of Jeddah, religious artefacts are on display...Arts & Culture
Art and culture retain power to humanize the Intelligent Age, says WEF’s Fowler
Davos, Switzerland -- In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives, the World Economic Forum's Arts and Culture...Technology Arts & Culture Culture & Society Geostrategy Global
Sports key pillar as UAE emerges as soft power center
Everyone in the sports delegations taking part in the future forums now has a greater obligation to spare no effort...UAE has evolved into a strategic and powerful center for soft power, says Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai
Sports play a pivotal role as one of the most significant pillars of this soft power, adds Sheikh Ahmed, who is also President of the UAE National Olympic Committee
‘God’s guests’: Saudis safeguard hajj hospitality tradition
Luxury accommodations and air-conditioned shopping malls have not replaced the deeply ingrained culture of hospitality in Islam's holiest city.Hospitality gains even more currency during hajj -- one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means must undertake at least once in their lives.
A state-led initiative by the education ministry that has dispatched hundreds of Mecca's school children to help with hajj.
GCC women diplomats play vital role in fostering peace
"The GCC member states have over the years extended unwavering support to the diplomatic women of the GCC through tailoring...GCC Secretary General recognizes GCC women's essential role in nurturing generations and serving as family pillars
GCC women play a decisive role in promoting inter-country relations and peace, adds Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi
‘Domestic violence is overlooked in custody rulings’
"When custody decisions are made in favour of the parent who claims to be alienated without sufficiently considering the views...Reem Alsalem, a UN human rights expert, uncovers substantial gender bias in family courts, frequently ignoring past domestic violence incidents in custody rulings
Violence persistently threatens women and children, causing significant hardship. For minority women, stereotypes and justice hurdles further exacerbate challenges, she adds
New generation of Moroccan filmmakers basks in Cannes glory
Seeking to support and promote its national cinema, Morocco has spent 60 about $60m annually on productions since 2012. Moroccan...Director Asmae El Moudir, 32, won the coveted prize for directing in the Un Certain Regard section for her film "Kadib Abyad" ("The Mother of All Lies")
Director Kamal Lazraq, 38, used Casablanca as the setting for his first feature film "Les Meutes" ("Hounds"), which won the jury prize in the Un Certain Regard section
Iraq displays Italy returned ancient stone tablet
The tablet- whose text is written in cuneiform, the Babylonian alphabet- bears the insignia of Shalmaneser III, the Assyrian king...The tablet arrived in the 1980s in Italy, where the police seized it, said LM Hussein, director of Baghdad's council of antiquities and heritage.
The Italian authorities handed it over to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid during a visit to Bologna over the past week.
‘UAE is all for gender equality, women empowerment’
"We firmly believe that the full, equal and meaningful participation and inclusion of women across society is essential for achieving...UAE Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, announces a $15 million pledge to UN Women over the next three years (2023-2025)
The funds are aimed to advance gender equality, women empowerment, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda worldwide
Saudi Arabia, Qatar sign MoU to enhance cultural cooperation
Doha, UAE - Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cultural cooperation in...Prince Badr led the Saudi delegation in the inaugural meeting of the Culture, Tourism, and Entertainment Committee, a subsidiary of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council
The committee meeting, held in Doha, saw the participation of government representatives from various sectors, and it served as a platform to discuss collaborative initiatives
New life breathed into Tunisia’s bagpipes
Known as Mizwad, the Tunisian bagpipe was once banned from airwaves but has now been embraced by artists infusing its...Most musical historians agree the mizwad first appeared in Tunisia at the beginning of the 20th century and was confined to working-class suburbs for decades.
The mizwad spawned its own musical style that was frowned upon by authorities for associations with alcohol, drugs and prison -- where many songs were composed.
AI meets VR to keep Holocaust memory alive
Through AI, users of a VR headset can have a "conversation" with Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher, asking about her encounters...The project is a collaboration between Los Angeles-based company StoryFile, the World Jewish Congress and Facebook-owner Meta,
StoryFile co-founder Stephen Smith, who has worked in Holocaust education, said the technology allows users to "talk to history through the people who went through it".