Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif celebrates 1084th anniversary
Cairo, Egypt - Historic al-Azhar Mosque marked its 1084th anniversary of its founding on March 17, celebrated by al-Azhar ash-Sharif...
Reincarnation and realpolitik: Dalai Lama’s succession dilemma
Tibetan activists are keenly aware that his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for...
Arts & Culture
Fewer Afghan women return to universities
Afghanistan's main universities reopened Saturday six months after the Taliban returned to power, but only a trickle of women returned...
- The Taliban insist they will allow girls and women to be educated this time around -- but only in segregated classes and according to an Islamic curriculum
- Taliban guards refused journalists access to the sprawling campus and chased away media teams lingering near the entrance
Business
Qatar rolls out new Covid policy for travelers
The Ministry stated that Qatar's Travel and Return Policy has been a key measure in the nation's COVID-19 strategy.
- The new changes are a result of a fall in Covid cases in Qatar due to successful rollout of Qatar’s National Covid-19 Vaccination Program
- Qatar citizens and residents are not required to bring PCR test before returning to Qatar, regardless of the departure country
Arts & Culture
Iraq unveils restoration at ancient city ravaged by IS
Three monumental sculptures in the ancient city of Hatra were restored after being vandalized by the Islamic State group during...
- A Roman-style sculpture of a life-size figure and a series of reliefs of faces on the side of the great temple were among the restored pieces shown off to journalists.
- The restoration work at Hatra is being carried out by Iraqi experts in collaboration with Italy's International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies.
Arts & Culture
Art Dubai 2022 embraces digital art, NFTs
Art Dubai 2022, the art fair's largest edition and one of the few major international art events to take place,...
- This year's event is unique as it will demonstrate that Dubai has become a big part of the discussion about modern art.
- Dubai is a global crypto hub with a diverse group of collectors and entrepreneurs.
Business
ICESCO to cooperate with Qatari institutions and authorities
The Director-General of ICESCO Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik met with Ambassador of Qatar to Morocco Sheikh Abdullah bin Thamer
- During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance the distinguished relations of cooperation between ICESCO and Qatar
- The officials also reviewed aspects of the success achieved during the celebration of Doha, Capital of Culture of the Islamic World 2021
Arts & Culture
US restricts import of Afghan cultural items to prevent ‘pillage’
The decree implemented on an "emergency" basis took effect on Friday based on a 'request' of a former government of...
- US has imposed restriction on importing ceramics, paintings, glass, ivory, ancient textiles, tiles and wood pieces from Afghanistan
- This regulation on import could be troublesome for collectors or curators who already have items on their way to the US
Science
UAE sees climate action as catalyst of economic prosperity
UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and UAE Special Envoy for Climate, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has said that...
- The minister noted the need to increase investments in agri-tech and leverage best practices that safeguard vulnerable nations' food and water security
- He was speaking at the Munich Security Conference titled "Scaling Up Climate Action" where he reiterated the UAE's support for robust climate finance
Geostrategy
Qatar to distribute cash assistance for February to Gaza needy
Cash assistance will be provided at a rate of USD 100 per family.
- Cash assistance will be provided to about 100,000 needy families in the governorates of Gaza Strip, at a rate of $100 per family.
- The aid will be distributed through the United Nations, and nearly 300 distribution centers in the governorates of Gaza Strip.
Arts & Culture
Istanbul skyline row erupts over new build near iconic mosque
The soaring minarets of the 16th-century Suleymaniye mosque paint the postcard image of Istanbul, but that is now blighted by...
- A UNESCO World Heritage site, the mosque which has survived fires and an earthquake, represents the golden age of the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman the Magnificent.
- Three huge skyscrapers in the Zeytinburnu neighborhood triggered public uproar but they remain standing despite a court verdict.
Arts & Culture
Bullfighting in UAE village: No rules, less fatal
Unlike the bullfights popular in Spain and Mexico, where the animals are typically slain by matadors, in Fujairah two beasts...
- The competition typically ends after about an hour, with each fight lasting just one or two minutes.
- The bulls were once imported from South Asia for agricultural work, but the emergence of new technologies has rendered them obsolete to farming.
Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif celebrates 1084th anniversary
Cairo, Egypt - Historic al-Azhar Mosque marked its 1084th anniversary of its founding on March 17, celebrated by al-Azhar ash-Sharif...
Company News
Moroccan women shake up world of Gnaoua music
Arts & Culture
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Sports key pillar as UAE emerges as soft power center
Arts & Culture
Cinematic revolution helps KSA realize cultural dreams
Saudi Arabia, shedding its conservative past, has ushered in a vibrant art and cinema era, with its box office revenue...
Arts & Culture
Saudi MMA players out to ‘prove themselves’
Mixed Martial Arts became popular in the kingdom since 2014, when it hosted the regional Desert Force competition.
Arts & Culture
‘Humanitarian workers play key role in restoring hope’
"Humanitarian work knows no geographical or political boundaries; it does not recognize distinctions between cultures, nationalities, religions, and sects; and...
Arts & Culture
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Arts & Culture
25 teams attending Afro-Arab Esports League 2023 in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Afro-Arab Esports League, which opened Saturday in Saudi Arabia, will see participation from over 25...
- These teams will compete for three days in a variety of tournaments tailored for both men and women, covering popular games such as eFootball and Valorant.
- Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said the arrangement of the Afro-Arab Esports League demonstrated of the sector's importance in both the Arab and African realms.
Arts & Culture
Football fever hits rebel-held northwest Syria
Idlib, Syria - Thousands of fans in Syria's last opposition bastion have packed into a stadium for the frenzied final of...
- Friday night's match pitted the Omaya team from the heart of the opposition-held city against Homs Al-Adiya.
- The tournament brought together 36 teams made up of players from the Idlib region or displaced from other parts of Syria.
Arts & Culture
Cat cafe brings pawsitivity to war-scarred Gaza
A cat cafe in the Gaza Strip aims to "cheer up" Palestinian residents and offer them a respite from the...
- At the Meow Cat Cafe which opened this week in Gaza City, owner Nehma Maabad set out food for a clowder of kittens
- Customers pay nearly 10 shekels ($2.65) per hour to play with the cats, which Maabad said covers their food as well as costly vet bills