Day: March 28, 2024

Amman: Major General Yousef Ahmed Hunaiti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met Thursday with Bryson-Richardson, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Palestinian Territories, at the General Command headquarters.

During the meeting, Hunaiti and Bryson-Richardson addressed recent developments in Gaza’s humanitarian situation and strategies to enhance focused relief efforts across the Strip.

Source: Jordan News Agency

An Israeli intercepting rocket on Thursday exploded above the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, our reporter said on Thursday.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Amman: The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) launched “Students Reinventing Cities” Competition in its second edition, aimed to provide sustainable urban solutions in one of Jabal Al-Natheef neighborhoods in the city of Amman.

The competition, which is held with engagement of students from the faculties of architecture and urban planning in a number of Jordanian universities, is organized by GAM Sustainable Development Unit, in cooperation with C40 Cities.

The contest aims to build university students’ teams to present “applicable” architectural ideas and proposals within an urban development project within GAM boundaries, while meeting needs of local communities, and seeking “new and innovative” solutions and ideas to confront climate change, according to a GAM statement.

The Unit’s Director, Nisreen Dawoud, said these competitions aim to involve and integrate students into work within their city, present GAM’s strategic plans, primarily climate change plan, its green scheme and develop their proposals to
strengthen the city in facing the challenges of climate change and preserve its resources for future generations.

Meanwhile, Representative of C40 Cities, Ellie White, highlighted importance of these global competitions and youth participation to develop their city, achieve shift towards sustainability and open youth horizons to requirements of joining work in the Jordanian and global market.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Nadim Karam’s latest exhibition, “Journal of Times | Journal of Present Times,” unveiled at Abroyan Factories, offers a poignant narrative encapsulating three decades of tumultuous events, including wars, displacement, confinement, and the devastating Beirut port explosion. Through a diverse range of mediums and formats, Karam’s work serves as a profound reflection on the human condition amidst adversity, inviting viewers to delve into the intricacies of his artistic journey and engage with the pressing issues of our time.

The exhibition “Journal of Times | Journal of Present Times”, tells the story of the 30 years of frenetic output through the atypical career of Nadim Karam: the 2006 war, the displacement of populations in the Middle East, the context of confinement and the catastrophic explosion at Beirut’s port all have their place in the polymorphous work presented at the exhibition which opened at Abroyan Factories on March 27th, 2024.

Like a great registry of present times, Nadim Karam’s work records
his time, particularly the last 30 years of lived experience and history. The 2006 war, the displacement of populations in the Middle East, the context of confinement and the catastrophic explosion at Beirut’s port all have their place. The large triptych panel entitled Massacre (mixed media on canvas, 200 x 360 cm, 2009) is of central importance. Violence and the weight of history, ruins, roots and exile are themes that run through this polymorphous work, evoked through the supports and formats that it uses, as much as by the mediums, materials and techniques through which it takes shape and the characters and stories that it generates. It is the fluidity of these figures which migrate in a continuous flow from his sketchbooks to the public space, passing through multiple avatars, that this exhibition, in 5 sections retracing Karam’s trajectory, invites us to contemplate.

This story is also that of the 30 years of frenetic output through the atypical career of Nadim Karam. Atypical, because the language tha
t Nadim Karam has developed over these years is not a conceptual language, where theory remains important, nor a material language in the sense that his research and experiments, however material they may be, do not seek to question the medium or resolve an aesthetic question. The visual objects that Karam creates are intended for public space, even if they originate in the exercise of drawing. To understand them, we must first become familiar with the things that happen in this space, the issues that underlie what we call “art in the public space”, and we must also start by wanting to defend the idea of ??art in public space and to recognise that it has an artistic status. It is indeed within this shift from the dominant conceptual trends of contemporary art that Karam’s creativity unfolds. This gap defines him as a free agent in relation to the expectations of the art world of his time.

Nadim Karam’s work does not call into question the world order it describes, although it does not fail to be controversia
l, undoubtedly because it gives rise to fundamental questions of a political, ethical, aesthetic and institutional nature. Exhibiting this work also means committing to highlight the debates it has sparked.

Nadim Karam declared: “Sketching is a therapy that takes me away from the daily hassles of the world and throws me into the infinite vastness of empty white pages waiting to be filled, connecting me to my inner self and beyond.”

The curator Nayla Tamraz said: “Like a great registry of present times, Nadim Karam’s work records his time”.

Nadim Karam is a contemporary artist who creates narratives engaging with cities and contexts through his works. His site-specific projects engage in re-examining contextual issues and enhancing perceptions of diversity within society, taking a playful and often absurdist approach even when addressing the most critical issues.

During his doctoral studies in concepts of eastern space Japan, he developed a language of forms relating to spaces, memories and peoples throug
h his performance art projects. Later, his public art projects emerged as a natural synthesis of his architectural affinity for urban contexts and his auto-didactic artistic output of drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

With his multi-disciplinary practice, Nadim Karam Studio (NKS), Karam has realized numerous major site-specific public art projects around the world, commissioned by cities and institutions. His paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in galleries, biennales, institutions, and museums, and four monographs on his work have been published by Booth-Clibborn Editions in London. He lives and works in Beirut and Rotterdam.

Nayla Tamraz is a writer, curator, researcher and professor of literature and art history at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut where she has also been, from 2008 to 2017, the Chair of the French Literature Department. In 2010, she launched the master’s and PhD program in Art Criticism and Curatorial Studies that she’s currently heading. Her parallel practice as an art crit
ic and a curator has led her to curate a number of exhibitions including “Poetics, Politics, Places” at the Tucuman Museum of Fine Arts, as part of Bienalsur, the International Biennial of Contemporary Art of the South (Argentina, 2017), the exhibition “Le Secret” at the Ygrec artspace (Paris, 2017), “Inhabiting the interstices” at the Michel Journiac gallery (Paris, 2022) and, more recently, the video program “Ways of Vanishing” at the Sursock Muse.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

DUBAI: The third edition of The Most Noble Numbers online charity auction, organised by Abu Dhabi Police, in collaboration with Emirates Auction, has successfully raised more than AED78.3 million, which will go towards supporting the Mothers’ Endowment campaign.

Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the campaign aims to establish an AED1 billion endowment fund to sustainably support the education of millions of individuals around the world.

The online charity auction showcased a collection of 555 license plates for regular vehicles in Abu Dhabi, featuring an array of distinctive numbers such as category 1’s number 80, category 16’s number 111, and category 11’s number 14. The auction also includes a special assortment of plate numbers specifically curated for motorcycles and classic cars.

The third edition of The Most Noble Numbers online charity auction has witnessed participation from businesses and leading philant
hropists, to support the Mothers’ Endowment campaign, aimed at galvanising societal engagement in opening up educational opportunities for millions across the globe.

Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Abu Dhabi Police Commander-in-Chief, said: ‘The robust turnout for the 3rd edition of The Most Noble Numbers online charity auction underscores the UAE community’s commitment to fostering values of social cohesion and solidarity by extending aid to the most vulnerable groups’.

Al Mazrouei noted that the outcome of the auction reaffirms that the values of giving and generosity are deeply rooted and ingrained in UAE culture.

He pointed out that the proceeds from this year’s auction will bolster the objectives of Mothers’ Endowment campaign, dedicated to honouring mothers and providing educational opportunities to millions in underserved communities.

Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates Auction, said: ‘The Most Noble Numbers charity auction showcased a remarkable
humanitarian engagement and exemplified a shining example of philanthropy in the UAE, where humanitarian leaders and benefactors rush to support and back the Mother’s Endowment campaign’.

He emphasised the Emirates Auction’s adherence to manage and conduct the auction according to the highest global standards, utilising its expertise, state-of-the-art technologies, and advanced bidding systems to ensure widespread participation, enhance bidder numbers, and expand avenues for supporting the campaign.

Al Mannai also emphasised that auction’s success serves as a catalyst for the Emirates Auction to continue its constructive contributions towards enhancing charitable and humanitarian work in the UAE. He reiterated the Emirates Auction’s commitment to maintaining its leading position in all charitable initiatives and campaigns spearheaded by the UAE.

He expressed gratitude to Abu Dhabi Police General Command alongside benefactors and philanthropists for their pioneering efforts in helping the auction achieve it
s objectives of supporting the Mother’s Endowment campaign. He asserted that the establishment of the AED1 billion endowment fund to support the education of millions around the world help achieve the campaign’s noble humanitarian goals of honouring mothers.

Standing as an innovative platform that reinforces the culture of generosity and corporate social responsibility, the Most Noble Numbers charity auction, which supports the Mother’s Endowment campaign, actively motivates community members to engage in addressing social challenges and leave an impactful legacy that contributes to improving the quality of life for millions of individuals from the most vulnerable communities.

The campaign offers an innovative avenue for empowering benefactors to contribute to initiatives aimed at providing quality educational opportunities for the disadvantaged across various nations worldwide.

The Mother’s Endowment campaign seeks to advance education and instill values of filial piety, affection, empathy, and community
solidarity. It aims to highlight the pivotal role of mothers in fostering a nurturing and supportive family environment conducive to their children’s education.

It seeks to bolster the UAE’s standing in the charitable and humanitarian landscape by establishing a sustainable endowment. This initiative ensures the provision of educational opportunities and empowerment for underprivileged individuals or those facing barriers to accessing essential resources across various parts of the world.

Proceeds from the Mother’s Endowment campaign go towards supporting the education of millions worldwide, providing them with the necessary tools and skills to lead independent lives that preserve their dignity and ensure their wellbeing, and this is accomplished through partnerships with various humanitarian organisations and institutions.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Addressing the unfolding events in South Lebanon, where airstrikes have claimed numerous civilian lives, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, stated:

The tragic events of the past 36 hours have resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries in south Lebanon.

Up to 11 civilians were killed in a single day, including 10 paramedics.

I am deeply disturbed by the repeated attacks on health facilities and health workers who risk their lives to provide urgent assistance to their local communities.

Attacks on healthcare violate international humanitarian law and are unacceptable.

The rules of war are clear: civilians, including healthcare workers, must be protected.

Civilian infrastructure, including health facilities, must be protected.

Healthcare is not a target. Civilians are not a target.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

ABU DHABI: The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Maritime, part of AD Ports Group, has announced the inauguration of Saadiyat Marina and Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina; state-of-the-art facilities providing exceptional services and amenities for local mariners and boat owners. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in enhancing maritime connectivity and infrastructure in the Emirate.

Saadiyat Marina and Ferry Terminal, designed as a versatile marine hub for different types of vessels, includes a range of amenities including 64 floating pontoons for vessel mooring, a 10-metre-wide slipway,12 dry berths, 6 commercial outlets, 70 parking spaces, and modern administrative buildings. It also features a state-of-the-art ferry terminal with 2 ferry ramps, providing crucial links between Saadiyat and neighbouring islands, catering to both the maritime community and visitors alike.

Situated in the Rabdan area of Abu
Dhabi, Rabdan Marina consists of 19 berths for leisure boats and jet skis, along with a 14-metre-wide slipway,18 dry berths, F and B outlets, utilities on the dock, and 24/7 security and CCTV surveillance. The marina also offers a range of services, including boat launching and recovery, washing and engine flushing service, and assisted berthing.

The marina features several retail venues catering to the boating community, residents, and tourists. Furthermore, its prime location offers an incredible view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The Integrated Transport Centre works in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Maritime to achieve the joint vision of DMT and AD Ports Group which extends beyond infrastructure developments; it also encompasses responsible management of marine ecosystems. Recognising the potential impact the development of Saadiyat Marina may have on the surrounding marine habitat, extensive research was conducted, in collaboration with AD Ports Group’s Environment and Sustainability department.

As a res
ult, seventeen ecological articulated concrete mattresses were installed on the Saadiyat Marina and Ferry Terminal seabed, alongside Eco Sea Wall Panels on the quay walls, each composed of unique materials that seamlessly integrate into the environment. The mattresses developed by a science-based company and panels developed by a pioneering tech company not only attract and promote the growth of organisms, but also improve water quality and biodiversity, contributing to the preservation of marine life and habitats.

Abdullah Al Marzouqi, Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre, stressed: ‘The opening of Saadiyat Marina and Ferry Terminal and Rabdan Marina confirms our commitment to creating waterfronts that go beyond the concept of infrastructure alone, leading to the creation of a thriving marine ecosystem. Our continuous work to modernise Abu Dhabi’s maritime sector is in line with the rapid changes taking place in the world, to provide sustainable infrastructure that shapes the future of ma
ritime excellence in our emirate.’

He added: ‘Our goal is to maintain Abu Dhabi’s position among the ranks of the leading global commercial and maritime centres, and to strengthen our maritime sector and modernise it with high-level infrastructure and services, in accordance with our strategic vision to encourage the sustainability of the marine environment and stimulate positive interaction between the various components of the marine environment.’

Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO – Maritime and Shipping Cluster, AD Ports Group, said, ‘With the completion of the development at Rabdan Marina and Saadiyat Marina and Ferry Terminal, we are providing Abu Dhabi’s maritime community with access to modern infrastructure and services with the highest standards of health, safety and quality.’

AD Ports Group is proud to facilitate the realisation of our leadership’s vision to establish our emirate as a global maritime centre. We are committed to continued enhancement of leisure and commercial maritime facilities ac
ross Abu Dhabi.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

10:00 am Beirut and Jbeil Metropolitan of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop George Bacouni, celebrates “Blessing of Light,” evening prayer, and Basil Mass at the Parish of St. John Chrysostom – Beirut Melkite Greek Catholic Archdiocese – Damascus Road. (Saturday of Light).

11:00 am Meeting organized by “The Russian House” in Beirut – Verdun, following the participation of the Lebanese youth delegation in the World Youth Festival in Sochi last month. The meeting includes a minute of silence for the souls of the victims of the terrorist attack at the Crocus Hall in Moscow, speeches by participants in the Lebanese delegation to Sochi, presentation of 8 short reports on their participation in the main and regional programs (Moscow region, Chechnya, Mordovia), a speech by the Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov, and the presentation of certificates from the World Conference on Women-2024 to activists and members of the delegation and messages of thanks to the leaders of the National Pr
eparatory Committee in Lebanon.

2:30 pm Amal Educational Institutions open the “Dr. Reda Saadeh Theater,” on the occasion of the first anniversary of his passing, under the patronage of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, in Ain Qana.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

ABU DHABI: In response to its religious and humanitarian obligations, the Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, has undertaken several practical initiatives to address climate change, which stands as one of the gravest challenges facing the planet.

These initiatives highlight the critical need for international collaboration in environmental preservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and adopting eco-friendly technology.

Before the COP26 conference in Glasgow in 2021, the Grand Imam issued a global warning about the dire consequences of climate change, describing it as a clarion call necessitating earnest and determined efforts to mitigate climate change risks and safeguard humanity’s future.

Aligning with the COP27 climate summit in the Arab Republic of Egypt towards the end of 2022, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders stressed the importan
ce of educating young people on environmental issues and climate change mitigation through educational curriculums, given the severe challenges and repercussions our world confronts, endangering the future of present human beings and upcoming generations.

That same year, during an extraordinary meeting of the Muslim Council of Elders chaired by His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and attended by His Holiness Pope Francis in Manama, Bahrain, His Eminence reaffirmed Islam’s directive on environmental conservation, urging for investments in sustainable practices, and prohibiting actions like cutting or drowning trees and plants with the intention of destruction.

With the United Arab Emirates hosting COP28 last year, the Muslim Council of Elders redoubled its efforts to engage religious leaders in addressing global issues, particularly climate change, as the world grapples with the adverse effects of the climate crisis threatening Earth’s existence.

In 2023, concerted efforts were made globally to r
ally religious leaders around the climate issue. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, visited Rome, Italy, several times to meet with His Holiness Pope Francis and discuss initiating an effort to galvanize faith leaders in tackling climate challenges. The Council also hosted the Religion and Climate Change Conference in Southeast Asia in Jakarta, Indonesia, attended by nearly 150 religious representatives from the region, alongside scholars, intellectuals, and youth engaged in climate discussions.

That year, in collaboration with the COP28 presidency, the UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, and the United Nations Environment Programme, the Council held the Global Faith Leaders’ Summit in Abu Dhabi. The summit brought together representatives from 18 religions and 30 denominations from across the globe, including environmental experts, academics, and civil society members, such as youth, women, and indigenous peoples.

The summit concluded with the ‘Call of Con
science: The Abu Dhabi Interfaith Statement for Climate,’ signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, and 28 other religious leaders, urging tangible actions to combat the climate crisis and protect our planet.

These endeavours were highlighted during the Faith Pavilion at COP28, marking a first in the history of the COP conferences. It featured over 65 dialogue sessions with around 325 speakers worldwide, creating a global platform for interfaith dialogue to foster environmental justice and safeguard the environment for present and future generations.

Moving forward, the Council plans to continue building on these efforts, advancing the role of religious leaders and figures in expediting climate change mitigation, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Sirens blared again on Thursday at the UNIFIL headquarters in southern Lebanon’s Naqoura, as Amal Movement prepared to bury three fighters who were killed in last night’s airstrike on Naqoura. The burial procession is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

MUKALLA: Al Khair Medical Week organised by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) at the Al Mahwar Medical Centre in Rabwat Khalaf in the city of Mukalla, Hadramaut Governorate, Yemen, witnessed a large turnout from the local population, with about 1,000 people benefiting from its medical services.

The Al Khair Medical Week, organised under the patronage of Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi, Governor of Hadramaut, and in coordination with the Office of the Ministry of Public Health and Population in Hadramaut Coast, took place from 18th to 25th March.

The event was attended by a group of specialist and consultant doctors.

Humaid Rashid Al Shamsi, Advisor for Development and International Cooperation and ERC Representative in Yemen, shared his joy about the success of the significant medical event. He highlighted that the ERC will persist in delivering health and humanitarian aid to enhance healthcare in regions lacking medical services, and assist individuals struggling to access medical treatment and healthcare.

Al Kh
air Medical Week initiative is part of the ERC’s ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and health care to those in need. It aims to provide free and specialised health care services to the community, especially in light of the difficult living conditions.

The beneficiaries praised ERC’s efforts and the participating doctors in the initiative. They expressed their gratitude for the care, treatment, and health care they received free of charge.

Dr. Suhair Qunzal, Director of the Centre, confirmed that the Al Khair Medical Week witnessed a large turnout. She also pointed out that this initiative alleviated the suffering of sick citizens who need medical examinations and treatment due to the difficult economic conditions they are witnessing.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Dozens of civilians were killed and others injured over the last hours in Israeli missile strikes and artillery shelling that targeted different parts of the Gaza Strip, said sources.

Medical sources reported that four civilians were killed and others were wounded as a result of the Israeli occupation’s shelling of different areas in the center and south of the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, three civilians were killed and 20 others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City.

Israeli fighter jets bombed residential buildings in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in central Gaza City and a building on Hamid street in Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City, causing many casualties.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks fired a barrage of gunfire in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City.

In Khan Yunis, a civilian was killed after being directly targeted by occupation forces in Hamad town, north of the city in the southern of the Gaza Strip.

The occupation air
craft carried out intense airstrikes targeting the city of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, and other areas north of the Gaza Strip.

In Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, dozens of civilians sustained various wounds in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the vicinity of Al-Qassam Mosque.

Israeli occupation warplanes also targeted the city of al-Isra, northwest of Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) announced that the occupation released seven detainees from its crew after nearly 74 days of their detention, while the fate of eight others remains unknown.

PRCS stated in a statement on the ‘X’ platform that those released were detained during the Israeli military incursion of al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis on February 9th.

Among the detainees was the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Strip, Muhammad Abu Musabih.

At least 32,552 Palestinians, predominantly children and women, have been reported killed and over 74,980 others injured sinc
e the beginning of the ongoing Israeli war of genocide on Gaza on October 7th of last year.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon