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Saudi Arabia : From black gold to technology, the Vision 2030 revolution
The new Saudi area
Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, recently announced a major breakthrough in the country's transformation process: non-oil GDP now accounts for 52% of the Saudi economy, up from just 40% in 2016.
This evolution is a direct result of efforts to develop sectors such as tourism, information technology, industry and financial services. This diversification is crucial for a country whose oil revenues have often accounted for over 70% of government revenue. Thus, the Saudi vision fits into a global context where economies are seeking to reduce their dependence on black gold, whose quantities are limited and finite. “Our goal is to become a diversified economy, capable of adapting to global changes and creating job opportunities for young people”, explains Al-Jadaan.
Another result of this diversification is that the country has succeeded in creating a real economic and employment market. Indeed, with a predominantly young population (around 70% of the Saudi population is under 35), Saudi Arabia is banking on job creation to meet the aspirations of its new generation.
By 2023, the unemployment rate among Saudis had fallen to 8.5%, a historically low level, thanks to the country's many transformation projects. The private sector has been encouraged to play a central role in this transformation, supported by regulatory reforms encouraging entrepreneurship and foreign investment.
Meanwhile, other sectors, such as tourism, are experiencing unprecedented growth. In 2022, the Kingdom welcomed 16.5 million visitors, an increase of 93% compared to 2021. The aim is to increase this figure to 100 million tourists by 2030, by developing internationally renowned tourist attractions such as Al-Ula, a region rich in historical heritage, the Diriyah area, the birthplace of the first Saudi capital, and diplomatic alliances to normalize relations, as with the Abraham agreements still being discussed.
Investment and technology as new pillars of the economy
Saudi Arabia's oil exit cannot be brutal. Investments, initiatives of all kinds and technologies are essential. Driven by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) plays a key role in this regard. By 2023, the PIF has injected nearly $100 billion into local and international projects, aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a global player in various sectors. Among the flagship initiatives is NEOM, a futuristic megalopolis with an estimated investment of $500 billion.
This ambitious project, based on modern technologies and infrastructures, symbolizes Saudi Arabia's vision of an innovative future for the kingdom.
The other leg of the country's diversification is digital and technological transformation. The Saudi government has allocated $20 billion to modernize the country's technological infrastructure. This strategy is accompanied by the expansion of 5G and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, for example, aims to increase the contribution of the digital economy from 3% to 10% of GDP by 2030. Finance also occupies a strategic place in Saudi development plans. Riyadh aims to become a regional financial center, in direct competition with hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A commitment to sustainable development
Although much remains to be done, Saudi Arabia has no intention of stopping in the face of criticism and the immensity of its ambitions. To complete the kingdom's renewal, MBS knows he must integrate ecology into his transformation program. To this end, in 2021, the Kingdom announced its “Saudi Green” initiative, a project that calls for the planting of 10 billion trees in the country and a reduction of 278 million tons of CO2 per year by 2030. What's more, in the energy sector, the Kingdom is also investing heavily in renewable energies, with projects such as the Sakaka solar power plant, the first large-scale installation of its kind in Saudi Arabia, and the Dumat Al-Jandal wind farm, the largest in the region. Investments in green technologies demonstrate the country's determination to position itself as a regional leader in clean energy. “We firmly believe that sustainable development is the key to our future and that of future generations,” said Mohammed bin Salman at the presentation of the Saudi Green initiative.
Saudi Arabia's model of transformation and development is now inspiring many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, also keen to diversify their economies. Nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain are investing heavily in strategic sectors to reduce their dependence on hydrocarbons and follow Saudi Arabia's lead towards a more diversified economy. By supporting each other in this transition, these countries have the opportunity to create a consolidated economic area, like the European Union, and to build a region that will unite in the years to come to face the challenges of our time.
Sources :
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2577528/business-economy
https://www.businesslinkuae.com/saudi-vision-2030-industries-and-sectors-open-for-investment/
Hasna El Becharia : pioneer of diwane music and desert rocker
From beginning to destiny
Born in 1950 in Béchar, a town in south-west Algeria, Hasna El Becharia grew up in a family that valued Gnaoua music and culture, a musical and spiritual tradition imported to Algeria by the descendants of African slaves. At an early age, she developed a passion for Diwane music, a traditional genre derived from Gnaoua practices, marked by its hypnotic rhythms and mystical chants.
Contrary to the social norms of her time, Hasna learned to play the guembri, a stringed instrument traditionally reserved for men. Defying the norms of her time, Hasna secretly learned to play this instrument, a decision that set her apart in a society where gender roles are strictly defined.
At the age of 15, she began performing in public at local religious ceremonies.
A little later, in the 1970s, she left Béchar for Algiers, seeking to expand her musical horizons and promote her unique style, a fusion of traditional diwane and rock. Indeed, it was in the Algerian capital that she began to build a reputation.
Her talent was quickly recognized, and she became one of the first women to perform in popular cafés, singing and playing the guembri alongside the men.
In 2001, her career took a decisive turn when she recorded her first album, Djazaïr Johara, which brought her international recognition. This album, which blends the hypnotic rhythms of Gnaoua music with rock and blues influences, marks the beginning of her reputation as a “desert rocker” - a legend is born.
Musical legacy
Hasna El Becharia has created a unique musical style that has become a bridge between ancient traditions and modern expression. Her music is a skilful blend of traditional diwane and modern rock, reflecting not only the richness of Algerian culture but also its openness to outside influences. With albums such as Djazaïr Johara in 2001 and Smaa Smaa in 2012, she has captivated a wide audience, reaching beyond the borders of Algeria to international listeners.
Through her music, Hasna also tried to deliver messages that were close to her heart. For example, by playing the guembri, a string instrument traditionally reserved for men, and incorporating elements of rock, she not only modernized the genre but also made it accessible to a wider, younger audience.
In doing so, Hasna sent a strong message that traditions can adapt while retaining their essence. Hasna also used her music to address themes of social justice and gender equality. Her songs were often about freedom, oppression and the fight for women's rights. As a woman, she was acutely aware that she had a special role to play in a predominantly male music scene, and that's why she sought to change that.
Recognition and icon
In 2017, Hasna was awarded the “Prix de la Francophonie” for her entire career, a testimony to her international influence and ability to transcend borders,
be they geographical or cultural. In this way, her work is a call to resistance and resilience, both a tribute to her cultural heritage and a declaration of love for modernity and renewal. Through her music, Hasna has not only left an indelible mark on the world of music, she has also blazed a trail for future generations of artists, especially women, in the Arab world and beyond. Indeed, she has always asserted her artistic independence and has never hesitated to speak out about her origins, beliefs and struggles. In 2004, after the release of her album “Algeria Blues”, she declared in an interview: “Music is my freedom. It's also my way of fighting against the injustices I've experienced as a woman”.
Sources :
https://www.telerama.fr/musique/mort-d-hasna-el-becharia-la-rockeuse-du-desert-7020277.php
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musique_diwane
https://www.youtube.com/GnawaMusichttps://
Mohammed VI Polytechnique University in Paris : when Africa and Europe innovate together
Franco-Moroccan relations on the up
Historically, Morocco and France have maintained deep, strategic relations, rooted in cultural, economic and political ties forged over decades.
Indeed, France, Morocco's second-largest trading partner (18.6% of exports), leading foreign investor, and the country of origin of remittances from the Moroccan diaspora and tourism revenues, is a major strategic ally of the Kingdom.
This bilateral relationship between Morocco and France is also reflected in the presence of French companies in Morocco, particularly in the automotive, aerospace and renewable energies sectors. Groups such as Renault, Peugeot and EDF play a key role in the kingdom's industrial development, while Morocco offers France a privileged gateway to the African market.
However, these relations have sometimes been challenged by geopolitical tensions, particularly over the question of Western Sahara.
This territory, claimed by Morocco, has been at the heart of diplomatic tensions for several decades. In October 2024, an important turning point was marked when France reaffirmed its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. France's announcement comes at a time of strategic rapprochement, when the two nations are seeking to strengthen their partnerships in education and innovation, two closely related fields. The launch pad couldn't be better for the creation of the deeptech program at Mohammed VI Polytechnique University in Paris, a concrete example of the dynamic between two countries combining their strengths to meet the challenges of our time.
UM6P's deeptech program: A vision, actions
Mohammed VI Polytechnique University, a leader in African innovation, has reached a new milestone with the launch of its deeptech program in Paris. Located in the former headquarters of OCP, this strategic antenna aims to build bridges between Europe and Africa, in order to address the climatic, economic and social challenges that particularly affect the continent.
According to Max Lesaffre, head of UM6P France's entrepreneurship and venturing deeptech cluster, the aim of this antenna is clear: “To connect our ecosystem to others, at international level, to accelerate partnerships” and meet the challenges of transition on the African continent. With two campuses in Morocco accommodating over 7,000 students, state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructures such as experimental farms, UM6P offers a unique setting where innovation and research are geared towards concrete solutions.
Water as a strategic priority
This first program launched by UM6P in France targets innovative watertech startups. This choice is not insignificant: water management is one of the most critical challenges facing Africa, a continent where the scarcity of water resources threatens food security and economic development. "We are currently focusing on watertech startups, as this is one of the most important and urgent issues to address on the African continent, as water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. says Lesaffre. These innovations could have a major impact on millions of lives by helping to meet today's water challenges. The program plans to select between 5 and 10 startups, who will benefit from personalized support over a five-month period. Unlike other incubators, this support does not include any fees or equity stakes in the companies supported.
Expansion perspectives
Beyond water, UM6P plans to diversify its themes and the number of startups it supports over the coming years. By 2025, other cohorts of startups will be focusing on subjects such as renewable energies, digital health and artificial intelligence applied to agriculture. Despite this, the established model, based on a unique philosophy, will remain the same: support a limited number of startups to maximize impact. Indeed, the idea is to offer them the resources they need to transform innovative projects into concrete solutions that meet real-life needs, which requires high-quality support. In return, the startups benefit from UM6P's infrastructure and its international network of partners.
Beyond these elements, the partnership between Morocco and France, symbolized, among others, by UM6P's deeptech program, embodies a promise: that of making the Mediterranean a bridge rather than a border.
Together, Europe and Africa can not only meet the existential challenges of our time, but also build the foundations for a more prosperous future.
Sources :
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/MA/profil-du-commerce-exterieur-du-maroc
https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/MA/relations-economiques-bilaterales
Source photo : https://www.lopinion.ma/Rabat-UM6P-Une-reflexion-cosmopolite-pour-valoriser-l-education-dans-les-politiques-publiques_a42036.html
https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1619802/economie-entreprises/au-maroc-lum6p-se-voit-deja-en-mit/
https://fr.le360.ma/economie/maroc-france-comment-lum6p-entend-jouer-les-premiers-et-nouveaux-roles_QTHU2JC3RNH7POSDXSJ6ZN7ML4/
https://www.studyrama.com/formations/filieres/universite/l-universite-mohammed-vi-polytechnique-ouvre-sa-premiere-antenne-internationale-um6p-france
https://u-paris.fr/upcite-et-lum6p-lancent-un-premier-appel-a-projets-conjoints/
IMEC and GCC Railway: A New era of connectivity and sustainability in the Middle East
Announced at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the IMEC aims to strengthen connectivity between India and Europe through the Gulf by integrating maritime, rail, and road networks to reduce transit times and costs. This corridor promotes economic collaboration, diversifies trade routes, and reinforces the Gulf's role as a key logistics hub. When integrated with the GCC Railway, IMEC will open up economic opportunities, attract investments, and deepen partnerships across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
How will the GCC railway transform trade and Economic Growth in the Gulf ?
The high-speed, cost-effective GCC Railway will play a vital role in the IMEC, enabling seamless goods movement between Asia and Europe through the Gulf. The railway aligns with the economic diversification and decarbonisation goals of the GCC, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE Vision 2021. IMEC’s connection between India and Europe solidifies the Gulf as a strategic trade bridge between East and West, enhancing the region’s global competitiveness, and its importance for the world trade. It is also testament to how visionary regional cooperation can unlock unprecedented economic potential while fostering interdependence that strengthens both individual nations and the Gulf as a whole.
Promoting Low-Carbon Transportation Solutions
Both the GCC Railway and IMEC emphasize sustainable infrastructure to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Rail transport generates significantly lower emissions than road and air travel, making the GCC Railway an eco-friendly solution for regional transport. With substantial Gulf investments in decarbonization, the railway has potential for green energy integration, supporting carbon-reduction targets and aligning with national sustainability goals. The focus on low-carbon transport is not just a technological choice but a powerful statement from the Gulf region, showing the world that economic growth and environmental responsibility can be pursued in tandem. This shift to sustainable infrastructure inspires other regions facing similar crossroads.
A Boost for Tourism and Regional Connectivity
Beyond facilitating trade, the GCC Railway aims to boost regional tourism by enabling efficient cross-border travel. It also stands as a testament to the vision of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, who stated in 2023, “The new Europe will be the Middle East.” By linking major cities, airports, and tourist destinations, the railway will make the Gulf’s diverse attractions more accessible, much like the benefits of train connectivity across the EU. Integration with IMEC will further attract investment, expand economic opportunities, and foster a resilient, diversified economy.
The GCC Railway and IMEC embody a shared vision of economic integration, sustainable development, and global connectivity for the Gulf. Together, they position the Gulf as a key link in global trade, with broad benefits for tourism, job creation, and environmental sustainability. These transformative projects lay the foundation for a prosperous future, with the Gulf at the centre of a new era in global connectivity.
Sources :
https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/uae-vision-2021
The power of Arab expressions : a mosaic of humor and wisdom
In this article, we dive into the wealth of Arabic idiomatic expressions. Wisdom, humor and philosophy combine to bring a universal message: unity in diversity.
One language, thousand faces
The Arabic language, spoken by over 450 million people, is fascinatingly diverse. Its idiomatic expressions, though often rooted in local contexts, resonate throughout the world, in different forms, and cross geographical boundaries. Each idiom is a different invitation. Sometimes it invites us to discover a history, a way of seeing the world or even a philosophy of life.
Take, for example, the expression “اللي على راسه بطحة يحسّس عليها” (illi aala rasoh batha yi'hiss aalayha), which literally means :
“Whoever has a bump on the head will continue to feel it”.
This expression describes a guilty person who ends up betraying himself by his actions or words. In French, a similar version would be: “Celui auquel une dent fait mal y porte toujours la langue”. This proverb illustrates how human emotions, such as guilt, can take no other path than that of truth.
Words of reason
Idiomatic expressions also convey pragmatic life lessons, often with a touch of humor. Take the example of “على قد لحافك مد رجليك” (alaa qad lihafak mid rijleik), which means :
“Extend your legs as far as your blanket extends”.
This proverb advises living within your means and not exceeding your resources. Naturally, this expression has echoes in other cultures, notably Mongolia, where it may originate from the traditions of desert nomads. It perfectly illustrates the idea that the values of cautiousness and humility are universal.
Another striking example is “الناس اكلت وجهي” (al-naas akallet wejhi), literally:
“People ate my face”.
Commonly used in Egypt, this expression describes the feeling of humiliation or “losing face”. It reflects the importance attached to honor and reputation, themes that undoubtedly resonate far beyond the Arab world.
The Art of saying without saying
Some idiomatic expressions illustrate the subtlety and wisdom of the Arabic language. Take “من كانَ بيتُهُ من زُجاج لا يرمي الناسَ بالحجارة” (min kana baytoh min zujaj, la yarmi al-nas bil-hajjar), which means:
“People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones”.
This proverb calls for introspection before criticizing others. Its French equivalent, “Balayer devant sa porte”, reminds us of the need to correct our own mistakes before pointing out those of others. Once again, we find a universal message that can find an echo in any culture, anywhere in the world, especially in these days of snap judgments.
With humor and never without wisdom
Nothing is more pleasing than the combination of wisdom and humor. For example, “القرد في عين أمه غزال” (al-qerd fi ae'en oumoh ghazaal), translated as:
“The monkey in his mother's eyes is a gazelle”.
This idiomatic phrase is an expression of unconditional parental love. Its French equivalent would be “La beauté est subjective”. Here, this proverb invites us to embrace love as something that transcends imperfections and makes us see the most beautiful in everyone.
Arabic idioms are a mosaic in themselves. Each piece is unique, but when put together with others, a magnificent picture is formed. To fully appreciate them, we need to understand that turns of phrase are not just words and games, but also values, stories and deep links that bring cultures together.
Sources :
https://misterprepa.net/expressions-essais-arabe/
In Casablanca, Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurates Africa's largest desalination plant
A strategic project to support sovereignty
The construction of this plant is taking place against a backdrop of rainfall deficit and increased pressure on Morocco's conventional water resources. This is why King Mohammed V launched the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program in 2020, with a total budget of 143 billion dirhams (14.3 billion euros). The aim is twofold: to meet the growing demand for water, and to strengthen Morocco's water and energy sovereignty by reducing its dependence on rainfall. At present, Morocco meets its water needs mainly through dams, the reuse of treated wastewater and integrated water resource management projects.
To complement these measures, Morocco has opted to launch a number of seawater desalination projects.
Combining technology and Moroccan expertise
This gigantic project will be carried out in two phases on a 50-hectare site.
The first phase, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026, will supply 548,000 m³ of treated water per day (200 million m³ per year). The second phase, scheduled for mid-2028, will increase total capacity to 822,000 m³ per day, or 300 million m³ per year, 50 million of which will be used for agricultural irrigation.
At the cutting edge of technology, the plant will use reverse osmosis desalination, a filtration process in which salt water is passed through a semi-permeable membrane under high pressure. The membrane retains salts and impurities, enabling the production of drinking water.
This process is particularly effective for removing contaminants and producing drinking water from saltwater sources.
Nothing is left to chance, not even the transport of drinking water from one point to another. To achieve this, the project will include three pumping stations, three storage reservoirs, and a distribution network of almost 130 kilometers of pipes. The total cost of this transport system is estimated at 3 billion dirhams,
to be financed by public funds.
Equally noteworthy is the fact that the station's power supply will be based on 100% renewable energies. Thanks to the integration of wind and solar power self-generation solutions, the plant's operating costs and carbon footprint will be reduced.
A boost for the economy and agriculture
In Morocco, agriculture is a vital pillar of the economy, contributing around 14% of national GDP and employing almost 40% of the working population. In 2022, the agricultural sector generated around 115 billion dirhams, demonstrating its crucial role in the country's economic and social stability. The country's main crops include cereals, olives, citrus fruits and vegetables, with significant exports to Europe. To be able to continue developing its agri-food industry, Morocco must therefore meet its high water requirements. It is in this context that the new Casablanca desalination plant, in addition to meeting the drinking water needs of urban areas, will play a crucial role in agricultural development.
By supplying 50 million m³ of desalinated water dedicated to irrigation, the water supply for crops, even in times of drought, will be secured.
The construction of the Casablanca desalination plant marks a crucial step forward in the management of water resources in Morocco.
The project represents a major leap forward for Morocco, and offers a development model for other MENA countries facing similar challenges, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Sources :
https://www.yabiladi.com/articles/details/150656/casablanca-moulay-hassan-lance-construction.html
https://labass.net/82530-sar-le-prince-heritier-moulay-el-hassan-lance-la-construction-de-la-station-de-dessalement-de-casablanca-la-plus-grande-dafrique.html
https://www.afrik.com/le-maroc-lance-a-casablanca-la-construction-de-la-plus-grande-station-de-dessalement-d-afrique
https://static.medias24.com/content/uploads/2023/02/15/Carte-stations-dessalement2_en-service.svg?x20870
Turning deserts green ?
After having bestowed hydrocarbons and an invaluable oil windfall over the past two centuries, the vast expanses of sand, covering more than 2,330,000 square kilometers, are proving fertile ground. Convinced of this hypothesis, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are redoubling efforts to make the desert “blossom”. These two Gulf states, along with Lebanon and Egypt, are launching renewed programs of planting and micro-irrigation. This phenomenon lies at the heart of an environmental transition movement. Indeed, regional euphoria stemming from years of oil revenue is now giving way to skepticism. From 2014 onwards, plummeting oil prices coupled with rapid depletion of oil reserves marked the end of the welfare state, now confronted with mounting public debt. The regional political and economic challenge is compounded by increased food demand, driven by massive rural exodus and an influx of foreign labor.
However, in the early 21st century, structural dependence on foreign inputs and skilled labor obstructs the path toward foodself-sufficiency. Revising agricultural models inherited from the 1970s is crucial to modernizing old oases or conquering new agricultural lands. But howcan food yields be increased in countries where average precipitation does notexceed eighty millimeters per year ? Is the prospect of a greening desert realistic, or merely a mirage ?
Reinventing Deserts : Micro-Irrigation at the Vanguard of the Green Revolution
To combat physical determinism, science extends agricultural practices to mitigate aridity in desert zones. Many Arab countries are turning to micro-irrigation to increase yields and promote green development. This “drip-by-drip” technique minimizes soil over watering by delivering water directly to plant roots where it's most needed. Israel has transformed the face of the Negev desert with this method. Over time, this southern region has evolved into an oasis of foodstuffs. The Nana estate near Beer-Sheba annually produces between 15,000 and 20,000 bottles of spirits thanks to micro-irrigation. Buoyed by this success, the Israeli state now employs drip irrigation on 80% of its lands.
Across the Mediterranean, governmental and non-governmental initiatives are unfolding with hopes of fostering land development. In Lebanon, the IFAD-funded agricultural infrastructure development project has borne fruit. It facilitated fruit tree planting in fallow lands of the Bekaa and Nabatieh hills, significantly boosting farmers’ incomes. In Egypt, the OFIDO (On Farm Irrigation Development Project In Oldlands), launched in 2009, pursues a similar objective. In the long run, this intervention is expected to create seasonal jobs for over 21,000 impoverished rural men and women in the Kafr El-Sheikh and Beheira governorates.
What are the Costs ?
According to a series of studies conducted by USAID in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the combined adoption of drip irrigation, solar energy, and conservation agriculture practices has reduced water consumption by 30% while increasing productivity and yields by 15 to 30%. Small-scale micro-irrigation thus represents an effective model built on smart infrastructure that promotes climate resilience and financial sustainability. However, the sector faces a global funding deficit estimated at around $80 billionannually for developing these infrastructures. To ensure their long-term viability, operating and maintenance costs must be borne by organized agricultural cooperatives. It is also crucial for irrigation projects to develop well-defined exit strategies supported by appropriate legislation to secure continuous funding needed for infrastructure operation and maintenance.
From Amber to Purple : The Surprising Makeover of Saudi Lands
Beyond scientific ingenuity, could nature itself innovate ? In northern Saudi Arabia, the desert has traded its amber hue for a shimmering mauve. This small miracle, visible near the Saudi city of Rafha and dubbed “the lavender of the desert”, was fostered by abundant rains in late 2022. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is well on its way to becoming fertile ground. Petroleum revenues from this Gulf State have funded a promising agricultural program, based on advanced farming techniques and optimal irrigation systems. Between 1961 and 2008, irrigated agricultural lands have more than quintupled, expanding from 323,000 hectares to 1,620,000 hectares. The increase in cultivable lands has also facilitated the establishment of major Saudi agribusiness companies. Among them are Watania, operating 30,000 hectares, Nadec with 18,000 hectares, and the most opulent, the Al-Jawf Agricultural Development Company (Jadco), under royal governance, managing 60,000 hectares. Positioned across multiplesectors including both plant and animal agriculture, Al-Jawf has seen exceptional growth of 33% in its net income over the past five years. Where vegetation flourishes, so does profit.
Tilling the fields, witnessing the first summer buds emerge — these phenomena debunk the romanticized image of an arid and sterile Middle East. This mistaken perception sharply contrasts with a reality far less dichotomous. While the previous century seemed to urge the Mediterranean periphery to delve underground to thrive in globalization, today, the regional future undeniably unfolds on the surface.
Sources :
https://journals.openedition.org/etudesrurales/17484
https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/-/project/1100001447
http://www.g-eau.fr/images/PRODUCTION/working-papers/WP9_Egypt_MOLLE.pdf
The House of Wisdom: a lighthouse of knowledge and tolerance in Baghdad
Dream and revelation
In the beginning: Baghdad. Founded in 762, the city was a prosperous metropolis and a hub of commerce, attracting intellectuals from all over the world. Its size was such that it already had over 1 million inhabitants, compared with 50,000 in Rome, then the largest city in Europe.
At the heart of the city, the House of Wisdom was established under the caliphate of Harun al-Rashid (786-809), but it was during the reign of his son,
Al-Ma'mun (813-833), nicknamed the Wise Man of Baghdad, that the library reached its apogee. Al-Ma'mun was so passionate about literature that he spent his days reading and studying. Tradition has it that he was so keen on books that he agreed to stop the war against the Byzantines in exchange for a rare manuscript that was missing from his collection. One night, Al-Ma'mun had a dream in which Aristotle appeared to him. As a result, he decided to open the library to all scholars of the time, whether Jewish, Christian or Zoroastrian.
Erudition and tolerance
The House of Wisdom was not simply a library; it was a true center of knowledge, where scholars from different religions collaborated harmoniously. This diversity reflected the inclusive vision of the Abbasids, who saw the quest for knowledge as a duty transcending religious and cultural barriers.
Al-Ma'mun himself said that "knowledge is the noblest goal and should be sought from all quarters". Thus, the House of Wisdom has played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of ancient knowledge. Scholars translated major works of Greek philosophy, Persian medicine, Indian mathematics and the natural sciences.
Famous translators include Hunayn ibn Ishaq, who translated the works of Galen and Hippocrates, and Al-Khwarizmi, whose work in algebra and astronomy had a lasting influence on the sciences. Activities are not limited to translating and revising existing works ; Hunayn Ibn Ishaq, for example, also enriched Arabic vocabulary by introducing innovative scientific terminology. He adapts Greek words, such as philosophia, which he transforms into falsafa, and creates equivalent meanings adapted to the Arab context. For example, for the term "pylorus", he takes its Greek etymological meaning (guardian) and uses the Arabic word bawab (porter). In addition to translations and the enrichment of languages, many scientific disciplines were given pride of place.
Indeed, the mathematicians of the House of Wisdom introduced the Indian numerical system (later known as Arabic numerals) to Europe. Al-Khwarizmi, often considered the father of algebra, wrote "Kitab al-Jabr wa-l-Muqabala", which can be translated as "The Book of Addition and Subtraction", a fundamental work of mathematics.
Decline and Legacy
Following al-Mamun's death, the House of Wisdom began a slow decline, culminating in its destruction during the Mongol invasion. In 1258, the Mongol army led by Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan and first Mongol ruler of Iran, sacked Baghdad. Many precious manuscripts were thrown into the Tigris River, to the point of blackening its waters. Anticipating this disaster, the Persian astronomer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (1201-1274) managed to save several thousand manuscripts by transferring them to the Maragha astronomical observatory, built by Hulagu in 1259 in north-west Iran. This observatory became a new center of knowledge, where the saved manuscripts continued to nourish the minds of the scholars of the day.
The House of Wisdom, a pioneer in the translation and dissemination of knowledge, has inspired many similar initiatives around the world over the centuries, in both East and West. Centers of translation and knowledge multiplied, notably in Muslim Spain with the famous School of Toledo, where Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars worked together to translate and preserve classical works. The tradition of the House of Wisdom also influenced European universities in the Middle Ages. Institutions such as the University of Salerno in Italy and Oxford University in England were inspired by the Baghdad model, particularly in their approach to medicine, astronomy and philosophy.
The most recent of these initiatives is the "Maison de la sagesse - Traduire", founded by French philosopher and academician Barbara Cassin in Paris, to perpetuate the spirit of this legendary library through the promotion of translation and intercultural dialogue. This modern institution continues to celebrate the legacy of the House of Wisdom by bringing together translators and scholars from diverse backgrounds to work together on translation projects that foster mutual understanding and international cooperation.
In this way, the House of Wisdom not only represents a historic moment in Islamic culture, but also symbolizes a timeless vision of the quest for knowledge and peaceful coexistence between cultures. It is a reminder that the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between different civilizations are essential for the progress of humanity.
Sources :
https://www.bbc.com/afrique/monde-55396995
https://www.techno-science.net/glossaire-definition/Maison-de-la-sagesse.html
The Gulf States' race for strategic minerals to ensure their energy transition
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, like other nations in the region, are seeking to position themselves as leaders in the extraction and processing of strategic minerals needed for green technologies. These resources, such as copper, lithium, cobalt and nickel, have become essential for the manufacture of batteries, solar panels and wind turbines, which have become key elements in the energy transition. With this in mind, these countries are steadily strengthening their international partnerships to secure supplies of rare minerals and ensure their strategic sovereignty.
The Middle East turns to Africa
In the diplomatic sphere, a tough battle is being waged to secure mineral supplies. In December 2023, the United Arab Emirates, via International Resources Holding, acquired a majority stake in the Mopani copper mine in Zambia for $1.1 billion. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, created the $15 billion Manara Fund and acquired a 10% stake in the subsidiary of Vale, a Brazilian mining giant specializing in strategic minerals. In addition, the country has signed mining cooperation agreements with several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Russia and Morocco. Finally, Saudi delegations also explored opportunities in lithium-rich Argentina and Chile.
These massive investments in strategic minerals are aimed at supporting local production of electric vehicles, such as the Lucid plant in Saudi Arabia, and supplying critical components to the aerospace and defense industries.
The stakes are clear: ensuring sovereignty to enable an energy transition.
Strategic success and nuclear ambition
"I am pleased to announce that our estimate of the kingdom's untapped mineral potential has risen from $1,300 billion to $2,500 billion, an increase of 90%."
These were the words of Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, at a conference in Riyadh. The kingdom's 2030 strategic vision, spearheaded by Crown Prince MBS, is showing its first signs of success.
In addition, in 2023, the discovery of significant reserves of uranium, which can be mined locally. These resources could enable the country to independently produce the fuel needed for its future nuclear power plants. Recent explorations have identified a variety of uranium deposits in different regions of the Kingdom, including Jabal Saeed, Madinah and Jabal Qariah in the north.
Significant quantities of titanium have also been discovered. In addition to solar and wind power, the Kingdom is counting on nuclear power to meet its growing demand for electricity, which rose by 20% between 2012 and 2020.
Nuclear power will therefore play a key role in energy-intensive projects such as water desalination, currently dependent on the combustion of hydrocarbons.
With the announcement in 2018 of the construction of 16 nuclear reactors over 20 years, at a cost of $80 billion, Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear power. Recently, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman confirmed the development of two large reactors, which will exploit local uranium resources, marking a significant step forward in the country's energy transition.
A major economic and social impact
Climate transition and industrialization have created thousands of jobs in Gulf countries, reducing unemployment rates and improving living standards for local populations. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the mining sector could generate around 250,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030. By investing in local training and infrastructure, the Gulf states aim not only to foster skills development and education, but also to prepare a new generation of skilled workers to support a sovereign industry.
The economic benefits are not limited to job creation. It is estimated that the mining projects underway in Saudi Arabia could add up to $64 billion to the country's economy each year. What's more, investment in the information technology and logistics infrastructure needed to support these mining operations is stimulating other economic sectors, creating a positive trickle-down effect across the economy as a whole. On a societal level, these developments provide education and vocational training opportunities for young people, helping to reduce inequalities and improve social mobility.
Gulf countries are setting up scholarship programs and partnerships with international academic institutions to train engineers and technicians specialized in the mining industry. Also in Saudi Arabia, initiatives such as the Mining Skills Development Program aim to train over 10,000 professionals by 2025.
Even if the positive consequences are numerous, and the objective of an energy transition both laudable and imperative, there are still many critics of mineral extraction, as the techniques employed remain polluting.
That's why Gulf countries are stepping up initiatives to promote sustainable, environmentally-friendly mining. Gulf governments are investing in green technologies to minimize the environmental impact of mineral extraction, in line with the energy transition objectives dictated by the COPs. Saudi Arabia, for example, has allocated over $2 billion for research and development projects in clean technologies and sustainable mining.
Thus, the Gulf countries' quest for strategic minerals is a proactive response to the challenges of climate transition and an opportunity to redefine their economies. Moreover, this dynamic is part of a long tradition of cultural and economic ties between the East and Africa, where trade and cultural interaction have shaped prosperous, interconnected civilizations.
Historically, the trade routes that crossed the Gulf and East Africa were essential vectors of prosperity and development. Today, these historic links are being rekindled by the Gulf countries' ambitions to industrialize and preserve their economic sovereignty. The common challenges shared by the East and Africa, particularly in terms of sustainable development and energy transition, place them at a common intersection, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and a prosperous shared future.
Sources :
https://alj.com/fr/news/leading-saudi-arabias-renewable-energy-revolution/
Rediscovering Mohamed Zinet : a unique Algerian artist
The story of a fighter and activist
Mohamed Amokrane Zinet, more commonly known as Mohamed Zinet, was born in the Casbah of Algiers. This city, which nurtured his childhood, has remained at the heart of his artistic inspiration. Having taken part in the Algerian War of Independence in the ranks of the FLN, he then turned to the theater, where he began with plays such as Kateb Yacine's Le Cadavre encerclé. His theatrical career continued in France and Germany with Jean-Marie Serreau's troupe.
His first feature film, Tahia ya didou! (Algiers insolite), made in 1971, is an emblematic work. Initially commissioned as a short tourist film by the Algiers town council, Zinet turned this project into a celebration of the city of Algiers, its people and their struggle for independence. The film, with no traditional narrative or dialogue, is presented as a kind of “symphonic film”. Although long considered lost, it was finally rediscovered in poor condition in the cellars of the Cinémathèque d'Alger, and is now considered a national film treasure.
The creation of “Tahia ya didou!” changed Zinet's life and destiny. The film, though revolutionary, cost Zinet his career in Algeria. His unconventional approach and outspokenness brought him criticism and professional obstacles, forcing him to move to France. Yet time has made “Tahia ya didou!” a major work by Zinet, testifying to his bold artistic vision and his commitment to representing the true essence of his native country.
A career marked by powerful roles
Mohamed Zinet is also known for his roles in various French films of the 1970s. His performance in Yves Boisset's Dupont Lajoie (1975) is particularly memorable. Zinet played the immigrant who came to avenge his brother, making him an emblematic figure of anti-racist cinema. The film, which denounced ordinary racism in France, was a great success, despite tensions and threats during the shooting. In 1974, while shooting Dupont Lajoie, Zinet was attacked by four men, resulting in his hospitalization and withdrawal from the set. This tragic event underlines the challenges he faced because of his origin and artistic choices in a highly polarized society.
Zinet's work is eclectic. In addition to Tahia ya didou! and Dupont Lajoie, he appeared in several other notable films :
- René Vautier's Les Ajoncs (1970)
- Les Trois Cousins (1970) by René Vautier
- Le Bougnoul (1975) by Daniel Moosmann
- La Vie devant soi (1977) by Moshe Mizrahi
- Le Coup de sirocco (1978) by Alexandre Arcady
- Robert et Robert (1978) by Claude Lelouch
In Le Bougnoul, Zinet played the lead role of Mehdi Ben Chraïdi, a film which, despite its clumsy script, remains an acerbic critique of racism in France.
In 1978, he appeared in Claude Zidi's Les Sous-doués, playing Mustapha, a role that further demonstrated his versatility and talent for silent film-inspired pantomime.
Rehabilitating the memory of a major cinema figure
The French Cinémathèque recently put the spotlight on Zinet's work with a special program. This retrospective enabled us to rediscover his contributions and understand the depth of his artistic commitment. Mohamed Latrèche's documentary Zinet, Alger, le bonheur (2023) looks back on his life and work.
As the years go by, Mohamed Zinet remains a fascinating, inspiring and emblematic figure in the history of Algerian and French cinema. His ability to navigate between the roles of actor, director and activist, while confronting the challenges of his time, makes him a role model for an entire generation. It is by viewing his films, particularly through the eyes of the present, that we realize the richness and complexity of the cultural identities between Algeria and France.
Mohamed Zinet was an actor and director whose works and activist commitments left a lasting imprint on cinema and society. He used his talent to fight racism and stereotypes, notably in films such as Dupont Lajoie and
Le Bougnoul. In collaboration with militant filmmakers such as René Vautier, he defended the rights of immigrants and highlighted their precariousness and resilience. Inspired by Charlie Chaplin, Zinet believed in art as a means of struggle and liberation, using visual beauty and pantomime to express profound ideas.
His legacy is that of a visionary artist and passionate activist, whose commitment to social justice and freedom of expression continues to inspire.
Sources :
https://www.cinematheque.fr/cycle/mohamed-zinet-1263.html
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Zinet
http://www.africine.org/index.php/personne/mohamed-zinet/7244
For the love of the world: a bicycle trip from Brittany to Teheran
Journey and encounters
During this adventure, which lasted almost 12 months and took her through 12 different countries, Isabel crossed mountains, deserts and cities, pedaling around 80 to 100 kilometers a day. She braved sometimes difficult weather conditions, impassable roads, and even situations of political tension. It's certainly a physical feat, but what makes Isabel's journey particularly inspiring is the way she has built bridges between cultures. Along the way, she met with locals, shared meals and listened to stories that gave her a unique insight into daily life in the regions she passed through. Isabel immersed herself in each culture, learning a few words of the local language and adopting new customs and traditions, always with a spirit of openness and respect.
One of the highlights of her trip was her crossing of Italy. On the Amalfi coast, Isabel was welcomed by a local family who offered her hospitality after an exhausting day of cycling under the summer sun. It was during this unexpected stay that she discovered the conviviality of sharing home-cooked Italian cuisine around a warm table. Such encounters were frequent throughout her journey, and reinforced her love for people: “I remember one evening in Turkey when a family invited me to share dinner. We didn't speak the same language, but the smiles and generosity were enough to create an unforgettable moment,” she recounts.
Arrival at destination
On her arrival in Iran, Isabel experienced hospitality that touched her deeply, but also moments of tension. While in Tabriz, she was briefly detained by local police, suspicious of a foreigner traveling alone in a region rarely visited by Western tourists. After a few hours of questioning and discussions with a local guide who pleaded on her behalf, Isabel was released. “It was an intimidating experience, but it helped me understand how important communication and cultural understanding are,” she recalls. Afterwards, Isabel was welcomed by a community of Iranian cyclists who congratulated her on her achievement, “When I arrived in Tehran, I felt immense pride. This trip has taught me so much about myself and the goodness of people around the world,” she concludes. Of course, her day ended with an invitation from a family in Iran who offered her room and board for the night. After all, as the old Persian saying goes, “a guest is a gift from God”.
Plouhéran, graphic novel of the journey
“Plouhéran” is the book Isabel Del Real wrote to share her incredible cycling adventure from Brittany to Teheran. Through its pages, she recounts in detail her 15,000-kilometer journey, revealing the challenges, joys and discoveries that marked her journey. More than just a travel story, “Plouhéran” is an ode to the human capacity to connect with different cultures and love them with sincerity. In “Plouhéran”, Isabel Del Real adopts a personal and immersive writing style, allowing readers to feel every pedal stroke, every difficult climb, and every moment of doubt and joy. She describes with great sensitivity her interactions with the people she met along the way, from farmers in France to bazaar merchants in Iran. She also recounts poignant moments, such as the time she was helped by a Turkish family after a fall, or the support she received from Iranian cyclists on her arrival in Tehran. This book is a must-read for anyone dreaming of freedom, adventure and human connection.
Her adventure is a reminder that, even in a world often marked by conflict and division, there is still place for hope, curiosity and sharing. For all of us, her story is an invitation to embrace the unknown and set out to discover the wonders the world and its people have to offer.
Sources :
https://www.kisskissbankbank.com/fr/projects/plouheran-a-velo-de-bretagne-a-teheran
Who is Sarah Idan ? The Miss Iraq who paraded on all fronts
This secular Muslim is a personality who stands out in both the media and diplomatic landscape. Sarah Idan strives to break down cultural and religious barriers, advocating dialogue and education as weapons against obscurantism. Musician, translator and ambassador for peace, she deploys her many talents for a single purpose: bringing people together and building a fairer world. Each chapter of this modern icon's journey reveals a new facet of her commitment and determination.
Sarah's childhood in Baghdad: Finding her way through music
Little Sarah grew up in Baghdad. From the moment she took her first steps in elementary school, the future beauty queen embraced with her classmates the lyrics and movements of a daily political choreography: “Glory to Saddam, long live Saddam Hussein!” At the time, Iraqi society was corseted by an oppressive state apparatus. On the broadcast “Story of Us”, the former Miss confides: “We had no freedom, we couldn't even make a joke about Saddam Hussein... There were only three TV channels, all controlled by the regime.”
Despite this assertive indoctrination, the little girl's thoughts remained elsewhere. In the 1980s, as the Iran-Iraq war raged in the capital, Sarah drowned out the sound of the bombings with her headphones. Cloistered in her room, she would play Christina Aguilera's “The Voice Within” over and over again. “Young lady, don't cry, I'll be right here when your world starts to fall apart... Just trust the voice within. Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way.” Like Marjane Satrapi, who recalls in her Persepolis novel the day she first discovered American pop-rock, the Iraqi teenager began to escape into music. Lulled by the words of a foreign language, she taught herself to decip her this unknown dialect. This was the beginning of her vocation as an interpreter.
On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Sarah Idan applied for a job as a translator at the U.S. Embassy. Despite her fluent oral expression and solid knowledge of grammar, the teenager was rejected because she was too young. “Come back when you're eighteen”, she was told. Which she did, successfully.
Now sheltered by her dual Iraqi-American nationality - after receiving the green card promised by the embassy in exchange for her services - Sarah decided to put her linguistic skills to a new use. “I was aware that I was now part of the privileged ones, and I wanted to represent Iraq in the best possible way”.
On the catwalk of diplomacy: the unprecedented friendship of Miss Iraq and Miss Israel
In 2016, Sarah Idan won the much coveted title of “Miss Iraq”. A year later, the beautiful brunette continued the adventure by enlisting in the Miss Universe competition. But Sarah couldn't be complacent with a sheepish smile and a haggard stare in front of the cameras. Mindful of the diplomatic and inclusive dimension of the competition, Miss Iraq took the initiative to go and meet Adar Gandelsman, aka Miss Israel.
This unforeseen face-to-face encounter, which would later lead to a beautiful friendship, was immortalized in a selfie entitled “Peace and Love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel”. The snapshot immediately caused a stir, both on digital channels and in the press. Despite threats and attempts to intimidate her, Sarah refused to delete the publication from her Instagram account. She repeated in an interview: “It was important for me to say hello to Adar, she was the only one who hadn't dared approach me. I told her that I had no hatred towards her and that we had to fulfill our role as ambassadors of peace.”
In 2018, Sarah Idan was invited to speak in Israel. Although slightly skeptical at first, the beauty queen accepted the invitation. The trip shook her vision of the Hebrew state. “All my life, I'd been told that Israel was a state only for Jews, and that we had no place there... Suddenly, I saw a mother walking down the street with her daughter in hijab, and I spotted posters wishing ‘Eid Mubarak’. I had also noticed that the hotel manager and some of the representatives of the assembly to which I had been invited were all Arabs.” The ambassador of peace was overwhelmed by her stay in Jerusalem. From then on, she set her sights on a new platform to defend her ideals : the new media.
Soon on the congress steps : Sarah Idan, the committed candidate
Now acknowledged as a committed activist, Sarah Idan is determined to represent her people on the international stage to the utmost. With over 100,000 followers on her X and Instagram accounts, the former Miss Iraq wields her pen to denounce the disrespect for human rights. Sarah Idan regularly writes articles, published in various periodicals including Algemeiner Journal. Her latest column warned of the disappearance of Iraq's diversity: “Sadly, Iraq’s diversity is being destroyed. Christian population has fallen by over 80%, from 1.4 million in 1987 to about 250,000 today. Iraq’s religious minorities are fleeing because they see no future in their ancient homeland...” In addition to being a media-savvy speaker, the young woman is also founder and CEO of the inter-cultural association Humanity4ward, which aspires to promote dialogue and cooperation between Jews and Muslims all around the world.
The next stairway Sarah Idan intends to tread is that of Congress. As a candidate for representative of California's 30th district under the Democratic Party ticket, Sarah is resolved to bring a new inflection to American politics, while confronting the deniers of the tragic events of October 7. In December 2023, she even visited Kfar Aza, a community devastated by Hamas terrorist attacks, to bring humanitarian aid.
As a former Miss Iraq, Sarah Idan has always argued that beauty queens should not be judged solely on their looks, but also embody models of grace and kindness.
Representing these very values, the young woman seems to have succeeded in trusting the voice within herself.
Sources :
https://twitter.com/RealSarahIdan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
PiP World, the Emirati revolution in financial education
The emergence of a bold idea
PiP World's vision was born of a simple but striking observation: many young adults lack the essential financial skills to navigate the complex world of personal finance. Inspired by international initiatives, but also by the needs of new generations, Saad Naja wanted to offer a practical and fun tool to help people understand that managing money should be a basic skill accessible to all.
The startup stands out for its innovative use of gamification to capture the attention of its users. Unlike traditional teaching methods, the app uses games and simulations to explain financial concepts in a way that deeply captures attention. So, instead of being confronted with theoretical texts or abstract calculations, users learn how to manage a budget, save and invest in a gamified way. This not only demystifies finance, but also encourages more intuitive learning in an age when smartphones are king. More specifically, the platform is designed around clear pedagogical objectives, with each module designed to teach a fundamental aspect of personal finance. It covers topics such as budgeting, debt management and basic investing, and incorporates rewards and levels to unlock. What better way to motivate users ?
Fundraising and acceleration
PiP World recently attracted attention by raising $10 million in its first round of financing from investors such as Exinity Group. This massive financial backing will enable PiP World to expand internationally and perfect its educational modules. Commenting on this success, Saad Naja said: “This investment will enable us to expand our offering and reach a greater number of users worldwide, particularly in emerging markets where financial tools and knowledge are scarce”. Exinity's financial backing should enable PiP World to expand its footprint particularly in the Middle East and Asia, regions which are seeing a growing demand for digital educational solutions. Through this collaboration, PiP World also hopes to leverage Exinity's user base of over 5 million active traders to raise awareness of the benefits of gamified financial literacy. As you can see, the sky's the limit for this fine young start-up.
Impact entrepreneurship
PiP World is not just about financial education. Indeed, in a world where youth debts are a growing problem, this platform has become an essential tool for promoting responsible money management. It has already attracted several thousand active users, and its model could serve as a benchmark for other educational initiatives in various fields. To further increase this societal impact, the startup plans to integrate additional functionalities in the coming months, including courses on sustainable finance and advice on optimizing sustainable investments.
This startup's success story is a perfect reflection of the bright entrepreneurial spirit that drives the tech startup ecosystem, particularly in the United Arab Emirates. It is the fruit of the fast transformation of the MENA region, thanks in particular to technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Education is a key theme that both governments and startups are addressing with passion, to ensure that more and more talent emerges
Sources :
https://tribetechie.com/pip-world-secures-10m-seed/
https://www.edtechreview.in/news/pip-world-raises-10m-seed-funding-to-empower-financial-literacy/
https://medium.com/@cmointern.media/pip-world-raises-10m-to-gamify-financial-learning-d09a68b3ff91
https://incubees.com/pip-world-raised-10-m-seed-funding-from-exinity/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pip-world/?originalSubdomain=ae
https://en.incarabia.com/pip-world-pockets-us10-million-in-seed-funding-691141.html
Rediscovering the Oriental poets - Yehuda Amichaï
Amichaï is renowned for his ability to talk about the major tragedies of the 20th century in an accessible, unadorned way, with melancholy and irony, but also with an intense love of life and its simple details.
“The place where we are right
Is hard and sharp
Like a hammered court.”
(Extract from L'endroit où nous avons raison)
Paradigm shift
Yehuda Amichaï, born Ludwig Pfeuffer, grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Germany. His childhood was deeply affected by the rise of Nazism, which forced his family to flee to Mandate Palestine in 1935. The family settled in Jerusalem and our poet, then a young man, was mobilized during the Second World War in the Jewish Brigade of the British Army. This experience marked the beginning of his first writings and awakened him to the importance of multiple identities. He later took part in the Israeli War of Independence in 1948. It was in this tragic way, through the experience of war, that he would put the pain of exile at the center of his work. Before becoming the renowned poet he is today, Amichaï began studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after the war, where he studied literature and biblical history. He soon began to write in Hebrew, his adopted language, a choice that symbolized his deep ties with Israel, but at the same time kept in mind his German and European origins.
A master of modern Hebrew poetry
As we outlined earlier, Amichai revolutionized Hebrew poetry by grounding it in concrete reality and moving away from traditional biblical themes to tackle more everyday subjects. One of Amichai's major themes is war, but treated on a human and personal level, which makes the work particularly moving. In poems such as From the Height of This War, he transforms battle stories into a reflection on the human condition, on pain, loss and the absurdity of conflict.
“God has mercy on kindergarten children,
He has less pity on schoolkids.
And he no longer has pity on adults.”
Despite all this, Amichaï is not only a poet of conflict, but also a poet of love and family. Many of his poems deal with human relationships, from romantic love to parental love and love of land and country. One of his most famous collections, Love in Jerusalem, perfectly illustrates this duality between intimate love and love for the sacred city.
“Love in Jerusalem”
One of Amichaï's most emblematic works is undoubtedly Love in Jerusalem, in which he paints Jerusalem not only as a sacred and historic city, but also as a metaphor for the complexity of modern life. Jerusalem is a place of tension and pain, but also of beauty and love. In this collection, Amichaï explores the city's thousand-year-old history and the political realities of his time.
“Jerusalem is full of old parables and prayers,
It has been sold so many times and bought, conquered and abandoned,
And in its streets children still play football.”
So, over the decades, Yehuda Amichaï has been recognised as one of Israel's greatest poets, not only for his contribution to Hebrew poetry, but also for using his pen as a bridge between past and present, between the intimate and the universal. He is often regarded as the poetic voice of Jerusalem, his adopted city, which he transformed into a living metaphor for love.
Peace through words
Throughout his long career, our poet became a fervent advocate of intercultural dialogue. He was deeply convinced of the power of words to build bridges between cultures and peoples. In his poems, he rejected hatred and denounced the futility of violence, while advocating a peaceful future for Israel and its Arab neighbors. He wrote:
“Even in the most violent wars, the voice of the poet is a refuge where we can hear the echo of a shared humanity.”
This humanist approach is at the heart of his works and his commitment to a world where mutual understanding prevails over differences. Amichaï saw Jerusalem, the thousand-year-old city at the heart of religious and political tensions, not only as a symbol of division but also as a potential crossroads for reconciliation.
Even after his death in 2000, Amichaï remained a powerful voice for humanity. His poems have become a tool for reflection for readers all over the world, whether Israeli, Arab or from other horizons. His poetry is frequently used in cultural mediation contexts, showing that words can be a powerful lever for reconciliation.
Sources :
https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Yehuda-Amichaï/149215/citations
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Po%C3%A9sie_h%C3%A9bra%C3%AFque
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/yehuda-Amichaï
https://www.espritsnomades.net/litterature/yehuda-Amichaï-la-vigie-de-jerusalem/
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yehuda_Amicha%C3%AF
https://www.babelio.com/auteur/Yehuda-Amichaï/149215/citations
https://books.openedition.org/pressesinalco/40424?lan
Leaven and the Levant : How did bread mold the Middle East ?
Recipes and Rituals: The essence of the oriental bread
From one country to another, bread takes on different meanings according to events and seasons. For Jews, unleavened bread, or “matzah”, is eaten with bitterness at Pesach, while for Muslims, pide bread is savored with joy at dusk during the month of Ramadan.
In Armenia and Iran, making lavash - thin, crusty bread, often accompanied by meat - is almost a ceremony. In an atmosphere imbued with music, the women at the stove share stories as they wait for the dough to rise. In addition to its function as a social vehicle, lavash also takes on a sacred dimension at weddings. When delicately placed on the shoulders of the newly weds, it symbolizes the vows offertility and prosperity that accompany this crucial passage.
Beyond its nutritional value, bread embodies life and spiritual connection. In Judaism,the braiding of the Challah is a ritual charged with meaning, where a piece of dough is reserved and offered to the priests of the ancient temple, the cohanim, in a gesture known as “lehafrish” in Hebrew. Similarly, in Christianity, the bread materializes the body of Jesus during communion, establishing a tangible relationship with God.
Breaking Breads: In Tel Aviv, Uri Scheft breaks codes and loaves
From heaven to earth, bread, once distributed to the Hebrews as divine manna during the desert crossing, has now been tamed by their descendants. On the road thatbridges Beirut, Bethlehem, and Tel Aviv, Mediterranean gourmets display their boundless creativity in reinventing their traditional breads. Israeli chef Uri Scheft, a master in the art of mixing flavors and cultures, skilfully blends influences from the four corners of the region into his dough : Morocco, Yemen, Georgia, Denmark... A whirlwind of flavors, a palette of gastronomic customs. Of Scandinavian origin, Uri Scheft confides that bread has always been a source of inspiration and nostalgia in his nomadic life. When his parents left Copenhagen for Israel, they took with them the desire to preserve their Danish way of life. Her mother, already an avid baker,continued to concoct breads and typical Scandinavian dishes.
Nowadays, Uri Scheft is at the head of the famous Lehamim Bakery in Tel Aviv to carry on his heritage, while enriching it with local specialities. The result ? The Lehamim Bakery counter overflows with bread recipes as surprising as delicious: babka with Nutella, rugelach, the Israeli croissant filled with chocolate, focacci with shakshuka, as well as Yemeni breads such as Kubaneh and Jachnun. Committed to bringing his customers along on his culinary journey, Uri Scheft shares the secrets behind his creations in his book “Breaking Breads”.
Fadi Kattan : The Palestinian Chef who went from the house of bread to the palace of gastronomy
Another baker who breaks codes and breads, Fadi Kattan, is also keen to share his thousand and one ways of using flour in his recipe book: “Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food”. Originally from Bethlehem, the Palestinian chef grew up in the capital of bread. Literally. The etymology of Bethlehem (Beit Lachma) means “house of bread” in Aramaic. Fashioned by his peregrinations in India, Japan and Sudan, Fadi Kattan continues to convey his cuisine by adding the local specificities of each land. Recently, his book came into being with the opening of Akubin Notting Hill.
Batrouni Bakery: a family kneading where all flavours are shared
What could be more pleasant than breaking bread as a family ? In Beirut's Broummana Street, the Batrouni family has created the authentic Batrouni Bakery, where traditional recipes based on za'hatar, cheese dumplings and other Lebanese delicacies adorn the stalls. Aware that they are not the only ones in the region to embark on this gustatory venture, the Batrouni family has succeeded in standing out from the crowd by inventing brand-new pastries.
“No more bread...shall they have some Brioche ?” What about the shortage of cereals in the MENA region ?
These three bibles of world baking also unveil an undeniable facet of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region : the importance of bread in daily life and its increasing scarcity. Behind every loaf of bread that is eaten lies a pressing reality in the ongoing struggle against poverty and food insecurity. This societal challenge is underpinned by food subsidies. In Egypt, for example, these subsidies account for 1.3% of the overall government expenditure and benefit eighty-two million people, thus ensuring they have access to basic products such as Baladi bread.
Demand for wheat in the Middle East is closely linked to demographic trends which, according to Demeter Club estimates, should reach 390 million by 2040 and 448 million by 2100. This imminent growth is inevitably coupled with an increase in demand for staple products, starting with bread. Yet despite significant domestic production, many countries in the Mediterranean region remain heavily dependent on wheat imports to meet their food demand, and import dependency remains significant. Morocco purchases twenty-six million tonnes of wheat a year. Turkey accounts for thirty-five million and Algeria for forty-sixmillion. This reliance underscores the strategic importance of this resource in the regional context.
There’s a lot on our plate, indeed.
Sources :
https://www.cairn.info/revue-la-pensee-de-midi-2007-3-page-70.htm
https://www.thesultan.com/fr/blog/exploration-du-pain-moyen-oriental/
https://rosenhebrewschool.com/fr/blog/challah-and-our-ascension-through-hebrew/
https://www.cairn.info/le-demeter--0011662117-page-319.htm
https://www.cairn.info/revue-communio-2017-2-page-19.htm
https://www.jewishfoodsociety.org/stories/an-israeli-baker-finds-his-danish-roots
https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1347189/la-boulangerie-batrouni-une-histoire-de-famille.html
Credits image : Unsplash - Svetlana B
Credits image : Dinner a Love Story
Credits image : Seasoned With Sydney
Credits image : L’Orient-Le Jour
Iranian hearts soar to the rhythm of the dances
There are many forms of dance in Iran, but one of the most widespread is "improvisation". This variety of dance is very popular in Iran, especially on happy occasions such as weddings. What makes it so special is that the dancers avoid direct physical contact. For example, even couples don't hold each other by the waist, as is often the case in the Occident. What's more, the movements of these dances are not choreographed in advance.
The most famous dance is "Tehrani" (raqs-e tehrânî), influenced by the traditions of Uyghurs, Uzbeks, Turks, Armenians and Eastern Mediterranean peoples. Tehrani dance emphasizes arm movements, held at shoulder level, and values facial expressions, as well as subtle movements of the lower body and hips. Movements are improvised to music with a 6/8 rhythm, known as reng.
Hands off, no dancing allowed
In 1979, the Iranian revolution brought down the monarchy of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the last king of Iran. Following this, Ayatollah Khomeini came to power and established a theocratic regime in Iran, based on Sharia law: this was the beginning of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Restrictions are numerous, and those imposed on traditional Iranian dance are harsh. Under Islamic law, women are forbidden to dance alone in public, or to take part in mixed dances.
However, since the protest movements triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, dance has become a powerful means of expression against the regime, for both men and women. Despite the risks of repression, many Iranians use dance as a form of protest to defy the regime and demonstrate their desire to be free. In the streets, in markets and on social networks, women are dancing to symbolize their fight for freedom and equality.
Dancing for women, life and freedom
A few months ago, an Iranian cab driver became an unexpected anti-regime icon after his dances in a fish market went viral. At the age of 70, the man, nicknamed "Uncle Sadegh", regularly draws crowds to the coastal town of Rasht with his singing and dancing. Recently, one of his videos caused a huge stir on Iranian social networks. However, the authorities judged his actions to be in violation of Islamic norms. "Uncle Sadegh" was therefore arrested and his Instagram account, which has over 675,000 followers, temporarily suspended. In response, thousands of Iranians began sharing videos as a sign of support. Faced with growing public pressure, the authorities finally released Mr. Sadegh and removed the ban from his Instagram account.
Another case: five young women dancing to the song "Calm Down" to celebrate Women's Rights Day. Filmed in Tehran's Ekbatan district, the video has gone viral. The young women are seen wearing crop tops, with their hair free and dancing - a violation of current Islamic regulations. The dance provoked a reaction from the authorities, who used CCTV footage to identify and arrest the dancers. They were briefly detained and forced to express regret in a video before being released.
The next dance
Every day, Iran reveals a new facet of its identity, driven by the aspirations of its youth for greater freedom. This momentum is largely fueled by Iranians' vision of a West where democracy and individual freedom rule. Thanks to technology, and in particular VPNs enabling them to bypass social networking bans, Iran's youth are connecting with the world, discovering different ways of life and forging their determination to change their country. So, on every street corner and in every house where music is heard, dance becomes a declaration of love for a better future. Each step in this direction is the choreography of the next Iranian dance: that of a prosperous, united and peaceful Iran.
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danses_d%27Iran
https://www.journaldesfemmes.fr/societe/actu/2097752-en-iran-danser-est-un-crime/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9j70fdzP0
https://www.ft.com/content/39b47e62-001d-48c5-8c17-e6568d9160af
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202303147109
Air Doctor: the Israeli success story that is revolutionizing travel health
Every problem has its solution
The idea behind Air Doctor was born out of a frustration that one of the founders, Jenny Cohen Derfler, experienced when she found herself traveling abroad without easy access to reliable healthcare. Recognizing that this was a problem that affected millions of travelers each year, the entrepreneurial team decided to tackle the challenge. “Finding a doctor when you’re traveling and don’t speak the local language can be a nerve-wracking experience. We wanted to create a solution that simplifies this aspect of travel for the millions of people who travel each year,” says Jenny Cohen Derfler in an interview. The Air Doctor platform offers an app that allows travelers to connect directly to a network of over 20,000 doctors in over 84 countries, covering a wide range of medical specialties. Additionally, whether for an in-person or online consultation, users can filter their searches by language, specialty, or distance.
Growing to Achieve the Mission
Since its creation, Air Doctor has experienced rapid growth. By 2023, the company had facilitated thousands of medical consultations worldwide, and this number continues to grow with the rise of post-pandemic tourism. Subsequently, in October 2024, the startup closed a $20 million funding round, aimed at strengthening its international presence and expanding its network of doctors. This round of financing brings the company's total funding to $38 million, a very impressive result in the field of healthcare technology. With this round of funding, Air Doctor is aiming for more aggressive international expansion, particularly in Asia, Latin America and Europe. In addition, the startup plans to add new features to its app, including multilingual assistance services and preventive consultation offerings for travelers with chronic illnesses.
An Israeli vision and entrepreneurial spirit
The founders had a perfect sense of the market, understanding early on that travelers, whether on business or on vacation, are increasingly aware of the health risks they may encounter in unfamiliar environments. It's this flair that enables Air Doctor to change the game. It's not about connecting people, it's about offering peace of mind. “Knowing that I can access an English-speaking doctor anywhere, anytime, makes my travels a lot less stressful", says a regular user of the app. The startup perfectly embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of the country often referred to as "Start-up Nation", as it is the fruit of an ecosystem where technological innovation is essential and solutions to global problems are emerging on a regular basis.
Without a doubt, Air Doctor's story is a true success story, combining technology, innovation and vision. But surely, even if this dynamic of success is particularly visible in countries like Israel, other countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are also undergoing a true transformation and modernization, putting them at the heart of a shared future.
Sources :
https://www.kametventures.com/news/air-doctor-scores-7-8m-to-connect-travellers-with-local-doctors
https://techfundingnews.com/air-doctor-secures-20m-to-expand-global-healthcare-access-for-travelers/
https://startuprise.org/air-doctor-a-multi-million-dollar-enterprise/
The Tunisian “Startup Act”: an entrepreneurial revolution
The contours of the “Startup Act”
The “Startup Act” includes numerous laws and regulations governing the various support schemes. However, there are 3 main thrusts to this initiative: the label, administrative facilities and tax benefits. The “Startup Label” is by far the most sought-after by technology startups, as it enables young companies meeting specific criteria - such as stage of creation, degree of innovation or scalability - to access various benefits. By 2023, over 900 startups had already obtained this label.
One of the main benefits of the label is access to the “Startup Grant”, an allowance for co-founders of startups in the launch phase. This grant covers living expenses for one year, with amounts indexed to previous earnings, ranging from 1,000 TND to 5,000 TND per month. This enables entrepreneurs to concentrate fully on developing their business without worrying about immediate financial constraints.
In addition, the “Congé pour la Création d'une Startup” offers co-founders the possibility of taking a year's leave, renewable once, to devote themselves entirely to their entrepreneurial project. This leave is protected by legislation, guaranteeing that the employer, whether public or private (with the exception of private companies with fewer than 100 employees), cannot oppose the departure. What's more, beneficiaries have the security of returning to their original job at any time, subject to a notice period.
Another advantage is that young graduates joining a startup can also continue to benefit from employment programs such as the CIVP. This means that even if they leave the startup, they can reactivate their eligibility for these programs for up to three years, offering additional security to young talent choosing the entrepreneurial path.
The new face of the Tunisian entrepreneurial eco-system
Since its launch over 6 years ago, the “Startup Act” has had a profound impact on the Tunisian economy and entrepreneurial eco-system. It has contributed to the creation of thousands of jobs, particularly for young people, and stimulated innovation in many sectors. According to an article by Resilient Digital Africa, “Tunisia's technology sector grew by 14% in 2022, largely thanks to Startup Act initiatives.” In addition, many Tunisian entrepreneurs testify to the benefits offered by the “Startup Act”. For example, Amel Saidane, co-founder of incubator “BetaCube”, says: “The Startup Act has been a catalyst for our ecosystem, enabling us to grow faster and more sustainably.”
Firstly, the initiative has fostered the creation of over 900 innovative startups in technology sectors such as healthcare, transport, education, climate and AI. These startups now benefit from simplified access to finance thanks to dedicated funds and tax exemptions, which has attracted the interest of foreign investors and boosted the local economy. Indeed, investment in Tunisian startups has exceeded 300 million dinars (around $100 million) since the initiative was launched. What's more, startups and entrepreneurship play a major role in job creation, reducing unemployment and “brain drain”. According to the GSMA report, this entrepreneurial eco-system boom has contributed to the creation of over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The map below provides a clear perspective on the depth of the impact of the Startup Act:
The “Startup Act 2.0” to consolidate and improve
In 2023, the Tunisian government has decided to strengthen the “Startup Act” by introducing “Startup Act 2.0”, which aims to complement the initial framework and further stimulate the growth of startups. To achieve this, the Tunisian government will place internationalization at the heart of the new scheme. Tunisian startups will now benefit from specific programs to access international markets, forge foreign partnerships and obtain global funding. In 2023, for example, over 50 Tunisian startups took part in international trade fairs thanks to this initiative. Another crucial point is access to financing. Additional measures to facilitate access to investment funds and bank loans have been put in place. The government has introduced guarantees to encourage banks to lend to startups, increasing the flow of capital to young innovative companies by 30% by 2023.
Tunisia, a land of talent, continues its quest to diversify and stimulate its economy by creating a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Startup Act and Startup Act 2.0, anchored in new legislation, provide solutions on the ground to enable the country to realize its ambitions. Thanks to these initiatives, Tunisia is positioning itself as a regional leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, moving resolutely forward in the direction of a prosperous economic future.
Sources :
https://startup.gov.tn/fr/startup_act/discover
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ecosystem-deep-dives-tunisias-start-up-act-timothy-motte/
https://www.facebook.com/eotunisia/?locale=sq_AL
https://startup.gov.tn/fr/startup_act/benefits_to_entrepreneurs
Rediscovering the Oriental poets - Imrou'l Qays
From kingdom to desert
Imrou'l Qays, son of a king of the Kinda tribe, was born into a noble and influential family in northern Arabia. His lineage destined him for a prestigious future, but his life soon took a more tumultuous turn, marked by exile and rebellion. Growing up surrounded by comfort and power, the young prince developed an early passion for poetry, a form of expression particularly prized in pre-Islamic Arab society. Yet it was this passion that, ironically, led to his exile. From his teens onwards, Imrou'l Qays made a name for himself with his love poems, in which he described his romantic adventures and nocturnal escapades without restraint.
However, in a society where modesty and discretion were the norm for royalty, his provocative and sometimes immoral verses shocked the nobles. His father, exasperated by his irresponsible behavior, banned him from court. This banishment, although a personal tragedy for Imrou'l Qays, paradoxically marked the beginning of his legend. From then on, Imrou'l Qays began a nomadic life, traveling the desert and taking refuge with neighboring tribes. However, this rejection did not extinguish his love of poetry. On the contrary, this new freedom enabled him to develop his art further and to immerse himself in the desert landscapes and travel experiences.
Mu'allaqa: The immortal work
The desert became a major source of inspiration in his poems. He describes not only the beauty and harshness of this environment, but also the human emotions reflected in it: love, loss, nostalgia and wandering. His Mu'allaqa, one of the most famous poems in Arabic literature, perfectly illustrates this duality between the exaltation of pleasures and the contemplation of the frivolity of existence. For example, this poem begins with a nasîb, or lyrical introduction, in which the poet laments his past loves and expresses his desire for a woman who is now far away:
“Arise, my companions, let us weep at the memory of the beloved, of a shelter by the dunes she once inhabited.”
Imrou'l Qays does not hesitate to speak frankly about his love affairs, but these verses are not just accounts of conquests: they convey an emotional depth that makes his poems universal. The poet constantly oscillates between the joy of love and the pain of separation, and it is this tension that gives his poetry its strength. The desert landscapes he describes become the mirror of his tormented soul, where the search for love merges with the search for inner peace.
Imrou'l Qays is also renowned for his ability to capture the details of nature with great precision. He evokes sandstorms, shifting dunes, the scarcity of water, but also the fragile beauty of desert roses, symbols of the ephemeral. For Arab readers, this ability to fuse the elements of nature with human emotions made him an unrivaled poet. Another famous passage shows this sensitivity:
“If the morning wind passes through the garden, may the scent of the rose soothe suffering hearts.”
Redemption and legacy
While Imrou'l Qays's poetry is marked by passion, it is also marked by pain and loss. After the death of his father, he embarked on a quest for revenge to reclaim his throne. This quest took him across vast regions of the Arabian Peninsula, where he continued to write and to make contact with the royal courts. His dealings with Byzantine rulers demonstrated his ability to navigate between the Arab and Western worlds. However, Imrou'l Qays died in mysterious circumstances around 540, without having been able to complete his mission of vengeance. It is said that he was poisoned by the Byzantine emperor, Justinian I.
Whatever the case, his work survived well beyond his earthly life, continuing to influence not only Arabic poetry, but the entire Muslim literary tradition. His mu'allaqât were taught and transmitted orally long after his death, becoming a model for the poets who followed him. His influence can be seen in the writings of authors such as Al-Mutanabbi and many other major figures in Arabic poetry. So Imrou'l Qays was not just another poet, but a central figure in the Arab literary tradition. Through his poetry, he captured the beauty and contradictions of human existence. His ability to describe both the greatness of nature and the complexity of human emotions makes him a timeless poet, and we have tried to make a modest rediscovery of him.
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu%27allaq%C3%A2t
https://alresala-alarabiya.com/177471/
https://www.persee.fr/doc/jafr_0399-0346_2002_num_72_2_1311
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imrou%27l_Qays
https://aftia.fr/imrou-el-qays-grand-poete-arabe/
https://hal.science/hal-01423476/document
The Colours of Tunisia : Discovering North Africa's Most Mosaic Country
Tunisian Mosaics: Reflections of a Multisecular Legacy
Mosaics first appeared on the outskirts of Mesopotamia towards the end of the 4th century,and quickly spread to the Tunisian coast, where numerous Alexandrian artists settled to teach and spread the art. Initially adopted by the bourgeois elite, this new workmanship paved the gardens, living rooms and furniture of thebsumptuous country estates of Sousse, Dougga and Oudhna. From the 2nd century AD. onwards, the ingenuity of mosaic schools aroused the interest of Christian customers to decorate sacred spaces and funerary steles.
It also attracted the Judaizing community of Naro, which was very active between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century AD. Discovered in 1883, the Naro synagogue was covered with a magnificent mosaic of several figurative panels. The colorful relics excavated from the Christian tombs and the Naro synagogue have been carefully preserved in the Bardo National Museum, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Roman, Byzantine, Judeo-Christian and Arab-Islamic mosaics. Located in the former beylical palace, the Bardo is much more than a classic museum of cool, silent works; this cultural mecca is brimming with colors, anecdotes and artistic styles from the various civilizations that have succeeded one another over the centuries.
The Many Faces of a Chameleonic Tunisia: Heroes and Dynasties From Elsewhere
Far from being stationary, exchanges resulting from travel, conquest and alliances have considerably influenced the course of the country's history.
These interactions are highlighted by the museum, which endeavours to retrace the path of the ethnic groups and emblematic figures of foreign origin who have contributed to Tunisia's great edifice. The territory of the old Ifriqiya saw the reign of several foreign dynasties, including the Abbasids, the Almohads from the Moroccan High Atlas and the Rostémides from Tahert (located in the center of current Algeria). The arrival of the Umayyads in 670, under the leadership of the Egyptian lieutenant Okba Ibn Nâfi, led to the foundation of Kairouan, considered the first holy city in the Maghreb. These successive occupations have left memorable figures in their wake. Legendary figures populate Tunisia's military and political landscape, including the Berber king Koceïlaand the Kahena.
This warrior, Jewish or Christian depending on the etymological interpretation of her surname, is said to have come from eastern Algeria to continue the resistance against the Umayyad caliphate, and to have taken refuge in the amphitheatre of El Jem during her last battle.
From Echoes of the Past to New Vibrations : Multicultural Challenges in Contemporary Tunisia
Outside the museum, what remains of the polychrome communities that shaped Tunisia's mythical narrative? In 1856, there were a dozen thousand Christians living in the capital. In 2024, only 2,000 were counted. This minority is made up of European Christians, Tunisian Christians and Christian migrants of sub-Saharan origin. The Jewish population, which numbered 120,000 souls in 1956 at the time of independence, now stands at just 1,200. In 2003, a third of them lived in and around the capital, while the remainder live on the island of Djerba, where they settled 2,500 years ago. Despite contemporary challenges in terms of security and representativeness, the Jewish community witnessed the historic appointment of Renée Trabelsi in 2018, the first Minister of Tourism of the Jewish faith, by Youssef Chahed.
Now, even President Kaïs Saïd's very controversial views on migration policy and religious tolerance have failed to alter the essence of Tunisia, which is deeply imbued with its multicultural past. This is clearly echoed in Radio Mosaïque, which is listened to by over 75% of Tunisians, according to statistics from Média Scan. True to its name, Radio Mosaïque broadcasts a variety of international music, from Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram to Charles Aznavour, the famous Franco-Armenian songwriter, as well as English-speaking artists.
The Bardo Museum is not the only one to exhibit mosaics. While the iconic mosaic of Virgil's Alcove can still be admired on site, art lovers and tourists alike will need to explore the rest of the country to discover the cultural patchwork that makes up Tunisia. Indeed, each region contributes to the thousand and one fragments of a historical kaleidoscope that shapes the Tunisia of Habib Bourguiba.
Sources :
Bardo National Museum, Tunis
https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/132783.pdf
https://www.csactu.fr/la-tunisie-pays-des-mosaiques-par-excellence/
https://web.archive.org/web/20070502114736/http://www.magharebia.com/
Rediscovering the Oriental poets - Hafez of Shiraz
“I can no longer call myself Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or Jew...
Love has so completely befriended me,
It has turned me into ashes and freed me
From every concept and image my mind has ever known."
A Master of Lyric Poetry
Hafez, whose real name is Shams al-Din Muhammad, was born into a modest family in Shiraz, a city renowned for its cultural and intellectual ferment. We mention this because his upbringing was influenced by this environment, particularly through his study of the Koran, which gave rise to his nickname ‘Hafez’, meaning ‘he who has memorized the Koran’. Indeed, theology, literature and the Koranic sciences formed an important part of his education, profoundly influencing his poetry.
Hafez was soon recognised for his exceptional talent with words, combining spirituality and love in his verse. Sufi mysticism, very present in his writings, enabled him to transgress the boundaries between the sacred and the profane. From his earliest works, he combined the search for divine love with metaphors for earthly love, transcending the traditional boundaries of religious poetry. It is essential to understand that the influence of Sufism, a mystical current in Islam, is fundamental to Hafez's work. He uses metaphors and symbols to evoke the spiritual quest, while remaining accessible to the reader through his references to everyday life, nature and human emotions. For example, wine and drunkenness, recurring themes in his poems, represent the dissolution of the ego and mystical union with the divine, a controversial but powerful image in the Islamic context. Below are two verses by Hafez that provide an insight into the very essence of his nature, which is worth far more than a biography :
“The day I came into the world, a desire for love was awakened,
From that love I took a taste that will never fade.”
The Divân, a life's work
One of his most famous contributions is his collection of poems entitled “Divân de Hafez”. This collection has become an essential reference in Iran, so much so that it is commonly consulted on important occasions such as the Persian New Year.
The Divân of Hafez contains around 500 ghazals, although the exact number may vary according to editions and compilations. The ghazals focus on two main themes: love (earthly and divine) and Sufism (the mystical quest for union with God). Hafez wields the art of the ghazal with a unique subtlety, managing to fuse spiritual and material, secular and mystical elements, while respecting the rigid structure of this poetic form. What's more, the Divân's poems are often built around metaphors and symbols: wine, the tavern, drunkenness, the garden, the nightingale and the rose recur frequently in his verses. These elements, although apparently linked to earthly pleasures, actually symbolize deeper concepts, notably the spiritual quest and divine love. For example, wine often represents spiritual knowledge, while drunkenness is synonymous with mystical ecstasy and forgetting oneself in God.
« Si le vent passe au jardin, cueille une rose,
Elle est le miroir des visages joyeux. »
What is particularly interesting about his verses is that, because of their allegorical and enigmatic nature, the Divân has been the subject of many interpretations over the centuries. Some see it as an expression of the spiritual quest, while others see it as a more literal love poem. The beauty of the Divân lies precisely in this ambiguity, which leaves room for a multitude of personal interpretations. Finally, Hafez's Divân is not just a literary collection, it is a sacred text for many Iranians. It is used in an almost divinatory manner: what is known as fāl-e Hafez is often practiced, a method of consultation in which the Divân is opened at random to obtain advice or answers to personal questions.
Legacy
Hafez died in Shiraz in 1390, leaving behind a monumental literary legacy. After his death, his reputation continued to grow. His mausoleum in Shiraz is a place of pilgrimage for poetry lovers and admirers of his work. Centuries after his death, his verses continue to resonate in Iran and around the world.
“The poems I write will endure, their flame will live on in the hearts of men, long after I am gone.”
As he knew, Hafez left an indelible mark on Persian poetry. He is often compared to poets such as Saadi and Rumi, but Hafez managed to find a distinct style, marked by his mastery of forms and images, which immortalized the eternal questions of love, spirituality and the quest for meaning.
Sources :
https://shs.cairn.info/revue-philosophique-2012-1-page-61?lang=fr
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafez_(po%C3%A8te)
http://www.teheran.ir/spip.php?article448#gsc.tab=0
https://lequotidien.lu/culture/en-iran-la-bonne-aventure-se-dit-en-poesie/
https://www.librairieclareton.fr/livre/23528711-le-livre-d-or-du-divan-hafez-segher
https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/A-Glimpse-Into-The-Life-and-Poetry-of-hafezHafiz
https://fr.irandestination.com/poetes-persans/
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Div%C3%A2n_de_Hafez
Hicham El Guerrouj: Legend and symbol of Moroccan athletics
An exceptional journey
Born on September 14, 1974 in Berkane, a town in northeastern Morocco, Hicham El Guerrouj grew up in a modest family where he discovered his passion for running at an early age, often running with his classmates in the streets of his hometown. His sporting potential was quickly spotted, and he joined the ranks of the local athletics club, where he distinguished himself through his natural talent and determination. In 1992, at the age of 18, El Guerrouj left Berkane to join the national training center in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. This decision was a crucial turning point in his career, as it enabled him to train alongside the country's top athletes and with internationally renowned coaches. It was at this center that he began to specialize in middle-distance races, particularly the 1,500 meters, a discipline that would soon establish him as a legend.
His international career really began in 1995, when he took part in the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Although he didn't win a medal that year, his performances attracted the attention of experts, who saw in him an athlete of immense potential. The following year, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, El Guerrouj caused a sensation by reaching the final of the 1,500-meter race. However, a fall in the final meters of the race prevented him from realizing his medal hopes. This disappointment was a turning point in Hicham El Guerrouj's career. Determined not to let this setback stop him, he doubled his efforts and devoted himself entirely to training with extraordinary rigor and discipline. And so began a series of impressive victories, quickly becoming the undisputed master of the middle distance. From 1997 to 2004, El Guerrouj dominated his discipline and set several world records, including those for the 1,500 meters, the mile and the 2,000 meters, records which still stand to this day.
A symbol for Morocco and athletics
Hicham El Guerrouj is much more than an exceptional athlete; he embodies resilience and national pride at a time when Morocco is facing a number of economic and social challenges. In the 1990s and 2000s, Morocco underwent a period of economic transformation. The country was striving to diversify its economy, which for many years had been driven by agriculture, by investing in sectors such as industry, tourism and infrastructure. However, unemployment, particularly among young people, remains high, reaching around 20% in some regions. This has led to a feeling of uncertainty and a search for hope among the population, particularly among young people looking for models of success and perseverance.
In this context, Hicham El Guerrouj has become an emblematic figure, offering much more than exceptional sporting performance. For many Moroccans, he symbolizes the ability to overcome obstacles through hard work, discipline and determination. By breaking world records and winning gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, El Guerrouj showed that success is possible even in a country of limited means. His impact extends far beyond the sporting arena. He embodies the idea that Morocco can shine on the international stage, not only as a nation of talented athletes, but also as a country capable of producing leaders and champions in every field.
Morocco, the new flagship of athletics
As we all know, Hicham El Guerrouj has had a profound impact on the development of athletics in Morocco, helping to popularize the sport across the country. Building on his achievements, Morocco has seen a veritable explosion of interest in athletics, with huge numbers of new youngsters aspiring to follow in his footsteps. This momentum has prompted the Moroccan government to invest heavily in sports infrastructure and training programs to meet the growing demand and nurture new talent.
In terms of infrastructure, Morocco has made great progress in recent years. By 2022, the country will have more than 400 athletics tracks throughout the country, compared with just 150 ten years ago. This development has been supported by the construction of modern stadiums and training centers in the country's main cities, notably Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir. The Prince Moulay Abdellah sports complex in Rabat is one of the best examples of these efforts, offering world-class training and competition facilities. The number of athletes registered with Moroccan athletics clubs has also risen significantly. By 2023, there will be around 20,000 registered athletes, including over 5,000 women, compared with less than 8,000 in 2010. This growth is largely due to local initiatives to promote athletics from an early age, with school programs and regional competitions encouraging youth participation.
In terms of ambitions, no complexes, Morocco aims to become a world reference in the middle and long distance disciplines, where the country already has a long tradition of success. The government, in partnership with the Fédération Royale Marocaine d'Athlétisme (FRMA), has put in place a 10-year strategic plan to improve the performance of Moroccan athletes on the international stage. This plan includes increasing the budget allocated to athletics, which has doubled over the past five years to 50 million dirhams (around $5 million) per year. It's also thanks to this that athletes such as Soufiane El Bakkali were able to win a gold medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 and again in 2024. Inspired by legends such as Hicham El Guerrouj, he has demonstrated Moroccan excellence in athletics.
Hicham El Guerrouj, though now retired, remains a living legend of athletics and a source of inspiration for Morocco. His legacy goes beyond medals and records; he embodies perseverance, excellence and the desire to overcome challenges. His exemplary career continues to motivate young athletes to pursue their dreams and reach the highest heights.
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hicham_El_Guerrouj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOrVlsGQgFo
The Mediterranean Sea: a crossroads of civilizations and a source of artistic inspiration for MO.CO.
A celebration of Mediterranean diversity
The “Être Méditerranée” exhibition stands out for its inclusive and varied approach to Mediterranean culture. Indeed, by showcasing works from different artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, photography and installation, the exhibition highlights the diversity and wealth of Mediterranean traditions. As exhibition curator Fabien Noirot explains:
“the aim is to show a living, dynamic Mediterranean in perpetual transformation, far removed from the stereotypes often propagated.”
The artists in this exhibition hail from countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Morocco and Egypt, and are thus the foundation stones of this mosaic. These artists include such iconic names as Etel Adnan, known for his colorful paintings inspired by Mediterranean landscapes, and Yto Barrada, whose works explore the social and economic dynamics of the region. These artists represent the cultural interconnection and exchanges that have shaped the Mediterranean over the centuries. It is through this prism, combined with historical and contemporary ones, that the exhibition invites visitors to try and capture the essence of Mediterranean life. Among the works on display are photographs documenting local rituals and traditions, paintings evoking sun-drenched landscapes and scenes of daily life, and interactive installations inviting visitors to explore different aspects of this rich and complex region.
Reflecting on our common heritage
The depth of this exhibition is also expressed through an observation: the Mediterranean Sea is undoubtedly the mother we all share, since it witnessed the birth of the three great monotheistic religions. In the very depths of our modern civilization, we find the influences and marks of these currents.
The Mediterranean has been the setting for many biblical stories. Its coasts, especially in Israel, are deeply rooted in Jewish history. Cities like Jerusalem and Haifa have been spiritual and cultural centers for Jews for centuries. The Jewish diaspora also spread across the Mediterranean basin, notably to Spain, Italy and North Africa, where Jewish communities flourished and contributed to local culture. This mother was also crucial to Christian history. Much of the life of Jesus Christ takes place around the Sea of Galilee and in the Mediterranean cities of Palestine. After Jesus' death, his disciples traveled throughout the Mediterranean basin to preach the Gospel. Centers such as Rome, Constantinople (now Istanbul), Alexandria and Antioch became pillars of Christianity. The Crusades, though conflictual, also highlighted the interactions between European Christians and Mediterranean societies. Finally, its last child, Islam, spread rapidly across the Mediterranean. Cities such as Cairo, Tunis and Cordoba became major centers of Islamic civilization. Andalusia, with its capital in Cordoba, was an eloquent example of coexistence between Muslims, Christians and Jews, where science, art and philosophy flourished.
For thousands of years, the Mediterranean and its shores have been a crossroads of civilizations, a space where commercial, cultural and intellectual exchanges have flourished, giving rise to the libraries of Alexandria and Cordoba, the markets of Venice and Beirut, and the academies of Baghdad and Damascus, profoundly forging our common heritage.
Thus, the aim of this exhibition is to make clear that our common roots run deep, and that it is essential to be aware of them in order to “reflect on our common heritage and envisage collective solutions for future challenges.”
Sources :
https://fr.silvanaeditoriale.it/exhibition/1209/etre-mediterranee-moco-exposition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZZ6zuXDrg
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_abrahamique
https://www.iemed.org/publication/la-mediterranee-une-mer-de-paradoxes/?lang=fr
Humor to bond: the triumph of an Israeli-Palestinian duo in Berlin
A Unique Initiative
Berlin is a city renowned for its cultural diversity, artistic dynamism and progressive ideas. However, no one could have imagined that it would host a ground-breaking event that brings together an Israeli and Palestinian comedian on the same stage. The idea of bringing together comedians from two communities often perceived as antagonistic is in itself no more than a reminder that for most of human history, Muslims and Jews have thrived together. In its very construction, this show aims to break down stereotypes and show that humor can be an excellent way of overcoming divisions. In the long term, the event promises to pave the way for greater cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
Laughing to unite
The stand-up show takes place in an intimate setting where the audience is made up of a mix of cultures and nationalities. It's the perfect setting for emulation. The comedians tackle a variety of themes, from everyday life to politics and personal experiences. Each performance is imbued with a personal touch, reflecting the difficulties and joys of life in Israel and Palestine. Here's an example in which the actors tell a story about frequent linguistic misunderstandings, while another tackles cultural differences with a lightness that disarms tensions.
Shahak jokes about the confusion he felt when learning German: 'When I first came here, someone said “Ich hab' dich lieb” and I panicked, thinking I was going to be adopted by a German family!' Abdul, without hesitation, adds: 'It's nothing like that-when I was learning Hebrew, I thought “Shalom” meant both hello and goodbye, so I left every conversation before it even started!'”
Hope and reconciliation
This Israeli-Palestinian stand-up is essential proof that art can and must play a crucial role in bringing peace and reconciliation between Jewish and Muslim communities. Nevertheless, humor is a method with a very particular singularity, as it enables delicate subjects to be tackled with humanity and sensitivity. As proof of this, the audience - be they Israeli, Palestinian or of any other nationality - reacts with bursts of laughter and applause, creating a fraternal atmosphere. The audience shows that, despite political conflicts, there is a thirst for shared prosperity. To tackle these nonetheless delicate subjects, you need a thorough understanding of history and the Oriental art of living. In this respect, the two comedians featured in this show are no novices. They know how to make people laugh while tackling the deep and complex subjects of the Middle East region.
This duo is a perfect example of how humor can overcome barriers and bring people together, regardless of their differences. This show is definitely a model of what cultural collaboration can achieve, as it offers hearts hope for a harmonious future between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
Sources :
https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/120828-000-A/berlin-un-stand-up-israelo-palestinien/#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahak_Shapira
https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/en/programm/2024/reflexe-und-reflexionen/kalender/stand-up-comedy
Quantum cybersecurity: the United Arab Emirates leads the revolution in unbreakable communications systems
Quantum technology: a time-proof network
Quantum technology promises to revolutionise the field of telecommunications, and the United Arab Emirates has fully understood this and is striving to become a pioneer in this advance. The heart of this technology lies in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which is based on the use of qubits, the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. Unlike traditional bits (0 or 1), qubits can exist in several states simultaneously, enabling infinitely more complex and secure forms of calculation and communication. QKD uses the principles of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute cryptographic keys in a totally secure way. However, what makes it particularly effective is the fact that it exploits the phenomenon of quantum entanglement and the law of observation of quantum physics: any attempt to intercept a quantum communication automatically disrupts the system. This makes it possible to immediately detect any illegal eavesdropping, thereby guaranteeing the inviolability of communications. To be even more precise, the qubits, often encoded using photons, are sent over a communication channel, and the shared key is generated on the basis of the quantum state of the photons. So, if a third party tries to capture these qubits, changes in their quantum states will be instantly detected by legitimate users, and the key will be rejected. This process makes any attempt at eavesdropping or hacking virtually impossible, a fundamental difference compared with current cryptographic methods based on mathematical algorithms, which can be decrypted with sufficient computing power.
What's more, the project underway in the United Arab Emirates does not rely entirely on terrestrial infrastructure. In partnership with the Emirates Space Agency, a key component of the quantum network is the integration of satellites capable of distributing quantum keys over vast distances. This is essential, as the range of optical fibers for QKD is still limited to around 100 km, beyond which repeaters are required. Satellites make it possible to extend this range on a global scale. This means that quantum communications via satellite can overcome geographical limitations and signal loss over long distances. The satellite network will be able to distribute quantum keys to users located in remote areas, ensuring unbreakable security throughout the UAE, and potentially beyond..
A Strategic Ambition for the UAE
As you will have realized, the main aim of this project is to develop an ultra-secure quantum communication system promising total protection capable of withstanding the most sophisticated cyber-attacks.
"This technology marks a crucial step in the protection of critical information, and we are delighted at its potential to guarantee unprecedented security" said Ahmed Al Hammadi, Director of Research at the TII. This project aims to meet the growing need for cyber security in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
What is particularly interesting is that this quantum infrastructure will not only strengthen the cybersecurity of critical sectors such as finance, defence and strategic infrastructure, but could also play a crucial role for the private sector. The telecommunications market is evolving rapidly, and data security is a growing concern for businesses and governments alike. The project led by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in partnership with the UAE Space Agency also aims to address these issues. Many international companies could also benefit from this breakthrough by adopting quantum security solutions. According to the Technology Innovation Institute, ‘the global cybersecurity market is expected to reach $300 billion by 2026’, and quantum communications could be a key lever. Israel, China, the United States and now the United Arab Emirates are leading the race to secure data using quantum physics.
Moreover, in a complex geopolitical context, mastering quantum communication confers an undeniable strategic advantage on those countries that have it. With its technological and space ambitions, the UAE is seeking to position itself as a driving force in the MENA region. This advance will enable it to strengthen its national security, but also to contribute to the region's technological leadership, by attracting new partnerships and investments in the high-technologies sectors.
Sources :
Book Club - Israeli intimacies with Zeruya Shalev
Zeruya Shalev
Brought up in a world filled with storytelling, Zeruya drew on a family tradition in which reading was not asilent activity. The oral nature of reading is indeed at the heart of her work.
In this previously unpublished interview, Zeruya Shalev opens up about her childhood memories, in which she recalls being lulled by her father's voice, recounting the epic adventures of the Bible and the Odyssey ... From now on, it is through her own works that the writer extends her father's echoes.
For Zeruya doesn't write, she tells. In Stupeur, she tells the story of Atara, the young woman trying to piece together the family puzzle. For the first time, it seems that her dying father is confusing her with a mysterious Rachel. But who is this woman ? What influence has she had on this solitary, forbidding father ? At all costs, young Atara sets out to find this enigmatic figure, even if it means crossing the desert.
In the course of the interview, the author also stresses the importance of the dialogues that punctuate the pages of her novel, revealing a complex web of relationships : men and women, men and men, women and women... In this way, Zeruya wishes to draw the listener's attention to the intergenerational encounter that takes shape over the course of the novel. Enthralled by the lives of her multiple characters, the author does not hesitate to adopt each perspective without judgment, so as to contemplate every facet of existence. For Zeruya Shalev, being an author is like being an actress. It's about taking on a role, lending her pen to each of her characters.
But despite the liveliness that emanates from the author's style, an intriguing aspect emerges from the discussion of her book. Stupeur presents subtle holes, similar to the notes of Yael Naïm's song "DesTrous” (Holes). Mischievously, Zeruya confides that these "little holes" will remain, offering the reader the freedom to complete the partially revealed answers for themselves.
Another attempt to establish dialogue ?
Sources :
https://akadem.org/fiche_conferencier.php?id=1581
http://evene.lefigaro.fr/celebre/biographie/zeruya-shalev-23179.php
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeruya_Shalev
From sand to flowers: Israel brings life to the desert
The Negev in all its states
The Negev desert covers 13,000 km², forming a triangle whose southern tip touches the Gulf of Aqaba and the city of Eilat. To the west, it is bordered by the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip, while to the east it runs along the Arabah Valley, marking the border between Israel and Jordan. The arid climate of the Negev represents a natural barrier to traditional crops. With annual rainfall sometimes below 100 mm and summer temperatures often reaching 45°C, agriculture once seemed impossible in these regions. Yet it is in these extreme conditions that Israel has developed revolutionary agricultural technologies that enable fruit, vegetables and flowers to be grown in the desert.
Technology for the desert
In just a few years, the start-up nation has established itself as a pioneer in agricultural technologies, notably through drip irrigation, a method that has revolutionized water management in arid areas. Invented by engineer Simcha Blass in the 1960s, this technique involves applying small quantities of water directly to the roots of plants to avoid losses through evaporation, which are particularly high in the desert. Thanks to this method, Israel has successfully reduced water consumption while increasing agricultural production. As well as reducing water consumption, this method encourages better absorption by plants, thereby increasing production while minimizing the use of fertilizers. The success of drip irrigation has enabled previously infertile land to be converted into productive agricultural areas. Today, around 60% of Israel's fruit and vegetable exports come from the Negev, proof that the challenge has been met. It is important to note that drip irrigation has been largely perfected by Netafim, an Israeli company founded in 1965 on Kibbutz Hatzerim. The company is now a world leader in micro-irrigation, with a market share of over 30%.
Another key Israeli technology for flourishing the desert is precision farming and the use of intelligent greenhouses. These intelligent greenhouses, also known as automated greenhouses, maximize resource efficiency and respond to climatic challenges by automatically adjusting environmental conditions. Thanks to advanced sensor technology, humidity, light and temperature levels can be monitored in real time, optimizing crop growth while minimizing water and energy consumption. The sophisticated sensors used in these greenhouses continuously measure the condition of crops and soil. For example, AgroWebLab, an Israeli company specializing in precision agriculture, has developed sensors capable of optimizing irrigation and nutrient management. The data collected then enables farmers to better anticipate plant needs, adjust water and nutrient inputs and prevent potential diseases. According to a report by the Volcani Institute, smart greenhouses in Israel are boosting agricultural productivity by more than 15% compared with traditional methods. At the same time, water consumption can be reduced by 25-30%, which is essential in a country where water resources are scarce. To combine this approach with intelligent greenhouses, Israel has developed precision agriculture, which relies on data analysis for the fine-tuned management of plots of land. Companies such as Taranis and Prospera combine satellite data and drones to monitor crops in real time. This technique enables anomalies to be detected, diseases to be prevented and solutions to be found quickly, thereby reducing losses. Prospera, for example, uses artificial intelligence to analyze crop data and provide real-time recommendations to farmers.
A strategic vision to regenerate the Negev
David Ben Gourion, former Israeli Prime Minister and founding father of the Hebrew State, said: ‘It is our duty to make the desert bloom’.
That says it all. Drip irrigation, intelligent greenhouses and desalination, which we haven't even mentioned, are just some of the many initiatives that form part of a wider project to develop the Negev, a historically marginalized region. This project is a national vision to strengthen the country's food security and attract new populations to southern Israel, where demographic pressure is very strong in the capital. Since 2020, the Israeli government has been launching a series of strategic plans to establish new towns and expand infrastructure in the Negev desert. This includes solar energy projects, high-tech agriculture and housing construction.
Where the desert has been an obstacle for more than one country, Israel, through its ability to innovate and its profound desire to live on holy ground, has succeeded in transforming the desert into a fertile and productive land. This success is not only a technical feat, but also a demonstration that nothing can be achieved without determined minds.
Sources :
https://www.serinol.com/actualites/israel-faire-fleurir-le-desert/
https://www.lesechos.fr/2017/08/netafim-pionnier-israelien-de-lirrigation-change-de-mains-157909
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9guev
https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1254496/quand-fleurit-le-desert.html
At the Forefront of Innovation: Emerging Research Hubs in the MENA Region
The UAE: Leading in Research Excellence
Over the past few decades, the United Arab Emirates has undergone a dramatic economic transformation, moving from an oil-based economy to a diversified, innovation-driven knowledge economy.
As part of this shift, the UAE has launched numerous initiatives to establish research centers of excellence in key areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and aerospace. One prime example is the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre for Research and Innovation, which has become a major player in space exploration, with ambitious projects such as Mars exploration. These efforts underscore the UAE's dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific research and contributing to global advancements in science and technology.
Morocco: A Knowledge Hub in Africa
Morocco is positioning itself as a leading research hub in Africa, with the establishment of centers of excellence across diverse sectors such as sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and public health. The Solar Energy and New Energies Research Centre (CRESEN) in Benguerir has emerged as a beacon of expertise in renewable energy, driving the country's energy transition and that of the broader region. Morocco is also heavily investing in agricultural research programs aimed at promoting food security and rural development. These initiatives not only strengthen Morocco’s role as a knowledge hub in Africa but also open new avenues for sustainable development across the continent.
Israel: A Global Research Powerhouse
Israel has long been recognized as a global leader in research and innovation. Despite its relatively small geographic size, the country has produced a remarkable number of scientific and technological breakthroughs with global impact. From early cancer diagnostics developed by Israeli scientists to cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, Israeli expertise spans multiple sectors. The Cybersecurity Excellence Center in Beer-Sheva, in partnership with Ben-Gurion University, exemplifies how Israel continues to invest in state-of-the-art research infrastructure to foster innovation in strategic fields.
The rise of research excellence centers in the UAE, Morocco, and Israel signals a new era of innovation and dynamism in global research. These initiatives not only create unprecedented opportunities for scientists and researchers but also stimulate socio-economic development and enhance the global competitiveness of these nations. As these centers of excellence continue to thrive and evolve, they are set to play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges and opening new frontiers for the future of scientific research.
Sources :
https://barometre.cnrst.ma/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=123%3Ascimago-2&catid=17%3Aactualites&Itemid=101
https://www.securityworldmarket.com/int/Newsarchive/beer-sheva-israel-to-become-centre-for-cyber-security
https://www.greenenergypark.ma/#:~:text=Le%20Green%20Energy%20Park%20est,Mohamed%20VI%20Polytechnique%20(UM6P).
https://www.maroc.ma/fr/actualites
Saudi Arabia's journey to a better life: Vision 2030 in action
Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in improving its quality of life, driven by the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. The Quality of Life Program (QOL), launched in 2018, stands as a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the living standards of its citizens, residents, and visitors alike. This program is transforming Saudi Arabia into a vibrant, globally recognized destination for culture, entertainment, and tourism.
One of the most visible impacts of the QOL program has been the remarkable improvement in Saudi cities' rankings on the Global Liveability Index. Cities like Riyadh and Jeddah have climbed several spots, reflecting the program's success in enhancing urban infrastructure, healthcare, education, and overall liveability. The program's goal to place three Saudi cities among the top 100 most liveable cities globally by 2030 is well on its way to being achieved.
The QOL program also focuses on expanding cultural and recreational opportunities. For instance, the Kingdom has seen a surge in sports participation, with investments in various sporting initiatives and infrastructure. Partnerships with global organizations, such as UEFA and Live Nation Entertainment, have brought world-class events and training programs to Saudi Arabia, further enhancing the local sports and entertainment sectors.
Moreover, the QOL program is committed to preserving and promoting Saudi Arabia's cultural and historical heritage. Initiatives such as the establishment of cultural festivals, museums, and heritage sites aim to reconnect Saudis with their rich history while also introducing it to the world. This cultural renaissance is supported by educational programs that promote traditional arts and crafts, ensuring that these skills are passed down through generations.
Beyond enhancing urban living and cultural engagement, the Quality of Life Program also emphasizes environmental sustainability and health. Initiatives such as Green Riyadh and the King Salman Park are transforming the urban landscape with expansive green spaces, promoting outdoor activities and healthier lifestyles for all age groups.
By integrating sustainability into urban planning and encouraging community participation in environmental conservation, Saudi Arabia is not only improving its citizens' quality of life but also ensuring a healthier, greener future for generations to come.
The holistic approach of the QOL program, encompassing urban development, culture, entertainment, and tourism, is reshaping the societal landscape of Saudi Arabia. By fostering innovation, encouraging public participation, and developing necessary infrastructure, the program is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.
The Kingdom's commitment to improving the quality of life is not only transforming its cities but also enhancing the well-being of its people, making Saudi Arabia an increasingly attractive place to live, work, and visit.
The Quality of Life Program is not just a set of initiatives; it represents a broader vision for the future of Saudi Arabia—one that prioritises the well-being and happiness of its people. As the Kingdom continues to evolve, the program's success will be a crucial barometer of the country's ability to balance rapid modernization with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.
The strides made so far are impressive, but the true measure of success will be in how these developments translate into lasting improvements in the everyday lives of Saudi citizens and residents. Vision 2030 is ambitious, but with the momentum generated by programs like this, Saudi Arabia is on a promising path toward realising its full potential.
Sources :
https://english.aawsat.com/gulf/4396501-ranking-saudi-cities-improves-global-livability-index
https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2027066
https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/explore/programs/quality-of-life-program
2024 Olympic Games : The Middle East on the podium
As the philosopher Raphaël Enthoven stated in his Olympic greetings, sport is a reminder that the adversary is not the enemy, that it is permissible to challenge one another while respecting one another, and that intense confrontations can take place in a peaceful and civilized manner.
What lessons have been drawn from this 2024 edition for the Middle East ? Firstly, the dazzling performances of regional athletes : 12 medals for Iran, 7 for Israel, closely followed by Bahrain with 4 medals, then Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. The women's delegations from North Africa and the Persian Gulf were also well represented. Between the euphoria and the twists and turns, progress and hope were on the agenda.
Olympic Highlights : From Algeria to Afghanistan, Women Athletes Pile Up Medals
Like legendary warriors enthroned on Mount Olympus, Eastern Artemis and Athena made their names resound in the stands of fiery stadiums. Whether in athletics, weightlifting, boxing or artistic gymnastics, they proved that the female body could adapt to any discipline. Demonstrating Herculean strength, Sara Ahmed took the silver medal in weightlifting. Mobilizing all her energy, the Egyptian champion lifted an impressive bar of 268 kilos, beating her previous record of 255 kilos, set at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Bahrain also performed well. With four medals, two of them in gold, the Gulf kingdom had its marathon runners triumph on the steeplechase track. Winfred Mutile Yavi, a 24-year-old Bahraini runner, won the sixth Olympic medal in Bahrain's history. Her unexpected sprint in the final seconds of the competition gave her the fourth-best performance in the history of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, with a time of eight minutes and fifty-two seconds. Her team-mate, Salwa Eid Naser, took silver in the 400-meter event. Overflowing with joy and ambition, the two champions were received with great pomp at the palace of King Hamad Ben Issa to present their medals. “This is a dream come true,” exclaimed Winfred Yavi. “This victory means a lot to me and to the country.”
Another participant who dazzled the audience was the iconic Kaylia Nemour, who, at just seventeen years of age, gave Algeria the gold medal in artistic gymnastics on the uneven bars. The Franco-Algerian gymnast, who had previously competed for France, this time paid tribute to her other country in masterly fashion. Executing her movements with power and assurance, she seemed in perfect harmony with the rhythm of her choreography. The emotional moment when, with tears in her eyes, she discovered her final ranking will remain etched in our memories. At her side, boxer Imane Khelif also brought home a gold medal for Algeria.
In addition to the achievements of the sportswomen mentioned above, the courage of behind-the-scenes heroines such as Nigara Shaheen must also be recognized. Unable to compete under the flag of her native country, this Afghan judoka didn't let the Taliban regime put an end to her dreams. With her indomitable hair and infectious smile, Nigara Shaheen is an influential figure. Her twelve thousand followers on Instagram regularly follow her inspiring posts. In an interview, she shared her Olympic experience: “My journey must give hope to all Afghan girls”.
This message echoes the hashtag #LetUsExist launched by Afghan taekwondist Marzieh Hamidi, as part of the fight against the gender apartheid that weighs on Kabul. “I invite you all to support Afghan women and help them fight the gender apartheid they endure,” wrote Hamidi on X. Let's hope that, somewhere in the country, these women's voices will be heard and relayed by next generation's sportswomen.
From Pain to Triumph : When Sports Become an Expression of Resilience
This spirit of hope is also spreading among the refugees attending the competition. Iranian taekwondo player Hadi Tiranvalipour describes himself and his Olympic family as “those who never give up”. This adage resonates even in the hearts of the Israeli delegation. The Hebrew state, still reeling from the painful month of October 2023, managed to overcome its grief and excelled in a wide range of disciplines: judo, artistic gymnastics, windsurfing...
The seven medals won at this year's event represent Israel's best-ever Olympic performance. Among the winners, the name of Tom Reuveny stands out. He took first place in the windsurfing rankings. Off Marseille, the sailor raised the blue and white colors of his country, recalling in some respects the perilous historical episode of the Exodus.
Back in 1947, this old Panamanian ship, which set sail from the port of Sète with almost five thousand Central European survivors on board, had struggled to make its way to the Holy Land to build a new life. This gold medal won at sea also symbolizes the resilience of a state still haunted by the memory of the eleven members of its delegation, kidnapped and then murdered by the terrorist group Black September during the Munich Olympic Games in 1972.
This year, the Israeli delegation wore a beaming smile throughout the competition, leaving overwhelmed by the achievements of its athletes and the warm atmosphere that enveloped this eagerly-awaited sporting event.
Ready, set, win. But the real victory that everyone is striving for is not made of lead or steel. It embodies the fulfillment of a “Ping-Pong diplomacy”, in other words, harmonious and constructive cooperation between countries from the same continent.
Sources :
Franc-Tireur n°144
https://www.herodote.net/10_juillet_1947-evenement-19470710.php
https://www.moretoherstory.org/reporting/afghan-athlete-marzieh-hamidi-launches-letuslive-hashtag
https://www.lhistoire.fr/les-premiers-jeux-olympiques
Israel in space: a pillar of space exploration in the MENA region
The origins of the space race
Space exploration is not a new concept. For centuries, dreams of reaching the stars have inspired writers such as Jules Verne with his visionary works “From the Earth to the Moon”. However, it was only in the 20th century that technological advances finally made it possible to turn these dreams into reality. The Second World War was a catalyst in this respect, with the technological advances made by Nazi Germany in the field of ballistic missiles.
The end of the Second World War saw the emergence of a new era of rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, known as the Cold War. As these two superpowers competed for world leadership, space became the new horizon to conquer. The Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into orbit in 1957 marked the beginning of this competition. This feat drew worldwide admiration for Soviet technology, while highlighting the United States' backwardness in space.
The American epic journey to the moon
Faced with the challenge posed by the Soviet Union, the United States stepped up its efforts in the space field. President John F. Kennedy set an audacious goal in 1961: to send a man to the Moon before the end of the decade. Thus, the Apollo program was born, symbolizing America's determination to meet this challenge. After years of effort, on July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the lunar surface, marking a historic moment in human space exploration.
The Soviet Union: space pioneers
Despite the success of the Apollo mission, the Soviet Union also marked the history of space exploration with a series of impressive achievements. From Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, to Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman, the Soviet Union demonstrated its ability to push back the frontiers of space exploration. Soviet achievements also served as a catalyst for accelerating American efforts in space exploration.
Israel's contribution to space exploration
In the competitive race to the stars, Israel has established its presence through notable contributions to space exploration.
Ilan Ramon, born on June 20, 1954 in Tel Aviv, became a pioneer of Israeli space conquest as the country's first astronaut to take part in a mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Prior to his journey into space, Ramon led an impressive career in the Israeli Air Force, accumulating many flying hours and taking part in notable military operations, including the attack on Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981.
After being approached by NASA, Ramon joined the agency in 1997 as a payload specialist. His dream of becoming an astronaut came true on January 16, 2003, when he became the first Israeli astronaut to leave Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. However, mission STS 107 took a tragic turn when the shuttle exploded minutes before landing on February 1, 2003, resulting in the loss of the entire crew, including Ramon.
Despite this tragedy, Ilan Ramon's legacy lives on, symbolized by the pages of his logbook miraculously recovered and displayed in Jerusalem, as well as the personal mementos he took into space, such as poems by his wife, letters from loved ones and a miniature Torah scroll. Ramon, considered a national hero, embodied the hope and resilience of the Israeli people, while carrying with him the memory of Holocaust survivors, including his mother and grandmother, through symbolic objects such as the drawing of Peter Ginz, a child killed in Auschwitz.
Sources :
https://guideisrael.fr/ilan-ramon
https://www.editions-ellipses.fr/PDF/9782340039186_extrait.pdf
Leading scientists in the MENA region
Yearly 0
Philo of Alexandria (20 BC - 50 AD)
Philo of Alexandria, a renowned Jewish scholar, lived at a time when the heritage of Hellenistic culture was merging with Jewish traditions. Philo is renowned for his contributions to philosophy and theology. He developed a sophisticated approach to the allegorical interpretation of sacred texts, seeking to reconcile Greek thought with Jewish tradition. His work had a significant influence on later Jewish thinkers, as well as early Christian theologians.
Al Khawarizmi (780-850)
Al Khawarizmi, also known as Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, was a Persian mathematician and astronomer whose work was essential to the development of algebra and arithmetic. Born around 780 in the Khwarezm region (now Uzbekistan), Al-Khwarizmi served at the caliphal court in Baghdad, where he made a substantial contribution to the scientific advancements of the era. His work “Al-Kitab al-Mukhtasar fi Hisab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala” (The Compendium on Calculation by Completion and Equilibrium) was translated into Latin, introducing algebraic concepts to Western Europe.
Ptolemy (circa 100 - 170)
Claudius Ptolemy, also known as Ptolemy of Alexandria, was a Greco-Egyptian scholar of Roman Egypt. His major work, the Almagest, was a fundamental reference in astronomy for over a millennium. Ptolemy developed a geocentric model of the universe, in which the Earth is located at the center, with the other celestial bodies orbiting around it. Although this model was later challenged by the discoveries of the Renaissance, it was of vital importance to the development of medieval astronomy and cartography.
Around 1000
Moses Maimonides (1135 - 1204)
Moses Maimonides, also known as Rambam, was a Sephardic Jewish scholar, physician and philosopher, born in Muslim Spain and later living in Egypt. He is best known for his major work, the Guide to the Lost, in which he seeks to reconcile Aristotelian philosophy with Jewish theology. In addition to his contributions to philosophical thought, Maimonides also made significant advances in the field of medicine, influencing medical practice in Europe for centuries.
Avicenna (980 - 1037)
Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah ibn Sina, better known by his Latinized name of Avicenna, was a Persian polymath whose work had a major influence on philosophy, medicine, physics, astronomy, theology, logic and mathematics. His most famous work, “The Canon of Medicine”, remained a medical reference text in Europe and the Islamic world for several centuries. Avicenna also made important contributions to philosophy, particularly in the fields of metaphysics and logic.
Gerbert d'Aurillac (938 - 1003)
Gerbert d'Aurillac, also known as Pope Sylvester II, was a Christian scholar who played a crucial role in the transmission of scientific and philosophical knowledge from Antiquity to medieval Europe. He introduced Arabic numerals and the decimal system to Western Europe, facilitating advanced mathematical calculations. Gerbert was also a fervent promoter of astronomy, introducing astrolabes to Europe and helping to spread the astronomical knowledge inherited from Muslim scholars.
Towards 2000
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
Albert Einstein, born in Germany, was a world-renowned theoretical physicist whose work revolutionized our understanding of the universe. His most famous work, The Theory of Special Relativity and the Theory of General Relativity, transformed our vision of space, time and gravity. Einstein also made important contributions to quantum physics, notably through his work on the photoelectric effect, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
Ahmed Zewail (1946 - 2016)
Ahmed Zewail, an Egyptian-American chemist born in Egypt, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his pioneering work in ultrafast spectroscopy, a technique that enables the visualization of atomic and molecular movements on the femtosecond scale.
This revolutionary technology has opened up new perspectives in many fields, including chemistry, biology and materials physics. In addition to his scientific achievements, Zewail was an ardent advocate of science education and international cooperation in research.
Georges Charpak (1924 - 2010)
Georges Charpak, born in Poland and naturalized in France, was a renowned physicist recognized for his invention of the multiwire proportional chamber, a significant advancement in the detection of subatomic particles.
For this remarkable contribution, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992. The multiwire proportional chamber revolutionized the way physicists study high-energy particle interactions, paving the way for new discoveries in particle physics.
Interreligious and intercultural heritage
Through these examples, it is clear that the MENA region's scientific heritage is deeply rooted in religious and cultural diversity. The contributions of Jewish, Muslim and Christian scholars have enriched human knowledge and transcended geographical and religious boundaries. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations to pursue the quest for knowledge and discovery, promoting mutual understanding and collaboration across religious and cultural divides.
As we celebrate these great minds and their lasting impact, it is essential to recognize the importance of tolerance, dialogue and mutual respect in promoting science and innovation. By honoring and preserving this interfaith and intercultural heritage, we will foster a future where knowledge and collaboration overcome the divisions that have historically characterized our world.
Sources :
https://www.cairn.info/le-judaisme-ancien-du-VIe-siecle-avant-notre-ere--9782130563969-page 119.htm
https://www.futura-sciences.com/sciences/personnalites/algebre-al-khwarizmi-1811/
https://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/personnage/Claude_Ptol%C3%A9m%C3%A9e/139769
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1921/einstein/biographical/
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aai8466
https://www.futura-sciences.com/sciences/personnalites/physique-georges-charpak-1346/
https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Moise-Maimonide.html
https://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/personnage/Avicenne/106902
https://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/gerbert-d-sylvestre-ii/
Arabic music divas : a timeless legacy
In the mid-20th century, Arab music experienced what is often described as its golden age. It was a period of cultural prosperity that saw the emergence of visionary artists who captivated audiences with their extraordinary musical talents.
Among them, Oum Kalthoum stands out as one of the most powerful and influential voices of the era, her ability to convey deep emotions through her songs making her a true legend.
Oum Kalthoum : the immortal
No list of Arab divas is reliable without mentioning the legendary Oum Kalthoum. Hailing from Egypt, her powerful voice and masterful interpretation have captivated audiences for decades. Oum Kalthoum transcended national boundaries to become a global icon of Arabic music, drawing huge crowds to her live performances.
She was a major political and feminist figure, making the place of women in Egyptian society one of her main concerns. Her ability to convey complex emotions through her music was unparalleled.
Epic songs such as "Enta Omri" and "Al Atlal" have remained etched in our memories, evoking love, loss and nostalgia in a deeply poetic way.Even decades after her death in 1975, Oum Kalthoum remains a source of inspiration for singers around the world.
Warda : the Algerian rose
Warda_El_Djazairia.jpeg)
Born in France to Algerian parents, Warda has conquered the hearts of the Arab world with her
with her melodious voice. Known as "La Rose Algérienne", she has brought a touch of elegance and grace to the Algerian music scene.
Her prolific career has spanned several decades, and her iconic songs such as "Batwanes Beek" and
"Harramt Ahibbak" continue to inspire future generations.
In addition to her extraordinary vocal talent, Warda was also a style icon, who captivated audiences with her stage presence and natural charm. Her legacy lives on through her timeless music and lasting influence on Arab musical culture.
Fayrouz: The Star of Lebanon
Fayrouz, also known as "Najat Al Huda" (Star of Guidance), is a living legend in Lebanese music.
Lebanese music legend. Her crystal clear voice and diverse repertoire have made her an emblematic figure on the Arab music scene since the 1950s.
With songs such as 'Kifak Inta' and 'Bhebbak Ya Lebnan', she embodied the spirit and soul of Lebanon, capturing the hopes and dreams of an entire people.
Beyond her musical career, Fayrouz was also a voice of unity and resilience during tumultuous times in Lebanese history. Her commitment to her country and her music has earned Fayrouz a special place in the hearts of fans around the world. "These poetic lyrics explore the great themes of love, separation, attachment to the land and freedom in a happy homeland.
Asmahan : The Syrian Mystic
Born in Syria, Asmahan has captivated audiences with her haunting voice and mystical aura. Her
Her unique style, blending elements of traditional Arabic music with Western influences, has created an innovative sound that has captured the imagination of many listeners.
Songs such as 'Ya Habibi Ta'ala' and 'Layali El Ouns Fi Vienna' still resonate today with their timeless charm.
Despite her tragically short life, Asmahan has left an indelible legacy in the world of Arabic music. Her precocious talent and fascinating personality continue to inspire music lovers around the world.
Dalida : a multifaceted icon
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Dalida was born in Egypt and is of Italian descent. However, she deserves a place among the divas of Arab music because of her significant impact on the Middle Eastern music scene.
With hits such as 'Helwa Ya Baladi' and 'Salma Ya Salama', she has captured the hearts of millions of Arab fans around the world.
Her ability to sing in several languages, including Arabic, has helped broaden her international appeal. Dalida was able to fuse different musical styles to create a unique sound that transcended cultural boundaries.
Together, these divas of Arabic music form an unforgettable legacy, symbolising the power of music to unite people and transcend differences. Their influence continues to inspire future generations to experience the richness of Arab culture through music.
https://www.rtbf.be/article/les-divas-du-monde-arabe-doum-kalthoum-a-dalida-10782956
https://leclaireur.fnac.com/article/275689-la-folle-histoire-doum-kalthoum-la-diva-du-
monde-arabe/
https://afriquemagazine.com/oum-kalthoumjamais-la-diva
https://divas-arabes.imarabe.org/les-voix-d-or/warda/un-style-sans-cesse-renouvele
https://divas-arabes.imarabe.org/les-voix-d-or/asmahan/l-enfant-prodige-de-la-musique-arabe
United Arab Emirates: the new Eldorado for millionaires?
An unprecedented flow of millionaires
According to Henley & Partners (an international consultancy specializing in residency and citizenship by investment) and its "Private Wealth Management" report on millionaire migration trends in 2024, the UAE is set to attract 6,700 new millionaires this year. This affluence is mainly due to the absence of income tax, combined with initiatives such as the golden visa program, which offers considerable advantages to foreign investors.
The famous city of Dubai, for example, has seen its millionaire population increase by 78% over the past decade.
By comparison, the USA and Singapore, respectively second and third in Henley's rankings, are expected to attract significantly fewer millionaires this year, with net inflows of 3,800 and 3,500 millionaires.
Other countries, such as China, are experiencing millionaire exoduses and are expected to lose 15,200 millionaires, mainly due to a desire to seek better infrastructure and opportunities. The UK, meanwhile, could see an exodus of 9,500 millionaires this year, a figure compounded by post-Brexit uncertainty and changes in the non-dom tax regime.
As we've seen, the migration of millionaires is constant, and they're heading for Dubai in massive numbers.
So, to better understand the consequences of these arrivals, it's legitimate to ask about the economic and social impact caused by these flows.
Millionaires at the service of a booming society
The arrival of these millionaires in the United Arab Emirates has major repercussions for the country's economy. On the economic front, for example, GDP growth will be sustained by a 44% increase in real estate transactions in 2023. Meanwhile, in the same year, foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $16 billion, an increase of 7.4% on the previous year. And the benefits don't stop there : the luxury goods, finance and technology sectors have particularly benefited from this influx. For example, sales of luxury goods rose by 20% in 2023 and the financial industry created over 10,000 new jobs. On a societal level, the influx of millionaires has contributed to Dubai's cultural diversity, with over 70 nationalities now represented among the new wealthy residents. Another example, this time in the field of education and health, is the allocation of an additional $2 billion to improve public schools and hospitals through increased tax revenues in 2023.
The role of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in attracting millionaires
DIFC plays a central role in making the United Arab Emirates attractive to investors. As the leading special economic zone dedicated to financial services in the Middle East, the DIFC offers a regulatory and governance environment in line with international standards. With over 2,500 registered companies and a dynamic ecosystem for banks, insurance companies and asset managers, the DIFC is a key platform for regional and global expansion. For example, it has an independent legal framework based on English common law, providing companies and investors with a high level of transparency and legal certainty. It also offers tax exemptions on corporate and personal income for a period of 50 years, making investment in the center extremely attractive for millionaires looking to maximize their income.
As a result, the United Arab Emirates, and more specifically Dubai, is becoming the new center of gravity for millionaires investing on a massive scale to transform the UAE economy.
Sources :
https://www.pauljorion.com/blog/2022/06/17/ou-vont-les-migrants-millionnaires/
Lezzoo: The startup that pioneered Iraq’s digital transformation
Lezzoo's journey began with a simple yet powerful vision: to bring convenience to the fingertips of Iraqis. Yadgar Merani, a visionary with a deep understanding of the local market's needs and challenges, sought to address the gaps in accessibility to essential goods and services. Leveraging the growing penetration of smart devices, Lezzoo set out to create a seamless digital platform that could cater to a wide array of demands, from food delivery to grocery shopping and beyond.
The platform and services
Lezzoo's platform is a comprehensive on-demand delivery service that connects users with a network of local businesses. Lezzoo has a unique value proposition both for the business it is working with, and its end customers.
The app provide a platform for restaurant deliveries, purchase groceries, repair services, pharmaceuticals and solutions for e-commerce websites. By integrating multiple services into one platform, Lezzoo has become a one-stop-shop for urban convenience.
Overcoming challenges
Operating in Iraq and Kurdistan presents unique challenges, from logistical hurdles to economic and political instability. The startup has invested heavily in building a robust delivery infrastructure, including a fleet of delivery vehicles and a network of trained delivery personnel. Additionally, Lezzoo has established partnerships with local businesses to ensure a steady supply of goods and services.
One of the most significant challenges has been building trust in a market where digital transactions are still relatively new. Lezzoo has addressed this by implementing secure payment gateways and ensuring that customer service is a top priority.
Impact on the local economy
Lezzoo's impact extends beyond just convenience for consumers. The startup has created numerous job opportunities, from delivery drivers to support staff, contributing to the local economy. By partnering with local businesses, Lezzoo also supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing them with a digital platform to reach a broader audience and exposure.
Its success story is a testament to the potential of Iraqi startups to drive digital transformation and economic growth. By addressing local needs with innovative solutions, Lezzoo has set a benchmark for other entrepreneurs in the region.
As the startup ecosystem in Iraq continues to evolve, Lezzoo is poised to remain at the forefront, leading the way towards a more connected and convenient future for all Iraqis.
The Iraqi startup ecosystem is still burgeoning, driven by young and ambitious entrepreneurs. Other key sectors include fintech, e-commerce, health-tech, and edtech. Local incubators and accelerators like ‘The Station’, KAPITA and Iraq Tech Ventures provide vital support.
Despite challenges such as political instability, limited funding, and infrastructural issues, the ecosystem shows promise with rising international investments, innovative solutions, and a growing number of initiatives by the Iraqi government to promote entrepreneurship and tech startups
Sources :
https://kurdistanchronicle.com/babat/2605
https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/lezzoo
https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2024/06/25/iraqi-govt-to-launch-tech-incubators-in-universities/
https://kapita.iq/content/issue/mapping-iraqi-entrepreneurial-ecosystem
Fasting practices across religions: tradition and spirituality
In Islam, fasting is one of the five pillars of the Muslim faith, observed during the month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan is a time for piety, reflection, and spiritual closeness to God, with fasting complemented by prayers and acts of charity toward those in need.
In Christianity, fasting is grounded in biblical traditions, with prominent figures such as King David and the prophet Daniel practicing it. Jesus himself fasted for 40 days before beginning his ministry, and taught his disciples the importance of combining fasting and prayer in their spiritual lives. Today, Catholics fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as an expression of repentance and preparation for the celebration of Easter.
In Judaism, fasting has an expiatory and commemorative character, recalling the times when the Jewish people turned away from God. Collective fasts such as Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, are observed to atone for sins and renew the covenant with God.
The call of hunger: a path to spiritual elevation
Fasting holds a significant role in various spiritual traditions. It represents much more than a simple abstention from food. It is an inner journey, an exploration of the self and a communion with the divine. In each tradition, fasting is imbued with profound meanings and takes on different forms, but its ultimate goal remains the search for the spiritual essence of the human being.
With this perspective, those who fast view the practice as a way to disconnect from material distractions and strengthen their connection with the divine. Fasting becomes an act of devotion, a demonstration of faith, and a means to foster greater spiritual awareness.
Over the centuries, those who practice fasting have adopted it as a discipline for purification, transformation, and strengthening their connection with the divine. Whether observed during Lent, Ramadan, Yom Kippur, or in other traditions, this voluntary abstention serves as a test of faith, a time for profound reflection, and an opportunity to detach from material indulgences in order to foster a deeper connection with the spiritual core of life.
Fasting is often associated with rituals of physical and spiritual purification, symbolizing renewal and regeneration. For many believers, this period of deprivation is also an opportunity to refocus on their spiritual values, strengthen their determination and discipline, and cultivate a state of gratitude and inner contentment.
Fasting as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual
Although fasting is often perceived as an ascetic practice, reserved for devout believers, it also offers tangible physical benefits. Modern scientific studies have highlighted the positive effects of fasting on health, from cell regeneration to reduced inflammation.
Fasting can therefore be considered a form of holistic medicine, stimulating healing and well-being on a physical, mental and spiritual level. By depriving themselves of food, Fasting practitioners often experience increased mental clarity, a feeling of physical lightness and a deeper spiritual connection, helping them to transcend the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual, offering both bodily benefits and soul upliftment.
Fasting as a gateway to universal unity
Despite doctrinal and cultural differences, fasting unites believers around the world in a common experience of devotion, discipline and spiritual quest. It is a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and our universal quest for meaning and transcendence. Through the practice of fasting, individuals rise above religious and cultural differences, fostering a connection to deeper truths and a sense of universal unity.
Across the diverse fasting practices within major religious traditions, we recognize a shared pursuit of spiritual growth, purification, and connection with the divine. Fasting continues to serve as a profound symbol of unity.
Sources :
https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/nutrition/d-ou-vient-la-tradition-du-jeune-dans-les religions_29178
https://www.geo.fr/histoire/judaisme-christianisme-islam-pourquoi-jeune-t-on-213958
https://www.atalayar.com/fr/articulo/societe/du-jeune-dans-trois-religions-monotheistes/20210430130652151013.html
https://jeune-et-sens.fr/le-jeune-les-religions/
Rain at all costs : Rain-seeding in the Middle East
Re-greening deserts through technology : this is the aim of the many cloud seeding programs that are being developed in the Middle East.
Over the past decade, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has identified more than eighty cloud seeding projects around the world, notably in Asia, Africa and now in the Fertile Crescent.
Preserving this fertile status is indeed a major concern. While agriculture alone accounts for 80% of water consumption in the MENA region, according to the World Bank, water is running out.
In Saudi Arabia, long-term rainfall is less than one hundred millimetres, one of the lowest rates in the world. In the United Arab Emirates, the thermometer regularly registers the scorching heat of 113°F, justifying the inhabitants' unquenchable thirst.
The average Emirati consumes around 500 liters of water a day, three time more than the global average.
A scientific miracle : the invention of artificial rain and its entry into the MENA region
In the beginning was the war. The first instances of artificial rain were to be found in the military context of the Vietnam War, during Operation Popeye in 1962.
The United States was at the origin of this breakthrough, and later began reinvesting in this method for agricultural purposes: irrigating Western lands in California and Nevada. From the 1960s onwards, Israel in turn ventured into this Promethean enterprise. Like its near and far neighbors in the MENA GCC region, the Hebrew state is prone to drought.
After initial trials in northern Israel, new experiments were carried out in the Arabah desert, stretching from the Gulf of Aqaba to the southern Jordanian border. Although time-limited, the cloud-seeding missions have made a significant contribution to transforming this arid area into a climatic wonderland. Despite the scorching heat, agriculture is now flourishing in the Arabah. According to Noa Zer, Director of Resource Development for the Central Arabah Regional Council, more than 50% of the country's fresh produce is grown here.
Far from having its head in the clouds, Saudi Arabia has also embraced artificial rainfall. Saudi Arabia's significant agricultural export potential is worth noting. With 427,492 acres of arable land - by contrast with France's 66,718 acres - the Saudi Kingdom is well positioned to invest more in the rural sector. After the failure of a food self-sufficiency plan due to a lack of water resources, the government decided to launch a rain-fed seeding program.
At present, the process has been initiated on the outskirts of Riyadh as well as over the rocky Nejd highland, which national aircraft fly over to release silver iodide.
Dr Ayman Bin Ghulam, President of the National Meteorological Center, was keen to point out that the program should continue over the next five years and increase rainfall by up to 20%. Portrayed as a viable and environmentally-friendly option, artificial precipitation seems to align well with the precepts of Prince MBS's Vision 2030, in that it contributes to intensifying Saudi Arabia's vegetation cover as well as securing new streams of water.
“Whoever sows the rain, reaps the whirlwind”: is rain seeding risky ?
Could climate change be the answer to scientific hubris?
On April 17, Dubai airport was flooded. In just twenty-four hours, the desert country was engulfed by more than one hundred and twenty millimetres of water, the equivalent of two years' rain.
Qatar, Bahrain and the Principality of Oman were also hit by the deluge, with a total of twenty deaths. While inquisitive glances are turned towards the engineers behind the seeding programs, this may not be the case.
A survey by the Anelfa center tends to prove that silver iodide, the fundamental agent in rain seeding, is not harmful to the environment, given the small proportions used. What's more, rain seeding is based on the principle of early, controlled targeting, thus excluding cumulonimbus clouds, which are the most likely to trigger bad weather.
The cataclysm observed in the Gulf is therefore more likely to be the result of the chronic inversion of Pacific winds due to the El Niño phenomenon. Having already hit South Africa, the Sahel and Amazonia in 2023, El Niño continues to expand, redistributing rainfall over new areas as it sees fit.
Combining technology and spirituality : rain and religious traditions
Beyond economic considerations and climatic concerns, artificial rain also has a spiritual dimension, responding precisely to a biannual prayer.
In Judaism, the festival of Chemini Atseret, celebrated in the heart of autumn, marks the beginning of the raining season. Also formulated as a daily blessing throughout the winter, Chemini Atseret is intended to express gratitude to the heavens for the abundance of water, while praying that the wind will continue to blow and that rain will continue to fall on the harvests.
The call for rain is also to be found in Christianity. Sabine, a Christian martyr from the 2nd century, is a saint to whom we can turn to invoke rain in times of drought.
A precious resource in every respect, rain is preserved and voluntarily triggered when necessary. And if it seems incongruous, even amusing, that in 2018, Iran should accuse the Emirates and Israel of “stealing its clouds”, alluding precisely to the artificial seeding operations, the scarcity of water resources and the creative spirit of 21st-century engineers reveal a new era in which the boundaries between nature and technology are becoming blurred.
Sources :
https://reporterre.net/Quand-les-Etats-veulent-controler-la-pluie
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/arabie-saoudite
https://infos-israel.news/israel-cultive-plus-de-50-de-ses-legumes-dans-le-desert-darava/
Picture Credits : https://oumma.com/emirats-arabes-unis-une-pluie-artificielle-experimentee-video/
Iran faces its destiny to elect its next president
Iranians wait in line to vote in the presidential election, June 28, 2024, in Tehran. © Majid Asgaripour, West Asia News Agency via Reuters
This Friday, June 28, Iran's 61 million electors go to the polls to elect their new president. This emergency election is of particular importance as it could mark a major political turning point for Iran, with reformers and conservatives divided over the country's future.
High-stakes elections
First of all, it's important to understand that these presidential elections are taking place against a backdrop of high social tension and political and economic uncertainty. The candidates will not only have to convince a deeply divided electorate, but also navigate a complex political landscape where international tensions and internal problems weigh heavily. Iran has been facing major economic challenges for several years now, not least as a result of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Pezeshkian keeps hopes alive
Massoud Pezeshkian, 69, an Azeri-born doctor turned member of parliament, is the only reformist candidate authorized by the Guardian Council. Almost unknown before his candidacy, he has become a symbol of hope for the reformist and moderate camps, marginalized in recent years. Pezeshkian promises profound social and economic reforms, a fight against corruption and, above all, a diplomatic opening that will enable Iran to escape from diplomatic isolation and the infernal circle of sanctions.
To face him, 2 conservatives, Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and Saïd Jalili. Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf is the current Speaker of Parliament and a former military commander. He advocates an economic policy of resistance and national self-sufficiency, in line with the principles of the Islamic Revolution. He also favors a cautious foreign policy, wary of the West. Saïd Jalili is the former Iranian nuclear negotiator. He is firmly opposed to any rapprochement with the West. He takes a hard line on national security issues and supports the development of Iran's nuclear program.
Concrete changes if Pezeshkian is elected
Massoud Pezeshkian has made clear his desire to moderate headscarf laws. The hijab debate, revived after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, remains a hot topic. Pezeshkian is the only candidate openly critical of current repressive methods and willing to allow greater freedom of expression and choice for Iranian women. On the issue of Iran's nuclear program, Pezeshkian's position is one of openness and negotiation. He has stressed the need to revive the Iran nuclear deal signed in 2015 in order to lift the severe economic sanctions crippling the country's economy. Unlike his more conservative opponents, he favors constructive dialogue with the world's major powers, including the United States, to improve Iran's economic situation.
The presidential elections in post-Raissi Iran are a decisive moment for the country. Although the president-elect will have far less power than the Ayatollah, the choice of a reformist or a conversavist will have a major impact on the country's stability and prosperity.
Sources
Saudi Arabia stands as a pioneer of Esports in the Middle East
Transforming the country to serve its vision
Beyond the entertainment and crowds that will flock to Saudi Arabia's gaming infrastructures, the country's initiative is part of a profound transformation process, called "Vision 2030". The aim is ambitious: to diversify the national economy and position itself in dynamic new markets, such as new technologies and e-sports, in order to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons. Nevertheless, MBS also wishes to focus on a sector that is highly popular with Saudi youth.
The organization of the Esport World Cup is another demonstration that Saudi Arabia is opening up new horizons for the country, and creating a bridge between occidentalization and traditional culture.
Massive investment in Esports
Crown Prince MBS is both a visionary and a video game enthusiast, and has made e-sports a national priority. The Kingdom has already injected $38 billion into the video game industry, acquiring significant stakes in giants such as Electronic Arts and Nintendo.
These strategic investments are aimed at establishing a robust and sustainable e-sport industry, capable of generating 39,000 jobs by 2030. With the largest prize fund in the history of e-sport, this World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious event ever staged.
Soft Power ? Yes, but not only
The nomination of Saudi Arabia as host of the e-sport World Cup illustrates much more than a simple commitment. It symbolizes a significant turning point in the evolution of human rights in the Kingdom since 2018. What's more, this initiative is no coincidence, but the result of a deliberate desire on the part of the West to forge closer economic and political ties with nations around the world, thus fully integrating these countries into the fabric of the international scene.
So, beyond its soft power ambitions, hosting the e-sport World Cup underlines Saudi Arabia's profound aspiration to position itself as a visionary leader in a Middle East in the throes of reunification. This is no longer just a question of image; it is the concrete expression of an ambitious project aimed at radically transforming the region, placing the Kingdom at the heart of a new era marked by innovation, shared prosperity and integration into the global economy.
Concretely, this is also reinforced by collaboration with organizations experienced in organizing e-sport tournaments, such as the Electronic Sports League (ESL) and the renewed management of the Esports World Cup (EWC) under the aegis of Ralf Reichert.
Saudi Arabia's move into esports represents much more than an economic ambition; it's a vision of the future in which video games become a vehicle for change, unity and social development. By opening up to e-sport, the Kingdom is not just diversifying its economy; it is actively participating in building a future where cultural barriers are transcended by shared common interests.
Sources :
GCC's Urban Revolution: Transforming Deserts into Smart Cities
NEOM: “The Line” Saudi Arabia’s Futuristic Mega-City
One of the most ambitious projects in the Middle East is NEOM in Saudi Arabia, a $500 billion mega-city designed to be a global hub for innovation and technology. Launched by 2017 by Mohamed Bin Salman and situated in the northwest of the country, NEOM aim to redefine urban living through its integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics across various sectors.
NEOM's design includes the construction of "The Line," a 170-kilometer linear city with no cars, streets, or carbon emissions. This approach to urban planning promotes walkability, seamless connectivity through high-speed transit, and the integration of nature within urban spaces. NEOM's vision emphasizes sustainability by aspiring to be powered entirely by clean energy sources. Furthermore through its urban agriculture initiative it aims to provide food security to its inhabitants. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of economic diversification under the Vision 2030 plan.
Masdar City: UAE’s Beacon of Sustainability
Masdar City, located near Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is another pioneering example of smart city development. Launched in 2008, Masdar City is one of the world's most sustainable urban communities, powered entirely by renewable energy. It serves as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the regional HQ for Siemens.
The city's design incorporates energy-efficient buildings, sustainable materials, and practices such as passive cooling and green roofs. Masdar City utilizes solar energy extensively, with one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East, and a solar thermal cooling plant. The city’s transportation network features electric and autonomous vehicles, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Masdar City not only showcases eco-friendly urban development but also serves as a living laboratory for innovative technologies and sustainable practices. It aims to reduce its ecological footprint while providing high standards of living, making it a blueprint for future sustainable cities globally.
Lusail City: Qatar’s vision of modern urbanism
Lusail City in Qatar represents another stride in the GCC's smart city initiatives. As a host city for one of the stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lusail City has been in the international spotlight. This large-scale development integrates advanced infrastructure with modern urban planning to create a vibrant, high-tech urban environment. Lusail City includes a light rail network, an underground pedestrian system, and a district cooling system, all designed to enhance connectivity and reduce energy consumption.
Lusail City’s smart infrastructure includes advanced waste management systems, smart grids for electricity distribution, and extensive use of IoT for city management and services.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Building smart cities in the desert comes with unique challenges, including extreme temperatures, water scarcity, and the need for sustainable resource management. GCC countries are making significant efforts to pioneer this advancement through innovative solutions such as desalination plants powered by renewable energy, advanced cooling technologies, and sustainable urban designs that minimize environmental impact.
The success of these smart city projects in the GCC region will depend on continuous investment in technology, infrastructure, and human capital. Collaboration with global partners and the adoption of best practices from around the world will be crucial.
Countries facing desertification and rising temperatures will have to follow the same path and develop innovative city designs to mitigate and adapt to climate disruptions. The ambitious models being developed by GCC countries should serve as a blueprint for these efforts worldwide. Other nations can learn from these pioneering strategies to create sustainable and resilient urban environments.
Sources :
https://masdar.ae/en/renewables/green-hydrogen
https://masdar.ae/en/renewables/our-projects/masdar-city-solar-photovoltaic-plant
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gordontour/25137880702 \
https://www.neom.com/en-us/our-business/sectors/water/infrastructure/resource-recovery
https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/
Semitic languages : Heritage of Humanity
"These are the descendants of Shem, according to their families and their languages, their territories and their peoples" (Genesis, 10:31)
Originally a family affair
Semitic languages reflect the history of mankind. Born in Africa and the Near East, the cradles of the human race, they are like a large family, bringing together venerable patriarchs who have more or less fallen into oblivion but whose written testament remains, descendants of a renaissance firmly rooted in modernity, and heirs who have remained faithful to the first lineage. Indeed, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Assyrian cuneiform, Phoenician and Aramaic are all "dead" languages whose symbols, engraved or drawn, gradually gave rise to the Hebrew,
Arabic and Amharic alphabets. Hebrew,Arabic and Amharic are "living" languages, spoken, written and read from the Maghreb to the Persian Gulf, via the Horn of Africa and the Levant.
Noah's son, Shem ("name" in Hebrew), is thought to have been their common ancestor, and to have passed on, like so many shared genes, the use of triliteral roots, fricative consonants and right-to-left transcription.
Liturgical language, vernacular language
Hebrew and Arabic are inseparable from Judaism and Islam, as the languages of their respective books, but they have not followed the same historical meanders.
While it remained the liturgical language of the Jewish people in the Diaspora, ancient or biblical Hebrew only entered modernity under the impetus of Eliezer Ben-Yehouda in the 19th century, before being adopted as the official language by the young State of Israel on its creation in 1948. BlendingSpanish, German and Arabic, Hebrew had also given rise, several centuries earlier, to regional dialects (Ladino, Yiddish, Judeo-Arabic).
Today, Hebrew is spoken by over 9 million people worldwide. Classical or literary Arabic originated with the Koran in the 7th century in the region that gave it its name, Arabia, and has remained unchanged ever since. A language of poetry, erudition and science, it must be distinguished from its dialectal variants, which are as numerous as the countries of the Arab-Muslim zone. With the spread of Islam, its alphabet was adopted by Indo-European languages such as Farsi and Urdu. Among its 400 million speakers are the Christians of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and the Holy Land, who also use it for liturgical purposes, but combine it with other ancient and disappearing Semitic languages such as Aramaic and Coptic.
Speaking each other's language : a shared heritage
In the region, Israel has also made Arabic one of its three official languages. Israeli literature is rich in examples of linguistic appropriation and mixed works, such as those by the Palestinian-born writer Anton Shammas, known for his short stories, poems and articles, as well as his translations from Arabic into Hebrew. In Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,
the A.M.A.L ("hope" in Arabic) organization, founded by the aptly named Ishmael Ben Israel, commissions Palestinian students to teach Arabic in elementary school and offers courses via an online platform to thousands of students.
There are two reasons for this growing interest in learning the language: curiosity about one's neighbor's culture, and the rediscovery of one's own roots for descendants of Jews from the Maghreb or the Middle East. In Egypt, oriental language departments offer Hebrew courses, as at Al-Azar University in Cairo, while in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, language schools recently opened in the wake of the Abraham Accords are increasingly attracting Emirati businessmen. It's as if, for the sons of Shem, speaking the other's language is a way of reconnecting with the heritage shared with not-so-distant cousins.
Sources :
L’hébreu, langue mouvante d’un pays qui change (la-croix.com)
Les langues sémitiques (unige.ch)
De plus en plus d'Israéliens se mettent à l'arabe - The Times of Israël (timesofisrael.com)
Hebrew language in high demand in Gulf states – DW – 03/11/2021
LEVEL UP IN THE MIDDLE EAST : the video game industry keeps growing in the region
Increasingly focused on the gaming sector, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region accounts for 2.5% of the 135 billion in sales generated by the global market, according to a report produced by Newzoo. Following in the footsteps of Sony, Microsoft and Electronic Arts, new companies specializing in electronics and entertainment are making their debut in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. For Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, the videogame landscape has changed a great deal in fifty years. In the golden age of connected devices, the patriarch of video games predicts the advent of a society dedicated to communication.
High Stakes : Saudi Arabia takes Pole Position in the Video Games Race
As the No. 1 player in this regional competition to dominate the video game industry, Saudi Arabia is actively developing its eco-system. With the purchase of Electronic Sport League (ESL) and Faceit, two European e-sport companies, the oil-rich kingdom is also piloting Savvy Gaming Group. Wholly owned by the national public investment fund, this e-sport company represents a major economic asset in a young country, where the average age is 30. Thanks to the many investments made in this field, the Saudi video game market is expected to reach nearly one billion dollars by 2023.
The current dynamics of video games are closely linked to the widespread availability of mobile Internet access. In Saudi Arabia, mobile traffic, which is currently estimated at 75.18% according to Statcounter, is encouraging greater access to online gaming platforms. This strategy of opening up the entertainment sector is proving highly successful. In 2021, foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia rose by a spectacular 252% year-on-year, with gross fixed capital formation reaching US$218 billion and annual growth of 19.4%.
Optimistic projections for the next five years testify to the continued growth of the video games market in the MENA GCC region. According to Ericsson, the number of smartphone subscriptions is set to increase from 65 million to 73 million in GCC countries by 2027, while the MENA region's compound annual growth rate is set to rise from $5.71 billion to $9.63 billion between 2023 and 2028, an increase of 11.01% according to data from Mordor Intelligence.
A rising regional trend in gamification
Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, which organize cultural events around video games, are also on board. The enthusiasm generated by the Middle East Gaming Festival in Beirut in 2018 has been warmly echoed by the Yas Gaming Festival in Abu Dhabi in 2023. The United Arab Emirates continues to invest actively in the sector. Across borders, these unique events have brought together enthusiasts and the curious around racing simulations, virtual reality games and cosplay sessions, reinforcing the region's position as a hub of gaming culture.
The Gulf State predicts an average annual expenditure of $115 per gamer. It was with this economic outlook in mind that Fakhra Al Mansouri seized the opportunity to promote local culture through the new educational leverage provided by videogames. Five years ago, the Emirati developer set up her company Hybrid Humans Game Studio with the aim of bringing her culture to the rest of the world in an innovative way. This mobile games platform is notably behind Falcon Valley, awarded the title of "game of the day" by the apple store in 2017.
More and more international partnerships : new players join the game
At the heart of this cultural transition, young local programmers, including the talented Fakhra Al Mansouri, are helping their nations emerge on the international scene. This evolution is remarkably reflected in the meteoric rise of partnerships. In May 2022, the Middle East marked a significant breakthrough in video gaming with the successful expansion of Indian e-sports platform Gamerji. Having already extended its operations to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Gamerji recently inaugurated its services in these countries, with a clear vision of continued progress over the next three months. Meanwhile, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) and South Korea's WEMADE in 2023 is a major step towards the introduction of blockchain in Saudi Arabia.
The Middle East continues its fast-paced ascension in the world of video entertainment. As new adventurers enter this virtual sphere : investors, programmers, even government bodies, the excitement of video gaming continues to drain development opportunities. Stay in the game.
Sources :
https://fr.timesofisrael.com/larabie-saoudite-veut-developper-le-secteur-des-jeux-video/
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/fr/industry-reports/middle-east-gaming-market
https://thebusinessofesports.com/2022/06/17/gamerji-commences-operations-in-the-middle-east/
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2292691/business-economy
https://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/things-to-do/yas-gaming-festival
Morocco can count on technology to boost agriculture
With cereal self-sufficiency approaching 75% and local products generate sales of over 1.2 billion euros a year, the kingdom's land is far from barren. Yet, for the past 40 years, Moroccan agriculture has been threatened by endemic drought. Back in 2008, the government set up the Green Morocco Plan to help small-scale commercial farming. This decision has had a positive impact of a 60% increase in agricultural exports the following year.
In 2023, it's the turn of start-ups to take over arable land. As a winning duo — Sand to Green which uses its technology to facilitate the integration of agroforestry farms in arid environments and Terraa, which strengthens distribution channels through its digital platform. How do these two companies intend to overcome the challenges of the primary sector ?
Sand to Green’s goal — making the desert green again
Morocco's territory is constantly being reshaped by the ecological and urban changes of the 21st century. Its agriculture has not been spared. Drought, urban sprawl, erosion... According to Benjamin Rombaut, CEO of Sand to Green, almost a third of the soil’s has turned dry. In order to adapt the kingdom’s agricultural framework, the Franco-Moroccan entrepreneur decided to deploy an agroforestry modelin Morocco's arid environment. After three years of R&D, Sand to Green has become a mature project, ready to contribute to the resilience of the country's rural economies.
The prototype aims to re-green desert environments, in particular through a water desalination strategy. This procedure would help trees to establish themselves in a hostile, poorly irrigated environment. “As they grow stronger, they become more and more autonomous, thanks to their ability to manage their own water cycle”, explains Benjamin Rombaut, who is both ambitious and keen to see blossoming low-carbon emissions plants. Sand to Green has already raised 1 million dollars. The money raised from investors should enable the company to spread over thousands of hectares.
The food tech Terraa feeds distribution networks
Aridity isn't the only challenge for the country. The whole system needs to be rethought. Intermediation, incomplete databases and technological backwardness affect the agricultural market and leads to excessive prices, unsold and food spoilage. Founded in 2022, Terraa could well change all that. Its mission is to re-establish the network between farmers and urban markets via a paperless ordering system. To achieve this, the Moroccan start-up sources directly from farmers before delivering to retailers. This strategy is accompanied by a policy of constant prices which tends to limit losses due to periods of overproduction.
This year, the food distribution start-up managed to raise $1.5 million in pre-seed funding, which will be used to strengthen its logistics infrastructure, while expanding into the rest of the region. Co-founder Benoît Devigne is looking forward to see the positive impact of Terraa's technology on supply and demand. Benoît Devigne already plans to open new collection centers for storage and distribution.
On the fertile ground of international collaboration
Developing a digital economy capable of enhancing the value of family farming, i.e. 70% of farms, is a major challenge for Morocco and the rest of the continent. The use of technology by small-scale farmers in Africa is increasingly but not sufficiently democratized. While it is now possible to grow plants in arid zones thanks to agro-ecological techniques, training and experimentation centers are essential to guide the younger generation of Moroccan engineers.
To achieve this, the participation of international players is undeniable. In fact, it was the French Yves Rocher Foundation that financed the CIPA institute (crossroads of technological initiatives and practices) to the tune of 10,000 euros.
Aware of the fundamental value that international partnerships can bring, Morocco has opened its doors to collaborators from all horizons. The kingdom recently called for cooperation with Europe and Africa on sustainable agriculture. In October, it took part in the international conference on food production technologies in Eilat. The event brought together over 70 representatives from numerous countries - including Jordan, Barhein, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates - all keen to revitalize their agricultural sectors. Everyone can learn from each other — that was the watchword of this historic meeting.
Sources:
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/marocx
https://www.agriculture.gov.ma/fr/filiere/richesse-du-terroir
Egypt : The Fintech Gamble
Since free-trade financial zones such as the Abu Dhabi Global Market and the Dubai Financial Center began promoting the growth of regional fintechs, the banking sector has taken a real turn for the better. The fintech boom goes beyond Middle Eastern borders. Young, dynamic and resilient, Africa has become one of these new hotbeds.
In 2022, the continent attracted more than 1,100 investors, an increase of 29% on the previous year. Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan... Among the leading countries to adopt this new model, Egypt is betting on financial innovation. Under what conditions are these new companies entering the Egyptian market, and what influence do they exert on the country ?
Renovating Egypt's banking sector — fintech MNT- Halan heals the country's socio-economic wounds
Egypt's economic crisis may have thrown off its clocks, but it's no big deal. As the third-largest economy in the Arab world, Cairo is determined to hold on to this title. A study by The Economist shows that the EGX30 stock market (equivalent to the CAC 40) rose by 12% in value between December 2022 and March 2023. A correlation can quickly be established between this upward trend and a fintech market that continues to flourish.
The fintech sector is said to have already raised $736 million in the Nile country by 2022, with MNT-Halan the first company in the running, voted by Forbes as the 10th best-funded start-up in the Middle East. Valued at over a billion dollars, the young start-up has become Africa's new unicorn, following in the footsteps of Fawry and Hollydesk. Following in the footsteps of its two big sisters specializing in expense management, MNT-Halan is in turn helping to modernize the banking system.
The dematerialized platform facilitates electronic payments thanks to Neuron software, which uses AI to anticipate the behavior of its thousands of users. It's important to understand that the platform's vocation is twofold — to initiate a transition towards digitalization and to respond to a major societal problem —financial insecurity. In a country where 70% of the population is unbanked, digital finance could become the remedy for precariousness. By embracing the field of fintech, Egyptian entrepreneurship seems to be healing the country's wounds, be they on a macro or micro economic scale.
Financial start-ups, regulated and supported by the State
Perceived as a driving force for technological, social and economic development, the technological finance sector is favored by many public and private players. According to Redseer, a quarter of all commercial pacts in the Arab world are related to the cloud finance sector. But the transition to digitization is not self-evident, and requires a solid regulatory framework.
At a time when the country's consumers are timidly beginning to turn to online payments, the Egyptian government is striving to secure this new practice while making it simpler and more accessible. To this end, the Central Bank is enforcing legislation allowing users to carry out instant transactions from their cell phones, and government measures are overseeing technological innovation in order to minimize risks.
Another notable example is the recent FRA law, which regulates financial start-ups by imposing a temporary patent on them, before allowing them to integrate into the ecosystem. According to Noha Shaker, founder of the Egyptian fintech association and vice-president of the African fintech network, this ecosystem is currently in the midst of an expansion phase. From government to private investors, even universities are now starting up programs on the subject.
Egypt — the MENA region's next technology hub?
The rise of Egyptian fintechs is a significant indicator of the government's evolution towards the technological revolution. In 2023, more confident and up to date with the latest innovations in finance, the Minister of Finance plans to issue $500 million worth of green bonds to support sustainable infrastructure projects while creating jobs.
Is Egypt the next technology hub in the Middle East and North Africa ? Although the World Bank currently ranks the Nile country just behind the United Arab Emirates, the strengthening of its legal framework, combined with the growth of fintech investors, suggests that this ascent is not over.
Sources :
https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-in-egypt-101-middle-east-and-africa/
Preserving Jewish heritage in Morocco
With its unique model, Morocco makes religion a factor of peace, ensuring that the Jewish and Christian communities live in harmony and respect for the values of living together. The central pillar of this approach is the institution of the Commandery of the Faithful, “Imarat Al-Mouminine”, embodied by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who is the guarantor of national unity.
Coexistence and living together are not empty words in Morocco. For centuries and right up to the present day, Jews have lived in harmony and peace alongside their Muslim brethren. What's more, the Kings of Morocco have always ensured that the Jewish component of the Moroccan nation can worship in the best possible conditions and preserve its socio-cultural specificities.
The Moroccan Jewish exception
Present since antiquity, the Moroccan Jewish community has grown over the centuries, notably with the arrival of those expelled from Spain by the Catholic kings in 1492. In the 1940s, it represented some 250,000 people, or 10% of the population, and was the largest Jewish community in the Arab world. Many left after the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, then after the 6-Day War in 1967, with the aim of repopulating the country and also responding to the messianic religious call. Today, the Moroccan Jewish community, based mainly in Casablanca, numbers around 2,500 and remains the largest in North Africa.
The status of Moroccan Jews in the 20th century has oscillated between different poles — from that of "dhimmi" before the protectorate in 1912, to that of "privileged colonized" under French rule, to that of full-fledged subject of the Cherifian kingdom. In 1941, King Mohammed V officially declared his disapproval of the Vichy regime's anti-Jewish laws, and strictly refused to make any distinction between his Jewish and Muslim subjects.
This singularity of the Moroccan example, which is the country's strength, is not about to change. "Relations between Israel and Morocco are special”, says Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The diplomat points to the history that binds the Cherifian kingdom to the Jewish community — "It's a special history in the Arab world. King Mohammed VI and previous kings, including Hassan II, respect and protect Jews”. The kingdom now wants to teach this history to its children. Indeed, King Mohammed VI had already clearly demonstrated his desire to take care of all the Kingdom's roots and the tributaries of its plural identity in order to build its future, by having the enhancement of Moroccan Jewish heritage included in the new Constitution of July 2011.
Also, a year after the signing of the Abraham Accords in December 2020, which marked the starting point for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel, several initiatives were taken in response to the growing interest in preserving Morocco's Jewish heritage. The Sovereign decided to include the Jewish component of national history in the school curriculum for young Moroccans, and then ordered the renovation of hundreds of synagogues, grave yards and Jewish heritage sites in several Moroccan cities, including the Jewish cemetery in the city of Fez, which comprises 13,000 graves. His Majesty also wishes to restore the original names of some of the country's Jewish neighborhoods.
Bayt Dakira —Jewish-Moroccan memory in the land of Islam
The only one of its kind in the southern Mediterranean and in the Land of Islam, Bayt Dakira (the House of Memory) bears witness to Essaouira's Judeo-Muslim past, the exceptional destiny of the city's Jews and their relations with the Muslim populations, which have always been rich and benevolent.
Located in the "Mellah" Jewish quarter of the old medina, the museum is a spiritual space dedicated to the city's Jewish community.
It houses the International Center for Research on the History of Relations between Judaism and Islam, and plays an important role in preserving and promoting Moroccan Jewish memory. With the "Slat Attia" synagogue as its center of gravity, Bayt Dakira is a place of memory that tells the exceptional saga of the city's Judaism and its heritage through objects, texts, photos and film — from tea ceremonies to Hebrew poetry, from gold and silver filigree to embroidery and the creation of sumptuous caftans, from cultural arts to literature, from Souiris (Essaouira) rituals to the synagogue and the great trading posts that made Essaouira (formerly Mogador) so famous in the 18th and 19th centuries. This place, which presents and explains all the stages of Jewish life, from birth to death and from Bar Mitzvah to marriage, is also a place of education, a space for exchange between researchers from different backgrounds, a place for sharing, transmission and resistance to amnesia.
The Sovereign's visit to this building in 2020 reflects the special interest His Majesty the King takes in the cultural and religious heritage of the Moroccan Jewish community, and his ongoing commitment to preserving the richness and diversity of the Kingdom's spiritual components and authentic heritage.
Slat Al Fassiyine, a witness to Jewish cultural heritage
Another equally symbolic project is the restoration of the Slat Al Fassiyine synagogue. A veritable sanctuary of Judaism in the city of Fes, this synagogue has been restored and transformed into a place of Jewish remembrance. For many observers, the reopening of this place of worship is an eloquent expression of the Kingdom's firm commitment to showcasing Moroccan-Jewish heritage and promoting the culture of tolerance and coexistence that has always prevailed between Moroccan Muslims and Jews.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI addressed a strong message to the participants at the inauguration, in which he stressed the importance of the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Moroccan Jewish community, as an integral part of Moroccan heritage and a testimony to the richness and diversity of its components.
Recognized and classified as a historic monument of universal interest by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, the restoration of the Slat Al Fassiyine synagogue is the fruit of concerted action by the Fez Jewish community, the Fondation du patrimoine culturel judéo-marocain and financial support from the German government. The restoration of this building is of the utmost importance, since it was carried out with respect for the particular nature of synagogues in Morocco, each with its own specific features, linked either to the families who built them, or to the districts where they are located. Its architectural rehabilitation, the work of Moroccan architects, restorers and expert "maalmin" craftsmen, has given this monument a new lease of life.
The restoration of this Jewish sanctuary is part of a program to rehabilitate the four synagogues in the Mellah of Fez, classified as historic monuments by Unesco and the Ministry of Culture. In addition to the Slat Al Fassiyine synagogue, these include the Ibn Danan, Mansano and Imhabanin synagogues.
Dating back to the 17th century, the Ibn Danan synagogue is today a place of worship named after a former rabbi and a symbol of the city's Jewish-Moroccan heritage. The Mansano synagogue was built in the 17th century by Andalusian Jews expelled from Spain. Finally, the Imhabanin synagogue (in Arabic, oum al-banine) was built in the 20th century by women.
Grave Yards
Another demonstration of the Sovereign's interest in preserving and promoting Moroccan Jewish heritage is the program to rehabilitate Jewish cemeteries. The program, which lasted five years, revisited the Moroccan Jewish funerary heritage.
This initiative, unique in Arab countries, has resulted in the rehabilitation of 167 cemeteries, the construction of over 40 kilometers of walls, the renovation of 169 cemetery gates, in addition to 200,000 square meters of paving and the erection of dozens of buildings and outbuildings. These achievements have been presented at the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris, the US Senate and the MoMA Museum in New York.
Through its historic sites, synagogues, mellahs, cultural and artistic expressions, the Jewish-Moroccan heritage bears witness to a shared, centuries-old history, and passes on to new generations a legacy of inestimable value.
Hebraic justice
An integral part of the Kingdom's judicial system, Hebrew justice is another striking manifestation of the diversity that characterizes Moroccan identity. Morocco was, and remains, the only Arab country where Moroccan Jews have access to Rabbinical Chambers, which are responsible for ruling on their disputes, particularly in matters of personal status and inheritance.
It is in this context that the Ministry of Justice has drawn up an action plan aimed at highlighting Hebraic justice and the roles it plays. Framed by a set of Cherifian Dahirs that illustrate its very close links with the institution of Imarat Al Mouminine, Hebraic justice in the Kingdom has been able to produce a rich body of case law inherent in the personal status of Moroccan Jewish citizens.
With a view to preserving, enhancing and protecting this historic heritage, a national campaign was launched in March 2021 to collect Hebrew judgments and manuscripts from the various conservation and archiving centers run by the Ministry of Justice. These invaluable documents will then be electronically archived and stored in secure conditions, guaranteeing better protection against deterioration. Also with the aim of preserving and promoting this part of Moroccan identity, a National Museum of the Memory of the Kingdom's Justice System will be created. Hebraic justice will be given pride of place.
After several decades of Arabization, this growing interest in Jewish culture has coincided with the reformulation of the national narrative towards a claim to Morocco's ethnic and linguistic plurality. With the 2011 Constitution, Hebraic identity became, in this movement, a fully-fledged component of Moroccan identity, on a par with Berber or Hassan identities.
Oman’s emerging tourism sector boosts its economy
Recent research by the global tourism body indicates that in 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution increased by nearly 35%, reaching OMR 2.8 billion, and is on track to exceed previous records. The sector also experienced a 15% growth in employment, now providing jobs to 191,500 people nationwide.
Furthermore the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) reveals a promising outlook for Oman’s Travel & Tourism sector. Supported by strong governmental backing and strategic initiatives, the sector is expected to achieve new heights this year. According to the report, the sector's GDP contribution is projected to exceed OMR 3.3 billion in 2024, accounting for 7.6% of the country’s total economy. By 2034, the WTTC predicts the sector’s annual GDP contribution will rise to OMR 5.4 billion, representing 9.8% of Oman’s economy, and will support over 265,600 jobs nationwide, with one in every thirteen residents employed in the sector.
BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, projects a 24.7% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals to Oman in 2024, reaching a total of 5.3 million visitors. This will mark a new high, building on the previous peak of 4 million visitors in 2023. By the end of January 2024, airport passenger traffic had already risen by 21.6%, totaling 1,417,442 passengers.
Oman plans to invest $31 billion in its tourism sector by 2040 to attract more international visitors. In 2023, the country welcomed a record-breaking 4 million visitors, up from 2.9 million in 2022, marking an increase of almost 38%. Among these, 231,000 visitors were from Germany, an increase of 182% compared to the previous year (Middle East Monitor).
The Ministry of Heritage and Culture aims to create a thriving environment for tourism through measures such as simplifying visa applications and easing restrictions for citizens of over 100 countries. Additionally, the Ministry plans significant investments in infrastructure and attractions, with over US$5.9 billion currently directed towards more than 360 projects.
Focus on Tourism Innovation
Under the theme “Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship,” Oman presented showcase its dynamic tourism sector at the Arabian Travel Market Exhibition 2024. Led by His Excellency Azzan bin Qasim Al Busaidi, the Omani delegation focused on its latest advancements in travel technology and sustainable tourism practices.
This strategic participation aimed to forge new international partnerships, exchange valuable knowledge, and highlight Oman’s growing tourism capabilities on a global stage. With participation from more than 36 companies, Oman spotlighted its unique cultural and natural attractions, including the much-anticipated Khareef Dhofar season and various summer promotional activities designed to attract global tourists (Breaking Travel News).
Overall, the strategic growth of tourism in Oman is expected to continue bolstering the country's economic health and international reputation. This approach not only enriches the economic landscape but also helps preserve and showcase Oman’s cultural and natural treasures to a global audience and position itself as an international tourism hub.
Sources :
https://arabiandaily.com/tourist-arrivals-in-oman-set-to-reach-3-5-million-in-2023-bmi-report/
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240306-oman-to-invest-13bn-to-boost-tourism-by-2040/
https://visaguide.world/news/wtcc-forecasts-historic-growth-for-omans-tourism-sector-in-2024/
Technion : Bringing Utopia to Life
Recognized as one of the top 100 institutions in the Shanghai ranking, the Technion is a bastion of academic excellence. With a total of 60 research centers, the institute attracts over 14,000 knowledge seekers every year. Today, Technion is world-renowned for its achievements. A reputation further enhanced by the attribution of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to three of its researchers in 2004 and 2011.
From capturing light, to predicting the emergence of epidemics, to lifting paraplegics with a robotic exo-skeleton, it's at the Technion that the greatest scientific minds gather to reshape the world. Among them: Amit Goffer, father of ReWalk Robotics, and the famous Israeli-Ukrainian computer scientist Kira Radinsky, co-titular of 10 patents and ranked among the 30 most promising young entrepreneurs by Forbes in 2015.
Key cornerstone of the Start-Up Nation, the Technion is a symbol of national ascension and a source of inspiration. What secret lies behind such success ?
The origins of the Technion: "a sustainable construction for the development of humanity"
What does it takes to build a nation ? Half a century before the proclamation of the State of Israel, this question would already be occupying Jewish 20th-century intellectuals. In a Europe where anti-Semitism was rampant in its most virulent forms, the need to return to the ancestral homeland and bring human knowledge to fruition was more pressing than ever.
At the fifth Zionist Congress in 1901, three emblematic figures - philosopher Martin Buber, Chaim Weizmann, then a biochemist, and journalist Berthold Feiwel - brought the Technion project to the attention of the participants. The creation of this educational institute for engineers will lay the foundations for a program to promote Hebrew culture and contribute to the development of the future state.
Twenty years on, the vision of Israel's founders, carried from the concert halls of Basel's Stadtcasino, is now starting to take shape. The Technion, an outstanding university campus, came into being thanks to the involvement of its own members. German architect and future professor Alexandre Baerwald designed the plans for this innovative infrastructure. In 1923, Albert Einstein himself visited the construction site, adding his participation by planting the very first palm tree.
The Technikum opened its doors in 1924. The first graduating class numbered 17: 10 engineers and 7 architects, including one woman. Cette première génération ouvre la voie à une pléthore d’ingénieurs civils, de scientifiques et d’architectes.
Receiving the honorary doctorate in architecture in 1962, David Ben Gourion told the institute's students: “Go out to the four corners of our country. Use your scientific knowledge to build up the land. Build this institute that we call the Technion so that its teachers and students can build Israel. Let Israel make a lasting contribution for mankind’s cultural and scientific development”. Prime Minister of the Jewish State's Remark Strikes a Chord.
Growing Institute : A Regional Technology Hub Project
At the eve of the new millennium, all gazes were riveted on the Technion. Across the globe, the academic prowess of Israel's MIT attracted the interest of prestigious international universities. Partnerships multiplied in the USA, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. The Technion was one of the first universities in the Middle East to welcome students from developing countries. After being honored to count Nigerian architect and politician Olorogun Felix Ovudoroye Ibru among its students in the 1960s, in 1998 the Technion graduated its first Ethiopian student in food engineering: Dr. Kebede Eshetu, and Dr. Abu Farich Award, the first Bedouin student in chemistry.
At the start of construction, when the first buildings sprang up in the vastness of Technion City, some visitors wondered why a country as small as Israel needed such a vast campus. In his essay on the history of the Technion, journalist Carl Alpert reports that the institute's spokesman answered these inquiries by arguing that the site's architects were building not just for the present, but for the future, when peace is established in the Middle East. The Technion would then become a regional technology center, welcoming students from all the neighboring countries, who in turn would contribute to improving the standard of living in their own countries.
Utopian or successful words? In 1944, the Egyptian Minister of Science visited the institute to foster Israeli-Egyptian cooperation in the IT sector. In 1995, intellectual curiosity once again bridges the gap between Israel and its neighbors. A Palestinian delegation of experts in agriculture (PARC) and hydrology (PHG) set off to discover the Technion. The shift towards scientific collaboration seemed to be on the horizon. But beyond the purely scientific, the concord is inscribed in a tangible architectural project. Such is the thinking of Madjad el Humud. In 1997, the Jordanian architect spent ten days on campus as part of a construction mission: "I didn't come to talk about peace, but to materialize it".
What's the situation today ?
The number of Arab students enrolled at Technion has more than tripled over the past decade, rising from 7% in 2010 to 22% in 2020. Of these, 60% are women. Since 2006, the NAM program promoting excellence among Arab youth has been fully committed to boosting these figures. Thanks to intensive training in mathematics, physics, English and Hebrew, NAM offers enrollees the chance to succeed in their academic careers and gain access to selective positions in leading Israeli companies such as Intel, TEVA and Check Point.
Diplomatic relations have always followed the pace of progress. In 1996, the British Technion Society presented King Hussein of Jordan with the Winston Churchill Award for his contribution to the cause of peace in the Middle East. Accepting the prize to thunderous applause, the monarch, moved, regarded the assembly with intensity and delivered his speech.
“Technion has been a beacon of learning in our region, we are aware of its great achievements. Our borders are guarded by our people, working together to ensure that peace is protected for all the times to come. To those who continue to oppose peace, who continue to oppose life, who continue to oppose light, I hope that all their attempts to destroy what we have built will fail.” - Hussein de Jordanie
May his wish be granted.
Sources :
Carl Alpert (1982), The Story Of Israel's Institute Of Technology, American Technion Soc.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/history-of-the-technion/
https://technionuk.org/about-technion-uk/
https://www.technionfrance.org/news/larchitecte-de-letat-disrael
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-rewalk-snaps-up-alterg-for-19-million-in-profitability-push/
https://www.gtiit.edu.cn/en/einstein.aspx
Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as an emerging leader in the air transport sector
A strategic vision that drives change
The Vision 2030 initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is at the heart of the country's transformation. This plan aims to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil, by placing the kingdom's technological sovereignty at the heart of its strategy. With this in mind, the development of the air transport sector has been one of the priorities. In the same vein, improving transport infrastructure and increasing airport capacity are among the key objectives of Vision 2030.
To achieve this vision, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in modernizing and expanding its airport infrastructure. The recently renovated King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is a very interesting example. This ultramodern hub, with its cutting-edge facilities and increased capacity, is destined to become one of the region's major transit centers. Similar expansion projects are underway at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Dammam Airport.
A top-class fleet
The national airline Saudia Airlines, as well as the new Riyadh Air, are committed to modernizing their fleets. A few days ago, Saudia Airlines announced a landmark order for 105 Airbus A320neo aircraft, worth $9.13 billion, while the Saudi Public Investment Fund has ordered 78 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with a further 43 as options, for a total value of $22.8 billion. These new aircraft will enable the companies to better compete with other major Gulf airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways.
The purpose of this development
These enormous sums of money raise the question of the kingdom's intended purpose. One answer is to emphasize that the improved air infrastructure is designed to boost tourism and business. With the opening of new international routes and the facilitation of visa policies, Saudi Arabia hopes to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030.
Projects such as NEOM, a futuristic city currently under development, and Al-Ula, a spectacular archaeological site, are at the heart of this ambitious tourism strategy.
In addition to tourism, the country's objective is to build up a strong logistics capacity in order to develop its air freight business. The development of the air fleet is accompanied by the deployment of airfreight centers, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to manage supply chains is aimed at facilitating global trade.
Strategic competition with Turkey
Saudi Arabia is not alone in its quest to dominate air transport in the Middle East. Turkey, with its national airline Turkish Airlines, has also established itself as a major player in the region. Turkish Airlines recently announced an order for 600 new aircraft to bring its fleet to 813, a strategic investment designed to reinforce its leadership position.
The Turkish airline is counting on the quality of its offer, competitive prices and the advantageous geographical location of Istanbul, just three and a half hours from Paris. In April 2024, Turkish Airlines reported impressive financial results, with a net profit of 5.52 billion euros, outperforming European rivals such as Air France-KLM, IAG (the parent company of British Airways), and Lufthansa.
Competition between Saudi Arabia and Turkey is reflected in a race for investment and innovation, as each country seeks to attract a greater share of international air traffic.
Thanks to strategic investments and a long-term vision, Saudi Arabia is gradually becoming an established leader in the air transport sector. This transformation is positioning the kingdom as a hub for trade, tourism and technological innovation.
Sources :
https://www.touleco.fr/L-Arabie-Saoudite-commande-105-Airbus-et-s-affirme-comme-un,42286
AlAlula: How Saudi Arabia is committing to protect and open up its heritage
An exceptional archaeological and natural site
Nestling at the entrance to a desert valley, surrounded by ochre and red sandstone massifs and verdant oases, lies the ancient caravan city of Hegra. Hydraulic systems, sanctuaries, the monumental necropolis of Madâin Sâlih carved out of the rock, palm groves as far as the eye can see...
All these vestiges bear witness, in an area the size of Belgium, to a fascinating and little-known history: that of the Nabataean civilization, whose kingdom extended from Sinai to the western shore of the Red Sea.
At the crossroads of the routes linking Egypt, Mesopotamia and the eastern shores of the Mediterranean, Petra's little sister developed and grew rich thanks to the harnessing of its groundwater and the trade in frankincense and myrrh.
A neighbor of the kingdom of Judea, which suffered a similar fate - Roman annexation and obliteration through a change of name - the Nabataean kingdom finally disappeared in the 2nd century AD. The emergence of Islam in the 6th century eclipsed Hegra in favor of Medina, which emerged as a cultural and religious center, attracting pilgrims alongside Mecca. The Saudi monarchy, guardian of the holy cities, kept the site's existence a secret for centuries.
In 2008, by classifying the site as a World Heritage Site (the country's first), UNESCO recognized its outstanding environmental and cultural value. As part of its partnership with the UN agency, the monarchy is committed to sharing its archaeological and epigraphic heritage with the scientific community, inviting academics and archaeologists from all over the world to study the open-air library of inscriptions on the cliffs and rocks of Jabal Ikmah.
Partly financed by a dedicated royal commission, a vast conservation and research project has unearthed the gradual evolution of Nabataean languages towards Classical Arabic, providing a better understanding of the linguistic and civilizational exchanges of the period. As a result, local and global populations are invited to reconnect with a whole part of the memory of the pre-Islamic Arab world.
“The Wonder of Arabia” as an emblem of Vision 2030
AlUla is at the heart of the monarchy's ambitions for modernization and economic reform. It is an integral part of "Vision 2030", promoted by Crown Prince Mohamed Ben Salman, and is both a flagship project and a key lever for moving away from dependence on oil, by focusing on a new, secular and international-oriented tourism.
In 2018, Saudi Arabia and France signed their first intergovernmental agreement on the creation of an agency specifically dedicated to the cultural and tourism development of AlUla: Afula.
According to Afula, the aim is to "invent a new tourist experience, faithful to the hospitality of the Arab world, at once cultural (archaeological trails, museums), sensory (discovery of grandiose landscapes, the desert, the oasis) and authentic (in contact with local culture)", while making sustainable development its cornerstone: "AlUla aspires to become(...) a benchmark project in sustainable development, focused on the absolute preservation of the environment, respectful of history, territories and inclusive of the local population."
Indeed, climate change has had an impact on the site's original biodiversity, as evidenced by the giraffes, lions and ostriches engraved on some of the tombs: species that are now extinct.
The Sharaan (a luxury hotel designed by the architect Jean Nouvel, who has already proved his worth with the Louvre Abu Dhabi), artists' residences, the rehabilitation of the medina abandoned in the 1980s, a contemporary art museum in partnership with the Centre Pompidou, archaeological missions, innovative and environmentally friendly transport, the hosting of business delegations...
So many titanic achievements and ambitions planned for the coming years. AlUla is not just an emblem whose potential serves national outreach and soft power. By mobilizing a wide range of committed players in favor of its rebirth, not only is the "Wonder of Arabia" an example of cooperation and transmission, but also an inspiration for both the region and humanity.
Sources :
AlUla, le trésor archéologique méconnu de l'Arabie saoudite.
L’Agence française pour le développement d’AlUla.
AlUla, l'oasis aux 7000 ans d'histoire.
Sharaan : Un projet hôtelier inédit par l’architecte français Jean Nouvel dans le désert d’Al-Ula.
Preserving Documentary Heritage in AlUla.
Documentary Heritage in AlUla.
The emergence of Gulf higher education institutions as world leaders
In the last few years more funds and resources are being invested, which is reflected in the international rankings and reputation of the Gulf academic institutions. Saudi Arabia and the UAE continuing to be regional leaders in higher education as they attract more talented people interested in pursuing higher education abroad.
Eighty-four universities from fifteen Arab nations were ranked in the QS World University Rankings for 2024 last year. With the release of the QS 2024 subject rankings last month, the upward trend in STEM subject rankings at Saudi and Emirati universities—which has been noticeable for the past few years—became even more evident.
Academics and students continue to favour Gulf universities in 2024. According to the ranking, two universities in Saudi Arabia are among the top 200 in the world, while two universities in the UAE rose to the top 300. Particularly for engineering and other STEM fields, Saudi Arabia's higher education system is becoming a dominant force in the Arab world.
Petroleum and Mineral Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) were among the two engineering subjects that were ranked in the top 10 globally with the release of the new QS ranks. King Abdulaziz University, which was ranked #143 in the world and is quickly rising to prominence in the Middle East, offers top STEM programs in math, engineering, and life sciences.
This is a significant accomplishment for Saudi Arabia, which is carrying out its Vision 2030 education reform initiatives, which are linked to economic expansion. the UAE is also a significant force of higher education and has top-ranked subjects. One noteworthy accomplishment is the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, which has an exceptional rating in the academic reputation category and is ranked 9th in the world for hospitality and leisure management.
GCC countries increase their educational spending
In 2023, three of the six GCC countries planned to spend more than 15% of their state budget on education. In recent years, GCC countries have prioritised investment in education. Qatar and the UAE even have American university campuses, including Northwestern, Insead, London Business School NYU, and Michigan State.
In 2021, all council countries saw an increase in student enrolment, with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait showing only a marginal increase and the UAE leading the way with the largest jump. Despite increasing student enrolment, the region's average student-teacher ratio remains low.
In summary, the GCC countries are investing more in education and are showing up more prominently in global rankings, both of which point to significant progress in higher education.
As a result, Gulf universities are becoming more well-known and prestigious throughout the world and attracting international students and researchers. Moreover, the region's commitment to promoting economic growth and reducing its carbon footprint is evident in its investments in higher education, which is generating a greater number of skilled workers for its economy.
Sources :
Statista Research Department, 2024.
Vision 2030, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Reducing dependence on hydrocarbons: an essential challenge for MENA countries
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has a population of over 450 million, with only 1⁄4 of Europe's GDP. In a world region that is still young but evolving and advancing very fast, the progressive exit from hydrocarbons is far from being an empty thought.
The main reason for the efforts of the region's countries arises from a double observation: hydrocarbons are limited in quantity available, and these will be particularly impacted by the effects of climate change.
The depletion of oil reserves and increasing energy demand
As previously introduced, oil reserves are limited and global energy demand continues to grow significantly. According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), proven oil reserves in the MENA region currently stand at around 830 billion barrels.
This represents around 48% of the world's oil reserves. However, these reserves are not limitless, and are decreasing as they are exploited. Meanwhile, global demand for energy continues to grow, driven by urbanization, population growth and economic development.
According to the IEA, global energy demand will increase by around 25% by 2040, driven mainly by emerging and developing economies. The economic shift is therefore essential, and countries in the MENA region, such as Saudi Arabia, which has developed notably thanks to oil, under the leadership of MBS and the vision 2030 plan, have understood this perfectly.
Economic growth driven by the transition to renewable energies
Countries in the MENA region have taken concrete steps to reduce their dependence on hydrocarbons and promote energy transition. One of the first pillars is massive investment in renewable energies. For example, the United Arab Emirates has committed itself to an ambitious energy transition by launching the Masdar project, Abu Dhabi's future energy company.
Masdar develops and invests in renewable and green technologies, including solar energy, wind power and water management. The aim is to create a sustainable economy and make the United Arab Emirates a world leader in green energy. Another example of economic diversification is Saudi Arabia, which has launched the "Vision 2030" initiative to reduce its dependence on oil revenues.
As part of this initiative, the country has set ambitious targets for renewable energies, including the construction of large-scale solar and wind farms. On the same subject, Morocco is a remarkable example of the region's commitment to renewable energies. The country inaugurated the Noor solar power plant in Ouarzazate, the world's largest concentrated solar power plant, which will cover an area of over 3,000 hectares and generate megawatts of electricity. Meanwhile, Egypt has also invested in wind power with the Gabal El Zayt wind farm, one of Africa's largest wind power projects.
MENA countries are actively investing in the research and development of advanced energy technologies. They are setting up innovation and research centers dedicated to renewable energies, and developing international partnerships to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels is now a crucial necessity for MENA countries. The energy transition represents both a necessity and a major opportunity for the region to shape a more sustainable future for its inhabitants and future generations.
Mohammad Rasoulof, the triumph of an Iranian filmmaker in Cannes
A courageous escape
Sentenced to eight years in prison for "colluding against national security", Rasoulof chose exile. Crossing the mountains on foot, he escaped the regime's surveillance to join his daughter in Germany. Despite the absence of a passport, he was able to reach Cannes thanks to an agreement between Berlin and Paris.
His presence at the festival is a powerful testimony to his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression.
A declaration of love to freedom
Les Graines du figuier sauvage is a powerful political thriller. The film explores the life of an investigating judge caught up in the storm of protests in Tehran, reflecting the internal struggles and moral dilemmas of Iranians under a theocratic regime. Despite a running time of over 2 hours 45 minutes, the film maintains a captivating emotional intensity from start to finish.
At the press screening, the film was warmly acclaimed, and the audience's reception on the steps was no less enthusiastic. Accompanied by his daughter Baran and exiled actress Golshifteh Farahani, Rasoulof left a strong impression.
A Special Jury Prize
On May 25, Rasoulof received a Special Jury Prize, symbolizing support for oppressed Iranian artists. In accepting the award, he paid tribute to his team in Iran, who remain under constant pressure. He emotionally declared:
"Allow me to spare a thought for all the members of my team who are not with me to celebrate this award. My cinematographer, a number of technicians, who are under a lot of pressure. My heart is with them above all".
He also expressed his solidarity with his people: and wished to "salute all those young women whose boundless courage made this film possible".
"My people live every day under a regime that has taken them hostage".
A filmmaker symbolizing courage and engagement
Since his debut with Gagooman (2002), Rasoulof has become known for his social and political criticism. Influenced by the renowned Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, he has always sought to reveal the intricacies of the Iranian system. His works, such as La Vie sur l'eau (2005) and Le Diable n'existe pas (2020), winner of the Golden Bear in Berlin, denounce corruption and oppression.
Despite the difficulties of making his voice heard, Rasoulof remains determined. He envisions a future where he can diversify his engagement, but for now, he continues to stand up against Iran's theocracy through his art. His presence at Cannes is not only a personal triumph, but also a powerful message of resistance.
Mohammad Rasoulof embodies the Iranian struggle for artistic and political freedom. His career and his work at the Cannes 2024 Festival are a reminder of the importance of militating for a future in which democracy and freedom will lead Iran, and more broadly, the Middle East.
Source :
Democracy for a new world
A new air is emerging in Turkey
Turkey is a country of over 85 million inhabitants at the junction of Europe and the Middle East, offering it a highly advantageous geo-strategic position. In this country ruled with an iron fist by Erdoğan, the 2024 municipal elections marked a major turning point in the political dynamic, revealing an opposition capable of achieving major victories in historically loyal strongholds to the ruling party. The Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition party, won victories notably in Istanbul (Erdoğan's stronghold) and Ankara, the country's two largest cities.
This election is a major setback for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in power for 10 years, and his party, the AKP (Islamo-conservative), which has dominated Turkish politics since 2002. The implications of these municipal results are profound, as in the next presidential elections, Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and Erdoğan's main opponent, could emerge as a serious contender. What's more, this regime change could profoundly alter Turkey's international relations, notably with the European Union and the United States, and the management of regional crises such as those in Syria, Armenia or Iraq.
In Iran, a breath of democracy on the embers of revolt
2400 km from Istanbul, in Teheran, the 2024 parliamentary elections took place against a very tense social scene. Indeed, the election saw an unsurprising victory for the conservatives. Nevertheless, the Iranian people largely boycotted the elections to demonstrate their deep anger at the current theocratic regime. The double election to elect 290 deputies and 88 members of the Assembly of Experts mobilized just 41% of voters. This was the lowest participation rate since the 1979 revolution!
Conservatives, supporting the government of President Ebrahim Raissi, remain heavily represented in Parliament. This domination is a sign that, despite internal crises, notably the protest movements triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, the regime continues to maintain an iron grip on Iranian politics and fiercely repress protest movements. This election could also have important implications for Iran's political future, particularly with regard to the Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader and preparing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's succession at the age of 84.
However, although the conservatives maintain control, the low participation and high number of blank votes are a direct expression of a questioning of the legitimacy of parliament and, by extension, of the regime itself! In Iran, under this regime, what counts is not so much the results of the votes as what they represent: a growing gap between the population and the rulers. So, at a time when the region is more unstable than ever, and Iran is multiplying its provocations and attacks, the Iranian people are undoubtedly one of the main ways out of the current regional crisis..
The United States has its destiny in its own hands
The American presidential elections in November 2024 are crucial for the future of democracy in the United States and for international stability, particularly in the Middle East. For several years now, the United States has been trying to increase its influence in the Middle East through military and trade agreements, while maintaining a historically close relationship with Israel. The forthcoming presidential elections will determine the impact that the policies of the world's leading economic and military power will have on this region.
In general, Biden favors multilateralism and international cooperation, and would like the United States to return to a more traditional approach to foreign policy by reducing direct military involvement in the region, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump, on the other hand, has a different vision. His "America First" policy has encouraged a withdrawal from international agreements and global organizations, such as the Vienna Accords. In addition, he has fostered strong relations with Israel, recognizing Jerusalem as its capital and promoting the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab countries, while adopting a tough stance against Iran.
2024 is and will be an unprecedented election year, marking a significant period of transition for global democracy. These elections, covering diverse geopolitical contexts from Turkey to Iran, and all the way to the United States, are not only a measure of the state of democracy in these countries, but also pivotal moments for international relations and stability in the Middle East.
Sources :
https://fr.statista.com/infographie/31636/carte-des-pays-avec-des-elections-nationales-en-2024/
https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/enjeux-internationaux/2024-lannee-de-tous-les-scrutins-2044449
Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi : the Emirates commit to religious tolerance and coexistence
The Abrahamic Family House: a religious and tourist complex financed by the Emirates
Since its inauguration in February 2023, Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island has been home to a curious 6,500 m2 complex. This is the Abrahamic Family House, designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye, whose work includes the Wall Street Tower in New York and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.
Built in the wake of the declaration on “human fraternity for world peace and living together” by Pope Francis and the Imam of Cairo's al-Azhar Islamic University, Ahmad al-Tayeb, visiting the Emirates on February 24, 2019, the site houses a mosque, a church and a synagogue, designed to accommodate the three faiths.
Each building bears the name of a historical figure linked to inter-religious dialogue and coexistence: Saint Francis of Assisi (whose heritage the pontiff claims), MosesBen Maimon (Maimonides) and Ahmad al-Tayeb. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order of preachers in 13th-century Italy, had been sent as ambassador to the Egyptian sultan Al-Kâmil in Damietta.
Maimonides, the Cordoban- born theologian and metaphysician who wrote the Mishné Torah code ofJewish law, enriched his philosophical development by reading the Muslim commentators on Aristotle.
Entirely financed by the Emirate, the cost of the project is being kept secret. Located not far from the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, it is part of the country's cultural and tourism development drive, launched in the 2010s and accelerated by the Abraham Accords.
Since their signing in August 2020, almost 500,000 Israeli tourists have visited the country, and an estimated 2,000 Jewish expatriates have joined the ranks of Abu Dhabi's 80% foreign population. Since its opening to the public, the Abrahamic Family House has become one of the Emirati capital's main tourist attractions.
A bold, reconciliatory architectural challenge
Built to the same height and volume to "erase hierarchical difference", according to the architect, the three buildings represent unity in diversity. Their design "draws on the commonalities between the three faiths, emphasizing similarities rather than differences".
While the style and materials used are resolutely modern (wood, limestone, concrete, bronze), they echo traditional codes in terms of geographical orientation, forms and religious symbols. Facing east with the rising sun, symbol of the Resurrection, the church of Saint Francis pays homage, through its minimalistand the extreme simplicity of its crucifix and furniture in oak or marble, to the pared-back simplicity advocated by the Saint of Assisi. Only the altar is inspired by that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, a bold nod to the Eternal City's heritage.
Looking towards Jerusalem, the Maimonides synagogue can accommodate both Ashkenazi and Sephardic worship. The Ark of the Covenant is represented by a bronze curtain, inspired as much by a succah as by a chuppah, while the façade's crossed columns also suggest a prayer tent.
Facing Mecca, the Ahmad al-Tayeb Mosque has no minaret, but features vaulted ceilings and columns, as well as numerous mashrabiya motifs, highly prized in Islamic architecture. Its façade is pierced by seven arches, a symbolic number in allthree monotheisms.
The three places of worship surround a garden that gives pride of place to air and water, "elements of the Creation". A research and archive center and a library also host events and symposiums. As its website explains, the Abrahamic Family House is dedicated to supporting and promoting "the rich history of interreligious exchanges", from a cultural, cultic and intellectual perspective.
An example for the recognition of religious minorities in the region ?
In a region where Islam is the majority religion (with the exception of Israel), freedomof worship is only openly recognized in the multi-faith state of Lebanon, the kingdom of Morocco or democracies such as the Hebrew State or Turkey. Islam as a religion and state legal system remains the norm and restricts freedom of religion or even prohibit other monotheisms.
In the Middle East, Judaism and Christianity do not enjoy the same status, depending on the political relationship with Israel or the Vatican. Religious minorities (virtually non-existent in some States) are therefore fighting for their survival, when they are not instrumentalized by the ruling authorities.
The socio-economic dynamics at work in the Gulf are the result of an awareness on thepart of its leaders: the end of the oil era calls for the deployment of a new economy focused on innovation and the need to speak a common language.
This is precisely the turning point that the United Arab Emirates have been observing for the past fifteen years, fully committed to a logic of virtuous cooperation, the benefits of which are not limited to the glittering buildings of Dubai. While Islam accounts for 75% of the population, only 10% are Emirati nationals.
A mosaic of diverse ethnicities, communities and minorities thus contribute to the country's dynamism. By normalizing its relations with Israel, the federation is deliberately embracing this horizon of peace and the possibility of writing a new narrative, which also involves recognizing the other descendants of Abraham and their respective contributions to pre-Islamic history.
The UAE Ministry of Tolerance, created in 2017, added Coexistence to its portfolio in 2020, to reinforce, among other things, the latter's supportive role infavor of economic growth. Unthinkable three decades ago, the Abrahamic Family House is tangible proof that coexistence continues to be written, built and lived in the Arab-Persian Peninsula.
Sources :
https://www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae/about-us
https://www.adjaye.com/work/the-abrahamic-family-house/
Further information :
https://www.abramundi.org/post/house-of-one
https://www.abramundi.org/post/preserving-jewish-heritage-in-morocco
https://www.abramundi.org/post/audacious-hope-for-human-fraternity
Sowing seeds of change : strengthening regional cooperation for Food Security and prosperity in MENA
UN agencies estimated that over 55 millions of its population of 456.7 million were undernourished. The challenges many nations in the region faced by offer us new chances for collaboration in order to achieve regional prosperity.
Main key Challenges underlying MENA's food Insecurity and opportunity
Here are some key points about MENA food security. First, the MENA region has limited freshwater resources and lies among the most water-scarce in the world. This shortage has a significant impact on agricultural productivity in the area, which requires a significant amount of water.
Second, the MENA region has limited arable land: it’s a major part of which has been degraded by soil erosion and desertification. The consequences is reduced agricultural productivity leading to an increased food insecurity.
Third, many MENA countries heavily rely on food imports to meet their population's needs. Therefore, they are vulnerable to fluctuations in foreign food prices, currency exchange rates, and hence trade disruptions.
The World Bank predicts that over the coming decades, the global food production will have to increase by 70 percent or more to meet demand. Innovation can play significant role to meet future needs. Israel's position as an agro-tech innovation, who develops cutting-edge solutions for food production in the face of climate change can play a major part in this regional challenge.
How Arab-Israeli Détente fosters new collaborative endeavors
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was entered into force in April last year, between the UAE and Israel, is expected to assist in increasing food security by supporting regional supply chain. According to Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign trade, “The UAE-Israel CEPA will help facilitate global supply chain efficiency, including for agriculture and food products, which would have an impact on food security.”
Morocco and Israel also signed an agricultural cooperation agreement in October 2023. "The declaration of intent on agricultural cooperation between Israel and Morocco is a significant step in our plan to expand Israel's and Morocco's international food security network," said Dichter, Israel Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development emphasising the importance of the collaboration.
At the same time, The N7 Initiative which comprise Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was formed with the goal of broadening and deepening regional integration between Israel and its Arab and Muslim neighbours.
The N7 Conference on Agriculture, Water, and Food Security—which was conducted in Abu Dhabi on March last year and convened professional industry and government experts from Israel and Arab states to produce actionable recommendations on regional agriculture, water and food security challenges and to deliver tangible benefits to their people.
They were joined by attendees from Indonesia, Tunisia and Burkina Faso, extending far beyond the MENA region, and also included Palestinian participation. The challenges of desert agriculture, water scarcity and food insecurity are problems that are common, and a critical to ensure all this countries’ future growth and prosperity.
The nexus between Food Security and regional prosperity
The potential to promote food security in the region extends far beyond dietary needs. There is a significant link between food security and prosperity. Food security not only helps to combat hunger, but it can also boost economic rowth, educational attainment, and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
First and foremost, food security is critical to regional and national economic growth. People who have access to adequate and nutritious food are healthier and more productive, which can boost economic activity and growth. Therefore, improving health outcomes requires addressing issues related to food security.
Third, there is a strong correlation between food security and education, especially for young people. Hunger and malnutrition can hinder academic achievement and cognitive development.
According to a recent study, persistent and severe food insecurity was associated with lower test scores and fewer years of education.
Navigating future trajectories
As tensions rise in the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Middle East's already fragile political landscape becomes even more unstable, exacerbating humanitarian crises and endangering millions of lives. In times of conflict and uncertainty, the value of strong food security cooperation is highlighted.
Addressing the pressing issue of food security is not only a humanitarian imperative, but also a necessary step towards long-term development and peace in the region. In the midst of turmoil, stakeholders both on the government and the business sector can plant the seeds, and plan a better future in the Middle East by focusing on food security cooperation.
The UAE, as a pioneer in advanced technology adoption, and Israel, as a major hub for AgriFood Technology development, have the potential to play critical leadership roles in driving positive change in the MENA region.
Sources :
Argaw, Thomas Lemma, et al. (2023) "Children’s educaConal outcomes and persistence and severity of household food insecurity in India: Longitudinal evidence from Young Lives." The Journal of NutriCon 153.4 (2023).
Fernandes, M., & Samputra, P. L. (2022). “Exploring linkages between food security and economic growth: a SystemaCc mapping literature review.” Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences 16: 206-218.
The World Bank. (2023). Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Joyce, Tom. (2023, September 6). “UAE says deal with Israel good for food security.” Eurofruit.
Kalifungwa, Lennox. (2023, October 2).” Israeli and Moroccan ministers sign agreement to boost agricultural cooperaCon.” Zenger News.
Holleis, Jennifer. (2024, January 31). “Israelis, PalesCnians, and Arabs join forces to tackle climate change.” DW News.
New models of economy: UAE ambitious actions towards green hydrogen economy
The UAE is increasingly focusing on hydrogen in its energy transition strategy. This shift positions the country as a potential leader in hydrogen storage, production and transportation, leveraging the role of sustainable energy solutions in combating climate change.
In an era where sustainable energy solutions are becoming priority, the UAE emerges as a pioneering force in spearheading the transition towards a green hydrogen economy. With a strategic vision centred on diversifying its economy, the UAE recognized the value of green hydrogen in helping her achieving its long-term objectives.
National Hydrogen Strategy
The UAE's vision is to be one of the world's leading producers of low-carbon hydrogen, continuing its pioneering efforts to drive the global energy transition and foster environmental stewardship while supporting a prosperous future for the country and its residents. It focuses on low-carbon hydrogen production and demand generation to decarbonise industries such as heavy industry, long-haul transportation, aviation, and shipping, demonstrating the government's commitment to meeting its carbon emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement.
The country's large natural gas reserves, together with its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, enable the development of low-carbon hydrogen generation technologies. Overall, Low-carbon hydrogen will provide an economic opportunity for the UAE to maintain its position as a strategic energy producer, exporter, and global energy market leader.
The UAE has launched ambitious steps outlined in the The National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 which strive to support low-carbon local industries, diversify its economy and enhance the UAE’s position as one of the largest producers of hydrogen by 2031.
The strategy focuses on enablers such as Global Collaboration, Policy and Regulation and Enabling Infrastructure that the UAE will take to accelerate the growth of the hydrogen economy and reduce emissions in highly emission-intensive sectors. The UAE's dedication to green hydrogen transition is reflected in ground-breaking efforts that aim to position the country as a global leader in developing enabling infrastructure for new economic and energy models.
Dubai's First Green Hydrogen Plant
In May 2021, Dubai has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant, a $14 million US project located in Expo City Dubai. The project, a public-private partnership between (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) DEWA, and Siemens Germany, covers 10,000m2 and is the first solar-driven green hydrogen producing facility in the MENA region.
The plant can produce 20 kg of hydrogen per hour and is expected to meet DEWA's energy storage capacity by 2030. Further applications and test platforms for hydrogen use in industrial and mobility applications can also be housed at the plant.
2GW Green Hydrogen to Ammonia Project
The second large-scale project is the Green Hydrogen to Ammonia project by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) and Abu Dhabi which aim to develop an industrial-scale green hydrogen-to-ammonia project in Abu Dhabi. The project seeks to convert green hydrogen into liquid ammonia for ships using ammonia as bunker fuel and export ammonia via specialized gas carriers from Abu Dhabi Ports.
The ammonia production plant will have a direct pipeline to the Khalifa Port, allowing large volumes of ammonia to be delivered directly to the port. This industrial-sized project aims to transform the Khalifa Port into a major hub for green ammonia exports to international markets.
The growing demand for export
The worldwide low carbon hydrogen export market is expected to reach 200 million tonnes per year by 2050, worth $300 billion yearly with countries with plenty of resources and well-developed infrastructure leading the industry. The UAE, with its low renewable energy costs, is a major player in this sector.
This low-cost renewable energy will improve low-carbon hydrogen export possibilities as well as the competitiveness of hydrogen-containing products such as green steel and green ammonia. The UAE's superior infrastructure, existing export facilities, ports, and geographical location will position it as a major worldwide player in this area. Until 2031, exports will include chemicals and industrial products including ammonia, synthetic fuels, and green steel.
With the enormous opportunities provided by the transition to green hydrogen, the UAE can serve as a model for other MENA and global countries looking to accelerate their green transition, as the transition to green hydrogen not only promises to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, but it also opens up new avenues for economic growth, job creation, and technological innovation.
Sources :
Jacob Benoy P. “UAE Leads a Wave of Hydrogen Fuel Projects in the GCC.”
National Hydrogen Strategy report. UAE Government Portal. 2024.
Strategy&. The dawn of green hydrogen. 2020.
TAQA Group and Abu Dhabi Ports Planning 2 GW Green Hydrogen to Ammonia Project. 2021.
From oil-based to knowledge-based economy: Bahrain emergence as a financial innovation hub
Last week, the Crown Prince of Bahrain bin Salman met with Bahraini entrepreneurs and winners from the Startup Bahrain Pitch series, which was organised by StartUp Bahrain, the premier platform for startups in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bin Salman underscored the significance of endorsing innovation and entrepreneurship in Bahrain. He emphasised the private sector as a major engine of economic growth and advances Bahrain's comprehensive development process.
In recent years, Bahrain has made outstanding progress in recent to become the Middle East's leading financial innovation hub. Leveraging its strategic location in the Persian Gulf for international trade, the tiny island nation has started a transformative journey, moving from oil-based to knowledge-based economy. Bahrain is a strategically important location because a large portion of the petroleum in the West must transit before it can reach the open ocean.
Bahrain has gradually emerged in its position as the financial hub of the Middle East for over three decades.
The biggest non-oil sector contributor to Bahrain's real GDP is the financial sector. With over 67% of the workforce consisting of nearly 14,000 Bahrainis, the financial sector is also the country's largest employer. This emergence as an innovation hub, especially in the financial sector underscores Bahrain's commitment to diversifying its economy beyond traditional sectors such as oil and gas, and positioning itself as a regional leader in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century.
The Fintech Bay
Bahrain's FinTech Bay was launched in 2018 and it is the Middle East's largest financial technology centre and one of Bahrain most important initiatives, focusing on investing in innovation through advanced laboratories, business accelerators, and educational programmes. According to a press release from the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the hub aims to accelerate the development of fintech firms and facilitate communication among investors, entrepreneurs, government bodies, and financial institutions. Bahrain's commitment to fostering innovation goes beyond its borders, as evidenced by initiatives to attract international talent and investment.
Aion Digital
Aion Digital is one of the GCC's most promising FinTech startups. Launched in 2017, Aion is a fully mobile platform for building secure digital banks. "Aion's mission is to enable existing banks in the GCC to go digital with certainty," stated Ashar Nazim, Group CEO. Aion provides banks with a quick and inexpensive digital launch. It was specially designed with the GCC's business and regulatory environment in mind. By using Aion, Banks can increase their customer base beyond their traditional clientele while saving up to 80% on acquisition costs. Last year, Aion Digital has raised $5 million in a bridge funding round by Fintactics Ventures, a fintech-focused Venture Builder.
Bahrain's beneficial regulatory environment is one of the main forces behind the country's rise to prominence as an innovation hub. To encourage entrepreneurship and draw in foreign investment, the government has promoted a number of initiatives. The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Bahrain has played a pivotal role in promoting an innovative culture and enabling the formation of startups. The implementation of regulatory sandboxes, which offer a regulated setting for businesses to test novel goods and services, has had a particularly significant effect. This programme speeds up innovation by enabling startups to test new concepts without being hindered by onerous regulatory requirements.
Fintech startups operating in Bahrain have received significant backing from the government. In Bahrain, there are currently about eight investment entities that are making fintech investments. Only 25% of local and regional investors surveyed by BFB had an active fintech-only fund, despite the fact that investors have a 100% focus on the fintech sector. But one of the main reasons fintech became an investor's top priority was that it was thought to be the fastest-growing industry in terms of local, regional, and international funding activities.
Going forward, Bahrain is expected to make significant progress in its transformation into a worldwide centre of innovation. The nation's future as a knowledge-driven economy is bright thanks to the government's unwavering dedication to supporting entrepreneurship and its wise investments in infrastructure and human capital. Through leveraging innovation, Bahrain is not only revolutionising its own economy but also influencing the future of the Middle East region in general. Bahrain's success is a source of inspiration for other countries in the region, as the small island nation exemplifies what can be accomplished with visionary leadership, strategic planning, and a never-ending quest for innovation.
Sources :
Bahrain Economic Development Board (BEDB). “Bahrain, An Established Financial Services Sector.”
Bahrain Association of Banks. “Banking in Bahrain.”
Zawya. 2019. “Waqfe Unveils Next Generation Banking Platform Called Aion Digital.”
Bahrain FinTech Bay. FinTech Ecosystem Report.
Sport in the Middle East: from an expression of identity to a vector for normalizing relations
Gili Lustig, Director General of the Olympic Committee, called Freilich's victory "an impressive achievement in an Olympic-level tournament" and that
"winning in Qatar and raising the Israeli flag at moments like these, on this unique stage, is Israeli pride at its best".
So why is winning a top-level sporting event so important for Israel and the countries of the Middle East?
One of the first answers lies in a historical perspective. In this region of the world, which lives to the rhythm of conflict, sport has established itself as a means of affirming heritage and identity. In this article, we offer an overview of how, over the years, sport has become a powerful means of expressing people's identity and, by extension, a means of reconciling them.
Sports heritage and identity-building through sport
Sport in the Middle East is not just a leisure activity. It is first and foremost a cultural heritage, woven into the complex fabric of a country's history.
This dimension transcends the simple acts of victory and defeat to become an essential pillar in the construction of a country's identity.
Thus, this cultural heritage is infused with deep symbolism and purpose, reflecting a nation's aspirations, challenges and triumphs.
This construction of identity, by regenerating and reviving the self-image of different communities, whether Jewish or Muslim, enables them to affirm themselves as a people. For many years, sport has enabled Middle Eastern communities to publicly express their deepest feelings, particularly in difficult contexts. It is for this reason that sport acts as a powerful catalyst for national identities.
One example is the Arab-Palestinian sports movement of the 1940s, which was integrated into the Arab nationalist movement, perfectly illustrating how sport became a means of defending a collective identity.
Sports teams were named after Muslim and Arab military commanders, reinforcing the nationalist dimension of the movement.
Another example: when the State of Israel had just been created and the region was ablaze, tension was at its height and nationalist demands were exacerbated. However, the will of countries is not only reduced to direct armed conflict, but also to initiatives that showcase their country's rich culture, for example through sport.
On the Israeli side, this is reflected in the names of Zionist sports clubs, with references to mythical heroes such as Judas Maccabaeus, Samson and Bar-Kokhba.
Thus, sport in the Middle East illustrates a deep desire to reconnect with fundamental values and heritage.
At this point, the question arises as to whether the expression of this heritage and identity can overcome ideological differences in favor of unity. To understand this, we propose to highlight a concrete example in which sport has shown that conflict can lead to peaceful coexistence.
Normalizing relations is a step-by-step process
Since 2016, Iran has had no relations with Saudi Arabia. And yet, understanding between these two Middle Eastern heavyweights is essential to achieving stability in the region. In 2023, to everyone's surprise, the two countries decided to renew their dialogue: through soccer !
Signed under the Chinese aegis, the agreement provides for the resumption of matches between the clubs and national teams of the two countries, confirming more than 7 years of conflict.
Saudi Arabia, ambitious to become a world footballing power, has invested over a billion dollars to attract international stars.
This sports rapprochement is presented as a key element in the gradual normalization between the two Middle Eastern nations, offering a symbolic window to peace.
Soccer is now seen as a powerful soft power tool, aligned with the respective visions of the two countries. So, while concrete progress and a full resolution of the differences are still to come, the first step was taken with the reopening of diplomatic representations in September, symbolized by the simultaneous arrival of new ambassadors in both capitals.
In conclusion, sport in the Middle East has a special dimension. Not only does it help to forge collective identities, reflecting past experiences, but it also gives concrete expression to shared aspirations for peaceful coexistence.
Source :
- https://fr.timesofisrael.com/a-doha-lescrimeur-israelien-remporte-lor-et-est-en-route-pour-les-jo-de-paris/
- https://www.cairn.info/revue-materiaux-pour-l-histoire-de-notre-temps-2012-2-page-47.htm?ref=doi#s1n2
- https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/09/11/en-iran-et-en-arabie-saoudite-le-football-a-l-heure-de-la-detente-diplomatique_6188803_3210.html
- https://www.francetvinfo.fr/sports/hockey-sur-glace/guerre-entre-israel-et-le-hamas-le-sport-ne-doit-rien-avoir-a-faire-avec-la-politique-plaident-des-athletes-israeliens_6319443.html
- https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/cristiano-ronaldo/football-cristiano-ronaldo-accueilli-en-star-a-teheran-avant-un-match-avec-al-nassr-a8a27f5a-5621-11ee-8f6c-0944d4762ec9#:~:text=%C2%AB%20Welcome%20Ronaldo%20!%20%C2%BB%20Les%20Iraniens,Iran%20et%20l%27Arabie%20saoudite.
At the origins of dialogue between East and West: the invention of the alphabet
Aleph, alpha, aliph
Birth and migrations of writing
While archaeologists and historians date the birth of writing to the 4th millennium and place it in Mesopotamia (Iraq), it was in the 2nd millennium that the code for graphically distinguishing between the various ancient languages first appeared. The many archaeological and epigraphic remains found from the Fertile Crescent to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean bear witness to particularly dynamic migrations.
A veritable revolution in the history of mankind, the alphabet reflects the peoples of Antiquity: it was migratory because invented by traders. The Sumerian cuneiform alphabet was used to engrave accounts, transactions, inventories and property deeds in clay or stone. Its gradual evolution into a conceptual system, where the letter corresponds to a word, emerged in the region of present-day Lebanon: Phoenicia, but also in Palestine and on the Syrian coast.
A civilization of merchants and sailors, the Phoenicians reigned supreme over the Mediterranean and the Aegean, where they established trading posts. Inscriptions on ceramic fragments and funerary stelae attest to their presence as far afield as Sinai, with borrowings from Egyptian hieroglyphs.
It was also through their contact that the Greeks appropriated the alphabet and developed their own. Composed of twenty-two letters, the paleo-Semitic Phoenician alphabet is thus the matrix of all others, ancient and modern. Through Aramaic, it directly spawned Hebrew script in the 6th century BC (whose square letters attest to Babylonian influences and were used to write the Torah), then Arabic in the 6th century AD, in parallel with the writing of the Koran.
"Alpha-beth": from letters dialogue to cultures dialogue
It is through circulation of people, of languages, cults, and knowledge that civilizations open to other visions of the world.
In Egyptian, Phoenician and later Hebrew, the pronunciation and spelling of certain signs corresponded to the designated objects. For example, the letter a ("aleph") symbolizes and designates a head and then the horns of an ox; the b ("beth"), means "house"; the consonant "ain", common to Hebrew and Arabic, means "eye". They also have a numerical value (numbers were not invented by the Arabs until the 9th century) and, by extension, a mystical or philosophical value. In this way, the letter encounters thought.
This itinerary is reflected in the word "alphabet" itself, composed of the first and second Phoenician and Hebrew letters ("aleph" and "beth"). Barely transformed by ancient Greek into "alpha" and "betha", we find them again later, in Arabic, with "aliph" and "bha". The modern Latin alphabet, which derived from Greek, also adopted them. In other words, the alphabet's naming and transcription allow for linguistic and cultural re-appropriation and innovation.
In its wake, Jewish thought became Hellenized in Alexandria (some biblical books were even written in Greek, which became the universal language in the Mediterranean), and in medieval times, Western Europe gained access to ancient philosophy, thanks to translations by Islamic scholars. In both cases, transfers and mediations took place: from Hebrew to Greek and from Greek to Latin via Arabic.
From time immemorial, the alphabet and its numerous variations have written an inspiring and fertile tale of relations between East and West. And it invites us, even more so today, to cultivate the art of conversation and exchange.
Read more :
ATTALI Jacques, SALFATI Pierre-Henry, Athènes, Jérusalem, Le Destin de l’Occident, Fayard, 2016
Sources :
La révolution de l'alphabet | lhistoire.fr
L'hébreu : une langue sémitique et son histoire
Les langues sémitiques | unige.ch
QUE_SAVONS_NOUS_DES_LANGUES_SEMITIQUES.pdf
INSTADEEP : The Tunisian start-up deepening the potential of AI
How to provide greater clarity and increase the ability to predict market trends in key sectors such as mobility, energy and logistics ?
This is precisely the issue on which InstaDeep has focused its efforts and proposed its vision. By adopting a methodology based on intelligent processing algorithms, this Tunisian company, regularly featured in CB Insight's ranking of the world's 100 most promising private AI companies, is committed on a daily basis to optimizing its customers' decisions. With remarkable expertise at the intersection of AI research and real-world commercial deployments, InstaDeep gives its partners an undeniable competitive edge in a landscape where AI is taking center stage. It's our turn to take a closer look at this extraordinary company.
When a startup seizes on innovation to revolutionize medicine
Founded in 2014 by Karim Béguin and his collaborator Zohra Slim, InstaDeep has charted a remarkable course. In 2019, the start-up raises around $7 million in a first round of Series A funding. Three years later, it succeeded in raising $100 million in capital, marking a significant milestone in its expansion. From the outset, the Tunisian start-up decided to assign each of its teams of engineers to a particular sector, so as to cover all possible industries, including healthcare.
With the aim of democratizing the field of medicine for its customers, InstaDeep offers them a unique immersive experience. Via the DeepChain platform, InstaDeep users are invited to explore their own protein sequences using A.I. language models trained on billions of amino acids.
Combining a focused segment approach with innovative artificial intelligence solutions, InstaDeep's visionary strategy has not only provided its customers with access to advanced education, but has also propelled the company to the forefront of the fight against global health challenges. During the Covid-19 pandemic, InstaDeep claimed the ability to identify 90% of the variants monitored by the World Health Organization.
InstaDeep continues to expand internationally
With a view to the future, InstaDeep is entering new sectors and broadening its geographical scope. Deutsche Bahn, for example, credits InstaDeep with the successful automation of German rail routing. In keeping with the same dynamic of international openness, InstaDeep continues to expand its network of partners. In 2022, the start-up was acquired by the German immunotherapy company BioNTech, and further strengthened through partner programs with major AI players, namely the giants Google Cloud and DeepMind. In fact, Tunis' privileged geographical proximity to the European market, which accounts for 64% of its exports, is a major asset, both for InstaDeep and the Tunisian entrepreneurial environment more generally.
Tunisia: a rising technological hub ?
The steady number of newly-registered companies since 2019, now at an average of 0.02 thousand, testifies to the long-term economic potential of Tunisia, which is also beginning to forge a growing reputation in the artificial intelligence sphere. Already positioned 93rd in Oxford Insights' Government AI Readiness Index, to be published in December 2022, the country of Jasmine has made significant progress in its readiness to embrace new technologies.
This rise in AI readiness has important repercussions for the rest of the African continent. Rwanda is now following Tunisia's lead in developing new machine learning models to regulate climate disruption. With the aim of stimulating this propensity for innovation, InstaDeep has specifically chosen Kigali to establish a new office. Beyond the simple quest for dematerialization of services, InstaDeep and its home country are taking concrete action in the material world by deepening development opportunities.
Sources :
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347290/funding-value-raised-by-instadeep-by-round/
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1156432/new-business-registration-forecast-in-tunisia
https://www.instadeep.com/2022/08/instadeep-joins-the-google-cloud-partner-advantage-programme/
Picture credits : https://www.euractiv.fr/section/economie/news/le-boom-des-start-up-de-sante-numerique-pendant-la-pandemie/
The art of rebellion
In Tehran, creativity has become the ultimate tool for resisting the Mullahs
The battered streets of Tehran are now bathed in new colors. In their wake, demonstrators have transformed the capital, covering its walls with graffiti, sketching female portraits or inscribing the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom". Hymns of hope and subversive songs followed the cries of despair of the protesters, several hundred of whom were shot dead during the uprisings. Today, although the riots have lost some of their intensity, the protests continue in an unprecedented form. In Iran's metropolises and medium-sized towns, resistance is expressed through insurgent guitars and rebellious pencils, illuminating the Persian shadows of this struggle for dignity.
Graphic Arts : paintbrushes versus batons
As the cradle of Persian miniature art, it's hardly surprising that in Iran, the battle is fought with brushes. The first Iranian caricatures appeared in the early 20th century. They first illustrated regional periodicals such as the Azerbaijani weekly Mulla Nasruddîn, before spreading to local satirical magazines such as Gol Agha and Tavana (closed in 2001). Even in the midst of the revolution, cartoonists did not put down their pencils. In 1990, Iranian cartoonist Nick Ahang Kowsar did not hesitate to depict Ayatollah Mohammad Taghi Mesbah-Yazdi as a crocodile with sharp fangs.
In 2024, the graphic arts are no longer simply the emblem of resistance through humor. They now serve as a collective memory for all the victims of the Mullahs' repression. On the other side of the Atlantic, murals paying tribute to Iranian women now adorn the facades of American buildings. At 7753 Melrose Avenue, Iranian-American artist Cloe Hakakian has created a mural of Mahsa Amini. Proud and serene, the face of this 22-year-old Iranian Kurd is bathed in light, while the colors of the Iranian flag float in her hair.
At a time when the virtual world seems to be gradually supplanting the real world, social networks are playing an essential role in the visibility of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. The @Iranianwomengraphicdesign Instagram account is brimming with committed illustrations, including numerous sketches of emancipated women or of Mahsa Amini and Armita Garavand, yesterday beaten by the morality police, today icons of revolt. @Iranianwomengraphicdesign already has over thirty-eight thousand subscribers and deserves even more!
Movies: a bulwark against oppression
Another instrument of protest, scenic representation is an extension of graphic representation: a man dressed in black sits on the steps of a staircase. Beside him stands a woman with her hair uncovered, her eyes riveted to the camera. They are soon joined by other ghostly-looking actors. All stand motionless and unmoving at the front of the stage. Published on instagram, the latest performance by playwright Hamid Pourazari and actress Sohleila Golestani is striking for its political commitment. Pourazari writes in the caption to his post: "The show ends. Reality reveals itself. Our real heroes are anonymous people. We don't erase our mistakes. We try again and we learn. The paths are many and the hope for a new day is immense. Woman, life, freedom."
Since 1979, cinema has been a restricted art form. In 2010, emblematic filmmaker Jafar Panahi was sentenced and placed under house arrest on the grounds of "propaganda against the regime". Despite this straitjacket, Iranian filmmakers manage to bend the limits to express their demands. Bahman Ghobadi is the figurehead of this position. In his film, “No One Knows About Persian Cats”, the director portrays Iran's underground youth and their love of rock music, which is banned in the country.
Music : keys of the guitar will free the forbidden
All non-folk music imported from the West is considered subversive. In fact, no woman is allowed to sing in English. But is the country really closed to pop-rock culture ? In a country where the crazy rhythms of artists such as Googoosh and Dariush are part of the heritage, rebellion is made of music. In 2021, Barayé, the song by Shervin Hajipour. This hymn to protest has been covered by Coldplay, Marjane Satrapi and Benjamin Biolay. Remixed by Iranian DJ Sonami, Barayé is described as a way of protesting and demanding freedom and happiness.
At the end of December 2023, a 70-year-old fishmonger enters the dance. His frenzied choreography in a small market in Racht, northern Iran, went viral. Although it is forbidden to dance in public, the video shows the old man clapping his hands and encouraging passers-by to join in. With over 500,000 likes on his Instagram account, "Uncle Sadegh", as he is nicknamed, never expected to reap such success. These acts of creation, though perceived as acts of transgression, are acts of courage, will and determination. In his Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie points out that, in the process of creating, the artist takes risks, thus demonstrating his heroism.
Sources :
Marjane Satrapi (2023), Woman life freedom, Iconoclaste
https://books.openedition.org/pur/102864?lang=fr
Sources images :
https://www.instagram.com/iranianwomenofgraphicdesign/
Los Angeles: mural of Mahsa Amini by artist Cloe Hakakian (Spectrum News/Anna Albaryan)
Morocco: Africa's new industrial base and an indispensable partner for Europe
Morocco aims high and goes far
Morocco dreams of becoming the industrial base of the old continent, which is doing everything it can to free itself from the influence of the powerful China. That being said, European countries are also looking to reduce logistics distances, cut costs and minimize their carbon footprint. Moreover, even if labor costs remain higher in Morocco than in China, they are far more advantageous than within Europe itself.
Moroccan economist Najib Akesbi confirms this:
"We have to be clear: Europe cannot relocate everything. But relocation to the Europe-Mediterranean region would be a good compromise between the low costs of remoteness and the very high costs of proximity”.
Morocco is well aware of its many strengths, and for several years now has been implementing a strategy that has enabled it to achieve numerous successes in the automobile and aeronautics industries. This strategy is based on several axes, including diplomacy, which has led to the ratification of some sixty free-trade agreements, notably with Europe and the United States. These successes have enabled Morocco to become a key industrial player. For example, during the COVID-19 crisis, Morocco impressed the world with its efficient crisis management. The country managed to avoid mask shortages by converting its industrial sites to mask production. In addition, at the cutting edge of aeronautics, Morocco has used the skills of its engineers in the medical field to manufacture a number of high-tech respirators.
The question is how, in just a few years, Morocco has managed to industrialize and become a world leader in the aeronautics sector.
An investment in talent training
In the heart of Morocco, in Casablanca, the Institut of aeronautics professions (IMA) stands as a bastion of excellence for Moroccan youth in the field of aeronautics. Indeed, Morocco's recent strategic ambitions have accelerated the development of aeronautical training. At the IMA Institute, aeronautics training has grown significantly. In less than a decade, the number of students enrolled has risen by more than 30%, offering a gateway to working life for young graduates. In addition, investment in state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment at the IMA has created an environment favorable to learning and research.
As the birthplace of numerous research and innovation projects, Morocco has seen notable advances in fields such as the design of intelligent drones, aircraft... These achievements have enabled the country to position itself as a leading player in aeronautical research and development. These cutting-edge advances have also led to partnerships with world-renowned aerospace companies such as Boeing and Safran, positioning Morocco as a major industrial hub.
A partnership with Safran that turns ambitions into reality
The partnership with Safran has been central to Morocco's success story. One of the crucial elements of this cooperation has been Safran's massive investment in Morocco's infrastructure, which has considerably boosted the country's production capacity and enabled an accelerated modernization of the Moroccan aerospace industry. As a result, ultra-modern production centers equipped with the latest technological advances have come into being.
The partnership with Safran has also enabled technology transfer. Indeed, the company has shared some of its technological know-how with Moroccan engineers, which is essential for industrialization, to foster the development of a highly qualified workforce. Training programs have been set up, enabling Moroccan engineers to acquire cutting-edge expertise in the design, production and maintenance of aeronautical equipment.
From dreams to reality: that's what Morocco is all about. Today, more than 120 companies in the sector operate in Morocco, compared to less than 5 in the early 2000s. The economic benefits of this excellence have boosted Morocco's GDP by over 5% and created 15,000 direct jobs.
Sources :
https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2017/11/03/au-maroc-l-aeronautique-joue-les-eleves-modeles_5209610_3234.html#
https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2019/10/24/moins-d-impots-plus-de-boulots-au-maroc-la-strategie-des-zones-franches_6016812_3212.html
https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2023/12/11/dans-le-sillage-de-safran-le-maroc-s-invite-dans-la-cour-des-grands-de-l-aeronautique_6205164_3234.html
Between singularity and resilience, design is reinvesting Beirut
Beirut, cradle of unique design
Among the region's metropolises, Beirut is undoubtedly one of the most renowned for its creative effervescence, due to its mix of cultures and openness to the world. While the tradition of design can be traced back to the French presence in Beirut until the mid-20th century and the subsequent Westernization of the city, the various crises that followed were milestones in the emergence of design as a discipline per se.
When the capital had to be rebuilt after the civil war, urban development was favorable to investors and designers. Despite the absence of any established planning, gentrification and the renovation of certain neighborhoods eventually established the industry in the heart of Beirut, notably near the port in the Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhaël districts, fostering the emergence of a micro-economy that would not exist without the diaspora.
Boutiques studios, agencies, exhibition centers such as the Beirut Art Center (BAC) or Galerie Carwan, as well as local contemporary art fairs (Beirut Art Design Fair)... a whole ecosystem is able to survive thanks to private funding, often from abroad, patronage and partnerships with Western institutions and museums. By opening its doors last May, the Ecole supérieure d'architecture du Liban, attached to the country's oldest university, intends to train the designers of tomorrow.
Two decades of international success
Since the early 2000s, Lebanese design has been exported to bypass the constraints of the local market, and has succeeded in imposing its distinctive mosaic identity, first in the Gulf cities (led by Dubai), then worldwide. Boasting a generation of designers who have passed through London, Paris and New York and who have mostly returned to the country, it is exhibited at benchmark fairs such as Art Basel Miami, Paris and Milan Design Week, among many others.
A pioneer of contemporary design in Lebanon, Nada Debs embodies this mix in her own way, both creatively and personally. Born in Japan, trained in architecture in the USA before settling in the UK, she is credited with fusing Asian minimalism with Arab geometry, industrial with artisanal, concrete with solid olive.
While her aim is to give "a form of pride back to the inhabitants of Arab countries, through the furniture and utensils they use every day",
thanks in particular to her special Ramadan collaboration with Ikea in 2021 or her collection of prayer rugs woven by Afghan women, she is also concerned with keeping alive a whole decorative heritage, prized by the greatest houses, such as Chanel or Bulgari.
This pride in "Made in Lebanon" design has been passed on to the second generation, who are ensuring that this distinctive identity continues. Carlo and Mary-Lynn Massoud, the david/nicola duo formed by David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussalem, Marc Dibeh, Nathalie Kayat, Karen Chekerdjian...all names whose reputation now extends beyond the borders of the Land of the Cedars.
Solidarity and resilience in the face of crisis
More than any other, this sector is committed to embodying resilience, carrying a message of solidarity loud and clear. Political crisis, pandemic, port explosion, economic and financial bankrupt: for the past four years, the country has been on the brink of collapse.
Rather than opting for despair, at a time when many workshops and studios were blown up by the explosion of August 4, 2020, the industry is rebuilding itself by continuing to highlight local strengths and bring out new talent, driven by this vision of regeneration that is as much material as it is social and spiritual. An aesthetic of stigma has even emerged: by preserving flayed objects and scars in the walls, it seeks to transcend the trauma.
Rumi Dalle, an up-and-coming artist, explains: the current context forced her to connect with the craftspeople in her neighborhood, the ones most affected by the confinements, and especially women. Her textile works, using techniques that are sometimes centuries old, also tell her story: that of a little girl born in the aftermath of the civil war, whose experiments with almost nothing have led her to question the relationship between creativity and sustainability.
Cherine Magrabi Tayeb, founder of the NGO House of Today, which has been supporting Lebanese craftsmen and architects for the past ten years, acknowledges that successive crises have not undermined the dynamism and inspiration of designers, but rather encouraged their rise to prominence.
Is Lebanese design a phoenix rising from the ashes? Drawing its strength from the light of the Mediterranean, the hustle and bustle of Beirut and the majestic calm of Mount Lebanon, Lebanese design has yet to reveal all the facets of its abundant identity.
Sources :
Ces designers qui font rebattre le cœur du Liban | AD Magazine
Beyrouth. Les temps du design au mudac - NOW Village
Le retour du design au Beirut Art Center - L'Orient-Le Jour (lorientlejour.com)
Technological emergence in the heart of the Middle East: A story of progress and innovation
The Middle East's high-tech boom is still relatively recent. History rightly shows that the region has deep economic ties with the West, which in some ways have influenced the shape of the region's economic and technological environment. Over the past two decades, however, the situation has changed.
The Middle Eastern countries' growing desire for sovereignty, both geopolitically and technologically, is enabling the region to distance itself from this Western influence and to build itself as an independent technological power.
The question is: what are the characteristics of this new technological landscape in the Middle East, and what direction is it taking?
A Middle East that has become a master of virtual war
This part of the world has never been so aware of the many talents that inhabit its lands. Entrepreneurs, engineers and ingenious people have all contributed their brainpower and determination to shaping the new Middle East.
To achieve this, the region has had to rely on its own human and intellectual resources, particularly in the light of the numerous cyber-attacks. This type of cyber conflict has become commonplace in the Middle East due to the region's specific geopolitical challenges.
Countries have had to use all their strengths not only to defend themselves, but also to achieve geopolitical objectives without having to use traditional military methods. The challenge is therefore huge.
This cyberwar, invisible to our eyes, is implacably brutal. Nevertheless, it has enabled the countries of the region to be at the cutting edge of technology, to gain competitive advantages and give rise to innovative technological start-ups. Sovereignty is at stake !
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, leaders of the new Middle East technology landscape
The Middle East's technological landscape has also been shaped by numerous investments and funding programs. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, technological leaders in the region, have for many years been multiplying initiatives to consolidate a technological ecosystem in their countries. In 50 years, these countries have moved from camels to the production of some of the most advanced innovative technologies on the planet.
In a very short space of time, these two countries have succeeded in creating infrastructures enabling the sovereign exploitation of oil, industrialization and the complete digitization of their nations. All the ingredients have been brought together to create new start-up nations. Saudi Arabia, for example, launched its vision 2030 plan in 2016, aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on oil.
This plan includes numerous projects linked to technology and innovation, such as the development of special economic zones and research and development centers. One such project is NEOM, a futuristic city and special economic zone in north-west Saudi Arabia, designed to make full use of cutting-edge technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence, renewable energies and automation. The United Arab Emirates are not to be left behind.
The Dubai 10X plan aims to position the city as a world leader in innovation. Another example is Smart Dubai, making Dubai a smart, connected and sustainable city.
Expanding the Technological Horizon in the Middle East beyond Saudi Arabia and the UAE
audi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are not alone in the region in shaping the technological landscape. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar have also led the way with investments in digital infrastructure, 5G and the cloud.
Thus, the Gulf countries have consolidated their position as world leaders in digital transformation. Nevertheless, digital dynamics in the region vary significantly between the Gulf countries mentioned above and those of the Levant, such as Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.
This technological lag means that these disparities must be overcome if we are to remain competitive on a regional and international scale. As a result, and despite the economic difficulties, numerous entrepreneurial initiatives are emerging to nurture talent and shape the technological landscape.
For example, BADEEL, the new pre-incubator of Beirut's Centre d'Employabilité Francophone (CEF), aims to support student-entrepreneurs from Beirut's universities.
So, as we have explained, technological transformation has taken place through a number of channels. This has given rise to new technological industries in areas where the Gulf countries have become leaders. One of the most promising of these is healthcare.
The Covid-19 crisis has acted as a positive catalyst for the rapid adoption of digital healthcare solutions in the Middle East. A more than promising trend has emerged, with the market forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% between 2021 and 2030. By 2025, this digital healthcare market is expected to reach an estimated value of $11 billion.
This rapid transformation has seen the emergence of numerous technology startups offering, for example, telemedicine platforms and mental health applications. Other industries such as deeptech, robotics and synthetic biology are also flourishing, and are the fruits of numerous political and technological transformations.
Sources :
https://www.mei.edu/publications/middle-east-era-great-tech-competition
https://www.auf.org/nouvelles/actualites/badeel-le-nouveau-pre-incubateur-du-cef-de-beyrouth/
United Arab Emirates: A 30 billion € private investment fund for climate transition
The United Arab Emirates: pioneers in the Middle East in the fight against climate change
If climate transition is an imperative for humanity, it is even more important for countries like the UAE.
For many years, the United Arab Emirates have had a clear vision of their country's future. Its line of action is clear: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The country is a pioneer and aims to become the first nation in the Middle East and North Africa to achieve this. So, legitimately, the question arises of how the United Arab Emirates will be able to achieve such a goal in a context where 30% of their GDP depends on hydrocarbon production.
Historical actions in favor of climate transition
For over 15 years, the country has been investing massively in renewable energies. In 2021, Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, announced his ambition to invest over 140 billion euros by 2050. This ambition is now taking concrete shape, as the country has already invested more than 50 billion euros and now produces the world's cheapest solar energy. Moreover, investments are not limited to the country. At the African Climate Summit in Nairobi on September 5, 2023, for example, the United Arab Emirates committed to deploying $4.5 billion in clean energy investments in Africa.
The United Arab Emirates are responding to an urgent need on a continent that absolutely must make the transition to green growth.
The launch of a $30 billion investment fund
"I am pleased to announce the creation of a $30 billion fund"
New momentum
Announced by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed ben Zayed al Nahyane, during COP28, this investment fund is another demonstration of the United Arab Emirates' determination and ambitions in the climate change field. Named "Alterra", the fund will be headed by Sultan al Jaber, President of COP28 and head of the Emirates' national oil company. 25 billion of the $30 billion is allocated exclusively to investments with high climate transition potential. The remaining $5 billion will be used to finance high-impact projects in the countries of the South, particularly on the African continent, with the main objective of supporting geographic zones that are highly exposed to climate risks. Ultimately, the aim is to generate a return on investment that will enable the launch of another $250 billion investment fund.
This initiative aims to finance concrete solutions, covering a wide range of technologies, either already developed or innovative, to counter the effects of climate change. It is important to note that these investments are not limited to national initiatives, but extend to a global scale, demonstrating the country's commitment to making a significant contribution to the fight against climate change on a planetary scale. Concrete projects envisaged by the "Alterra" fund include, for example, the financing of offshore wind farms to boost renewable energy production. In addition, significant investments will be allocated to the development of cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving the energy efficiency of industries, with a particular focus on high-carbon emission sectors. The fund will also support research and development initiatives focused on the implementation of innovative carbon capture methods, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Strategic partnerships with companies and international organizations will be encouraged, strengthening global collaboration to tackle the challenges of climate change.
The announcement by the United Arab Emirates of the $30 billion "Alterra" investment fund is an ambitious contribution to the fight against climate change. This initiative reflects the country's deep commitment to transitioning towards a more sustainable future. By promoting innovation, international collaboration and research, the United Arab Emirates is opening a positive door to a future of prosperity and resilience for future generations.
Sources :
https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/afrique-moyen-orient/climat-les-emirats-arabes-unis-sengagent-a-atteindre-la-neutralite-carbone-dici-a-2050-1353425
https://unfccc.int/fr/news/l-accord-de-la-cop28-marque-le-debut-de-la-fin-de-l-ere-des-combustibles-fossiles
https://www.lesechos.fr/monde/enjeux-internationaux/cop28-les-emirats-lancent-un-fonds-prive-geant-de-30-milliards-de-dollars-pour-la-transition-2038632
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/environnement/cop/direct-cop28-a-dubai-les-dirigeants-du-monde-entier-arrivent-pour-lancer-les-negociations_6215799.html
From Dubai to Tel Aviv, the digital revolution is transforming education
Digital education, a booming sector
Like the rest of the world, the Middle East is no exception to the major upheaval represented by the digital revolution applied to education. By inventing new learning devices to compensate for the disparities in terms of tools and resources allocated by governments to traditional education systems, thanks to AI and virtual and augmented reality, the digital revolution is therefore responding to real needs.
UNESCO estimates that there are 100 million students in the region, where access to quality education is highly unequal, leading to a particularly high level of home-based learning. According to the World Bank, almost 60% of 15-year-olds use private tutoring (in Egypt alone, more than 40% of private educational expenditure is devoted to this).
In Jordan, the Ministries of Education, Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship collaborated with private companies (Edraak, Mawdoo3, Abwaab and JoAcademy) to develop e-learning platforms, following the temporary closure of schools. In Israel, the start-up nation par excellence, however, visionary entrepreneurs did not wait for the turning point of the Covid 19 pandemic and its decisive impact on teachers and students before embarking on the adventure. The sector, though niche, is dynamic and attracts foreign investors, like Microsoft, which has invested in the EdTech Israel hub, founded in 2017 and since attached to Start Up Nation Central, the NGO that promotes the Israeli tech ecosystem.
With some forty start-ups and a booming market estimated at nearly 7.6 billion by 2027, ed tech reveals a wealth of regional potential.
Innovating, encouraging, and bringing people together
Anand Kadian, CEO of KITMEK, the Middle East's first interactive digital school based in Dubai, understands the challenges and developments at work. For $1 a month, his platform offers students multilingual teaching covering the entire curriculum from kindergarten to college, in a metaverse with AI-created teachers. Accessible without an Internet connection, on a basic telephone, it also gives underprivileged children free access, thanks to a sponsorship system.
Winner of Cartier's Women Initiatives in 2021, Lebanese entrepreneur Manal Hakim is behind the Geek Express platform, dedicated to learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM skills) through personalized coding programs, home DIY kits and access to an online community that spans from Egypt to the Gulf. The entrepreneur proudly notes that 60% of learners are girls, for a field of study that accounts for only 25% in the rest of the world. Many of them use this tool as a springboard to university. In a region where girls' access to secondary and higher education remains a major challenge, ed tech plays an emancipating role, corrects inequalities and even inspires vocations.
At the level of civil society, digital teaching and learning tools have also facilitated the promotion of dialogue and encounters between communities. The Israeli LingoLearn platform, for example, aims to be the first online Arabic school for a Jewish audience, hiring Palestinian university students to teach their mother tongue.
From Dubai to Tel Aviv, via Beirut and Amman, digital education is a veritable breeding ground for innovative, high-impact initiatives that transcend national, social and cultural boundaries.
Sources :
Accelerating the EdTech ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa (worldbank.org)
Manal Hakim - Geek Express - 2021 Fellow for The Middle East & North Africa (youtube.com)
Comment l'IA et l’apprentissage à distance transforment l'éducation au Moyen-Orient | Arab News FR
Christmas, a holiday that brings people together in the Middle East
A major holiday for Christians, Christmas has a universal scope, as proved by the festivities that surround it in the Middle East.
A whole month of festivities from December to January
An unmissable event at the end of each year, Christmas is celebrated in most of the Christian world on the night of December 24 to December 25. Throughout this winter month, the so called "Advent" period enables believers to prepare spiritually for the birth of Jesus, which, according to the New Testament, took place in Bethlehem. The diversity of rites and traditions in the Christian world of the Middle East does not, however, imply a uniform way of celebrating Christmas. First of all, as far as the calendar is concerned. The Coptic community, which has its own calendar (inherited from ancient Egypt), celebrates Christmas on January 7, a date more or less concomitant with Epiphany, which celebrates the coming of the Magi and their offerings. The same applies to all other Orthodox communities, i.e. those of Eastern rite, whose counting of days differs from that of Catholics. From Beirut to Cairo, via Jerusalem or Damascus, each Christmas celebration marks the end of the year and the beginning of a new one for every family and community.
Traditions and symbols
No celebration is complete without culinary traditions and symbols! Often, the latter are imbued with local folklore and have their equivalents in the West. In Syria, for example, the camel acts as Santa Claus, bringing children their presents. In Iraq, bonfires and prayers recited by candlelight recall the miraculous and creative role of light. Another tradition, this time borrowing from the cycle of nature and heralding the New Year, is that of sprouted seeds in Lebanon. Once green, these young leguminous shoots decorate cribs and churches. In Palestine, the city of Bethlehem lives for an entire day to the rhythm of parades and bagpipe music. When it comes to culinary delights, every country boasts its own specialties. What all communities have in common, however, is the use of spices and the consumption of sweets, not unlike those offered to relatives to celebrate the arrival of a newborn child. For some, Advent is synonymous with vegan fasting. Fatty meats, a symbol of prosperity and abundance, are eaten during the feast.
A bridge between communities
Although religious, Christmas remains the most socially unifying holiday in the region's multi faith countries. In Lebanon, it is viewed very favorably by Muslims. In Egypt, January 7 is a national holiday. In northern Israel, the city of Haifa's own coexistence is celebrated throughout the month of December, during the Holiday of the Holidays (Hag shel HaHagim), which celebrates Hanukkah, Mawlid and Christmas, with shows and illuminations. It is perfectly acceptable for Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities to exchange greetings on this occasion. Saudi Arabia, the historic cradle of Islam, has also been seduced by the event, and is making it its own, particularly in terms of trade, to demonstrate its religious tolerance and openness, as enshrined in Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salmane's Vision 2030. Today, it's not uncommon to see stores and cafés in the kingdom's major cities decorated to this effect.
A holiday of birth and light, with a universal scope but whose traditions perfectly reflect the diversity of the region, Christmas is undoubtedly the time of year that most brings communities together.
Sources :
Picture credits: AP / Mahmoud Illean
Noël en Orient: le calendrier copte donne le « la » des festivités orthodoxes | Terresainte.net
Comment fête-t-on Noël au Liban ? (la-croix.com)
“We Remember” : Dubai's unforgettable exhibition
The idea is to ensure that visitors understand..."
explains Ahmed Al Mansouri, founder of the museum.
To highlight the full atrocity of this period, the organizers were keen to flood the room with striking visual animations, images and texts.
This constructive approach encourages the public not to be content with a passive visit but, on the contrary, to plunge into the heart of the matter. Founded in 2013 from a private collection by Ahmed Al Mansoori, the Crossroads of Civilizations Museum unfolds the history of the Persian Gulf through its art and its interactions with different cultures and civilizations.
Passionate about history, this Emirati curator collects historical objects from the four corners of the Levant. He owns, among other things, a handwritten letter by Theodore Herzl, on display in his private Zionist Museum. "Jews have always played an important role in the Middle East (...) I can't identify with Zionism, but Herzl was the father of Zionism, he was a visionary, I look at him from a historical point of view, not a political one. It's a great honor for me to exhibit his letter in my museum", declares the founder.
Commended by the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in 2015 "for its contribution to the preservation of the Gulf's heritage, as well as for its ambition to connect future generations with their heritage", the museum sees itself as a place of unity, peace and Jewish-Arab solidarity in the Middle East.
This ambition is also reflected in the We Remember exhibition, with its section dedicated to Arabs and Muslims who saved Jews during the Second World War. In particular, you can discover the first Arab to be posthumously awarded the Righteous Among the Nations medal by Yad Vashem. Mohamed Helmy, an Egyptian doctor, risked his life to protect a Jewish family in Berlin. "He who saves one life, saves the whole world" is a message of hope engraved on one of the museum's walls. According to Ahmed Al Mansouri, this saying is to be found in both the Koran and the Torah.
The Shoah soon to be taught region-wide ?
Beyond its strictly cultural framework, this exhibition will have had an unprecedented societal impact. The United Arab Emirates' education system has been updated: the Shoah is now being taught in all the country's schools. New curricula are being developed thanks to the joint efforts of the Institute for Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education - based in London and Tel Aviv - and the UAE Ministry of Education. A milestone for the country, but perhaps also for its neighbors. According to historian Robert Rosette, there is currently a turning point in the Arab-Muslim world: recognition of the Holocaust is at last beginning to take hold in regional mindsets. This transition can already be seen in Morocco, where the Shoah is beginning to be addressed more openly. In 2016, the French Embassy in Morocco and the Mémorial de la Shoah organized a training course on teaching the Shoah and genocides at the Lyautey secondary school in Casablanca.
"We remember" : this call to commemoration could well have a wider echo in space and time. From the museum to the classroom, we can hope that teaching about the Shoah will provide a basis for sharing and recognizing the culture of the Other.
Sources:
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/egypte/mohamed-helmy-cet-egyptien-devenu-juste-pour-avoir-sauve-une- famille-juive_3059795.html https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/mohamed-helmy-premier-arabe-honore-comme-juste-30-10-2017-2168532_24.php
https://www.i24news.tv/fr/actu/international/moyen-orient/1669126972-les-emirats-vont-inclure-l-enseignement-de-la- shoah-dans-leurs-programmes-scolaires https://fr.timesofisrael.com/faisant-fi-du-negationnisme-regional-la-shoah-integre-le-programme-scolaire-des-eau/
https://themuseum.ae https://www.memorialdelashoah.org/signature-dune-convention-archives-nationales-maroc.html
https://lphinfo.com/une-galerie-commemorative-de-la-shoah-aux-emirats-arabes-unis/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHXX7HaFc3s
https://english.tau.ac.il/news/center_for_antisemitism_2022 https://infojmoderne.com/2022/08/29/un-citoyen-des-eau-devoile-une-lettre-de-herzl-lors-du-congres-sioniste-de-bale/
Coffee, a symbol of social change in the Middle East
Coffee, a "turquerie" like no other
Among the exotic foods that have fascinated and seduced Europe, coffee (qahwa) occupies a special place, so closely is it linked to Middle Eastern culture. Its consumption in the Arabian Peninsula is attested as early as the 6th century, and its spread throughout the Muslim world
was facilitated by the development of the pilgrimage to Mecca (the hadj), which brought together populations, ideas and products. Its trade subsequently accompanied the gradual expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Its consumption by all social classes made it "the" drink par excellence, and its preparation by decoction (in the "Turkish" style) remains unchanged to this day. With the addition of spices in Morocco, orange blossom in Algeria and Tunisia, and cardamom in the Levant and Saudi Arabia, coffee retains, despite its variations, a special aura: that of pleasure and conviviality, even if the authorities of the time viewed it with great suspicion. Indeed, as alcohol was forbidden by Islam, coffee consumption was
encouraged. However, ulemas and doctors disputed whether coffee was a stimulant or a medicine, giving rise to controversies that were often politically charged.
Street café in Istanbul, circa 1900 © Shutterstock / istanbulphotos
From social link to social place
In 1554, under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the first public place dedicated to its consumption opened in Constantinople thanks to two merchants from Damascus. The concept was all the rage, with the city's intellectual and economic elite, from poets to high ranking civil servants, flocking there. Art and politics were discussed, written about and played for all to see. Moved to the street, it offers more modest populations the opportunity to inaugurate and close a hard day's work with a steaming cup. Its fragrance inspires, its aroma loosens tongues. A pretext for conversation, it is a social ritual practised beyond the public sphere, since its ceremonial also extends to the private sphere. In fact, in ancient Anatolia, it's even what the bride-to-be uses to gauge her suitor on the occasion of their meeting: a sweet coffee if the promised one finds favor in her eyes, a salty one if he doesn't. At the end of a quarrel, it's the way to resolve the conflict.
Café Fattoush in Haifa (Israel)
Coffee as a symbol of social change in the Middle East
While traditional establishments have not disappeared, some of them are experimenting with new forms of sociability: mixed, young, family-oriented and open to the world thanks to Internet access. In Tunis, for example, inclusivity is the watchword at the Liber'thé café, now a mainstay of the capital's alternative cultural scene. Ditto for Haifa's Café Fattoush, a symbol of coexistence and fraternity, which brings together Arab and Jewish cultures, a metonym for Israel's largest mixed city. At the same time, Western-style coffee shops have developed strongly in the Middle East, playing an important role in the local economy and having a significant impact on imports. In the 2000s, the United Arab Emirates became the first country to open up to foreign chains such as Starbucks, and to relax the non-mixed rule in these spaces. Between tradition and modernity, preservation and openness, coffee is without doubt one of the most significant symbols for understanding the Middle East and its evolution. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why UNESCO included Turkish coffee in 2013 and Arabic coffee in 2015 on its list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Sources :
Le café turc, une boisson et des traditions | Le Courrier de l'UNESCO
Le café (lesclesdumoyenorient.com)
Liber’Thé, incubateur de citoyenneté à Tunis | Le Courrier de l'UNESCO
The 2030 World Expo in Riyadh : Soft Power is back in force
Already tipped as the host country for this 34th edition, on Tuesday November 28, Saudi Arabia won over 72% of the votes in the first round of voting, beating out its rivals Pusan and Rome. This triumph resounded with joy throughout the kingdom. On the one hand, such victory reflects the confidence shown by the community, and on the other, a geopolitical turning point concerning the representativeness of the Middle East in the exercise of soft power. Indeed, this is the second time since 1851 that the World Expo has been held in one of the Gulf countries. While Dubai successfully opened the ball in 2021, Riyadh is set to shine at this cultural event.
Hosting the 2030 edition at all costs, a major political and economic challenge for Saudi Arabia
Like Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Muhammad Bin Salman aspires to make his kingdom the new economic hub of the region. Although Riyadh has all the resources needed to achieve this ambition, with its Gross Domestic Product rising by 42% over the decade 2013-2023, the Saudi capital's involvement in a unifying event such as the World Expo should have the effect of accelerating the country's growth. As an EY report on the financial impact of the latest edition shows, the 2020 Dubai World Expo supported more than 1,039,000 job-years and generated $42.18 million in gross value added. MBS can therefore look forward to similar economic benefits.
Propelled into the spotlight, Saudi Arabia intends to meet the expectations of the 40 million visitors forecast for its capital. To achieve this mission, the country's cultural delegation is thinking big: more than 7.2 billion euros are expected to be invested in developing the exhibition site, and the completion of six metro lines linking the city's key sites is also on the agenda. The eagerly-awaited event will take place in a strategic location: north of Riyadh, close to King Khaled International Airport and the prestigious King Abdullah Petroleum Research Center.
The "Era of Change" : a technological and environmental gamble
The "Era of Change" is a well-chosen heading to describe Saudi Arabia's determination to become the new regional hub. In fact, the Saudi ecosystem is booming. This is evidenced by the rate of funding for start-ups, which rose by 197% between 2020 and 2023. Against this backdrop, a space dedicated to innovation and youth is to be created, under the name of the "collaborative change corner". With 70% of its population under the age of 30, Saudi Arabia intends to use the event to promote its future generation of entrepreneurs.
Another driving force for change is the environment. This is the second fundamental aspect of the exhibition. From the outset of its candidacy, Riyadh has touted the richness of its natural landscapes and its ambition to be the first carbon-negative exhibition in the Middle East. In order to combine modernity and sustainability, the organizing committee set itself the goal of linking the future urban complex to the environment. The decision to integrate the exhibition site into a network of existing wadis is in line with this objective. In addition to the series of sustainable infrastructures currently underway, the project will include 70% green spaces, including the famous Salman Park, where over a million trees are to be planted. This gigantic space will occupy an area five times the size of Central Park.
World Expositions : from the Foreign Nations "street" to the Foreign Nations "boulevard" ...
At the heart of its program, the 2030 World Expo aims above all to unify. To achieve this, each country is to have its own pavilion. The traditions, values and roots of the participants are to be given pride of place. But when did the custom of erecting national pavilions begin ? Pavilion architecture was consolidated at the Paris Exposition in 1878. It was during this period that the emblematic Foreign Nations Street (La Rue des Nations) appeared, running alongside the Seine and linking the esplanade des Invalides to the Champ de Mars. At the time, this promenoir was home to the foreign sections of the participants who had agreed to build - at their own expense - a facade in the image of their national style. The installation of this new attraction gave rise to the idea of reconstituting a miniature globe. 145 years later, Saudi Arabia is giving substance to this aspiration: six million square meters of space for 197 states. The Street of Nations seems to have turned into a boulevard.
After a period of decline, particularly in the 1980s, world exhibitions are now rising from the ashes. As vehicles for living together, these great displays have developed to the point of becoming an anchor in the context of widespread interconnection. And whereas in 2010, the Shanghai World Expo still tended to museumize the host megalopolis, with an over-dimensioned national pavilion, nowadays, national pavilions are all placed on the same pedestal. By presenting themselves to the world, the various populations are now opening a window onto shared issues, through mutual listening and collaboration.
Sources :
https://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/ryad-accueillera-l-exposition-universelle-de-2030-20231128
https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/arabie-saoudite-riyad-choisie-pour-l-exposition-universelle-2030-un-coup-d-eclat-pour-mbs
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Friendship and understanding: The unsuspected period in Israeli-Iranian relations
A common strategic vision as the basis for cooperation
In 1950, Iran became the second Muslim country to officially recognize the State of Israel, following Turkey, which had done so in 1949. This recognition can be explained by the fact that there were common interests between Iran and Israel, including shared concerns about the rise of Arab nationalism. In addition, both countries shared worries about Soviet influence in the region. From an Israeli perspective, this was a moment of major importance, breaking a diplomatic isolation and launching the phase of the "periphery" concept, as expressed by then Prime Minister David Ben Gurion. This concept of "periphery" emerged from a historical analysis, highlighting the two millennia of anti-Semitism suffered by Jews, as well as the persistent rejection of Israel's existence by Arab countries. Thus, the only way for Israel to avoid total isolation was to forge strategic alliances with non-Arab states and other religious minorities. However, Ben-Gurion took his thinking a step further, quickly perceiving the advantage of this peripheral policy in relation to the United States. Indeed, these alliances position Israel as a strategic player, forming a bridge between Western powers and regional actors.
As Ben-Gurion explained in a letter to President Eisenhower on July 24, 1958:
"With the project of forming a dam against the surging Nasserist and Soviet wave, we have begun to strengthen our ties with certain states outside the perimeter of the Middle East - Iran, Turkey and Ethiopia, and so on. Our aim is to organize a group of countries, not necessarily a formal alliance, that will be able to stand up to Soviet expansion through Nasser, and a group that could save Lebanon's freedom, and perhaps Syria's too."
This marked the beginning of a natural alliance and friendship between Iran and Israel that would last for over 30 years. This relationship, based on the principle of "mutual benefit", took shape in many different ways.
An energy partnership as an essential component
As we have already explained, Iran's recognition of Israel naturally led to the possibility of closer cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the commercial sphere. After the defeat of the Arab countries in the 1948 war to prevent the emergence of an Israeli state, Egypt and Iraq cut off Israel's oil supplies. In 1958, the oil situation became critical for Israel, following the USSR's decision to cease sales. Israel turned to its partner Iran.
Iran soon became Israel's main supplier of oil, and in 1967 the two allies established a pipeline linking Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea to the infrastructure of the Mediterranean port city of Ascalon. By the end of the 1960s, the pipeline was transporting 10 million tonnes of oil a year, exceeding Israel's needs. On this basis, relations were consolidated, as events later proved. The 1973 oil embargo did not include Iran in its ranks. This decision is the fruit of successful economic cooperation between Israel and Iran, enabling the latter to generate substantial revenues, amplified by the rapid rise in oil prices. Thus, by consolidating their cooperation in crucial areas such as energy, these two countries have demonstrated the possibility of establishing a constructive dynamic despite complex geopolitical contexts. In addition, another strategic area, known as the "Fleur project", will make a particular contribution to consolidating relations between Iran and Israel.
The petals of the "Fleur" project
On July 18, 1977, a key meeting took place between the Iranian Deputy War Minister, General Hassan Toufanian, and Israeli officials, namely Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan and Defense Minister Ezer Weizman. The aim of the meeting was to strengthen relations between the two countries on various collaborative military projects, including the "Fleur" project. A particularly interesting facet of economic cooperation between Iran and Israel, the project reveals a dimension of relations between the two nations in which economic and security interests are complexly intertwined.
The "Fleur" project involves Israel enhancing Iran's expertise in the field of medium-range missile launch systems, with a specific adaptation for submarine-launched missiles. In exchange, Iran pays Israel $300 million, plus $250 million in oil equivalent.
On the technical front, Israel plays a leading role in the development of advanced technologies for guidance, navigation and propulsion systems. Advanced devices, such as infrared sensors and electronic countermeasure systems, are an integral part of the design to optimize missile accuracy and operational efficiency. At the same time, Iran handles the manufacturing phase, using its specialized facilities to produce essential missile components. These cutting-edge technologies are put through rigorous tests in a variety of conditions, both atmospheric and underwater, to guarantee their reliability and functionality in all circumstances.
The unsuspected period of Israeli-Iranian relations, from the creation of Israel in 1948 to the Iranian Revolution of 1979, provides a complex narrative combining diplomatic, strategic and economic elements. The bond between these two nations, initially based on common interests and a shared strategic vision, endured for over 30 years. This period is a powerful reminder that there was a time when these two nations succeeded in forging ties based on cooperation, mutual trust and the hope of a shared future. Let us hope that the lessons learned from this moment will be put to good use in the search for constructive solutions to the contemporary challenges facing the region.
To learn more :
https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/089134-001-A/la-longue-guerre-iran-israel-usa-1-2/
Sources :
https://www.defnat.com/e-RDN/vue-article-cahier.php?carticle=452&cidcahier=1289
https://www.cairn.info/revue-geoeconomie-2014-5-page-139.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Israel_pipeline#/media/File:Eilat-Ashkelon_Pipeline.svg
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relations_entre_l%27Iran_et_Isra%C3%ABl#:~:text=Depuis%20sa%20cr%C3%A9ation%2C%
20en%201948,son%20meilleur%20ami%20non%2Dmusulman.https://www.cairn.info/revue-outre-terre1-2011-2-page-483.htm
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projet_Fleur
Gulf Twin Sisters
The first association to bring together Israeli, Emirati, Saudi, Egyptian and Bahraini women executives, the Gulf-Israel Women's Forum's mission is to give Middle Eastern women the place they deserve on the entrepreneurial scene. Over 2,500 members from a wide range of backgrounds meet regularly to discuss their areas of expertise — technology, marketing, journalism, finance... The spectrum is wide. Business, opportunity and sisterhood, the Gulf Women's forum could be defined in these terms.
“It was obvious that we all wanted the same thing: peace and prosperity”
For Lea Tedrow, co-founder of the forum, the main idea is to encourage communication between Israeli businesswomen and their partners in neighboring countries. The preliminary meeting focused on the culture of business in the United Arab Emirates, a culture essentially based on building one's relationship with the other. Having lived in the United Arab Emirates for 13 years herself, Lea Tedrow agrees — “Here, it's not enough to have one meeting after another and then leave with a signed contract. You build strong relationships, and that takes time and investment”. This inspiring model is very much in line with the founder's vision. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum hopes to awaken a sense of unity and cohesion among the participants: “It's obvious that we all want the same thing: peace and prosperity in the region”. Much more than a professional association, the Gulf Women's Forum also fosters beautiful friendships. During her stay in Jerusalem, Bahraini journalist Adheya Ahmed made a point of taking part in the Shabbat meal at Fleur Hassan-Nahoum's home. This former Bahraini spokeswoman returns delighted. In her article posted on the forum's website, she has nothing but praise for Israel: “In 11 days, I've been lucky enough to discover unparalleled hospitality. I can't forget the family meals with those who warmly welcomed me into their homes. I can't forget the smile that appeared on the lips of the cab driver exhausted from his long day's work when I told him I was from Bahrain…”. Fleur-Hassan-Nahoum was also able to travel to the Gulf to meet members of the forum.
Commercial and friendly relations are thus being forged between the Gulf sisters, and could have a considerable impact on the regional economy. Indeed, while trade between the United Arab Emirates and Israel has already doubled since 2020, reaching $9.4 billion in 2022, an IFC study estimated that the Middle East's GDP could increase by a further 30% to 40% if women were to play a more active role in the regional economy.
Women in the Middle East — towards greater representation?
Today, there are great professional opportunities for women in the region. Building a sustainable future requires more equal collaboration. According to forum member Ronit Harpaz, the biotech sector alone is a case in point. Despite a 70% female employment rate, only 12% of women have access to positions of high responsibility. Bendit Technology's Managing Director has decided to work towards a better representation of women in the Middle East. “I believe that being part of the Gulf-Israel Women's Forum is an opportunity to strengthen local diversity by adopting the role models of Bahraini and Emirati women leaders”. By founding WE HealthTech, a school that aims to encourage young female entrepreneurs to take on leadership roles, Ronit Harpaz intends to reverse this trend. By borrowing from each of their respective cultures, the Gulf sisters are renewing the world of business.
Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63792841
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-724408
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2051581/middle-east
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-714988
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-714988
SUCCESS STORY : Abdulaziz Al Jouf, founder of PayTabs
PayTabs is a Saudi-based company present in over 21 regions worldwide. It offers financial solutions for simplified and secure online payments.
Backed by numerous partnerships across the globe and the constant upgrading of its services, PayTabs enjoys favorable media coverage and a steady stream of awards.
Today, over 12,000 companies in the Middle East, India and the Philippines use PayTabs, making it a major player in electronic finance.
Abdulaziz Al Jouf began his studies at the Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. In 1999, his thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he specialized in new technologies. The diligent student finished his academic career in style at the New York Institute of Technology. He graduated with a master's degree in technology and e-commerce.
It was in the middle of his graduate studies in Omaha that the future entrepreneur was plunged into the professional world when he was recruited by Aramco, Saudi Arabia's major oil company. Starting in 2008, he founded two companies in quick succession. The first, Aracco Holding, specializes in international trade in construction and maintenance projects. The second, Saletab, is dedicated to the sale of branded products at reduced prices. While these two start-ups help reinforce Abdulaziz Al Jouf's reputation as an accomplished entrepreneur, his ambition is far from over.
Aware of the logistical challenges facing merchants in the Mediterranean basin, Abdulaziz Al Jouf decided to provide a sustainable solution with PayTabs, which he founded in 2014. This financial services platform advances regional trade by facilitating financial transactions for local businesses. This brilliantly realized project gains international recognition with media coverage from CNN Arabic, Sky Arabia, Bloomberg and Reuters, and famous magazines such as Entrepreneur and Forbes.
Today, Abdulaziz Al Jouf estimates that he has only achieved 30% of his goal. His dream is to use the American model to simplify business start-ups in the Middle East. By eliminating bureaucratic obstacles, he aims to transform e-commerce in the region.
Alongside his own success, Abdulaziz also shares his knowledge by teaching young entrepreneurs how to reach their full potential. His commitment to the next generation of entrepreneurs reflects an immeasurable desire to contribute to the economic development of the Levant.
Sources :
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2049186/business-economy
https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/16734.html
https://site.paytabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CEO-Profile_June-2022.pdf
https://www.arabnet.me/english/speakers/abdulaziz-aljouf
SUCCESS STORY : Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson, founders of Careem
Careem, dubbed the "everything app", offers a range of services including VTC, food deliveries and financial services.
Acquired by Uber in 2020, this start-up stands out for its commitment to employment. Today, Careem brings together more than 2.5 million male and female drivers, promoting female autonomy, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
In 2023, Careem took a new step forward with Careem Next Gen, a program specially designed for young engineers. Its main is to train a new generation of entrepreneurs across the region.
MUDASSIR SHEIKHA
Mudassir Sheikha was born in 1977 in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1999, he graduated in Economics and Computer Science from the University of Southern California, followed by a Master's degree in Computer Science from Stanford in 2003. After completing his academic studies, Mudassir embarked on a career in entrepreneurship. It was in the heart of Silicon Valley that he began his career at Trilogy Software, before joining Brience, a start-up specializing in mobile experience, in March 2020, at the height of the Internet bubble.
This first milestone encouraged him to fulfill his original ambition: to break into the Pakistani market. He therefore returned to his native country, where he co-founded Device Anywhere, a company specialized in software development and mobile testing, which was acquired by Keynote in 2008. He then moved to Dubai, where he was recruited by McKinsey, the prestigious management consulting firm. For the first time, the new consultant learns to deal with large-scale issues, a task for which his engineering training had not yet prepared him. But Mudassir soon caught on. By dint of repetition, he eventually appropriated the methodology and gained in confidence. This surge of confidence propelled him towards a new venture... a VTC application on the verge of revolutionizing the market.
MAGNUS OLSSON
Magnus Olsson is an engineer from Sweden. At the age of 21, he founded his first IT consulting company: Olsson Solutions AB, offering support for a wide range of products and services to small and medium-sized companies. Three years later, Magnus began studying computer science and engineering at Lund University, graduating in 2006. The Swedish student completed his education at Harvard, where he deepened his knowledge of finance. Hired by McKinsey in 2006, Magnus Olsson focused on the technology and new communications projects flourishing in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. But five years after joining the firm, Magnus was struck by an arteriovenous malformation that turned his life upside down. The consultant left everything behind and embarked on an adventure with his colleague Mudassir Sheikha. In their search for meaning, the two entrepreneurs found Careem, a small company with a big impact.
In a region dominated by unemployment and suffering from limited transportation services, the two entrepreneurs wanted to make a difference. Change in terms of mobility, services and employability. Careem aims to meet these challenges. The young VTC application quickly adapted to its environment and saw its workforce grow year after year. Although Careem focuses on recruiting regional developers - in Dubai as well as Karachi - the start-up has also opened an office in Berlin to attract European talent.
For the tandem of Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson, Careem is about more than just mobility. The other areas they are working on together aim to contribute to the affirmation of a region more open to the world and to progress.
Sources :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/magnuskolsson/?originalSubdomain=ae
https://uae-wealth.com/mr-magnus-olsson/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/author/mudassir-sheikha
https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/transport/the-race-is-on-for-careem-in-middle-east-661104
PayTABS
With a presence in over 21 regions, Saudi-based PayTabs provides financial solutions to businesses worldwide, guaranteeing flexible and secure online payments.
For the first time in the USA, digital wallets eclipse the traditional credit card. Holding over 32% of the value of e-commerce transactions by 2022, virtual bankcards are becoming the main source of payment. Abdulaziz Al Jouf is keen to take part in this decisive turning point for the banking sector, and is making a splash with PayTabs, an innovative financial services start-up. Combining transactions, online invoicing and point-of-sale in more than 168 currencies, PayTabs offers companies of all sizes - small, medium and large - the opportunity to expand their presence in global markets on an uninterrupted basis.
Paying securely, wherever you are: PayTabs' mission n°1
Once integrated into each corporate customer's website, the financial services platform processes transactions in complete security. This is a key component of the application's system. Protecting user data is a major issue, especially in the Middle East. As a recent Deloitte report reveals, since the Covid crisis erupted, many organizations in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) have seen an increase in computer fraud of around 48% compared with previous years. To guard against this threat, the company is stepping up its partnerships with cybersecurity companies such as Modirum, which has specialized in 3D recognition for over 20 years.
A competitive company eager to break new ground
Other partnerships are designed to penetrate new, unexplored markets. Such is the case with Payoneer, an American fintech which, taking into account local regulations, preserves PayTabs' legal compliance. The young company's international footprint is striking. As soon as it launched in 2014, the Riyadh-based start-up opened offices in Egypt, India and Turkey, as well as in Dubai, a veritable financial hub. Quickly noticed for the quality of its services, PayTabs joins the Gulf Cooperation Council market. On the strength of its successful integration into the context of globalization, PayTabs was rewarded in 2016 by Forbes Middle East as "Saudi Arabia's most promising start-up".
Over the years, PayTabs has achieved significant milestones in its journey towards global expansion. In 2021, a strategic partnership with Visa and Union Pay International was signed, to offer mobile payment services on a global scale. This collaboration extends the scope of possible transactions to thousands of players, including small shops in India. PayTabs recently set its sights on India, with the acquisition of PayLab, one of the world's largest transaction and money transfer platforms, operating in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. Further east, the acquisition of the Turkish company Paymes has further modernized PayTabs' services. Paymes enables the parent platform to sell products and services in less than twenty seconds on the instagram platform, thanks to a simple link. Today, the financial services platform is used by over 12,000 businesses in the Middle East, India and the Philippines.
The founder and CEO of PayTabs underlines the benefits resulting from the deployment of its activities on a global scale: "PayTabs has succeeded in providing de-materialized payment solutions to the largest multinationals around. As a result, we now have our own intellectual property and can connect to multiple APIs (application programming interfaces) in the region". Thanks to this interoperable system, PayTabs now wields a universal (computer) language: the very essence of Abdulaziz Al Jouf's federative project.
Sources :
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230323005062/en/Account-to-Account-Payments-Set-to-Revolutionize-Shopping
-with-E-commerce-Payments-Reaching-525-Billion-Globally-Worldpay-from-FIS-2023-Global-Payments-Report
https://www2.deloitte.com/xe/en/pages/finance/articles/me-fraud-survey-2021.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_Tabs
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paytabs-acquires-ogs-paylab-india-to-deliver-mada-certified-
payment-orchestration-in-the-kingdom-301831887.html
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conseil_de_coop%C3%A9ration_du_Golfehttps://www.payoneer.com/fr/
https://globalfintechseries.com/commerce/paytabs-acquires-turkeys-largest-social-commerce-platform-paymes/
Read more :
Careem : The Emirati super-app that has conquered the VTC market
In a world ruled by numbers, there are 86 billion neurons in the human brain, 5.33 billion Internet users across the planet and 903 kilometers between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. Careem's figures reflect a major increase in access to local services in the Middle East. In 2022, the platform will count 505,856 hamburger deliveries, 97 million journeys made and more than 621,000,000 miles covered. Operating in over 100 cities and 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Careem has proven its value and efficiency. From Careem Now to Careem Pay, the start-up covers every conceivable sector to satisfy demand. In 2019, the platform even tried its hand at bike-sharing with Careem Bike for the most eco-responsible users.
Careem and Uber: a fruitful meeting for the two VTC leaders
The potential of the technology company has not escaped Uber's notice. The prospect of a close collaboration with the Emirati app could well breathe new life into the Californian platform's ambition to take the lead in every major region. Indeed, although the VTC giant dominates the American and European markets, its presence in other parts of the globe remains erratic. In each local market, Uber often has to compete with several other digital platforms affiliated to the same sector.
On the eve of its IPO in 2020, Uber decided to buy Careem for $3.1 billion. In making this strategic acquisition, Uber agreed to give Careem more freedom, encouraging it to shape its own strategy to capture the market through a more sophisticated understanding of local demand. This shift has paid off. One year after the acquisition of Careem, Uber takes the lead in the Middle East mobility sector, with over 65% market share. With the rapid evolution of that field, merging the strengths of these two players could offer economies of scale, efficient expansion and service diversification.
“Improving the lives of users and creating jobs”: Careem's mission, everywhere and for everyone.
Careem has come a long way since it was founded in 2012 ! Careem was originally the result of an American-Pakistani and Swedish collaboration. Mudassi Sheikha and Magnus Olsson, former McKinsey consultants, joined forces with a clear goal in mind: to improve the lives of users and create over a million jobs for regional talent within the next ten years. The challenge has been brilliantly met. Since its creation, Careem has provided a source of income for more than 600 engineers and developers - who are working hard to perfect the app's learning models - as well as 2.5 million drivers, many of them Saudi.
The VTC company has indeed proved receptive to the call for female emancipation, proclaimed on June 24, 2018 in Saudi Arabia. At a time when the kingdom's female citizens are getting official permission to take the license, the VTC company, for its part, is starting to set up training specifically for future captains. “It's an important step” says Sarah Algwaiz, Director of Careem's Women's Program (referring to the reform). “For women, driving their own car marks the beginning of their financial independence and a real gain in autonomy…”
“For women, driving their own car signals the beginning of their financial independence and a real gain in autonomy.”
Sarah Algwaiz, Director of Careem's Women's Program
From a business point of view, the female workforce is also of financial interest to Careem. In a traditional society where many women are apprehensive about being alone in a man's car, the Capitanah option (feminine for Captain in Arabic) offers a reassuring alternative. Female users can click on the icon of the same name to allow the algorithm to filter out male drivers. According to spokesperson Murtadha Alalawi, thirty women had already signed up for the first recruitment session in the eastern city of Khobar. On the strength of this promising start, the start-up is now aiming to gather over 100,000 female drivers in order to attract new customers in the Saudi kingdom.
Careem's next geographical and educational perspectives
Careem continues to expand the spectrum of professional opportunities for local drivers. Since 2018, the VTC platform has extended its service area to the West Bank, giving the three million Palestinians living there the chance to find sustainable, flexible employment. This entrepreneurial bulimia has no end in sight. In its race to innovate, Careem has launched Careem Next Gen, a program designed for junior engineers from Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt. Its aim: to prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs to take up the baton.
Sources :
https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/technology/careem-ipo-may-have-given-company-greater-value-than-uber-sale-says-prince-khaled-1.850405
https://www.capital.fr/entreprises-marches/uber-affiche-toujours-une-lourde-perte-malgre-un-chiffre-daffaires-en-hausse-1443157
https://www.linkedin.com/company/etisalatandmore/about/
https://s23.q4cdn.com/407969754/files/doc_financials/2023/Stockholders2023/2022-annual-report.pdf
https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/571074/nombre-d-utilisateurs-d-internet-dans-le-monde-2005--/
https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/transports-uber-rachete-careem-son-concurrent-du-moyen-orient
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2229261/business-economy
https://www.taxiappclone.com/blog/guide-to-careem-like-taxi-app-development/
https://www.menabytes.com/careem-first-pitch-deck/
https://www.challenges.fr/societe/la-prochaine-revolution-saoudienne-les-femmes-au-volant-de-taxis_505749https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Careem
https://www.careem.com
https://www.careem.com/en-AE/ride/
Read more :
Saudi Arabia: Women as the keystones of an evolving economy
This evolution has opened up new opportunities, highlighting the key role of women in building a more diversified and resilient economy. Reforms have enabled women to obtain fundamental rights, such as the right to study, travel and work without requiring the authorization of a male guardian. In addition, personal status and employment laws were revised to promote equity, while harassment in the workplace was penalized.
Pressure was growing, and the Saudi authorities could not ignore the demands of Saudi youth, 2/3 of whom are under 35, expressing modern aspirations and desires for gender equality. These expectations have helped shape a more inclusive policy that is stimulating employment and economic growth. These changes have not only evolved a legislative framework, they have also shaped a new social reality, with women actively participating in areas such as film and music, something unthinkable just a few years ago.
One of the notable successes of this strategy is the dynamic emergence of female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. The technology sector in Saudi Arabia is a remarkable example of the growing integration of women into the economy. More and more women are running technology companies in the kingdom. Female entrepreneurship has expanded significantly.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Saudi Arabia stands out as the only nation among the 23 high-income GEM economies where the rate of business start-ups is higher among women than men. This trend is particularly evident in the technology sector, where progress in the inclusion of women is clear. According to the Ministry of Communications and Information and the endeavor insights report, in the third quarter of 2021, the rate of female participation in the technology sector reached 28%, exceeding the previous year's rate by more than 10%, and surpassing the European average of 17.5%.
This positive dynamic can be observed in a pronounced way in e-commerce. Startups such as Sabbar, a platform for recruiting casual workers in the hospitality and retail sectors, have managed to raise $4 million in 2021. Taffi, an AI-based fashion marketplace, has also enjoyed financial success, raising over $2 million in 2022. Similarly, Gathern, a tourist accommodation booking platform, has raised an impressive $5.9 million in 2021. These concrete examples testify not only to the vitality of female entrepreneurship, but also to the prosperity of the technology sector in Saudi Arabia.
These women entrepreneurs are actively contributing to the kingdom's economic diversification, and demonstrating that the inclusion of women in sectors such as e-commerce is a powerful driver of growth and innovation.Although this progress is admirable, it is important to recognize that challenges remain and that women's rights still need to evolve if they are to be fully established in civil society. Saudi women continue to strive to make their voices heard in order to consolidate their gains. However, positive developments in the field of women's entrepreneurship reflect a significant transformation in the place of women in the Saudi economy, offering a promising future.
Sources :
https://www.arabnews.fr/node/233446/%C3%A9conomie
SUCCESS STORY : Noureddine Tayebi and Mahdi Yettou, founders of Yassir
Maghreb start-up Yassir has become a major force in VTC services in Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania, where Uber has no presence.
Founded in 2017, the platform, which connects local cabs and users, also provides a home delivery service in a variety of sectors, ranging from agri-food to finance.
The start-up has grown rapidly and expanded beyond the Maghreb region, notably in Europe and North America.
It raised $150 million in 2022, making it the most valuable start-up in North Africa and the Middle East.
With over 5 million users and numerous partners, Yassir is a model of success for Algerian entrepreneurs.
Noureddine Tayebi
Noureddine Tayebi was born in Algiers in 1977 into a family of doctors. In the 1990s, while completing his engineering studies at El Harrach Polytechnic, his family urged him to apply for a scholarship to American schools. His brilliant academic record earned him a place at Stanford University.
His childhood spent on the Mediterranean coast continued in 1998 on the West Coast of the United States. After obtaining his PhD in electrical engineering at Stanford, Noureddine moved to the heart of Silicon Valley in 2006 and joined Intel's R&D laboratory. There he acquired skills in research and development, marketing and sales. The structure of the department where he works, similar to that of a start-up gas pedal, awakens the spirit of the future entrepreneur. Eight years later, the seasoned engineer, who now holds 23 patents, changed horizons. Noureddine Tayebi left his job to pursue his own project: InSense, a start-up specializing in nano motion sensors.
This first venture is a success. Bought out in 2018 by Mojo Vision for $1.6 million, InSense proved to be a springboard for the launch of Yassir, the VTC chauffeur-driven transport vehicle app. The idea for Yassir stemmed from Noureddine Tayebi's attachment to North Africa. The question on his mind was: “How can we develop the high-tech sector, which is still in its infancy in the region ?” Pushing back the limits of his ambition, the entrepreneur threw himself body and soul into this new adventure. Just eight months after its launch, Yassir is already profitable. Now a competitor to other well-known VTC platforms such as Uber and Jumia, Yassir is used by over five million users in nine countries and around fifty cities.
Mahdi Yettou
After graduating from the National Polytechnique School of Algiers, then the National Superior School of Aeronautics and Space in Toulouse, Mahdi Yettou, co-founder of Yassir, flew to Canada in 1998. His destination: the University of Sherbrooke. There, he became a teacher- researcher. Ten years later, Mahdi Yettou decided to return to his native Algeria to develop his entrepreneurial spirit alongside his friend Noureddine.
While Noureddine prefers to remain at Palo Alto headquarters, where he supervises local activities, Mahdi Yettou continues to work as a professor at the University of Bab Ezzouar in Algiers, while at the same time fulfilling the role of Managing Director of Yassir. Mahdi Yettou's local presence helps the company to thrive. Indeed, Algerian law requires companies to be present in the country with a minimum 51% shareholding.
Like his colleague, Mahdi Yettou is not short of ideas. With the pandemic threatening the future of the platform, the co-founder is proposing to expand the product range by opening an e- commerce branch: Yassir Express.
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noureddine_Tayebi
https://www.theafricareport.com/172161/algeria-meet-noureddine-tayebi-head-of-the-start-up-yassir/
https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/innovation/startups/riding-high-noureddine-tayebi
https://m.facebook.com/algeriastartupchallenge/photos/-el-mahdi-yettou-diplômé-en-ingénierie-de-lécole- nationale-polytechnique-dalger-/680693002669241/
Crédits Photo : Club Formation des Compétences -CFC - نادي تكوين الكفاءات
Yassir the VTC app that makes life easier for North Africans
While Uber can congratulate itself on maximizing the connectivity of its users, the tech giant is hiding its Achilles heel. It doesn't operate all over the globe. In the Maghreb: Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania are still deprived of the famous platform's services. In this area, start-up Yassir has taken over from the leader in VTC services, and is now the most valued start-up in Africa and the Middle East.
Distances are shrinking as satellite guidance services expand. By 2022, over 4 billion people will be using GPS on a daily basis. In this increasingly connected world, users dream of the gift of ubiquity: moving from one place to another at the snap of a finger... or, more accurately, at the click of a button. The geniuses of computer science and entrepreneurship have succeeded in making this wish come true with the implementation of VTC services, now at their peak. While in the second quarter of 2023, Uber recorded a net profit approaching $400 million, a local mobile application continues to develop and could well overshadow the famous multinational.
Yassir: order, travel, invest...
Created in 2017, Yassir - which means "easy" in Arabic - has revolutionized the lives of Algerians. While its road network stretches over 130 kilometers, this North African country suffers from an insufficient supply of transport. To make up for this shortcoming, the Algerian start-up, initially specialized in booking private chauffeurs, has decided to democratize its services on both iOS and Android. Thanks to a geolocation system, Yassir connects users with cab drivers. The fare is then determined according to the distance and duration of the journey.
Like Deliveroo or Uber Eats, Yassir focuses part of its activities on home delivery: food, cosmetics, gaming or parapharmacy, nothing is too good for consumers. The spectrum of sectors available on the application is extremely broad. Meriem, a loyal user, happily confides: "I use it every day to go shopping, visit my family or go to work, and I've never been disappointed. To top it all off, Yassir also provides financial services.
The meteoric rise of an Algerian start-up
When the company was founded, the team consisted of just six employees. In just one year, the company's ascent has been meteoric: forty-five employees and the start of its regional roll-out, such as in Morocco and Tunisia. The platform is supported by over 50,000 partners in North Africa. Yassir saw the economic and strategic opportunity presented by the market in this geographical area, where the road network - inherited from the colonial past of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia - has the advantage of being more extensive than on the rest of the African continent.
The economic value of Yassir shines through in the diplomatic world
The fruit of the joint efforts of Algerian engineers Noureddine Tayebi and Mahdi Yettou, Yassir continues to prosper. In November 2022, Yassir closes a second round of financing of $150 million with the participation of US technology company BOND, DN Capital, Dorsal Capital, Quiet Capital, Standford Alumni Ventures and Y Combinator. This spectacular influx of cash elevates the company to the rank of "most valued start-up in North Africa and the MENA region" (Middle East and North Africa). Yassir's undeniable success also earned it the title of "best services exporter" from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
One year later, in August 2023, Yassir formalized his partnership with Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) soccer club for the next three seasons. This ground-breaking contract is expected to generate 15 million euros for PSG, whose aim is to strengthen its brand image in Middle Eastern countries. The agreement with Paris Saint Germain would not have been possible without the backing of the Qatari government, the club's owner.
This underlying diplomatic dimension partly explains the expansion of this seasoned start-up. The Algerian president has already visited Qatar twice, and relations between the two countries remain cordial. Indeed, it is in Algeria's interest to keep the peace with the states in the region if it wishes to maintain its international appeal. Last July, a Malaysian ministerial delegation, accompanied by representatives of the country's investment banks, visited the capital to present the success story of the young start-up, now headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley.
At the outset, the VTC application made in Algeria set itself the main objective of bringing its community together, while spreading social values. Today, the platform boasts five million users and an international footprint that includes Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Germany, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal and North Africa. Yassir is a fine example of success for all Algerian entrepreneurs who are still hesitating to take the plunge.
Sources:
https://economic-research.bnpparibas.com/html/fr-FR/Algerie-Effet-aubaine-13/04/2023,48461
https://www.24heures.ch/uber-parvient-enfin-a-etrerentable-248786359955#::text=Au%20deuxième%
20trimestre%202023%2C%20Uber,tôt%20à%20la%20même%20période)
https://express.yassir.io
https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2022/11/08/en-algerie-la-start-up-yassir-leve-150-millions-deurospoursonexpansion_
6148951_3212.html#:text=Yassir%2C%20qui%20opère%20via%20une,de%208%20millions%20d%27utilisateurs.
https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1473339/societe/lalgerien-yassir-signe-un-partenariat-avec-le-psg
https://www.linkedin.com/company/yassir
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassir
Read more :
Is the UAE ready to become the next start-up nation?
The UAE has already seen the emergence of successful start-ups such as Souq, the best online retailer in the Arab world, bought by Amazon in 2017 for a sum 700 million dollars. Is this an isolated case? This example is part of a wider economic dynamic driven by most Gulf States. While its oil revenues are doomed in the long term, what is the UAE doing to reconvert its state into a start-up nation ?
Start-ups boosted by government assistance
Start-ups are born and grow in an eco-system that is conducive to their development. In the United Arab Emirates, public players are taking this advice to heart. With a zero tax rate and 5% VAT applied to companies with sales of less than 385,000 UAE dirhams ($37,500), young innovative companies are encouraged to make their home in this land of milk and honey. Metropolises are particularly involved in this promotion. In 2022, the Executive Council of Dubai created a new 100 million euro fund for start-ups. The Venture Debt Fund for Startups was designed to support the projects of young companies and ensure their growth. In Abu Dhabi, a $2 billion fund has been raised by the government via the HUB71 platform, in order to give more visibility for WEB3 start-ups on a regional scale.
Towards a new Silicon Valley
And it's no longer just big cities that are home to start-ups. Entrepreneurs are now able to create their own space for fulfilment, and to extend it beyond a mere professional framework. Such is the case of Mohammed Al Zarooni, Managing Director of the Dubai Silicon Oasis. The Silicon Valley of the Middle East has become the largest technology incubator. Its campus is home to around a hundred start-ups from over 70 countries. Recognized as a major research hub, the Dubai Silicon Oasis aims to foster innovation and to make it accessible to citizens through an even more unifying project. What is more, the Dubai Digital Park is scheduled to spread over 92 miles. That smart city should be able to combine industry, real estate and commercial complex. The transition to an engineering-based economy is thus taking shape in greater depth.
Fintech as a driver
Ranked among the top 20 fintech companies by Forbes, Emirati start-up Sarwa is part of the success story. Thanks to its innovative technology, combined with expert advice, Sarwa ease investing by developing and testing personalized strategies. Fintech is thus taking root in a country which already boasts a well-established financial services sector and attracts capital from all over the world.
High-tech diplomacy — from one startup nation another
The new diplomatic landscape has also made a major contribution to the technological and economic development of the United Arab Emirates. In turn on the path of innovation, this new start-up nation has been able to count on the support of its predecessor. In September, the meeting between the official Abu Dhabi delegation and Israel’s public companies led to new economic agreements. From now on, new business opportunities in the fields of cyber security, artificial intelligence, blockchain and data protection flourish. Trade between Israel and the UAE increased by 117% in the first half of 2022, according to Israel's ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Amir Hayek. This reconciliation between the Israeli technology ecosystem and Emirati entrepreneurs continues to lift young Gulf start-ups to the top of the global innovation market. Dubai now ranks just behind Tel Aviv in terms of investment in the Middle East.
Gray matter: the relay to black gold
Recently, the Gulf State was designated by the World Bank as the most entrepreneurial in the Middle East. Nowadays, the UAE is on the way to becoming a global tech hub. While in 2017, cash flow in companies in this key sector quadrupled (compared to 2016), reaching $870 million, by 2023, the IMF's annual report lists 72,000 new companies, compared with 20,000 in 2018.
Ever more connected, more attractive, and competitive, the United Arab Emirates is preparing for a major economic and energy transition. If the oil economy will soon no longer be an option for the Persian Gulf federation, another wealth is being extracted from Emirati soil — grey matter will replace black gold.
Sources:
https://arab.org/fr/middle-easts-start-scene-explained-five-charts/?amp
https://www.ft.com/content/225ffd34-0f22-11e7-b030-768954394623
https://lepetitjournal.com/dubai/installation/impot-revenu-entreprises-emirats-2023-352164 https://www.cairn.info/les-startups%20en%20france--9782715406810-page-63.htm https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Pays/AE/situation-economique-et-financiere-des-emirats arabes-unis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WOQKKONciE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souq_(company)
https://kawa-news.com/5-start-ups-arabes-a-suivre/
https://www.dsoa.ae/explore-dso/who-we-are/our-story
Iran : the potential of a startup nation
Few people are as resilient as the Iranians.
These words capture in history and eternity the way in which a people with such a rich and ancient history meets the challenges it faces with determination.
Iran's dependence on hydrocarbons is of paramount importance. In 2019, oil exports accounted for around 70% of the country's total revenues. To meet the challenges of economic diversification and climate transition, Iran is focusing on developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in which a wealth of innovative talent. To achieve this, Iran's strategy is based on four main pillars: investment, support structures, an efficient education system and a network.
Investment
In Iran, the main types of investment come from venture capital funds, business angels, equity crowdfunding and technology research funds. In November 2021, there were an estimated 85 venture capital investment funds in the country. In addition to these funds, other initiatives such as RTF, a non-governmental organization, play a vital role in providing financial support and facilitating access to strategic advice. This holistic approach helps to strengthen the viability and competitiveness of startups in a growing economic environment.
Support structures
Incubators play a crucial role in the Iranian entrepreneurial landscape, facilitating the emergence of numerous startups. They are an essential part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling project leaders to turn their ideas into reality, with personalized support from experts in the field. The emergence of the first Iranian incubator in 2000 marked the start of a growing trend, with over 250 incubators currently operating throughout the country.
Most of these incubators are affiliated with science and technology parks and universities, helping to strengthen the links between innovation, research and entrepreneurial development. Incubators are fundamental to providing startups with an environment conducive to learning and access to resources.
Accelerators and innovation centers
Among Iran's startup support mechanisms, accelerators are of crucial importance. Their support, in terms of equipment, finance and knowledge, increases the chances of success for young startups. Accelerators in Iran are mainly private-sector structures. Their efficiency has been unanimously recognized by the Iranian government and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, leading to a shared determination to develop them. Avatech, the first accelerator in Iran, was founded in 2014, and marked the start of the first wave of accelerators establishments in 2016. Now, the total number of innovation centers and accelerators in Iran is estimated at 162. Moreover, 69% of accelerators in Iran are specialized in specific sectors, as shown in the graph below presenting the distribution of accelerators specialized in different industries.
US sanctions: resilience and breath of life.
U.S. sanctions have profoundly affected Iran's entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially since the U.S. withdrew from the Vienna agreements in May 2018. Since then, foreign investors have shown a reticence to invest in Iran due to the political and financial risks associated with the country's situation. Even domestic investors have scaled back their commitments in the country. Meanwhile, Iranian startups have been denied access to many European and American hardware and software solutions as a result of these sanctions, hampering the development of platforms and applications. In addition, foreign companies, whether customers or suppliers, are unable to acquire or integrate Iranian startups' products into their solutions, for fear of violating US sanctions.
However, these sanctions have also strengthened the country and its people's determination to make it on their own. With their backs to the wall, Iranian entrepreneurs have shown how frugality can be the driving force for great achievements. The Iranian entrepreneurial ecosystem was built in particularly difficult conditions, making it more resilient than ever. Isolation from foreign competitors has given start-ups the opportunity to develop in a protected environment, with less competition and more stability. Let's take a concrete example. Sanctions concerning the ban on online payment systems and transaction methods led to the emergence of numerous Iranian startups seeking to solve this problem. What was then a dead end, turned into a salient opportunity for entrepreneurs who created and developed in-house solutions for transaction methods. As a result, and unlike many other nations, Iranians have developed their own local version of international startups. Here's an infographic presenting some of Iran's well-known startups and their international equivalents.
In addition, the entrepreneurial ecosystem has been consolidated through a national spirit of mutual support, encouraging actors to help each other and collaborate. This state of mind is a determining factor in a people's ability to overcome problems. In response to the sanctions, the government has also mobilized with initiatives such as the National Development Fund and the National Innovation Fund, aimed at supporting startups, allocating loans and grants to existing and emerging startups.
Sources :
COP 28 in Dubai: the United Arab Emirates, environmental leader in the Middle East
Although their development is based on fossil fuels, they make no secret of their determination energy transition. The United Arab Emirates are thinking post-oil and and aim to be a champion of renewable energies, in a region of the world particularly exposed to global warming.
The emergence of a regional leader facing the climate emergency
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), or COP28, opened on November 30 in Dubai, in the presence of nearly 60,000 international delegates. By identifying what remains to be done since the Paris Agreement in 2015, it also aims to implement accelerated measures in response to the climate emergency. The diplomatic skills of the Emirates, hosts of this major annual gathering, are no longer in question, as they are considered a leading mediator on Middle East issues. When it comes to the environment, the Emirates aim to be a leader, combining
ecological transition with technological innovation.
Although their development is focused on fossil fuels, they make no secret of their determination to promote energy transition. The United Arab Emirates are thinking about the post-oil era and aim to be a champion of renewable energies, in a region of the world particularly exposed to global warming (droughts, desertification and water scarcity.) By presiding over the COP28, they are acting as a spokesperson for countries facing similar challenges and showing their leadership, particularly in photovoltaics.
Masdar City and Al-Dhafra, showcases of the Emirates' environmental commitment
Conceived in 2006 by the national renewable energy company that gave it its name, the Masdar City eco-city was built in the desert with a triple objective: 0 non-renewable waste, 0 carbon, 100% solar energy. From an architectural point of view, everything has been designed to facilitate wind circulation and provide protection from the sun. Leading international groups such as Total Energies and Engie have been attracted by the idea and the tax benefits provided. For its part, the Al-Dhafra solar park, 35km from Abu Dhabi, is currently the world's largest photovoltaic power facility, with 4 million solar panels covering an area of more than 21 square kilometers. Inaugurated in mid-November, it is designed to supply the electricity needs of almost 200,000 people, while avoiding the emission of almost 2.4 million tons of CO2 per year. It will soon be dethroned by the Mohammed ben Rachid al-Maktoum solar park in Dubai itself.
Massive investment in energy transition
By 2021, Abu Dhabi has announced its intention to invest at least $63 billion in renewable energies. Last September, at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, the Emirates pledged to invest $4 billion in the development of renewable energies in Africa. The world's 7th largest oil producer is committed to the future, and intends to make its mark on the international scene by exporting its development expertise. As part of the coalition of 7 other Arab nations (Tunisia, Morocco, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen) at COP28, they have expressed their support for a tripling of renewable energy production to 11,000 gigawatts by 2030. Their commitment doesn't stop there, as the creation of a transition fund, the first dedicated to this purpose, was announced with a payment of 30 billion dollars.
Although the challenges remain numerous and require ambitious measures on the part of each State, adapted to their share of responsibility for global warming, the United Arab Emirates are showing, on their own scale, a concern for the health of the planet and the well-being of mankind. This COP28, by highlighting the country's role, also confirms that the Middle East plays a major role in providing solutions to the greatest challenge of the 21st century, not only in terms of innovative initiatives but also sustainable development.
Sources :
COP28 : de quoi s’agit-il et pourquoi est-ce important ? | ONU Info (un.org)
Les Émirats arabes unis : le bon endroit pour une COP ? (radiofrance.fr)
Al Dhafra, vitrine solaire des Émirats arabes unis avant la COP28 | Connaissances des énergies
UAE - WORLD PIONEERS IN DIGITAL ADMINISTRATION
Dubai, the pearl of the United Arab Emirates, in its bold quest for a digital and paperless era, is rising to the top of innovation in public administration. This constantly evolving metropolis has made history with its digital transformation and meteoric progress towards paperless administration.
A vision to serve the future
The direction is clear, the ambition is assumed:
To make Dubai the happiest city in the world, thanks to new technologies.
Alia Al Mur, Marketing Director of the "Smart Dubai" program, emphasizes that the use of technology as an enabler aims to improve the lives of all residents and visitors.
The U.A.E.'s ambitions are not new, since the move towards total digital transformation began as early as 2000 with the deployment of the "E Gov" and "Dubai Internet City" initiatives, which aimed to make all government operations entirely paperless.
Substantial savings and a positive environmental impact
The benefits of this technological prowess are palpable. Dubai's government programs have saved $1.2 billion over the past thirteen years, thanks to intelligent infrastructure and services shared by 50 government entities. By abandoning the use of paper, the city is taking another step towards a much-needed climate transition.
Automating administrative procedures has been a major initiative in streamlining and improving access to public services. Permanent residents and visitors alike can now
carry out a variety of transactions online, from paying healthcare bills to managing school enrolment, all using a single mobile application.
Unrivalled technological achievement
Dubai's technological prowess goes far beyond simple digital adoption. The innovative use of artificial intelligence, blockchain and the Internet of Things has resulted in unprecedented automation of government processes. The "Smart Dubai" teams have developed 43 artificial intelligence use cases touching on transport, healthcare, education and tourism. A striking example is the governmental virtual assistant "Rachid", capable of providing personalized information on a variety of subjects.
Digital Identity: The Heart of the Smart Dubai Project
One of the most striking innovations is the UAE Pass, a digital identity card for all permanent residents of the United Arab Emirates. This pass is gradually replacing the paper identity card, which also serves as a driver's license and passport for travelling and living in the Emirates. With the UAE Pass, residents can sign any official document and use it as a password to access government sites and the public hospital.
Smart Dubai" plans to extend the use of the UAE Pass to the banking sector, making it easier to manage accounts from opening to closing. By 2021, every permanent resident of the United Arab Emirates must have this new digital identity card.
A Model of Excellence Ahead of the West
Dubai is emerging as a model of excellence in the transition to paperless, digital government. Its significant lead over the West demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its ability to implement radical change at remarkable speed. Dubai is writing a new page in the history of modern governance, offering a shining example to those aspiring to rethink their administrative systems worldwide.
House of One
In Berlin, one place for three faiths — unity and respect
Shalom, salam, peace
Launched more than ten years ago, this project to construct a building bringing together a temple, a synagogue and a mosque, as well as a fourth space dedicated to interfaith dialogue, was born not under the aegis of large institutions, associations or central councils, but under that of three representatives of religious communities — Pastor Gregor Hohberg, Rabbi Andreas Nachama and Imam Kadir Sanci.
A center for interfaith prayer and education, "House of One" aims to be a place of encounter and dialogue, open to believers of all faiths as well as non-believers. Roland Stolte, Christian theologian and Chairman of the Board of "House of One" says — "Jews, Christians and Muslims have planned together a place of understanding, a house of peace, where each brings the most beautiful and sublime of their religious tradition. And the result is this little miracle !" For Muslims, this will be the first mosque to be built in central Berlin. Imam Kadir Sanci insists that this is a powerful gesture aimed at young Muslims "who speak German and not Turkish, Arabic or Pakistani", and who need to assert the values of a German Islam — “With this symbolic and emblematic place, it's proof that Muslims and Islam are part of Germany. It will give another signal to society as a whole, which will see in it our preventive work and our fight against anti-Semitism and violence”.
The name of the project, "House of One", was inspired by Martin Luther King's speech when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. In his address, the African-American pastor spoke of the world as a single house, a house in which men and women must learn to live together — "Sooner or later all the people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace, and thereby transform this pending cosmic elegy into a creative psalm of brotherhood". Roland Stolte explains — "In the same year, shortly before this speech, Martin Luther King was also in East Berlin, not far from Petriplatz, where the House of One is currently under construction. Today we're paying tribute to him in a way”.
It is highly symbolic that this unprecedented place of worship is being built in Berlin, a multicultural city with a past marked by intolerance, violence and fanaticism, but also by the teachings of the Enlightenment, freedom and non-violent resistance. The former capital of the Third Reich is poised to become the epicenter of peace. Erected on Petriplatz, one of the German capital's oldest squares, the building will stand on the remains of Berlin's first church, the Protestant Church of Petri (St. Peter), built in 1230, damaged during the Second World War and then destroyed in 1964 by the authorities of the former GDR. A historical palimpsest, Petriplatz is a powerful symbolic place for the three religions of the Book.
Architecture — praising complexity
In 2011, Berlin-based architecture firm Kuehn-Malvezzi won the call for competition from architects around the world, thanks to a vision based on the idea of encounter, not mixture. For the Berlin trio, it's a question of articulating the differences between each cult to produce dialogue, rather than blending them into an impersonal place.
The group of architects, supported by Kadir Sanci, Gregor Hohberg and Andreas Nachama, thus imagined a "four-in-one" building combining a rectangular temple, a hexagonal synagogue, a square mosque and a communal meeting room open to the outside through high windows. The three prayer spaces have exactly the same surface area and are brought together under a central dome. Worshippers will be both separated, and at the same time connected by this large meeting space through which everyone must pass to reach one of the places of worship.
Nicknamed the "churmosquagogue" (a contraction of church, mosque and synagogue), the "House of One" will be a purely natural building made of millions of thick clinker bricks. The yellow bricks are intended to stand out from the red bricks used throughout Berlin and the grey concrete and steel of the surrounding towers. "We felt it was important to present the building as a singular entity, without symbols," explains one of the architects, Wilfried Kuehn. "The building material is very common - yellow brick, used by most cultures - and, at the same time, the building stands out in an urban environment dominated by residential places and office towers."
Around 47 million euros had to be raised to put the project together: more than half is funded by the federal government and the city of Berlin, the rest by private donations and participatory financing. On the "House of One" website, anyone can finance the purchase of a brick for ten euros. Since the campaign was launched in 2014, several thousand people have made donations.
Outside the walls — an ambitious social project
Although the House of One is due to come into being in 2025, the universalist project of peace and tolerance it defends is already being deployed. The "House of One" foundation is initiating events, partnerships and school projects all over the world. "We are already planning joint events — multi-religious peace prayers, mutual invitations to religious festivals, visits to tri-religious schools and round-table discussions", explains Roland Stolte.
The launch of the podcast "3 Frauen, 3 Religionen, 1 Thema" (translated as "3 women, 3religions, 1 topic") is also part of this culture of interfaith dialogue. Hosted by Rébecca, a university student in Judaic studies, Maïke, who is training to become a Protestant pastor, and Kübra, an Islamic theologian, the podcast aims to promote a better understanding of each religion. Through discussions and exchanges of experience, the issues raised are manifold: the role of religion in everyday life, what moves young Jews, Christians and Muslims, how to pray...
The "House of One" project also inspires other communities around the world. Three partner projects are underway in Bangui in the Central African Republic, Haifa in Israel, and Tbilisi in Georgia. "We hope to make our contribution to peace and understanding between religious worlds," says Roland Stolte.
In Tbilisi, for example, Malkhaz Songulashvili, metropolitan bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church and professor of comparative theology, has transformed his church into a building housing worship spaces for all three faiths. Called the "Cathedral of Peace", it houses a mosque, synagogue and church, as well as a space dedicated to interfaith dialogue and an interfaith library for children and adults. The "Cathedral of Peace" is the fruit of a collaboration with the "House of One": it provided the Torah, brought by Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin, a Reform rabbi from Haifa who heads the Israeli branch of the "House of One", called the "Garden of One”. It's a powerful move in Georgia, where the Jewish community, which has been established for 2,600 years, is steadily shrinking. Waves of emigration to Israel have followed one another since the 1970s, leading to the decline of a community that now numbers just 3,000 in the country, a far cry from the 80,000 members it once had.
This project is also in line with other multi-religious projects such as the Academy for Peace and Development, which enables Christian and Muslim children in the capital to rub shoulders and share their daily lives... Powerful initiatives, all the more necessary at a time when Georgia is witnessing the deadly conflict that is tearing its neighbors, Armenian Christians and Azerbaijani Muslims, apart in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them glad in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. For my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:7) The "House of One" is an embodiment of these words of the prophet Isaiah. An instrument of peace and unity, the project is already bearing fruit in Berlin and around the world, radiating that most beautiful and universal of the three monotheistic faiths, a treasure all too often obscured by religious wars and communal tensions — peace. With the founders of "House of One", we can say —
Audacious hope for human fraternity
For decades, we have been witnessing the rise of religious extremism and intolerance in all societies and faiths. The values of pluralism, mutual respect and diversity of religions and beliefs are the foundation of peace and the cement of our human family. Yet all over the world, these values are being violated. Political divide, growing inequality, hate rhetoric, sectarianism and increasing conflicts are at stake.
More than ever, we need to remember that dialogue between all religious groups can help to raise awareness and understanding of the values shared by humanity. In this context, it is necessary to encourage initiatives designed to promote dialogue between religions and cultures, in order to strengthen peace, social stability and mutual understanding, and thus foster human fraternity.
A model of interfaith harmony
In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed World Interfaith Harmony Week, celebrated each year on the first week of February, as a means of promoting harmony between all religions, beliefs and faiths. On December 21, 2020, the International Day of Human fraternity is established through resolution 75/200, which was adopted unanimously and was supported by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, Burkina Faso and Venezuela. Member states are invited to include this celebration in their calendars from 2021.
This Day took place for the first time on February 4, 2021, and celebrates the values of compassion, religious understanding and mutual respect that guarantee peace. It is founded on the adhesion to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity and dialogue at all levels of society and between nations, in a national and international environment that fosters peace and guarantees the rights of all, especially the poor, disabled and needy.
The importance of religion
"No one saves himself alone »
Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See in the first World Meeting on Human Fraternity on June 10, 2023 in St. Peter's Square, Rome.
Religions have a decisive responsibility in the coexistence of peoples. In order to serve fraternity, they need to dialogue with one another, to get to know one another, to enrich one another and to deepen what unites them. Different religious traditions, each drawing on its own spiritual heritage, can make a major contribution. Indeed, if we can demonstrate that it is possible to live our differences in fraternity, we will gradually free ourselves from fear and mistrust of others who are different from us.
Religious leaders have taken action to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue. A meeting took place on February 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb,, at the end of which the document entitled "Human Fraternity for World Peace and Common Coexistence"was signed.
This Document, in line with previous International Documents that have highlighted the importance of the role of religions in building world peace, is an invitation to reconciliation and fraternity between all believers and non-believers.It advocates the values of tolerance and fraternity promoted and encouraged by religions, and symbolizes the embrace between East and West.
By handing it over to the authorities, influential leaders and civil society organizations, the Catholic Church and Al-Azhar promise to ensure that it becomes an "object of research and reflection" in all schools, universities and educational and training institutes, to help create new generations who will bring goodness and peace.
In France, the "Fraternité d'Abraham" association was one of the consequences of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), called by Pope John XXIII. Indeed, the "Nostra Aetate" declaration of October 26, 1965 recommended that Christians learn about Judaism and respect each other, and also opened the Catholic Church to inter-religious dialogue with Islam. It was founded on June 7 1967 at the Paris mosque on the initiative of writer André Chouraqui, Father Danielou, and later joined by Father Michel Riquet, mosque rector Si Hamza Boubakeur and man of letters Jacques Nantet.
"The Fraternité d'Abraham", whose name refers to the father of the three monotheistic religions known as Abrahamic, was the founder of the friendship between the communities and has played an important role, either directly or through its members, in the development of inter-religious dialogue in France, particularly after the 1991 Gulf War, but also in Europe and internationally. In 2004, together with the LICRA, the CRIF, the Consistoire and the Rabbinate, it set up the "Amitiés Judéo-Musulmanes" (AJMF) process, which federates numerous groups in France committed to this dialogue.
Brotherhood in the three monotheisms.
"Knowledge is the first step in building bridges with the other".
"Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 13). Jesus' life is an example and a call to brotherhood. Born a Jew, He invites His companions to a new universal brotherhood, founded on the unicity of God, the Father of all, and His benevolent design for all humans. By his resurrection, Jesus has become," says Paul, "the eldest of the multitude of brothers. There is no longer male or female, slave or free, Greek or Jew (Gal. 3:28): this is Abraham's heritage. To teach us to love one another as brothers, Jesus teaches us to see these remaining differences not as oppositions, but as richness to be shared.
" Am I my brother's keeper?" is Cain's reply to the Lord, when he asks about Abel (Gen 4:9). According to Judaism, brotherhood is not innate, it has to be learned. We have to condition ourselves to overcome hatred, to transmute it into love, as in the story of Joseph and his brothers. This love of others, which leads to a feeling of brotherhood, is inclusive in Judaism, whatever the degree of religious practice or knowledge of the Torah.
The Lord offers the Hebrew people the Ten Commandments, which remain the foundation of Judaism to this day, and which govern the relationship between man and God, and between man and his fellow man. Love of others thus becomes one of the factors in our communion with God. Love of the Creator and love of creatures are inseparable.
"He has not attained the fullness of faith who sleeps sated while his neighbor is hungry" (Prophet Muhammad).
Brotherhood is also enshrined in the maxims of the Prophet Muhammad. The Koran explains that all believers are brothers, and that they must seek to live in peace and justice. First and foremost, it revolves around the central notion of divine unicity (Tawhid). God has created a single humanity, from one same soul. There can be no brotherhood without the effort of getting to know one another. Knowledge is the first step in building bridges of mutual respect. Fraternity is the result of a commitment, of a sustained effort to recognize the other (his person, his life, his rights, etc.).
The International Day of Human Brotherhood is part of a drive that requires each and every one of us to strengthen our ability to engage in dialogue with others, in order to get to know and accept each other better. We share a common origin and descent, and a common destiny. The "faith of Abraham the believer" appears today as a ferment of peace and mutual aid, capable of arousing enthusiasm and generosity in the service of all truly human causes. Jews, Christians and Muslims have decided to join forces to become aware of everything that has made up their common spiritual and cultural heritage since Abraham, and to work together for the effective reconciliation of all those who today represent Abraham's descendants, with the aim of freeing the world from the evils of hatred, fanatical violence and pride of race and blood, by revealing the authentic and divine sources of a fraternal humanism.
Sources:
https://www.un.org/fr/observances/human-fraternity
https://www.fraternite-dabraham.com
http://www.fraternite-dabraham.com/wp-content/uploads/Revue-153.pdf
Khazna : This eco-friendly start-up fights financial insecurity in Egypt
Egypt's socio-economic context is still fragile. With inflation at an alarming rate - approaching 40% by September 2023 - the World Bank estimates that 60% of Egypt's 104 million people are currently living below the poverty line. This critical situation is reflected in sharp inequalities in a number of areas, notably financial services. Although 50% of Egyptians own a telephone, only one in three enjoys full access to financial services. Khazna targets the remaining two-thirds.
Khazna : a mission of financial inclusion
The Cairo-based start-up, founded in 2019 by Omar Saleh, Ahmed Waqueeh and Fatma El Shenawy, deploys its financial services offering to poor households throughout the Middle East. Among other things, it enables them to make withdrawals and deposits free of charge. The application also provides an exhaustive lexicon of salary-related elements and usage, the idea being to guide users towards total financial security and independence. It even enables small and medium-sized businesses to easily manage salary advances, requested directly by employees via the app, and obtained in real time. According to the 60 decibels research center, 60% of Egyptian users consider that Khazna has changed their lives.
This technology-based approach to budget and salary management is attracting a growing number of investors in markets as diverse as France, Egypt, Spain, Indonesia and Nigeria, where start-ups such as Spayr, Khazna, Payflow, Xendit and Earnipay are already active. The appeal of this major financial inclusion project is that it spares consumers the stress of running out of money or having to borrow from predators.
Khazna has not finished fighting poverty. The young fintech is planning to offer additional services such as insurance. To achieve this new goal, the start-up is forging strong partnerships with major companies such as Quona Capital, Speedinvest, Nclude and Arab Bank, with the aim of raising more funds. In April 2022, Khazna raised $38 million in Series A debt and equity, while the management team continued to perfect its technological tools in Khazna's data centers. The result: in 2023, the start-up wins the Fintech Social Impact Award.
When solvency rhymes with sustainability: a start-up that adapts to climate issues
What else ? Khazna is well connected to its users and their needs, yet it is not neglecting more global issues. In line with the COP27 conference, which took place in 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), Khazna has just begun its journey towards greater energy sobriety. The first, but by no means least important, step is to bring the fixed infrastructures that concentrate the data mobilized by the application up to standard. Representing 4% of global energy consumption in 2015, according to EDF subsidiary Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE), data centers are among the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide.
Focused on building sustainable data centers in the region, Khazna CEO Hassan Alnaqbi confirmed the recent adoption of international environmental regulations. Already, the Egyptian fintech has begun to reduce its water consumption by reusing wastewater, and is also planning to develop a photovoltaic power plant in partnership with Emerge, the joint venture between EDF and Masdar. Khazna's initiatives have also been rewarded by the North American Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system, which was quick to award the start-up four building certificates.
"It's by being responsible that we can build a brand based on trust"
Fatma Ashkanani, assistant manager of khazna
Fatma Ashkanani, Deputy CEO, insists on the importance of this direction taken by the start-up: "It's only by being responsible that we can nurture our company's reputation and build a brand based on trust. By investing in international best practice and creating a supportive environment, Khazna aims to attract the best talent". An ambition that forecasts many more developments.
Sources :
https://www.khazna.ae/about-us/
https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/31/egyptian-financial-super-app-khazna-raises-38m-from-quona-capital-and-lendable/
https://afriqueitnews.com/finance/super-application-financiere-egyptienne-khazna-leve-38-millions-dollars-serie-a/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/khazna
https://fastcompanyme.com/fastco-work/how-data-centers-in-the-middle-east-are-prioritizing-sustainability/
https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/01/17/en-egypte-la-classe-moyenne-craint-de-devoir-choisir-entre-nourrir-les-enfants-ou-leur-payer-l-ecole_6158171_3212.html
https://www.planetoscope.com/electronique/230-energie-consommee-par-les-data-centers.html
Credits photo : https://telecomtalk.info/khazna-datacenters-benyagroup-egypt-first-hyperscale-datacenter/702584/
Spain of three cultures
Speaking of the Spain of three cultures is to conflict with the national historical narrative. History tells us that first came the Phoenicians, then the Greeks, then the Romans. But curiously, the whole Semitic element, both Arab and Jewish, is left out. Spanish identity was established after the Reconquest, the victory over the Arabs and the expulsion of the Jews.
However, despite the conflicts, there were exchanges, dialogues and reciprocal influences between the three cultures.
The "sepharad"
The term "Sefarad" traditionally refers to Spain and Spanish Jews. By extension, it came to apply to all Jews in communities around the Mediterranean.
Since the end of the 8th century, the status of Jews in Spain has evolved considerably.
Under the Romans, Jews had the same status as in the rest of the Empire. Under the Aryan Visigoth kings, Jews were tolerated and made a living from agriculture.
From 586, when King Récarède converted to Christianity, they suffered persecution and forced conversions (the Marranos) for almost a century. King Egica even considered enslaving them.
When the Arabs arrived in 711, the Jews put themselves at their service. The Arabs were few in number and sought loyal allies.
The two communities found it in their interest to get along, especially as many Jews from the Maghreb reinforced the presence of the Moors and Jews from Sefarad. Indeed, some Arab geographers were quick to refer to Granada, Tarragona and Lucena as "Jewish cities", to underline the importance of this minority.
The development of urban life required merchants and administrators, functions that Arabs and Berbers were reluctant to perform.
Jews in Muslim Spain
From the establishment of the Cordoba caliphate in 929, a golden age of Judaism began in the land of Islam. Abderahman III (912-971) took Hasday ibn Saprut, a Jew from Jaen, as his physician, entrusting him with numerous diplomatic missions in addition to his own health: contact with the abbot of Gorze, negotiations with the nascent kingdoms of León and Navarre.
He had numerous scientific works translated from Greek into Arabic, and contributed greatly to the cultural development of his community. In contact with Arabic poetry, the Jews composed beautiful poems and engaged in grammatical studies; all this intellectual effervescence fostered the emergence of a rich Hebrew culture.
By the 11th century, Granada was the capital of the Arab world in Spain. Samuel haNaguid, or the Naguid (993-1056), was the key figure of this period. A merchant from Malaga, he quickly became the leader of Granada's politics, leading Arab troops into battle against Seville and Almeria. Also a poet and rabbi, he was a great scholar, promoting the arts and poetry in particular.
Les sept siècles de présence musulmane en Espagne, de 711 à 1492, ont profondément marqué la réalité historique et culturelle de la Péninsule ibérique en rendant possible l'émergence d'une civilisation, celle d'al-Andalus – terme utilisé par les auteurs arabes du Moyen Âge pour désigner l'Espagne musulmane. Les grandes réalisations architecturales, comme la mosquée de Cordoue et l'Alhambra de Grenade, mais aussi l'art mudéjar et, dans le domaine intellectuel, la pensée d'Averroès et celle de Maïmonide, constituent des oeuvres essentielles de l'héritage d’al-Andalus.
Jews in Christian Spain
The Christian Reconquest, culminating in the capture of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, ushered in a dark period marked by politico-religious unification, which tended to wipe out the evidence and contributions of this heritage and to subjugate, through violence and forced conversion, the communities (that of Jewish converts and Moriscos) integral to what has been known since the mid-20th century as the Spain of "three cultures".
The limited coexistence between Moors, Jews and Christians during the medieval period, marked by fruitful collaboration and reciprocal influences, was followed, from the end of the 14th century, by a long phase of persecution of minorities (expulsion of the Jews from 1492 and of the Moriscos in 1609) and deliberate sidelining of the cultural legacy and identity of the Spain of the three religions.
Artistic cross-fertilization demonstrates the vitality of this heritage on both shores of the Mediterranean, as witnessed, for example, by the renewal of Arabo-Andalusian music.
Ever since the Romantics rediscovered the vestiges and symbols of this often idealized medieval Spain in the 19th century, and the lively historiographical debates that began in the middle of the same century among Arabists and medievalists, who would later emphasize the "orientalization" or, depending on their position, the "westernization" of al-Andalus, the question of the heritage of the "three cultures" in Spain has, to varying degrees, always been part of ideological and political strategies and issues.
The latter are present not only in the discussions sparked by the restoration of architecture from this period, but also in the various uses made of archaeological research, which sometimes supports the work of historians in establishing certain facts, while opposing the erasure of this past.
The Spain of the "three cultures" is an inheritance of contrasts, obscured, rediscovered and reappropriated. It is inextricably linked to a history of conflict, but a better understanding of this history can redefine the dividing lines and highlight the role and influence of this plural heritage as a place of dialogue and socio-cultural exchange in the Euro-Mediterranean area.
The Detours of Babel
Today, is the sin of pride that led men to build the legendary Tower of Babel at work once again in the proliferation of urban development projects in the Middle East ? Taller, finer, imposing, the architectural feats that rise from Riyadh to Tel Aviv to Dubai are like the new "gates to heaven”. Energy-hungry, costly and densely-packed, they seem to have been built by new Babylonians, driven by an excess of hubris incompatible with today’s environmental and climatic challenges. But do these futuristic cities stand in the way to building a green and low-carbon future, or can they be built in the name of a responsible economy and fair prosperity ?
Eco-towers of Babel?
If the collapse of the biblical tower is a symbol of human vanity and divine omnipotence power, it seems that today, regarding the climate transition, the new Towers of Babel enable men to reconnect with their environment. It is true for the Ashalim power plant in Israel. Known as the tallest solar tower of the world, the Ashalim power plant is 250 metres high, has 50,000 solar panels and supplies 2% of the country’s electricity needs.
Another way of using architecture to meet the challenges of our time can be found in the UAE, with the eco-city of Masdar ("spring" in Arabic). This city aims to achieve low-carbon development by 2030, in particular with a new light mass transit system, "Personal Rapid Transit" (PRT).
Utopian? Perhaps. Impossible? Certainly not. Necessary? Undoubtedly. More and more studies call for a worldwide urban energy transition on a global scale. The Abu Dhabi-based IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) helps its 160 member countries to assess their own energy situation and also draw up effective long-term action plans. Among other things, they are responsible for the "Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA)” which could prove decisive in the development of low-carbon energies. At COP27 in Egypt, nine countries, including the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom have joined the team.
"And we'll make a name for ourselves": architecture and green soft power”
"All over the earth there was one language and the same words (...) they said, 'Let's go, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top reaches to heaven. And we will make ourselves a name, lest we be scattered over the face of the earth" (187 Genesis, 11,1-9).
The building of new Towers of Babel is not only the fruit of human pride, but also the desire for an overture to the world and to commerce. If today people are indignant at the almost indecent scale of the construction sites of the Saudi Arabia new city Neom, that will welcome 9 million tourists by 2050, let's not forget that this project was originally conceived with a view to opening up to the rest of the world. The emergence of brand new, modernized cities partake in soft power that brings cultures closer. Such is the case of the “Louvre Abu Dhabi” project, initiated by France and the UAE, or the Cairo Tower in Egypt, which is based on an American-Egyptian partnership.
In 1927, the film Metropolis hit the big screen. That prophetic work heralded the folie de grandeur of our century. Generation after generation, as technology improves, the cities of the past disappear to make way for new prototypes. Yesterday's Colossus of Rhodes, today's Burj Al Arab, or the Tour Tower of Africa... There is no denying that building frenzy expresses the desire of great powers to assert themselves on the international stage. "And we'll make a name for ourselves !” said the builders of the Tower of Babel. Here, this biblical adage takes on a different meaning. Urban planning projects are no longer about the glory of a name, but are above all the expression of a need for collective and sustainable development, between peoples who used to remain speechless.
Sources:
https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/fiche-pedagogique/masdar-city
https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/questions-et-reponses-energies/quel-est-le-role-de-lirena
https://hal-enpc.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01724329/document
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q01aYeZYqmM&t=132s
https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Planning/Africa-Continental-Power-System-Masterplan
https://selectra.info/energie/actualites/revue-de-presse/10-11-2022
Géopolitique des Émirats Arabes Unis, Charles Saint Prot Des Hommes et des Risques, Marc Nabeth
Au Commencement Était La Mondialisation, Nayan Chanda
“Who wants to win the war, gets ready for peace”
As the world's nerve center, it is here that trade has flourished and strengthened through the centuries. In his “Crises d’Orient", Henry Laurens rightly reminds us that the Middle East functions like a network through which trade flows. On the one hand, it is a seaborne network — in the 19th century, the United Arab Emirates built their economy around the exportation of pearls to India. Turkey and other Black Sea littoral states were also involved in the development of Black Sea traffic. The Montreux Convention, which guarantees free passage for merchant ships through the straits, is one of the few multilateral conventions to have survived the test of time. On the other hand, the Middle East was the birthplace of 5 of the 13 OPEC member countries.
Indeed, the region is the heart of an invaluable resource — oil. With over 55% of the world's reserves, the region is a leader in the industry. With over 10 million tons of oil in the 1900s, Iran leads the way, followed by Kuwait. Yet, this comparative advantage was not without setbacks.
Is oil an asset or a burden?
In some respects, it can be seen as burden, at least from a geographical point of view. The random distribution of gas and oil resources around the Mediterranean increases the region's economic and social heterogeneity. The wealthy countries benefiting from this income - Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Kuwait - rub shoulders with the poorest countries — Yemen and Palestine. This two-speed development further widens the gap between peoples who are neighbors. The other side of the coin is political — since the 19th century, the discovery of black gold has transformed the Levant into a geopolitical chessboard on which the players in the global economy clash.
The Achnacarry Pact of 1928 - which divided the region's reserves between the five largest foreign oil companies - and the oil shocks that followed the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Islamic Revolution in 1979 are all illustrations of this, but today, contrary to Thucydides' quote — “who wants peace, gets ready for war", the global context tends to prove that — “Who wants to win the war, gets ready for peace”. A century after the crises in the East, a glimmer of hope is emerging. If the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty of 1979, followed by the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty of 1994, had opened the way, on September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords resound like a promise of renewal for inter-cultural dialogue. The embrace of nations expands — United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Israel.
The cure for global change — cooperation
Why here, why now ? From a purely pragmatic point of view, the Abrahamic Accords come with weapons to fight adversity. Two major threats can be identified. The first is ideological. Composed of 90% Sunni countries, the Middle East is nonetheless subject to the advent of a debasing Shiite Arc, with Iran exercising its hegemony over the Strait of Hormuz and raising the spectre of maritime enclavement against the Emirati kingdom. And in view of Teheran's nuclear enrichment and political aggressiveness, the Gulf state has right to request American protection, via a military agreement providing the delivery of F35 stealth fighter jets.
The second threat has neither fatherland nor face, it is a natural one — climate transition. Already in the 2000s, countless droughts, preventing farmers from growing local crops in the Mediterranean, formed the backdrop to the Arab Spring. Now, in its latest report, the IPCC asserts that at over 3% global warming, food insecurity will be widespread. With societies' leeway over their environment shrinking, the major wheat exporters - Algeria, Iran and Egypt - are in the front line. And above all, countries that have built their prosperity around oil production are in danger of falling by the wayside. It's true that the Middle East's share of oil sales had been declining since the early 2000s, as a result of the diversification of partners in the sector (Mexico, Nigeria, etc..) But, much more radically, black gold is at its peak. Its production peak, scheduled for 2035, marks the beginning of its decline. For both parties, the normalization of diplomatic relations reflects the challenge of finding alternative sources of wealth. According to Montesquieu, trade pacifies relations.
The French philosopher couldn't have put it better himself — by 2022, Abu Dhabi forecasts an 8% rise in GDP and the arrival of 4,000 new wealthy residents. The Abraham Accords have disrupted the tourism, education, health, trade and security sectors.
Emulating the Israeli model
The signatory states of this messianic agreement realized that their last stand against decay depended on close cooperation, in particular with a country that had managed to flourish without ever having been able to draw on its soil — Israel. In 1947, when the first partition plan was drawn up, the Jewish state was allocated 55% of... arid land. Including part of the Negev desert. Ever since its creation, Israel has had no choice but to be agile and innovative in order to survive. The “Start-Up Nation” began in 1912 with the Israel Institute of Technology. Ranked as the best university in the Middle East by the Shanghai ranking and the sixth best university in the world, the Technion is an example of a nation's success and resilience. A model for the Gulf States as they embark on their economic conversion process. Planning to move away from their dependence on fossil fuels within 20 years, thanks to new technologies, the Gulf States follow the footsteps of the Hebrew state.
Further east, in the Far East, China has long since opted for increased trade. A pillar of globalization, this powerful, contested and questionable regime launched an ambitious initiative in 2013. The New Roads of Silk reflect a desire to maximize Chinese power through seamless integration with today's prevailing network model. Isn't it time for the countries of the Middle East to strengthen theirs?
Sources:
Mohammad-Reza Djalili (2010), Histoire de l’Iran contemporain, Repères
Mosab Hassan Youssef (2010), Le Prince Vert : Du Hamas aux services secrets israéliens, Denoël Henri Laurens (2017), Les Crises d’Orient, Fayard
Amin Maalouf (2019), Le Naufrage Des Civilisations, Grasset
Charles Saint-Prot (2019), Géopolitique des Émirats Arabes Unis, Karthala
Thomas Gomart (2019), L’Affolement du Monde 10 enjeux géopolitiques, Tallandier Christophe Blain & Jean-Marc Jancovici (2022), Le Monde Sans Fin, Dargaud Emmanuel Navon (2022), L’Étoile et le Sceptre Histoire Diplomatique d’Israël, Hermann
Peoples of the Middle East — the stakes are the same
This observation sounds all the more right that the person expressing it has himself followed a convoluted path. Mosab Hasan Youssef, son of the head of Hamas, became a Shin Bet agent at the age of 18, and ended up in exile in the United States after his conversion to Christianity. While maintaining a visceral attachment to his family and the Palestinian people, the “Green Prince” remains eternally torn by a multiple identity.
But in the end, doesn't it reflect the entire history of the Middle East ? Far from being a monolithic block, this area of over 2 702 715 quarter miles is home to a myriad of ethnicities and religions, such as — Turkmen, Berbers, Nubians, Kurds, Druze, Muslims, and Jews, and Zoroastrians.... and over twenty languages. It is in this prophetic backdrop that the same scenes of battle and heartbreak have unfolded again and again. In his lectures at the Collège de France, Henry Laurens admits that violence doesn’t come from the people, but from geopolitics. Regional conflicts are inexorably entangled in international logics. Since the 19th century, this mythical land, full of cultural and energy riches, has not escaped the eyes of its neighbors.
For the British historian Arnold Toynbee, the "Eastern question” is more likely a “Western question”, for it was at a time of unbridled power struggles that Great Britain, France and the United States set their sights on the Middle East. The thorny question of borders stems in part from the territorial distribution between these 19th-century Western states. In 1916, the Sykes Picot agreement enabled France and Great Britain to divide up the Levant, and in 1920, the Treaty of Sevres sounded the death knell for the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire and Arab nationalism... Similarly, in Iran, following the constitutional revolution, American jurist Morgan Shuster, charged with restoring the dynasty’s financial situation of the Qajar dynasty, divided the country into three areas.
Nowadays, the region still suffers from its tangled borders. The cradle of monotheisms presents as many facets as it does challenges, conflicts, aggregations and disintegrations that have been repeated down the ages... Before the wars, and before the negotiations, bear in mind that the countries that make up the Mediterranean basin are all facets of the same jewel. They are much more alike than what you think.
Same battles, same remnants, and same threats
The internal battles are the same. The issue of education, for example, is a common pattern to Egypt and Iran. Both of them lost the visionary and progressive Minister of Education, who could have modernized the sector. In Iran, Amir Kabir founded the Persian Polytechnic (Dar-ol-Fonoun) and freed the press. He was assassinated on January 10 1852. Meanwhile, in Egypt, despite his progressive ideas, Naahas Pasha was dismissed from his post as Prime Minister. He had, however, placed one of his country's greatest one of his country's greatest men of letters — Taha Hussein. Politics and ideologies are the same. From the names Poale Tsion and Mapaï in Israel, from the names Tudeh and Adalat in Iran... Marxist influences have managed to permeate with equal intensity two states that are sworn enemies.
Threats are the same. The dictatorial pathology detected by Orwell in 1984 is not unique to the Soviet Union. Amin Maalouf, who witnessed successive coups in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Iran, refers to the repeated dictatorships in the Mediterranean basin as a form of “orwellism”. In How Our World Lost Its Way, the author, who grew up between Egypt and Lebanon, claims that the rise of extremism always comes with the dialectic of a “minority” oppressed by a “majority”. Combating Muslim Brotherhood fundamentalism was already one of Egypt's priorities. Long before Abdel Fattah al-Sissi's coup in 2013, back in 1948, the assassination of Prime Minister Mahmoud an-Nukrashi Pasha set alarm bells ringing in the Egyptian government. Nowadays, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates worry about it too. In 2012, following the fall of Mubarak, Abu Dhabi cut all diplomatic ties with Doha, which had expressed its support for the Egyptian Islamist organization.
Same hopes…
Do the countries that make up the Mediterranean share nothing but stalemates ? Don’t they share the same aspirations ? The same ambitions ? In the 10th century BC, King Solomon is said to have been one of the first diplomats in the Middle East. While establishing relations with a declining Egypt, he would have divested himself of the territory of Damascus in favour of Syria. This geopolitical approach to the Bible, outlined by by Emmanuel Navon in “The Star and the Scepter — A Diplomatic History of Israel”, reminds us that communication has always existed between the peoples of the Middle East. Despite their conflicts, the various regional parties have always maintained dialogue - be it in a gentle or nasty way.
In 538 B.C., Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, liberated the Jewish people from Babylon. On March 14, 1950, Iran became the second Muslim state to recognize the State of Israel after Turkey. This was followed by the opening of respective offices in Tel Aviv and Teheran, even before the official embassies of the 1970s. At that time, Ethiopia, Iran, Turkey and Israel were considered “the alliance of the periphery”. Although Israel and Iran do not belong together anymore, there is still hope for Israel and Turkey, especially with the normalization of their diplomatic relations in 2016. “It's wrong to pit values against interests. Sometimes they come together”. In this respect, Amin Maalouf’s point of view fits the situation perfectly. Turkey's gas interests are the counterpart of this agreement, namely the foresight of an Israeli pipeline through Turkey to Europe. It's a win-win situation for both parties.
And the West?
If you widen the focus, you can see that Amin Maalouf’s quote applies just as well to relations with the West in general. Indeed, even after its independence in 1946, Lebanon decided to preserve its customs union inherited from the French Mandate. Another example — France and the United Arab Emirates. In 1977, Valéry Giscard D’Estaing drew up a charter guaranteeing his unwavering support for the kingdom. Nowadays, 60% of weapons exportation come from Paris. A cultural dimension is also opening up with the welcoming of an extension to the Louvre in Abu Dhabi in 2017. That project gives the UAE a greater international visibility.
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998, Amartya Sen corrected the work of Samuel Huntington. While the author of The Clash of Civilizations hammered home the point that the world was divided into eight civilizations, Amartya Sen denounced this reductive thesis. Identity is not a block, it is fractal, multiple, and sometimes changing or incomplete... Identity is impregnated by what surrounds it and by those around it.
In the Middle East, identity is plural; only destiny is the same.
Sources:
Mohammad-Reza Djalili (2010), Histoire de l’Iran contemporain, Repères
Amin Maalouf (2019), Le Naufrage Des Civilisations, Grasset
Charles Saint-Prot (2019), Géopolitique des Émirats Arabes Unis, Karthala
What a Bazaar !
Waza
For the central government is now losing an indispensable source of support — the bazaars. These markets, traditionally loyal to the Shiite regime, went on strike in Tehran from November 15 to 17, 2022. Much more than a place for the exchange of goods and services, the bazaar is a total place — home to housing, schools, and religious institutions and, above all, social movements. Between traditionalism and modernity, you can discover a whole microcosm. Let's take our turn to explore the alleys of these typical Eastern markets and dive into the bazaars.
A place for spatial and economic planning
Whether you're visiting Iran, Turkey, Morocco or even Northern Macedonia, strolling through the bazaar districts will always give you the impression of being in a time bubble wherein the past can be visited. Professor Mohammad Hossein Zia Tavana of Shahid Beheshti University believes that Iranian bazaars date back to pre-Islamic times. The 4,000-year-old cities of Our and Susa are full of scrolls mentioning these places. So, what is the secret behind such enduring popularity ? If the institution of the bazaar has managed to survive, it's above all thanks to its function as a decision-making space. Whether political, economic, cultural or town-planning, these decisions have always tended towards one and the same goal — to adapt the market to change.
The spatial organization of this maze is proof of this. Although a bazaar is a little bit of everything - jewelry, clothes, furniture, spices - the internal layout of its quarters is perfectly structured. For example, artistic products likely to displease tourists are generally located at the extremities of the bazaar, while gold and gem merchants are more often found near the mosques, in the center of the bazaar.
The economic weight of the bazaar, particularly in terms of exports, has always been significant. In the 19th century, the Tabriz bazaar accounted for 25% of Iran's commercial transactions. At 75 hectares, it can be considered the world's largest shopping mall, ahead of the 66-hectare South China Mall. However, the bazaar model is not comparable to that of the European or American mall.
The "Crossroads" of civilizations
The bazaar is a lively place. People talk, negotiate - prices are never fixed in advance - meet new people... In this effervescence, people marginalized by their status or origin mingle with others. This is first and foremost the case for the rural masses. Withdrawn into isolated villages, this segment of the population has little contact with the rest of society.
The Tehran bazaar itself has a multi-ethnic dimension, due to its predominantly Azeri and Turkish-speaking traders and the origins of the items sold. The flagship Persian carpet, known for its warm colors and asymmetrical knots, was produced mainly by the Jewish communities of Isfahan and Shiraz, according to Benjamin de Tudèle, a 12th-century Spanish traveler. Even today, several synagogues can be found in the Udalan district of Tehran's bazaar.
Find the bazaar in your plate!
The originality of the bazaar also lies in the absence of any advertising system — the prosperity of bazaar shops is therefore based almost exclusively on the maintenance of a good reputation. Such is the case for Tehran's oldest teahouse in the heart of the Grand Bazaar. Presented by locals as the temple of tea, this small 1.5-square-meter stall welcomes over 200 people a day, according to estimates by its manager, Casant Mabhoutian.
Nowadays, restaurateurs are seizing on this tradition of word-of-mouth to make mouths water for customers in search of the exotic. In Tel Aviv, a gourmet restaurant called Ola Ola has strayed into the middle of the Shuk* Hacarmel (*the Arab souk is the equivalent of the Iranian bazaar). In Lebanon, the Souk El Akel event in Beirut brings together over 25 culinary stands to celebrate oriental and international food. Finally, there's the restaurant hidden behind the stalls at Israel's Merkaza market. Just like the souk, the bazaar in French means disorder, agitation... This common expression is much more profound than you might think. In Iran, the bazaar is above all the focus of social revolt and political demands. Historian Stéphane Dudoignon recalls that, with every political overthrow, Tehran's great bazaar has been the starting point for uprisings. Since the Qadjar era, the bazaar's predominant position has made it the primary force of opposition to the political elite. The constitutional revolution of 1905 effectively began in the bazaar. The governor of Teheran had three sugar merchants shot for refusing to reduce their prices. The entire market then revolted, joined by mullahs and students. The protesters demanded a "house of justice", which they obtained along with the resignation of the government. When Shah Reza Pahlavi later sought to control this institution, the bazaar sparked new strikes and paralyzed the Iranian economy, providing support for the Shiite clergy that would propel Khomenei to power in 1979. In the current context of Iranian society in turmoil, it is perhaps from the bazaar that the greatest Iranian political upheaval of the 21st century will come.
Sources :
https://www.ledauphine.com/societe/2021/09/22/iran-la-plus-vieille-maison-de-the-de-teheran-fait-1-5m https://www.tresorsdumonde.fr/bazar-de-tabriz/
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazar
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souk
https://www.persee.fr/doc/cemot_0764-9878_1987_num_4_1_878 https://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/a-quand-leffondrement-du-regime-iranien-95752/ https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapis_persan https://www.cairn.info/revue-marche-et-organisations-2022-2-page-212.htm
https://www.merkaza.com https://www.rfi.fr/fr/moyen-orient/20221115-grèves-manifestations-en-iran-le-mouvement-rend-hommage-à-la- contestation-de-2019
https://paristehran.com/teheran-centre-itineraire/
http://www.teheran.ir/spip.php?article631#gsc.tab=0
https://libshop.fr/souk-el-akel/ https://fr.ncr-iran.org/communiques-cnri/iran-protestations/70e-jour-de-soulevement-en-iran-greve-des-bazars- manifestations-nocturnes-et-enterrement-de-martyrs/ https://legrandcontinent.eu/fr/evenements/va-t-il-y-avoir-une-revolution-en-iran/ (conférence avec Stéphane Dudoignon, Novembre 2022)
Mohammad-Reza Djalili, Thierry Kellner, Histoire de l’Iran contemporain, La Découverte
Marock, the film that still rocks
This feature-length film offered audiences a fresh vision of Moroccan youth, uninhibited and eager for freedom and recklessness. Marock retraces the impossible love story of two teenagers from different backgrounds. She is Muslim, he is Jewish. Like Titanic, Dirty Dancing, La Boum or LOL, this romantic comedy has become a classic for the new generation. But beyond its light-hearted tone, Marock also carries a strong political message. In 2006, against the backdrop of the Casablanca bombings that struck the Spanish, Jewish and Belgian communities, Laïla Marrakchi used her camera to confront Islamic obscurantism.
The story
Far from school preoccupations, Ghita and her friends enjoy life to the full, laughing, singing, dancing... Basking in the sun while listening to David Bowie... But one day, Lalla Ghita's eyes meet those of Youri Benchetrit. The two lovers start circling each other and end up never leaving each other's side. "Passion isn't something you talk about, sir, it's something you live!” the heroine boldly replies to her philosophy teacher. Religious passion can also be lived. This is precisely what Ghita's older brother is going through. Mao, played by the talented Assad Bouab, has become mysteriously gloomy since his return from London. He used to feast as much as his sister, but now devotes himself to prayer day and night. Ghita, who used to be close to her brother, sees him gradually drifting away from her. What secret is he trying to conceal behind his silence?
A breeze of freedom for Moroccan women
Aside from these intrigues, the backdrop is a contemporary Moroccan society that remains attached to its traditions, rites and culinary preparations... This film is not intended to denigrate religious dogma. Its main aim is to illustrate a context of emancipation and renewal. Hassan II's reign came to an end in 1999, ushering in an era of modernity. The reform of the Moudawana (Moroccan family code) focused primarily on women's rights. Moroccan women are finally recognized as individuals in their own right. Ghita, at the center of the plot, illustrates this social advance.
Multi-culturalism in the spotlight
This Mediterranean Romeo and Juliet has the merit of projecting onto the big screen the cohabitation of two communities within a single country. At school, as at the party, you follow the daily lives of Arab and Jewish high-school students. Indeed, the heroine's first name alone conveys a desire to blend cultures. Ghita (or Rita) is rooted in Arab, Portuguese, Latin "margarita" (purity) and Greek "caritas" (pearl) cultures. It also echoes the iconic American actress of Hispanic, Irish and British origin: Rita Hayworth. Another example is the singer Rita Yahan Farouz, whose identity is split between her Iranian birthplace and her Israeli nationality. On the highway to modernity. On a deserted track, three cars hurry to the starting line. Youri can't take his eyes off the traffic light. It will soon turn green. After an excruciating wait, the young man steps on the gas pedal. Despite the one-way streets and speed limits, all he could see was a clear road, lined with palm trees and lit up by the burning sun. Finally, he crosses the finish line. This emblematic scene of the film, a bit caricatural, says a lot about Moroccan society — the new generation intends to move forward on the road to freedom.
Sources:
http://www.maghrebdesfilms.fr/marock.html https://www.festival-cannes.com/fr/festival/films/marock https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marock_(film) https://idpbarcelona.net/docs/recerca/marroc/pdf/nor_loi_70_03.pdf https://www.cairn.info/revue-les-cahiers-de-l-orient-2011-2-page-15.htm https://perspective.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/servlet/BMEve/920 https://www.journaldesfemmes.fr/prenoms/rita/prenom-5409 https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_(chanteuse) https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Hayworth https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Khan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marock#/media/File:Marock.jpg
Smart Fashion
With an estimated volume of 130 billion units produced per year, the textile industry is a sizeable market. But faced with the impact of the technological push, combined with a growing environmental awareness, the current fast fashion system, which is responsible for 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, is trying to begin its re-configuration. In this same context, the Arab world already seems to be announcing its transition towards more accessible and sustainable fashion. The time is ripe for a revolution in textile production and marketing methods. Turkish investment in R&D, the emergence of fashion startups in Egypt, second-hand boutiques in Israel and textile exports in Morocco are the first examples.
Turkey and Egypt: the textile industry driven by R&D and the rise of e-commerce
In the Arab world, the technological boom is benefiting the major players in the textile industry. Turkey is a leader in this sector. For over three years now, its major groups have been actively investing in R&D. For example, Korteks has dedicated $10 million to the launch of a new production line based on recycled polyester. The transition to more efficient and sustainable manufacturing methods is accelerating in the region, and is supported by a more efficient communications network, thanks to the rise of e-commerce.
If the year 2020 has seen the unbridled growth of e-commerce in Africa, by 2023 online sales will have acquired almost 20% of market share (compared to 6% in 2009) worldwide. In Egypt, The Fashion Kingdom was quick to recognize the opportunity presented by the combination of fashion and technology. By assembling the best international and local fashion brands on an optimized platform, this Egyptian start-up has set itself the mission of facilitating the purchase of clothing on the Internet. Beyond its practical aspect, The Fashion Kingdom also has a social message. Faced with the galloping inflation that impoverishes some 105 million Egyptians, the founders are committed to reconciling quality products with affordable prices.
Slow Fashion — a model already in use in Israel?
Selling better and at a competitive price is a much less recent initiative than you might think. Long before Vinted, the Women's International Zionist Organization (Wizo), founded in 1920, played a fundamental role in promoting the second-hand market. The Wizo enables women to buy designer clothes for up to four times less than in traditional stores. By 2021, the Israeli organization will have four stores in Jerusalem, two in Tel Aviv and one in Netanya. “Before, people were reticent about second-hand stores, but since the covid, they've realized what an economic opportunity it represents. They can buy beautiful items without having to go into debt”, says Peggy Cohen, the organization's president. The Wizo, a pioneer in this field, has paved the way for other eco-responsible initiatives in the Hebrew state, such as the Aderet boutique, opened in 2004 by Atnyel Guedj. This entrepreneur, who has already helped fashion start-ups flourish in China and the United States, understood the potential of the second-hand market. In fact, fashion analysts estimate that the second-hand market will overtake ready-to-wear sales within the next ten years.
Textile industry, between increasing exports and collaborations — Israel, Jordan, Morocco and more...
Israel was the first country in the region to develop trade relations with Canada, the European Union, Mexico, Turkey, Jordan and the U.S. Today, the transformation of the textile industry is benefiting from the strengthening of trade. While Jordan and Israel already have a Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) facilitating the production and export of manufactured goods, it would seem that more and more countries are following suit, thanks to the clothing sector. In 2022, Fatima Zohra Alaoui, Managing Director of the Moroccan Textile Industries Association, predicted a 23% increase in Moroccan textile exports to Europe compared to 2021. Alongside Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan, Morocco recently took part in the regional MENA fashion hub event, co-financed by the Swiss and Swedish governments. Aimed at the region's design professionals, the MENA fashion hub workshops are led by international experts from the Mod'Art International school in Paris. Stimulated by the development of multilateral exchanges, the textile industry in the Middle East continues to grow and could quickly adapt to the new challenges of the 21st century.
Sources:
https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/ecommerce/fashion/israel
https://embassies.gov.il/zagreb/Economic_Affairs/Israeli_Economic_Updates/Documents/ Fashion.pdf
https://www.tunisie.fr/vers-la-creation-dun-hub-de-la-mode-dans-la-region-afrique-moyen orient/
Embroidery — in Iran, vicious tongue versus double talk
We discuss... we plan... we boast... we report, and peddle, and gossip... This need for oratory is not always innocent. What is more pleasant than talking about yourself ? Talking about others ! Having a vicious tongue is as old as Genesis. Wasn't the vile serpent the first of the gossips ? By slandering God to Eve in order to convince her to taste the fruit of knowledge, the reptile no doubt justifies the phrase — “Whoever desires life, keep his tongue from evil”. Inspired by this verse from Psalms, Meir Hakoen of Radin devoted an entire work to it — the Hafets Haim. How can we escape such a natural vice?
Marjane Satrapi has a different answer. Backbiting is nothing more than a “heart ventilation session”. In other words, nothing could be healthier. Through her graphic novel Embroidery, the author of Persepolis invites us to a tasty session of “rumor has it”. In a convivial atmosphere, the women of the family share their secrets and, above all, their acquaintances’.
Much more than an anthology of gossip — the liberated voice of Iranian women
Marjane Satrapi describes one of her family dinners, when “her grandmother never called her grandfather by his first name, arguing that it was necessary to respect her husband”. Suddenly, there was a change of scenery and language. Leaving the table, the women of the house gather to revel in a much spicier dish — gossip. “Do you remember Nahia? From Shideh, that breadboard with a horse's head, well, the last time I saw her she was a blondie !” A flurry of names, all linked to intimate and provocative sentimental stories, emerge in turn from the mouths of this female assembly. The lightness with which the sensitive themes of sex, cosmetic surgery and early marriage shock. The cartoonist doesn't pull any punches, and that's how she succeeds in her tour de force — tackling the fundamental issues that undermine the lives of her Middle Eastern contemporaries.
In this respect, Marjane's aunt Parvine plays a central role. The very embodiment of the emancipated woman, she sketches a model of independence. Relating how she managed to refuse her marriage, her place of residence and even her aquiline nose inherited from her father and an aristocratic identity she rejects, Parvine escapes her fate. In this sense, she contrasts with the other women mentioned who, out of a desire to be one with society, have ended up mutilating their own (or that of others…). No longer taboo, no longer restrained, speech is free. But if tongues are as sharp as knives, it's to better free themselves from the bonds of a regime that holds Iranian women's bodies in its grip.
“If a word burns your tongue, let it be”
As the Persian proverb says — “If a word burns your tongue, let it be”. And yet, slander and calumny are among the most despicable of sins. In Judaism, as in Islam and Christianity, lachon hara* (backbiting*) is condemned for its ability to divide people. As Sura Hujourate 49 reminds us — “O you believers, let not one group mock another, for perhaps these are better”.
But in Embroidery, is peddling just a way of mocking the absent women ? On the contrary, they are complained about, applauded or defended by Marjane and her surrounding — ‘So he proposed to Shideh that they stay together without getting married ? But what has Shideh done ? She's gorgeous!’ ‘you know men, as soon as you give in to them, they ignore you…’ A form of sisterhood pierces the lines. In the case of backbiting, Rav Dessler recommends bringing the three people together — the one who told, the one who listened and the one on whom the evil was hurled. Isn't this the meeting that we attend ? Ventilating their hearts, these ladies gather and associate themselves with the subjects of their tale.
Behind her frivolous tone, Marjane Satrapi weaves a strong political discourse — the emancipation of Iranian women. As the masses of Persepolis rise up against the oppressed status of women, reading or rereading Embroidery makes perfect sense.
Sources:
Broderies, Marjane Satrapi, édition : l’association
https://fr.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2602935/jewish/Les-lois-du-Lachone-Hara.htm https://www.bible-notes.org/article-2140-le-langage-du-chretien.html
https://www.evolution-101.com/proverbes-persans/
https://www.jardindelatorah.org/introduction-aux-lois-de-lashone-hara-preserver-sa-langue-du hafets-haim-rav-perets-bouhnik/
https://www.ajib.fr/islam-humilier-medire-frere/
https://cejnice.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/KI-TETSE.pdf
Diet-ethics: Eating according to the precepts of Islam, Judaism and Christianity
While cricket flour has just been legalized in the European Union, Qatar has reiterated its ban on marketing insects within its borders. The reason? Like Judaism, Islam forbids the consumption of insects. At a time when the search for alternative, less polluting and inexpensive animal proteins shows that global food practices are at a real turning point, a small village of different religious communities is still resisting the invader. In 2022, the global market for kosher food increased by 3.7% (average growth rate), while France became the 4th largest exporter of halal meat in international trade. The predominant place occupied by food for the three monotheistic religions cannot be ignored. To understand the obstinacy that drives these faiths to maintain the dietary rules they have always observed, we need to understand their meaning.
Let's eat ! The role of the meal for the three monotheistic religions
Before inspecting the bottom of our plates, it's worth recalling the symbolism of the meal in the eyes of the three monotheisms. Communion, celebration, love... Leviticus, the Koran and the New Testament make a point of emphasizing the communal dimension of the meal. Every Friday evening, Jewish families gather around the Shabbat table.
The ceremony of Kiddush (drinking the wine) and motsi (breaking the bread) unites the members of the gathering with each other and with their Creator. The blessing of Kiddush is recited as follows — “You are the source of blessing, Eternal our God... His holy Shabbat, He has bequeathed to us with love: commemoration of the Creator…" (Genesis, 2,1-3). This indelible bond is also present at the Eucharist, when the Christian community makes its Creator present through transubstantiation (the conversion of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ). “The many of us are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Cor, 10:17).
Rules of consumption and their meaning
They say ‘you are what you eat’. The vital importance of food justifies the special attention paid to it by religion. Through food, biblical and Koranic texts indicate a line of conduct, an ethic to be respected. In fact, the term "Halal" goes far beyond strictly culinary rules and encompasses all our actions and behaviours. The same is true of Judaism, to which the Koran explicitly refers in recognition of the continuity of dietary revelations. Kosherut is essentially based on metaphors that order the world. For example, the prohibition on mixing milk and meat, taken from Leviticus, reflects the desire not to confuse life (associated with milk, with what comes from the udder) and death (the inert flesh of the beast).
A holy spirit in a healthy body — the importance of health in religion
Although food is scrupulously studied in every community, it would be wrong to reduce this regulation to a succession of prohibitions or asceticism. As it is written in the Koran (XXIII) — “Eat excellent food! Do good!" In the Torah, eating is not synonymous with suffering. According to Maimonides, preservation of the body is at the heart of kosher principles. In his Guide to the Lost, the 12th-century Sephardic physician sets out the rational and medical reasons for applying dietary laws. Blood, the consumption of which is prohibited in Islam and Judaism, is said to be a carrier of germs and conducive to infectious diseases. The Adventist community also takes the health variable into account, recommending against the consumption of ingredients containing theine, caffeine or alcohol. This branch of Christianity advocates a model of healthy living that many are beginning to adopt.
Biblical veganism, Halal organic... Is modernity the order of the day?
Archaic? Far from it. In our secularized societies, new prohibitions are being disseminated in the name of laudable arguments that border on belief. In particular, global warming has given rise to the theme of eating less meat, which is correlated with CO2 emissions. According to an Opinion Way survey, meat consumption has fallen by 12% in 10 years. Today's vegans are unknowingly returning to their biblical origins. "I give you every herb that bears seed on all the face of the earth" (Genesis). All the evidence suggests that the Lord first directed man to a purely vegetarian diet. In the Bible, meat consumption does not appear until after the Flood, but in the meantime, believers continue to combine religious adition with modernity. In 2013, the first organic halal butcher shop opened on the outskirts of Paris. With a turnover of 6 million euros, it offers a wide range of choice meats, AOP and AOC certified. Despite having to give up its BIO label in 2019, due to new European standards for ritual slaughter, this butcher's shop continues to welcome an increasingly diverse clientele. Gastronomy never ceases to surprise!
Sources :
Les Nourritures divines, Olivier Assouly, éditions babel
https://www.massorti.com/Kiddouch-du-vendredi-soir
https://www.cairn.info/revue-histoire-monde-et-cultures-religieuses-2016-3-page-113.htm
https://fr.aleteia.org/2021/02/13/la-presence-du-christ-dans-leucharistie-est-elle-reelle/
https://www.businesscoot.com/fr/etude/le-marche-des-aliments-casher-france https://www.businesscoot.com/fr/etude/le-marche-de-la-viande-halal-france https://www.leparisien.fr/societe/la-viande-halal-ou-casher-peut-elle-etre-certifiee bio-18-06-2019-8096226.php
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Église_adventiste_du_septième_jour
https://www.revueconflits.com/veganisme-nouvelle-religion/
Jordan starts anew thanks to start-ups
When King Abdullah II came to power in 1999, he set the tone — it was time for modernization. With water shortages and agriculture in decline, Jordan had no choice but renewing itself. The Hashemite Kingdom was the first country in its region to invest in renewable energies. Nowadays, it has become a major tech hub which enables the emergence of promising young companies, as evidenced by the 2019 World Economic Forum, where 20 Jordanian start-ups feature among the 100 selected. The city which is often nicknamed “Silicon Wadi” bet on its start-up eco-system as a response to the political and social problems undermining its country.
The NTICS are an asset to reduce unemployment in the Hashemite Kingdom
While Ericsson prepares to roll out 5G nationwide, the kingdom’s start-ups continue to focus on the telecoms sector, following the model of Maktoob, whose success still resonates throughout the Arab world. Bought for more than $170 million by Yahoo in 2009, this leading Arabic/English provider in the Middle East has had a decisive influence on the national economy. With a 4% contribution to Jordan's GDP and a growth rate of 25% by 2022, the new information and communication technologies (NTICS) are a sector with a bright future. With 900 companies specializing in telecommunications and 26,000 jobs generated in this field, King Abdallah is well aware of the wealth that start-ups could bring. In order to solve the prevalent problem of structural unemployment, the sovereign decided to cultivate Jordan's entrepreneurial spirit through an effective support program. Oasis500 feeds start-ups that are incubated to the tune of $30,000. The funds it invests amount to $100,000 at start-up, and can rise to as much as $350,000 during the follow-up period. The platform has already supported over 150 companies and created 800 direct jobs.
Promoting new businesses helps to feminization of work
Oasis500 also has the merit of encouraging women to start up their own companies. Nowadays, 37% of the companies financed by the investment company are run by businesswomen. While Oasis boasts CEO Luma Fawaz, who features on the Forbes 100 Businesswomen in the Middle East, these figures reflect more than just a handful of isolated cases, but a significant evolution in the feminization of employment in Jordan. The promotion of women in the job market has become a central topic of discussion among heads of state as well as a reason for granting financial aid on an international scale. In August 2022, Canada sent $25 million to the Hashemite Kingdom to strengthen women's access to the job market, especially in the rural areas of Salt and Ibrid.
That socio-economic objective is successfully illustrated by Teenah, a thriving start-up located in northern Ibrid. Founded in 2016, Teenah's mission is to offer its jobs to Jordanian women as well as Syrian refugees, while boosting professional activity in the agricultural areas of the north. Officially recognized and supported by Amann, this company specializing in sustainable textiles has since attracted the attention of UNICEF and Shamal Start, that have provided the economic and social resources to create new jobs and warehouses. Generating jobs, services and revenue, the path of entrepreneurship is succeeding for the monarchy, and seems to be leading to the Oasis of social progress.
Sources:
https://www.aa.com.tr/fr/monde/financement-canadien-de-25-millions-de-dollars-à-la-jordanie/ 2660066
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maktoob
https://wydden.com/1001startups-fait-escale-en-jordanie/
The Travel Stylists
These words from Miuccia Prada ring perfectly true. A means of expression, a statement of identity, fashion is a language without borders. For Paris Fashion Week's fall-winter men's season, Moroccan designer Charaf Tajer and Hed Mayner, of Israeli origin, carry this message loud and clear. Much more similar than you might think, these two designers from the Mediterranean basin both have the ambition to break dress codes by presenting exotic, unisex models inspired by the tailoring of their native environment. This year, Maison Casablanca returns to light up the catwalk with the For the Peace show, while Hed Mayner continues to revisit costume codes with ingenuity.
Charaf Tajer, at the intersection of several worlds
Charaf Tajer, winner of the LVMH 2020 prize, founded Casablanca in 2018. This collection is directly inspired by the Moroccan city where his parents met. Warm colors, pastel tones, oriental motifs... Morocco comes to life through the designer's models. At the intersection of several worlds - his native country, Belleville where he grew up, the United States where he travels... - the Moroccan designer reflects multiculturalism in his creations. “I come from different backgrounds, just like Casa. Its name is Spanish, its country is Muslim, its continent is African, and it is also a former French colony”.
The city as identity — Casablanca runs through Charaf Tajer's veins. It's reminiscent of the eminent photographer Erwin Blumenfeld, who wrote in his memoirs — “in America, I'm not an American, I'm a New Yorker; in Germany, I'm not a German, I'm a Berliner”. The Harper's Bazaar photographer also lived in Morocco. Coincidence ? Great minds think alike, even a century apart.
Le Levant inspire Hed Mayner et Dany Atrache
Exoticism is still in the spotlight when Hed Mayner's models hit the runway. Already at his Spring-Summer 2020 show, sandblasted tunics and jellabas re-visited as shirts brought the atmosphere and warmth of the Middle East back to Paris. Originally from Amuka in northern Israel, the man who received the Karl Lagerfield Prize in 2019 remains faithful to his origins. With collections that draw on the world of traditional Orthodox Jewish tailoring, the Israeli stylist recalls the fundamental principles of tsniut. Elegance is of the utmost importance in Judaism. Synonymous with dignity and respect for others, this religious principle applies to both wardrobe and behavior.
Playing with the codes of tsniut, Hed Mayner dresses his silhouettes in exaggeratedly voluminous satin tuxedos. In this way, he materializes the spirituality of a long biblical tradition that continues to envelop him, like a thick coat. Not far away, Dany Atrache's signature is costume and the meeting of East and West. Although absent from this 2023 edition, this great Lebanese couturier remains a fashion icon. He dresses the Arab world's princesses and celebrities, drawing inspiration from the tapestries of his Lebanese culture.
Across the miles that separate Paris from Casablanca, Tel Aviv and Beirut, the travel designers bring back with them the landscapes, people and customs of the Mediterranean region.
Sources:
https://www.vogue.fr/vogue-hommes/article/qui-est-hed-mayner-laureat-du-prix-karl-lagerfeld https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/talmudiques/erwin-blumenfeld-au-dela-de-la mode-3488600-"Erwin-Blumenfeld-au-delà-de-la-mode"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Clv5Fs_IjaO/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D
https://parisfashionweek.fhcm.paris/fr/arab-designers-in-paris-at-tranoi/
https://femmedinfluence.fr/citations-createurs-mode/
https://www.liberation.fr/portraits/charaf-tajer-costard
xxxl-20220222_JDJASQFSI5FJ5CKJYJOR5WEFIU/
https://luxe.net/hed-mayner-automne-hiver-2023-tailoring-disproportionne-pour-plus-de-comfort/
Bahrain — the new e-passport lowers all barriers
The Bahraini e-passport was recently unveiled. In the presence of the Minister of Transport and Finance, Interior Minister Rashid Ben Abdullah Al Khalifa indicated that the purpose of this document was to offer a modernized range of services to local residents and their travels, well beyond the shores of the Persian Gulf.
Going digital — for an easier, safer and cooler travel
Approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), of which Bahrain is a member, this electronic solution reflects a genuine turning point in globalization, that is to say — the acceleration of flows. For all e-passport enthusiasts, immigration procedures will be greatly simplified — faster visa issuance, fewer checkpoints at the airport, and reduced risk of theft or loss…
This innovation was only made possible by tighter controls on the confidentiality of computer data. Aware of the risk of piracy or counterfeiting, Manama has not skimped on security. The prototype was entrusted to American company HID Global, specialized in the design of secure identity products. The Bahraini e-passport model includes a sim card containing the user's personal and biometric information which drastically limite fraud attempts. The visa pages, were designed by Blue Line Technologies, another American design company. The passport is currently being assembled and printed by specialist firms in Germany and Poland. Much more than an administrative update, the arrival of the e-passeport in Bahrain reflects a dynamic of greater cooperation with the West.
The new Bahraini passport mingles both tradition and modernity
Collin Howell, designer at HID Global, emphasized the close collaboration between the kingdom's authorities and American digital designers. After 12 months of development, the final result is pretty impressive. Tactile effects, color portraits, and animations... The choice of content is worth analysing for this document is the fruit of lengthy iconographic reflection. The country's culture, heritage and assets are presented, page after page, like a history book.
Each page of the visa shows original design elements associated with different field, namely — tourism, transport, religion, nature, and science... The most striking effect lies in the sublime image of a galloping stallion which pops out of the passport as soon as you touch it. This animal symbolizes one of the country's proudest achievements — Sakhir racecourse, which hosts the world's greatest races. That combination between tradition and modernity reflects the richness and diversity of Bahrain.
“The principles are clear — we want to develop faster than the rest of the world”
Physical, mental and now administrative barriers become more and more thiner. What better way to encourage people to enjoy a little more travel and discover other cultures ? By 2024, the ICAO forecasts an increase in passenger numbers of around 4% compared to the figures recorded in December 2019.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has clearly understood the importance of trans-spatiality for its growth. As global air traffic recovers from its pre-pandemic paralysis, the Gulf country steps away of its insularity thanks to tourism. Since the turbulence of 2011, Bahrain has been trying economic and fiscal reforms to improve its competitiveness. In this respect, the implementation of the e-passport fulfils a dual ambition. First of all, it has got to improve the mobility of citizens, and second of all, it has to encourage international travellers to come and visit the country. In order to support the new e- passport, Manama has taken on the task of building a new terminal international airport, with a capacity of 14 million passengers a year. Khaled Ibrahim Houmaidane, Director General of the Economic Development Council emphasized the strategic importance of e-passports. “The principles are clear — we want to develop faster than the rest of the world”.
While 25 years ago, Bahrain would be a simple transit point between Europe and Asia, this exotic destination is now likely to become an attractive place for a stay. As a matter of fact, tourism sector is expected to contribute 11.4% of GDP. Currently normalising its relations to Israel and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain could already count on the arrival of these two neighbors. For a country whose etymology means “the two seas”, the technological and touristic opportunities brought by the e-passport are perhaps a bridge that will connect all the edges of the region and beyond.
Sources :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghdStaLDu2U
https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/88794.html
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/statistiques-du-trafic-aerien
https://www.muscatdaily.com/2022/11/24/ugandan-diaspora-in-oman-instructed-to-get-new-e passports/
https://www.chronicle.co.zw/e-passport-centres-to-increase-to-14/
https://www.easyvoyage.com/bahrein/les-traditions-nomades-302
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahreïn
Twice in two years
Above, a sign: "products from Israel". In this grocery store, the Abraham Accords are bearing fruit. Two years after the signing of these historic agreements between Israel, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, the normalization of diplomatic relations has paved the way for increasingly visible and dense trade. Trade routes are spreading out and now intersect with those of tourism and scientific cooperation...
Flourishing collaborations in tech and renewable energies
The technology sector is the prime beneficiary of this new situation. The Jerusalem-based investment platform "Our Crowd" will shortly be opening an A.I. center in Abu Dhabi. The Israeli startup's move to the Emirates is part of an innovation program to which the government has allocated a $545 million budget, as well as cooperation with companies specializing in the climate change sector.
The cooperation also applies to companies specializing in the climate change sector. In Morocco, Gaïa Energy has teamed up with Israeli company H2PRO, planning, in the words of Gaia's president, "To combine the power of the assets developed by Gaia with H2PRO's green hydrogen production technology, to become the leaders in green hydrogen production in Africa". With one earth and one planetary challenge, the Abraham Accords bring entrepreneurs together to work on solutions. A true alliance for the posterity of nations!
Trade that doubles in size
Let's widen the focus to geopolitics. Muhammed Al-Khaja, the United Arab Emirates' ambassador to Israel, believes that his country is well on the way to becoming one of Israel's five biggest partners. The abolition of customs barriers between the two countries for 96% of trade, coupled with Dubai Ports World's latest declaration on the establishment of a direct shipping line between the two countries, all point in this direction. It should be remembered that various goods flows are already increasingly transiting from one port to the other. The Barakat Group, the Emirates' leading importer of fresh fruit and vegetables, offers Israeli products to the hotels and local markets it supplies.
And it's only a short step from fruit platters to “Breakfast at Tiffany’s". Rough diamonds account for 55% of Israeli imports and herald a diversification of transactions. Total trade between the Emirates and Israel is expected to exceed $700 million by the end of 2021. Morocco is not to be outdone. Since the resumption of diplomatic relations, trade between the two countries has risen by 94% to $131 million in February 2022. "Over the past year, a love story has unfolded on both sides, in every respect: economic, cultural, tourist..." confides David Ouaknine Kenan, President of the Marrakech Jewish Association, to journalist Sami Boukhelifa, in a voice full of emotion. The tourism and trade figures prove him right.
Cultural and religious openness
As multi-sector relations developed, so did religious tolerance. Life for Jewish and Christian communities has been improved by the Abraham Accords in the signatory Muslim countries. In a popular market in the heart of Manama, the newly renovated ancestral synagogue celebrated Shabbat for the first time in 74 years. In the Emirates, the first public Jewish kindergarten was inaugurated. Dubai residents can now register their children at "Mini Miracles". Situated 400 metres from the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque, this establishment teaches both Hebrew and Arabic to the new generation. This educational project fits in perfectly with the vision of a "cosmopolitan Middle East" advocated by Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of International Cooperation, during the presentation of the 2020 World Expo*. Middle Eastern cosmopolitanism can be seen, for example, in the Al Wasl dome at the center of the exhibition. This imposing, crown-like monument features a giant 360-degree display screen. Its name means "connection", and in fact, 192 country pavilions on site surround this beating heart.
From one shore to the other... Building bridges
What influence have the Abraham Accords had on the rest of the Mediterranean basin? Even for non-signatory countries, it seems that the Abraham Accords are also an opportunity to develop exchanges with the Hebrew State. In Saudi Arabia, the participation of an Israeli athlete in the Neom triathlon, coupled with the recent opening of airspace between Riyadh and Tel Aviv, reflects the gentle rapprochement of these two regional powers. In Jordan, the green/blue agreement could prove decisive. The Hashemite kingdom suffers from a chronic water shortage, while the Hebrew state is seeking to develop photovoltaic energy. In Lebanon, access to less carbon-intensive energy forms the outline of agreements on the delimitation of maritime borders. Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the terrorist movement Hezbollah, recognized for the first time the physical border separating his state from that of Israel. The gas fields in the Mediterranean are well worth political realism ! France, through its subsidiary Total, played an eminent role in this agreement.
On the Turkish side - and still in the spirit of a general easing of tensions - one can mentions the visit of Foreign Minister Melvut Çavusoglu to Israel and then to the West Bank. This auspicious diplomatic trip preceded Erdogan's aside with Yair Lapid at the annual meeting of the United Nations, followed by the discussion of a new civil aviation agreement after 15 years of airline disruption.
In conclusion: the return of the Greater Middle East?
In 2001, in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, George Bush Junior and the Group of Eight outlined a plan to restructure the Middle East. Their official aim was to initiate cultural and political change in order to prevent future acts of terrorism, and the advent of a “knowledge society” was to lead to the implementation of a democratization program. Although this idea initially came to nothing, we can only hope that the countries of the Peoples of Abraham will now join forces to build a green and blue future !
Sources:
https://www.rfi.fr/fr/podcasts/grand-reportage/20210401-de-duba%C3%AF-%C3%A0-bahre%C3%AFn-la-normalisation-avec-isra%C3%ABl-vue-du-golfe
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Sharing our winter lights
This winter, while Frank Sinatra and Mariah Carey are spinning in our heads, the streets are lit up to welcome the festive season. As we plunge into the cold and darkness, the three monotheistic faiths give pride of place to lights. Each community enhances the illumination of street lamps and wall decorations with candles, ancestral rites and traditional dishes...
Christmas, Mawlid, Hanukkah...
The date of December 25th is well known to all. Christmas is a time for families to gather around a sumptuous meal. With its cribs, Christmas tree and midnight mass, this is also a celebration of light. A symbol of wisdom, tolerance and discernment, light is never taken for granted. The candle remains a key decorative element, echoing the birth of Jesus, who is said to have inaugurated “the light of the world”.
In Hebrew tradition, light is both an ideal and a struggle. It is said that in the 2nd century BC, Judah Maccabe fought the Seleucids in the hope of rekindling the Menorah in the sacred Temple. In memory of this event, Jewish families light the Hanukiah (9-branch candelabra) for 8 days from Kislev 25. During this long-awaited week, oil-coated doughnuts are served in abundance, while children spin spinning tops and unwrap their gifts, and candles and electric garlands light up homes and mosques in predominantly Sunni Muslim countries. Mawlid, the birth of the Prophet, is celebrated on 12 Rabi'Al Awwal in the Hegira calendar. This public holiday in Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and the United Arab Emirates commemorates the pre-existence of the prophetic light “nûr muhammadî" through which the world was created. In the evening, families gather around a family meal featuring regional specialties — couscous, tamina, rechta…
Globalization of festivities — Christmas markets, a boon for retailers the world over
Is Christmas a commercial holiday ? It sure is ! In Casablanca, the kingdom's economic capital the kingdom's economic capital are also looking forward to December. The General Manager of e-commerce platform avito.ma, Zakaria Ghassouli, noted a sales of his consoles had risen by 20% compared to the annual average, as the in the run-up to the arrival of “Baba Noel” (as Moroccan children call him). While the Morrocco Mall is packed with entertainment and shows, shoppers are crowding to buy gifts, delicacies and the famous “Nordman” Christmas tree — a rare conifer species, in great demand and selling for 1,200 Moroccan dirhams.
The influence of globalization on the cultural and festive events that punctuate our year is obvious. In Saudi Arabia, which is increasingly open to the outside world, it has become commonplace to celebrate Christmas. In the district of Jeddah, the melody of the jingle “All I want for Christmas is you" escapes from a bakery. Ten years ago, this would have been a scarcely believable statement, but since 2016, with the Vision 2030 initiative unveiled by Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, the Gulf Kingdom has been sharing its festivities with the rest of the world. Globalization is accompanied by the rise of urbanization. This phenomenon encourages the meeting* - not the "clash*" - of cultures. Since the 1980s, the Loubavtich movement has organized annual Hanukkah celebrations in public spaces around the world. This initiative temporarily blurs the boundaries between the world of ultra-Orthodoxy and the urban world. Hanukkah in the city is tantamount to imbuing it with the ceremony, and vice versa. In the southern Sahara, the Mawlid holiday is also celebrated in public spaces, with children singing in the streets while rigorously executing a very specific choreography.
“We remember that light always wins over darkness”
Druze woman at a Christmas market in Hanukiah installed every year at the entrance to the
Nazareth. Credits: @IsraelenFrance
Be it a Christmas, Mawlid or Hanukkah miracle, in Haifa stands a sparkling fir tree right next to a menorah and a crescent moon. Every year, this city in northern Israel hosts the end-of-year festivities in the unique atmosphere of the Hag HaHagim (holiday festival) instituted by the Beit Hagefen Arab-Jewish cultural center. Every year, this event brings together all city dwellers around its Christmas market. Jews, Arabs and Christians celebrate together. The same is true of Nazareth, where the Druze also take part in the festivities. In the light of joy, laughter and song, cohesion becomes a reality. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Islamic World League, reminded us in an interview — “Islam does not forbid Muslims from exchanging Christmas greetings with Christians”. At the other end of the hemisphere, a similar message of hope shone from the White House. On December 19, the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, lit the first Hanukkah candle with her Jewish husband. “This is a special time in our house. We remember that light always wins over darkness”. This confidence takes on its full meaning in the light of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. This candelabra is a strong marker where, 80 years earlier, the flags of the Third Reich flew. “It's very symbolic to be here at the Brandenburg Gate, which on the one hand symbolizes Germany's greatest moments, and on the other, its darkest, to celebrate Hanukkah together”, declared Culture Minister Monika Grutiers in 2015, and so the vision of this glittering Menorah can be understood as a response to Elie Wiesel's Night — after the darkest years in human history, the day finally dawns.
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