First Catholic church for Saudi Arabia
Catholic News, Vatican
Vatican, Mar 22: Negotiations are underway to build the first Catholic church in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah lending his support for its construction.
Vatican Radio reports the Vatican and the Saudi government are currently in talks to allow the church despite the kingdoms ban on allowing the construction of any non-Muslim place of worship.
No religion other than Islam is allowed to schedule public services, and even the possession of bibles, rosaries, and crucifixes is forbidden.
Saudi Arabia is the only country on the Arabian Peninsula without a Catholic church despite the 800,000 Catholics - virtually all of who are foreign workers.
While Saudi Arabia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See, King Abdullah became the first reigning Saudi monarch ever to visit the Vatican last November.
Commenting after his meeting with the Pope Vatican officials confirmed the Pontiff pressed for permission to open a Catholic church in the kingdom.
Holy See spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said that opening a Catholic parish in the Islamic land would be "a historic achievement" for religious freedom and a major step forward for inter-religious dialogue.
The apostolic nuncio to Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hachem, is reportedly the lead Vatican negotiator in talks with Saudi officials.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Saudi Women Initiate Change From Within
Saudi Women Initiate Change From Within
Javid Hassan & Hadeel Al-Khudair, Arab News
RIYADH, 14 March 2008 — Despite cultural taboos, a new generation of Saudi girls is fighting back to assert their role in Saudi society. Many young ladies in the Kingdom today occupy jobs in different sectors from health care and banking to media and business.
The mindset of Saudi women is slowly but surely undergoing a change. Whereas once a fresh graduate would say, “I want to study dentistry, but I am afraid I won’t get married,” now a 14-year-old boldly asserts, “As long as I am sustaining my hijab, I will study medicine and become a physician.”
The seeds of change are being planted in young minds at a time when the Kingdom is experiencing its second economic boom. Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, who visited Jeddah recently, observed, “There is no one outside that can force change on Saudi Arabia. The change should come from Saudis themselves.”
Brundtland added she believes that religion is not a hindrance and does not deprive women from access to opportunities. She felt that the problem lies with tradition and culture.
Change, however, is happening and young women are forcing the pace of this change, as Arab News found out.
“My work has become a chance for me to progress and make changes I never thought existed. The banking sector is like a window to the world,” said Reem, a bank investment service representative. “My self-reliance has boosted greatly and I learned that it’s a blessing to learn investment rather than spend away monthly earnings.”
Women are no longer willing to cave in to the restrictions imposed by culture. They are conscious of the need to separate culture from religion by working in various fields while maintaining their Islamic identity.
“Almost 10 years ago, most people here in the Kingdom were against the notion of women becoming physicians,” said Danah Al-Joma’ah, a medical student. “But now, people’s viewpoints have remarkably improved. This is enough proof that Saudi society has become more aware of the significance of having the female facet in different fields... A woman should have an active role in society and her prosperity affects neither her Islamic values nor her role as a wife and mother,” she added.
Interestingly, even a section of men are veering round to the idea of women working. However, the No. 1 factor that deters them from working in hospitals, banks, etc. are the long working hours and prolonged absence from home. It is encouraging to note that the government has embarked on a new initiative enabling Saudi women to work in different sectors. The Shoura Council is currently engaged in setting rules and regulations regarding women’s careers, which will ensure not only their rights but their safety as well.
In this context, it should be emphasized that the 10x10 strategy formulated by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which seeks to push Saudi Arabia among the 10 most competitive nations by 2010, should also envisage expanding the frontiers of their work domain. Currently, an estimated 16 percent of Saudi women — who comprise nearly 50 percent of the population — are employed. With a large segment of the Saudi population disabled by the weight of cultural traditions, one wonders whether SAGIA could home in on its 10x10 target.
The problem is further compounded by the fact that many Saudi women pursue higher studies, especially in humanities, in trying to get around the restrictions that they face. As Al-Hanouf, an administrative worker at a Riyadh University observes: “With so many students applying for a medical doctor (MD) course, you would assume they were going for a bachelor’s degree course.”
It turns out that this is just an exercise in intellectual embellishment as it lends prestige and weight to their personality. “Because our youth have not been well groomed for the job market, they take the easy way out and continue their studies until they are faced with nothing but the walls of their homes,” a King Saud University student told Arab News on condition of anonymity.
However, their hopes are blighted when they find roadblocks in their hunt for jobs. And when they do receive job offers, they find themselves ill prepared for interviews. Their CVs are often also not in order. No wonder, according to a recent study, an estimated 66.3 percent of educated Saudi women are unemployed. Usually, those who seek higher studies are either interested in raising their level of income through a well-paying job or merely seek to enhance their knowledge in a specific field.
“I just want to apply for a scholarship, acquire my MD and PhD and I don’t care then if I do nothing but sit at home,” May, a sociology student, told Arab News. “Even though most students think that they might secure better jobs with an MD, in essence they go for it as a matter of prestige,” she adds.
Javid Hassan & Hadeel Al-Khudair, Arab News
RIYADH, 14 March 2008 — Despite cultural taboos, a new generation of Saudi girls is fighting back to assert their role in Saudi society. Many young ladies in the Kingdom today occupy jobs in different sectors from health care and banking to media and business.
The mindset of Saudi women is slowly but surely undergoing a change. Whereas once a fresh graduate would say, “I want to study dentistry, but I am afraid I won’t get married,” now a 14-year-old boldly asserts, “As long as I am sustaining my hijab, I will study medicine and become a physician.”
The seeds of change are being planted in young minds at a time when the Kingdom is experiencing its second economic boom. Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, who visited Jeddah recently, observed, “There is no one outside that can force change on Saudi Arabia. The change should come from Saudis themselves.”
Brundtland added she believes that religion is not a hindrance and does not deprive women from access to opportunities. She felt that the problem lies with tradition and culture.
Change, however, is happening and young women are forcing the pace of this change, as Arab News found out.
“My work has become a chance for me to progress and make changes I never thought existed. The banking sector is like a window to the world,” said Reem, a bank investment service representative. “My self-reliance has boosted greatly and I learned that it’s a blessing to learn investment rather than spend away monthly earnings.”
Women are no longer willing to cave in to the restrictions imposed by culture. They are conscious of the need to separate culture from religion by working in various fields while maintaining their Islamic identity.
“Almost 10 years ago, most people here in the Kingdom were against the notion of women becoming physicians,” said Danah Al-Joma’ah, a medical student. “But now, people’s viewpoints have remarkably improved. This is enough proof that Saudi society has become more aware of the significance of having the female facet in different fields... A woman should have an active role in society and her prosperity affects neither her Islamic values nor her role as a wife and mother,” she added.
Interestingly, even a section of men are veering round to the idea of women working. However, the No. 1 factor that deters them from working in hospitals, banks, etc. are the long working hours and prolonged absence from home. It is encouraging to note that the government has embarked on a new initiative enabling Saudi women to work in different sectors. The Shoura Council is currently engaged in setting rules and regulations regarding women’s careers, which will ensure not only their rights but their safety as well.
In this context, it should be emphasized that the 10x10 strategy formulated by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which seeks to push Saudi Arabia among the 10 most competitive nations by 2010, should also envisage expanding the frontiers of their work domain. Currently, an estimated 16 percent of Saudi women — who comprise nearly 50 percent of the population — are employed. With a large segment of the Saudi population disabled by the weight of cultural traditions, one wonders whether SAGIA could home in on its 10x10 target.
The problem is further compounded by the fact that many Saudi women pursue higher studies, especially in humanities, in trying to get around the restrictions that they face. As Al-Hanouf, an administrative worker at a Riyadh University observes: “With so many students applying for a medical doctor (MD) course, you would assume they were going for a bachelor’s degree course.”
It turns out that this is just an exercise in intellectual embellishment as it lends prestige and weight to their personality. “Because our youth have not been well groomed for the job market, they take the easy way out and continue their studies until they are faced with nothing but the walls of their homes,” a King Saud University student told Arab News on condition of anonymity.
However, their hopes are blighted when they find roadblocks in their hunt for jobs. And when they do receive job offers, they find themselves ill prepared for interviews. Their CVs are often also not in order. No wonder, according to a recent study, an estimated 66.3 percent of educated Saudi women are unemployed. Usually, those who seek higher studies are either interested in raising their level of income through a well-paying job or merely seek to enhance their knowledge in a specific field.
“I just want to apply for a scholarship, acquire my MD and PhD and I don’t care then if I do nothing but sit at home,” May, a sociology student, told Arab News. “Even though most students think that they might secure better jobs with an MD, in essence they go for it as a matter of prestige,” she adds.
$90bn tourism projects 'coming up in GCC'
$90bn tourism projects 'coming up in GCC'
Dubai: Sun, 16 Mar 2008
With around $90 billion in tourism-related developments currently being built, the Gulf is set to enjoy growth rates hoteliers in other parts of the world will only be able to dream about, says an expert.
'We know the Middle East is a fast developing market but survey after survey is revealing the region continuing to grow on a grand scale, unmatched elsewhere and bucking negative economic trends in other parts of the world,' said Maggie Moore, exhibition director of 'The Hotel Show 2008.'
A premier supplies exhibition to the region’s hospitality sector, The Hotel Show, will be held in Dubai from June 8 to 10.
'Throughout the GCC countries of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia the massive development potential of the travel and tourism industry continues to be recognized with record levels of investment in supporting infrastructure,' said Moore.
The database of ProLeads, which monitors construction across the Arabian Gulf, identifies 185 individual projects worth $90 billion in hotels, resorts, sports facilities, malls, marinas, theme parks and related leisure and tourism facilities currently under construction or fully committed, she added.
Moore cited a recent hotel benchmark survey by consultants Deloitte showing the Middle East hotel industry as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world with revenues per available room (REvPar) growing 17 per cent in 2007, exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe, with a promising outlook for the years to come.
The Hotel Show and its associated Seven Star Conference provide a future perspective on key trends and drivers shaping the travel and tourism sector in a region where the industry's share of investment in relation to gross domestic product has risen from 8.5 per cent in 2000 to a forecast 11 per cent in 2008.
The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) also sees an optimistic outlook for tourism in the Middle East.
'UNWTO identifies the Middle East as the tourism success story of the decade with the region emerging as a strong destination and visitor numbers climbing much faster than the world total,' said Moore.
'Regional confidence remains high for 2008, despite economic problems elsewhere.'
In addition, the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that the Middle East to be the only region to remain on course for 5 per cent growth in travel and tourism this year. This is in spite of the concerns about the impact of deteriorating economic conditions in North America, Africa and Europe.
The Hotel Show will showcase the latest products, services and technologies for the hospitality industry.
Organised by dmg world media Dubai, the Hotel Show is one of the most important dates in the international industry calendar and visitors include regional owner-operators, decision makers from international five-star hotel chains, architects and interior designers.
In excess of 16,500 square metres of exhibition space has been reserved for 2008, to accommodate surging demand from both international and regional exhibitors and is already heading towards a sell-out.-TradeArabia News Service
Dubai: Sun, 16 Mar 2008
With around $90 billion in tourism-related developments currently being built, the Gulf is set to enjoy growth rates hoteliers in other parts of the world will only be able to dream about, says an expert.
'We know the Middle East is a fast developing market but survey after survey is revealing the region continuing to grow on a grand scale, unmatched elsewhere and bucking negative economic trends in other parts of the world,' said Maggie Moore, exhibition director of 'The Hotel Show 2008.'
A premier supplies exhibition to the region’s hospitality sector, The Hotel Show, will be held in Dubai from June 8 to 10.
'Throughout the GCC countries of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia the massive development potential of the travel and tourism industry continues to be recognized with record levels of investment in supporting infrastructure,' said Moore.
The database of ProLeads, which monitors construction across the Arabian Gulf, identifies 185 individual projects worth $90 billion in hotels, resorts, sports facilities, malls, marinas, theme parks and related leisure and tourism facilities currently under construction or fully committed, she added.
Moore cited a recent hotel benchmark survey by consultants Deloitte showing the Middle East hotel industry as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world with revenues per available room (REvPar) growing 17 per cent in 2007, exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe, with a promising outlook for the years to come.
The Hotel Show and its associated Seven Star Conference provide a future perspective on key trends and drivers shaping the travel and tourism sector in a region where the industry's share of investment in relation to gross domestic product has risen from 8.5 per cent in 2000 to a forecast 11 per cent in 2008.
The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) also sees an optimistic outlook for tourism in the Middle East.
'UNWTO identifies the Middle East as the tourism success story of the decade with the region emerging as a strong destination and visitor numbers climbing much faster than the world total,' said Moore.
'Regional confidence remains high for 2008, despite economic problems elsewhere.'
In addition, the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that the Middle East to be the only region to remain on course for 5 per cent growth in travel and tourism this year. This is in spite of the concerns about the impact of deteriorating economic conditions in North America, Africa and Europe.
The Hotel Show will showcase the latest products, services and technologies for the hospitality industry.
Organised by dmg world media Dubai, the Hotel Show is one of the most important dates in the international industry calendar and visitors include regional owner-operators, decision makers from international five-star hotel chains, architects and interior designers.
In excess of 16,500 square metres of exhibition space has been reserved for 2008, to accommodate surging demand from both international and regional exhibitors and is already heading towards a sell-out.-TradeArabia News Service
UAE to end illiteracy in seven years
March 16th, 2008 - 1:43 pm ICT by admin - Email This Post
Abu Dhabi, March 16 (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to eradicate illiteracy within seven years to become the first Arab country to attain 100 percent literacy, WAM news agency reported.
The country hopes to bid farewell to illiteracy by 2015 or even before, Arabic newspaper Al Ittihad quoted officials of the education ministry as saying.
A recent survey showed that the illiteracy rate in the UAE has declined from 22 percent in 2000 to 9 percent in 2005.
Abu Dhabi, March 16 (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to eradicate illiteracy within seven years to become the first Arab country to attain 100 percent literacy, WAM news agency reported.
The country hopes to bid farewell to illiteracy by 2015 or even before, Arabic newspaper Al Ittihad quoted officials of the education ministry as saying.
A recent survey showed that the illiteracy rate in the UAE has declined from 22 percent in 2000 to 9 percent in 2005.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Abu Dhabi as Future Tourist Hub
Arab-German Gathering Hails Abu Dhabi as Future Tourist Hub
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
BERLIN (WAM)—A number of Arab Tourism Ministers, German tourist experts and officials of the World Tourism Organization, agreed that the tourism and property development projects in Abu Dhabi emirate, particularly Al Saadiyah Island development, will constitute a turning point in concept of tourism in the Middle East.
They added that "the UAE is not only emerging as a regional tourism hub, but steadily growing as one of major tourist hubs worldwide."
The remarks were made during the Arab-German Tourism Gathering on March 7, organized by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Berlin, at the sideline of the International Travel Bourse, which was attended by Syrian Tourism Minister Dr Saddallh Agha and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce Chairman Thomas Bach.
"Gathering of world museums, such as Louvre and others in Abu Dhabi will change many concepts of tourism," Agha remarked.
On his part, Bach said that he was closely following up amazing progress being witnessed by the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular, adding that "the UAE is exerting significant efforts to develop tourism and seizes every opportunity to promote itself in EU market."
Abu Dhabi Top 10 Globa Destination
Abu Dhabi has been selected as one of the top ten destinations in the world by expedia.co.uk, UK's largest online travel agent. Abu Dhabi ranks among New Zealand, Argentina, China, Cape Verde, Alaska, Reykjavik, Berlin, Boston and Liverpool as one of the Top Ten places to visit in 2008.
Explaining the choice of Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination, expedia.com wrote: "Few places can have undergone such fundamental change over the past 50 years as the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Today visitors can enjoy the beach, desert safarl's, variety enough to quench even the strongest thirst for retail therapy."
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body that manages Abu Dhabil's tourism sector, said: "The choice of Abu Dhabi in expedia.co.uk's Top 10 places to visit in 2008 is a reiteration of the growing stature earned by the emirate in the global tourism industry.
Aerial view of Abu Dhabi.
It also highlights the concerted efforts made by ADTA and stakeholders to showcase Abu Dhabi to global travelers and further develop the tourism luxurious offerings in the emirate through a carefully structured strategy, stressing on the influential role of the continuous programs managed and supervised by ADTA like road shows and Abu Dhabi Tourism Champion which had been launched in 2005 and covered major tour operators in basic cities in Europe."
Talking of the emirate's unique luxury attractions, Mr. Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General of ADTA, stated: "Abu Dhabi has an eclectic spread of choices that meets the demands of global travelers. Apart from famed sea, sun, sand and luxurious choices, which visitors to the UAE are assured of, Abu Dhabi also offers a unique cultural and heritage environment that fascinates visitors.
Global travelers prefer to choose their holiday destination based on expedia.co.uk's recommendations. The selection of Abu Dhabi as a Top 10 place to visit is expected to fuel greater tourist interest from the West to the emirate.
Dozens of Westerners, including black-clad women, have been flocking to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, an architectural masterpiece graced with a Persian carpet said to be the biggest in the world.
"It is the third biggest mosque in the world after the Haramain," boasted the project's deputy head, Khawla al-Suleimani, after Islam's two holiest sites in Saudi Arabia — Mecca's Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
Dozens of Westerners, including black-clad women, have been flocking to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
But unlike these two mosques, the one named after the United Arab Emirates' late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, is not off-limits to non-Muslims.
In fact, the opposite is true, with some provisos.
Women must cover themselves from head to toe in abayas, or long black robes, handed them at the entrance.
"And non-Muslims must not touch the Koran," the Muslim holy book, copies of which are stacked in every prayer room, cautions one of the guides.
Armed with cameras to capture the splendor of the place, visitors have been coming from within the UAE "but also from abroad," said Suleimani.
"Hundreds have been coming every week since the opening (of the mosque) on the first day of Eid al-Adha," the Muslim feast of sacrifice which fell in December, she added.
The project was launched in 1998 by Sheikh Zayed, who besides being the UAE's first president was also ruler of the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of seven making up the Gulf federation. Work will be fully completed in November 2009.
Sheikh Zayed, who died in November 2004, is buried in a courtyard adjacent to the mosque.
"The mosque is dedicated to the father of the nation, whose vision was founded on dialogue between religions, civilizations and cultures," say brochures handed out to visitors by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
The authority began to organize guided tours of the place last month.
"Apart from the thousands of (Muslim) faithful who come to pray, the mosque is visited by non-Muslims: Germans, French, Britons, Italians, Russians, Americans, Argentineans and Indians," it said in a guide.
Unlike the leisure-oriented UAE emirate of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is seeking to become a cultural hub and sees the mosque as one more attraction for tourists looking for more than sandy beaches and huge shopping malls.
"As Sheikh Zayed wished, the mosque was built on a 9.5-metre (31-feet) high hill so it is visible from far, it covers an area of 22,000 square meters (237,000 square feet), and it can accommodate more than 40,000 faithful," said engineer Mohammad Ali al-Ameri.
Ameri said construction was nearly over, with only fences, gardens and car parks still to be completed.
""Thousands of workers," nearly all from the Asian subcontinent, were involved in building the mosque, he said. The sculptors were Moroccan.
Thousands of rare and semi-precious stones, some encrusted in marble, were used to decorate the structure.
The centerpiece is a 6,000 square meter (64,583 square feet) hand-made Persian carpet, said to be the biggest in the world.
"More than 1,200 women from the Khorasan region in eastern Iran spent two years weaving the carpet, which weighs 45 tones and cost more than 8.5 million dollars," Ameri said.
The carpet covers the floor of the main prayer hall, which can accommodate up to 9,000 faithful.
Two rooms next to the main prayer hall, with a 1,500-capacity each, have been reserved for women, who can follow sermons delivered by prayer leaders on giant television screens. Islam requires men and women to pray separately.
The main dome is also "the biggest" mosque dome in the world, according to Ameri, who said it is 75 meters (246 feet) high with a 32.2-metre (105.6 feet) diameter.
Another breathtaking piece is a huge crystal chandelier in the main prayer hall, one of seven German-made chandeliers costing more than eight million dollars. It is 10-metre (32.8 feet) tall, 10-metre wide and weighs nine tones.
Ameri would not give the total cost of the mosque, but Suleimani estimated it at more than two billion dirhams (545 million dollars).
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
BERLIN (WAM)—A number of Arab Tourism Ministers, German tourist experts and officials of the World Tourism Organization, agreed that the tourism and property development projects in Abu Dhabi emirate, particularly Al Saadiyah Island development, will constitute a turning point in concept of tourism in the Middle East.
They added that "the UAE is not only emerging as a regional tourism hub, but steadily growing as one of major tourist hubs worldwide."
The remarks were made during the Arab-German Tourism Gathering on March 7, organized by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Berlin, at the sideline of the International Travel Bourse, which was attended by Syrian Tourism Minister Dr Saddallh Agha and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce Chairman Thomas Bach.
"Gathering of world museums, such as Louvre and others in Abu Dhabi will change many concepts of tourism," Agha remarked.
On his part, Bach said that he was closely following up amazing progress being witnessed by the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular, adding that "the UAE is exerting significant efforts to develop tourism and seizes every opportunity to promote itself in EU market."
Abu Dhabi Top 10 Globa Destination
Abu Dhabi has been selected as one of the top ten destinations in the world by expedia.co.uk, UK's largest online travel agent. Abu Dhabi ranks among New Zealand, Argentina, China, Cape Verde, Alaska, Reykjavik, Berlin, Boston and Liverpool as one of the Top Ten places to visit in 2008.
Explaining the choice of Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination, expedia.com wrote: "Few places can have undergone such fundamental change over the past 50 years as the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Today visitors can enjoy the beach, desert safarl's, variety enough to quench even the strongest thirst for retail therapy."
His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the apex body that manages Abu Dhabil's tourism sector, said: "The choice of Abu Dhabi in expedia.co.uk's Top 10 places to visit in 2008 is a reiteration of the growing stature earned by the emirate in the global tourism industry.
Aerial view of Abu Dhabi.
It also highlights the concerted efforts made by ADTA and stakeholders to showcase Abu Dhabi to global travelers and further develop the tourism luxurious offerings in the emirate through a carefully structured strategy, stressing on the influential role of the continuous programs managed and supervised by ADTA like road shows and Abu Dhabi Tourism Champion which had been launched in 2005 and covered major tour operators in basic cities in Europe."
Talking of the emirate's unique luxury attractions, Mr. Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, Director General of ADTA, stated: "Abu Dhabi has an eclectic spread of choices that meets the demands of global travelers. Apart from famed sea, sun, sand and luxurious choices, which visitors to the UAE are assured of, Abu Dhabi also offers a unique cultural and heritage environment that fascinates visitors.
Global travelers prefer to choose their holiday destination based on expedia.co.uk's recommendations. The selection of Abu Dhabi as a Top 10 place to visit is expected to fuel greater tourist interest from the West to the emirate.
Dozens of Westerners, including black-clad women, have been flocking to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, an architectural masterpiece graced with a Persian carpet said to be the biggest in the world.
"It is the third biggest mosque in the world after the Haramain," boasted the project's deputy head, Khawla al-Suleimani, after Islam's two holiest sites in Saudi Arabia — Mecca's Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
Dozens of Westerners, including black-clad women, have been flocking to Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
But unlike these two mosques, the one named after the United Arab Emirates' late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, is not off-limits to non-Muslims.
In fact, the opposite is true, with some provisos.
Women must cover themselves from head to toe in abayas, or long black robes, handed them at the entrance.
"And non-Muslims must not touch the Koran," the Muslim holy book, copies of which are stacked in every prayer room, cautions one of the guides.
Armed with cameras to capture the splendor of the place, visitors have been coming from within the UAE "but also from abroad," said Suleimani.
"Hundreds have been coming every week since the opening (of the mosque) on the first day of Eid al-Adha," the Muslim feast of sacrifice which fell in December, she added.
The project was launched in 1998 by Sheikh Zayed, who besides being the UAE's first president was also ruler of the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi, one of seven making up the Gulf federation. Work will be fully completed in November 2009.
Sheikh Zayed, who died in November 2004, is buried in a courtyard adjacent to the mosque.
"The mosque is dedicated to the father of the nation, whose vision was founded on dialogue between religions, civilizations and cultures," say brochures handed out to visitors by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
The authority began to organize guided tours of the place last month.
"Apart from the thousands of (Muslim) faithful who come to pray, the mosque is visited by non-Muslims: Germans, French, Britons, Italians, Russians, Americans, Argentineans and Indians," it said in a guide.
Unlike the leisure-oriented UAE emirate of Dubai, Abu Dhabi is seeking to become a cultural hub and sees the mosque as one more attraction for tourists looking for more than sandy beaches and huge shopping malls.
"As Sheikh Zayed wished, the mosque was built on a 9.5-metre (31-feet) high hill so it is visible from far, it covers an area of 22,000 square meters (237,000 square feet), and it can accommodate more than 40,000 faithful," said engineer Mohammad Ali al-Ameri.
Ameri said construction was nearly over, with only fences, gardens and car parks still to be completed.
""Thousands of workers," nearly all from the Asian subcontinent, were involved in building the mosque, he said. The sculptors were Moroccan.
Thousands of rare and semi-precious stones, some encrusted in marble, were used to decorate the structure.
The centerpiece is a 6,000 square meter (64,583 square feet) hand-made Persian carpet, said to be the biggest in the world.
"More than 1,200 women from the Khorasan region in eastern Iran spent two years weaving the carpet, which weighs 45 tones and cost more than 8.5 million dollars," Ameri said.
The carpet covers the floor of the main prayer hall, which can accommodate up to 9,000 faithful.
Two rooms next to the main prayer hall, with a 1,500-capacity each, have been reserved for women, who can follow sermons delivered by prayer leaders on giant television screens. Islam requires men and women to pray separately.
The main dome is also "the biggest" mosque dome in the world, according to Ameri, who said it is 75 meters (246 feet) high with a 32.2-metre (105.6 feet) diameter.
Another breathtaking piece is a huge crystal chandelier in the main prayer hall, one of seven German-made chandeliers costing more than eight million dollars. It is 10-metre (32.8 feet) tall, 10-metre wide and weighs nine tones.
Ameri would not give the total cost of the mosque, but Suleimani estimated it at more than two billion dirhams (545 million dollars).
Jordan’s ICT Minister to address Cisco Expo Levant 2008
Posted on Sunday, 9 March 2008
Industry Sector IT
Country Jordan
Cisco®, the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate, and collaborate, today announced that H.E. Eng. Basem Rousan, Minister of Information & Communications Technology for Jordan will deliver the keynote speech at Cisco Expo Levant 2008.
The event will be held on March 11th, 2008 and will showcase innovative solutions to decision makers while highlighting the role that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will play in positioning Jordan as a leading knowledge based economy in the region. The event will bring together over 400 of Jordan's top business and technology decision makers to share ideas and best practices.
"The Jordanian market has realised the importance of investing in ICT to adapt quickly to rapidly shifting market and consumer dynamics. The country's economic growth is driven by large part by the adoption of information and communication technologies," said Ziad Mortaja, Regional General Manager and Director for Cisco Middle East, North Africa and the Levant.
A number of leading Jordanian technology companies and Cisco Partners such as Ad-Tech, Data Consult, Intracom Jordan, Jordan Business Systems, Mabco, Optimiza, Panduit and STS will also be present at the event.
Visitors to the Cisco Partners stands in Cisco Expo will have the opportunity to experience some of the regions most advanced and innovative business solutions, designed according to international best practices to meet local needs and requirements.
Cisco Expo Levant 2008 will also showcase customised vertical-specific solutions to bring value to its customers across industries such as Enterprise & SMB, Public Sector and Service Providers.
The event will also host a panel discussion on the challenges of IT adoption in emerging markets, live technology demonstrations as well as in-depth breakout sessions on Cisco's offerings in managed services, security and data centre architecture and applications.
"As Jordan continues to focus on digital communications, Cisco Expo is an ideal platform to discuss the future of communications technology, trends and issues that will change the future landscape of the industry. It is a key market for Cisco and provides a platform for us to lead market transitions in the emerging world. We are confident that we will be able to offer solutions that will enable our customers in this region to deliver quality products and services," concluded Murtaja. Cisco Expo 2008 is a registration only event and will take place at the Le Royal Hotel in Amman.
Posted on Sunday, 9 March 2008
Industry Sector IT
Country Jordan
Cisco®, the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate, and collaborate, today announced that H.E. Eng. Basem Rousan, Minister of Information & Communications Technology for Jordan will deliver the keynote speech at Cisco Expo Levant 2008.
The event will be held on March 11th, 2008 and will showcase innovative solutions to decision makers while highlighting the role that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will play in positioning Jordan as a leading knowledge based economy in the region. The event will bring together over 400 of Jordan's top business and technology decision makers to share ideas and best practices.
"The Jordanian market has realised the importance of investing in ICT to adapt quickly to rapidly shifting market and consumer dynamics. The country's economic growth is driven by large part by the adoption of information and communication technologies," said Ziad Mortaja, Regional General Manager and Director for Cisco Middle East, North Africa and the Levant.
A number of leading Jordanian technology companies and Cisco Partners such as Ad-Tech, Data Consult, Intracom Jordan, Jordan Business Systems, Mabco, Optimiza, Panduit and STS will also be present at the event.
Visitors to the Cisco Partners stands in Cisco Expo will have the opportunity to experience some of the regions most advanced and innovative business solutions, designed according to international best practices to meet local needs and requirements.
Cisco Expo Levant 2008 will also showcase customised vertical-specific solutions to bring value to its customers across industries such as Enterprise & SMB, Public Sector and Service Providers.
The event will also host a panel discussion on the challenges of IT adoption in emerging markets, live technology demonstrations as well as in-depth breakout sessions on Cisco's offerings in managed services, security and data centre architecture and applications.
"As Jordan continues to focus on digital communications, Cisco Expo is an ideal platform to discuss the future of communications technology, trends and issues that will change the future landscape of the industry. It is a key market for Cisco and provides a platform for us to lead market transitions in the emerging world. We are confident that we will be able to offer solutions that will enable our customers in this region to deliver quality products and services," concluded Murtaja. Cisco Expo 2008 is a registration only event and will take place at the Le Royal Hotel in Amman.
BU brings dental school to United Arab Emirates
Email|Print| Text size – + By Peter Schworm
Globe Staff / March 9, 2008
Boston University might be outgrowing its name, at least in a geographic sense, as the Commonwealth Avenue campus is expanding overseas for the first time with a new dental school in the United Arab Emirates.
more stories like this
nullJoining a growing number of American universities opening satellite campuses to far-flung reaches of the globe, BU recently held a ceremony in Dubai to commemorate the opening of the Boston University Institute of Dental Research and Education Dubai, and the Boston University Dental Health Center at Dubai Healthcare City.
BU administrators joined UAE dignitaries, including His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, in marking the occasion late last month.
"The collaboration with such a renowned world-class American medical and academic institution will further consolidate our position as a regional health-care hub," said Muhadditha Al Hashimi, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City.
Dubai Healthcare City aims to become a world-class academic medical community built on the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, a major university hospital, and the BU Institute.
The institute will seek to train dentists in specialties and advance dental research in the region. BU faculty will develop and oversee the training programs. The BU Dental Health Center has begun providing dental services to residents and visitors, and the first class of residents will begin their studies in July.
"We take our responsibility as educators and researchers in the global community very seriously," said Jeffrey Hutter, interim dean of the Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
FINANCE U: Stumped by even simple stock charts? Need a primer on the subprime scandal? Probably should steer clear of the I-Tower dormitory at Babson College, where investment strategies and economic theories are the conversational coin of the realm. The special dormitory at the business-focused college in Wellesley houses 21 students who live and breathe finance (the "I" stands for investment), and who want to be immersed 24-seven in the finer points of fixed income and foreign equities.
Now in its fourth year, the I-Tower is designed to foster a focused environment that will help students on the road to a career in finance. Starting tomorrow, they will begin rehearsing future wheelings and dealings with a six-week virtual stock competition in which entrants receive $1 million in pretend money to invest. The savviest investor receives an actual $1,000 prize, and given the students' financial focus, that virtual million might become real before they know it.
Gordon College is based in the North Shore suburb of Wenham. But the nondenominational Christian college is setting down more roots in Dorchester, leasing part of a 200-year-old church and a nearby Victorian mansion to give some of its students the experience of living in an urban setting.
The 1,700-student college leases part of the Second Church of Dorchester and some of the connecting parish house to accommodate Gordon in Boston, an off-campus urban studies program that allows students to live, work, and study in the city for a semester.
"By living, learning, and serving in an urban context, students have the opportunity to learn through the eyes of others," said Gordon President R. Judson Carlberg.
The college has renovated the building's interior into an apartment-style dormitory that houses the majority of students in the program. The second floor of the church annex has been transformed into classrooms, a student lounge and offices.
Other students are living at the Salvation Army Jubilee House, a 23-room Victorian mansion located a few blocks from the Second Church on Melville Avenue.
"It is the commitment of Gordon College to be truly involved in the community and not just be another resident," said Rev. Craig McMullen, director of the Gordon in Boston program. "We could have purchased our own buildings for housing and programs, but by partnering with the two urban churches we are able to leverage our resources to encourage their urban ministry among this community."
This is Gordon's second city campus. In 2006, it opened a $1 million dormitory in Lynn, where students tutor children after school, teach English to immigrants, and volunteer for a variety of youth and civic organizations.
Campus Insider runs on alternate Sundays with Ask the Teacher, an advice column. To submit tips to Campus Insider, e-mail Peter Schworm at schworm@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
Globe Staff / March 9, 2008
Boston University might be outgrowing its name, at least in a geographic sense, as the Commonwealth Avenue campus is expanding overseas for the first time with a new dental school in the United Arab Emirates.
more stories like this
nullJoining a growing number of American universities opening satellite campuses to far-flung reaches of the globe, BU recently held a ceremony in Dubai to commemorate the opening of the Boston University Institute of Dental Research and Education Dubai, and the Boston University Dental Health Center at Dubai Healthcare City.
BU administrators joined UAE dignitaries, including His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, in marking the occasion late last month.
"The collaboration with such a renowned world-class American medical and academic institution will further consolidate our position as a regional health-care hub," said Muhadditha Al Hashimi, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City.
Dubai Healthcare City aims to become a world-class academic medical community built on the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, a major university hospital, and the BU Institute.
The institute will seek to train dentists in specialties and advance dental research in the region. BU faculty will develop and oversee the training programs. The BU Dental Health Center has begun providing dental services to residents and visitors, and the first class of residents will begin their studies in July.
"We take our responsibility as educators and researchers in the global community very seriously," said Jeffrey Hutter, interim dean of the Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
FINANCE U: Stumped by even simple stock charts? Need a primer on the subprime scandal? Probably should steer clear of the I-Tower dormitory at Babson College, where investment strategies and economic theories are the conversational coin of the realm. The special dormitory at the business-focused college in Wellesley houses 21 students who live and breathe finance (the "I" stands for investment), and who want to be immersed 24-seven in the finer points of fixed income and foreign equities.
Now in its fourth year, the I-Tower is designed to foster a focused environment that will help students on the road to a career in finance. Starting tomorrow, they will begin rehearsing future wheelings and dealings with a six-week virtual stock competition in which entrants receive $1 million in pretend money to invest. The savviest investor receives an actual $1,000 prize, and given the students' financial focus, that virtual million might become real before they know it.
Gordon College is based in the North Shore suburb of Wenham. But the nondenominational Christian college is setting down more roots in Dorchester, leasing part of a 200-year-old church and a nearby Victorian mansion to give some of its students the experience of living in an urban setting.
The 1,700-student college leases part of the Second Church of Dorchester and some of the connecting parish house to accommodate Gordon in Boston, an off-campus urban studies program that allows students to live, work, and study in the city for a semester.
"By living, learning, and serving in an urban context, students have the opportunity to learn through the eyes of others," said Gordon President R. Judson Carlberg.
The college has renovated the building's interior into an apartment-style dormitory that houses the majority of students in the program. The second floor of the church annex has been transformed into classrooms, a student lounge and offices.
Other students are living at the Salvation Army Jubilee House, a 23-room Victorian mansion located a few blocks from the Second Church on Melville Avenue.
"It is the commitment of Gordon College to be truly involved in the community and not just be another resident," said Rev. Craig McMullen, director of the Gordon in Boston program. "We could have purchased our own buildings for housing and programs, but by partnering with the two urban churches we are able to leverage our resources to encourage their urban ministry among this community."
This is Gordon's second city campus. In 2006, it opened a $1 million dormitory in Lynn, where students tutor children after school, teach English to immigrants, and volunteer for a variety of youth and civic organizations.
Campus Insider runs on alternate Sundays with Ask the Teacher, an advice column. To submit tips to Campus Insider, e-mail Peter Schworm at schworm@globe.com.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
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