Emirates

2024-04-30

Six soldiers belonging to a south Yemen-based successionist force were killed by a planted explosive device on Monday in an attack the United Arab Emirates-backed group says was executed by 's Yemeni branch.   Mohamed al-Naqib, a spokesman for the Southern Armed Forces, the armed wing of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), said the explosion targeted a military vehicle in the Modiyah district of southern Abyan province.   Al-Naqib blamed Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) for the attack and added that an additional 11 soldiers were also wounded in the explosion. Taliban fighters celebrate on the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street near the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2023. (credit: REUTERS)  Yemen's political and military control is divided between various state and non-state actors. The STC, a breakaway Sunni faction seeking an independent state ’s south, controls much of the country’s coastline near Aden, while Yemen’s internationally recognized government controls much of the central and northeastern regions.   Despite the STC’s successionist goals, the group has aligned itself with the Yemeni government in the fight against the Iranian-backed Shia Houthis as well as the AQAP.  Although Al-Qaeda's presence across the Middle East has broadly weakened over the last decade, AQAP remains one of the international terror group’s most powerful cells, taking advantage of the chaos from to reestablish itself in the country.  ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-28

The State of Israel should not be regarded as a foreign entity imposing itself on the Muslim world (Dar al-Islam).  On the contrary, it should be seen as the realization of divine justice as found in the Quran and the Torah: The return of the land to its rightful owners. It should be recognized that when Israel was founded in 1948, political rule was not taken from the Arabs but rather from the British, who conquered it from the Ottomans. One of the fundamental obstacles to constructive dialogue between Judaism and Islam is the Muslim claim that Judaism is a religion but not a nation.  However, from the perspective of Judaism, the Jewish nation is, first and foremost, a nation. Therefore, all of Jacob’s descendants are part of the Jewish nation, whether they believe in the Torah or not, and thus, they are included among the inheritors of the Land of Israel. The Jewish state should be recognized as the manifestation of the divine promise to return the nation of Israel to its land, as mentioned multiple times in Islamic sources, for example – Sura 5,20: “Bear in mind the words of Moses to his people. THE PARTING of the Red Sea during the Jewish nation’s escape from Egypt, an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company (credit: Wikimedia Commons) He said: ‘Remember, my people, the favor God has bestowed upon you. He has raised prophets among you, made you kings, and given you what He has given to no other nation. Enter, my people, the holy land God has assigned for you. Do not turn back, or you shall be ruined.’” We must note that in 1918, a meeting was held between the Emir Faisal, son of Hussein, King of the Hijaz, and Chaim Weizman, the representative of the Zionist Organization, which led to the 1919 London Agreement regarding cooperation between the Arab national movement and the Zionist movement. Based on the brotherhood between the sons of Abraham, a happy period of peace and advancement of the world toward its correction can be opened. I should note that in my meeting held in the United Arab Emirates with Dr. Al Nuaimi, who oversees foreign relations and security in the Emirates, he agreed with my statement that the Islamic idea of Israel as “Dar al-Islam,” which means Muslim land that should be conquered by force, is a “recent invention,” not rooted in the fundamental beliefs of Islam. The writer, a rabbi, is head of Brit Olam institutions. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-18

is grappling with the aftermath of a historic rainstorm that deluged the nation on Tuesday, causing unprecedented flooding and disruptions.  Dubai International Airport, a pivotal global travel hub, is struggling to manage a backlog of flights due to a flooded runway. Major roads remain inundated, severely affecting traffic and daily operations. Recorded as the heaviest rainfall in 75 years, the storm has effectively brought much of the UAE to a standstill.  major thoroughfares were reduced to a crawl, with some vehicles, including buses, nearly submerged underwater. Social media footage displayed dramatic scenes of malls and homes overwhelmed by water leaks. Emergency services were stretched, with firefighters using trucks to pump waist-deep water from flooded streets while stranded drivers navigated around abandoned vehicles. The main road connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi was also shut down, adding to the chaos. A man uses his mobile as he walks on a flooded road after a rainstorm, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/RULA ROUHANA ) The airport faced significant challenges in resuming operations, with ongoing delays and diversions affecting thousands of travelers.  Emirates, the largest carrier at the airport, had to suspend check-in services on Wednesday, further complicating the situation. have linked the rainstorm, which initially hit neighboring Oman, to global warming. This points to a broader trend of extreme weather conditions exacerbated by inadequate local infrastructure. President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a comprehensive assessment of the damage and directed support for those affected by the storm. As the UAE begins its recovery, the focus is also turning to improving resilience against such rare but increasingly likely weather events. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-04-03

In response to a petition concerning the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israel has for the first time revealed detailed information about the significant amount of humanitarian aid it has provided to the territory since October 7. The disclosure comes amidst international accusations against Israel, alleging the use of hunger as a weapon against Palestinians. According to data released by Israel, from mid-October until March 28, the country authorized the entry of 2,832 trucks into Gaza, carrying a total of 40,475 tons of humanitarian aid. An additional 447 tonnes of material were transported by sea. The aid includes 140 loads of food daily, totaling 252 tons per day. Moreover, three million cubic meters of water were supplied through pipelines from Israel, along with 1,409 trucks transporting 28,100 tons of water. Water treatment facilities established in Egypt by the United Arab Emirates, in coordination with Israel, provide an additional 3,400 cubic meters of water per day to Gaza. Medical aid has also been substantial, with 1,705 trucks delivering 19,805 tons of medical equipment into Gaza. Israel facilitated the entry of 105 new ambulances and 197 tanker trucks, ensuring the supply of water to vital facilities such as hospitals and wastewater treatment plants. Despite the significant influx of aid, Israel emphasizes that the sheer volume has overwhelmed aid organizations, leading to delays in distribution. Hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks often wait at crossing points for days before being collected by NGOs.  In terms of medical care, Israeli officials noted the operation of seven hospitals in northern Gaza and Gaza City, eleven in the south, one in the center, and five local clinics.  Additionally, Israel authorized the establishment of seven field hospitals and the docking of three "floating" hospitals, while also facilitating the departure of around 3,200 patients requiring urgent medical treatment via the Rafah crossing to Egypt. Israel further detailed its support for Gaza's hospitals during military operations against Hamas terrorists.  For instance, during a military operation at Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, the IDF authorized the transfer of oxygen tanks and medical supplies.  Similar assistance was provided to Nasser Hospital, including the repair of generators and the provision of fuel. Additionally, Israel authorized the entry of 50 incubators for UNICEF and delivered trucks of medical equipment, food, and water to Shifa Hospital amid intense operational activity. Addressing concerns about Hamas' control over humanitarian aid, Israeli officials stated that Israel is exploring options with international bodies to ensure the secure movement of aid convoys in Gaza. Israel has also approved a request from UN agencies to build protective walls around their warehouses. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-03-14

The military has made preparations for the arrival of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip by sea, the IDF announced on Thursday. One such instance was en route to Gaza, funded by the United Arab Emirates. The ship set sail from Larnaca, Cyprus, earlier this week, a process which was coordinated with Israeli security forces and as per the request of the US government, according to the military. In addition, upon arrival, the equipment on the ship was checked for security purposes, with Israeli officials accompanying it to ensure that aid alone reached .  Earlier this week, an additional six trucks containing humanitarian aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) made their way into the northern Gaza Strip through the 96th Gate on the security fence, the IDF said. The process was done in coordination with the Israeli military and COGAT.  The trucks also underwent a security check at the Kerem Shalom crossing before entering Gaza.   In addition, the military noted that 12 foreign countries had airdropped more than 1,000 aid packages into the Strip throughout the past week.  ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-03-04

The United Arab Emirates has been playing an important role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Along with Jordan, Egypt, and several other countries in the region, it is one of the key contributors. Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and caused a massive war, which has led to many Gazans being and required humanitarian aid to be sent. In addition, countries are supporting field hospitals in Gaza. This weekend, the US began airdrops.  The UAE’s operation to is called Gallant Knight 3. An article at Al-Ain Media in the UAE provided a glimpse into the progress of the UAE’s humanitarian mission. It notes that, as of March 3, the UAE’s operation has been ongoing for 119 days. “The number of cargo planes reached 173, and the total relief aid amounted to 16,004 tons,” the report noted. In addition, the UAE has sent 521 trucks to Gaza, and 388 trucks have driven from Cairo to Al-Arish in Egypt.    “Six water desalination plants with a production capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day were also established, according to the ,” the report noted. “The total number of marine cargo ships reached 2, in addition to the establishment of the Emirati floating hospital in the Egyptian city of Al-Arish. The number of cases received in the UAE reached 474 cases, in addition to 7,551 cases in the Emirati Field Hospital in Gaza, and 72 cases received by the Emirati Floating Hospital in Al-Arish.” Five bakeries have also been established, and they can now bake 15,000 loaves of bread an hour. The article details “round the clock” work to help civilians in Gaza. “An Emirati medical team is supervising the field hospital and providing medical care to the injured….The Emirati field hospital was implemented in phases, with a capacity of more than 150 beds. TRUCKS CROSS at Kerem Shalom, the main passage point for goods entering the Gaza Strip from Israel. (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90) It includes departments of general surgery, orthopedics, children and women, anesthesia, and intensive care for children and adults, in addition to clinics in internal medicine, dentistry, a psychiatric clinic, and family medicine, in addition to CT scan services, a laboratory, and a pharmacy. And supportive medical services,” Al-Ain noted. The Emirates Red Crescent has also been active in providing support to three areas in Gaza, including Rafah. “Aid was also distributed in the areas of Al-Bureij, Al-Maghazi, Al-Nuseirat, Al-Zawaida, and Deir Al-Balah in the Al-Wusta Governorate,” the report noted. “The aid provided by the Emirates Red Crescent Authority included parcels containing food and medical supplies, and winter clothes, in addition to installing floodlights in shelters for displaced people, as well as a bakery project to address the acute shortage of bread within the Gaza Strip.” The UAE’s support illustrates the importance it has placed on this aspect of the conflict. The UAE became a member of the Abraham Accords, along with Bahrain and Morocco, in 2020. This has provided it a unique ability to navigate this complex conflict and this difficult time in the region. Over five months of war, the humanitarian angle has taken on renewed importance as Gazans in northern Gaza are now receiving air drops and as there is discussion about a new hostage and prisoner deal between Israel and Hamas. However, Israel has also vowed to launch an operation in Rafah near the Egyptian border, which would necessitate moving more than 1 million IDPs who are already sheltering in Rafah. How this might be accomplished remains to be seen, considering the strains on humanitarian aid already being felt in Gaza.  ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-02-29

Two decades after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, the country is now, for the first time, attracting investments from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including from Saudi Arabia. This is a milestone given past major differences between them over Iraq's. announced that it has multiple investments in various sectors in Iraq valued at more than $5 billion. The largest share is in the real estate sector in the capital, Baghdad. The United Arab Emirates, which was the first Gulf country to invest in Iraq, recently announced that it would be expanding its investments there. After 20 years of limited investments in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, the UAE said it would be expanding its investments to include large real estate projects in Baghdad. Qatar also officially announced investments in Iraq, without revealing their monetary value.   now joins private Qatari investors who previously entered into large real estate investments in Baghdad. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, the economic arm of the Saudi government, officially announced the establishment of a new unit for investment in Iraq, with a capital of $3 billion. The fields of investment will include infrastructure, mining, agriculture, real estate development, and financial services. To assist with these investments, the fund established a branch of the Saudi Arab Bank, the Arabi Bank of Iraq. TRADERS AT work in the Saudi Investment Bank in Riyadh. (credit: REUTERS/FAHAD SHADEED) The fund also established the Saudi-Iraqi Company, part of an initiative of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to establish five regional companies targeting investments in Jordan, Bahrain, Sudan, Iraq, and Oman. Official figures and statistics indicate that trade between Iraq and Saudi Arabia grew by 50% between 2021 and 2022, totaling $1.5 billion. Saudi Arabia's largest investment project in Iraq, recently announced by the Saudi ambassador to Iraq, Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, is the “Baghdad Avenue” project near the city's airport. This $1 billion investment includes the largest mall in Iraq, 4,000 apartments, and 2,500 villas.  As part of the UAE's investment efforts, a deposit of $3 billion has been made in a special fund to invest in Iraq while the UAE company Emaar announced new real estate projects in the Iraqi capital. Advertisement “Preparations are being made to announce 10 major real estate projects in Iraq, with Saudi, Emirati, and Qatari investments,” a source in the Iraqi Ministry of Commerce told The Media Line. The projects have an initial estimated value of $15 billion and are located on large areas of land around the Iraqi capital, the source said. He said that “dozens” of trade delegations were traveling between Iraq and Saudi Arabia each week, and that in January Saudi Arabia presented the largest pavilion in a special investment exhibition in Baghdad. The projects are being followed up directly by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office and are also subject to the Investment Authority, according to the source.  “Many agreements have been signed with Saudi Arabia, and are now being fully implemented on the ground,” he said. Sinan Al-Jaber, a director in the Iraqi Ministry of Housing and Construction, told The Media Line: “Since we discussed trade exchange with Saudi Arabia, we offered them to enter into real estate projects to help in the reconstruction of Iraq, and provide housing units, as there is a major crisis in housing units, and the side agreed.”  He said that the country is planning to offer further investment opportunities to Arab and other countries.  “Land is available, most of it within the borders of the Baghdad Governorate and the rest of the Iraqi governorates, and we will see other projects soon in new governorates,” he said. Al-Jaber, said the recently announced real estate projects “have achieved stability in the Iraqi real estate market, and there is a decline in prices in some areas that witnessed irrational inflation, which is a great benefit for Iraq.” Farouq Ali, an Iraqi who works as a real estate consultant in the Baghdad Avenue project, told The Media Line: "The Iraqi market is thirsty for real estate projects. There is a demand for more than 1.5 million housing units, including 1 million immediately and half a million during the next four years.”  Ali said that in most of the current real estate projects, there is either Iraqi or Turkish investment, mostly implemented by Turkish companies.  “But now, we see the entry of investors from the Gulf countries, which is a major development that will benefit everyone," he said. “What distinguishes real estate projects in Iraq is that they have continuous profits. The government requires the real estate developer to implement the infrastructure and provide electricity, water, and municipal services, and the investor provides these services for a monthly fee, which means that the continued presence of the investor means continued profits for him, unlike projects in other countries.”  Sources said the investment by Gulf companies of large sums of money in Iraq means that they have confidence in the safety and stability of the country.  “Saudi investments came after the Saudi-Iranian reconciliation. Iraq was part of this reconciliation, and these projects are a gift to it," Ibrahim al-Janabi, an Iraqi political analyst residing abroad, told The Media Line. “From my point of view, the militias still control Iraq, and at any moment, they may undertake hostile projects towards Saudi and Gulf investments there, whenever they receive orders from Iran in this regard. There are political messages that Saudi Arabia is trying to send, which is that it controls the countries of the Middle East, and that it is the dominant country, by pumping investments. But this matter is relative and depends on major political consensuses that may change at any moment.” Al-Janabi said Iraqis will benefit from these projects, which are supported by the Coordination Framework government headed by Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani. However, he also cautions that despite succeeding in attracting investments, “the truth is that political stability does not exist, and it is now relative.” he said. “As long as there is the specter of war in the region, and the presence of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian Quds Force less than 100 kilometers from these projects, they will be directly affected by any American strike or any war taking place there," he said. “Perhaps the existence of these projects and their approval by the Iraqi government is an Iranian attempt to gain more allies not to carry out any military operation against Tehran. The interests of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Qatar will be in danger, and then these countries will put pressure on the American and Israeli sides not to carry out any action, including a military operation against Iran’s interests and presence in Iraq.” Awad Al-Thunayan, a Saudi political analyst, told The Media Line: “Saudi Arabia is now supporting economically exhausted countries, but through projects instead of direct support that is wasted due to corruption. Iraq is currently in a stage of recovery after many wars it has witnessed since the 1980s, and now everyone is aware that economic advancement is the best path. Saudi Arabia will not risk these billions without feasibility studies and political consensus. These projects are real and not just a letter on paper. The militias in Iraq have changed their military path to become a parallel economic path. They are now only protecting their interests, and as long as their economic interests are not harmed, there will be no armed military confrontations,” he said. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-02-27

People living in ancient Eastern Arabia apparently became resistant to malaria after they began to farm in the region about 5,000 years ago. analysis of the remains of four individuals from Tylos-period Bahrain (300 BCE to 600 CE), the first ancient genomes from Eastern Arabia, revealed the malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three samples. The discovery of the G6PD Mediterranean mutation in ancient Bahrainis suggests that many people in the region’s ancient populations may have enjoyed protection from the infectious, deadly disease. Today, among the populations examined, the G6PD mutation is detected at its peak frequency in the Emirates, the study showed. Researchers discovered that the ancestry of Tylos-period inhabitants of Bahrain comprises sources related to ancient groups from Anatolia, the Levant, and the Caucasus/Iran. The four Bahrain individuals were genetically more like present-day populations from the Levant and Iraq than Arabians. Experts from Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Birmingham-Dubai, and the University of Cambridge worked with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and other Arabian institutes, such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences- Dubai, along with research centers in Europe, including Université Lumière Lyon 2, Trinity College-Dublin, and others. The group has just published its findings in the journal Cell Genomics under the title “Ancient genomes illuminate Eastern Arabian population history and adaptation against malaria.”Malaria mosquito. [File] (credit: Wikimedia Commons) Lead researcher Rui Martiniano from Liverpool John Moores University commented: “According to our estimates, the G6PD Mediterranean mutation rose in frequency around 5,000-6,000 years ago, coinciding with the onset of agriculture in the region that would have created ideal conditions for .” Due to poor ancient DNA preservation in , no ancient DNA from Arabia has been sequenced until now, which has prevented the direct examination of the genetic ancestry of its past populations. Marc Haber from the University of Birmingham-Dubai explained: “By obtaining the first ancient genomes from Eastern Arabia, we provide unprecedented insights into human history and disease progression in this region. This knowledge goes beyond historical understanding, providing predictive capabilities for disease susceptibility, spread, and treatment, thus promoting better health outcomes.” “The rich population history of Bahrain and, more generally, of Arabia has been severely understudied from a genetic perspective. We provide the first genetic snapshot of past Arabian populations, obtaining important insights about malaria adaptation, which was historically endemic in the region,” commented Fatima Aloraifi from the Mersey and West Lancashire NHS Trust. Salman Almahari, director of antiquities and museums at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, said: “Our study also paves the way for future research that will shed light on human population movements in Arabia and other regions with harsh climates where it’s difficult to find well-preserved sources of DNA.” Data gathered from the analysis of the four individuals’ remains allowed researchers to characterize the genetic composition of the region’s pre-Islamic inhabitants – insights that could have been obtained only by directly examining ancient DNA sequences. Researchers collected ancient human remains from archaeological collections stored at the Bahrain National Museum, extracting DNA from 25 individuals, but only four were sequenced for higher coverage due to poor preservation. Richard Durbin of the University of Cambridge, who supervised the project, said, “It’s exciting to have been able to analyze ancient human genetic data from the remarkable burial mounds of Bahrain.” The finding of malaria adaptation backs up archaeological and textual evidence that suggested malaria was historically endemic in Eastern Arabia, while the DNA ancestry of Tylos-period inhabitants of Bahrain corroborates archaeological evidence of interactions between Bahrain and neighboring regions. The University of Birmingham is ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers, and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries. The university opened its doors to students in Dubai in 2018 and launched its iconic campus in 2022. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2023-12-11

envoys spoke of unimaginable suffering and urged an end to the war in the Gaza Strip on Monday as they headed across Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the Rafah crossing, the besieged Palestinian enclave's only entry point for aid. China's representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun, asked by reporters if he had a message to nations which opposed a , said simply: "Enough is enough." A majority of member states support an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, as dire conditions worsen for its 2.3 million residents. The United States, which backs Israel, last week vetoed a proposed Security Council demand for an immediate ceasefire as Israeli tanks and troops press an invasion that has displaced most of Gaza's population and killed more than 18,000 people. A dozen UN Security Council envoys attended the trip organized by the United Arab Emirates to visit Rafah, just days after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that thousands of people in the besieged Palestinian enclave were "simply starving." UNRWA COMMISSIONER-General Philippe Lazzarini addresses reporters during a visit to Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem, in 2021 (credit: JAMAL AWAD/FLASH90) After flying to the town of Al-Arish they were briefed by UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA on conditions in Gaza before heading towards Rafah 30 miles (48 km)away. "The reality is even worse than what words can speak," Ecuador's UN representative Jose De La Gasca told reporters after the UNRWA briefing. Advertisement "We need to see...we will witness what is happening and what can we do in order to address the situation," he said. Israel has bombarded Gaza from the air and from land, imposed a siege and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that Israel says killed 1,200 people and saw 240 people taken hostage. Gaza health authorities say about 18,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks, with 49,500 injured. The vast majority of the Palestinian enclave's 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini described an "implosion of civil order" where Gazans who have not eaten for days looted aid distribution centers and stopped trucks on roads as they tried to secure supplies for their families. "There is not enough assistance," Lazzarini said. "Hunger is prevailing in Gaza...most of the people are just sleeping on the concrete." Limited humanitarian aid and fuel deliveries have crossed into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, but aid officials say it comes nowhere near to satisfying the most basic needs of Gazans. The 15-member Security Council is negotiating a UAE-drafted resolution that demands warring parties "allow the use of all land, sea and air routes to and throughout" Gaza for aid. It would also establish a UN-run aid monitoring mechanism in Gaza Strip. It was not clear when the draft resolution could be put to a vote. Guterres last week formally warned the Security Council of the global threat to peace and security posed by the conflict. He told it that half of Gazans in the north of the territory and at least a third of those displaced in the south were "simply starving" and later criticized it for having "failed" to help bring about a humanitarian ceasefire. The UN General Assembly will meet on Gaza on Tuesday at the request of Arab and Muslim states. The 193-member body is likely to vote on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, diplomats said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that 100 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Egypt on Sunday, the same number as the previous day. It noted that was "well below" the daily average of 500 truckloads, including fuel, that entered every working day prior to Oct. 7. A UNICEF employee, speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity, said the logistics center near Al-Arish was storing items Israel had banned from being sent into Gaza, including solar panels and an ultrasound machine. The employee said they were banned because they were electrical and contained metal. ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال:

2024-02-13

Mariam and her husband, James, met at the Middle East Film & Comic Con seven years ago. They recently got married, so for them, the 12th year’s edition was a reminder of where they originally met. “We have been married for ten months now, so we had to come here,” Mariam said. For her and many other fans, this convention is a place to express themselves.  This convention is a place to celebrate movies, TV, comics, cosplay, art, anime, manga, and gaming in the UAE. It attracts people from various backgrounds and geographical locations within the region. The event was previously held in Dubai, but after it was canceled due to the COVID-19 lockdown, it returned to ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. “I came here last year from India because I wanted to see the convention, loved it, and took a proper holiday to actually come and spend the 3 days here,” said Tom, originally from Rhode Island and currently a teacher who lives in India. “I enjoy the local artists who are interesting, so yes, celebrities are fun, but for me, what I want to find out is what people are doing locally.” Costumed attendees of the Middle East Film & Comic Con in the United Arab Emirates. (credit: Omnia Al Desoukie/The Media Line) This year’s edition flew in artists such as  Iñaki Godoy (One Piece), James and Oliver Phelps (Harry Potter franchise), Sophia Di Martino (Marvel), Frank Welker (Voice of Transformers, Megatron), Peter Cullen (Voice of Transformers, Optimus Prime), Temuera Morrison (Star Wars), Troy Baker (Voice of Joel from The Last of Us), and Oscar Isacc.  The convention is not only but also pop-up collectors from various countries, bringing in their items, such as Funko pop figures and signed prints from comic book artists. The Artist Alley has local and regional artists to sell their work. Hamda Al Khajeh, a 28-year-old Emirati, is an artist and a character designer who sells her products based on the “Emirati style.” She explains, “I have the touch of my surroundings. All the products that are here have the unique touch of the ,” Al Khajeh explains as she sets up her booth in the artist's ally before visitors come in. Advertisement “My characters are original. I want people to see how we Emirati artists have our touches,” she said. “We are a store that sells swords, we got 700 swords over here. We also have figurines and stickers,” said Abdallah El Regebi, 21, an Emirati seller.  “This is my first Comic Con, and honestly, I have never interacted with seven people at the same time. It is great,” He added. “The fans are lovely. The anime community - it's not like the other sports. They are real. They come to you and talk to you about their favorite anime,” El Regebi explained.  The Comic Con convention in the UAE represents a different setting for the people in the region who would like to meet their favorite characters or dress up. But it is also a place where international talents come in to showcase their products and interact with their fans. Within the event, there are people who experience different dances, giveaways,  and activities for families as well. But also, some who have been coming to the event for a long time have begun to bring their children as well.  James C. Mulligan is an American artist and actor who is based in California and is best known for his celebrity fine art and commercial murals. He has been attending the convention for the past few years. “I have fans that I get to see their kids grow every year,”  he said. “Their kids go from these tiny [people] in the strollers to walking around and flipping through my artwork, and I know their parents might have brought my artwork when they were babies. It is very special.” ...قراءة المزيد

الكلمات المفتاحية المذكورة في المقال: