Middle East Experience

A large explosion rocked a Palestinian camp in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre on Friday night..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Blast at south Lebanon Palestinian camp tied to Hamas weapons depot

Oilwells set alight by Iraqi forces in 1991 were put out within months, but insidious pollution still mars the desert..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: ‘Gushing oil and roaring fires’: 30 years on Kuwait is still scarred by catastrophic pollution

American philosopher Michael Sandel spoke about the merit of teaching critical thinking skills to young Saudis in order to guide the Kingdom’s reforms, after Saudi Arabia held its first-ever philosophy conference.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Harvard University professor described by the Times Literary Supplement as the “most important and influential living philosopher,” was interviewed by Reuters after the Riyadh International Philosophy Conference, which ran from Wednesday to Friday.“Engaging in philosophical discussions, especially in circumstances such as these, is a challenging, even a risky undertaking. I felt it was a risk worth taking,” Sandel said.“Promoting critical thinking, I think, is at least worth trying,” he said.The professor noted that the Kingdom’s younger generation seems eager to engage in philosophical discussions.Philosophy was traditionally not taught in Saudi Arabia. However, in 2018 the Ministry of Education announced it would introduce a philosophy course to high schools.“I want to encourage it, even while recognizing that there is a certain risk and unpredictability to the course it may eventually kick,” Sandel said.The philosophy conference was one event in a slew of many that have been organized in light of the Kingdom’s rapid reforms that began when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was appointed in 2017.A film festival is currently being held in Jeddah, and an electronic dance music festival is due to begin on Thursday in Riyadh.Reforms ushered in by the Crown Prince include lifting a ban on female drivers, easing the male guardianship system, and allowing films to be shown in cinemas.“All I can say is I think that if there is a possibility of encouraging philosophy and critical thinking in Saudi Arabia, that’s a possibility worth exploring,” Sandel concluded.With ReutersRead more: What to expect from the first Red Sea International Film Festival in JeddahEmpowered through sports, Saudi females take the sector by stormSaudi Crown Prince, French President and Lebanon Prime Minister hold phone call
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Top philosopher promotes critical thinking in guiding Saudi Arabia’s reforms

Bitar demanded the “immediate” arrest of former minister Ali Hassan Khalil, the right-hand man of parliament speaker Nabih Berri..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Beirut blast investigator demands arrest of former minister

A man wrongly imprisoned in connection to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has described his treatment at the hands of French security forces.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Saudi citizen Khaled al-Otaibi spoke about the “filthy” conditions he was held in after being arrested at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport on Tuesday.“They detained me in a filthy room of which the walls were stained with blood, where I could neither take rest nor sleep,” al-Otaibi told Saudi newspaper Okaz.Soon after al-Otaibi’s arrest, the Saudi embassy issued a statement saying that it was a case of mistaken identity.Al-Otaibi shares the name of a man listed in a UN-commissioned report as having been involved in Khashoggi’s killing.He said that after he was detained, he asked authorities to allow him to contact the Saudi embassy, but he was not successful.“However,” he said, “I managed to contact my friend, who in turn called the embassy, which responded directly, as its staff members were looking for me.”Al-Otaibi managed to retrieve his mobile phone and eventually received a call from the embassy.Saudi Arabia’s ambassador and other embassy officials came to the holding center immediately, but security officials did not allow him to meet them, he said.Speaking about his treatment at the hand of security forces, he said: “They did not even give me any opportunity to speak, and all their answers were in French.“Later, an Arabic-speaking female lawyer explained to me that I was detained in connection with a murder case.”He said that security men laughed at him and mocked him when he was detained.“When they had shown me a photograph of a person and asked about him, I replied that I did not know anything about him. The person in the picture was not me, and that his name was different from that of mine,” he told Okaz.Prosecutors said checks had shown that an arrest warrant issued by Turkey did not apply to the man. Earlier, a police source said he had been detained when a scan of his passport triggered an alert.With ReutersRead more: Saudi national detained in Paris released: French public prosecutorSaudi Arabia: Citizen arrested in France not tied to Khashoggi case, should be freedSaudi Arabia ‘completely rejects’ US report’s assessment on murder of Jamal Khashoggi
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Man wrongly detained over Khashoggi speaks of treatment by French security forces

The first Diriyah Biennale art exhibition has kicked off in the JAX district of Diriyah, just outside of Riyadh.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Biennale invites local and international artists to exhibit their works from Saturday until March 11 2022.“The biennial aims at two aspects,” said curator Philip Tinari in a statement carried by SPA. “The first includes presenting contemporary Saudi art in a rich dialogue, presenting its perceptions and visions of the global scene, and the other part, by exciting Saudi audiences to get acquainted closely with the world of contemporary art.”He went on to say: “We look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors to discover the Biennale for themselves, and hope that this will stimulate a deeper engagement with international contemporary art in the Kingdom.”The ceremony began with a speech by Rakan al-Touq, who said that the biennale was designed to be in line with the context of the qualitative transformations that the Saudi cultural scene is experiencing in light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reforms.The theme for the first edition of the Biennale is “Crossing the River by Tracking the Stones,” and includes six sections: “Crossing the River,” “Experimental Conservation,” “Oceanic Thinking,” “Public Appearance,” “A Whole New World,” and “In Concerning The Spirit”.A number of prominent artistic and cultural figures will participate in the sessions, including: Waela Al-Awar, the chief engineer at Yway Studio; art historians Dr. Maha al-Sanan, Dr. Nada Shabout, Abdul Rahman Al-Sulaiman, HRH Princess Adwa bint Yazid, Hamza Serafi, and Qaswara Hafez.Read more: Theme announced for Saudi Arabia’s first-ever biennale art exhibitionSaudi artists shine as Art Dubai opens its doors post-coronavirusIn Dubai, an art show’s return reflects city’s new normal
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Inaugural Diriyah Biennale art exhibition opens in Riyadh

More than 400,000 Palestinians were eligible to cast ballots for representatives in 154 village councils in the West Bank..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Palestinians vote in local elections as anger simmers in West Bank

The UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth announced on Saturday that it will host the 22nd session of the Conference of Arab Culture Ministers in collaboration with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) on December 19-20, 2021.The conference, taking place during Expo 2020 Dubai, will host 21 ministers in-charge of cultural affairs in various Arab countries, the Director General of ALECSO, and other key figures from the Arab world.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The conference will discuss a comprehensive plan for Arab culture and its modernization and discuss ways to keep it relevant today while promoting cultural cooperation among Arab nations. It will also seek to foster exchanges with other cultures around the world.The main discussions of the conference will centre on unifying Arab efforts in various cultural fields, including cooperation in the registration of intangible heritage with UNESCO, and the development of cultural and creative industries in the region.The event is also set to propose the ambassador programme to promote Arab culture.It will focus on a number of topics, most notably the Status Report and the Future of the Arabic Language, published by the UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, in partnership with the Arabic Language Advisory Council.Furthermore, the conference will discuss ways to develop and launch joint projects in the fields of culture, heritage, and the Arabic language.The participating ministers will also join the opening ceremony of the Arabic Language Summit, and Al Burda Festival and Award, which will be held in conjunction with this session.Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth, applauded the session, set to be held at Expo 2020 Dubai – the world’s largest cultural platform, dedicated to celebrating the diversity of human cultures and providing an opportunity to learn about the cultures of 192 countries.“The Conference of Arab Culture Ministers is a very significant platform to promote Arab cultural cooperation and devise new ways to ensure its enrichment and advancement,” Al Kaabi asserted. “The UAE is committed to fostering greater cooperation with ALECSO and strengthening its role in supporting the organisation’s efforts.”“The UAE is an active partner in leading Arab cultural cooperation,” Al Kaabi added. “Hosting the conference in the UAE reflects our wise leadership’s vision to support Arab culture as the link between the peoples of this region and reaffirms the pivotal role culture plays in forging stronger ties.”Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, ALECSO’s Director General, revealed that the Organisation had prepared extensively for this critical conference. “The conference is very promising for our organization and gives us great hope for the future of Arab culture,” he said.“The conference was planned after a lot of thought and deliberation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and by bringing together high-ranking ministers, it seeks to promote collaborative Arab activities in the fields of culture and heritage.”“The UAE will remain a key partner to ALECSO in various activities and programmes – particularly in the cultural field,” he said.The 22nd session of Conference of Arab Culture Ministers, while bringing together government officials, policymakers, and members of international organizations, will discuss the outcomes of the World Conference on Creative Economy, and draw up a five-year roadmap of joint Arab efforts to record intangible heritage with UNESCO. It’s a definitive platform for those interested in Arab culture and the Arabic language and forge conversations with Arab youth, to exchange ideas, tackle challenges and discuss new opportunities.The Chair of the conference is set to be handed over from the Arab Republic of Egypt, Chair of the 21st Session, to the United Arab Emirates to lead the current session. The agenda includes the ratification of the theme and venue of the next session of the conference, which is expected to be hosted in Saudi Arabia.Attendees will also participate in Al Burda Award and Festival, which feature intellectuals and innovators in Islamic culture from around the world, in an effort to enhance the UAE’s position as a cultural hub and an incubator for creative arts through various dialogue sessions, art exhibitions, and performances.Read more:Inaugural Diriyah Biennale art exhibition opens in RiyadhJenadriyah festival showcases best of Arab heritage, cultureSaudi Arabia’s al-Ula city: An open museum of history, culture, artifacts
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Comprehensive plan for development of Arab culture to be discussed at UAE conference

Ismail Radwan, a Hamas spokesperson in the Gaza Strip, called on Palestinians in the West Bank to “step up all forms of confrontation and resistance” against Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Gaza groups call for stepping up ‘all forms’ of attacks

The 2018 Eurovision winner cited her dislike of judging women by their body size, height, and weight as her reason for turning down the invitation to perform.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Netta Barzilai declines offer to perform at Miss Universe pageant