Latest news with #AIPS
Arab News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Dr. Sanaa Alimia wins prestigious American prize for book on Afghan refugees
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani academic Dr. Sanaa Alimia has won the 2025 Book Prize awarded by the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) for her research on how Afghan refugees have reshaped Pakistan's cities over the decades, the institute announced on Wednesday. Dr. Alimia, an associate professor at Aga Khan University and a scholar of urban migration and Muslim political subjectivity, was recognized for her book 'Refugee Cities: How Afghans Changed Urban Pakistan,' published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. The book was the unanimous choice of the AIPS Book Prize Committee, which praised it as an 'enormous contribution to Pakistan Studies.' Published by the University of Pennsylvania Press, Refugee Cities examines the lives and labor of Afghan refugees in Pakistan over several decades, focusing on how displaced communities have reshaped the physical, social, and economic fabric of cities like Karachi and Peshawar. Based on over eight years of ethnographic fieldwork and extensive archival research, the book highlights both the contributions Afghan refugees have made and the challenges they continue to face in Pakistan. 'This book explores the life of Afghan refugees in Pakistan with a specific focus upon their contributions to the development of Karachi and Peshawar,' the prize committee said in a statement posted on AIPS's Facebook page. 'As they settled into the peripheries of urban centers, they created their own communities and with their labor contributed greatly to the overall development of Pakistan's cities.' The committee added: 'Alimia's scholarship is excellent. The book is well-written and easy to read. It draws upon hundreds of interviews and extensive archival research.' The prize announcement comes at a time when Pakistan's treatment of Afghan refugees is under renewed international scrutiny. In 2023, Pakistan launched a controversial crackdown on foreigners it said were in the country illegally, mostly Afghans. Millions of Afghans have fled their homeland over the decades to escape war or poverty. According to data from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 900,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since the expulsion drive began. The Pakistan government cites economic stress and security concerns as reasons to push the expulsions campaign while human rights advocates say the move threatens people who have lived in Pakistan for decades and contributed significantly to its informal economy and urban infrastructure. The mass returns have also upended urban dynamics in cities like Karachi and Quetta, where second- and third-generation Afghans have lived for decades. Many of those affected are informal workers or small business owners with deep roots in Pakistani neighborhoods. Dr. Alimia's work sheds light on these long-standing urban entanglements, arguing that Afghan refugees are not merely passive recipients of aid but active agents in shaping Pakistan's urban evolution. Her research challenges narratives that view refugees solely through the lens of security or humanitarian crisis. A scholar of migration, urban politics, and Muslim political subjectivities, Dr. Alimia holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford and has previously been affiliated with the Berlin Graduate School for Muslim Cultures and Societies. She is currently based at the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, Aga Khan University. The AIPS Book Prize is awarded annually to recognize outstanding scholarship that advances understanding of Pakistan's society, politics, history, or culture. It is funded through AIPS unrestricted funds and not supported by US federal grants.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Arab Camel Racing Federation showcases international handball event experience at AIPS meet in Rabat
Tribune News Network Rabat (Morocco) The Arab Camel Racing Federation (Mahari) showcased its experience in developing Camel Handball during the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) conference, held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, with the participation of heads of international sports federations and media representatives from around the world. Dr. Hazam Nasser Al Maqarih, Secretary-General of the Arab Camel Racing Federation, in his speech explained that camel handball represents an extension of the federation's approach to introducing new sports rooted in Arab culture and capable of attracting new global audiences and athletes. Dr. Al Maqarih said, 'What we offer is not just a sport, but rather a comprehensive experience that reflects the history of Arab camels with a contemporary spirit, and this is what we have succeeded in conveying to the world through this game.' The conference concluded with an open discussion session, during which the heads of the attending federations interacted and posed questions about the prospects for developing the game and its inclusion in the regional and international competition agenda. This event is part of a series of efforts led by the Arab Camel Racing Federation to enhance the international presence of camel sports and provide innovative sports and heritage content that reflects an authentic Arab character. MoU signed As part of its efforts to enhance the media presence of camel racing at the international level, the Arab Federation for Camel Racing (Mahari) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), one of the world's oldest media associations. Founded in 1924, the Association of Sports Press (AIPS) celebrates its centenary in 2024. This collaboration follows a series of successful partnerships signed by the Arab Federation with both the Asian and African Sports Press Associations, as part of a comprehensive vision aimed at expanding international partnerships and enhancing media coverage of camel racing in a manner befitting its cultural and heritage status. Through this memorandum, the Arab Federation benefits from AIPS's global network of more than 9,500 sports journalists representing 161 countries. Dr. Hazam Nasser Al Maqarih, Secretary-General of the Arab Camel Racing Federation (Mahari), said: 'This partnership represents an important milestone in our journey towards globalization. We believe that media is the true bridge that connects heritage to the masses, and our collaboration with AIPS opens new windows for us to tell the story of camel racing as we live it and cherish it.' He added: 'We are working within a strategic plan approved by the Federation's General Assembly, which focuses on enabling sports media to play its pivotal role in conveying the values and history of this sport, whether through news, programs, or international coverage.' This memorandum is expected to contribute to organizing specialized training programs and workshops in sports media, in addition to joint international events and conferences, enhancing the competence of those working in the field and contributing to the development of quality content related to camel racing.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
CBC Sports' Shireen Ahmed awarded 2nd place in international sports column writing
CBC Sports's Senior Contributor Shireen Ahmed's column about France's ban on women wearing hijabs while playing sports won second place for column writing Tuesday at the AIPS Sports Media Awards in Morocco. "How can France claim to champion women when it is stripping them away from sport in a move that is blatantly opposed to the IOC's own human rights framework?" Ahmed wrote in her piece, French hijab ban in sports called a 'shameful moment' as it prepares to host Olympics. It was published July 18, 2024, just days before the Paris Olympics opened. Ahmed's column was one of more than 2,000 submissions from journalists in 136 countries in a variety of categories the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) recognized at their annual gala.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
APO Group Founder and Chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard Invited to Attend the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Congress and Sports Media Awards
APO Group ( the leading pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, is pleased to announce that its Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, will attend the 2025 AIPS (International Sports Press Association) Congress and Sports Media Awards, set to take place from 13 to 17 May in Morocco. The AIPS Congress is a gathering of esteemed sports journalists and industry leaders from around the world, providing a platform for meaningful discussions on the future of sports journalism. The event will return to Morocco for the second time in 2025, with Marrakech having been the host venue in 2005. Nearly 300 attendees are expected, including leading sports journalists and media stakeholders. They will explore emerging trends such as event coverage, ethical reporting, and the growing role of technology in sports journalism. APO Group has established itself as a key player in Africa's sports media industry, reflecting an ongoing commitment to showcasing African sporting excellence. Pompigne-Mognard has led several high-profile efforts to amplify African sporting narratives globally, and his presence at the 2025 AIPS Congress underscores his continued dedication to elevating sports journalism and promoting the potential of African sport on the world stage. Expanding on APO Group's commitment to sports journalism, Pompigne-Mognard said, 'I am delighted to once again be part of such a significant gathering of sports media professionals. Sport is a powerful driver of unity and economic growth. At APO Group, we are passionate about the potential that it holds for positioning Africa as an attractive investment destination. AIPS provides an important platform to share ideas and strengthen professional standards, and I look forward to engaging in conversations that shape the industry's future.' Building on these sentiments and further underscoring its dedication to advancing the sector, APO Group partners with major sports organisations across Africa. This includes serving as the pan-African public relations agency for the NBA and the Basketball Africa League and as a strategic partner of the Olympic Movement in Africa (ANOCA). APO Group was also the PR agency of FIFA in Africa for three consecutive years and has supported iconic sporting-related organisations and initiatives like Olympique de Marseille's OM Africa programme, NTT Pro Cycling, the Lux Afrique Polo Day, and the Beast Foundation. Named among the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine in both 2023 and 2024, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard is widely recognised for his strategic understanding of Africa's media landscape. He is trusted by global and regional organisations for his expertise, authenticity, and passion for African storytelling. He also serves as a Special Advisor to the President of Rugby Africa and is a member of the Advisory Board of the World Football Summit. Through its presence at the 2025 AIPS Congress and Sports Media Awards, APO Group looks forward to positively influencing sports journalism on the African continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
International Sports Press Association (AIPS) meets International Olympic Committee (IOC) Presidential Candidate Johan Eliasch on 25 February
Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) since 2021, was elected as an IOC Member in 2024, with his candidature linked to his function within an International Federation (IF). The Swedish-British businessman, philanthropist and long-time environmentalist, who turned 63 on 15 February, wrote in his manifesto: 'I may not be a veteran of the IOC, but I am no novice. My experience has equipped me with the exact skill sets needed for this role. There can be no better apprenticeship in sports administration than running a big international federation – and FIS, which I lead, is one of the largest, covering 14 disciplines and delivering 55% and 80% of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games medals respectively.' On Tuesday, 25 February, Eliasch will be the second guest on 'Let's Talk to the IOC Presidential Candidates', a series of Q&A sessions that offers a unique platform for the candidates to communicate their vision for the Olympic movement to sports journalists from different parts of the world. The meeting, which is organised by AIPS and is exclusive to AIPS members, will be conducted by the AIPS President Gianni Merlo. REGISTER NOW ( to receive the meeting link. Simultaneous translation will be provided in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic. Eliasch is also a member of the British Olympic Association and a member of the Association of International Winter Olympic Federations. He previously served as a director of Special Olympics Great Britain and is the chairman of the international sports goods company HEAD, based in Austria. Beyond sports, Eliasch is an environmental expert. He served in the UK Government as the Special Representative of the Prime Minister on Deforestation and Clean Energy. In 2005, he created the Rainforest Trust and in 2006, he co-founded Cool Earth, a charity dedicated to rainforest conservation. CLICK HERE ( to find out more about Johan Eliasch's candidature. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
