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Morocco World
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Moroccan TV Host and Actress Kaoutar Boudarraja Dies at 40 After Battle With Illness
Rabat – Moroccan media and entertainment circles are mourning the loss of Kaoutar Boudarraja, a well-known TV host and actress, who passed away on Friday morning, reportedly after a long and difficult fight with cancer. She was just 40 years old. Born in 1985, Boudarraja became a well-known figure in Moroccan media, recognized for her strong presence both on television and in acting roles. Her passing has deeply affected many of her fans and colleagues in the artistic and media community. In recent weeks, rumors had spread on social media claiming that she had passed away. However, people close to her denied those reports at the time, saying she was seriously ill but still fighting. Sadly, the news has now been confirmed, and she has passed away after her health worsened. Boudarraja began her media career on the show Star Academy Maghreb and gained fame through various programs on Tunisian channel Nessma TV, such as Nass Nessma and Mamnou3 3ala al-Rijal. She later joined Morocco's Medi 1 TV, where she hosted the popular show Jari Ya Jari, and also took part in Mouzii3 al-Arab (Arab Presenter), which aired on Abu Dhabi TV and Egypt's Al-Hayat channel. Her talents were not limited to television hosting. Boudarraja also appeared in several Moroccan drama series, including Al Madi La Yamout, Sewlou Doumou3i, Ahlam Banat, and Salamat Abou Al Banat. She recently took part in the 2025 Moroccan sci-fi film. Following the news of her death, numerous actors, TV personalities, and influencers took to social media to mourn her loss and express their condolences to her family.
Al Etihad
13-04-2025
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Key destination during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2025
13 Apr 2025 17:09 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has attracted large numbers of guests during Ramadan with a wide range of activities throughout the holy month. A total of 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors came to the mosque during Ramadan and the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Among them, 594,236 worshippers performed prayers at the mosque, including 193,435 for Isha and Taraweeh, and 195,987 for Tahajjud. On the 27th night of Ramadan, 72,533 worshippers gathered, while 26,025 performed Eid Al Fitr the same period, the mosque received 391,011 visitors, and over the Eid holiday, it welcomed 122,819 guests, including 57,629 worshippers and 64,959 visitors, who experienced the mosque's unique spiritual and cultural Ramadan 1446 being 29 days long, the number of guests increased by more than 10 percent compared to Ramadan mosque welcomed approximately 11,240 visitors daily during Ramadan. A total of 289 guided tours were conducted and were attended by 4,270 companies made 6,774 bookings, covering 128,361 visitors, while 75 official delegation bookings included 1,126 centre also doubled the number of operators in the call centre, which received 4,436 calls. In coordination with Abu Dhabi TV, daily live broadcasts of prayers were aired, reaching millions of viewers around the part of the Our Fasting Guests initiative, the centre — sponsored by Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation and in strategic partnership with Erth Hotel — distributed Iftar and Suhoor meals throughout the holy month.A total of 2,625,568 Iftar and Suhoor meals were prepared by the hotel, of which 898,288 were distributed at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, 442,345 at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Al Ain Region, 1,160,000 across Abu Dhabi's labour cities, and 105,935 in various other areas of the centre distributed 19,000 Suhoor meals during the last ten nights of Ramadan to worshippers who observed the night prayers at the mosque — all as part of the same initiative, reflecting the values of generosity and giving deeply rooted in UAE society by the late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al centre offered visitors the opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural ambiance of Ramadan at Dome of Peace and Souq Al Jami,' which featured a diverse selection of shops and restaurants, along with outdoor kiosks near the Ramadan Market included 22 kiosks located across the mosque's northern and southern centre implemented more than 11 initiatives that reflected its religious and cultural them, four Ramadan lectures were hosted at the Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis at its dedicated venue within the centre also organised 18 lectures delivered by esteemed scholars — guests of the UAE President — in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Zakat centre also produced 13 episodes of the Jusoor (Bridges) programme, involving more than 1,200 participants representing 13 embassies, various institutions, and mosque staff — gathering together through acts of volunteering and shared Iftar under the umbrella of Islamic mosque also hosted a blood donation campaign, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, and distributed audio Qur'ans featuring recitations by the mosque's Imams Idris Abkar and Yahya Aishan to worshippers, in commemoration of Zayed Humanitarian Day (19th of Ramadan), during an event organised by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, hosted at the centre dedicated all its resources to highlighting Ramadan activities. It produced more than 100 media items, and its news was shared by more than 700 local, regional, and international media mosque was featured in more than 3,600 news articles, visual reports, and social media posts across various platforms and social media channels — amplifying its message of peace and cultural exchange committees at the centre formed volunteer teams from across all departments, regardless of job title or role. Every employee contributed to providing worshippers with a peaceful and seamless prayer experience. They were supported by volunteers from the Emirates Red Crescent, Absher Ya Watan team, Ma'an Volunteer Group, police officers, paramedics, civil defense personnel, parking attendants, and Saeed traffic systems staff — bringing the total number of volunteers to more than centre recognised and valued the contributions of more than 20 governmental and private entities, whose annual collaboration was key to the success of Ramadan operations. Key partners included the Ministry of Defence, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, UAE Presidential Guard, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation, Erth Hotel Abu Dhabi, Integrated Transport Centre, Emirates Red Crescent (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah), Absher Ya Watan Initiative, the We Are All Police initiative, Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, Abu Dhabi Media Network, Tadweer, Emirates Transport, Union Cleaning Company, Saaed for Traffic Systems, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, Zayed Sports City, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC).As part of its efforts during Ramadan, the centre also extended services to worshippers at the Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al the Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the total number of worshippers during Ramadan reached 290,331, including 99,746 for Isha and Taraweeh prayers, 76,491 for Tahajjud, and 32,030 for Eid Al Fitr prayers. The mosque also distributed 442,345 Iftar meals. Meanwhile, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah welcomed 122,347 worshippers, with 61,084 attending Isha and Taraweeh, 27,662 attending Tahajjud, and 30,268 performing Eid prayers. At the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah, a total of 39,783 worshippers gathered during the month, including 19,577 for Isha and Taraweeh, 10,399 for Tahajjud, and 3,430 for Eid Al Fitr prayers.
ARN News Center
10-04-2025
- General
- ARN News Center
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes 1.9 million Ramadan guests
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre saw 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors came to the mosque during Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Among them,562,632 worshippers performed prayers at the mosque, including 193,435 for Isha and Taraweeh and 195,987 for Tahajjud. On the 27th night of Ramadan, 72,533 worshippers gathered, while 26,025 performed Eid Al-Fitr prayers. The mosque received 391,011 visitors, and over the Eid holiday, welcomed 122,819 guests including 57,629 worshippers and 64,959 visitors, who experienced the mosque's unique spiritual and cultural atmosphere. The mosque welcomed approximately 11,240 visitors daily during Ramadan. A total of 289 guided tours were conducted, attended by 4,270 visitors. Tourist companies made 6,774 bookings, covering 128,361 visitors, while 75 official delegation bookings included 1,126 visitors. The Centre also doubled the number of operators in the call centre, which received 4,436 calls. In coordination with Abu Dhabi TV, daily live prayers were aired, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. More than 2.6 million Iftar meals were distributed throughout the holy month, reflecting the values of generosity and giving. As part of its efforts during the holy month, the Centre also extended services to worshippers at Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah. At Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the total number of worshippers during the holy month reached 290,331, including 99,746 for Isha and Taraweeh prayers, 76,491 for Tahajjud, and 32,030 for Eid Al-Fitr prayers. The mosque also distributed 442,345 Iftar meals throughout Ramadan. Meanwhile, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah welcomed 122,347 worshippers, with 61,084 attending Isha and Taraweeh, 27,662 attending Tahajjud, and 30,268 performing Eid prayers. At Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah, a total of 39,783 worshippers gathered during the month, including 19,577 for Isha and Taraweeh, 10,399 for Tahajjud, and 3,430 for Eid Al-Fitr prayers.
Al Etihad
10-04-2025
- Al Etihad
Nearly 1.9 million guests visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during Ramadan, Eid Al-Fitr
10 Apr 2025 09:36 ABU DHABI (WAM) Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre witnessed a wide range of activities throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, attracting large numbers of guests. A total of 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors came to the mosque during Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr them, 562,632 worshippers performed prayers at the mosque, including 193,435 for Isha and Taraweeh and 195,987 for Tahajjud. On the 27th night of Ramadan, 72,533 worshippers gathered, while 26,025 performed Eid Al-Fitr the same period, the mosque received 391,011 visitors, and over the Eid holiday, it welcomed 122,819 guests, including 57,629 worshippers and 64,959 visitors who experienced the mosque's unique spiritual and cultural Ramadan 1446 being 29 days long, the number of guests increased by over 10 percent compared to Ramadan mosque welcomed approximately 11,240 visitors daily during Ramadan. A total of 289 guided tours were conducted, attended by 4,270 visitors. Tourist companies made 6,774 bookings, covering 128,361 visitors, while 75 official delegation bookings included 1,126 centre also doubled the number of operators in the call centre, which received 4,436 calls. In coordination with Abu Dhabi TV, daily live prayers were aired, reaching millions of viewers than 2.6 million Iftar meals were distributed throughout the holy month, reflecting the values of generosity and part of the "Our Fasting Guests" initiative, the Centre — sponsored by Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation and in strategic partnership with Erth Hotel — distributed Iftar and Suhoor meals throughout the holy month.A total of 2,625,568 Iftar meals were prepared by the hotel during Ramadan. Of these, 898,288 meals were distributed at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi; 442,345 at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Al Ain; 1,160,000 across Abu Dhabi's labour cities; and 105,935 in various other areas of the addition, the centre distributed 19,000 Suhoor meals during the last ten nights of Ramadan to worshippers observing the night prayers at the mosque — all as part of the same initiative, reflecting the values of generosity and giving deeply rooted in UAE society by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — may his soul rest in centre offered visitors the opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural ambience of Ramadan at the Dome of Peace and Souq Al Jami', which featured a diverse selection of shops and restaurants, along with outdoor kiosks near the Ramadan Market included 22 kiosks located across the mosque's northern and southern centre implemented over 11 initiatives that reflected its religious and cultural mission. Among them was hosting 4 Ramadan lectures by the Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis at its dedicated venue within the the centre organised 18 lectures delivered by esteemed scholars — guests of the UAE President — in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Zakat centre also produced 13 episodes of the "Jusoor" (Bridges) programme, involving more than 1,200 participants representing 13 embassies, various institutions, and mosque staff — gathering together through acts of volunteering and shared Iftar under the umbrella of Islamic mosque also hosted a blood donation campaign, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, and distributed audio Qur'ans featuring recitations by the mosque's Imams Idris Abkar and Yahya Aishan to worshippers, in commemoration of Zayed Humanitarian Day (Ramadan 19), during an event organised by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, hosted at the centre dedicated all its resources to highlight Ramadan activities throughout the holy month. It produced over 100 media pieces, and its news was shared by more than 700 local, regional, and international media outlets. The mosque was featured in over 3,600 news articles, visual reports, and social media posts across various platforms and social media channels, amplifying its message of peace and cultural exchange committees at the Centre formed volunteer teams from across all departments, regardless of job title or role. Every employee contributed to providing worshippers with a peaceful and seamless prayer experience. They were supported by volunteers from the Emirates Red Crescent, Absher Ya Watan team, Ma'an Volunteer Group, police officers, paramedics, civil defence personnel, parking attendants, and Saeed traffic systems staff — bringing the total number of volunteers to over centre recognises and values the contributions of more than 20 governmental and private entities, whose annual collaboration was key to the success of Ramadan part of its efforts during the holy month, the Centre also extended services to worshippers at the Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, and the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the total number of worshippers during the holy month reached 290,331, including 99,746 for Isha and Taraweeh prayers, 76,491 for Tahajjud, and 32,030 for Eid Al-Fitr mosque also distributed 442,345 Iftar meals throughout the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah welcomed 122,347 worshippers, with 61,084 attending Isha and Taraweeh, 27,662 attending Tahajjud, and 30,268 performing Eid prayers. At Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah, a total of 39,783 worshippers gathered during the month, including 19,577 for Isha and Taraweeh, 10,399 for Tahajjud, and 3,430 for Eid Al-Fitr prayers.
The National
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Second season of Al Boom 'puts Emirati culture in international context'
The wind is gaining strength at the makeshift coastal village in Ras Al Khaimah. It's a cue for the cast and crew to pick up speed and complete the final sequence for an episode of Al Boom, the second season of the acclaimed Emirati historical drama airing during Ramadan on Abu Dhabi TV. As extras dressed as tribesmen rehearse what appears to be a climactic showdown in the village square, Algerian director Lassaad Oueslati is preoccupied with something tightly pressed within his hands. 'What do you think? Accurate enough?' he asks the crew before extending his palm to reveal a battered piece of raw meat – resembling a hamburger patty. It is one of many questions posed to those tasked with ensuring the series remains as historically authentic as possible. Set in the mid-20th century, the series follows sea trader-turned-burgeoning tycoon Shahab (Omar Al Mulla) as he navigates the intersection of geopolitics and business in the northern emirate – then a key trade hub between the Gulf and Southeast Asia – amid the waning influence of the British in the region. Despite the region's growing economic significance, life in these coastal communities remained harsh, necessitating a reliance on natural resources. Raw meat, for instance, was not only a food source but – as in the case of what Oueslati holds – also used to treat certain flesh wounds. This attention to detail – from recreating the village based on historical sources to incorporating Emirati words once prevalent but now rarely used and using real-life dhows – has made Al Boom one of the most acclaimed local productions in recent years. According to Ouselati, the warm reception could harbour a new way of bringing local stories to the screen. 'Many previous historical shows followed a stereotypical image of old Emirati life, often repeating the same visual style and reliance on factual retellings than engaging narratives. We wanted to offer something more authentic and visually richer,' he tells The National. 'For example, we included traditional village architecture, but we also showed more advanced buildings, because people back then didn't just live in straw huts – they also built solid homes from stone and wood, integrating elements from both the mountains and the sea. 'We also added period-accurate cars to the coastal setting – not necessarily common at the time, but our research showed they did exist in some areas. Since many historical details weren't well-documented, we used a mix of research and some creative interpretation to bring the era to life.' That information gathering extended to studies on the UAE's burgeoning tea and textile trade with India in mid-20th century, with scenes shot in Kolkata. The more expansive storyline mirrored Omar Al Mulla's own development. With Shahab evolving from a lowly ship captain in the first season to a businessman, the Emirati actor also underwent his own professional journey to match the growing confidence on screen, which included learning more English and Hindi for certain scenes. 'The challenge was much greater. In the first season Shahab's biggest fear was travelling by sea. Now has experience and challenges have shifted. He is now focusing on commerce, on how to attract resources from different places,' he states. 'It was a similar challenge for me because the show's success raised expectations. I not only had to step up my abilities but also rise to the challenge this series presents to us as an Emirati cast – to prove that we can contribute on a global scale and that our productions and crew are world-class. We just needed the right story and opportunity, and now that we have them, we must maintain the standard.' Underscoring the international flavour of the production is Billie Bozz, the Spanish-British actress who returns as Helen, the wife of a British officer stationed in India. 'It was an eye-opening experience because the show helped me understand why the UAE is the way it is today by exploring its past,' she says. 'The cosmopolitanism we see now goes back nearly 100 years, when people from the Emirates were great businessmen – open and accepting of other cultures.' She describes her role as one of many women of that era, Emirati or otherwise, whose sacrifices supported their husbands' ambitions. 'It's an important theme because it connects women from completely different worlds,' she says. 'At the same time, it taught me a lot about what Emirati women went through. With their husbands away at sea for so long, they spent much of their time alone with each other, building and maintaining their communities.' With the show available for streaming with English subtitles, Oueslati hopes more international viewers experience this local story. 'We want to place Emirati culture in an international context. That's why we show the Emirati kandura and ghutra side by side with Indian and British merchants – to highlight the rich interactions between Emiratis and other cultures in the 1940s,' he says. 'Ultimately, regardless of language or time period, what audiences will discover through these characters is that many of these historical stories are universal.' Al Boom can be streamed on ADtv
