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Mid East Info
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Hala Badri: showCACE 2025 is an Innovative Platform that Highlights the Power of Emirati Creativity
She commended the projects for their originality and tangible social benefits Dubai, UAE, May 2025: Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), visited the showCACE 2025 Senior Exhibition, which is being organised by the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University in Dubai Design District until 9 May. Her engagement underscores Dubai Culture's support for promising talent in interior design, visual arts, graphic design, and animation, sectors considered key pillars of the emirate's creative economy. Accompanied by Shaima Rashed AlSuwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Hala Badri explored a range of graduate projects, praising the students for showcasing their unique perspectives while also addressing real societal needs. She noted that the exhibition serves as a vibrant showcase for up-and-coming creatives, fostering a spirit of innovation and demonstrating the vital role of design and the arts in enriching quality of life. Her remarks also reaffirmed Dubai Culture's commitment to empowering Emirati creators through a supportive environment, in line with Dubai's ambition to become a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. The exhibition showcased a wealth of innovative works. Among them was 'From, To' by Alya Alraeesi, which calls for the use of old Arabic book covers as inspiration for new designs; Maryam Obaid Keraif's 'Adama,' an exploration of how names and faces intertwine; and 'In the Meelas' by Maitha Almarzooqi, which delved into the value of Emirati family gatherings, focusing on the majlis as a space for storytelling and connection. 'Sukoon' by Roudha Fawazi Alhadhrami envisions a women-only yoga centre, where natural materials, ambient lighting, and the gentle sound of flowing water combine to heighten the sensory experience. Highlights also included Aysha Ali Bin Ghadayer's 'Beyond the Self,' a nuanced study of the soul's internal struggle between reproach and desire; Alyaza Ali Belabed's 'ELASSI,' a visionary showroom-and-boutique concept for the eponymous Emirati women's fashion label; and Fatima Hussein's 'Goodness,' which turns a reflective lens on life's maddening minutiae—from daily routines to exam pressures. Meanwhile, Khawla Ali Alraeesi's 'The Emirati Dining Table' documents the rituals of family lunches, emphasising how these moments foster connection, closeness, and a sense of belonging amid rapidly changing modern lifestyles. Mzna Mohamed Abdalla presented 'Safari Hub,' an idea for a 'Super Safari' car agency located in Aljada, Sharjah, infusing Arab motifs. Noora AlMheiri's project 'Escape Umm Al Duwais' draws on traditional Emirati folktales to create an immersive journey, while Shamsa Juma Alghaith's 'Serenity Yoga Studio' reimagines a wellness retreat in Jumeirah Bay, Dubai. Rouda Almarzooqi's 'My Athkar in a Story' transforms the practice of 'athkar' (remembrance) into an interactive educational game for children aged 7–10. The exhibition featured 'Burden of Loss' by Sara Mohammad Aljanahi, a poignant look at the impact of grief on daily life and its role in personal growth. In 'Our Beautiful Words,' student Alhanoof Alblooshi created handwritten cards using old Emirati vocabulary to help residents reconnect with their linguistic heritage. Afra Almuhairi's 'Galini' presented a refined concept for a cosmetic dentistry clinic, while Moza Khalid Almheiri's 'Dior Villa' translates the brand's signature luxury into every architectural detail. Fatima Amir Alharmoodi's 'Al Rolla Station' offered a thoughtful redesign of Sharjah's public transport maps and bus stop signage to improve the user experience. Further contributions ranged from Aisha Sultan Al Ali's 'Sugar Spark Adventure,' an educational game guiding children with diabetes through their health-management journey, to Kaltham Alawadhi's 'Beyond Sights,' an inclusive after-school activity centre for people of determination that engages the senses of touch, hearing, and smell. Lamia Albalooshi's 'From Nature' aimed to highlight the connection between nature, mathematics, and Arabic letterforms. Maryam Abdullah Almatroshi reimagined the environment of 'Topaz Car Detailing' in Dubai, while Maryam BinOmair unveiled her vision for 'CALYX Dental Clinic' in Umm Al Quwain. Salma Adnan Albannai's 'See the Music' examined the fusion of music, artisanal craft, and technology. Moaza Thani AlMuheiri's 'Luxury Supermarket' was focused on balancing opulence with sustainability. Hind Bin Masam Alfalasi's 'Al Mirqab Auction Centre' concept reimagined a venue for falcon-trading. Noora Alhammadi's 'The Rush Game' drew on the adrenaline-fuelled dynamics of the video game 'Call of Duty.' Maitha Al Hamadi's 'Revealing the UnHidden' highlighted the aesthetics of local architecture, while Halima Albalooshi's 'Visuals: Souq Naif' provided an in-depth look at Dubai's Naif Market and its ornamental motifs. Latifa Saleh Al Shafiei explored the influence of fashion on identity and personal expression, while Mahra Hussain's 'Almahra Horse Riding Booklet' serves as an engaging guide for children. Other notable works included 'Between Stillness and Chaos' by Alya Saoud Alabdooli, as well as many other projects inspired by the local social landscape.
Al Jazeera
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Promises made in Paris Olympics run-up broken, say undocumented workers
Names marked with an asterisk have been changed to protect identities. Paris, France – When Moussa*, an undocumented construction worker, joined a wildcat strike at the building site of Paris's Adidas Arena in the early hours of October 17, 2023, he was hoping the protest might lead to him getting the papers he needed to travel home to Mali. Since arriving in France in 2019, having first boarded a boat from Algeria to Spain, Moussa, 25, has not taken a single vacation. After his grandparents died during his time away, he felt an urge to return and mourn with his family. For eight months, he worked at the arena, which has 8,000 seats and was being prepared for the 2024 Summer Olympics. More than 400 construction workers operated at the site. He was compensated with normal pay slips by using someone else's papers – a common strategy among undocumented workers. He was paid about 75 euros ($85) a day for gruelling 10-hour shifts at the arena – a rate, he said, that did not include transport expenses, masks or other protective gear. Moussa's bid paid off. The workers occupied the site before dawn, blocked it off, and then negotiated all day. By the evening, they had a deal. After intense discussions between Moussa's employer, the city of Paris, the workers and their union, a list of 14 undocumented individuals who worked at the site was handed over to the French police prefecture, which deals with visa requests, in order for their paperwork to be processed. They signed a framework agreement that would lead to a residency permit and health insurance. It was signed by the city of Paris, the construction company Bouygues, and several subcontractors. But 18 months later, the dossiers have still not been approved. Only one of the 14 has been given an appointment at the Paris prefecture. A number of the undocumented workers are beginning to wonder whether the delays are by design. 'We didn't ask for much, just a residency permit and health insurance card. It's our right. To this day we don't have the right to work in this country,' Moussa said. Three of the 14 workers and Rafika Rahmani, a lawyer for the CNT-SO union who focuses on the rights of expatriates, told Al Jazeera that they submitted all the information requested of them more than a year ago. 'We have payslips, we have everything. We're playing by the rules. But so far, we haven't had even a single summons,' said Adama*, one of the builders. 'We have no idea why the files are taking so long. We've resubmitted them twice. 'It's like being in prison in France,' added Adama, who has also struggled to find comfortable housing. He sleeps in a room with 11 other people in the eastern suburb of Montreuil. 'It's like if you don't have papers in this county, you don't have any value.' Despite these challenges and his long shifts in construction work, Adama takes evening classes to learn French. In January 2025, CNT-SO, which represents construction and cleaning workers, collectively resubmitted 13 dossiers to the Paris prefecture. 'The files are still blocked, despite the fact that I've re-applied for these 13 people,' Rahmani told Al Jazeera. She suspects that the lack of response is a form of backlash, as the strikes unveiled poor working conditions in France in the lead-up to the Olympics. 'It's revenge,' Rahmani said. 'For them, the [striking workers] gave [France] a bad image, even if it's the reality.' The project developer and two subcontracting companies – which have not responded to Al Jazeera's request for comment – have allegedly prevented some workers from returning to construction sites, meaning they have lost jobs and housing. According to Adama, at least three colleagues have not worked since October 2023, and rely on charities to subsidise their food and housing. 'We have information that the company employing them did not reinstate them. It was a disciplinary measure against the strike in which they had participated,' Jean-Francois Coulomme, a representative of left-wing La France Insoumise party, told Al Jazeera. 'It's a strategy of ostracising these employees in particular.' In February, Coulomme wrote to France's interior minister via a government accountability mechanism on the 'fate of the files submitted to the Paris Prefecture', demanding 'the legitimate regularisation of these workers'. The letter remains unanswered. 'The arena workers' case is representative of a systemic problem. It's a good illustration of the fact that these workers are silenced due to the [precariousness] of their administrative situation,' Colomme said. The CNT-SO union and so-called Gilets Noirs, or Black Vests – a collective of mostly undocumented migrants working to get administrative regularisation and housing rights for migrants in France – tried expediting the process through the city of Paris, as the city was one of the negotiating parties. 'We've plugged a few more holes by going through the mayor of Paris, because they're the intermediary between our contacts and the Paris prefecture. We want to know what the situation is,' Doums, a spokesperson for the Gilets Noirs, told Al Jazeera. 'Today, the situation is still, let's not say totally blocked, but a bit blocked at the level of the prefecture.' Colomme suggested the Ministry of the Interior is preventing the dossiers from being approved. 'The prefectures take their orders from the ministry. So as far as we're concerned, the prefects simply apply the directives of the minister in charge,' Coulomme said. Al Jazeera contacted the minister of the interior and Paris prefecture, but did not receive a comment by the time of publication. The initially swift response and negotiations are a typical reaction when a city is scrutinised before major international events, but often there is no follow-through when the hype dies down. 'The state of exception that the Olympics bring can be really important for leveraging gains for workers,' Jules Boykoff, researcher and author of the book Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics, told Al Jazeera. 'The key is to lock in those gains while the hot glare of the Olympic spotlight still shines in your city. After that, it becomes much more difficult to take advantage of that Olympic moment to make promises to these workers.' This can be an opportune time for people to push for rights, but the Olympics and other major sporting events also open the door for exploitation, especially for people in precarious situations like undocumented workers. 'This is just one more egregious example of taking advantage of people to create a sporting event that claims to benefit the many but actually just benefits the few,' Boykoff said. 'The Olympics tend to spotlight what we might call surplus populations – whether we're talking about expendable athletes or expendable workers who make the Olympic spectacle possible.' Rahmani said, 'During the strike, all these people came and made big promises … These deputies and senators come to a demonstration or strike and make a commitment to regularise these workers, but in the end, there's no follow-up, and they tell you that they have no power.' For years, France's government has hardened its stance against immigration. In December 2023, the French Parliament passed a controversial immigration law that differentiates between foreigners 'in a situation of employment' and those who are not. The measure made it more difficult to receive social benefits for out-of-work expatriates. The new regulations have played out in workplaces. Between 2023 and 2024, according to official figures, the number of undocumented workers who were regularised dipped by 10 percent. Deportations, on the other hand, rose by more than a quarter. 'This ideology is currently affecting our country as a whole, with an instrumentalisation of the migration issue, which means we're taking a totally utilitarian approach,' Coulomme said. On the ground, Doums said the Gilets Noirs have observed the same phenomenon. 'The political situation in this country concerning immigrants and foreigners is becoming increasingly complicated,' Doums stated. Still, he insisted the collective would keep pushing for their rights. 'We're not going to stop there. Even after regularising the 14 people, we're not going to stop.'
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'It was clear the best team won'
Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to BBC Match Of The Day after their win today: "It was tight just in terms of score, because everything else it was not tight at all. Football can be be unpredictable but it was clear today the best team on the pitch won. "Until the 35th minute of the game we were leading 1-0 but it should have been 2-0 or 3-0. Chris Wood scored with a great finish - he is on fire - but we controlled the game well. We showed the patience and created chances. "I told the players to keep the same principles and the second half was the same. One team creating, one team dominant, one team controlling. We had more chances to score a third than they did to equalise."On Adama Traore's display: "A great performance from Adama. It was a great cross with his left foot. Nice to see that quality and a nice header from Emile Smith Rowe."Adama had two good moments to score as well. It was a great performance from him. More balanced on and off the ball as well and I like to see Adama like that. He was switched on every time, and not with moments off. He was active on and off the ball. We need this type of quality performance."
