Latest news with #AlKindi
Observer
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Book on evolution of cinema in Oman unveiled
A book that documents the evolution of cinema in Oman in comparison to the global cinema scene was unveiled by Mohammed al Kindi, a renowned film-maker, actor and member of the Board of Oman Film Society (OFS) on Sunday. The 279-page book is the first of its kind to chronicle the journey of the film industry in the country over the past five decades. It also delves into the highs and lows that cinema experienced during the five decades since the 1970s, with a special focus on the transformative years under the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos. It also provides a detailed account of how various film-makers, directors, writers, actors and other technicians shaped a distinct art form called cinema despite various challenges, including limited resources. Speaking to the Observer, Mohammed al Kindi expressed his expectation for the book to serve as a reference guide for future generations and emphasised the book's significance. 'This book is an ode to the pioneers who ignited the cinematic flame in Oman. Their stories are not just about making films, but about building a movement, often against all odds. The book doesn't only highlight film-makers, but also pays tribute to journalists, theatre personalities and business leaders who played vital roles in supporting the growth of the medium,' Al Kindi said. The book shines a light on great film personalities who strived for an authentic cinema culture in the country, including key figures of the Omani film industry such as cameramen Taghlib al Barwani and Mohammed al Zubair, OFS founding members Haitham al Tai and Dr Khalid al Zadjali, veteran journalist Shaikh Hamood al Siyabi, and the late actor-director Salim Bahwan. The book includes dedicated pages for various film festivals that have taken place in the country, such as the Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) and Oman Film Festival, emphasising their roles in nurturing local talent and fostering international collaborations to develop better film-makers. The book also has a section dedicated to the history of OFS, from its early days as a meeting place for film enthusiasts to its current iconic headquarters located in Al Seeb. Al Kindi mentioned that the idea for the book was purely coincidental and first came to him while preparing a lecture for a book festival in France in 2019. 'While researching for my speech, I discovered fascinating stories of film-makers across Oman. That's when I knew this had to become a book,' he said. Over the next five years, Al Kindi travelled and met with different people from across the country, spoke to movie buffs, and collected stories and archives for the project. He also mentioned that he plans to release a second volume covering the period starting from 2020 onwards. The book was recently showcased at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, where Mohammed al Kindi was invited as a guest by the Indian Embassy in Oman. The book can be obtained from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and is also available at the OFS library.
Sharjah 24
28-03-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Taxi distributes 15,000 Iftar meals to taxi drivers
Khalid Al Kindi, General Manager of Sharjah Taxi, emphasised the company's dedication to nurturing the values of generosity and community cohesion, especially during Ramadan. "At Sharjah Taxi, we are devoted to reinforcing the spirit of giving and community support, particularly during the holy month. Our annual Iftar meal distribution initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by taxi drivers while fasting, appreciate their significant contributions, and foster a supportive and motivating work atmosphere," he said. Al Kindi also highlighted Sharjah Taxi's commitment to social responsibility through a range of year-round programmes designed to enhance drivers' quality of life, strengthen their connection to the community, and promote a culture of teamwork and cooperation. Supporting working-class heroes This initiative embodies Sharjah Taxi's commitment to reinforcing humanitarian and community values, spreading the culture of generosity, and fostering a spirit of unity across society. By motivating taxi drivers and acknowledging their essential role in serving the public, the initiative encourages them to continue delivering top-tier services to customers. Abdullah Sultan bin Khadim, Executive Director of Sharjah Charity International, emphasised the significance of the ongoing partnership with Sharjah Taxi in supporting working-class individuals during Ramadan. He explained: "At Sharjah Charity International, we are committed to promoting social solidarity through humanitarian initiatives that cater to the diverse needs of the community, particularly those who work tirelessly to serve others. This initiative is part of our 'Iftar for Fasting Persons' project, which seeks to distribute one million meals throughout the month across 136 locations, including 15,000 meals specifically reserved for taxi drivers in recognition of their crucial role in facilitating people's lives." Bin Khadim further noted, "The continued collaboration between Sharjah Charity International and Sharjah Taxi underscores our shared commitment to supporting impactful community initiatives. We express our sincere appreciation to Sharjah Taxi for their cooperation in this initiative and look forward to more partnerships that allow us to expand charitable efforts and reach a greater number of beneficiaries." Commitment to social responsibility Sharjah Taxi, a subsidiary of Sharjah Asset Management, the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah, remains dedicated to setting a positive example in social responsibility. The company continues to implement meaningful programmes that contribute to community well-being, foster a culture of generosity, and promote values of cooperation and mutual support.
Observer
15-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
The changing consumer behaviour and how Ramadhan impacts economic activity
Ramadhan is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and community gatherings, but it also brings significant shifts in economic activity, particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Oman. With altered consumer behaviours, adjusted working hours, and evolving business strategies, SMEs must navigate both challenges and opportunities to sustain operations and capitalise on seasonal demand. While certain sectors, such as retail and food services, experience a surge in sales, others may see slowdowns due to reduced working hours and shifting consumer priorities. However, businesses that effectively adapt—whether by launching Ramadhan promotions, extending evening hours, or embracing e-commerce—can transform the holy month into a period of growth and increased engagement. For SMEs in the food production sector, Ramadhan necessitates careful planning to meet fluctuating demand. Farha Al Kindi, CEO of Mina Fisheries Products, explained that the company structures its operations well in advance to align with seasonal fish availability and anticipated market needs. 'Our production schedule is carefully structured to correspond with the seasonal fish landings throughout the year. We ensure that when large catches are available, we acquire, process, and store sufficient quantities to meet market needs,' she told the Observer. She added that a significant portion of production takes place in Sha'ban, the month preceding Ramadhan, to ensure stock availability. 'While regular manufacturing slows down during Ramadhan, we maintain limited production for specific requests or non-core products. However, the overall volume remains lower than usual.' Rather than focusing on production, Mina Fisheries shifts its emphasis during Ramadhan to marketing, distribution, and sales management. 'During Ramadhan, our emphasis transitions from manufacturing to ensuring efficient product distribution, marketing initiatives, and sales management. This approach allows us to maintain a steady supply of our products in the market while adapting to the evolving consumer landscape during this period,' Al Kindi noted. Said Ali Al Mandhry, CEO of Libasi, highlighted that the company successfully navigated the challenges of Ramadhan by aligning its operations with the season's unique rhythm. 'While some perceive Ramadhan as a period of reduced productivity, at Libasi we maintained steady performance by adopting flexible working hours and a Lean Management approach,' he said. Recognising different peak periods for each department ensured efficiency. 'Our sales team sees the highest engagement after Iftar, while our marketing team focuses on visibility during the day, and operations ramp up in the evening,' Al Mandhry explained. He noted that shorter working hours actually encouraged greater focus and collaboration among teams. 'Ramadhan inspired even greater teamwork, enabling us to set clear goals and coordinate effectively to overcome potential slowdowns.' Beyond operational success, Libasi remained committed to social responsibility by donating traditional garments to charitable organisations. 'Giving back to the community is a core value at Libasi, and we take pride in strengthening our bond with society during this important time,' he said. As Oman continues its economic diversification efforts, understanding the impact of Ramadhan on different industries is essential for SMEs striving to remain competitive. By anticipating market trends and adjusting their strategies accordingly, businesses can use the holy month as an opportunity for sustainable growth and long-term resilience.
Morocco World
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Muslim Private School Challenges Termination of Its Contract in French Court
Rabat – Al-Kindi, the only private high school in France and the sole Muslim institution with state partnership, is standing before the administrative court of Lyon today to appeal authorities' decision to terminate its contract. The prefecture of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes announced earlier on January 10 the termination of Al Kindi primary school, middle school and high school, on allegations of 'carrying out a project contrary to the values of the Republic,' as well as 'defects and dysfunctions' that were observed during inspection. The inspection report, carried out in October of 2024 following another in April of the same year, stated that two 'radical' books were found at the school library, one of which they claim prompts 'violent jihad.' The report also denounced statements made by one of the professors on Youtube, in which he allegedly supported controversial imams, including some that were expelled from France. Additionally, the report deemed school dress code rules – such as the ban of skin tight dress and makeup – as discriminatory against girls. The school, which has previously appealed this decision several times to no avail, responded to the report by declaring that it amended its rule book to put an end to any distinction between boys and girls, and that it has let go of the professor who made the controversial remarks. Al-Kindi, which educates 620 students, also addressed the allegations regarding the books that were deemed 'radical' explaining that the authorities read the text in 'literalistic' and non-contextualised manner, especially that some of them are part of traditional Islamic literature and can be found at different establishments, including the regional municipal libraries. This oversight and discrepancies bring to question whether the French court is swayed by Islamophobic bias, which is not uncommon within different public regulations throughout the European country. Farid Benmoussa, Councillor of Venissieux in the suburbs of Lyon, addressed this decision in an op-ed published in a local newspaper. 'Only two high schools have lost their accreditation in 30 years, and unsurprisingly, they [were] two Muslim schools,' he said in reference to Averroes, a high school that was sanctioned a year prior. 'For the past three years, private Muslim schools have faced a lot of inspections. Private Catholic schools are inspected once every 15 years, while private Muslim schools, whether under contract or not, are inspected every year,' he said.
Sharjah 24
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Abu Bakr Al Kindi announces conclusion of Sharjah Heritage Days
Honouring participants and supporters The ceremony featured an introductory video showcasing the event's efforts, followed by a performance of the Palm Symphony operetta. Over 46 supporting, participating, and sponsoring entities were honoured, along with more than 27 working committees and over 100 employees for their dedication. Looking forward to 2026 Al Kindi expressed gratitude to all workers, government agencies, and visitors, and confirmed that the 23rd edition of Sharjah Heritage Days will take place in 2026.
