Latest news with #Layan
Arab News
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi filmmaker Ryan Al-Bishri discusses ‘When the Light Shines'
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia's cultural scene is becoming increasingly significant both inside and outside of the Gulf region, with the Kingdom's artists being collected by prestigious international institutions and fetching impressive prices at auction. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ But a common gripe is that there is little archival material on those creatives who, decades ago — and without any of the institutional support the current generation now enjoy — built careers for themselves and inspired those who came after them. In his documentary 'When the Light Shines,' which screens at the Saudi Film Festival today, Saudi filmmaker Ryan Al-Bishri reveals one long-running initiative that bucks that trend. Layan Culture was officially established in 2007 by Prince Faissal bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Saud and Princess Adelah bint Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, but stems from decades-long support for artists and creators from its founders. Layan is an archive, a collective, an 'art-concept creator' and much more. It celebrates, promotes and is a patron of Saudi creatives. Its website states that its vision is also to 'nurture artistic appreciation in the minds and hearts of the Saudi people.' However, despite its significance, Layan Culture is little-known, even inside the Kingdom. Al-Bishri hopes to change that. Al-Bishri was first introduced to Prince Faissal through his father, the fashion designer Yahya Al-Bishri. 'I heard a lot of the stories through my father, of course. And then from Prince Faissal himself. And whenever they talked about it, it was just like 'Wow!' Stories I'd never heard —really interesting stuff from back in the 1960s,' Al-Bishri tells Arab News. A few of those stories — of trips overseas or to then-rarely visited areas of Saudi Arabia as the prince and his friends attempted to gather information about the Kingdom's artistic and cultural heritage — made it into 'When the Light Shines.' Indeed, Al-Bishri says, one in particular was the spark for the whole project. In the 1960s, American artist, photographer and explorer Gerhardt Liebmann entered Saudi Arabia through Yemen. 'He just walked in — no visa or nothing — and started painting,' says Al-Bishri. Eventually, Liebmann was discovered by the authorities and deported. Years later, Prince Faissal and others were on a trip to Geneva. As they were walking past one of its many art galleries, the prince spotted a painting of a mosque minaret. The gallery provided the name of the artist (yes, Liebmann) and Prince Faissal reached out to him. In 1981, Liebmann returned to the Kingdom. The minaret, it turned out, was that of a mosque in Taif. Over the next few years, until Liebmann's death in 1985, the artist visited regularly, painting portraits of some of the Kingdom's rulers and its landmarks. Those works form part of Layan Culture's extensive collection related to Saudi Arabia, much of which the organization has restored, and much of which has never been on public display. When putting the documentary together, Al-Bishri was himself left bemoaning the lack of material available from the 20th century. 'There's a lot of archive we wish we had,' he says. 'Like, if there was any footage of Gerhardt and his journey and the people around him, that would have been really incredible.' Fortunately, Al-Bishri did have access to Prince Faissal's personal footage. 'He had a team around him who filmed, and we had to gather everything we could to get this together. As you see in the film, everyone is really down-to-earth and welcoming. They never had any formalities about anything. Even the prince himself.' That footage makes up some of the documentary's most joyous scenes — including a camping trip to the Empty Quarter — in which you really get a sense of the camaraderie between this handful of people trying to create a lasting cultural legacy. As Al-Bishri's father says in the film, 'Across the Kingdom, there were only individual efforts by people, and only a few who were willing to support these few artists.' Those words are echoed on screen by artist, sculptor and photographer Dr. Dia Aziz Dia, who was given a scholarship to study art in Italy, but on his return, he says, 'I was surprised that society wasn't ready to embrace art.' 'The prince connected a lot of people together. Without that, you've lost that sense of community. A lot of people might have given up,' says Al-Bishri. 'Especially at a time where everyone was telling you what you're doing is wrong. You know, my father got that for a long time: 'This is not right, what you're doing is very wrong.' But finding a group of people who are there to support you, as an artist, was incredible. Now we have that, of course, the government, the ministries… all of this change, it's wonderful. But it kind of feels like it misses the people before this — the people who fought, who struggled. We have to talk about them too. They started this. I want this film to bring people to Layan Culture so they can really appreciate the work that they've done.' It certainly seems to have done that. Since its premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival late last year, 'When the Light Shines' — the title alludes to Prince Faissal's feeling that now was the time to make some more noise about the work of Layan Culture — has won Best Film at the Munich New Wave Film Festival and been officially selected to compete at Mexico City's Mirada Corta Short Film Festival, East Village New York Film Festival, and the Florence Film Awards, as well as appearing at several other festivals. And Al-Bishri hopes his short documentary will spawn a television series. 'There are so many stories that we discovered that even a feature-length film wouldn't be enough,' he says. 'What we want to do is make a short film about each artist where they talk about their journey. I think that would be great.' His goal is a simple one. 'I want people to recognize the amount of work these people have put in. They sacrificed a lot and they had to fight a lot of people — a lot of family — just to do what they love,' he says. 'A lot of these artists — a lot of these communities — were very quiet before and maybe they got used to that. But I think it's very important that they should not be forgotten.'
Middle East Eye
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
18 March 2025: The day 183 children in Gaza were massacred by Israel
Something that separates Ramadan from other times of the year is a change of routine. That includes waking up for suhoor, a pre-dawn meal which Muslims eat in preparation for fasting. Families, sometimes including children, rise together during the holy month to eat suhoor and perform Fajr dawn prayers. On Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israeli bombs in those early hours of suhoor. Some had been awake eating with their families. Others were asleep in makeshift displacement camps as food was prepared. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Entire generations of families were wiped out together by Israel's devastating strikes. 'People were killed while they were sleeping. Women were killed whilst they were preparing meals' - Rachel Cummings, Save the Children, Gaza 'People were killed while they were sleeping. Women were killed whilst they were preparing meals,' Save the Children's Rachael Cummings, who is currently in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, told Middle East Eye. 'There was no evacuation notice given,' Cummings said. 'This was a complete bombardment across the whole of Gaza.' The timing was reportedly deliberate: Israel launched a surprise attack in the early hours because it believed 'Hamas members' would be present at suhoor meals. Israeli officials continue to insist that Hamas commanders and infrastructure were the targets of the wave of attacks. But of 436 massacred on Tuesday, over 180 were children. 'I do not spend too much time concerned with who the Israeli military says they targeted in attacks like this,' Miranda Cleland, of Defence for Children International Palestine (DCIP), told MEE. 'Instead, look at the evidence: 183 dead children, comprising almost half of yesterday's death toll, tells me that this is a war on children," she added. 'Eighteen thousand dead children since 7 October 2023 tells me this is a war on children, regardless of what the Israeli military says.' Tuesday marked one of the largest one-day child death tolls in Gaza's history, according to DCIP, which has documented such fatalities in the enclave since 2000. Over the past 17 months of war, DCIP has monitored child death tolls provided by the Gaza health ministry and cannot recall a day as deadly as 18 March 2025. 'Gaza is a graveyard for children' Among the slain children were Omar al-Jamassi, 15, and his sister Layan, 16. They were killed alongside their mother and siblings. Layan had been excited to start the new school year on Tuesday morning. She was killed by an Israeli air strike hours before it was due to begin. The political calculations behind Israel's decision to go back to war Read More » She and Omar had attended a tent school set up as part of the Gaza Great Minds project. 'They were always smiling and share happiness everywhere they go,' said Ahmad Abu Rizik, who founded the project. Cummings said that children and babies were more at risk of dying from air strikes. 'The risks for children in this context are extraordinary,' she said. 'Because they're so small, they have less blood, so they die much more frequently from blast injuries.' Nearly half of Gaza's population are children, making it one the youngest territories in the world. 'Gaza has become a graveyard for children,' Ammar Ammar of Unicef, the UN's aid agency for children, told MEE. 'Children have been killed, injured, buried under rubble, frozen and starved to death, and many other horrors no child should be subjected to.' 'Imprint of trauma' For those children who have survived Israel's 18-month war up to now, they have faced displacement and deprivation of basic needs. Unicef estimates that all of Gaza's one million children are in need of mental health and psychosocial support, too. 'No child will emerge from the horrors of months of relentless bombardment without the imprint of trauma,' said Ammar. 'No child will emerge from the horrors of months of relentless bombardment without the imprint of trauma' - Ammar Ammar, Unicef For over two weeks, Israel has blocked all aid trucks from entering the enclave. Electricity has been cut for the past week. Ammar said that has left many families struggling to provide enough food and safe water for their children. 'Children are dying of preventable conditions like malnutrition, dehydration, and hypothermia, due to Israel's siege on Gaza and the mass destruction of homes and the healthcare system,' said Cleland. She added that Israeli attacks had left minors with lifelong disabilities, without proper follow up care, prosthetics or physical therapy. Regarding Tuesday's attack, campaigners are clear that Israel has obligations to protect children. 'Children enjoy special protection under both international humanitarian law and international human rights law. They must never be a target,' said Ammar. Cleland added: "Yesterday's attacks were not only a violation of the negotiated truce agreement, but a violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits indiscriminate attacks. "Bombing densely populated civilian areas is, by definition, indiscriminate."
Middle East Eye
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Gaza: Names and faces of children killed in Israel's latest offensive
Israel's sudden resumption of its war on Gaza has killed at least 436 Palestinians since Tuesday, according to the local health ministry. Israel says it is targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets, but nearly 42 percent of the victims have been children. Social media is awash with people mourning children killed by attacks over the past two days. 'Israel may kill us at will, burn us alive, and tear us apart, but it will never succeed in uprooting us from our land,' Ramy Abdu, a prominent human rights worker who lost nephews and nieces on Tuesday, said on X. 'Justice and accountability await - no matter how long it takes.' New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Siwar Jamassi Siwar Jamassi was killed in Israel's attack on Tuesday (Social media) Siwar Jamassi, Abdu's niece, is one of the many children killed by Israel's latest attack. Her siblings, parents, aunts and grandparents were also killed. Her photo, which shows her sitting on a sofa above the rubble, has gone viral on social media. Omar and Layan Omar and Layan (Social media) Omar and Layan were killed alongside their mother, who is Abdu's sister. In a post from 2021, Abdu had shown Layan's reaction to an Israeli air strike during its offensive on the Palestinian enclave at the time. 'My niece Layan, 14, was displaced for over a year, living in tents during the genocide,' Abdu said in a post on X. When Abdu would ask about her, he said people would tell him that she is 'at work'. 'Layan gathered children from nearby tents and started a classroom, becoming 'Miss Layan', the beloved teacher amidst the ruins,' Abdu added. 'Israel killed Layan.' Muhammad Naeem Shaban Muhammad Naeem Sha'ban in a Facebook post mourning him (Social media) Gaming streamer Joseph Alminawi, known online as Swiftor, announced the death of his 'nine-month-old cousin, his mom, his uncles, all of their kids' in Israel's attacks. The infant was Muhammed Naeem Shaban. 'Fuck Netanyahu and anyone trying to justify this evil shit - all for the sake of greed, land, staying in power,' Alminawi posted on X. Bisan and Ayman Bisan in a picture collage shared by her aunt on Facebook (Social media) Bisan's death was first announced by her maternal aunt, Heba al-Hindi, on Facebook. 'God have mercy on you, Bisan, you are your aunt's heart, and may God give your mother patience,' Hindi said. 'I pray that they find your brother.' Ayman in a photo shared by his aunt on Facebook (Social media) It was not long, however, before Hindi announced the death of her nephew. 'Ayman the martyr has joined his sister Bisan,' she posted. 'The loss is great. May God give you patience, my sister, may God be with you.' Mohammed, Tareq, Lana, Aya and Wateen Ziad al-Humaida The five siblings were killed along with their mother when an Israeli strike hit their tent in southern Gaza. 🚨Breaking: The Israeli army killed five siblings : Mohammed, Tareq, Lana, Aya, and Wateen Ziad Al-Humaida along with their mother, Hadeel Naeem Al-Humaida, in a missile strike on their tent in southern Gaza. — Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) March 19, 2025 An unnamed infant was also killed and mourned by journalist Abubaker Abed. 'His last name is not Bibas,' Abed said, referring to the Israeli children whose bodies were returned to Israel during the first phase of the ceasefire. 'Western media is still justifying the genocide in Gaza.'
Sky News
18-03-2025
- General
- Sky News
Gaza: Teen brother and sister among Palestinians killed by Israel in one of war's deadliest days
Two siblings killed in Israel's latest wave of airstrikes on Gaza were "always smiling" and "sharing happiness", their teacher has said. Layan and Omar al Jmasy, aged 16 and 15, were killed along with their parents and siblings as Israel launched one of its deadliest days of attacks in Gaza since the war started 17 months ago. The children were hit in Gaza City, according to Ahmad Abu Rizik. He knew Layan and Omar as they went to one of the tent schools he founded as part of his Gaza Great Minds project. Layan had been "so excited" to start grade 11 on Tuesday, but an Israeli airstrike ended her life the very same day. She "passed away and she was always the first to surprise her teachers, whether it was for their birthdays or any other special occasion". "She always wanted to play and had a beautiful spirit, just like her brother Omar," her maths teacher said, according to Mr Rizik. Describing Omar, 29-year-old Mr Rizik said he was "very smart", excelled in his studies and loved playing football. He told Sky News he was a "very cheerful person, always there to be laughter wherever he is". "They were always smiling and share happiness everywhere they go," Mr Rizik, who himself has three children aged four, two and two months, said in a post on X about the siblings. Mr Rizik founded Gaza Great Minds to give students a chance to learn during Israel's military campaign, which was triggered by Hamas 's attacks on 7 October 2023. Father 'really scared" to lose his children He said he is "terrified" of losing his family or any more of his pupils now the ceasefire has ended. "I am really scared to lose my kids […] or even my students because they are in different locations in Gaza City and most of them are in camps and camps are the most-affected or targeted places right now as from what we saw in the last night." 2:17 Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza in the early hours of Tuesday, bringing to an end a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas which had brought relative peace to the enclave for almost two months. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says the number of dead so far from Tuesday's strikes was 413, with more than 500 others injured. Most of those killed were reported to be women and children. Mr Rizik said he has already been displaced seven times. 1:36 "I lived in a school, in one of its classes, I lived in a tent, lived in the streets, literally, I lived in one of the camps in Gaza inside a very tiny tent, I lived in a partly destroyed house..," Mr Rizik said. 'Family drink water mixed with sewage' He said his family is forced to drink water mixed with sewage and his children haven't had any protein for more than a year, while milk formula and nappies have been especially hard to find. His children have suffered from dehydration and stomach pain. They got poisoned "many many times because [of] food that wasn't clean", Mr Rizik said. The father of three said he was scared for his family as the violence resumed and was scrambling to find canned milk and clean water for his children. He has also been seeking canned food to "keep them for the darkest days we are facing". "It's not easy at all because we don't know what the future holds for us, it's like living in a nightmare and you don't know where or when you will wake up." Mr Rizik said the sight of starving children chasing parachutes that dropped aid on Gaza was what inspired him to build a safe space for them to learn during the war. The war, sparked by the 7 October 2023 Hamas massacre of 1,200 people in southern Israel, has since seen more than 48,000 Palestinians killed in the besieged territory, according to Gazan health officials. The Gaza health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count but said more than half of the fatalities were women and children. Speaking of the trauma the war has left on pupils, Mr Rizik said: "When we told them to draw something, all of our students drew either destroyed houses or people being tortured by the soldiers." While in "normal" schools most children would laugh if a clown was brought in, Mr Rizik said that wasn't the case at his tent schools. "They lost the ability to smile again, so this is how they are traumatised," he said.
CairoScene
22-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- CairoScene
The Scene Styled Ramadan Edit
Whether you're dressing for intimate iftars or glamorous suhoors, these are the must-have Ramadan looks from regional brands. As Ramadan approaches, the shift in wardrobe is palpable, with fashion reflecting values, tradition and a refined sense of occasion. This is the time when silhouettes soften, fabrics breathe, and details take on subtle significance. Modesty isn't just a guideline; it's a design language, interpreted through flowing kaftans, sculptural abayas, and effortless tailoring that moves with ease from day to night. This season, designers are rethinking form and function, crafting pieces that are as adaptable as they are elegant. Whether through billowing silk dresses or intricately draped kaftans with delicate embroidery, Ramadan dressing this year is all about personal expression—designers are moving past plain abayas and kaftans, embracing richer colors, sparkling embellishments, and statement-making details (hello feathers and fur). From statement eveningwear to reimagined day-to-night ensembles, this is a curation of the best Ramadan-ready fashion in the region. Harlienz | Aura Jalabiya This abaya is all about presence. Crafted from high-shine metallic fabric, it drapes fluidly over the body. The deep, rich purple hue is bold yet sophisticated, catching the light with every fold. While the silhouette is loose and flowing, the deep V-neckline and structured metallic collar add a sharper edge. Billowing sleeves complete the look, striking a balance between modesty and statement-making glamour. Nissa Project | The Forbidden Flower Abaya This velvet abaya is all about understated elegance. The straight, flowing silhouette softly skims the body, while the fabric's subtle sheen highlights the contrast of darker floral motifs. Long sleeves and a high neckline add a refined touch, while the floral print brings a hint of romance. Merrachi | Frayed Hem Linen Abaya & Breathable Jersey Scarf Soft, fluid, and refined, this cream abaya embodies effortless elegance. The loose silhouette cascades from the shoulders in gentle drapery, while the matching hijab enhances its simplicity. The fabric's subtle texture lends a luxurious, breathable feel, making it ideal for both day and night during Ramadan. Jude | Layan Hijab The Layan hijab plays with color and texture. Its satin finish gives the pastel floral motifs a soft shine, while the deep forest green border adds structure and contrast. Lightweight and airy, it's designed for effortless styling. HRH Collection | 'Allah' Earrings Delicate gold earrings featuring Allah in Arabic calligraphy, adding a subtle spiritual touch. The intricate filigree work lends them a vintage charm, while the circular design keeps them contemporary—versatile enough for everyday wear or layering with other jewelry. Wear Fold | Opal Abaya This full-length abaya glows with a subtle metallic sheen, accented by soft, painterly prints in earthy gold tones. The silhouette is structured yet easy, with a buttoned front and wide sleeves. The fabric's opulent finish adds depth and dimension to its minimalist design. Moroccan Touch | Senim Kaftan Shimmering with metallic threads and soft pleats, this silver kaftan catches the light beautifully. The flowing silhouette and wide sleeves nod to Moroccan tradition, while a tasseled belt cinches the waist for subtle structure. Roh | The Patterned Clutch Crafted from textured, crocodile-embossed leather, this structured clutch makes a refined statement. The warm, earthy brown hue ensures versatility, while the sleek design holds just enough for the essentials—perfect for both day and evening. The Esthetics | Jasmine Abaya Understated but rich in detail, this black coat-style abaya features a floral jacquard pattern for a textured finish. The double-breasted design, wide lapels, and slightly oversized fit give it a tailored edge, making it easy to transition between formal and casual styling. Her Modest Wear | Everyday Modal in Grape Light, airy, and soft to the touch, this modal hijab drapes effortlessly without slipping. The muted lavender shade offers a refreshing alternative to neutrals, making it an easy staple for Ramadan styling. Abadia | Paloma Maxi Dress in Pink This soft pink maxi dress features ruching and delicate gold piping that add dimension. The airy fabric falls effortlessly to the floor, while subtle pleating from the waist enhances movement. Styled with a light, flowing kimono-style cover-up, it's a seamless blend of structure and ease. Tash | Sunshine Reversible Abaya This reversible abaya balances sleek, modern lines with rich, earthy hues of amber and burnished copper. The silhouette is sharp yet fluid, with wide sleeves and a graceful drape that moves effortlessly. Built for styling freedom, it layers easily over both patterns and solids. La Mouche | La Libérée Necklace A strand of multi-colored beads arranged in an organic, effortless rhythm. Draped casually, it adds a vibrant, playful touch to any outfit. Dima Ayad | Knitted V-Neck Kaftan & Knitted Chevron V-Neck Kaftan These sweeping kaftans exude effortless elegance. The Knitted V-Neck Kaftan glows in golden pleats, cinched at the waist for soft structure. The Knitted Chevron V-Neck Kaftan—an ivory dream with sun-kissed metallic detailing—flows like a gentle breeze. Both pieces embrace volume and grace. Malone Souliers | Norah Gold Embossed Leather Flat Sandals Sleek yet refined, these gold embossed-leather flats merge comfort with understated polish. Sculptural straps frame the foot with subtle sophistication, making them an easy transition from suhoor gatherings to evening strolls. Kaleidoscope By Mimi | Suzani Kaftan A striking Suzani-print kaftan in bold orange and deep black. The relaxed shape keeps it effortless, while intricate embroidery tells a story of heritage and confidence. Azza Jewellery | Ramadan Capsule Necklace & Earrings Inspired by Islamic architecture, this jewelry set features a quatrefoil motif in brushed gold. Delicate yet statement-making, it's designed for effortless elegance. My Kaftan | Velvet Kimono in Emerald Green Crafted from silk velvet, this emerald green kimono drapes in soft folds with a luminous sheen. Regal and refined, it's made for layering or standing out on its own. Timran | Grace Dress A structured black bodice meets a voluminous pleated skirt, adding depth and movement. The contrast in textures—sleek fabric against crisp pleats—gives the piece a sophisticated edge.
