Latest news with #Matar
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- General
- Gulf Today
My grandfather and mother instilled in me love of falcons since I was very young: Osha Al Mansoori
Falconry remains one of the most prominent symbols of Emirati heritage, deeply rooted in the national identity. While this ancient art has been associated with men for many years, young girls have emerged, breaking the stereotype, the most prominent of whom is Osha Khalifa Al Mansoori, the youngest Emirati falconer. Despite her young age, Osha, an 11-year-old sixth-grade student at Al Wathba School, has managed to attract attention as the youngest Emirati falconer to practise this authentic hobby with passion and professionalism. She has practically proved that falconry is not the exclusive domain of men, but rather a living heritage in which girls can excel and carry on its own message. Deep inside, falconry for Osha was not just a hobby, but a legacy brimming with love and nostalgia, and a hidden bond that connected her to her late grandfather, Matar, who was the first to put a bird's veil on her hand and the first to awaken a passion for falcons in her heart. Though she was very young, Osha chose to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, carrying the banner of a heritage that began with warm moments in the presence of her grandfather to become nowadays the youngest Emirati falconer. 'Since my early childhood, I used to watch my mother and my grandfather Matar, may Allah have mercy upon him, as they dealt with falcons, and I gradually began to absorb this love. My grandfather was the first to encourage me and my mother was the one who taught me how to care for a falcon and treat it with love and respect,' Osha said about her beginnings in the world of falconry. 'At the age of seven or eight months, I was trying to catch a falcon's veil when I was three or four years old, I got my first young falcon. I will never forget that moment and felt a sense of responsibility and great joy to have my own falcon,' she added. 'I manage my time between studying, training and falconry. Sometimes I have to give up some activities in order to participate in hunting trips, where we hunt bustards. My falcon stays in my room while I am at school and when I return, I see it and prepare it for training in the afternoon or for going hunting. There is a worker who helps me take care of the falcons and monitors them in my absence or the absence of my father. I currently own two falcons of two different types, one of which is a Saker falcon and the other a free wild falcon,' she said. 'Despite the societal challenges and stereotypical views that girls may face, I did not give up on my passion but rather turned it into a source of pride and inspiration. Some people told me that falconry might be difficult for girls, but I did not let their words stop me. My mother, the first female Emirati falconer, was my role model and teacher and passion was my primary motivation to carry on,' she added. Reiterating that her family's support had a significant impact on her persistence, Osha explained that Allah was always her prime supporter, followed by her grandfather and mother and that her belief in her abilities kept her going despite everything. She pointed out that her presence was not limited to the hunting fields, but extended to the cultural arena, noting that she recently participated in a panel session during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025, in which she discussed the story 'Osha And Her Grandpa Matar' written by her mother Ayesha Matar Al Mansoori. 'I talked about my experiences in falconry and explained to children about falcons. They interacted greatly with my album and asked me many questions, which I answered with love. I wanted to send them a message that heritage is not just something ancient, but that we can love it and experience it even in our childhood,' she said. She added that she aspires to represent the UAE in international championships and promote my country abroad, stressing that she hopes to participate in falconry championships worldwide. 'Girls have proven that they are capable of being creative in all fields and that one of my dreams is to carry on the women's falconry trips project and establish a special reserve for hunting and overnight stays,' she said. She also dreams of establishing a dedicated centre to teach falconry to girls and of writing children's books about heritage to instill love of falcons in the hearts of the next generation, she added. In her message to girls, she told them not to be afraid of being different, to be strong and follow their passion because they are able to make a difference and be role models for others.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain marks 100 years of theatre achievements
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has launched a series of initiatives and events to commemorate the centenary of theatre in the Kingdom in a landmark celebration of Bahrain's rich artistic legacy. The program highlights a century of theatrical evolution, recognising theatre's pivotal role in enriching national culture and fostering artistic talent. The year-long celebration underscores BACA's commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting the arts within the community. Beginnings It traces the beginnings of Bahraini theatre to 1925, when students at Al-Hidaya Al-Khalifiya Boys School in Muharraq staged the first documented school theatrical production — an event that laid the foundation for a flourishing theatrical movement. Over the past 100 years, Bahraini theatre has grown into a vibrant sector, giving rise to a number of prominent theatre groups, including Awal Theater, Al Sawari Theater, Al Reef Theater, Al Bayader Theater, and Gilgamesh Theater. These groups have not only nurtured generations of Bahraini directors, actors, and writers but have also represented the Kingdom at regional and international forums, earning critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards. Speaking on the occasion, Farah Matar, Director General of Culture and Museums at BACA, described the centenary as 'a moment of reflection on a century of creativity and cultural contribution.' She emphasised the importance of honoring the generations that laid the groundwork for the theatrical arts in Bahrain and pledged continued support for emerging talent. 'The development of Bahraini theatre is the result of collective efforts by official institutions, independent theatre groups, and engaged audiences,' Matar said. 'The Authority remains committed to working with its partners to foster sustainable platforms for creative expression.' Mohammed Al-Saffar, President of the Federation of Bahraini Theatrical Associations, echoed these sentiments, calling the centenary 'both a tribute to our theatrical legacy and a call to invest in the future.' Talent He stressed the importance of building a broad-based audience and supporting young talent, noting that 'a thriving theatre scene must be inclusive and rooted in awareness and artistic diversity.' As part of the centennial celebrations, BACA, in collaboration with the Federation of Bahraini Theatrical Associations, is implementing a series of projects aimed at documenting and celebrating the Kingdom's theatrical history.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rushdie 'pleased' with his attacker's maximum jail term
LONDON: Salman Rushdie said Monday he was "pleased" with the maximum 25-year jail sentence handed to a man who tried to kill him with a knife at a New York cultural centre in 2022. "I was pleased that he got the maximum available, and hopefully he uses it to reflect upon his deeds," Rushdie told BBC radio in an interview. Hadi Matar was sentenced to 25 years in a New York court on May 16 after being convicted of attempted murder and assault. Video footage played during the trial showed Matar rushing onto stage and plunging a knife into Rushdie that left the British-American author blind in one eye. Last year, Rushdie published a memoir recounting the experience called "Knife", in which he has an imagined conversation with Matar. "If I was to really meet him... I wouldn't get very much out of him," Rushdie said. "And so I thought, well, I could open it by myself. I'd probably do it better than a real conversation would." afp
Nahar Net
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Nahar Net
Salman Rushdie says 'pleased' with attacker's jail sentence
by Naharnet Newsdesk 7 hours Salman Rushdie said Monday he was "pleased" with the maximum 25-year jail sentence handed to a man who tried to kill him with a knife at a New York cultural center in 2022. "I was pleased that he got the maximum available, and hopefully he uses it to reflect upon his deeds," Rushdie told BBC radio in an interview. Hadi Matar was sentenced to 25 years in a New York court on May 16 after being convicted of attempted murder and assault. Video footage played during the trial showed Matar rushing onto stage and plunging a knife into Rushdie in the 2022 attack which left the British-American author blind in one eye. Last year, Rushdie published a memoir recounting the near-death experience called "Knife", in which he has an imagined conversation with Matar. "If I was to really meet him... I wouldn't get very much out of him," Rushdie told the BBC. "I doubt that he would open his heart to me." "And so I thought, well, I could open it by myself. I'd probably do it better than a real conversation would," said the author, who did not attend the sentencing earlier this month. Rushdie has for decades lived under the shadow of Iran's 1989 fatwa calling for his murder over alleged blasphemy in his novel "The Satanic Verses". Matar previously told media he had only read two pages of "The Satanic Verses" but believed the author had "attacked Islam". Rushdie, who was born in Mumbai but moved to England as a boy, was propelled into the spotlight with the Booker Prize-winning "Midnight's Children" (1981) based in post-independence India. His publisher announced in March that "The Eleventh Hour," a collection of short stories examining themes and places of interest to Rushdie, will be released on November 4, 2025.
Nahar Net
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Nahar Net
Salman Rushdie says 'pleased' with attacker's jail sentence
by Naharnet Newsdesk 26 May 2025, 16:24 Salman Rushdie said Monday he was "pleased" with the maximum 25-year jail sentence handed to a man who tried to kill him with a knife at a New York cultural center in 2022. "I was pleased that he got the maximum available, and hopefully he uses it to reflect upon his deeds," Rushdie told BBC radio in an interview. Hadi Matar was sentenced to 25 years in a New York court on May 16 after being convicted of attempted murder and assault. Video footage played during the trial showed Matar rushing onto stage and plunging a knife into Rushdie in the 2022 attack which left the British-American author blind in one eye. Last year, Rushdie published a memoir recounting the near-death experience called "Knife", in which he has an imagined conversation with Matar. "If I was to really meet him... I wouldn't get very much out of him," Rushdie told the BBC. "I doubt that he would open his heart to me." "And so I thought, well, I could open it by myself. I'd probably do it better than a real conversation would," said the author, who did not attend the sentencing earlier this month. Rushdie has for decades lived under the shadow of Iran's 1989 fatwa calling for his murder over alleged blasphemy in his novel "The Satanic Verses". Matar previously told media he had only read two pages of "The Satanic Verses" but believed the author had "attacked Islam". Rushdie, who was born in Mumbai but moved to England as a boy, was propelled into the spotlight with the Booker Prize-winning "Midnight's Children" (1981) based in post-independence India. His publisher announced in March that "The Eleventh Hour," a collection of short stories examining themes and places of interest to Rushdie, will be released on November 4, 2025.
