Latest news with #MohammedAbdullah


Saba Yemen
04-05-2025
- General
- Saba Yemen
Capital Sana'a inspects summer activities at Martyr Mohammed Mufaddal Center in al-Thawra
Sana'a - Saba; Capital Sana'a officials on Sunday inspected the summer activities at the Martyr Mohammed Abdullah Mufaddal Center in al-Thawra district. They reviewed the educational, cultural, skills, recreational, and sports programs, praising the students' engagement and the organizers' efforts. The officials emphasized the camp's role in building an aware and strong generation protected from "false cultures and soft warfare, focusing on Quran memorization, its sciences, and strengthening faith identity. Facebook Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)


Borneo Post
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Bukit Assek rep calls for proactive local governance at SMC's Aidilfitri event
(From left) Mohammed Abdullah, Clarence, Chieng, and Raden Khairulzaman visit one of the stalls serving traditional village-style dishes that evoke nostalgic memories of Hari Raya in the old days. SIBU (April 30): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) plays a vital role as the frontline of government in delivering essential services and engaging with the community, said Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek. Speaking at the opening of the Hari Raya Nostalgia 2025 celebration hosted by SMC at Dewan Baitulmal Sibu last night, Chieng emphasised the importance of proactive and efficient governance at the local level. 'We must always be proactive, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the people. I believe that with strong teamwork and dedication, we can transform Sibu into a progressive, clean, and compassionate town,' he said. Chieng praised the council for organising a meaningful programme that not only fostered unity but also revived cherished traditional and cultural values. 'Celebrations like this are special because they remind us of our roots and bring people closer together, even in today's more modest and modern settings,' he said, before delivering a nostalgic Hari Raya poem that evoked memories of oil lamps, village celebrations, and heartfelt togetherness. Meanwhile, SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley highlighted the council's role in strengthening community spirit through festive and social initiatives. 'The theme 'Hari Raya Nostalgia' brings back memories of a simpler village life — peaceful evenings without gadgets, just laughter, stories, and love,' he said. He also shared the council's ongoing efforts, including the Borneo Cultural Festival, New Year celebrations, community sports, and the establishment of the SMC Child Council, which provides a platform for youth leadership and civic engagement. Mohammed Abdullah added that the Resident Council System (RCS), introduced in 2019, continues to serve as a structured avenue for residents to voice local concerns effectively. 'We will soon announce the appointment of area councillors who will serve as dedicated liaisons between the community and SMC,' he said, stressing the need for grassroots involvement in local governance. The event featured cultural performances, traditional Hari Raya songs, and festive delicacies that recreated the warmth of celebrating Aidilfitri in a village setting. Among those present were SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh; Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Joshua Ting, Private Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Stanley Chiew, Temenggong Stanley Geramong; SMC secretary Yong Ing Chu and organising chairman Cr Raden Khairulzaman Raden Bustari. Joseph Chieng Jin Ek lead sibu municipal council


The Star
21-04-2025
- General
- The Star
Feature: Egypt's ancient spring ritual, Sham El-Nessim, unites generations with salted fish and smiles
CAIRO, April 21 (Xinhua) -- As dawn breaks on Orthodox Easter Monday, Egyptians of all faiths gather in parks, on balconies, and along riverbanks, clutching plates of fesikh -- a pungent, fermented fish dish that has anchored the country's millennia-old festival, Sham El-Nessim, since the days of the pharaohs. Though lesser-known beyond Egypt's borders, this 5,000-year-old celebration, whose name translates to "the smell of the breeze," marks the arrival of spring with traditions that transcend religion, class, and time. Sham El-Nessim traces its origins to Shemu, an ancient Egyptian harvest festival celebrating the life-giving Nile flood and the rebirth of the land. Hieroglyphs from 2,700 BCE depict offerings of fish, lettuces, and onions to deities -- a ritual later absorbed into Coptic Christian and Islamic traditions as Egypt's cultural fabric evolved. At the heart of the celebration lies fesikh, a gray mullet salted and aged for months -- a culinary tradition as divisive as it is beloved. For Ahmed Ayesh, a taxi driver in Cairo, the dish's potent aroma is a nostalgic trigger. "Without fesikh, Sham El-Nessim wouldn't be Sham El-Nessim," he said, laughing as he nibbled on the fish with hard-boiled eggs and green onions. "My grandparents ate this. Their grandparents, too. It's our heritage on a plate." The preparation of fesikh is an art -- and a gamble. Improperly cured fish can cause illness. Every year, Egypt's Ministry of Health issues public health warnings about the dangers of improperly prepared fesikh. Officials warn that it can harbor toxins, including those that cause botulism and severe food poisoning. But the warnings rarely deter the faithful. Families insist on homemade batches or trust decades-old vendors like Mohammed Abdullah. "Each fish is cleaned, dried, and packed in salt for 45 days," Abdullah explained. "It's not just food; it's something crafted with care." "I learned how to make fesikh from my father," he said. "It is a skill that's been passed down in my family for generations." While fesikh remains at the center of Sham El-Nessim tables, a quieter revolution is underway. Increasingly, younger Egyptians are turning to renga, a smoked herring introduced in the early 20th century as a gentler, more palatable cousin to fesikh. Factories in Port Said now mass-produce it, catering to health-conscious Egyptians and export markets. "Renga is less salty, but it still carries the spirit of the day," said Al-Sayed Hussien, a herring producer. He also noted that the herring industry has grown significantly in Egypt, with many factories exporting herrings to other countries. "The popularity of herring has also led to new business opportunities for Egyptian entrepreneurs. We have seen a surge in demand for herring products. It has created jobs and stimulated the economy, which is great for our country," the businessman said. Sham El-Nessim, whether with fesikh or renga, offers a precious moment of unity in Egypt, where people of all faiths and from all walks of life can sit together and celebrate the springtime and fresh air. In the end, the breeze of spring carries more than just scent but also memory, identity, and a celebration of life that, in Egypt, has always endured.

Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: From eyeglass candy to 'rabbit' chocolate; which Hag Al Laila sweets remain popular
Mohammed Abdullah is a file clerk at Mohammed Ali Askarpur store which started operating in 1963. For him, the deeply rooted Emirati social tradition of Hag Al Laila remains largely unaffected by modern trends yet it has evolved in terms of the types of sweets people purchase and distribute. Hag Al Lailah, also known as Qargian, takes place on the 15th night of Sha'ban, which occurred on Thursday, February 13, but for many people, the celebration will continue in homes and public spaces during the weekend. This celebration welcomes the imminent arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. In the past 15–20 years, families kept things simple, often distributing individual items like biscuits or packets of Sun Top juice and sweets were handed out individually. In contrast, modern practices have shifted towards more elaborate preparations. Families now opt for pre-packed boxes or bags containing a variety of sweets, carefully organised and presented. This reflects a growing trend towards convenience and presentation, with more effort being made to ensure everything is neatly arranged. Mohammed emphasises that Hag Al Lailah has not been affected by "trending" products to a very far extent. Instead, the focus stays on traditional sweets that have been popular for decades. He lists several classic items that continue to be in demand like: Evolution of traditional sweets and customs Mohammed Al Shamsi owns Hassan Mohammed Al Shamsi and Sons trading store which was his father's before he passed away, and has been operating since 1939. Al Shamsi reflected on the types of sweets that were traditionally popular in earlier times compared to those available today. He noted that in his youth, around 67 years ago, sweets were simple and limited in variety, including essential items like nuts (such as almonds, peanuts, and chickpeas) and a few types of local candies. These traditional sweets were an integral part of Hag Al Laila celebrations and have endured to some extent, but their prevalence has declined with the introduction of modern varieties. Al Shamsi explained that today, the market offers a staggering array of over 70 types of sweets, including flavoured ice pops, chocolate, and biscuits, which were not available in the past. Changing tastes Al Shamsi discussed how children's tastes and preferences have evolved due to the increased availability of diverse sweet options. With over 70 varieties, each child develops their preferences for specific flavours and types of candy. This abundance has significantly influenced how people celebrate and share sweets during Haq Al Lailah and other occasions, demonstrating a blend of modernity and tradition. Al Shamsi noted that the "Hag Al-Lailah" period sees a significant rise in demand for sweets, especially in the days leading up to the event, with sales peaking over the weekend. Despite the change, Al Shamsi still emphasised the importance of teaching children that this practice is deeply rooted and passed down through generations. Many families also open their homes to visitors during this time, serving sweets and traditional dishes to keep the heritage alive. Reminiscing on the past Hassan Saifullah Mirza, Public Relations Manager at Saif Mirza & Sons, which has been operating since the 1980s, shared nostalgic memories of celebrating Hag Al Lailah in his childhood. "In our days, we were delighted with simple sweets like Bokmash candy, known for being the eyeglass candy," Mirza recalled. "Things are different now, with so many varieties available. Back then, children would gather for Hag Al Lailah, and if someone came from a well-off family, their mother would sew them a special bag to collect candy. The joy was immense, especially in our neighbourhood, but what truly thrilled us were the visits to the sheikh's houses. They would give us money along with sweets."


Mid East Info
12-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
RasMal for Telecommunications Information Technology Announces Closing its Pre-Series 'A' Investment Round at LEAP Riyadh 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – February 12, 2025 – RasMal, the first cap table management and investment governance platform in MENA region, closes its Pre-Series A investment round led by Syndicate Element Holding Group (SHG), a leading investment firm, with a total value of $4.8 million (18 million SAR) during LEAP 2025 in investment aims to introduce new tools and services to streamline fundraising processes and equity transfers, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to build a technology-driven financial ecosystem. RasMal is a Saudi fintech company that provides digital solutions to help private companies automate cap table management, fundraising, and equity transfers, while also supporting investors and private funds in managing investment opportunities and investor relations. RasMal platform offers a suite of tools for cap table management, employee stock option plans (ESOP), AI-driven company valuation modeling, cloud-based data rooms, and automated legal documentation, all designed to enhance transparency and operational efficiency. In addition, Pentugram, a wholly owned platform of RasMal Company, provides deal flow management and investor reporting/relations tools for venture capital funds, angel investors, incubators, and accelerators, contributing to greater transparency within the investment ecosystem. Furthermore, RasMal is part of the Saudi Unicorns Program, launched by Misk Foundation, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the National Technology Development Program, further solidifying its role in developing a more efficient investment environment. Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of SHG, stated: 'Our investment in RasMal is a significant step toward empowering startups and investors through AI-driven financial governance. By integrating RasMal's automated cap table management with our investment expertise, we are creating a more transparent and efficient investment ecosystem.' Nasser Al-Tamimi, Co-Founder of RasMal, commented: 'This investment reflects our commitment to empowering startups and investors with innovative technological solutions that enhance the efficiency of cap table management and investment governance. Through our partnership with SHG, we will accelerate the adoption of automation in fundraising and equity transfers, adding significant value to the investment ecosystem in the region. We believe that fintech is the key to advancing the business and investment sector, and we will work with our strategic partners to drive a digital transformation that aligns with Saudi Vision 2030.' The agreement was signed at LEAP Riyadh 2025, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a leader in fintech innovation, AI-driven investment governance, and digital financing solutions. For media inquiries, you may contact: Tamer Ali Marketing director Tamer@