Latest news with #Qahtani
Middle East Eye
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Concern for Saudi woman held in solitary confinement since February
Human rights groups have called on the Saudi authorities to immediately release a 51-year-old mother of five who has been held in solitary confinement since February. Ten NGOs, including Alqst, Dawn and Human Rights Watch, issued a statement on Thursday raising the alarm about the detention of Nourah bint Saeed al-Qahtani, highlighting that her health has rapidly deteriorated in custody. Qahtani, who's disabled daughter relies heavily on her care, was handed a 45-year prison sentence by the notorious Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) in August 2022 for her social media activity, which was deemed to be critical of the authorities. The NGOs' statement described the punishment as a 'travesty of justice", and said Qahtani's prolonged solitary confinement is "a violation of the absolute prohibition on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment". "Noura al-Qahtani has now suffered this gross violation of her rights for more than two months," they said. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters According to Mena Rights Group, before her arrest in July 2021, Qahtani used two anonymous accounts to advocate for the release of political prisoners and criticise rights abuses by the Saudi authorities. She was initially sentenced to 13 years in prison in February 2022, with half the sentence suspended. Saudi Arabia executes its 100th prisoner so far this year Read More » But later that year, the SCC upheld the initial ruling and piled on more charges including 'preparing, sending and storing information, through the internet, seeking to harm public order' and 'seeking to disturb the social fabric, national unity, the societal cohesion and basic laws', extending her sentence to 45 years. Following a retrial in September 2024, the sentence was reduced to 35 years in prison along with a 35-year travel ban. In June 2023, a complaint submitted by NGOs prompted the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to adopt an opinion stating that Qahtani's detention is arbitrary and constitutes a human rights violation. "At a time when some Saudi prisoners of conscience are being belatedly released - albeit under heavy restrictions - Nourah's plight is a stark reminder of the many who remain cruelly detained, and even face further repressive measures," Alqst's Nadyeen Abdulaziz told Middle East Eye. "Her ongoing detention, which UN experts have deemed arbitrary, is a stain on the Saudi authorities' dire human rights record. She must be released and reunited with her five children immediately." The NGOs said that her case highlights the Saudi authorities' commitment to a 'relentless crackdown on peaceful dissent and harsh treatment of targeted prisoners', subjecting them to solitary confinement, incommunicado detention and forcible disappearance. It further noted that Qahtani is one of many women activists subjected to violations in Saudi prisons, contradicting the kingdom's attempts to whitewash its record on women's rights.
Gulf Today
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
PFL Mena stars continue to train for new season for amidst Ramadan
With a second season of PFL Mena just around the corner, some of the best stars from the Middle East are gearing up to get back in action inside the PFL SmartCage. For some of the league's top stars however, training for the new season presents some challenges, as it falls during the blessed Ramadan season, which entails fasting. The act of sacrifice, of course, leads to a number of obstacles for athletes who regularly train, including reduced energy, less sleep, and disruption of training routines. PFL Mena Featherweight Champion Abdullah Al Qahtani, PFL Mena Welterweight Champion Omar El Dafrawy, and PFL Mena Women's Atomweight star Hattan Alsaif have all shared their experiences when training during the blessed Ramadan season. 'Yes, I do train during Ramadan. I make sure to get in a solid training session both before and after Iftar while prioritizing recovery,' Qahtani shared. 'Even while fasting, my focus remains on my next fight—I'm constantly preparing. It's not just about technique and conditioning but also about discipline and hard work. Fight camp is all about grinding, and I'm putting in the work,' he continued. Qahtani turned in an impressive first PFL Mena season, capturing the league's inaugural 145-pound championship and cemented his status as Saudi Arabia's biggest MMA star. The 27-year old is now looking forward to Season 2 of PFL Mena and plans on keeping the PFL Mena Featherweight Championship firmly in his grasp. I'm ready for PFL Mena season two. I know every fighter has their eyes on me, like I'm the prey—but I'm not. I'm the hunter. And I will hunt down every opponent,' 'The Reaper' boldly claimed. 'Last season taught me one thing: never give up. Stay focused on your goal and go after it.' While Qahtani comes into the season as the reigning titleholder, it looks like he's got a few names in his crosshairs. 'I'm excited to fight Alhyasat again—I want to smash him,' Qahtani shared. 'I also want to fight Islam Reda and Taha Bendaoud. These three guys—I want them!' From one champion to another, PFL Mena Welterweight king Omar El Dafrawy also continues to keep himself in peak condition, even during Ramadan. 'Of course, I stay in shape during Ramadan,' Dafrawy said. 'I actually have a solid routine. I usually break my fast with something light like dates, and go for my first training session, and then I have my second training session later on at night.' Dafrawy was one of PFL MENA's biggest surprise stories, as he pulled off a massive upset in the Welterweight Finals of season one, taking out title favorite and veteran Jarrah Al-Selawe. Dafrawy further explained what his training sessions are like during Ramadan. 'I have my regular camp schedule, but usually the first session right after Iftar is more about technicality, while the second session is the one that's more intense.' 'I usually have one meal after every workout session, plus I make sure to take my vitamins and supplements as well to maintain my energy output,' he continued. Looking to build off his successful debut PFL Mena season, Dafrawy is excited to see how the second season of PFL Mena will play out. 'I'm excited for PFL Mena 2 and I hope that there can be some exciting storylines like in the first season for my weight class,' he said. 'I'm interested to see what's gonna happen because I know there will be some guys from the previous season that are top contenders to take the belt home this season.' For Saudi Arabian women's MMA trailblazer Hattan, a schedule is necessary when it comes to training during Ramadan. 'Yes, I train. I have a schedule for Ramadan,' she said. 'It's about the camp, not the time, so I do what needs to be done.' 2024 was a massive year for Alsaif as she made a successful PFL debut after making history as the first Saudi Arabian woman to sign with a major MMA promotion. In three appearances inside the PFL SmartCage, Hattan is 3-0 as an amateur, with all of her wins coming by second-round stoppage. Alsaif says that she likes to cook during Ramadan so that she has control of what she gets to eat. 'I love to cook my own meals during Ramadan so that I can pick them carefully.'
