Latest news with #Rabah
Bangkok Post
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
ONE Championship: Shadow ‘very upset' by No Contest, says elbow – not eye poke
Shadow Singha Mawynn was left frustrated after his co-main event bout at ONE Fight Night 33 ended in a No Contest – and said he believed his elbow, not an eye poke, caused the damage. The Thai striker appeared to be in full control of his featherweight Muay Thai clash with Younes Rabah at Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday morning, knocking the Algerian down near the end of the first round. But the contest was waved off shortly after the second frame began, following a disputed sequence that left Rabah covering his right eye on the canvas. 'In my view, I don't think that I poked his eye – but it is what it is,' Shadow told the Bangkok Post. 'So No Contest, yes.' The 25-year-old had dropped Rabah once already with a clean punch, and just moments after the restart they exchanged again – with Rabah quickly turning away in pain and falling to his knees. Referee Olivier Coste called for time as Rabah indicated an eye injury, and senior ONE Championship doctor Warren Wang examined him at ringside. While slow-motion replays played on the arena screens, Thai fans began chanting 'elbow!' in protest – with some booing as the fight was officially called off. 'I agree – I think it was a knockdown by elbow because it's my own elbow, so I know what I was doing,' Shadow said. Rabah, who fights out of Venum Training Camp in Phuket under Mehdi Zatout, was taken to hospital in Bangkok and later returned to the fighters' hotel with his eye heavily bandaged. He told the Bangkok Post he was 'OK' and recovering. But the moment left Shadow rueing what could have been. 'Yes, looking at his condition, I thought I was going to finish the fight quite well,' he said. 'So I am actually very upset I didn't get the chance to do that – and also missed out on the bonus.' The result was officially ruled a No Contest due to an 'unintentional foul', as confirmed by ring announcer Dom Lau. Some fans on social media accused Shadow of an eye poke, though the replay footage remained inconclusive. 'I can't say for sure, but if you ask me – I'm pretty sure it was the elbow,' Shadow said. The Mueang Tak native said he would welcome a rematch if Rabah wants one – but also named another potential rival. 'I would say it's more likely Nico Carrillo is interested in me,' he said, smiling, when asked if he would like to fight the Scot. 'We met and he was saying, 'If there's a chance, I would love to fight you.'' Despite the anticlimactic ending, the former Rajadamnern Stadium champion and ONE Friday Fights standout remained upbeat about his main roster debut. 'Of course, I was very excited for this event – and this was my first time in my life fighting during the morning,' he said.
Bangkok Post
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Bangkok Post
ONE Championship: Younes Rabah misses weight as Allycia Rodrigues survives title fight scare
Younes Rabah was the biggest name to miss weight at Thursday's ONE Championship weigh-ins – but atomweight queen Allycia Rodrigues narrowly avoided a title fight disaster of her own. The Brazilian Muay Thai champion needed a second attempt to make weight for Saturday's ONE Fight Night 33 headliner at Lumpinee Stadium, after initially coming in 0.25lbs over the atomweight limit. Rodrigues returned later in the official three-hour window to successfully weigh in and pass hydration, keeping her main event bout against the debuting Swedish challenger Johanna Persson intact. But three other fights were left in limbo after hydration failures at the host Best Western Wanda hotel in Bangkok. Algeria's Rabah arrived with just two minutes to spare and passed hydration, but came in heavy for his bantamweight Muay Thai clash with Thailand's Shadow Singha Mawynn. The co-main event bout may still go ahead at a catchweight, with Rabah set to forfeit a percentage of his purse to the ONE Friday Fights standout, who is making his main roster debut. Atomweight MMA newcomer Macarena Aragon of Argentina and Muay Thai debutant Cynthia Flores of Mexico were both unable to provide hydrated samples, leaving their respective bouts on the card in jeopardy. They were left needing to return to pass hydration before they could negotiate catchweights with their respective opponents. Aragon was scheduled to face Japan's Chihiro Sawada, while Flores had been paired with Poland's Martyna Kierczynska. All other fighters cleared the scale, with their bouts to proceed at their contracted weights.
Iraqi News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
Beirut – The Druze are a prominent religious community of more than a million people spread mainly across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, who for centuries have sought to preserve a distinct identity. In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. 'The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography,' said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played 'a very important role', Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: – Religion and customs – The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves 'muwahhidun', or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. – Where are they? – 'The Druze don't really recognise borders,' Rabah said. 'You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region,' he said, adding that 'clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive.' Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to 'The Druze Faith' by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. – Leading role – Despite their minority status, Druze 'have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life' of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject 'Israeli interference', after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze 'power struggle across three states', adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland. Most Druze armed groups have yet to reach a settlement with the new authorities.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
The Druze are a prominent religious community of more than a million people spread mainly across Syria, Lebanon and Israel, who for centuries have sought to preserve a distinct identity. In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. "The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography," said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played "a very important role", Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: - Religion and customs - The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves "muwahhidun", or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. - Where are they? - "The Druze don't really recognise borders," Rabah said. "You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region," he said, adding that "clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive." Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to "The Druze Faith" by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. - Leading role - Despite their minority status, Druze "have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life" of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject "Israeli interference", after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze "power struggle across three states", adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland. Most Druze armed groups have yet to reach a settlement with the new authorities. kam/lg/ser
France 24
05-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Who are the Middle East's Druze religious community?
In Syria, Druze fighters recently clashed with forces loyal to the country's new Islamist rulers, highlighting the struggles they and other minority groups have faced with shifts in regional power dynamics. "The Druze are a kind of an ultra-tribe which transcends space and geography," said Makram Rabah, assistant professor of history at the American University of Beirut. Despite being a minority in a majority Sunni Muslim region, the Middle East's Druze have played "a very important role", Rabah said. Here is a look at the community: Religion and customs The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves "muwahhidun", or unitarians. The sect is highly secretive and includes mystical elements like reincarnation. It does not allow new converts and marriage outside the community is strongly discouraged. A source familiar with Druze rituals, requesting anonymity to discuss matters considered sensitive, said the faith's emergence was influenced by other religious and philosophical teachings, including those of Greek philosopher Plato. Some Druze religious occasions align with those of other Islamic sects. Traditional Druze garb is black, with men wearing white caps or turbans and women covering their heads and part of their faces with a flowing white scarf. Where are they? "The Druze don't really recognise borders," Rabah said. "You have marriages and you have standing relationships between the Druze across the region," he said, adding that "clerics play a very important role in keeping this relationship alive." Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the community was estimated at around 700,000 people. According to "The Druze Faith" by historian Sami Makarem, Druze have been migrating to southern Syria since the 16th century, to an area now known as Jabal al-Druze, meaning Druze Mountain, in Sweida province. Syria's Druze are now mainly concentrated in their Sweida heartland, as well as nearby Quneitra province, with smaller pockets in the Damascus suburbs, notably Jaramana and Sahnaya, which recently saw sectarian violence. In Lebanon, an estimated 200,000 Druze are concentrated in the mountainous centre as well as in the south near Israel and Syria. In Israel, some 153,000 Druze are Israeli citizens, living mainly in the north. Unlike other Arab Israelis, Druze serve in the Israeli army. In the Israeli-annexed Syrian Golan Heights, more than 22,000 Druze hold permanent resident status. Only around 1,600 have become Israeli citizens, while others remain attached to their Syrian identity. Israel seized much of the Golan from Syria in 1967, annexing the area in 1981 in a move largely unrecognised internationally. The move separated extended families, though Druze in the annexed Golan were often able to cross into Syria to study, attend weddings or sell produce. Some Druze from southern Syria also settled in neighbouring Jordan, where the community is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. Two delegations of Syrian Druze clerics have made pilgrimages to a holy site in Israel this year, even though the two countries are technically at war with each other. Outside the Middle East, Druze have migrated to regions including the Americas and Australia. Well-known Druze include prominent human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Leading role Despite their minority status, Druze "have filled an important and sometimes a leading role in the political and social life" of the Middle East, according to historian Makarem. In Syria, Druze Sultan Pasha al-Atrash led a nationalist revolt against the French mandatory power which had established a Druze statelet in southern Syria during the 1920s and 1930s. In Lebanon, Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt played a key role in politics from the 1950s until his 1977 assassination, and his son Walid is a powerful politician. Jumblatt last month urged Syria's Druze to reject "Israeli interference", after Israel warned the Islamist authorities who ousted president Bashar al-Assad against harming the minority. Druze leaders have declared their loyalty to a united Syria, though some have called for international protection following recent sectarian violence. Israeli Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif has urged Israel to protect Syria's Druze. Rabah said there was a Druze "power struggle across three states", adding that he believes Syria's community does not aspire to statehood. The Druze largely stayed on the sidelines of Syria's war after it erupted in 2011, focusing on defending their heartland.
