Day: March 14, 2023

JIUQUAN, 14th March, 2023 (WAM) — China successfully sent a new remote sensing satellite into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, located in the country’s northwest region, on Monday. ccording to the state news agency Xinhua, the remote sensing satellite was launched at 12:02 pm (Beijing Time) by a Long March-2C carrier rocket and entered its planned orbit successfully. The launch was the 466th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series. Rola AlGhoul/ Esraa Esmail

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH,14th March, 2023 (WAM) — The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) has approved the rate of increasing school fees for the next academic year 2023-2024, in varying proportions, according to the results of the Itqan programme to assess the quality of school performance. The SPEA announced that the decision does not include schools with an evaluation below “acceptable.” This comes to set the framework for increasing fees and linking them to the quality of education and service provided by private schools in the emirate. The recommendations also came based on educational outcomes based on school control reports, indicators and standards of student quality of life, satisfaction percentage, school performance and academic achievement. This also included the factors affecting school fees, including inflation rates, the increase in utilities prices, the operational cost of the educational institution, and the rate of economic growth in the emirate. Fees are regulated in private schools in Sharjah based on the framework, which links the evaluation of each private school with the percentage specified for adjusting fees for the next year. Private schools that have an “excellent” rating are entitled to raise their fees to a maximum of 5 percent, while schools that have a “very good” rating can raise their fees by 3.75 percent. As for those who get a “good” rating, they can raise their fees by 2.5 percent, and those who get an “acceptable” rating are entitled to raise fees by 1.25 percent. On the other hand, schools that were evaluated as weak or very weak, they are not entitled to raise their fees. The authority stated that schools that meet the conditions are entitled to submit a request to raise their fees every two academic years, provided that the submission is through a dedicated platform in the authority. The application is studied after receiving it based on the results of performance evaluation and in proportion to the rate of economic inflation and other documents and justifications provided by schools to support the request, and accordingly the request will be approved or rejected. These percentages were adopted within several tracks, including the evaluation mechanisms that followed the field visits that the authority implemented for private schools to determine their levels, and to know the areas of need for improvement and the strengths to build upon and improve the quality of their outputs on the one hand, and to determine the issue of raising fees or what is preventing them according to the results of the evaluation. In addition, the authority seeks to achieve a balance in school fees in a way that guarantees its right and does not constitute a burden on parents.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH,14th March, 2023 (WAM) — A rare collection of centuries-old royal manuscripts, maps and other historical volumes are travelling out of Spain’s prestigious El Escorial Library for the first time to arrive at the region’s cultural capital, Sharjah, for a first-of-its-kind exhibition from April 2 – 9. The product of a partnership between Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and the Spanish Historical Heritage Institute designed for knowledge exchange and dissemination, the exhibition is being organised with the authorisation of the Royal Palace. The event presents an unprecedented opportunity to students, researchers, academia, cartographers, and collectors of rare books, as well as history and language enthusiasts, to access 14 rare manuscripts dating back to the 13, 14,15, and 16th centuries. The oldest of them is Al Bakri’s Roads and Kingdoms, which dates from the 13th century. The authority’s latest initiative testifies to SBA’s continued efforts to promote knowledge and culture by bringing the world’s most prestigious literary treasures to Sharjah. The collection spans diverse fields of science and knowledge, including philosophy, history, geography, and astronomy, in Arabic, showcased outside the El Escorial Library for the first time in its history. hmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, noted: “This exhibition is an unprecedented cultural accomplishment for the UAE, and a fruit of the visionary leadership of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Through this event, SBA aims to continue fostering our partnerships with like-minded institutions worldwide to stimulate dialogue and communication with European and global counterparts and also advance the Arab cultural movement”. “The exhibition presents an unparalleled opportunity for researchers and enthusiasts of knowledge and history to closely observe and appreciate these invaluable works, which are considered Spain’s best Arabic manuscript collection. We thank our friends at the El Escorial Library for embracing Sharjah’s cultural vision and for partnering with the SBA to organise this first-ever showcase that will turn the spotlight on humankind’s collective culture and knowledge heritage, which have been treasured and safeguarded for centuries for successive generations to benefit from,” he added. Jose Luis del Valle Merino, Director of the Royal Library of El Escorial, expressed his delight at the close relationship between the library and the SBA over several years. “I attended the Sharjah International Book Fair twice, where I realised the book fair’s status as the most important of its kind in the region. My knowledge and experience of Sharjah and its status has helped support the loan of a selected collection of Arabic manuscripts from the Escorial collection, considered the best Arabic manuscript collections in Spain to be displayed in Sharjah.” He added: “On the other hand, the memory of the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi’s visit to the El Escorial Library in 2019 during the participation of Sharjah as a guest of honor in Liber international book fair in Madrid, is still vivid in our minds. These visits assert the strong cultural ties that bind the Royal Library of El Escorial to the Emirate of Sharjah.” mong the most important manuscripts, documents and books that the exhibition makes available to visitors is a manuscript entitled “Diwan of Ibn Al Khayat”, “Al Jawaher Al Magmo’a wa Al Nawader Al Masmo’a”, the book “E’rab Al Quran”, the manuscript book of “Al-Majmoo’ al-Faaiq min Hadith Khatam Rasul al-Khaliq” and the book “Anatomy of the Law”. And the Diwan of Shams al-Din al-Hanafi.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, 14th March, 2023 (WAM) — Under the patronage of H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, the Holy Quran Tahbeer and its Sciences Award will kick off at the beginning of Ramadan this year in its 9th edition. This year’s edition is titled “The Year of Sustainability,” as it derives its topics from the vision of the UAE wise leadership and their directives to ensure the consolidation of sustainability concepts across all sectors and step up awareness-raising initiatives in environmental domains. The announcement of the details of the 9th edition, “The Year of Sustainability,” came on the sidelines of a panel discussion held in Abu Dhabi, titled “Sustainability: a national vision and a Sharia necessity.” The discussion was attended by Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE’s Fatwa Council, Dr. Sultan Mohamed Al Nuaimie, Director General of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research, Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Director General of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, and in the presence of Maj. Gen. Salem Al Shamsi, Acting Undersecretary of MoI, Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Director of the UAE’s Fatwa Council and Secretary General of the Holy Quran Tahbeer and its Sciences Award, and HE Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Subia’an Al Tenaiji, Director General and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Award, as well as representatives of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and representatives of companies and supporting agencies. The panel discussion was also attended by a number of dignitaries and institutions working in the educational and community fields and Quranic awards from all over the country, in addition to representatives of media outlets. Dr. Abdullah bin Bayyah discussed the Sharia aspects of sustainability, while Dr. Sultan Mohamed Al Nuaimie tackled the national aspects. Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, on the other hand, dealt with the academic and social aspects. Speakers at the panel discussion moderated by the media person Ahmed Al Yamahi stressed that the UAE, led by the vision of its wise leadership, will continue promoting human fraternity, spreading the values of tolerance, justice, equality, coexistence and respect for others as well as the noble Islamic values and the values ingrained and deep-rooted in the Emirati society. ll these values are inspired by moderate and true Islam, the noble Arab customs and traditions, and the wisdom and legacy of late Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE. Speakers stressed that the UAE is the breeding ground of tolerance, security, safety and multiculturalism, which in turn helped the Emirati society lead a decent life. The laws of the country guarantee justice and respect for all and criminalise fanaticism and causes of division and discord, thus translating the vision of the wise leadership in promoting creativity, tolerance and human values, which ultimately benefit everyone. The speakers further indicated that the UAE’s initiatives are continuing to consolidate the great human values through an unceasing effort, laws, legislation and policies that aim to enhance the strength and durability of community cohesion and spread positive values and behaviours. They noted that the UAE is bound by international agreements and treaties on the renunciation of violence, extremism and discrimination, and has become a global hub that brings together the world’s civilisations, both East and West, in order to promote peace and reconciliation among all peoples. They added that the issue of sustainability has become the centre of global attention in the development of countries and societies, as well as facing various challenges, and finding innovative solutions. This significant was launched by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in 2023 to be the Year of Sustainability. This value also originates from the values of the Tahbeer Award, which is greatly focused on the human and developmental values that contribute to human happiness and advancement. Therefore, this panel discussion is titled: “Sustainability: a national vision and a Sharia necessity.” They explained that true Islam deeply focuses on achieving interests and benefits that bring good to humanity, with great emphasis on the concepts of sustainability, citing verses from the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s traditions (haditihs). They mentioned that the concepts of sustainability rank high among the priorities of the UAE, and at the heart of the development, stressing that all members of society are partners in promoting the “Year of Sustainability” initiative. This edition is scheduled to kick off with the support of the Ahmad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, the official partner of the event, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and MOI Solidarity Fund “Fazaa.” The committee will start receiving applications for participation on Shaaban 25th until mid-Ramadan. Those wishing to take part can review the details of the competition on the website www.tahbeerquran.com. Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Director of the UAE’s Fatwa Council and Secretary-General of the Holy Quran Tahbeer and its Sciences Award, said that the new edition of the “Holy Quran Tahbeer and its Sciences Award” features the topic of sustainability, as President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced that 2023 would be the Year of Sustainability, and the UAE is preparing to host COP28 in Dubai Expo City. This all places the responsibility on all national institutions and bodies to raise awareness and contribute to preserving the environment and the climate, with all the commitments which this responsibility dictates, including the need to intensify work and join efforts to achieve the UAE’s strategic goals in this important topic. He stressed that the award would pursue its policy to enhance the tolerant values of Islam, and its vision in consolidating the values of moderation, tolerance and acceptance of others as well as peaceful coexistence. He then called on Muslim youth and young people around the world to actively participate in the award, learn about its noble values and goals, and be part of an international event that endeavours to introduce the correct values and teachings of our religion. Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Subia’an Al Tenaiji, Director General and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Award, explained that the award features ten categories divided into males, females and children, and for each category there are terms, conditions and criteria, including voice, correct pronunciation, control of initiation, pausing, showing reverence and other criteria. The contestants must be familiar with the criteria as they will be judged by a specialised panel according to each category. He indicated that participation is open to all nationalities from all over the world, starting from Shaaban 25. Judging will start on the first day of Ramadan and continue until Ramadan 15, after which the final qualifiers will take place. All this aims to encourage Muslims in the Arab and Islamic world to compete in the Holy Quran, its recitation and tajweed and to learn about its sciences. He added that the value of the financial prizes for this edition amounts to AED 690,000, distributed under the categories of the award among the first three winners in each category. l Tenaiji then explained that the number of participants in the eighth edition of the award was 6816, and 5407 in the seventh, from 81 nationalities, while the number of participants stood at 3394 in the sixth edition back in (2020), noting that it is expected and hoped for that this edition garners more participants. Mind map Competition for the Values of Sustainability in the Holy Quran Al Tenaiji further pointed out that a new cash prize amounting to AED 60,000 at this year’s edition will be allocated for the Mind Map Competition for the Values of Sustainability in the Holy Quran, distributed among the top three, so that the first gets an amount of AED 30,000, the second AED 20,000 and the third AED 10,000. Al Tenaiji called on those who need to know more more information to refer to the award guide on its website (www.tahbeerquran.com), or to contact the numbers available on social media platforms. The Holy Quran Tahbeer and its Sciences Award was launched with the vision of Lt. Gen. H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior back in 2015, to be a platform from the UAE to the world. It came to be an addition to other platforms encouraging and urging young people and youth to understand and study the Holy Quran, and to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, combating extremism, fanaticism, and intellectual deviation. The award is an innovative means of communication between the peoples of the earth through interaction and participation with others in a meaningful competitive framework. The award adopts modern methods and technologies for participation enabling all nationalities and ages to take part in the process. Categories of the award vary to include all age groups and all nationalities from around the world, as participants can compete in the recitation of the Holy Quran and knowledge of its sciences, thus contributing to spreading the sublime values and objectives of the award in all its categories.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ENEVA, 14th March, 2023 (WAM) — The United Arab Emirates is participating in the annual World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS ) Forum, which kicked off today here. The summit is a global multi stakeholder platform facilitating the implementation of the WSIS Action Lines for advancing sustainable development. Delivering the UAE’s addressing before the Summit, Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), reviewed the UAE’s efforts supporting the goals of sustainable development. “As the world is changing rapidly, we must keep pace by anticipating the impact of new emerging technologies on our lives, and how to use them to maximise gains and reduce negative effects, in a manner that encourages the creation of pertinent statutory and regulatory rules and regulations,” he said. The forum provides an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation and sharing of best practices, while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving Information and Knowledge Societies. The event features virtual workshops which will continue in April and May. The theme of the WSIS Forum 2023 is WSIS Action Lines for building back better and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. Hazem Hussein/ Hatem Mohamed

Source: Emirates News Agency