June 2 - 8, 2021 BAHRAIN.OURS.YOURS. Vol 20 - Issue 22

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COMMUNITY REPORT Joseph with teaching methods due to the gift of reading.” By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE his wife pandemic and in 2021 virtual A sticker featuring Joseph’s [email protected] elizabeth and learning continued with picture and a brief bio will be community group daughter lovy placed in every donated book Art with A point is set to honour students set to appear for the as well. Colourfully creative A the memory of CBSE Board Examinations. All books can be dropped See Page 2 a leading educator in The school now boasts 4,685 off at The Asian School the kingdom to ensure students and 205 employees. between 7.30am and 6pm his legacy of helping “As a group, we are in awe from Saturday to Thursday of the contribution he made or at The Child & Family potential continues. to society throughout his Foundation Centre in Umm The Afkarech Female life time,” added Mariam. Al Hassam between 9am Network and Think Tank “Joseph was a pillar of and 6pm from Sunday to aims to support the mission the community, a beacon Thursday. The drive will of Joseph Thomas, the of knowledge and a true run from June 15 to July founder and chairman of The believer in the power of 15 and the books will be Asian School, by staging a education. distributed to orphanages, month-long book collection “His spirit lives on through special education centres and drive. his daughter and beloved shelters. Joseph, who has helped vice president of Afkarech, Lovy added: “My father BAhrAin in focus educate and motivate legacy,” said its founder and The Asian School and in Lovy, who continues on strived for the cause of Inspiring design students thousands of students president Mariam Alammadi. 1989 a campus opened in his legacy through her education and unbeknownst in Bahrain over several “His entire life was devoted Umm Al Hassam. love for education and her to so many, he has helped to See Page 3 generations, passed away to educating children and The school project commitment to empowering educate so many unprivileged suddenly last teaching them continued to expand, girls and young women. children both in the Kingdom month at the to become starting with a campus in “Please support this of Bahrain and India, so age of 75 the best they Juffair in 1999, surpassing worthwhile cause I cannot think of a more following a can be. In 2,500 students by 2003 and by donating fun and cardiac arrest. this way, we launching an 8.2-acre campus educational books, both new For details, follow He is survived wish to spread in Tubli in 2015. and gently used. We would @afkarech on Instagram or by his wife the gift of That then increased to 10.75 like any books that would contact Joy from The Asian Elizabeth, education and acres in 2019 with 4,500 be suitable for children of School on 39713191 and his children knowledge far students and the inclusion of all ages and young adults to 32380273 or Mohammed Lovy and and wide and help teach them a new skill from the Child & Family sprAy n’ prAy Timmy, son- honour a true students. In 2020, the Asian or simply let them explore Foundation Centre on a piece for peace in-law Vinod, gentleman School embraced on-line their imaginations with the 39960912 for drop-offs. See PageS 4-5 daughter-in- dedicated to law Sarin and improving granddaughter lives through Isabel. education.” the sticker that will be added Moved by his to every book Around 40 never-ending years ago, contribution to the growth Joseph came to the kingdom of quality education in the with a vision in mind – to community, the campaigning set up a school for the Indian networking group of women community in Bahrain. In stepped forward. 1983, that dream became “Afkarech would like to a reality and he started the pay tribute to the wonderful Asian Kindergarten with 65 MusicAl Journeys work Joseph has done and we children and three teachers. United souls, uniting souls chose to have a book drive A year later, the the Afkarech team See PageS 4-5 establishment was renamed 2 www.gulfweekly.com LocalNews June 2 - 8, 2021 Telling stories, dot by dot ART REPORT BY RAJI UNNIKRISHNAN [email protected] Bahrain-based artist is trying A to recreate her imaginations on canvas and tell stories dot by dot. It was just a year ago, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced people to stay indoors that Zainab Javid was fascinated by dot painting, an art form that is native to Australia. The 44-year-old mother- of-two started dabbling with the art, creating speckled paintings on canvas and ceramic. Before long the experiment turned into a passion and a profession. A doll on paper quilling The self-taught artist weaves in nature into her beautifully intrinsic pieces commissioned paintings. whole painting. which feature elements of “One of elephants I “It is time consuming. tradition, as well as sights made for a friend - it was “Some of my paintings took that catch her attention. a bit challenging, but was me almost two weeks to Dot painting originated worth the effort – it was a complete – though I started A style of her own 40 years ago in 1971 and Christmas gift from a wife it as a hobby now I sell my according to her husband. The other is works as well.” to historical Zainab YouTube took shape.” a few others etched in dots the dancing girl from Thar, She has designed her records, videos on dot The Pakistan national that spread hope and cheer in Pakistan.” ways into the art by using Aboriginal painting,” who lives in Riffa has two an often gloomy pandemic Dot paintings are originally concentric circles to create men used Zainab told the children, Nadir and Zoya, world. simple and aesthetic -- an image. the art to GulfWeekly. who keep her busy. A Her love for tennis resulted yet the images hold deep “For me a circle represents tell stories “The resident for almost seven in a work where a man is meanings, at times sacred or wholeness and perfection and through completed years, she spends her spare seen serving a shot. even mysterious enough to arrangement of dots create symbols paintings time creating art on canvas “If I look positively, 2020 hide secrets. a mesmerising effect which depicted on looked unique and ceramic using a dot was the year I learnt this new But what Zainab was drawn draws the viewer in.” sand. Today and beautiful. painting tool daubed in skill of dot painting and I am to was the sheer beauty Married to Naseer Ali the art is “I watched acrylic. glad I could improve a lot,” of the art. “Once I was who works in Saudi Arabia, internationally more videos Among her versatile and she said. watching a sunset and on Zainab is also into quilling recognised to learn the art diverse creations is a sunset “I hope to use these pieces the background was a heron as unique and integral to of dotting and started with scene featuring a heron, the to bring joy to people. which inspired me to do a that uses strips of paper Australian Aboriginal Art. homemade tools like cotton freshwater avian commonly “Now it’s been a year since piece. rolled, shaped, and glued “I am aware of the art and buds to create the dots. seen in Bahrain. I started and I have made “Instead of a brush a together to create startling its links to the Australian “Later I ordered tools on A baby elephant, a dancing quite a few. dotting tool is used – it designs. natives, and I have read Amazon girl, the Bahraini landscape “I also like to paint demands a lot of patience Her works are showcased about it – but I chose this them locally - I practised a with a palm tree, a camel, coasters and plates but my and practice, because if your @zainabs.quilled.creations after I watched some great a girl with an umbrella are best work has been two hand slips you will spoil the on Instagram .

A heron by the sunset A cute elephant on dots A dancing girl in Thar, Pakistan June 2 - 8, 2021 LocalNews www.gulfweekly.com 3

Reaching out aMh Manama CORES of citizens and S launched by a private hospital to help pre-diabetic patients. in collaboration with AstraZeneca and in consultation with charities a wide cross section of society. According to the National One of the doctors provides One of the advice on how to avoid or medical cent of Bahraini respondents to increase wellness in the cope with diabetes staff indicated they had diabetes members doing the Bahrainis was 6.9pc. screening Cheriyan. For details, follow was established as a pioneering @american_misssion_hospital on organisation to serve the Instagram. Showcasing Bahrain ahraini COMMUNITY REPORT By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE an artist impression architecture, [email protected] Bculture and living of Sandstone hotel have been the focus include both disciplines of of a design exchange architecture and interior programme supported students in senior year or as by a leading university grad students to participate in in the US. the project. The Hotel Project is part The groups then set out of Iowa State University’s to research various aspects College of Design of Bahrain to help them Architecture and design a hotel in Interior Design Bahrain. They curriculum to learned about the enhance students’ island’s traditional understanding of architecture, design as well as cultural standards learning about and modern different cultures developments. and living. “During the It has been led semester, students by Professor hisham researched “I was part of the advisory understanding of working design projects are now weeks on the island to better Lee Cagley and Bahrain’s culture, members that hosted students at an international level and being evaluated and one will understand the culture and includes advisory committee heritage and architecture via Zoom on a weekly they received feedback from be nominated for a national widen their horizon on a members Rob Reinders and to come up with design basis to review design a local perspective. This design competition in the US. global basis. Hisham Arafat. proposals that would be development stages for all programme is for actual and “Design proposals were “I also hope that we can Hisham, a Bahraini suitable for the kingdom proposals as well as to guide real development and it has done at a high standard with aim for future collaborations architect, suggested using the and to meet with current and provide comments about been developed on a location creative solutions that would between Iowa State kingdom, in particular Water modern developments in the the designs from a local where a hotel site is assigned be suitable to build,” added University and other US Garden City – Bahrain, as hospitality sector,” he added. perspective,” Hisham said. by Water Garden City.” Hisham. “One day they hope universities to expand this an ideal location to base the Through their research, “Students became familiar Final presentations were to come and visit Bahrain. I programme through the design concept. they were exposed to design with Bahrain and provided attended by several architects hope in the future, it will be support of the Bahrain “I was requested to assist trends suitable for the Gulf creative design solutions and interiors designers from co-ordinated to host students Development Board and in recommending a location and received feedback and for modern Bahrain. This across the US and the CEO on exchange programmes American Chamber of in the Gulf region to allow input from a local source. experience enhanced their of Water Garden City. The where they can spend a few Commerce.” students to research and understand a new culture in their design process,” said Hisham, a Iowa State University alumnus who found the project and overall experience enriching to the students and himself. “I recommended Bahrain due to its heritage, culture, diversity and cosmopolitan nature and, in particular, the new development of Water Garden City – Bahrain.” The project extended during spring semester from January till the end of April 2021. A total of 22 students were a student with a Zoom meeting about progress on the project divided into teams which one of the models 4 www.gulfweekly.com June 2 - 8, 2021 Culture For Palestine, with love and paint ART REPORT By NAMAN ARORA [email protected]

ome of Bahrain’s top street artists Shave come together to create a wall of support and solidarity for their brothers and sisters in Palestine. The Art Attack Krew, founded last year at the onset of the pandemic, united recently, just before the new Covid-19 restrictions came into effect, to tag a wall in Tubli. Their message? A reminder Arabic, is still reeling under the impact of decades of oppression, including the A moment for Handala The piece in progress most recent violence. Israel and Hamas agreed a 1969 icon of Palestinian “It is a symbol that marks their homes, parents and Only when Handala and Naji Palestinian people. halting an 11-day assault perseverance and struggle. the absence of freedom for lives.” returned to their homeland Samar, 27, who was one that devastated the Gaza “We wanted to remind Palestinians since the boy Handala was created could he start growing up. Strip, and left more than 200 people about Handala, a will not show his face until in 1969 by Palestinian Naji died in 1987 before the Art Attack Krew having people dead... including at 10-year-old child character, Palestine is free. cartoonist Naji Al Ali, who he could realise that dream, built her own portfolio of least 67 children under the wearing tattered clothing “It hurts seeing a little boy noted that the boy “was born however Handala has been work as one of Bahrain’s age of 18. and looking away from the being a representative of this 10 years old and will always immortalised in street “The situation that the viewer,” said 27-year-old be 10,” because that was the art around the world, in came up with the idea of Palestinians are going through Aref. is happening as children lose age he left his homeland. support of the struggle of the an art work for Palestine – has been heart-breaking,” explained Faisal Mohammed, a 23-year-old tagger who has been with the crew for much of the past year. “People losing their loved ones, families broken, and dreams crushed - the feeling A journey of hope through music worsens when I realise that I cannot be there to help any of them. iver transplant move things around, take a “We did our best to spread survivor few things out, add a few ad- awareness, using our talent to Land singer- libs and record my tributes.” create this mural to show our songwriter may support to the Palestinians part was being away from and let them know that their her own challenges each other at times and pain and suffering are not as well as the making decisions from abroad falling on deaf ears.” pandemic, bringing or via the phone, especially Faisal was joined by two of her long-due when it came to launching the Samar Bushehri, Isa projects to fruition Scan the Qr code to song in terms of logistics and Mubarak, Salman Aljar, within the last week, check out the Heal the social media platforms. Faisal Mohammed, Sayed writes Naman Arora. World collaboration! “It was such a treat to make Mahmoud, Shalini Pillai, On Friday, with Ashwin that even small glitches Yousif Zainal and Sayed Shenoy, better known by favour. Some would say it didn’t seem problematic!” Ali Hashem, and led by the his stage name ‘Xenai’, took too long, but I don’t The song, now available founder of the group - Aref she released 7amdillah, believe so. on all popular music- Guloom, better known by his a three-minute R&B, “We paused when we had streaming platforms, features street tag ‘Ayfu’. rap and hip-hop ditty to and resumed when we R&B style verses by May, Choosing a simple colour embodying the roller- could and allowed the track interlacing Arabic and may palette of red, green, white coaster of a year the pair to breathe and develop, English, and not shying away and black to represent the of friends has had. alongside me doing the same from classic Bahraini and “Xenai and I met a her struggles with Primary this understanding of one as a human. Arabic imagery, starting from a splash of gold, blue and few months before the Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) another, both musically and “It wasn’t even intended the name ‘alhumdulillah,’ grey to integrate the Al Aqsa pandemic broke out, on her social media channels. personally. There aren’t but this is how I feel about stylised as 7amdillah, which mosque dome, the nonet and from the get-go, it “I loved working with many disagreements since the song going in parallel means ‘praise be to God.’ tagged the piece in just four was a no-brainer that we him! He’s so much like me we have the same logic and with how I felt during the Xenai brings in his hours on a Tubli wall, with needed to collaborate,” and we’ve got the same vision. transplant journey. the owner’s approval. explained the 30-year-old sense of humour and the “Believe it or not, the “When I came back, the And bringing the whole vocalist who has shared best part is that we just have pandemic worked in our only things left to do were braggadocio that has become piece together is Handala, June 2 - 8, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 5 Culture Weekly For Palestine, with love and paint

The completed piece

Samar with Handala Faisal

and the rest, as they say, is of the Palestinian families 12 months. history. and children, who have been “The violence and the devastated by the attacks,” of stopping and is planning to Samar added. stand hand-in-hand, and I The piece came as the Art believe, that, as artists it’s Attack Krew marked its according to Aref. one-year-anniversary, having For details, follow grown to 24 artists and done @art.attack.krew on Aref Instagram. A journey of hope through music

Xenai Since releasing this song, my liver condition from Heal the the transition all the way World collaboration with 30 fellow themes of hope, self-belief, empowerment, second message of bringing people chances and the higher power together. “This collaboration is art, skill, experiences and really needs,” she said. “I was inspired by Michael Jackson’s Heal the World. this. “We see war, we see violence, sickness, starvation, people, to heal this all with Cover art, darkest of days! created by will and hope. Mustafa appreciation to everyone and “Over 30 different Halwachi The song was recorded at explaining the emotions 7amdillah is now ages, experiences, talent, available on Spotify, Apple him, as well. to hope and light. collaborations with Xenai, Music, iTunes, Amazon The cover art was done “Xenai and I often talk together to sing this song and and Shazam. For details, follow @xenaimuzik and doesn’t want to go into spirit. GulfWeekly. Instagram. 6 www.gulfweekly.com June 2 - 8, 2021 June 2 - 8, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 7 MotoringWeekly The top motoring and motorsport news Steering into crypto lockchains and non-fungible F1 TECH FEATURE By NAMAN ARORA tokens (nFTs) B [email protected] are making their debut in the vaunted halls of motorsport, with three top Formula 1 teams announcing unique ways for fans to engage with their favourite constructors. Bahrain-owned McLaren in F1 to announce a fan unique or limited edition, in blockchain platform, at the Mclaren ... maximum engagement with fans Waller, chief commercial “The token will work looking for the right partner blockchain platform, Red Bull Racing Honda Although the technology are unique computer- connected to a digital product prominence during the pandemic, particularly within type of digital item to be In the digital art world, the

crypto may be the future of collectibles GulfWeekly

www.gulfweekly.com TOP OF THE LEAGUE FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORT June 2 - 8, 2021 Pedalling to glory Back in his training home B experience. “I am grateful for the support of the coaches and directeur sportif, Neil Stephens, who visited me writes He successfully participated my nerves and relieve the in the challenging ‘Tour de Hongrie’ where he cycled “Sharing a room with over 792km and 7,954 British rider was vertical metres across a fun experience, as were mountainous terrain in mealtimes during which I Central Europe. halal meat! The energy and camaraderie within the team during Ramadan, witnessed the main reasons I felt Team the highs and lows of the Bahrain Victorious was so competition. meant he was separated from Despite taking evasive action was nothing compared to the The Queen fourth stage that he expressed as a ‘career camp. The day he spoke elation he experienced later. involved more than 200km in high’. to GulfWeekly the team told him that his His Highness Shaikh the saddle and two ascents of “The passion and energy teammate had Hungary’s highest mountain, of the Hungarian crowds, claimed victory in the sprint. As the race continued the Kékes. Madan, along with from small villages until the Madan is now looking “There aren’t many riders Bahraini was forced to stand Hamad’s representative forward to the Tour de that get to see their team on the side while a mechanic for humanitarian work and the France which starts on youth affairs, who founded efforts to protect the yellow June 26. While he will not Determined to support the team, shared a similar He was happy to repay the Madan. “The ride on the picture on Instagram while Unfortunately on the descent, enthusiasm of the crowds. expressing his pride at a gear issue meant he had to One day he was captured Andorra in time for the 15th fun and lively with the squad Madan’s performance. on international television he gathered with the team This gave the young star a there, allowing him the Day Two proved genuine lift and additional criterium that involved 12 a young fan after the end of opportunity to catch up with challenging too. It was the race at the head of the energy the following day in the stage. his team and cheer on the peloton. which he was Victorious’ historic centre of Budapest. Madan explained: “I was competitors. when approximately 25km He admitted to smiling representative to chase down Along with teammate delighted to thank her for into the race, he had to turn when seeing the Eurosport Sanchez, supporting the race and, racing alongside them again sharply onto a grass verge to cameraman focusing on him he helped lead the peloton hopefully, the gesture will soon ... and ultimately, one avoid a crash in front of him. at the front although this colours. for eight laps, an experience day winning a .

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