March 31 - April 6, 2021 BAHRAIN.OURS.YOURS. Vol 20 - Issue 13

www.gulfweekly.com facebook.com/gulfweeklyonline gulfweekly gulfweeklyonline +973 17299181 A role model for women COMMUNITY REPORT By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE ENROLLING NOW [email protected] FOR 2020-2021 nspirational Zahra www.asb.bh rahimi, who manages iaround 30 mechanics in a leading car agency body and paint workshop in Bahrain, aims to attract more women into a sector too often considered a male domain. The 35-year-old job controller from Manama grew up in an automobile- obsessed household. She was Zahra in action Zahra working on a car Cultural Cup supported by a father who taught her all about car repair See Page 2 and a mother who owned young automobile addict While my mother didn’t She started as a service other women. I believe they three garages on the island in who owns several sports cars adviser and now manages should know the basics of the early 80s. knew how to manage the the body and paint workshop car repair in case of any Although armed with workshops. herself. “This title makes me the tools and racing engines “My mother is my feel even more responsible a tyre or a breakdown. There knowledge and nitrous inspiration and she taught me and motivated to excel in my are even some guys who to join the oxide. that I can do any job I put my job and be a role model for don’t know what to do.” “There are so mind to. There are no limits! many women out there. I’ve Zahra had proposed to many tried to many girls in the I believe women can be had mothers and daughters launch a weekly television throw a wrench Middle East who contacting me on my social series aimed at spreading pink power in her plans would like to try media accounts asking how awareness on all things because “it their hand at this to get started and thanking related to cars. While she See Page 3 wasn’t deemed highlighted Zahra as a me for showing them that an says it was approved by acceptable for know where to Arab woman can work in this the Information Affairs women to work go. They are 2017 to 2019 while marking in a garage”. also told that “It is a noble profession. I recording has been delayed there isn’t room That recognition resulted due to the pandemic. Zahra didn’t stop her for them in the honoured when I saw that Zahra is also a writer and from following industry because Her Royal Highness Princess poet. She is working on her dreams and she now they are female. And of Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al hopes to inspire more women course that it’s not in our Khalifa was following my entitled Scattered Soul and to follow suit. culture. “It was such an honour achievements on my account has a poetry book in the Bejewelled Bisht “Who says that working “Are you kidding me? I works as well. Dressed in dates on cars or even drag racing have helped my dad repair Zahra who has nine years’ in 2018. For details, follow See Page 4 is only for men?” said the cars since I was a child. experience at the workshop. “I hope to help educate @aaalzooz on Instagram.

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2 www.gulfweekly.com LocalNews March 31 - April 6, 2021 Tea to tango!

COMMUNITY REPORT By NAMAN ARORA [email protected]

young Bahraini has opened what A she hopes will become a Japanese and tea cultural hub, after reading the leaves and seeing a kingdom-wide love for the culture. Budoor Steele’s Japanese-themed tea Budoor performs the house, Chawan, opened in Chado ceremony Gudaibiya recently. She fell in love with Ambassador Ito is served Japanese culture after tea by Masayo Naito matcha tea in 2008. “Chawan is a cultural experience this ceremony Budoor was in Japan to tea bowl in which matcha is hub where we immerse unless they live in the teach English and a student served. ourselves in the tea country, and I wanted to help invited her over to his home Budoor was one of culture,” the 34-year-old overcome the language and where his mother performed approximately 30 students infusion enthusiast told cultural barrier to introduce a beautiful Chado ceremony. from Bahrain selected for GulfWeekly at its opening. Bahrain’s tea lovers to the “I fell in love with it and the Japanese government’s “I had my mind set on traditional Japanese tea have been practising it ever Ministry of Education, a place like this while I ceremony. since,” she said. Culture, Sports, Science was studying in Japan. “Tea chose me, it was all a The name of the store, and Technology (MEXT) Not everyone gets to coincidence.” scholarship programme. She acquired an International Masters in Japanese Humanities from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, where her research Some of the other focused on the tea ceremony tea-related knick grandmaster system, called knacks at Chawan ‘iemoto.’ During this time, she also woman to get professionally tea ceremony with Budoor.” their daily lives. Each aspect of Chado is “Seasonality can be School in kimono dressing based on four principles; seen in the cuisine, the and the Japanese tea Wa, Kei, Sei and Jaku, decoration, etc,” she said. ceremony, called Chado. which translate to harmony, “So if it is autumn, you Over the years, she has respect, purity and will see maple leaves tranquillity, respectively. everywhere – in the International Tea Education Budoor calls it a way food, the ingredients and of life and emphasises its desserts.” blending professional and a connection with nature. At Chawan, Budoor has tea culture instructor. “Inside the tearoom there a variety of experiences, “I am happy to see Budoor is always an element from of which Chado is just highlighting the tea ceremony one. Guests can explore and other aspects of Japanese and you also see that the Chinese style of tea culture in Bahrain,” said brewing, the culture around Japanese ambassador Hideki are served.” the traditional Japanese Ito. One of Budoor’s favourite kimono or learn about “I hope Bahrainis will come nuances of Japan is how Japanese calligraphy. to learn more about Japanese seasonality is implemented For more details, follow culture here and explore the in everything people do in @chawanbh on Instagram.

The tea room at Chawan March 31 - April 6, 2021 LocalNews www.gulfweekly.com 3 Standard of sustainability

he Westin and Le and region. Not only does it Meridien hotels in The Westin and le meridien TCity Centre Bahrain at City Centre Bahrain it also lays the groundwork achieve the Sustainable have been recognised for even more innovative for their commitment to sustainability and resource agenda. “The entire Majid Al only conglomerate in the and our guests to create a world to earn an acclaimed writes LEED is a globally- Naman Arora. recognised green building Hilton Garden Inn and Sheraton in the Mall of the sustainability efforts. We are region to achieve LEED even more in the future and sustainable business growth are awarded one of four set new benchmarks for Environmental Design) million square metres of in the region – in terms of our “The LEED Platinum “We aim to set the standard Each of Majid Al as eco-conscious business for for sustainability and Celebrating Yamile femininity

MUSIC REPORT By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE The single [email protected] amile Henderson, the YBahrain-based Queen of Trap Soul, marked ‘Women’s History month’ with the launch of a new single celebrating fabulous females around the world. The American soulful singer that combines her Atlanta vibes with her Bahrain upbringing to create moving music was excited to write Pink to highlight femininity and the beauty of being a woman. “Pink is for the women,” said the 26-year-old business owner living in Galali who has a studio in Juffair. “Pink is feminine and represents what it means to have the power of being a woman. Our aura, our boldness and our ambition can get literally anything done. Pink is the embodiment of strength within us. “I want women to know that they are perfect just the way they are and to never Her song is already working on more music and be discouraged. If you like available on all streaming a video visual for Pink. something, get it. If you platforms along with her For details, follow want to do something, do it. recently dropped track @Yamilethemogul on Pink matters!” called I Look Good. She is Instagram. 4 www.gulfweekly.com March 31 - April 6, 2021 Culture Beautiful bishts hotograPher ART REPORT and multimedia By MAI AL KHATIB!CAMILLE ghada in her [email protected] Partist ghada first date bisht Khunji has transformed a traditional cloak into a work of art with thousands of dates delights. Her bisht work called Kãf- Quran Quran apparel, accessories and homeware brand redtag has launched a new retail outlet at the Dana Mall in Sanabis, to delight shop- pers in time for the holy month of ramadan. the 14,000sqft store, which features the latest in fashion and lifestyle trends, has joined the mall’s array of fine dining restau- rants and retail outlets boasting some of the world’s most exclusive brands. according to Shehbaz Shaikh, redtag’s chief retail officer, the new store is part of an ongoing expan- sion plan. “With ramadan not far away, the launch of this latest outlet is our way of thanking our Bahraini customers, who have been some of our most loyal supporters,” he said. Dana Mall, which already has high cus- tomer footfalls in the region, will also have a state-of-the-art Cineplex and theme Park the sister soon. top, at the inauguration are, from left, piece will be displayed redtag distribution centre manager Khalil at the 47th rahman, LuLu shopping mall general man- Bahrain ager Praveen C Y, redtag country manager annual Fine art exhibition Sajid Khan ahmed and marketing manager Sameer Siddiqi. Below, employees stage a For more details, follow performance at the launch. @gkhunji on Instagram. March 31 - April 6, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 5 Culture Weekly

Mohamed, Khaled and Yousif, Amar by the food vending area

A fan of the Silver Arrows takes aim at the bullseye Fun and frolic all the way LEISURE REPORT Game-savvy fans walked The Ferris Wheel By NAMAN ARORA away from the rides winning [email protected] plushy toys as prizes while hree days of off- BIC personnel sanitised track and on-track equipment between each Tentertainment use and ensured social delighted fans at the distancing protocols were Bahrain International followed. Circuit (BIC) over the A dozen vendors provided weekend. food and beverage options In addition to a variety for those eager for a snack of games like archery, A fan angles break. basketball and crown toss, his shot at The Interior Ministry’s there were also rides like the basketball a 42-metre Ferris wheel hoops game a journey down memory with 27 gondolas, a reverse lane into the last century bungee hurling riders straight 20-year-old Amar Kseibi of Bahrain Police and the up in the air, a 40-metre-tall from Adliya told GulfWeekly Police Band performed the Konga Ride and a Wave as she enjoyed a snack with national anthem ahead of the Swing. her friends. race. “The rides and “We had a lot of fun and Gulf Air also performed entertainment were amazing enjoyed all three days. We and made up for the concerts that were cancelled due as we have watched every its Boeing 787-9 using to Covid-19 regulations,” single race since 2012.” sustainable aviation fuel to cut down on emissions and carbon footprint. “I’m proud of what Team Bahrain has achieved in hosting no less than four F1 events in the last four months,” said Arif Rahimi, BIC chairman. “Most notably, the guidance Combating the Coronavirus welcome fans and offer them picked up merchandise to and support we have received have enabled us to run these show their support for their from the Health Ministry and events in a safe manner, forget.” favourite teams. the National Taskforce for whilst ensuring we could Meanwhile, diehard fans Yousif AlAwadhi, 20, who lives in Riffa, sat with An officer at the Interior Ministry exhibit, standing his friends, Khaled Waleed with an old model of the Traffic Police car sporting Red Bull shirts to Verstappen. “It is an amazing the season-opener,” Yousif said. “It made the weekend way more interesting and we got an amazing race. And the job with safety precautions and the entertainment was on point!” 6 www.gulfweekly.com TimeOut March 31 - April 6, 2021 cerebrally crust & crema

March 31 - April 6, 2021 www.gulfweekly.com 7 MotoringWeekly The top motoring and motorsport news 2021 F1 calendar All eyes on Imola 2 Emilia Romagna GP 13 Dutch GP April 18 September 5 ith the season-opening Bahrain Imola, has gained an infamous reputation lead the pack of potential F1 drivers as Autodromo Internazionale Circuit Zandvoort, Zand- Gulf Air Grand Prix behind for being the site of racing legend Ayrton they start their second race weekend in Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, voort Wus, attention now to turns to Monaco on May 20. Italy the Imola race – next on the F1 calendar, Racing at Imola stopped in 2006 when At the BIC last weekend, Zhou 14 Italian GP writes Naman Arora. the last San Marino Grand Prix was won 3 Portuguese GP September 12 May 2 Autodromo Nazionale di Although Mercedes emerged by , but the Covid Autódromo Internacional do Monza, Monza triumphant during the season-opener, era of racing has breathed new life into Uni-Virtuosi driver started from pole Algarve, Portimao Red Bull has shown that they have a the circuit. alongside , but at 15 Russian GP faster car, and two very capable drivers Last year, in November, the circuit turn one Lundgaard pulled ahead. 4 Spanish GP (TBC) September 26 in the seat. saw Mercedes crowned as constructor Zhou battled until lap 27, when the May 9 Sochi Autodrom, Sochi champions while Lewis Hamilton and Chinese driver reclaimed the lead from Circuit de Catalunya, Bar- Valtteri Bottas topped the race. Richard Verschoor of MP Motorsport, celona 16 Singapore GP employed in recent years. This year, with the race scheduled on October 3 5 Monaco GP Marina Bay Street Circuit, The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e April 18, the standings are still wide open. laps in a winning time of one hour two May 23 Singapore Dino Ferrari, known most popularly as In Formula 2, will minutes 27.858 seconds. Monte Carlo/ Circuit de Monaco 17 Japanese GP October 10 6 Azerbaijan GP Suzuka International Racing June 6 Course, Suzuka Baku City Circuit, Baku 18 United States GP 7 Canadian GP October 24 June 13 Circuit of the Americas, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Austin Montréal 19 Mexican GP 8 French GP October 31 June 27 Autódromo Hermanos Rod- Circuit Paul Ricard, Le ríguez, Mexico City Castellet 20 Brazilian GP 9 Austrian GP November 7 July 4 Autódromo José Carlos Red Bull Ring, Spielberg Pace/ Interlagos, São Paulo 10 British GP July 18 21 Australian GP Silverstone Circuit, Silver- November 21 stone Melbourne Park Circuit, Melbourne 11 Hungarian GP August 1 22 Saudi Arabian GP Hungaroring, Budapest December 5 Jeddah Street Circuit Imola 12 Belgian GP August 29 23 Abu Dhabi GP Circuit de Spa-Francor- December 12 champs, Stavelot Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi Leading the way in innovation INSURTECH REPORT come into force in 2020, but has A range of insurance services BY AVINASH SAXENA been delayed since due to the ranging from device insurance, [email protected] Covid-19 pandemic. extended warranty to travel The insurer’s chief executive insurance, roadside and home Jawad Mohammed told a assistance, were already on offer under stc protect, the umbrella A low level of penetration in the brand for insurtech products and kingdom’s insurance space offers services. a tremendous opportunity for Commenting on the expansion insurtech. of its portfolio, stc Bahrain chief “Through this partnership with executive Nezar Banabeela said: A combination of the words stc Bahrain we look forward to “Our partnership with Solidarity Jawad insurance and technology, taking an active role in meeting puts us in a unique position as a insurtech refers to the use of the growing demand of the digital enabler to accelerate the technology innovations designed transformation in the insurance to traditional debit/credit card to squeeze out savings and payment options in the local sector, diversify our business payments. market,” he added. lines, empower and connect a stc subscribers will now have insurance industry model. Mr Mohammed also said they wider consumer base through stc Takaful (Sharia-compliant would look to enter the medical protect.” premiums through monthly insurance) leader Solidarity insurance sector soon. The arrangement enables instalments charged to their Bahrain and stc Bahrain expect two per cent) and are also For now, the partnership allows stc protect to offer new postpaid line. keenly awaiting the roll-out of payment channels for a range The platform will also allow penetration in the kingdom’s a compulsory medical insurance insurance under its stc protect of motor insurance products customers to manage their policies insurance market (just over scheme, which was planned to digital insurance platform. from Solidarity, in addition online and submit claims. GulfWeekly

www.gulfweekly.com TOP OF THE LEAGUE FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPORT March 31 - April 6, 2021 Cracker of a race

RACE REPORT By NAMAN ARORA [email protected] E Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton earned his 96th race win owned McLaren showed series and Mercedes on their Norris told GulfWeekly in an

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