Four Saudi artists have been showcasing their work at a unique traveling biennale that has visited 43 cities in 23 countries, and concludes this week in Riyadh.
Fatima Al-Banawi, Sara Abu Abdallah, Faisal Samra and Ayman Zedani took part in the second BIENALSUR exhibition, which began in Buenos Aires in Argentina in May. Saudi Arabia is its only Middle East venue.
The traveling exhibition invites audiences to explore contemporary art that reflects their own lives, with the aim of encouraging intercultural dialogue and understanding.
"A Blink Of An Eye" by Fatima Al-Banawi. (Supplied)
Al-Banawi’s exhibit is a video installation called “A Blink Of An Eye,” a performance piece with five distinct stories.
“When we separate ourselves from the screen of our phones, we think that these experiences only happen to these people, but not to us, and through the installation the viewer can interact with a story in a deeper way,” she told Arab News.
“When I work on storytelling, I am speaking in a universal language, and through Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia is addressing a universal language by using arts, culture, storytelling and filmmaking to speak to the local and the global society.”
Zedani’s work is also an installation, exploring how time is tangible. It consists of dyed liquid seeping through pottery cups, creating different patterns that act as a timepiece.
BIENALSUR 2019 concluding its 2nd edition in Riyadh after traveling across 23 countriesSaudi Arabia launches exhibition at UNESCO in Paris https://ift.tt/2P3GzpF December 01, 2019 at 03:22AM
JAKARTA: Ferry Ardian’s recent pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia included many firsts — he was performing Umrah for the first time and was among the first batch of pilgrims to customize their pilgrimage through a do-it-yourself digital platform.
“I had always wanted to perform Umrah but I could not find a package that suits me in terms of schedule or price. A friend offered to try to arrange my own trip on this platform. The trip went well even though I did that without a guide,” Ferry told Arab News.
“I was able to do all the rituals by myself just by following an online tutorial. This is a new experience since we don’t need to have a guide to show us around on how to perform Umrah,” he said.
The 46-year-old customized his six-day trip on Umra.id, a digital platform operated by an Indonesian Umrah operator that was launched on Thursday. It enables prospective pilgrims to customize their pilgrimage so that they can go at their earliest convenience without having to adjust to the dates and schedule of an Umrah package arranged by a tour operator, which in general takes nine to 12 days.
Ferry got to choose his own flights and selected one with a stop in Dubai as he wanted to experience the transit.
He also applied for the visa using the platform, had it sent to his email address once it was approved, and chose the hotels he would be staying in in Makkah and Madinah. The trip cost him 23 million rupiahs ($1,634) and three days after he made the payment he left for the pilgrimage.
“With this customized trip, I had more flexibility to arrange my own schedule and to choose which mode of land transport I wanted to take to move from one city to another. I got to share a shuttle van with a pilgrim from China. He was also on his first Umrah,” Ferry said.
Ma’an Muadz, director of the Central Global Network, the Umrah tour operator that developed the platform, told Arab News that the idea behind it was to respond to changes in travelers’ behavior and use technology to make the journey much easier.
“This is a new marketing tool for the Umrah package business. Pilgrims are no longer required to stick to the package set up by an Umrah operator,” Ma’an said.
After submitting the customized trip, a prospective traveler will get a call for an interview to verify all data submitted before the visa is issued.
“This is a do-it-yourself trip designed by the pilgrim, but we adhere to all the regulations in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. This is also a response to the changes in Saudi Arabia with its Vision 2030, which treats Umrah pilgrimage as religious tourism,” Ma’an said. The platform is not a travel marketplace but operated by a legitimate Umrah tour operator registered at the religious affairs ministry, he said.
The Indonesian government does not allow a tour operator to sell Umrah packages if it is not registered to do so. The Umrah business is very lucrative in the world’s Muslim population where the waiting list to go on a regular Hajj could stretch for more than two decades. The lure of the business has created an opportunity for dishonest operators to exploit aspiring pilgrims with promises of a cheap package.
Ma’an said that the idea to develop the platform had been floated for some time and Ma’an and his colleagues paid more attention to the idea in 2017 when many travel agents were out of business. It took them a while to develop the platform since they had to adjust to the changing regulations in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
In March 2018, Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an amendment on its ministerial regulation about Umrah operators, which included new and stricter rules for Umrah tour operators to abide by.
The amendments were made following a major Umrah scam case by the operator, First Travel, which deceived 58,682 aspiring Umrah pilgrims who lost a total of 848.70 billion rupiahs. The husband-and-wife owners of the travel agent, Andika Surachman and Anniesa Hasibuan, were sentenced to 20- and 18-year prison terms respectively by the Depok district court — on the outskirts of Jakarta — last year after they were found guilty of money-laundering would-be Umrah pilgrims’ money.
Umra.id chief executive officer Ahmad Husaini told Arab News that the platform was developed to respond to the changes in the behavior of aspiring pilgrims, which are dominated by those in the 25 to 50 age bracket: 70 percent of them are millennials who prefer to arrange their own trip and are used to traveling.
Aspiring Umrah pilgrims can customize and arrange the trip anytime within the Umrah season in accordance with the time set by the Saudi authorities, he said.
“With this platform, we aim to grab 5 to 10 percent out of the average 1 million Indonesians who go on Umrah per year. We are launching the app for smartphones soon and we are preparing a tutorial feature in the app for travelers who have never been on an Umrah trip before,” Husaini said.
Now that Ferry has experienced the ease of going on the Umrah pilgrimage, he is thinking of repeating the experience by taking his wife and their two children.
“I felt like I was treated more as a tourist arriving there on my own, compared to the pilgrims who arrived in groups,” Ferry said.
Originally published in 1927, Told Again is a beautiful collection of elegant fairy tales, showcasing the formidable talents of Walter de la Mare, one of the most celebrated writers of children’s literature during the first half of the 20th century.
His abundant literary gifts can be savored once more in this beautiful new edition.
Nineteen adapted classics, including “Rapunzel,” “Little Red Riding-Hood,” “Rumplestiltskin,” and “The Sleeping Beauty,” are made new by de la Mare’s poetic insights and graceful prose, making these tales appropriate for younger readers.
With marvelous black and white illustrations by A. H. Watson, this volume also presents a splendid introduction by Philip Pullman, the contemporary master of fantasy literature, says a review on the Princeton University Press website.
An English poet, short story writer, and novelist, Walter Mare is best remembered for his poem “The Listeners,” and for a highly acclaimed selection of subtle psychological horror stories, among them “Seaton’s Aunt” and “All Hallows.”
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ABU DHABI: A number of eateries are hosting pop-ups during the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Read on for our guide for where to chow down at the races.
Black Tap
From New York to the UAE, renowned burger joint Black Tap is as famous for its multi-layered, cheese-oozing burgers as it is for its wild, over-the-top milkshakes. Racegoers can find a Black Tap stall at the Yas Marina Circuit for their fast food cravings.
Renowned burger joint Black Tap is as famous for its multi-layered, cheese-oozing burgers. (Arab News)
Mr. Miyagi
The Asian eatery has a pop-up at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — get your pad thai and sticky rice fix here.
The Asian eatery has a pop-up at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Arab News)
Ramusake
The famed Japanese eatery is hosting a pop-up location, complete with a terrace, at the F1. Head down for a delectable mix of fine Asian cuisine.
DUBAI: The Marrakech Film Festival kicked off Friday with a moving speech by jury president Tilda Swinton.
The festival, which launched in 2001, opened with a selection of clips broadcast on the big screen — including snippets of the 14 films screening in the Official Competition sections.
Before Swinton took to the stage, clips were shown from her films, including “Orlando,” “Snowpiercer,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.”
“The Marrakech Film Festival is a legend,” she said. “It’s a beacon for cineastes around the world who come from all stretches of our planet to meet under the African sky, which gives its blessing on all us. It’s a privilege to be here.”
Swinton said that having grown up in a “cinema-less part of Scotland” her first visit to a film festival, 1985’s Berlin Film Festival, was a life-changing experience.
“This empathy machine invites us to walk in the shoes and the lives of other people and is good for us all. Its all-embracing nature holds up the best of our dreams and dispels our fears, so that we can share our wildest imaginations in the healthiest way possible. Cinema is our chance to suspend time and space and everything that divides us. It immerses us and transports us. To unbuckle, listen and celebrate our differences and also our similarities.”
She also praised her fellow jury members — David Michôd, Andrea Arnold, Chiara Mastroianni, Rebecca Zlotowski, Mikael Persbrandt, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Atiq Rahimi and Ali Essafi.
After her speech, the festival was officially declared open by Australian actress Naomi Watts, who underscored the “exceptional gathering of my fellow actors, directors and friends and delighted festival goers. This year offers us the opportunity to discover the extraordinary breadth and diversity of Australian cinema.”
The ceremony was followed by the screening of Rian Johnson’s murder mystery “Knives Out.”
DUBAI: US-Palestinian model Bella Hadid is taking steps to help the environment, something she says is important to her because of the many flights she has to take as an internationally in-demand model.
Known for jetting from runway to runway, the 23-year-old style star took to Instagram this week to announce that she will donate 600 trees in a post featuring a slide show of images —a mother-earth like illustration and screenshots of information about the vital role trees play in both the Amazon and California.
“Donating 600 trees to be planted , 20 for each flight I took these past three months and probably will continue for the rest of the year,” she captioned the post.
“It makes me sad how much my job effects my carbon footprint and of how brutally climate change is obviously effecting the world. Mother Nature needs some love. I’ll be starting with my home in California (129 million trees need to be restored re: wildfires, 1.3 million acres burned) and of course the Amazon for the most recent wildfires, but please reach out and let me know which locations need to be shown some love as well, all regions welcome. Africa, Asia, North America, and Latin America (sic),” she continued.
Air travel is a major source of carbon emissions — a one-way trip from New York City to London emits one ton of carbon dioxide per passenger, Vox reported.
“This is so exciting and interesting to me, that even though I’m not physically there, trees are being brought to life in the most incredible places that are in demand of them! It’s the air we breathe, the water we drink, the biodiversity and animal life we need. I know it’s not much , but when I fly, I look out the window and see so many beautiful, extensive forests, so much land and trees but also so much that needs lots of help,” Hadid added in her post.
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DUBAI: “Games of Thrones” actress Nathalie Emmanuel hit the stage at the closing ceremony of the Cairo Film Festival, as moving Mexican drama “I’m No Longer Here” nabbed the coveted Golden Pyramid award.
Fernando Frias’s “I’m No Longer Here,” took home the top prize for its portrayal of a teenage Mexican immigrant struggling to adjust to life in the US.
Members of the jury of the 41st edition of the Cairo International Film Festival pose for a group photo with award winners . (AFP)
The Silver Pyramid went to Belgian Bas Devos's “Ghost Tropic,” a film that follows one woman on her journey through Brussels after she misses her stop on the train.
Zhang Chong and Zhang Bo’s sci-fi feature “The Fourth Wall” and Czech director Michal Hogenauer’s thrilling “A Certain Kind of Silence” jointly won the Bronze Pyramid.
Chinese directors Zhang Chong (L) and Zhang Bo (R) receive the Bronze Pyramid for "The Fourth Wall." (AFP)
On to the Arab contenders and Tunisian director Mehdi M Barsaoui took home the Special Jury Award for his feature, “A Son,” which tells the harrowing story of a young boy who is injured in crossfire.
Iraqi director Mohanad Hayal’s “Haifa Street” secured the gong for Best Arab Director, while Palestinian director Najwa Najjar scored the Best Screenplay Award for “Between Heaven and Earth,” a poignant film about divorce.
Iraqi director Mohanad Hayal receives an award during the closing ceremony of the 41st Cairo International Film Festival . (AFP)
Lebanese director Elie Kamal's debut documentary “Beirut Terminus,” won the Best Nonfiction Film for its look at the country’s defunct railway system.
For her part, Emmanuel took to the stage to present one of the awards and even posted about her experience in Egypt on Instagram.
“What an absolute pleasure it was to be a guest at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival. Even more of an honor to present an award. Thank you for your warm welcome and sorry for speaking Arabic poorly... but I really do love Egypt!” she captioned a post on the social media site.
Emmanuel was joined by a bevy of regional stars at the closing ceremony, including Egyptian actress Amina Khalil, Egyptian actress Arwa Gouda, Lebanese actress Mariam Hassan and Egyptian actor Ahmed Fahmy, among other famous faces.
Fashion played a big role in the glittering evening, with Emmanuel donning two equally stunning outfits — a salmon pink, embroidery-covered number with exaggerated puffed sleeves by Maison Valentino and a flapper-style cocktail dress with silver chain-like embellishments by Christopher Kane.
Khalil sparkled in a dazzling black wrap dress, while Hassan also took the glittering route in a diamante-covered pink two-piece gown.
ABU DHABI: During the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is taking place from Nov. 29- Dec. 1, classic car auction company RM Sotheby’s is holding its first-ever auction in the Middle East. Featuring an expertly curated selection of 40 high-performance vehicles, the auction will take place on Nov. 30 at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Motorsport enthusiasts can expect to see one of the best hyper-car and supercar lineups ever presented for public sale.
(Supplied)
The auction’s undisputed star lot is a Ferrari F2002. It is estimated to sell for as much as $7.5 million. The reason for its elevated value? German racing driver Michael Schumacher drove it to victory three times during the 2002 season, helping him to secure his fifth world championship at the French Grand Prix. A portion of the winning bid will also support Schumacher’s Keep Fighting Foundation.
Meanwhile, a rare Mercedes-McLaren collaboration that can go from zero to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds is also up for grabs. The supercharged AMG V-8, which is one of 75, is estimated to sell for as much as sell for as much as $2.7 million in Abu Dhabi.
(Supplied)
Among the highlights is also one-of-50 example of Maserati’s iconic 21st-century supercar, a 2005 Maserati MC12.
Another eye-catching lot is undoubtedly the 2011 Aston Martin One-77, which is the 38th make out of 77 of the luxury vehicle company’s hypercar. The sparingly-driven super car, which is being auctioned by the original owner Markus Jebsen, founder of Auction4Wildlife, currently boasts under 1,000 km. All proceeds from the sale of the One-77 will go towards African Parks.
(Supplied)
The auction coincides with RM Sotheby’s online-only sale of F1 memorabilia taking place during the end of November to the beginning of December that features more than 100 items ranging from signed racing helmets and gloves to car parts.
RIYADH: Restaurant goers seeking some ooh la la from their dining experience need look no further than Dirty French.
The edgy bistro can be found in an enchanted garden setting in Al-Murabaa district of Riyadh, the fancy pop restaurant area which includes nine other international eateries.
Dirty French offers classic Gallic dishes with bold flavors and a modern twist.
My Caesar salad was made of baby lettuce dressed in tangy buttermilk with thinly sliced radishes on top.
The beef tartare was raw spicy and wrapped delicately inside a crepe.
As for the main dishes, we ordered the jumbo curry shrimp, and the chicken breasts lightly dressed in a sweet sauce.
The creme de le creme of deserts was the lemon meringue tart, which was tangy and sweet with a scrumptious crust.
The music and dim lights of the garden setting added to the French vibe of the restaurant and made for a luxurious dining experience.
Al-Murabaa is one of 12 Riyadh Season zones and restaurant tables must be reserved in advance with a deposit of SR450 ($120) per person.
The booking fee is deducted from the bill.
Restaurant reservations can be made through the My Table app.
It has been described as an accessible history of the idea of purpose in Western thought, from ancient Greece to the present
Can we live without the idea of purpose? Should we even try to? Kant thought we were stuck with it, and even Darwin, who profoundly shook the idea, was unable to kill it.
Indeed, purpose seems to be making a comeback today, as both religious advocates of intelligent design and some prominent secular philosophers argue that any explanation of life without the idea of purpose is missing something essential. On Purpose explores the history of purpose in philosophical, religious, scientific, and historical thought, from ancient Greece to the present, says a review on the Princeton University Press website.
Accessibly written and filled with literary and other examples, the book traces how Platonic, Aristotelian, and Kantian ideas of purpose continue to shape Western thought.
Along the way, it also takes up tough questions about the purpose of life — and whether it’s possible to have meaning without purpose.
What We Are Reading Today: Opt Art by Robert BoschWhat We Are Reading Today: Breathe by Imani Perry https://ift.tt/2OzDK0D November 29, 2019 at 10:16PM
After a year which saw him headline Glastonbury Festival, the British Grime artist will be on tour for 55 days in cities across the world.
The 26-year-old artist shot to fame with his ‘Shut Up,’ hit and after gained success for ‘Where Do You Know Me From?’ and ‘Big For Your Boots,’ Stormzy released his highly acclaimed award-winning debut album, ‘Gang Signs And Prayers.’
ABU DHABI: Loud and stylistic beats vibrated through the du Arena on Friday night as US DJ Marshmello kicked off the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old music producer opened the exciting weekend with his electrifying set of dance-pop tunes including “Friends,” “You and Me,” and “Keep it Mello.”
Concert goers also enjoyed a performance from Syrian-Palestinian rapper Moh Flow – a star in the UAE hip-hop community – who was there as a support act, performing his own tracks “Dead One” and “Do Enough.”
The after-race concerts will continue throughout the weekend with rappers Future and Gucci Mane on Friday, Nov. 29, and Lana Del Ray and The Killers on Sunday, on Dec. 1.
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ABU DHABI: The Formula 1 isn’t the only race to look forward to at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina this weekend — the addition of the Formula 2 and an F4UAE Trophy Round to the on-track action will be sure to delight motorsport lovers. Read on for a guide to the young drivers to keep an eye on this weekend.
F4UAE
This is the first time the category has accompanied the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend and will showcase an important step on the motorsport ladder in Abu Dhabi.
Formula 4 is a relatively new addition, only starting in 2014, and sees championships in individual countries as opposed to a world championship.
For many of the next generation of drivers, their career in open-wheel racing starts in F4 after breaking out of the karting scene.
The cars are identical in each championship but four chassis and four engine manufacturers are homologated by the FIA. Those engines are limited to four cylinders and a maximum output of 160 horsepower.
This season sees 10 drivers competing including three from the region itself, including Emirati racers Manaf Hijjawi and sisters Amna and Hamda Al-Qubaisi, who are both making their debut in the supporting F4UAE series.
Also competing in the F4 Trophy Round grid is Jeddah-born Reema Juffali, who was the first Saudi woman to race in the Kingdom, British-born Alex Connor, and Dutch rising star Tijmen van der Helm, who scored eight podiums in his first year of F4 in Spain.
Formula 2
The F2 is the final step before Formula 1. This means that the drivers competing in the Formula 2 are the potential F1 drivers of tomorrow.
Competing racers looking to make a mark on motorsport this weekend include 2019 champion Nyck de Vries, Canadian F2 driver Nicholas Latifi, Italian series veteran Luca Ghiotto and 20-year-old Mick Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher.
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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s growing army of video game players has received a further boost with world-leading games festival Insomnia making its Saudi debut as part of Riyadh Season.
The four-day gaming expo will run until Nov. 30 at the Riyadh Expo Center in the city’s Front.
Insomnia Gaming, the UK’s biggest video games festival, said that the electronic sports (e-sports) market in the Middle East and North Africa region is growing by about 25 percent every year, the fastest rate in the world.
In 2018, Insomnia signed a multi-year agreement to bring the festival to the region, starting with Cairo, then Dubai and now Riyadh.
Azzam Al-Omran, Riyadh’s Front Zone manager, said that Saudi Arabia “is a great location for Insomnia to break ground.”
BACKGROUND
In 2018, Insomnia signed a multi-year agreement to bring the festival to the region, starting with Cairo, then Dubai and now Riyadh.
“The gaming industry in Saudi Arabia keeps getting bigger and bigger,” he told Arab News.
“There is a local precedent for gaming events in the country, with past events such as Gamers’ Day and Gamers’ Con. So it was easy for us to localize the event, bringing some of the best players in the world.”
Casual and professional gamers can enjoy a variety of activities that appeal to gamers of all ages.
Major e-sports companies have set up booths where players can test out the latest tech and see the latest developments in the sport.
Some of the year’s most popular tournament games, such as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Fortnite, Overwatch, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare are also available.
Younger audiences can sample the latest additions to the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Let’s Go! and Pokemon Sword and Shield, seated comfortably under a giant inflatable Pikachu as they enjoy the game on Nintendo’s latest console offering, the Nintendo Switch.
The event features a series of competitions, with all of the available player-versus-player games getting their own tournaments.
Prizes range from SR9,374 ($2,500) to SR33,750, and registration is open to anyone with a ticket.
The expo’s featured guests include members of the FaZe Clan, one of the world’s biggest names in e-sports.
The team will be available for meet-and-greets, and will give out tournament prizes.
Insomnia also offers other types of entertainment, and is sponsoring two cosplay contests — one for professionals aged 16 and above, and the other for amateurs aged 12 and above.
The gaming festival also features a stage with shows, dance performances, skits and tributes to famous video games, BMX bike and skateboard performances and a lip sync battle.
Tickets to Insomnia are available on the official festival website.
Going to VOX Cinema in Jeddah for some quality time with my younger siblings, I did not expect to enjoy the “Frozen” sequel as much as I did.
In their new adventure, Elsa and Anna go back into the past to unravel a mystery surrounding the kingdom of Arendelle.
Elsa’s entire character blossoms, transforming from a girl who exhibited self-doubt to self-love.
She evolves from constraining outfits and tightly bound hair, as she hid herself from the world and her sister, to letting her hair down, smiling brightly and changing her outfit to symbolize her freedom and self-acceptance.
The IMAX theater was filled with children’s laughter and delight at Olaf’s antics and the sisters’ unconditional love for one another.
DUBAI: Standing still and surveying the spectacular sights around him on his first hike, Ahmed Shata realized there was more to life than sitting in front of a screen all day.
For the 37-year-old Jeddah resident, the adventure started when a small group in his home city encouraged him to discover nature through hiking.
Now the triumphant feeling of reaching a target destination has inspired him to continue uncovering new trails while also building a business that encourages others to join him.
“The moment I reach the goal after a two, three or five-hour hike, I feel like I have done something, like I can fly,” Shata said. “I thought, ‘why not convert this to (something) commercial and let people enjoy what I am feeling?’”
Shata founded Jeddah Go Outdoors with a fellow hiker in 2014. The group aims to spread the spirit of adventure and inspire people to discover Saudi Arabia’s great outdoors.
A project that began with just three people joining the founders on the first hike has grown into a business with more than 30,000 clients.
The beauty of hiking is that it is an activity that is available to anyone, Shata told Arab News.
Hikers in Saudi Arabia can explore landscapes ranging from desolate wadis to lush, wildlife-filled valleys. (Supplied)
Hikers aged between eight and 60 join the trips, depending on the difficulty level. About 80 percent of the participants are women.
“I don’t know where all the men are,” he said.
Last month the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage announced a new tourist visa program and relaxed strict dress codes as part of plans to boost the country’s traditionally closed-off tourism industry and attract foreign investment.
The moves are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiatives to broaden its economic activities and end its reliance on oil.
Contrary to perceptions, Saudi Arabia offers plenty of nature-rich destinations.
“We hear this a lot,” Shata said when asked about the country’s image as an arid desert. “Saudi Arabia is huge. We have mountains, beaches, islands, wadis, greenery; we have a lot of things.
“There are places like the Maldives in Amlaj, greenery and rain like in Malaysia in Asir, mountains like Kilimanjaro near Abha and Taif, volcanic craters in Wahba — you can see the world inside Saudi Arabia.”
Shata, who works at a telecom company during the week, said he lines up new spots for his weekend excursions using Google Maps. “We study maps and find places to explore,” he said.
On some journeys with professional hikers, he has even come across areas with wildlife. “Once we discovered a lot of animals — wolves, monkeys, donkeys,” he said.
Adventures planned by Jeddah Go Outdoors often include different activities, such as full moon hikes, stargazing, diving, camping, yoga, “color fights,” barbecues, games and entertainment.
“People like seeing new faces, new places and new things,” Shata said. “During the week, we are working. We have managers, noise, stress, a lot of things. In order to move, fly, or escape all these things, we go the natural way. We encourage people to go outside.”
Most importantly, there is not a phone in sight because many areas lack network coverage, giving people a chance to connect.
“I feel happy when I see people smiling and saying to me, ‘Thank you for the trip, I can go back to work, and this gives me the energy to continue,’” Shata said, recalling his own change of routine.
“I found that I was not doing things in a natural way. I was a crazy gamer. I would be playing (video games) or programming five to 10 hours (a day). You would be shocked to see (my life) before. You wouldn’t believe I’d ever become a hiker,” he said.
• This report is being published by Arab News as a partner of the Middle East Exchange, which was launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to reflect the vision of the UAE prime minister and ruler of Dubai to explore the possibility of changing the status of the Arab region.
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