Marathon Des Sables confirms Jordan as the 2025 venue for the fifth year in a row
As a host of the Marathon des Sables, Jordan marks a milestone in its emergence as a leading destination for international sporting and adventure tourism. More than just a race, it offers a transformative experience that blends endurance, culture, and exploration against the breathtaking backdrop of Wadi Rum's desert landscapes. As global interest in adventure travel continues to rise, MDS Jordan positions the country at the forefront of this growing sector, attracting high-value international visitors and supporting the national tourism strategy by showcasing Jordan's natural beauty, heritage, and hospitality on the world stage.
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As part of its ongoing commitment to enhance financial awareness across society, Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) organized a series of specialized workshops in collaboration with Sharjah Children, a subsidiary of Rubu' Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators. The initiative aimed to instill core concepts of saving and sound financial planning among children, equipping them with practical money management skills from an early initiative received wide participation from various Sharjah Children centers, where 13 awareness workshops were held across Sharjah and surrounding areas, engaging more than 260 children aged 9 to 12. Delivered in a fun and engaging educational environment, the workshops used interactive methods to simplify financial messages and make them appealing and memorable for Aware Generations: An Investment in Society's FutureHassan Al Balghouni, Head of Corporate Communications; Customer Awareness at Sharjah Islamic Bank, stated: "At SIB, we believe that financial literacy starts at a young age. Building financially aware generations is a true investment in the future of our society. These initiatives lie at the heart of our social responsibility strategy, as we continuously support awareness programs that promote a culture of saving and embed financial planning and responsible resource management in children's mindsets."He added: 'Through these workshops, we aim to deliver simplified educational content that enables children to understand and handle money responsibly. This early exposure can positively shape their financial behaviors and help prepare future generations to make thoughtful financial decisions.'Hands-On Learning That Reflects Real-Life ScenariosThe workshops were designed to suit the age group, starting with storytelling-based educational sessions about basic saving principles. These were followed by hands-on activities simulating real-life scenarios, helping children internalize positive financial behaviors. Each session concluded with a prize draw to reward engagement and encourage the adoption of smart financial her side, Noura Al Shamsi, the Deputy Director of Sharjah Children of Rubu' Qarn, emphasized the importance of the collaboration with Sharjah Islamic Bank, saying: "This partnership reflects our mutual commitment to promoting financial awareness among children and creating interactive learning environments that reinforce saving and sound planning from a young age."She added: 'At Sharjah Children, we aim to build a generation that is aware, capable, and equipped with essential life skills. Financial literacy is a cornerstone of that goal, and we regularly integrate such programs into our institution's development pathways.'Al Shamsi continued: 'This collaboration empowers children with essential financial basics such as responsibility, personal budgeting, and balancing spending with saving. We use interactive tools tailored to their age group to ensure these lessons stay with them as they grow.'She concluded: 'We believe that introducing these concepts in an inspiring and simplified way helps build genuine awareness that aligns with the needs of the modern world and supports the UAE's vision for financial sustainability and knowledge-based development.'A Leading Role in Spreading Financial AwarenessThese workshops are part of a broader series of initiatives led by the Customer Education and Awareness Unit within SIB's Corporate Communication Department. The unit plays a pivotal role in implementing community engagement programs and advancing financial literacy across different population recent months, the unit has successfully delivered a diverse range of impactful programs aimed at enhancing financial literacy across various segments of the community. These included awareness lectures under the 'Zoud' campaign targeting government employees; financial freedom sessions held in collaboration with Badiri Academy, the educational arm of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment; and a summer awareness lecture for children in partnership with Al Bataeh Club. Additionally, the unit launched the interactive 'Hafiz Ala Feloosek' initiative during Sharjah's Dhai Festival, engaging the general public, and produced the financial education radio program 'Your Financial Advisor' in collaboration with the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. These initiatives align with SIB's ongoing commitment to support national efforts aimed at empowering individuals with sound financial planning tools and promoting long-term financial sustainability across the UAE community.
