NCCAL celebrates trailblazing, distinguished Kuwaiti women
Assistant Secretary-General for Culture at the NCCAL Aisha Al-Mahmoud delivered the opening speech, noting that the celebration goes beyond formal recognition. 'This event aims to spotlight the inspiring journeys of Kuwaiti women in fields such as medicine, innovation, arts, literature, media, sports, education, and community leadership,' she said, emphasizing their vital role in driving creativity and progress.
Al-Mahmoud underlined NCCAL's cultural commitment to women's empowerment, asserting that true empowerment is achieved not only through legislation and policy but also through societal appreciation, documentation of achievements, and the preservation of their stories as sources of inspiration for future generations.
Among the honorees was renowned actress Hayat Al-Fahad, celebrated for her contributions to the Kuwaiti and Gulf art scene. Theater director Ruqayya Al-Kout was recognized for her pioneering efforts in the development of Kuwaiti theatre, while opera singer Amani Al-Hajji was honored for representing Kuwait on prestigious international stages. Media personality Aya Ibrahim received recognition for her role in promoting musical awareness and culture.
Other honorees included Ibtisam Al-Qoud, President of the International Organization for Women's Empowerment and Capacity Building, for her longstanding service to women's causes; Dr Abeer Al-Ameeri, Vice President of the Kuwait Society for Information Technology, for empowering women in the technology sector; and Dr Nahla Al-Maie, a nuclear medicine innovator acknowledged for her entrepreneurial achievements.
Inventor Hawra Shaaban was also honored for her scientific innovations, while champion athlete Shamail Al-Mulla received accolades for her excellence in shooting and running. In remarks delivered during the ceremony, the honorees expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as both a celebration of their achievements and a testament to the state's appreciation of the role of women in nation-building. They also affirmed their continued commitment to serve, contribute, and inspire future generations. — KUNA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
'Made in Kuwait' expo puts local gaming talent in the spotlight
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 2: A large number of visitors flocked to The Avenues Mall on Friday for the launch of the 'Made in Kuwait' Electronic Games Expo, where the creativity and technical talent of Kuwaiti youth took center stage. The event, part of the 17th Cultural Summer Festival organized by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), aims to highlight local innovation in the rapidly growing gaming industry. The three-day exhibition features a selection of video games developed by young Kuwaiti creators. These projects incorporate Arab identity and cultural values through original design and storytelling. Visitors were given the opportunity to interact with the games, offer feedback, and engage directly with the developers, in an effort to promote user-driven improvement and cultural engagement in the digital sphere. Omaima Al-Saad, founder and director of electronic game industry programs at NCCAL, explained in a press statement that the showcased games are the result of prior seasonal game development competitions. These tournaments, hosted by the Council as part of a national cultural initiative, brought together a diverse range of Kuwaiti talents — including developers, musicians, visual artists, writers, and designers — to form creative teams. Over the course of 72 hours, these teams collaborated to produce fully functional video games. 'The current exhibition presents the outcomes of these challenges to the public,' Al-Saad said, 'demonstrating the innovative potential and digital skills of Kuwaiti youth in this vital and growing industry.' She noted that most of the games on display are still under development, which allows for direct audience interaction and feedback, strengthening the connection between creators and users. Al-Saad also announced an upcoming initiative: the "Programming Camp for Electronic Game Creation", scheduled to take place later this month at the Kuwait National Library. The camp will feature eight intensive training programs designed to teach participants the fundamentals of game development, with guidance from specialized trainers in the field. In a related statement, Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of the Culture Department at NCCAL, emphasized that the Expo is aligned with the goals of the Cultural Summer 17 festival. 'We aim to provide culturally rich, non-violent, and entertaining content that enhances technological awareness and national digital culture,' she said. Al-Fadhli added that the electronic games challenge ran over two consecutive seasons and saw strong engagement from Kuwaiti youth. 'The games exhibited today are a direct outcome of these successful competitions and reflect the advanced level achieved by local programmers and designers,' she stated. She described the exhibition as an important platform to spotlight emerging Kuwaiti talent in a globally booming sector, while reaffirming the potential of Kuwait's youth to produce meaningful digital content that expresses their heritage and values.
Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait showcases rich culture at Jerash Festival in Jordan
AMMAN: Kuwait's pavilion at the 39th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan is offering visitors an immersive experience into the country's diverse cultural heritage, from handmade crafts to iconic literary works. Set within the festival's Embassy Exhibition, the Kuwaiti pavilion brings together traditional artisanship, interactive displays, and a glimpse into the country's famous 'diwaniya' social space. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of shipbuilding and bisht weaving—crafts passed down through generations—as well as sample Kuwaiti cuisine and browse a wide selection of free publications. 'Our participation aims to highlight key Kuwaiti cultural publications, which are a fundamental pillar of Kuwait's cultural scene,' said Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of Culture at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). She added that the pavilion recreates the authentic atmosphere of a Kuwaiti diwaniya and introduces visitors to traditional crafts like shipbuilding and bisht tailoring. The pavilion features an array of magazines and books covering both Kuwaiti and Arab culture, including well-known titles such as Al-Arabi, Al-Arabi Al-Sagheer, Aalam Al-Ma'rifa, and Aalam Al-Fikr. 'We've seen strong engagement from festivalgoers,' Al-Fadhli told KUNA. 'They're enjoying hands-on experiences with the artisans, the diwaniya setting, and the popular dishes, along with the cultural material we offer for free.' Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh (center left) is gifted a Kuwaiti bisht by Kuwaiti officials, including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar (center right). Dalal Al-Fadhli Artisan Hussein Al-Bazzaz, head of the Kuwaiti Craftsmen Association, has been leading live demonstrations of traditional dhow-building and offering brief lessons on the history of boom ships—vessels that once symbolized Kuwait's maritime legacy. 'Craftsmanship is an essential part of our heritage,' Al-Bazzaz said. 'The ships I build today are based on the same techniques passed down from my ancestors.' Suleiman Al-Suleiman has conducted workshops on bisht making, the traditional robe worn across the Gulf. 'I'm the third generation in my family to carry this craft,' he said, adding that despite his academic job, his passion for the bisht tradition remains strong. 'Visitors are fascinated by how the bisht is handmade, the materials we use, and how the craft has evolved.' The embassy exhibition was inaugurated Thursday by Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh, alongside Kuwaiti officials including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, and Kuwait's Ambassador to Jordan, Hamad Al-Merri. Al-Fadli praised Jordan's efforts in organizing one of the Arab world's most prominent cultural festivals and thanked the embassy exhibition team for their support and hospitality. — KUNA
Kuwait Times
4 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Lebanese mourn iconic artist Ziad Rahbani
Mourners gather around the hearse of renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani outside Khoury Hospital in Beirut's central Hamra district on July 28, 2025. The funeral procession carrying the body of renowned Lebanese composer and playwright Ziad Rahbani arrived Monday at a church in the mountain town of Bikfaya, where a memorial service was held in his honor. Leading Lebanese composer and actor Ziad Rahbani plays the role of a policeman in one of his musicals in the mid-90s in Beirut. Rare picture from the mid-60s shows Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani playing the piano, the instrument that has shaped most of his compositions since his first ventures in the early 1970s. Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani performs during a concert at Al-Manara theatre, in Cairo on November 30, 2018. A mourner holds up a rose and a portrait of renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani as crowds gathered outside Khoury Hospital in Beirut's central Hamra district to bid him farewell. A mourner holds up a rose and a portrait of renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani. Mourners carry the coffin during the funeral of Lebanon's renowned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani at Mhaidseh's Greek Orthodox Church of Dormition in Bikfaya.--AFP photos The hearse carrying the coffin of Lebanon's renowned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani arrives at Mhaidseh's Greek Orthodox Church of Dormition. On the vehicle carrying Rahbani's casket departed a hospital in Beirut's Hamra district, where scenes of heartfelt mourning unfolded. Crowds of mourners applauded and scattered flowers as the hearse moved slowly through the street, accompanied by traditional ululations in a final tribute to one of Lebanon's most influential cultural figures. Lebanese singer and composer Marcel Khalife offers his condolences. Lebanon's first lady, Nemat Aoun, offers her condolences to the family of renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani. Lebanese actress Carmen Lebbos mours over the coffin of Lebanon's renowned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani. The cousins of Lebanon's renowned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, from ( left to right) Oussama, Ghadi and Marwan, attend his funeral ceremony. Ziad Rahbani's maternal aunt Hoda Haddad (left) and paternal aunt Elham Rahbani attend the funeral mass for Lebanon's top musician and composer. Mourners attend the funeral of Lebanon's top musician and composer Ziad Rahbani. Lebanese musician Ghassan Elias Rahbani receives condolences, next to Fairuz (Fayrouz) and her daughter Reema. Mourners gather around the hearse of renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani outside Khoury Hospital in Beirut's central Hamra district. Rahbani's death has stirred an outpouring of grief across Lebanon and the wider Arab world. Known for his sharp political satire and candid portrayals of Lebanese society, he left an enduring legacy in music, theatre, and public discourse. — Agencies
