Latest news with #AlMansouri
Al Etihad
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival passes down time-honoured traditions through youth engagement
16 July 2025 22:47 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Liwa Date Festival brings the UAE's cultural heritage to life through a mix of tradition and thousands of visitors explore the country's agricultural riches and meet local experts, the event not only celebrates the region's deep-rooted ties to the date palm but also invites younger generations to experience this legacy in interactive, imaginative Zulaikha Abdelkarim Ali, Head of the Teaching Unit at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, oversees one of the festival's most popular spaces, the Children's Village. This interactive area introduces the youth to the agricultural world of date palms."The first station introduces children to various date types grown in the UAE," Dr. Ali said."They learn to recognise them by shape, taste, and colour. The second station teaches children how to plant palm seeds using precise measurements and seasonal guidelines, encouraging hands-on learning about sustainability and cultivation."Children can also enjoy storytelling sessions featuring Dr. Fatima Al Mazrouei's collection of palm-related tales, learn how to make bracelets , and see the "future" of agriculture in a "time capsule" in a "palm tree detector" treasure hunt, kids are given cards with clues and challenges. As they follow instructions and complete tasks, they unlock hidden stories and cultural facts. Upon completing the journey, participants are rewarded with Dh50 vouchers, an added incentive for learning through play."We also tell the children that astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi took dates to space," Dr. Ali added. "It's a powerful way to connect tradition with modern Emirati achievements."Beyond farming, the festival spotlights traditional handicrafts, too, with artisans demonstrating the skills they have learnt from their Saeed Al Mansouri, a dedicated Emirati artisan from Al Ghadeer Crafts, has been weaving for almost a decade now."I create Khous, Talli, and Sadu items - crafts I learnt from my mother and grandparents. These handicrafts serve daily functions, especially in the preparation and serving of dates and legumes," she said."They are not only beautiful but more sustainable compared to modern alternatives," added Al Mansouri, who has taken part in various international events, sharing the rich Emirati heritage with the world. At Liwa Date Festival, Al Mansouri aims to inspire visitors and encourage families to pass down cherished traditions, ensuring the preservation of heritage for future generations.
Al Etihad
16-07-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
Liwa Date Festival bridges generations in a celebration of tradition and innovation
16 July 2025 22:45 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (LIWA CITY)Amid rapid innovation and technological progress, the UAE has remained true to its roots: The Liwa Date Festival stands as a shining example, celebrating how the country honours its agricultural heritage and cultivates it for the modern ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, a new crop of experts and farmers are growing traditions into the future - and the festival has become the annual platform where insights are exchanged and new ideas are age-old agricultural practice still recognised by Emirati farmers today is a system called "the equation of equations", said Ahmed Al Mansouri, a visitor experience specialist for the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, who spoke at the ancient system is a "natural calendar" that divides the farming year into four 100-day periods."The first 100, known as the yellow period, begins on August 15 and ends on November 22. The second 100, referred to as winter, runs from November 23 to March 2. During this time, the weather cools, preparing the soil and trees for growth," Al Mansouri said."From March 3 to June 10, we enter the third 100, aligned with spring and early summer, when trees begin to flourish after winter rains. The final 100, also called the yellow period, lasts from June 11 to August 14, marking the culmination of the growth cycle."These are not random dates, Al Mansouri stressed, as these periods were ultimately tied to the life cycle of a date palm, from seedling to germination and growth."We monitor when seedlings are planted, typically from February 1 to March 2. Germination follows, and eventually, the tree is thinned and shaped to ensure even growth. Full maturity usually begins around April 22," he deep-rooted agricultural knowledge, new innovations continue to Alketbi, a horticulture student from the United Arab Emirates University's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, studied tissue culture technology and presented his research that highlighted the benefits of cultivating palm trees in laboratory the complex process, Alketbi told Aletihad: "Using a small piece of plant tissue, known as a lip, we place it in a nutrient-rich medium. This controlled environment allows for rapid and healthy growth."From a single tissue, it's possible to produce as many as 2,000 to 3,000 palm seedlings in a process that takes five years, three in a lab and two in a greenhouse. "This method not only preserves valuable genetic traits but also ensures disease-free, high-quality plants for the market," Alketbi said.
Daily Tribune
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Voice for Ethical AI Rings Loud in Romania
The King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance took part in the 32nd General Assembly of the International Association of Orthodox Parliaments (IAO), held in Romania's capital, Bucharest, from June 2 to 6. The gathering focused on the vital theme: 'Collaboration between Parliaments and Religious Institutions in Shaping Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Use – The Significance of the Marrakesh Declaration by the Inter-Parliamentary Union.' The event attracted prominent parliamentary and religious figures alongside representatives from various international organizations. During the plenary session, Ms. Noura Abdullah Al Mansouri, Director of Coexistence at the King Hamad Global Centre, highlighted the Kingdom of Bahrain's steadfast commitment to fostering international cooperation and partnerships among parliamentary, executive, and religious institutions. She emphasized Bahrain's proactive role in crafting just digital policies and establishing ethical frameworks to harness modern technologies and AI applications—aimed at building a world grounded in fairness, tolerance, democracy, and peaceful coexistence amid growing global challenges and risks. Ms. Al Mansouri also showcased the Centre's pioneering use of AI-powered educational tools within the 'Science Schools for Peace' initiative, launched in the sister Kingdom of Jordan. This project is a collaborative effort with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Centre for Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME). Two innovative AI-driven programs, 'Smart Assistant 1' and 'Smart Participant 1,' were presented as cutting-edge solutions to support legislative and executive institutions in task management, data analysis, reporting, and decision-making. Reaffirming the Centre's dedication, Ms. Al Mansouri stressed its mission to promote intercultural dialogue and fortify the ethical infrastructure of digital policies that champion peace. She underscored the importance of safeguarding against AI misuse, including privacy violations and the spread of hate and intolerance. These efforts draw inspiration from the visionary guidance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the call of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who advocates for an international treaty to govern the responsible and ethical development of artificial intelligence—building trust, transparency, and shared human values worldwide.
Gulf Today
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Fully electric Lotus Emeya-S joins Dubai Police luxury fleet
To reinforce Dubai Police's commitment to sustainability and innovation, the Tourist Police Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation has officially added the fully electric Lotus Emeya-S to its luxury patrol fleet. The unveiling took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre during the World Police Summit. The new patrol was officially unveiled by His Excellency Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs at Dubai Police, in the presence of HE Major General Dr. Adel Al Suwaidi, Director of Jebel Ali Police Station; HE Major General Muhammad Al Adhab, Director of the Mounted Police Station; Brigadier Harib Al Shamsi, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation; Brigadier Khalfan Al Jallaf, Director of the Tourist Police Department; Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Abdulrahman, Deputy Director; and Lieutenant Colonel Mousa Mubarak Abdullah, Head of Security Patrols, along with senior officers and Mr. Ramzi Al Atat, Regional Marketing and PR Director at Lotus. An Eco-Luxury Performance Marvel Major General Al Mansouri was briefed on the vehicle's specifications: a fully electric luxury car that can travel up to 600 kilometres on a single charge, reach a top speed of 250 km/h, deliver 603 horsepower, and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds. The Lotus Emeya-S also boasts a futuristic design, advanced entertainment systems, autonomous driving features, and state-of-the-art digital displays. He praised the partnership with Lotus, emphasising that incorporating electric luxury vehicles aligns with Dubai Police's strategy to enhance patrol presence in high-profile tourist destinations such as Burj Khalifa, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, and JBR, while upgrading the overall patrol fleet with the latest technologies. 'These vehicles not only elevate the image of Dubai Police but also enable officers to engage with residents and tourists by offering information, guidance, and promoting the community role of the force,' said Al Mansouri. Commitment to Sustainability Mr. Ramzi Al Atat expressed pride in continuing the partnership with Dubai Police following the earlier addition of the Lotus Eletre R to the patrol fleet. 'We're delighted to collaborate once again with Dubai Police's Tourist Patrol, reflecting our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation. Using environmentally friendly vehicles in public service demonstrates the force's forward-thinking approach.' The ceremony concluded with Dubai Police presenting a commemorative plaque to Mr. Al Atat and a group photo to mark the occasion.
Filipino Times
05-05-2025
- Filipino Times
Dubai Police launches urban-rural zoning to boost security, emergency response
Dubai Police has announced a new strategy that divides the city into 'urban' and 'rural' zones to improve emergency response times and better allocate resources across the emirate. During the General Department of Operations' first-quarter review meeting, Expert Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commandant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigations, said the new system will improve how patrols and emergency teams are deployed, ensuring faster and more effective response across both city and suburban areas. Al Mansouri also explained that the zoning will enhance how resources are assigned for duties such as traffic control, crime prevention, and community services. The strategy also includes integrating smart technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) into police operations across all jurisdictions. This move is part of Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to make services, including security, more efficient by matching them with population and development patterns in each area.
