Latest news with #Amina
Egypt Independent
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Egypt Independent
‘Catalog' tops Netflix and Google trends
'The Catalog' drama series has achieved remarkable success since its July 17 release on Netflix, topping the list of most-watched shows in Egypt in record time and occupying the top spot on the platform's 'Top 10' list just two days after its release. The show also garnered wider interest, with searches for the show on Google rising. Catalog tells the story of Youssef, a father who finds himself with the heavy responsibility of raising his two children alone after his wife, Amina, passes away. Having been separated from his children's daily lives for some time, he struggles to connect with them. The eight-episode series sheds light on the daily struggles parents face in raising their children. The series stars Mohamed Farag, Reham Abdel-Ghafour, Samah Anwar, Tara Emad, Bayoumi Fouad, Donia Sami, and child actress Ali el-Beily. It is written by Ayman Wattar and directed by Khaled el-Halfawy. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
At Kashtat Amina, Mariam Almansoori serves up Emirati home cooking inspired by childhood memories
It begins with a kettle. Not the tall, sleek kind that whistles in designer kitchens, but the round, sturdy bronze squat vessel with a thickened base found in many Emirati homes 'It's the same one we used in our house in Abu Dhabi,' says chef Mariam Almansoori. 'Every day we used to boil the water and pour it into this big kettle with black tea with cardamom, cloves, sugar. The smell would fill the whole house.' The kettle is now just inside the entrance of Kashtat Amina, Almansoori's newly opened restaurant in Sharjah's Aljada district, with its suburban walkways and lush greenery. There's no sign beside it. No curated description. Just the quiet suggestion that memory lives in objects as much as it does in taste. For Almansoori, the decision to launch her first Emirati standalone restaurant – its name translates to 'Amina's picnic' after her mother – is more than a professional step. It's a homecoming. 'I had a lot of chances to open a restaurant before,' she says. 'But I always waited. I wanted it to be at the right time, in the right place, with the right meaning.' That meaning comes through strongest in the food, which draws directly from Almansoori's childhood meals. Dishes such as keema hamsa (minced meat sauteed with tomatoes and onions), grilled jeder (lamb shank with tamarind sauce, basmati rice and nuts) and thareed (bread soaked in meat broth with vegetables) appear on the menu not as nostalgic flourishes, but as cultural inheritances. 'It's not only about the food,' she says. 'Lots of people come and say: 'Chef, can we take this home with us?' It's just a flower on the table, or a cushion, nothing big. But to me, it's full of love. It's my mother's hand in it. I still feel her, even when I'm serving strangers.' Raised in Ras Al Khaimah, Almansoori grew up in a home with two kitchens – one run by her mother, the other often commandeered by her father – each guided by a distinct culinary philosophy that she learnt to absorb early on. 'If I ask mama how long to cook something, she never says minutes,' Almansoori says. 'She says: 'When the smell starts to change' or: 'When the rice starts to dance.' That's the kind of knowledge that stays with you.' Her father, also a skilled cook, brought a flair for presentation. 'He was all about hospitality,' she adds. 'He loved to garnish, while my mother didn't. They were always arguing about that.' Kashtat Amina carries both impulses – the quiet intimacy of home cooking and the polish of a well-run kitchen – in its expert take on rustic Emirati staples. The restaurant, bright and lined with woven baskets, with furniture and staff in indigo, is both modern and homely – and is full of local markers, from the kettle and old transistor radio to shelves of clay jars. A painting of Almansoori's mother Amina hangs proudly in the centre of the kitchen, her eyes warm in invitation. One dish that carries particular weight is the chicken maragooga, a stewed chicken with vegetables and thin bread layers. 'This was always loved by the family and guests,' she says. 'The pot would come straight from the stove to the table and we would eat it immediately.' That inherent sense of hospitality, so central to Emirati cuisine, is something she learnt from her mother. 'My mother used to make it when people came after the dhuhr prayer. It wasn't just food. It was the way she opened the house, welcomed people, showed care.' Almansoori's other ventures – including the popular Montauk in Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, where Sri Lankan rice might be topped with slow-roasted ribs and cinnamon coconut cream served alongside Emirati majboos and an apple Danish – have long embraced reinterpretation. But this time, she wanted to move in the opposite direction. 'I wanted to stop mixing. No fusion,' she says. 'I wanted to go back. Bring things to their original taste. To say: this is what we had in our houses. This is how it was done.' That backward glance, however, isn't about retreat. She speaks frequently about Emirati food as something underrepresented, not just internationally, but at home. 'If you go outside the UAE, you see restaurants from everywhere. You see Turkish, Lebanese, Japanese, but not Emirati. Even here in Sharjah or Dubai, how many restaurants are really doing Emirati cuisine? I don't mean owned by Emiratis. I mean the food.' And she's intent on giving those local flavours a global platform, with Almansoori hoping Kashtat Amina will be recognised if the Michelin Guide extends its UAE presence to Sharjah. 'We want to be ready, because there is a guideline that Michelin follows – from using organic produce to changing the menu regularly,' she says. 'We try to update parts of the menu every three months, not just to change, but to keep enhancing and evolving. There's a lot we still need to do, but I think we're more than capable – because we're doing it for the right reasons.' That desire to teach without diluting also informs her next venture: a culinary training academy for Emiratis as well as residents. 'I want to create a space where we train them from zero,' she says. 'Not just how to cook, but how to work in a kitchen, how to run a restaurant. 'I already have six or seven with me now. Some of them were not confident at first, but now they are leading the service. They are managing the guests. I'm so proud.' When asked what makes a dish truly Emirati, she doesn't hesitate. 'It's not the ingredients or technique. It's when you know what each one means and why we why we use turmeric, when we add ghee, how much to stir the rice. It's not rules. It's memory.' By the end of the visit, our own kettle of tea has gone cold. A young staff member moves to take it away, but she stops him. 'Leave it,' she says quietly. 'I just want to savour this moment a little more.'
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A United Nations research institute created an AI refugee avatar
A research institute connected to the United Nations has created two AI-powered avatars designed to teach people about refugee issues. 404 Media wrote about an experiment conducted by a class at the United Nations University Center for Policy Research that resulted in the creation of two AI agents or avatars — Amina, a fictional woman who fled Sudan and is living in a refugee camp in Chad, and Abdalla, a fictional soldier with the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force in Sudan. Users are supposed to be able to talk to Amina and Abdalla on the experiment's website, though I received an error message when I tried to register on Saturday afternoon. Eduardo Albrecht, a Columbia professor and a senior fellow at the UNU-CPR, told 404 Media that he and his students were 'just playing around with the concept' and not proposing this as a solution for the UN. A paper summarizing this work suggested that these avatars could eventually be used 'to quickly make a case to donors.' However, it also noted that many workshop attendees who interacted with the agents responded negatively, for example saying that refugees 'are very capable of speaking for themselves in real life.' Sign in to access your portfolio
TechCrunch
12-07-2025
- Politics
- TechCrunch
A United Nations research institute created an AI refugee avatar
In Brief A research institute connected to the United Nations has created two AI-powered avatars designed to teach people about refugee issues. 404 Media wrote about an experiment conducted by a class at the United Nations University Center for Policy Research that resulted in two AI agents or avatars — Amina, a fictional woman who fled Sudan and is living in a refugee camp in Chad, and Abdalla, a fictional soldier with the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force in Sudan. Users are supposed to be able to talk to Amina and Abdalla on the experiment's website, though I received an error message when I tried to register on Saturday afternoon. Eduardo Albrecht, a Columbia professor and a senior fellow at the UNU-CPR, told 404 Media that he and his students were 'just playing around with the concept' and not proposing this as a solution for the UN. A paper summarizing this work suggested that these avatars could eventually be used 'to quickly make a case to donors.' However, it also noted that many workshop attendees who interacted with the agents responded negatively, for example saying that refugees 'are very capable of speaking for themselves in real life.'
Time Business News
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
7 Student Success Stories from AIMS Islamic Finance Certification Program
As Islamic finance surges in global importance, professionals and students alike are looking for ways to stand out in this ethical, fast-evolving field. Enter the Islamic finance certification—a powerful credential that bridges academic theory with practical, Sharia-compliant financial skills. At the heart of this transformation is AIMS Education, a globally respected provider of accredited Islamic finance programs. Its certification has empowered students in over 160 countries—helping them unlock roles in Islamic banking, takaful, fintech, and ethical investment. This blog brings you 7 inspiring real-world stories from AIMS graduates, showing how this certification helped them overcome barriers, launch careers, and make an impact. AIMS Education doesn't just teach Islamic finance—it prepares students to lead. 100% online, self-paced learning structure Ideal for working professionals, students, and entrepreneurs Access from anywhere in the world AIMS programs are accredited and internationally recognized Certification aligns with AAOIFI and IFAC guidelines Enhances credibility in the job market The program covers both foundational and advanced topics, including: Riba-free financial systems Mudarabah, musharakah, sukuk, and takaful Ethical investment principles Real-world cases and simulations It also dives into complex topics like what is bai istijrar and how does it work, and advanced Islamic liquidity management tools for financial institutions. Students benefit from practical, job-focused knowledge: Understand sukuk meaning and its role in Islamic capital markets in Islamic capital markets Learn to design Islamic banking products using real data Apply Islamic economic theories to modern finance, including fintech and crypto Develop dashboards and analytical reports for compliance, product structuring, and performance forecasting Graduates regularly report that this blend of learning supports job promotions, pay raises, and entry into new sectors. Background: Amina worked as a compliance assistant at a conventional bank. Challenge: She wanted to transition into Islamic banking but lacked credentials. How AIMS Helped: She earned her Islamic finance certification, studied ethical governance, and built a sukuk case study. Result: Landed a role at a major Islamic bank within 3 months. Background: Takaful sales agent Challenge: Limited understanding of risk-sharing models AIMS Impact: Developed a claim-processing tool based on Islamic insurance principles Outcome: Promoted to Product Innovation Specialist Background: Fresh finance graduate Challenge: Lacked a specialization AIMS Impact: Used certification capstone to explore sukuk vs. bonds Outcome: Joined a Shariah-compliant asset management firm Background: Chartered accountant Challenge: Needed to align with Shariah-compliant auditing AIMS Impact: Gained expertise in Islamic liquidity management tools Outcome: Now leads Shariah audit for a London-based bank Background: NGO finance assistant Challenge: Wanted to lead ethical finance programs AIMS Impact: Combined Islamic principles with microfinance strategies Outcome: Promoted to program head for Islamic micro-lending division Background: Banker transitioning into fintech Challenge: Lacked knowledge of Shariah fintech compliance AIMS Impact: Integrated his studies with research on blockchain and Islamic ethics Outcome: Joined an Islamic fintech startup as Compliance Manager Background: Student pursuing Islamic Studies Challenge: Wanted to blend finance and Islamic law AIMS Impact: Leveraged course modules to build a presentation on sukuk and ethical investment Outcome: Accepted into a competitive Master's in Islamic Finance The Islamic finance sector is projected to reach $4 trillion by 2030. Employers in this field now prioritize: Certified professionals with verifiable Islamic finance knowledge with verifiable Islamic finance knowledge Those with real-world understanding of instruments like sukuk, takaful, and Islamic contracts Individuals who can apply ethics to modern problems like crypto and ESG compliance The AIMS certification helps meet these demands directly—especially when supplemented by case studies, dashboards, or insights from IMF publications like advanced Islamic liquidity management tools for financial institutions. Yes. No prior finance background is required. The course starts from fundamentals. You can complete it in 4–6 weeks or take up to 6 months. It's self-paced. Yes. It's among the best Islamic finance certification for professionals, recognized across GCC, UK, South Asia, and North Africa. Absolutely. Many students use their capstones for university projects or job interviews. While not a recruitment agency, AIMS offers networking, alumni connections, and CV guidance. To enrich your academic or professional journey, we recommend developing a mini-research project using data from sukuk markets or takaful firms. 'Comparative Sukuk Performance Across GCC Countries: 5-Year Trend Analysis' Collect sukuk data from central bank portals and IMF archives Use Excel or Power BI to visualize trends Apply concepts from your AIMS coursework Publish findings on LinkedIn to build authority This research aligns with modern case studies and could help get your work featured in Google Discover or included in academic journals. The AIMS Islamic finance certification doesn't just teach—it transforms. These seven student stories prove that with the right guidance, accredited credentials, and practical skills, learners can chart meaningful careers in Islamic banking, takaful, asset management, fintech, and beyond. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your expertise, this globally respected program is your gateway to a brighter, purpose-driven future. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
