Latest news with #Khadija
Observer
19-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
An Omani make-up artist's journey from Oman to international runways
In the shimmering limelight of international fashion weeks, Khadija Ibrahim Al-Naimi's name has become synonymous with elegance, precision, and perseverance. Her journey from a small-town girl in North Al Batinah to a celebrated makeup artist featured at London and Paris Fashion Weeks exemplifies the extraordinary ability of passion, resilience, and talent to transcend borders and stereotypes. Breaking into the world of professional makeup artistry is rarely a straightforward path. Globally, aspiring makeup artists often face numerous obstacles—a saturated market, the need for a foundational skill set, establishing a unique signature style, and navigating the unpredictable landscape of fashion and beauty. In Oman, where the beauty industry is still evolving, these hurdles are even more pronounced. Khadija's story resonates with many who have had to overcome societal expectations, limited resources, and the struggle for recognition. 'Starting out was tough,' Khadija recalls. 'There weren't many recognised makeup artists in Oman, and breaking into the international scene seemed impossible at first. It took years of dedication, continuous learning, and resilience.' Her journey underscores a universal truth: success in this field demands more than talent—it requires relentless perseverance and a willingness to continually adapt. Establishing a Foundation: Formal Training and Continuous Development One of the common requirements for success, both locally and globally, is formal education complemented by ongoing professional development. According to industry standards outlined by recognised organisations like the International Make-Up Association (IMA) and professional development platforms such as MasterClass and Coursera, a successful makeup artist must master a comprehensive skill set that includes colour theory, anatomy, skin care, and specialised techniques for different face shapes and skin types. Khadija's commitment to excellence saw her seeking professional training across Lebanon, Bahrain, and other countries, learning advanced techniques that most aspiring artists only dream of mastering. Such international exposure not only honed her technical skills but also broadened her stylistic horizons, enabling her to adapt to various cultural aesthetics and client needs. In the high-stakes environment of Fashion Week, a makeup artist's skill set is scrutinised more intensely than ever. During these global events, artists must deliver flawless looks at lightning speed, often under extreme pressure and with models and clients from diverse backgrounds. The requirements are exacting: impeccable skin finishing, innovative styles that complement runway concepts, and the ability to evolve swiftly as trends change. Fashion Week is a career-defining platform—an opportunity to showcase technical mastery and creativity to industry leaders, designers, and potential clients worldwide. For Khadija, her successful participation in London Fashion Week four times and her recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week not only validated her skills but also positioned her as an international talent. From Local Salons to Global Recognition Khadija's endeavours reflect this commitment. Starting from humble beginnings in her family's home, she transformed her hobby into a full-fledged career through persistent learning and refining her craft. Her decision to pursue specialised training internationally allowed her to develop a signature style defined by elegance, meticulousness, and versatility—attributes highly prized in the fashion industry. Today, her brand, Dar Al Khaleej, boasts multiple salons and a thriving bridal boutique, Dar Al Khaleej Royal. Her work has earned her awards for Best Beauty Salon in North Al Batinah and Best Makeup Artist in Oman. Despite her accomplishments, Khadija remains grounded, continually seeking new opportunities to expand her expertise and influence. her excellence as the Best Makeup Artist in Oman and for her salon's outstanding services, exemplify how industry acknowledgement can propel careers further. Such accolades reinforce her reputation both locally and regionally, creating opportunities for collaborations with renowned designers and international ventures. For Khadija, her repeated appearances at London Fashion Week and her recent debut at Paris Fashion Week exemplify her rising global stature. She exemplifies the emerging new breed of African and Middle Eastern makeup artists making their mark worldwide. Her journey from humble beginnings to participating in the world's most prestigious fashion events highlights the importance of skill, resilience, and industry recognition.
Morocco World
17-06-2025
- Morocco World
‘88 Stitches Case': Kenitra Court of Appeal Sentences Aggressor to 2.5 Years in Prison
Doha – The Kenitra Court of Appeal handed down a sentence of two and a half years in prison to a man convicted of severely disfiguring and mutilating a young woman's face on Friday, June 13. The verdict overturns a much lighter sentence of two months in prison and a MAD 3,000 ($300) fine initially issued by the court of first instance in Mechraa Belksiri, a town in Sidi Kacem province, in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, on May 27. The original ruling had provoked widespread condemnation from women's rights organizations and the general public. The case, known as the '88 Stitches Case,' had sparked national outrage due to the brutality of the attack and the initial lenient sentence. With the new verdict, the appeal court also ordered the perpetrator to pay the victim MAD 200,000 ($20,000) in civil compensation. According to court documents, the accused had violently struck the victim, a cafe waitress named Khadija, in the face with a glass object. The assault left her with a deep gash requiring 88 stitches and causing permanent scarring. The vicious attack had left Khadija unable to work for 35 days. In a heartbreaking video that went viral after the first verdict, the visibly distraught victim expressed her anguish and disbelief. 'Only two months? My face is irreparably damaged. I've been humiliated!' she cried out, her pain resonating deeply with the public. Following the initial ruling, the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women (ADFM) expressed 'great regret' and 'deep concern' in a statement. The NGO warned that this was not an isolated case, but rather 'a recurring pattern in many incidents where women, especially those in situations of social and economic vulnerability, are exposed to various forms of violence without being able to benefit from their right to criminal justice.' Many voices, from civil society organizations to ordinary citizens, had called for the application of Article 507 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which severely punishes any intentional harm to physical integrity resulting in mutilation or disfigurement. Law No. 103.13 on combating violence against women, enacted in 2018, also provides for harsher penalties in cases of brutality that violate a woman's dignity, health, or bodily integrity. On social media, users hailed the new verdict as an important step towards ensuring such assaults do not go unpunished. Speaking after the verdict, Khadija expressed her happiness with what she considers 'justice from the Moroccan judiciary.' She thanked her legal team and all those who supported her, affirming, 'Our country is one of truth and law, and finally, I have gotten my rights.' Tags: Moroccan courtMorocco's judicial system
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
London temporary accommodation is in dire state, says charity
"He was asking questions about why we were moving again."Khadija, a mum from south London, recalls how she struggled to answer the questions her son asked her when they were living in temporary accommodation. "Why we were sharing accommodation with others, why he had no space to play, I kept pretending everything was normal and we would get our place one day and be finally happy."I kept spending lots of time outside in coffee shops to stay warm and to avoid my son getting dirty playing outside as we had no laundry available." 'Broken system' Khadija's experience is highlighted in a new report from Citizens UK and Trust for London that reveals the "dire state" of temporary accommodation in in 49 Londoners are homeless and in temporary accommodation. The report says thousands of families are trapped in what it describes as "a broken system", and are going without cooking facilities, somewhere to wash clothes, reliable internet and storage for a result children can face long journeys to school, parents are cut off from support networks, and under-resourced local services struggle to cope with rising than 70,000 homeless households in London are currently living in temporary residences provided by their local council, often a hostel or budget hotel room with limited has the highest number, 6,667, followed by Lambeth with 4,657 and Southwark with 3,828. Freedom of Information requests to the capital's councils show that one family with children has been living in temporary accommodation in Croydon since UK's research found that London's councils place on average 43% of households outside of their boundaries, but some of London's most affluent authorities place significantly higher Richmond upon Thames and Merton are among the least disadvantaged areas but place some of the highest percentages of their residents outside their boundaries at more than 75%.By contrast Brent and Barking and Dagenham councils, which have high levels of deprivation, place 6% of their households in temporary accommodation outside their boundaries. 'Devastating impact' The cost of storing belongings is also highlighted in the report with some people travelling miles to access items and others accruing debt to maintain the Council charges households £130 before belongings can be taken into storage and £40 thereafter if households wish to access them. In Enfield, households are subject to a £30 charge each time they access their Williams, London Councils' executive member for housing, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "London is the epicentre of the worsening homelessness emergency, with the capital accounting for over half of all households in temporary accommodation in England."Homelessness has a devastating impact on too many Londoners. "In the face of a chronic shortage of affordable accommodation, boroughs increasingly find ourselves forced to use the least-worst options to keep a roof over the heads of homeless families."She added: "Boroughs are seeking urgent government action to tackle the fundamental factors behind homelessness – particularly through investing far more in affordable housing."A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "The government inherited a serious housing crisis which is why we are taking urgent and decisive action to end homelessness, fix the foundations of local government and drive forward our Plan for Change."Citizens UK is calling for the establishment of a Right to Wash, encouraging local authorities to support households to wash and dry their clothing and to stop charging them to use laundry campaign group also calls on councils not to work with third-party storage providers that charge for access.
Ya Biladi
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan women of the diaspora walk from Fès to Laayoune to celebrate history
Some journeys can't be measured in miles or kilometers—they're journeys of the soul. That's the kind of journey Khadija Gamraoui is leading. Fifty years after the Green March, this passionate official who lives between France and Morocco wants to «bring the spirit» of that historic moment back to life—this time through women from both the diaspora and the Kingdom. «When I was a kid, my mom used to say I was born the year of the Green March. That story shaped me. Now, it's time to tell it in a new way», she shared with Yabiladi. For her 50th birthday, instead of throwing a party, Khadija chose to walk the streets of Fez's medina with 50 women. It was a powerful, symbolic step, backed by the governor of Fez and other local leaders, where meaning took priority over spectacle. «We walked through Moulay Idriss, Sidi Harazem, Moulay Yacoub... places that hold deep meaning for Moroccans everywhere», she recalls. The group included activists, elected officials, athletes, mothers, and young women like a 20-year-old Franco-Moroccan boxer from Paris, proudly representing the initiative during a race in Fez. This march isn't just a tribute. It's a political statement, a cultural act, and a message for the next generation. «I wanted to pass this story on to my daughter and her peers. Many of them didn't grow up with this history, so it was important to create a space to share it», Khadija explains. Each leg of the march, headed toward Laayoune and beyond into other African countries, will include opportunities to connect: talks, workshops, shared memories, and local meetups. Passing on Patriotism At the heart of the project are women, those who for decades have bridged the gap between Morocco and its diaspora, giving voice through associations, politics, and sports. Khadija is bringing together this inspiring network and trusted partners, from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) to the organizers of the Sahraouiya race, which she recently joined in Dakhla. «That women's race moved me deeply. It gave me the push I needed to start this march across Morocco». The «March of the Women of the Diaspora» also aims to reconnect Moroccans around the world with the realities back home, especially in the southern provinces. Khadija highlights stops planned for places like Al Haouz, hit hard by the 2023 earthquake. «The diaspora stepped up to help. Now they can come back in person, with a spirit of gratitude and ongoing support». This is just the beginning. More women will join along the way, consuls, community leaders, and young people searching for purpose. Khadija plans to collect mementos at each stop and involve young Franco-Moroccans in writing workshops that will lead to an exhibition, keeping the story alive and growing.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bihar in tight fix over deportation of Pakistan national
PATNA: The Centre's decision to revoke the visas of Pakistani nationals in view of the Pahalgam terror attack has left 26-year-old Khadija Noor in a fix. A native of Pakistan's Faisalabad, she was arrested along the India-Nepal border while trying to illegally sneak into Indian territory through the Bhitthamore checkpost in Bihar's Sitamarhi in August 2022 by Sashastra Seema Bal personnel. Khadija was accompanied by her lover and an acquaintance at the time. She was later granted bail by the Patna High Court on the condition that she would report to the Sitamarhi court every month till the trial concluded. Khadija, who lives with her partner, Saeed Ahmed, in Telangana's Hyderabad, reports to the court every month, in line with the order. But the government move to cancel Pakistan nationals' visas has muddied the waters for Khadija. Commenting on her dilemma, Rohit Kumar, additional public prosecutor at Sitamarhi civil court, said, 'If Khadija leaves India to adhere to the Union government's directive, she will fall foul of the HC order. And hence, an arrest warrant could be issued against her. But if she stays in India, she will face legal action for flouting the Centre's directive.' The public prosecutor stressed that Khadija can't leave India until the trial ends and she is either absolved of the charge or sentenced for the offence. 'We are seeking a legal opinion on the matter from the authorities concerned,' he added, noting how Khadija's case has taken an unexpected turn and become complex, thanks to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
