Latest news with #RoyCasagranda
Arab Times
06-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
The Spain connection ... inspired by stay
Roy Casagranda, Professor of History and Middle Eastern Studies, is considered one of the most dedicated Western scholars in Islamic sciences and studies. He is passionate about Muslim and Arab scholars and deeply appreciative of their contributions to Western civilization. Since 1995, Professor Roy served as a lecturer in government sciences at Austin College in Texas. His research focuses on the intersection of politics, history, economics, psychology, and philosophy. He is a valued lecturer and regards himself as an expert on Middle Eastern affairs. He wrote for nearly two years for 'Mahnameh', an Iranian reformist monthly magazine, until it was shut down by the authorities. He has also contributed to American newspapers about the Arab Spring. Fluent in several languages, including Arabic and German, he has lived in Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, England, and several other Middle Eastern countries. I have previously written about the feelings of friendliness, or at least acceptance, that Arabs experience in Spain, especially in Andalusia, compared to the rest of Europe. The name Andalusia is an Arabic adaptation of the name of the Germanic Vandal tribe, which settled in the region between 409 and 429 AD. Their Latin name was Vandalusia. Andalusia, along with the other 16 Spanish provinces, enjoys autonomous rule and governs its own affairs with broad powers. Muslim Arabs ruled Andalusia and large parts of the other provinces for nearly eight centuries, until the fall of Granada in 1492. During this period, Andalusia witnessed a cultural, scientific, and civilizational flourishing. The era of Arab rule is considered one of the golden ages in the region's history, though it was also marked by episodes of brutality, murder, and unrest, particularly within the Arab kingdoms themselves. Professor Roy explains that the first large waves of settlers in Andalusia came from Yemen and Syria, along with Carthaginians (from Tunisia), Germans, and Celts. Over time, the population began to speak a language that was a mix of Arabic and Latin, wear Arab clothing, and embrace Arab customs. Yet, they still considered themselves Europeans, often disregarding their earlier origins. This sparked a movement of separation or segregation from their roots and anything associated with the Arabs, frequently deliberate. They even attempted to erase Arabic words from their dictionaries, though many remained in use, visible today in the names of cities, foods, and other cultural elements. This highlights the difficulty, if not near impossibility, of fully separating the two cultures. Professor Roy believes that the Spanish hatred toward Muslims was primarily religious. Had the Arabs been Christians, they might have been received more favorably. With the exodus of Muslims from Andalusia, the war to expel them began violently, often led by outsiders. Over time, people sought to establish distinctions between European Spaniards and Spanish immigrants, Arabs, or former Muslims. They found their answer in skin color, creating a kind of hierarchy based on skin tones to determine who was Muslim, who was a 'pure' Christian, and who was closest to Islam. Darker skin was associated with Arabs and Muslims, while lighter skin was linked to Europeans. From Spain, the idea of racial discrimination based on skin color spread like cancer throughout the rest of Europe. I would like to express my gratitude to the government of Spain, represented by its distinguished Ambassador to Kuwait, for its honorable stance on the Palestinian issue, which deserves our appreciation and respect.
Hi Dubai
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Museum of the Future Unveils New Talks, Workshops for May
The Museum of the Future has unveiled a fresh series of talks and workshops for May, reinforcing its role as a leading platform for innovation, education, and future-focused dialogue in the UAE. Throughout the month, visitors can engage in sessions covering the future of finance, regulation, governance, and wellness. These events aim to bring together thought leaders, specialists, and curious minds for knowledge sharing and forward-thinking discussions. On 15 May, the museum will host a key panel on the future of digital finance. Held on the 'Future Today' floor, the session will feature leading voices in digital assets, addressing global trends and regulatory developments shaping the UAE's financial future. The talk is open to investors, entrepreneurs, students, and fintech professionals, offering insights into opportunities and challenges in this fast-moving sector. Renowned historian Dr. Roy Casagranda will return on 22 May with his ongoing lecture series, Lessons from the Past at Museum of the Future . His latest session, Decoding Systems: Exploring Nations and Governance , will explore how political systems evolve over time, linking historical patterns to today's global structures. To round out the month, a wellness-focused workshop on 25 May will delve into the science of gratitude. This hands-on session will guide participants through meditation and journaling techniques designed to boost mental well-being and reframe daily perspectives through practical, evidence-based tools. The lineup reflects the museum's growing influence as a catalyst for dialogue and discovery across disciplines. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Al Etihad
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Museum of Future to host talks, workshops in May
6 May 2025 18:05 DUBAI (WAM) The Museum of the Future has announced a new lineup of insightful talks and interactive workshops taking place throughout the month of a diverse range of topics including the future of finance, regulation, governance, and the future of wellness, these activations reflect the museum's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and serving as a dynamic hub for knowledge will engage in enriching learning experiences led by distinguished experts and May 15, the Museum of the Future will host an insightful talk on the future of digital finance, taking place on the 'Future Today' floor. A panel of leading experts in digital assets will discuss global trends and key regulatory shifts shaping the future finance landscape in the session is tailored for investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, students, and fintech will provide a dynamic platform for exchanging insights, addressing pressing challenges, and uncovering new opportunities within this rapidly evolving historian Dr. Roy Casagranda will continue his lecture series 'Lessons from the Past at Museum of the Future,' with a captivating interactive session titled 'Decoding Systems: Exploring Nations and Governance' taking place on May Casagranda will delve into how systems operate and evolve across compelling storytelling and deep analysis, Dr. Casagranda will draw meaningful connections between the past, the present and the May 25, the Museum of the Future will host a two-hour interactive workshop exploring the transformative power of gratitude. Participants will discover how cultivating gratitude can reshape thought patterns, improve emotional well-being, and enhance overall quality of life. The session will also introduce evidence-based practices, including meditation and journaling, offering practical, science-backed tools that can be easily integrated into daily routines.
Times of Oman
15-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
OSHRM conference highlights AI impact, localisation insights
Muscat: The second day of the 8th Annual Conference of the Omani Society for Human Resource Management (OSHRM) continued with dynamic sessions featuring thought leaders and experts in leadership, human resources, and education. The atmosphere was rich in dialogue and knowledge-sharing, reflecting the depth and diversity of the topics discussed. The day began with a brief recap of key takeaways from Day One, followed by a keynote by Dr. Kate Barker, Executive Board Advisor and Chief Futurist at NEOM, titled 'Leading the Future: What CEOs Expect from CHROs in the Age of AI.' Dr. Barker emphasized the strategic role of CHROs in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, noting that AI will transform the world of work within just a few years. She emphasised that those with AI skills will lead the future and highlighted security challenges such as deepfake threats and NEOM's advanced use of avatars and intelligent robotics. She urged immediate skill development, stating that change is now the only constant. In another session, Dr. Roy Casagranda, Professor of Government at Austin Community College, delivered a talk inspired by Islamic history, exploring leadership models that remain relevant today. Dr. Roy Casagranda stressed the importance of human-centered leadership and the balance between profit and employee well-being, advocating for reconnecting logic and emotion in leadership practice. Fatima Alloghani, Founder and General Manager of Born2localize, presented a session titled 'Decoding Localisation: Secrets to Success,' where she outlined key principles for effective localisation in global organisations. She praised Oman's experience with Omanisation and emphasised integrating talent localisation within global diversity and inclusion agendas. She also referenced successful case studies like Expo 2020 Dubai and ADCB Bank. A panel discussion titled 'Bold Teams: Building High-Performance Cultures through Psychological Safety' was moderated by Julian Troian and featured Dr. Kate Barker, Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hussein Al Lawati, CEO of Oman Development Bank, and Saher Sidhom, CEO of HackMasters. Dr. Jokha Al Shukaili, CEO of the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education, delivered a keynote on 'The Role of Quality Assurance in Enhancing Effective Educational Leadership,' emphasizing the need to institutionalize a culture of continuous evaluation in educational institutions. In a session titled 'Who Took My Talent? Navigating Mobility in Modern Workplaces,' Abdulmalik Al Balushi, Chief HR Officer at Asyad Group, tackled challenges related to talent retention and proposed innovative solutions for workforce stability. Jon de Jager, CEO of CT Group, delivered a session titled 'Values-Based Leadership,' stressing the importance of aligning organizational goals with personal values to build resilient, socially impactful organisations. Later, Ibtisam Al Khaifi, Founder and CEO of Simat for Human Development, spoke in a session titled 'From Local Roots to Global Impact,' discussing how local context can shape leadership and talent development. Saher Sidhom returned with a session titled 'Cultural Hacks: How Everyone Can Become a Leader,' where he emphasised participatory leadership and empowering employees at all levels. The day concluded with a panel discussion titled 'Leading the Green Revolution: Steering Business Toward a Sustainable Future,' moderated by Eng. Amer Al Fadhil, HR Efficiency Director. Panelists included Dr. Ahmed Al Ghassani, Mayor of Dhofar, Eng. Badr Al Ma'amari, Secretary General of the Tender Board, Mark Higgins, VP of Digital Learning at LEORON Institute, and Dr. Mohab Al Hinai, VP of Sustainability & Circular Economy at be'ah. The third and final day of OSHRM 8 will explore themes of workplace innovation, digital transformation, business growth, and creative leadership.
