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YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
Since 19
November 2023 | Vol. 27 | Issue 11 | BD2 / SR20
Battling Modern Slavery: Op-Ed Former PM of the UK
Theresa May
CITYSCAPE
Bahrain’s Flagship Real Estate Event
JEWELLERY
Bahrain Jewellery Centre
PEOPLE
British Ambassador HE Alastair Long Indian Ambassador HE Vinod K. Jacob World Famous Chef Pillai Tenmou’s CEO Nawaf AlKoheji
DINING
Elevated Italian Cuisine At Cucina!
Walk This Way!
Walkways To Help Get Your Steps In
WTM Mona ElRubi On Representing Bahrain At World Tourism Day Anna Thackray On Releasing Shamal Ozone In Her Shoes Layla AlTurabi Digital Edition
Arts | Culture | Clubs | Sports | Interviews | Lifestyle | Dining | Nightlife
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THE TEAM
Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Deputy Editor Kristian Harrison
NOVEMBER
Contributors Ouiam El Hassani, Pria Masson, Eman Deabil
2023
Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen Production Manager Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Team Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas anuradha@redhousemarketing.com Digital Content Marketing Manager Amna Syed amina@redhousemarketing.com Media Executive Edwin D'Souza Digital & Content Marketing Team Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Director of Film Danny Sokov Social Media Managers Shilu Babu, Rohit Reghunath
Printing Press: Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by: Red House Marketing
P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com
W
elcome to the latest spectacular issue of Bahrain This Month, one we are particularly proud of! From cover to cover, we bring you the latest interviews, information, advice and entertainment. Now that the weather has finally started to turn, why not enjoy it out on the balcony or in the garden with a nice cuppa? November brings along an upturn in national events and regional conferences, and of course we have all bases covered. Firstly, check out our special feature highlighting Cityscape 2023, Bahrain’s flagship real estate event set to shape Bahrain’s property development over the coming years. If that’s not enough, we also take an extensive dive into Jewellery Arabia, always a jewel of the calendar and attracting thousands of people from across the GCC and beyond to see the latest glittering trends. If you’re looking for something more casual, we’ve got all of these covered in our Happenings and Tablehopping sections, detailing a plethora of entertaining popups, the hottest nightlife destinations, coolest family events and trendiest dining outlets to keep the fun times rolling. BTM prides itself on bringing you the most in-depth, insightful interviews and we have a few crackers this month. We are honoured to have former UK Prime Minister, Lady Theresa May, reach out to us exclusively in Bahrain This Month to highlight her amazing work with the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, which was established last month. Bahrain was the first destination she visited in the Middle East when she became Prime Minister and to date she has maintained close relations with our Kingdom’s leadership. Speaking of which, two of the Kingdom’s greatest political allies, the UK and India, have both appointed new ambassadors to Bahrain recently and we are very proud to have been invited to sit down with HE
© Copyright Reserved 2005-2023 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 Year subscription Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.
Bahrainthismonth.com
COVER November
Alastair Long and HE Vinod K. Jacob to bring you their thoughts on their new posting. That’s not all, as we grilled an intriguing selection of personalities across the spectrum this month. We were delight to sit down with world-famous Chef, Suresh Pillai, during a flying visit to the Kingdom, whilst we also spoke with Nawaf AlKoheji, CEO of business angels company Tenmou, which is helping the entrepreneurs or tomorrow put Bahrain on the global map. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on having our finger on the hospitality button and this month is no different as we chatted with Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, about the hotel group’s successes In Woman This Month, Farah Baig spoke to artist Mona ElRubi about her recent exhibition in Egypt with the Ministry of Tourism, and she also found out about the exciting adventures of Shamal from author Anna Thackray! In our motoring column, Kristian Harrison took the brand new Porsche Cayenne Coupe S for a spin, whilst Edwin D’Souza checked out the culinary delights of Cucina Italiana in our Dining section. As always, we bring you the latest hot takes from our talented team of columnists, including Ouaim El Hassani on taming those terrible ‘threenagers’, Pria Masson on the latest jewellery trends and Eman Deabil on creating a greener and more sustainable boardroom. Of course, Bahrain This Month is far more than the magazine you hold in your hands. Check out our website by visiting www.bahrainthismonth.com and follow our social platforms on Facebook and Instagram @bahrainthismonth to explore Your Guide to a Great Way of Life!
George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman
Scan to receive our monthly newsletter
November 2023
5
NOVEMBER ISSUE 315
CONTENTS
HAPPENINGS
10
10
Events and entertainment this November.
INTERVIEWS
20 22
Welcoming the New Ambassador
22
Indian Ambassador, HE Vinod K. Jacob, discusses his plans to bolster diplomatic relations between India and Bahrain.
Building on Strong Foundations
British Ambassador, HE Alastair Long, speaks about his diplomatic career, love of nature and plans for bilateral cooperation.
26
Believing in Business
28
Yes, Chef!
20
We spoke to Tenmou CEO, Nawaf AlKoheji, about his innovative Collective Hub.
49
Celebrity Chef, Suresh Pillai, on his trademark dish and future plans in Bahrain.
LIFESTYLE
38
Walk This Way!
We pick our favourite spots in the Kingdom to get your steps in while enjoying the view!
DINING
49
Elevated Italian Cuisine at Cucina
26
61
We put the fantastic Cucina Italiana to the taste test.
MOTORING
61
Made to Impress
A look at the incredible new Porsche Cayenne Coupe S, the perfect cross between power and comfort.
38 6
November 2023
Bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
German National Day
Germany Ambassador, HE Clemens Hach, and Valérie Hach, hosted a reception on account of the German National Day, at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
November 2023
7
NOVEMBER ISSUE 244
The Red House Marketing team recently marked Pinktober. Scan the QR code to watch the reel:
CONTENTS
FASHION
76
74 Elegant. Edgy. Exuberant
Magda Butrym is unveiling her exploration of maximalism and opulence through her AW23 collection. We explore the stunning collection.
PEOPLE
76 An Artist at Heart
Egypt recently marked World Tourism Day with a celebration featuring 50 international artists. Representing Bahrain was artist, Mona ElRubi. She speaks about her experience at the event, her art, and the role of culture in propelling a country’s tourism.
74
78
78 Illustrating Great Stories
Artist and illustrator, Anna Thackray, tells us about the recent release of Shamal Ozone, a unique trilogy inspired by the region.
89 In Her Shoes
Creative, communicative and integrous – these are just some of the words that describe The K Hotel’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Layla AlTurabi. We take a walk in her shoes!
BEAUTY
89
80 Winter 2023 Beauty Essentials
80
We share our recommendations for great cosmetic and skincare products this winter.
OPINION You Have a ‘Threenager’ in Your 84 Do House? If you’re dealing with a difficult three-year-old, you might want to read this. Ouiam El Hassani shares her five observations about this age group and her tips for dealing with them.
TRAVEL
86 8
A Cool Getaway Experience the best that Winter has to offer at these unique locations.
November 2023
84 86 www.womanthismonth.com womanthismonth
rhmbahrain
Womanthismonth.com
bystander
Indonesian Independence Day
I ndonesian Ambassador, HE Ardi Hermawan, and Yulina Puspasar hosted the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
November 2023
9
happenings
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
YOUTH FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 3-11
TA’A AL SHABAB FESTIVAL
DIWALI DELIGHT SHAIKH EBRAHIM CENTRE
NOVEMBER 8
AWA ROOFTOP DIAWLI NIGHT
RAMEE GRAND HOTEL AND SPA, SEEF
Diwali is round the corner and the American Women’s Association is gearing up for yet another rocking party of lights, this year with a twist! It’s going to be a fun evening under stars at the amazing terrace of the Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa, Seef November 8 from 5pm onwards. Tickets are BD20 and the event is open to non-members. Visit awabahrain.org or follow @awabahrain.
The Ta’a Al Shabab Festival at Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, running from November 3-11, celebrates the enduring spirit of youth culture. It was established in 2009, and it continues to thrive under the centre’s guidance, providing a platform for youthful creativity and experience. This year’s festival promises a series of exciting events across various locations, from Taa House on the Pearling Path to multiple venues within the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant cultural experience! Entrance is free. Visit shaikhebrahimcenter.org.
LUXURY LIVING NOVEMBER 14-16
2023 CITYSCAPE BAHRAIN
EXHIBITION WORLD BAHRAIN
SPARKLING SHOW NOVEMBER 14-18
JEWELLERY ARABIA
EXHIBITION WORLD BAHRAIN
Jewellery Arabia is the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watches event. With a 30 year track record of success, this fiveday show unites the world’s most desirable brands and extraordinary designers with discerning buyers. The event will take place at Exhibition World Bahrain from November 14-18. Entry is free. Visit ewbahrain.com.
Are you ready for the ultimate real estate experience in Bahrain? Get ready to explore luxury living at its finest! Save the data for Cityscape Bahrain, the region’s largest real estate exhibition from November 14-16 at Exhibition World Bahrain. Discover the finest properties, the most luxurious homes that resonate with your heart, and be the first to know about the latest project launches from Bahrain and beyond. Visit ewbahrain.com. 10
November 2023
Bahrainthismonth.com/events
happenings
SPORT FUN NOVEMBER 16-17
WHITE NIGHT FIBA 3X3 MANAMA MASTERS
BAHRAIN FINANCIAL HARBOUR
NOVEMBER 16
WHITE PARTY
THE ART HOTEL & RESORT
The FIBA 3x3 Manama Masters is a highly anticipated basketball tournament organized by the Bahrain Olympic Committee, Bahrain Basketball Association, and the General Sports Authority. It will be taking place on November 16 and 17 Bahrain Financial Harbour. This tournament will feature some of the best 3x3 basketball teams from around the world going head to head in a thrilling competition. Visit fiba3x3.basketball
Don your best white outfit and head down to the first white party in town on November 16 at the Art Hotel & Resort! Entrance is free with two free beverages for ladies, and the dress code is simply white. The event, which runs from 8pm til late, will feature a DJ and violin performance from talented Turkish musician Suay Doganay. Call 16 000-111.
POPPY PARTY NOVEMBER 17
BBBF POPPY BALL 2023
CROWNE PLAZA BAHRAIN
The Poppy Ball returns at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain’s newly-refurbished ballroom with special guests the Chelsea Pensioners. The price is BD40 net inclusive of food and selective beverages. The night kicks off with a drinks reception at 7pm followed by a buffet dinner, a DJ and live band, plus a raffle draw to win a return air ticket to the UK plus hotel stays and vouchers for Friday brunches. The dress code is formal/national dress. Special room rates are available at the hotel for guests who wish to stay the night. Tickets are on sale at the main reception desks at the Bahrain Rugby Football club, Dilmun Club and British Club. Email: bbfevents@batelco.com.bh
SWIFT SENSATION NOVEMBER 17
TAYLOR’S NIGHT
WAGALAG, JANABIYAH
Swifties and music fans alike can enjoy a Taylor Swift-themed singalong event performed by @taylorsnights.sa on November 17. All of her smash hits, from Shake It Off to All Too Well, will be performed. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Swifties and let loose for a night. Come on down, bring your friends and sing your hearts out! Doors open at 4pm and the show will take place from 7pm-10pm. There will also be a market to buy merchandise and other items. Early Bird tickets are BD7 and BD15 on the door. Visit @wagalag or call 77 107-777. Bahrainthismonth.com/events
November 2023
11
happenings
CREATIVE CRAFTS NOVEMBER 18
SNOWFLAKE CRAFT FAIR
FESTIVE FASHION GULF CONVENTION CENTRE
This event will be held on November 18 at the Gulf Convention Centre from 11am-7pm. It is a fantastic opportunity for craft persons, artists and designers to showcase their products. Consisting of over 100 vendor tables, Snowflake Craft Fair is also a great place to find unique Christmas gifts. The American Women’s Associations craft group has worked for the last year to make useful and highly decorative items, including beautiful mosaics, decorations, shawls, aprons etc. There will also be a lucky draw, crafters, Christmas carollers, food vendors and more. Entry is BD1 and free for children under five. All proceeds are donated to local charities. Call 38 388-162.
TERRIFIC TRIBUTE NOVEMBER 23 AND 24
SCOPYONS TRIBUTE BAND
November 2023
POP UP SHOP FESTIVE SEASON
BSPCA THRIFT SHOP
The BSPCA Thrift Shop, located on Budaiya Highway, is hosting its annual pop up festive shop under the theme ‘Designer Days’. Visitors can purchase a number of designer clothes and accessories, all at great price with all proceeds going towards the BSPCA which helps to rescue and care for animals in the Kingdom. It will take place from November 23-25, from 9am-5pm each day. Follow @bspca or call 17 593-479.
DON’T MISS THIS! SHERLOCK HOLMES, GULF HOTEL
Are you ready for a rockin’ November at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s Sherlock Holmes? The Scopyons Tribute Band will be taking to the stage and delivering an electrifying tribute to German rock icons Scorpions. Enjoy legendary songs with an unforgettable performance and a whole lot of head-banging fun. There will be a concert on November 23, priced BD10 net per person, followed by a concert and brunch priced at BD30 net per person on November 24. Call 17 713-000. 12
NOVEMBER 23-25
NOVEMBER 23
50 CENT LIVE IN BAHRAIN
AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE
Get ready to party like it’s your birthday at Al Dana Amphitheatre this November. Curtis Jackson, known all across the world as none other than 50 Cent is a prominent figure in both TV and film, excelling as a producer and actor. Adding to his dynamic career, 50 Cent is set to captivate audiences live at the Al Dana Amphitheatre in Bahrain, presenting a thrilling performance that mirrors his multifaceted talents. This live event promises to immerse fans in an unforgettable experience, showcasing the magnetic energy and charisma that has defined 50 Cent’s iconic presence. Ticket prices start at BD25 and are available online. Visit aldana.com.bh. Bahrainthismonth.com/events
Launch of Studio 54
bystander InterContinental Bahrain held the launch of its new activation Studio 54 by Downtown.
Join us for dazzling journey into the glittering world of
NEW YEARS PARTY SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER
ipsum
DOORS OPEN AT 9 PM | AL RIFAA BALLROOM
TICKET PRICES
STANDARD
BD44 NET
VIP
BD59 NET Scan to book!
T&C apply. Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
November 2023
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happenings
DESIGNER DELIGHTS NOVEMBER 25
JAZZ UP YOUR NIGHT
THE DOGFATHER’S DESIGNER SALE
DILMUN CLUB
NOVEMBER 28
JAZZ NIGHT WITH AHMED AL QASIM
K LOUNGE, K HOTEL
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of live jazz music at a mesmerising Jazz Night, featuring an extraordinary performance by the talented Ahmed Al Qasim as he takes the stage at the K Lounge, located in the K Hotel. It runs from 9.30pm until late. Call 36 021-846. The Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre’s Dogfather Second Hand Shop is hosting its annual designer sale to raise funds for the animal shelter which cares for hundreds of animals in the Kingdom. It will take place at the Dilmun Club, Saar, from November 25 from 10am-1pm and there will be festive decorations, clothes shoes, bags, jewellery, designer and high street brands and more. Visit www.visitbarc.com or call 39 446-907.
MARKET MAYHEM DECEMBER 1
FESTIVE NIGHT MARKET
ART ATTACK BRITISH CLUB OF BAHRAIN
Make everyone’s Christmas extra special with a gemstone gift that speaks from the heart. The festive period is the most fun but busiest time of year, so make it easier with a selection of festive gift item is a one-stop shop for everyone you need to buy for. This event is open to everyone, so invite your friends, family and loved ones to join an unforgettable festive night market. It takes place from 4pm-9pm at the British School of Bahrain in Hamala. Call 17 610-920. 14
November 2023
UNTIL DECEMBER 31
HUSSAIN AL SUNNI - A RETROSPECTIVE
BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities is hosting an exhibition titled Hussain Al Sunni - A Retrospective until December 31 at the Bahrain National Museum. This exhibition is the most inclusive exhibition of the artist’s work to ever be displayed, as it includes about 100 paintings, drawings, prints and sketches belonging to the artist dated from the mid 1970s until his passing in 1998. This retrospective aims to offer a fresh perspective on AlSunni’s work, presenting alongside his best-known paintings a rich selection of works rarely, if ever, shown to the public. Bahrainthismonth.com/events
bystander
Nepali National Day
n the occasion of the Constitution Day and National Day of Nepal, Nepalese Ambassador, HE Tirtha Raj Wagle O and Bimala Dhakal Wagle, hosted a Reception at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
16
November 2023
Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
The Mercedes-Benz Electric Range: The Future of Luxury Transportation The Mercedes-Benz Electric Range: The Future of Luxury Transportation Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. The design also takes you into the future. Mercedes-Benz offers a wide range of electric vehicles, including SUVs, and sedans. Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles offer unparalleled, luxurious interior Mercedes-Benz is at thewith forefront of the electric revolution. and driving experience the added benefit of vehicle zero emissions. The design also takes you into the future. Mercedes-Benz offers a wide range of electric vehicles, including SUVs, and sedans. For more information, call us on 1778 5999. Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles offer unparalleled, luxurious interior and driving experience with the added benefit of zero emissions. For more information, call us on 1778 5999.
@alhaddadmotors
Showroom WhatsApp
+973 17785454 +973 32300076
Kingdom of Bahrain marketing@alhaddad-mercedesbenz.com
interview
WELCOMING
THE NEW AMBASSADOR
Fresh from submitting his credentials to Deputy King, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the new Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Vinod K. Jacob, is settling into his task of strengthening the already incredibly strong ties between the two nations. Bahrain This Month sat down with him to discuss his career journey, his first experiences in Bahrain and his plans to bolster diplomatic relations.
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November 2023
Bahrainthismonth.com
interview
Your Excellency, what have been the key milestones in your career to date, and how have they prepared you for your new role as ambassador? Firstly, I spent more than two decades in the Indian Foreign Service. If I were to divide my time, it comes in three categories. The first, I spent most of my time dealing with China and furthering India-China relations both in Beijing on two occasions and once in Delhi. Secondly, I’ve dealt with South Asia; especially Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and then Sri Lanka. Most recently, I was the Deputy High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. The third category is multilateral, where I spent five years dealing with numerous issues. First, in New York, where I was in the permanent mission of India to the United Nations and subsequently certain stints at headquarters which turned out to be quite interesting. One of the most important lessons that I take back from my experience is to very strongly and consistently pursue Indian national interests. Where it is possible to find convergence, you try and find it. With some countries, it may not be possible in any sphere of bilateral engagement, but you put your best foot forward and try anyway in the name of national interest.
How would you describe the current state of relations between Bahrain and India, both personally and politically? When I learned I was coming to Bahrain on this posting, I spent some time in Delhi to understand from the Indian leadership and government officials about what their expectations and priorities from the relationship were. Since I arrived at the beginning of August, I have heard from the Bahraini leadership, including ministers, high officials, agencies and more, and I can clearly see that there is a high degree of convergence between these two thinking. The vision of the leadership is my mandate and it is my responsibility to translate into reality. This includes many facets including politics, economics, trade, defence, climate change and maritime security. Of course, as always, the priority is taking care of the interests of the huge Indian diaspora here.
Can you share details about the latest trade figures between the two countries? What do you consider to be some of the key opportunities for further growth?
Bahrainthismonth.com
Trade between India and Bahrain has been quite robust. In fact, last year we saw very high trade figures reaching USD1.6 billion. I would expect this coming year to see a further rise and a continuation of the building of momentum. I believe there is a substantial scope for expansion of trade, especially in the postpandemic period where there are unique opportunities for two-way investment, encompassing areas like tourism, technology and security.
What are some of the ways in which you plan to promote cultural exchanges which celebrate the 5000-year history between the two countries? This will come in two different ways, both government-to-government and co-operation outside of the government sphere. In both aspects, the embassy is keen to play a facilitating role. For the former, there is the cultural exchange programme which includes bringing musicians, troupes and more from India. For the latter, Bahrain has become a cultural destination, particularly for weddings, for young Indian men and women. As examples of how strong our bond is, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi was bestowed the highest honour in Bahrain, the Bahrain Order First Class, during his visit in 2019 to emphasise the respect that each leadership has for the other. Secondly, the warmth with which the Bahraini leadership showed to help India out during the pandemic by sending liquid medical oxygen is hugely appreciated, as is the decision to keep flights going in the same period.
Being new in your role, what are you most looking forward to about your time in Bahrain? I look forward to promoting bilateral engagement to the highest level possible. That is always the dream of an ambassador, to achieve it in the shortest period of time. In the first six months of this year, more than 500,000 Indian tourists arrived in Bahrain so tourism is one particular aspect I am looking forward to boosting.
What advice would you offer to a young person wishing to pursue a career in diplomacy? The diplomatic field is very interesting in that it deals with a series of issues on a consistent day-to-day basis. When I look back at the
time when I joined the service, I would say that it was a much simpler time with fewer challenges and conflicts to deal with. Now you have a much more complex international environment with the rapid development of technology. You have movement of people, movement of finances, movement of goods and services in ways and means that we never thought of. As an example of a current issue, take the importance of renewable energy in the current climate. How do you deal with that? How much investment do nations add and what is the type of cooperation that you are going to aim for and achieve? So, these are aspects of a diplomat’s life which have gradually evolved in the last five to 10 years. These are things that make the life of a diplomat interesting. Equally, these are some of the challenges that make your life, the task of a diplomat that much more challenging because you have to answer to your own country when you are abroad and you are also to address the aspirations and expectations of the host government as well. You must be prepared to be adaptable at all times.
Is there any message that as ambassador you’d like to give both to Indian nationals here as well as the Bahrainis who are your hosts? I must say that the Bahraini government, the royal court and the foreign office in particular, have been exceptionally hospitable and have received me with warmth. To the Indian community, I say that you are known not only for your skills, effort or resources, but also for your character. Please continue in the same approach that you have been maintaining which is to abide by the laws and rules of Bahrain, work hard and contribute to the economic prosperity of the Bahrain government and its society. That will be the best contribution you’re making to IndiaBahrain relations.
Anything more to add? One of the important aspects of a country like Bahrain is that it is a civilisation; therefore there are layers and layers of nuances in a society like Bahrain. When I peel away at the layers, I see that it’s even more remarkable. So I think this is a perfect place for me to be to understand its people. Whilst doing so, I am here to serve the Republic of India, and I intend to do it to the best of my ability and fulfil my responsibilities to my nation.
November 2023
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interview
BUILDING ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS
The new British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Alastair Long, is settling into his new role as a custodian of the close relationship shared between the two countries. He kindly sat down with Kristian Harrison to discuss his diplomatic career to this point, his plans to bolster ties between the UK and Bahrain, his passion for animals and the environment, and much more. 22
November 2023
E
xcellency, welcome to Bahrain! Please can you firstly give us a brief overview of your diplomatic career so far?
I started as a diplomat more than 20 years ago when I joined the Foreign Office and worked immediately on environmental security and then Turkey in London. My first overseas posting was in the wonderful city of Vienna where I was working for the UK delegation to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, largely on governance issues in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. From there, I worked on UN issues in our International Organisations Department and from there began work in Iran, which was my beginning in the Middle East and this particular region. I was then appointed as the Deputy Ambassador in Muscat, Oman, followed by a role as the Deputy Consul General in Dubai and the Regional Director for Trade for the whole of the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan. From there I moved to Riyadh, where I was the Director of Trade for Saudi Arabia, then to Cairo, Egypt, where I was the Trade Commissioner for
Africa and now I have happily been appointed to Bahrain as my first full Ambassadorship.
What are your first impressions of the Kingdom? I’ve come across Bahrain a few times in the past when I have visited for work reasons, and had always received a very warm welcome. My first impressions are of a place that feels comfortable in its skin. It’s got a deep history, a very strong human feel to it, and to be truthful it’s been wonderful, almost like coming home.
How would you describe the current state of relations between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain? They are truly excellent. There are very few places in the world where our relationship is this strong and they’re arguably at an all-time high as well after a wonderful visit of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to the UK in July, which seemed to seal all kinds of different areas of cooperation that we’ve been working together on.
Bahrainthismonth.com
interview As the new British Ambassador, what are your key priorities both in the immediate future and in the longer term? In the immediate future, I feel a certain responsibility for this very special relationship to keep it in good fettle. From culture, through education, through trade and prosperity, through climate work, through to security cooperation and more, there’s a need not to rest on our laurels, to keep building and working together. Longer term, I believe we can chart a path together for the future because we’re remarkably similar nations. We have service economies, we’re coming to the end of hydrocarbon production, we have amazing national talent pools, and we are looking to a future of net zero and technological innovation.
What challenges, if any, have you encountered in your short time here? What do you envision your major obstacles to be? In terms of challenges, there’s the parochial, and then there’s the strategic. At the parochial level, the relationship is so strong and full of personal relationships and ideas for what more we can do together, that actually some of it’s just managing my energy and picking the priorities. However, I’m assisted in that by a fantastic embassy team who help me think through what we can be doing together. I think that the strategic challenges that Bahrain and the UK face are the ones that we’re facing globally together. So climate, of course, future food security, and how to assure our future economic growth and prosperity.
Can you discuss any upcoming high-level initiatives between the two countries? We have our coming together of the UK and Bahrain for what was previously called our Joint Working Group happening soon. We should also have a senior delegation to the upcoming Manama Dialogue, which we always regard as a really important event. COP28 will also be hosted in the GCC, whilst the UK’s Global Investment Summit will be visited by important Bahraini interlocutors. This is of course supplemented by various visits of ministers both ways, so there’s a really good rhythm to our bilateral exchange and cooperation at the moment.
How does the UK view Bahrain’s role in regional security and stability in the Gulf? I think you’ve seen remarkable leadership from Bahrain over many years, especially recently in the region. This is a nation that believes in peace and coexistence, exemplified by His Majesty King Hamad’s guidance on that particular issue. For example, consider the visit of the Pope to Bahrain last year, and the reciprocal visit of His Majesty to the Vatican in Rome last month, something which I believe sends powerful signals. Also consider the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) just signed with the United States, which is very much about an international framing of security and prosperity. The UK has also enjoyed the same with Bahrain, projecting a clear message of what’s good for our collective prosperity is ultimately good for our collective security. Ultimately, we really see Bahrain as a leader and as a global example; considering the Gulf has huge visibility and priority in the world now, Bahrain playing that role is essential.
What cultural exchanges between the two nations are planned and how does the Embassy aim to promote tourism? Bahrain has a rich, enviable culture going back thousands of years, and has really embraced that in its national life. As for the UK’s part, I’m searingly proud of our cultural, sporting, educational and wider heritage. People I have spoken to throughout my career, including prominent parliamentarians who have experienced Bahrain first-hand, have given positive accounts of it. Ultimately, we need to broadcast that more, whether in the media, at functions, or through word of mouth.
We have noticed you are a cat person! Can you tell us about your passion for animals and the environment? Since day one, I never knew anything other than having a cat wandering around me! When I was super young we had a cat called Tiggy
and then two wonderful tabby cats, Emily and Fergus, who were with me for most of my childhood. Currently, we just have one cat who’s travelled with us to Bahrain from Egypt, where we rescued him. His name is Zanjabil, which is the Arabic word for root ginger because he’s ginger! I think animals are incredibly important and I’m really pleased that we have a pet for my children’s sake because I think learning the care of an animal is a great way to learn consideration, respect for nature and the natural world. Where I think I’d really like us to work with Bahrain is on its environment, as a part of the climate and sustainability discussion. Around Bahrain, you have a fabulous resource of seagrasses, which are an incredible carbon sink. It also has the world’s second largest population of sea cows, or dugongs, alongside precious corals and marine life.
What does an ambassador do with his spare time? I’ve always had a keen passion for music and sport although due to various mild ailments I’ve been thwarted in pursing both recently! I’m also a dad to three children and, as any parent knows, your time is drained when you’ve got little people around that you need to look after! I do love the outdoors; I believe just being out in the open, experiencing nature around you, is incredibly restoring, so I’m looking forward to exploring what Bahrain has to offer when the weather cools a little.
Finally, do you have any words for the British community in Bahrain? First of all, thank you for being here, for being a rich part of our relationship, for shining a light on what’s good about Bahrain in the UK and vice-versa, and for being respectful citizens in this lovely, warm, welcoming country. Of course, make sure you understand the local customs and traditions and respect them sincerely, but know that as an embassy we are always here to help if needed.
What are the current trade figures between the UK and Bahrain? Actually, trade is better than it’s ever been between our two nations, at a shade over £3b (BD1.37b). If you look at that in isolation, that’s an incredible figure, but we aspire to do even better and once the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement is finalised, we should be able to achieve that. I believe there’s an incredible alignment of sectors of interest between the UK and Bahrain; be it education, financial services, data and technology, healthcare, environmental and sustainable technology and infrastructure, there’s so much room for growth that I’m hugely optimistic about it.
Bahrainthismonth.com
November 2023
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report
BATTLING MODERN SLAVERY The Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, is launching the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. In this article penned by Lady May, she shares her thoughts on the harrowing subject and highlights the objectives of the Global Commission, which is backed by the governments of UK and Bahrain.
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Complex global challenges, from conflict to climate change, are fuelling a striking acceleration in slavery and trafficking. Compared to just five years ago, 10 million more people have fallen victim to these crimes worldwide. That brings the total estimate to 50 million — more than at any other time in human history.
t was a profound shock to discover the extent to which slavery was taking place in my country. Tens of thousands of people were being forced to live in servitude, I was told. Not just against their will, but often in the most appalling conditions imaginable. As the UK’s interior minister, I had expected to deal with heinous crimes. To see first-hand the ways in which victims of domestic violence and child sexual abuse had their lives destroyed or at the very least changed forever. It was also my responsibility to protect the country against terrorists and those who sought to undermine our national security. But what shocked me most was the inhumanity lurking in ordinary communities, hiding in plain sight. The disregard for human life that saw people treated as commodities purely for the gain of others. Young boys and girls robbed of their childhood and forced into a life of crime. Vulnerable adults deceived into working in horrendous conditions in factories, on farms and in organised criminal gangs. Women repeatedly raped and forced into prostitution. Children groomed and sexually abused by men four or five times their age. At that time, most people thought of slavery as a shameful practice confined to the history books. But the reality is there are people in slavery in towns and cities across the world. Some will have been trafficked across borders by criminal gangs. Others will be vulnerable people picked up from their own streets. They are forced into work but receive little or no pay. They usually live in squalid conditions unfit for human habitation. They are often starved, beaten and endure a campaign of intimidation. Their passports are sometimes stolen and many feel powerless to escape this horrific misery, in fear of retribution against their loved ones.
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At the same time, we are seeing the issue fall down the global political agenda. It is clear that there is an urgent need to intensify our collective response and recover lost political momentum.
These are victims of modern slavery. Like the slaves of centuries past, these men, women and children are deprived of their basic liberty, opportunity and hope. Today there are no chains and shackles — instead there is deception, fear and coercion. I introduced the UK’s Modern Slavery Act in 2015. It was the first piece of legislation of its kind and has proved a vital policing tool, putting hundreds of perpetrators behind bars. It has spurred businesses to act against exploitation in their supply chains and has enhanced the protection and support given to victims. The Kingdom of Bahrain also has strong protections against slavery and trafficking, and having visited on several occasions, I know how seriously the government takes these issues. The Kingdom can be justifiably proud that it has been recognised in the US Trafficking in Persons Report as a tier one country since 2018. Indeed, it is the only country in the Gulf to hold tier one status. We have seen steady international progress in tackling slavery and trafficking. As UK Prime Minister, I launched the UN call to action to end modern slavery by 2030. It received the support of over 90 countries, including Bahrain — but signing international commitments is the easy part. Action is much harder.
That’s why today I am launching the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. It will be led by high-profile Commissioners from around the world, drawn from politics, civil society, business and academia — and it is backed by the government of Bahrain. It will provide greater leadership and visibility at the highest levels of international politics. It will mobilise the evidence-base to spur action in rooting out forced labour in global supply chains. It will help states to more effectively implement their international commitments and establish working groups to address the most pressing issues, putting those with lived experience of slavery at the centre of our work. It will also support and amplify the good work being done by so many other organisations around the world. In the years ahead we have an opportunity to reverse this evil practice. We should not doubt the scale of the task, but with the right political will, slavery can be eliminated for good. Just as our forebears took a historic stand in the generations before us, so we must act now. Only a truly global response will address what has become the greatest human rights issue of our time.
Bahrainthismonth.com
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interview
Believing in Business Tenmou is Bahrain´s first Business Angels Company, which provides both mentorship and capital to high-potential, innovative Bahrain-based entrepreneurs from the seed stage. Kristian Harrison sat down with Tenmou’s CEO, Nawaf AlKoheji, about the company’s successes, his innovative Collective Hub idea, and future plans to help take Bahrain’s budding businesses to the next level.
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lease can you summarise your career to date?
I studied at Regent’s University London, completing a Bachelor’s of International Relations and then I did my Master’s and MBA in Texas. I then went to Delhi for an internship at the biggest electronics manufacturer in India. Whilst there, I was inspired by the culture of tiffin boxes and realised there was a gap in the market for this in Bahrain. I created a company called Food Limited in 2010, which charged a monthly membership to deliver food and it still runs to this day as a catering business for private schools whilst also inspiring many other companies to continue our original idea. After a successful stint as a project director at Tamkeen with 150 staff under me, I was approached in 2018 by the previous CEO of Tenmou to take over despite my limited experience with investment companies. I learnt on the job, ran with it, and now I absolutely love what I do and investing in start-ups which will shape the future of Bahrain. How does Tenmou’s funding process work and what criteria do you use to evaluate start-up applicants? The investment criteria is simple. You have to be Bahraini-based; not necessarily a Bahraini founder, but you must be related to Bahrain in some way. This can be through having a branch in Bahrain, operating here or having residency as an expat. Each year we look at hundreds of applications which we receive through our website or from networking events and meetings. We then funnel the top 20 or so and do due process on them. The management decides that they’re fit to go to the investment committee, a team of five with me being one of them. We look at
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all the pitches and decide on the spot if they will be funded or not. We usually take equity between two to 10 percent and we invest up to USD50,000. Can you give us an example of a successful start-up that Tenmou has funded? EAT App is one of our champions. Back in 2014 we operated a little differently and offered BD30,000 and we took equity of 33 percent. Nine years later, the company valuation is USD60m today. How involved is Tenmou in the daily operations of the start-ups that it funds? We don’t interfere with the day-to-day business of the start-ups because we’re looking at the bigger picture. We have invested in more than 30 start-ups and currently in our portfolio we have eight, so micro-managing all of them would not be feasible. What we do is usually be on their boards and have a quarterly report on that. We really help them with business development, opening doors in Bahrain, bringing in other investors and the like, so it’s more of a consultancy role. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking for funding for their start-up? The main thing that I want to see in a startup is twofold. Firstly, I want to see that the founder is capable of creating a business that exceeds our expectations and can grow it outside of Bahrain. Secondly, we want to see the implications on the wider market and if a product or idea is marketable outside of the immediate sphere and can be adaptable. What challenges have you faced at Tenmou and how have you overcome them?
Funding is the main challenge in Bahrain. Most of them require at least USD500,000 to really develop as a project, and obviously we only provide a portion of that. There are a lot of gaps and not a lot of funders in the market, and we also have our management costs as well so we have to balance everything. What exactly is the Collective Hub and what are your plans for the future of it? The Collective Hub is like my baby! I founded it in 2018 and it is the biggest communitybased co-working space in Bahrain, which harbours investors, creatives and start-ups. So far, we have established three branches and my aspiration is to have a thousand locations around the world. I know it is ambitious but I truly believe in it and we are already working on our first expansion into Saudi Arabia and aim to operate 40 locations there by 2027. What is nice about the Collective Hub is that it’s a really cool place to hang out and learn. Under one roof you have the investors there, you have the creatives, you have the start-ups; plus there are a lot of programmes and events, many of which are attended by ministers. Where else will you get an opportunity to meet ministers willing to give so much of their free time? Ultimately, we want to build a community that supports the entrepreneurship journey from the young, energetic creative minds to the experienced businessmen and women. Which of your many career successes are you most proud of? Definitely the Collective Hub! I initially faced resistance towards it because the initial cost of building it was high. However, from day one it has been profitable as the eagerness to rent out the spaces far exceeded our expectations.
Bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
ALOSRA UNVEILS NEW SLOGAN
Alosra supermarket is currently running a promotional campaign as one of its initiatives to introduce its new slogan: 'Always With You.' The new slogan reflects the company's unwavering dedication to delivering quality products and services, and a unique shopping experience for its valued customers.
‘Always With You’ embodies Alosra’s commitment to maintaining its support and collaboration with various organisations and initiatives serving the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain. When customers make purchases of BD20 or more, they have the opportunity to win amazing prizes through a scratch-and-win campaign including iPhones, Apple Watches, Trek bicycles, discount vouchers, free bread loaves and much more. Registered customers
can also participate in a monthly cash prize draw by shopping for BD5 or more. These campaigns boast an impressive array of over 40,000 prizes and will run until the end of the year. According to Ayachi Jomaa, the Director of Alosra, the ‘Always With You’ slogan encapsulates the core values and determination of the supermarket and its dedicated team. He said: “Alosra has always regarded itself as a steadfast partner to its customers and the wider community. Whether
it’s celebrating milestones or providing support during challenging times, we take pride in our shared journey over the past 35 years. “As a Bahraini supermarket, Alosra takes its commitment very seriously. This new promotional campaign serves as a token of gratitude to our customers, thanking them for allowing us to be a part of their lives over the past three decades. We encourage you to visit our stores and elevate your shopping experience!”
BAHRAINI SINCE 1987
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SCAN QR CODE
alosraonline.com alosrasupermarket
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November 2023
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interview
YES, CHEF! Chef Suresh Pillai is one of the world’s most renowned chefs, starring in British TV show MasterChef: The Professionals and opening his own restaurant chain, Restaurant Chef Pillai. During a visit to Bahrain, Kristian Harrison sat down with him to discuss his culinary journey.
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hef Pillai’s journey to international stardom is even more remarkable given his humble beginnings. A school dropout from Kerala, he took up work as a security guard before becoming a waiter in 1993. His path to becoming a world-renowned chef really began at a Chinese outlet where he would help the chefs chop vegetables during his breaks from waiting tables. His talent was recognised and he was invited to work in the kitchen, where he did his apprenticeship over three years.
Leojax90 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Stints in Calicut and Bangalore followed before his big break and a position at the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy in Piccadilly Circus, London. His rise through the ranks over the next decade saw him land a prestigious spot on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017.
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“It opened so many doors for me,” Chef Pillai reminisces. “It changed my career; I was invited to the University of the Bahamas as a teacher and guest chef, then returned to India and was appointed the culinary director of a five-star hotel group in Kerala. “I love to keep innovating, travelling and trying new cuisines and creating variations on old favourites. So my goal now is to expand the Restaurant Chef Pillai name around the world. After 30 years, I opened my first restaurant in Bangalore two years back and a
second restaurant six months later. Since then, I’ve added a further 10 and created more than 700 jobs which is amazing for me. “My ambition is 100 restaurants around the world, with 10 different brands of various cuisines. Another major goal of mine is to start my own culinary academy to teach young chefs. I learned in a different way, obtaining my knowledge from the universe purely through experience, so I feel have to give back to people,” he says. Chef Pillai’s words of wisdom for the younger generation revolve around two key concepts. Firstly, he recommends always creating food with ingredients sourced from a radius of five miles or less, which sometimes requires sacrifices in seasonal climates. Secondly, do not expect sudden success. “It’s a very, very interesting career and once you have the experience, you can go wherever in the world. Every day is a new day; there’s no such thing as a boring or repetitive day in the kitchen,” he says. Finally, Chef Pillai is staying coy about his plans in Bahrain but can reveal that his brand will be coming to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the near future.
Make Chef Pillai’s famous Fish Nirvana! Being an island boy, Chef Pillai is a seafood lover at heart. During the pandemic, he created Fish Nirvana which inspired millions worldwide. “The crux of the recipe is sliced fish cooked in a banana leaf. More specifically, it is marinated with chili powder, turmeric, a little black pepper, salt and lime juice for five to 10 minutes. It’s then fried in coconut oil for two minutes each side before being added to a pan lined with banana leaves. A cup of freshly squeezed coconut milk is poured over it and it is poached. “Finally, in the coconut milk you add salt, some crushed black pepper, chopped green chillies, chopped green mangoes, ginger and curry leaves and then you’re done. I’m so proud of it! It is very popular and our best seller in our restaurants.”
Bahrainthismonth.com
A MASTER HOTELIER
interview
Founded in 1987 by the late Swiss businessman Peter Gautschi and carrying the name meaning ‘beautiful hotels’, the Swiss-Belhotel International group continues to lead the way in the Kingdom’s hospitality industry with its numerous establishments. This month, we spoke to the company’s current Chairman and President, Gavin M. Faull, about its successes and plans for the future.
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r. Faull purchased Swiss-Belhotel International in 1999 with his partner in Hong Kong and has successfully grown the business to 130 hotels and projects in 20 countries worldwide. “What sets Swiss-Belhotel apart is that it was bred out of the Peninsula Group in Hong Kong, a very famous hotel group,” Mr. Faull believes. “We have a culture of passion and professionalism and also a family company because my three sons now work with me in different roles like finance, engineering and computers. In fact, we won family business awards in my native New Zealand and are also up for a similar award in Australia.” Inspiring a global team to maintain high standards of customer service and satisfaction is no mean feat, but Mr. Faull’s management style is to frequently travel and visit the company’s regional markets and delegate to 15 vice presidents. International visits also allows for meetings and talks with various markets, and negotiations are
Bahrainthismonth.com
now underway to expand a further 50-100 properties, many of which are in China. With five hotels in Bahrain, the business is thriving, but Mr. Faull refuses to let it rest on its laurels and constantly strives to stay relevant and innovate in an increasingly competitive market. “The core function in this industry has been the same for 2,000 years,” he explains. “Sleep, comfort, food and happiness is what everybody looks for. We develop brands which recognise and respect the environment and train our staff to maintain standards. Communication, transparency, respect, honesty and sincerity are they key facets of this and it is something I endeavour to implement daily from top-to-bottom.” In the modern world, sustainability and responsible tourism are key cornerstones of any hospitality enterprise. Swiss-Belhotel International has been a key leader in recognising this, says Mr. Faull. “We have developed a brand called MAUA, which is a Maori word for ‘family togetherness’.
The concept actually originates from my dairy farming operation. We’ve just opened our first hotel in an island off Bali, Indonesia, and we’re focusing on sustainability to ensure that everything we use is recycled, and that we grow our own vegetables. Fauna is part of our structure and that’s a concept as much as a natural way of life. We have to be more responsible and foster sustainability but as well as doing this through education, I want to have sustainable practices by action rather than just by advertising or words.” As for the future, Mr. Faull details further developments in the Middle East, Vietnam, Kenya and particularly China, and has set a goal of operating 500 hotels by 2030. “The biggest restriction is probably our physical resources of people, and of course finances to handle expansion,” he says. “However, as long as it is exciting and engaging I don’t see myself retiring and it is definitely keeping me busy!”
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education
Educating Generations
Malaysian higher education has grown and transformed significantly over the years, making it an increasingly desirable destination for both domestic and international students. This month, we take a look at the country’s numerous higher education institutions, such as universities, colleges, polytechnics and vocational institutes.
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alaysia’s educational institutions are both public and private in nature. Public institutions are highly-rated and provide a wide range of programmes, whilst private educational institutions also play an important role. Certificate, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programmes are available through both
public and private institutions and these higher learning institutions house more than a million students including international students from more than 150 countries. Higher education providers in Malaysia can be grouped into two major categories. The first is public higher educational institutions, which are government funded, and consist of public
universities, polytechnics and community colleges. Secondly, there are private higher educational institutions, which consist of private universities and private universitycolleges, foreign university branch campuses and private colleges.
Why Study in Malaysia? For international students, studying in Malaysia can be a wonderful option, and there are several convincing reasons why one should consider furthering one’s education in the country. These include: • Quality education
Public Higher Education Institutions
• World ranked universities
These are government funded institutions and there is a total of 20 public higher education establishments in Malaysia. They offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes, with some offering programmes at diploma level. Public higher educational institutions are categorised into three major groups: Research Universities, Specialised Universities and Comprehensive Universities. Of the 20 public universities at present, five are Research Universities and four are Comprehensive Universities. The remaining 11 are Specialised Universities.
Research Universities:
Universiti Malaya (UM) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Comprehensive Universities:
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA) Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
Specialised Universities:
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM)
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• Wide choice of institutions • Established and reputed foreign branch campuses • Affordable fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes • Reasonable cost of living • The medium of instruction is English • Convenient to practice own religions
Private Higher Education Institutions
Private Higher Educational Institutions (PHEIs), better known as Institut Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS) in Malaysia, have been playing a role as important as governmentfunded universities in the provision of tertiary education since the early 1980s. All private-funded higher educational institutions come under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Higher Education and comprise of 48 private universities, 10 foreign university branch campuses and private university colleges.
Foreign Branch Campuses in Malaysia include the following: • Swinburne University, Sarawak • Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Campus • Curtin University, Sarawak • Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia • Monash University Sunway Campus • University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus • University of Southampton Malaysia Campus • University of Reading Malaysia • Xiamen Uuniversity Malaysia Campus • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin Malaysia Campus
• Credit transfer arrangement from country of origin to Malaysian institutions thus providing a continuity of education • Malaysian Colleges and Universities have a proven track record of academic excellence • Option to study twinning programmes whereby students are able to obtain foreign degree from Malaysia • Studying in Malaysia is a unique experience – a combination of Asian cultures with a strong presence of an international cross-cultural experience. • Studying in Malaysia will broaden students’ intellectual horizons and deepen their knowledge and understanding of international, political, and economic issues • An access to first-hand knowledge of other cultures For further information, please contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Manama (email mwmanama@kln.gov.my) or Education Malaysia in Dubai (email em.dubai@mohe.gov.my)
Bahrainthismonth.com
cityscape
Cityscape Bahrain 2023 The Cityscape Bahrain Exhibition and Conference 2023 will be hosted in the Kingdom for the second consecutive year. One of the highlights of the real estate industry’s calendar, it will take place at Exhibition World Bahrain from November 14-16 and this year the theme is Sustainability and Digital Transformation in the Real Estate Sector.
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osted by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Cityscape Bahrain offers an outstanding environment that enables communication with developers, architects and influential figures in the real estate sector, showcasing the largest and most innovative real estate projects in the region under one roof. The exhibition is part of the Kingdom’ efforts to enhance the sector in line with the ambitious plans to diversify the economy towards non-oil sectors, in accordance with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. It is taking place at a time when the industry is witnessing tangible and rapid technological advancements. Visitors will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the real estate market in the region, including innovative projects that incorporate the latest sustainable technologies for the future. The conference is also being
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supported by several government entities and features more than 20 hours of content provided by 30 speakers who will address a range of topics focused on sustainability and digital transformation. The list of speakers includes prominent figures in the real estate sector, including executives, government officials, architects, consultants and others. They will offer insightful perspectives on key topics that are increasing in importance in shaping future markets. In addition to the conference, the Cityscape Bahrain exhibition will take visitors on a fruitful journey into the heart of the real estate market in the region. This exhibition serves as a meeting point for investors, industry specialists and enthusiasts, providing an exceptional platform for communication with leading figures.
Cityscape Bahrain also aims to enhance its position as a leading exhibition featuring the latest luxury residential projects, as well as providing promising investment opportunities for those interested in expanding their portfolios, with a diverse range of options ranging from large-scale projects to individual units. Last year’s exhibition achieved tangible success, receiving 10,000 projects and selling 689 properties within four days, with a total value of BD101m. Additionally, seven new real estate projects in the Kingdom were introduced during the exhibition. This year promises to be even bigger, and Cityscape Bahrain 2023 represents an important step that reaffirms Bahrain’s commitment to accelerating growth and development in the real estate sector at the local and regional levels.
Bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
GOPIO Bahrain Celebration GOPIO Bahrain hosted a celebration at Crowne Plaza, Bahrain, in the presence of esteemed dignitaries
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November 2023
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BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY
interview
The Kadi Group is one of the Bahrain’s leading real estate companies, with a portfolio of properties serving the needs of residents since 1985. We sat down with Kadi’s marketing manager, Alan Sieno, to find out more about its history and plans for the future, including the Kingdom’s first eco tower.
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hat got you into the real estate business and what do you love most about it?
Helping people find their homes can be an incredibly rewarding experience. As a real estate professional, we play a vital role in guiding individuals and families through the process of finding a place they can call home. You start by understanding your clients’ needs, preferences and budget. By listening attentively, you can gain valuable insights into their desired location, property features and lifestyle requirements. Armed with this information, you then embark on a journey to create suitable homes and present them with a curated selection that matches their criteria. Ultimately, the real estate profession allows you to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, turning their dreams into reality and helping them embark on a new chapter filled with hope, comfort and a sense of belonging. What are your thoughts on the current state of the real estate market in Bahrain? Bahrain’s real estate market has shown steady growth due to its strategic location, business-friendly environment and government initiatives. It offers diverse residential and commercial properties, meeting the needs of various market segments. Demand remains strong, particularly in urban and expatriate
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communities. Bahrain has also implemented initiatives to attract foreign investment, stimulating the market and driving growth in sectors like finance, technology and tourism. What are the biggest challenges that you see the real estate market in Bahrain facing in the coming years? Common challenges in Bahrain’s real estate market include: 1. Economic fluctuations impact demand and property values. 2. Supply and demand imbalances affect prices and selling/leasing periods. 3. Financing availability and mortgage conditions influence buyers’ purchasing power. 4. Global and regional economic factors impact market stability. Can you tell us about the Kadi Eco tower project? Burj Kadi Eco is Bahrain’s first eco-friendly residential building. Sustainability and environmental consciousness drive every aspect of our project. We prioritise simplicity in design and offer a range of state-of-the-art facilities. Be it our energy-efficient systems or eco-friendly materials, we seamlessly blend luxury with a reduced ecological footprint. Burj Kadi Eco goes beyond expectations, providing unique amenities to cater to diverse
interests. We are proud to introduce the country’s first dedicated gym for children aged 10 to 15, alongside a Padel court, basketball court, cinema and bowling alley. Our residents enjoy a lifestyle that harmonises sustainability and leisure. By embracing cutting-edge green technology, Burj Kadi Eco will set new standards for eco-conscious living. How do you plan to position Kadi group as a leader in the Bahrain’s real estate market? To position Kadi Group as a leader in Bahrain’s real estate market, we abide by the following criteria: 1. Prioritise exceptional customer service, building solid relationships and offering personalised solutions. 2. Demonstrate deep expertise and knowledge through market insights and comprehensive research. 3. Develop a diverse property portfolio to cater to various buyer and renter needs. 4. Embrace innovative technology for enhanced customer experiences and streamlined operations. 5. Show commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, appealing to environmentally conscious clients.
Bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
10th Bahrain International e-Government Forum
Almoayyed Computers Middle East (ACME) and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) sponsored the 10th edition of Bahrain International e-Government Forum and Exhibition at COMEX Bahrain.
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ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCE
Since its inception in 1970, Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB) has been contributing to the urban development of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It was recently honoured to have been awarded for three different projects by the Arabian Property Awards 2023-24.
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ith a commitment to creating value and delivering quality projects that feature innovation, sustainable thinking and design excellence, it’s no surprise to see the company recognised for its excellent engineering. Firstly, Marassi Bay was awarded within the category of Public Service Architecture, whilst the Salama Development Project won in the category of Residential Development, and finally the British School of Cairo won the award for Public Service Architecture. Managing Director of MSCEB, Thamer
Salahuddin, said: “I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the organisers and contributors of this event, as well as all those who played a role in the success of these projects and the organisation. These achievements reflect the dedication and commitment to excellence upheld by MSCEB”. The awards celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real estate industry. An International Property Award is a worldrenowned mark of excellence.
The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participants enter at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines. The highest-scoring winners from each region are automatically entered into the overall International Awards, which ultimately determine the world’s finest property companies.
OUR SERVICES “QUALITY IS A TRADITION”
Architectural Services Engineering Services Civil & Structural Services Construction Administration Project Management Quantity Surveying
WWW.MSCEB.COM HEADOFFICE@MSCEB.COM
Bahrainthismonth.com
Tel 1781 5775 Fax 1781 5010 / 1791 0825
Kingdom of Bahrain
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
MS Centre - Building 22 Avenue 58 Al Seef District 436 P.O. Box 1166
Tamimi Office Building Office 405 Prince Hamoud Street Alkhobar 7th Street
MSCEB
November 2023
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lifestyle
Walk This Way! The Kingdom of Bahrain has several walkways and parks across the island that give you a reason to put on your running shoes. Edwin D’Souza shares his favourite spots to help you get your steps in. Walking is one of the most popular forms of exercise and an easy way for you to stay fit. Getting your daily steps in is a great way to make sure that you keep your health in check and have some time to yourself. This underrated leisure activity is enjoyed by people all around the world with some communities naturally meeting their daily step targets during their daily commute. In Bahrain, a small island nation in the Arabian Gulf, residents and visitors might not be able to meet these targets when they’re out and about, but this gives them the opportunity to explore the country’s diverse landscapes through the country’s walkways. When you’re not at the gym or at a fitness class, these well-maintained paths are your key to maintaining an active lifestyle in Bahrain. Bahrain boasts a variety of walkways that cater to different preferences and interests. From scenic coastal promenades to historical trails and urban pathways, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular walkways in Bahrain.
KING FAISAL CORNICHE
One of the most iconic walkways in the country, the King Faisal Corniche, is located in the heart of Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. This corniche stretches for several kilometres and offers a picturesque route along the waterfront, beautifully landscaped with palm trees, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere for walkers. The King Faisal Corniche provides stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, with shimmering waters on one side and an impressive skyline of modern buildings on the other. Walking along the Corniche is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze.
AL JASRA WALKWAY
For those seeking a more historical and cultural experience, the Al Jasra Walkway is a must-visit. Located in the village of Al Jasra, this walkway meanders through narrow and winding alleys, giving walkers a glimpse into Bahrain’s rich heritage. As visitors navigate the traditional Bahraini houses, they will come across various landmarks, including the House of Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, one of the country’s most significant historical sites. The walkway also passes by small shops, cafés, and local artisans, offering a chance to engage with the vibrant community and appreciate the traditional crafts and arts of Bahrain. The Al Jasra Walkway provides a unique blend of history, culture, and local charm, making it an enriching experience for walkers interested in Bahrain’s past.
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lifestyle
THE TREE OF LIFE WALKWAY
Nature enthusiasts will find solace in the Tree of Life Walkway, located near Jebel Dukhan, Bahrain’s highest peak, this walkway allows visitors to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty. The highlight of the walk is, of course, the Tree of Life, a solitary tree that defies the odds by standing in the middle of a barren desert. Believed to be over 400 years old and without a visible water source, the Tree of Life is a symbol of resilience and has captured the fascination of visitors from around the world. Walking along the path leading to the tree, hikers can admire the unique desert landscape, dotted with sand dunes and towering rock formations. The Tree of Life Walkway offers a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience, providing a deeper connection to Bahrain’s natural wonders.
WATER GARDEN CITY
Bahrain also offers several urban paths that encourage walking. The Bahrain Bay Walkway is located at the Water Garden City, an area that is known for its restaurants and cafes while providing you with a magnificent view during the evenings. This walkway is a great place for you to find your peace while enjoying the city. This waterfront promenade is designed to incorporate green spaces, recreational facilities, and retail outlets, offering an attractive and accessible walkway for people of all ages.
DOHAT ARAD PARK
Located opposite the airport, the Dohat Arad Park is a beautiful waterfront walkway with lush greenery including some of Bahrain’s famous mangroves! One can always sit by the sea side and enjoy the scenery on a hot or cold day as Bahrain’s winter dawns upon us. Not only that, you also get to enjoy the winsome view of watching airplanes take off. The park’s extensive playgrounds, parking and eateries means that it not only provides you with a venue to exercise but could serve as a great way for the whole family to get active. Grab you snacks and have a pleasant evening plane watching by the sea.
AL FATEH CORNICHE
This corniche offers you the opportunity to walk or jog from the National Theatre all the way down to Al Najma Sports Club in Juffair. This corniche has been enjoyed by the people of Bahrain for generations and offers you an opportunity to relax on the grass, have a barbeque or even try your hand at ice skating at Funland’s rink. The pathway is even more popular in the afternoon and early evening among walkers. It is worth mentioning that Bahrain has made significant efforts to maintain and develop its walkways, ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for pedestrians. The government has invested in the construction and upkeep of these paths, providing proper lighting, seating areas, and amenities to enhance the overall walking experience. Moreover, Bahrain’s walkways are well-connected to public transportation, making it convenient for people to access these paths and explore different areas of the country.
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jewellery
The Epitome of Elegance
The iconic luxury brand, Roberto Coin, was established in the year 1996 and continues to be driven by the founder’s passion for life and creativity. We explore two of their iconic collections from the brand’s Vicenzaoro Fall collection 2023. Every single creation of Roberto Coin is the result of an exciting journey through cultures and influences, nature and landscapes. Each of his jewels tells a different story, a story that shrouds it in an unmistakable allure of uniqueness and style identity. Every day the hands of Italian craftsmen, guardians of the ancient traditions of jewellery, are entitled to translate into reality Roberto Coin’s imagination. With his constant desire to create something unique, Roberto Coin launches about five complete collections every year that are able to fulfill the market’s myriad desires. The collections are available in over 1,000 boutiques located in 60 countries all around the world, with these exquisite collections available in the Kingdom of Bahrain at Bahrain Jewellery Centre (BJC).
ART DECO
Art Deco is one of Roberto Coin’s most beloved collections throughout the world. In fact, its powerful, contemporary design lead Netflix and its writers to feature the collection in the second season of the show Emily in Paris. Despite the undeniable success of the iconic collection, Roberto Coin decided to dive into the great sea of creativity with a different style. Together with the brand’s creative team he began looking for a way to extend Art Deco, making it even more attractive, without falling into the classic problem of extending a line – that of taking strength away from the original design. From this visionary, non-conformist insight, Art Deco mini was born. The collection’s ties to the Art Deco artistic movement, in the 1920s and 30s, is evident in its design, made of geometric lines that are repeated with precision and symmetry. This rigor is interrupted and disrupted by fluid elements such as tassels and chains. Roberto Coin has dressed these pieces in the brand’s typical colours so that each design can convey a different style. Yellow and rose gold are the soul of every piece, decorated with mysterious black jade, delicate mother-of-pearl, intense lapis lazuli, malachite or joyful turquoise; the most opulent, haute couture version is covered in white diamonds. As Roberto Coin loves to reconfirm, for each unique woman, there’s a corresponding, equally unique style.
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DOMINO COLLECTION
The inspiration for this very precious collection comes from far, far away. The game of dominoes was born in China in 1100. It was brought to Europe by Italians only 500 years later, and it then spread to the entire world, becoming a traditional source of entertainment. The jewels in the Domino collection are made of rows of identical elements that are repeated along the entire surface, just as in the elements of the Chinese game. The gold is treated like a precious stone and each element of the jewels is worked like a miniature artistic sculpture. The black and white diamonds that light up the entire collection give it a sense of depth. The result is a dazzling, pure light that will attract your gaze. The domino effect is a small movement that’s capable of triggering exponential energy. With this collection Roberto Coin reaches the same domino effect through a new approach to manufacturing, initiating a revolution in the world of gold. With Domino Roberto Coin has also celebrated the ancient know-how of Italian master goldsmiths in creating a design that’s essential but that’s capable of infinitely multiplying the splendor of his jewels. A design that triggers the most precious domino effect we could have ever expected.
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commerce
and Smart
The World of Jewellery
The region’s largest jewellery and watch event, Jewellery Arabia 2023, will be taking place from November 14 to November 18. With this in mind, business expert, Pria Masson, delves into the business of jewellery, watches and wearables.
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eauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Value is in the eyes of the purchaser. Margins and good business, that’s in the hands of the entrepreneur. However, margins are a function of basic economics i.e. demand for the product at a certain price. How high that price can go, usually depends on whether it’s a want, a need, or a desire. Usually, when its desire, volumes are not very high but those that want it, are willing to pay a high margin for it. Jewellery, in almost all its forms, falls under just this very lucrative niche. Lucrative, if the cards are all played right. Let’s dive in.
What does the market look like?
As per Statista, the global jewellery and luxury watch market was worth over USD80
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billion in 2022. The space includes watches and gold and diamond jewellery. In the GCC, the total revenue for 2023 is expected to be approximately USD3 billion dollars . As I always say, revenue is not the same as profits. However, in terms of margins, most jewellery, and luxury watch and wearables, will make a large margin on a unit basis – usually north of 40 percent. An established brand or higher luxury offering will allow for higher margins. So, why is it that more people do not get into this space?
The logistics and execution – not so simple
The first challenge is that the core raw material, precious metals like gold, platinum, gemstones, etc; are expensive and difficult to
source at a suitable price. This means, large upfront investments. The second challenge is expertise. Jewellery making is a specialised skill and intricate work. Hand crafted work is high in demand. Machine made jewellery has a large market space but, the machines are of course expensive. Manpower is the most precious asset, and it comes at a price. Add to it inventory issues, because of no guarantee of sales, high marketing, and branding costs and of course, finding a niche market. The niche market makes marketing complicated. Jewellery is personal and preferences differ across geographies, cultures, and income levels. Figuring out who your actual audience is critical – and challenging.
Bahrainthismonth.com
commerce bystander
What about market types and audience? The market is very diverse. Machine-made costume jewellery is at the lower end of price points. Next comes handcrafted not very pure precious metals followed by pure precious metals and gemstones. Combinations on 18k gold with gemstones and similar combinations are also a very growing trend. International brands like Roberto Coin, Hublot, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Damas or Chopard and De Beers; most global jewellery and wearable brands are present in Bahrain. The lower prices due to tax implications and sourcing methods make the GCC an attractive jewellery market for retail. Niche products within the luxury wearables space are also gaining traction in the region. Bahrain owned Qannati for instance makes high end luxury, themebased, customised watches and wearables. In jewellery, Tiny Om which is an established brand locally and new brands like Kyan Jewellery which make customised earthy jewellery, all seem to have found their footing.
and Spain. These products are then either worked on or rebranded or sold as brands themselves depending on the underlying arrangements. The number of personalised, custom-made jewellery providers is also gaining an audience. Online channels to sell jewellery has meant that costs have become easier to manage. However, the market is very competitive and finding a dedicated audience to showcase the products is the biggest challenge. Exhibitions and regional promotional events like Jewellery Arabia become a relatively easy and essential way to reach an audience in order to raise awareness of the products and services.
Is it a crowded supply market?
Bahrain jewellers source their products mainly from India, France
How does all this tie up?
It ties up quite beautifully into a market that has a certain extent of price inelasticity. What that means is, at the higher end of luxury, demand justifies the costs of production. As we move lower on the price range, volumes start to play a larger role in profitability. Demand comes from having high levels of disposable income, a demand for personal care and beauty and an intangible element of “how it makes you feel”. The last bit is what changes the game. If a product makes you feel beautiful or wealthy, if it speaks to the people around you, that creates a sticky customer. Sticky customers are great for volume. And steady business is always good business. Pria is the Founder of GMI Advisory WLL– a Management Consultancy that helps companies with idea assessments, feasibility studies, strategy, business plans, presentations and preparing for investors. You can visit her company website gmiadvisory.com/ to connect with her. You can follow Pria at her Instagram handle @guide_my_idea
Gulf Night Out
Gulf Hotel Bahrain celebrated the return of its famous event “The Gulf Night Out 2023”.
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BENEFIT RECEIVES EGOV EXCELLENCE AWARD The Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions services, BENEFIT, has received the eGov Excellence Award for Best Website in the private sector. This prestigious award was presented during the 10th Bahrain International eGovernment Forum which was held in October under the patronage of the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), HE General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. Established in 2008, the eGovernment Excellence
Award recognises and honours outstanding ICT initiatives in the Kingdom of Bahrain, aligning with the objectives of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. The award was accepted by BENEFIT’s Chief Executive, Abdulwahed AlJanahi. HE General Shaikh Rashid commended the award recipients for their groundbreaking contributions to e-government initiatives, emphasising the pivotal role of information and communications technology in advancing national development. As the premier operator of national platforms
and services in the Kingdom, BENEFIT hosts groundbreaking Payment Capabilities, Information Management Solutions, and Business Process Outsourcing Services, with BenefitPay as one of the most important, popular, and innovative applications. It is worth noting that The Benefit Company has launched its strategy 2022-2024, which centers on Payment Infrastructure, Enabling Access to Credit, Supporting Digitalisation, and Internationalisation. The strategy roadmap encompasses many innovative initiatives to further advance Bahrain’s financial services landscape.
TAMKEEN SUPPORTS THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OF 130 BAHRAINIS AT KPMG The Labour Fund, Tamkeen announced a partnership agreement with KPMG to employ and train Bahrainis at KPMG’s Low-Code Centre of Excellence — the first of its kind in Bahrain. “The Centre of Excellence is being established jointly between KPMG in Bahrain and KPMG in Portugal and will focus on serving our clients in Bahrain, the region, and the wider global marketplace. The governance structure will ensure that the training of Bahraini employees will be of the highest international standards and will leverage the pool of resources on low-code engagements that international teams are working on”, says Managing Partner, KPMG Bahrain Managing Partner, Jamal Fakhro. A total of 130 Bahrainis will be employed and trained over the next five years in Low-Code development approaches and methods enabling them to efficiently develop digital solutions and applications. The training will focus on technologies
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that allow organisations to develop, deploy, and manage websites and applications without the need to write extensive code. “This programme will develop the capabilities of Bahraini talent, equipping them with new and emerging skillsets that will help them adapt to the rapidly changing digital world, and compete and excel on regional and global levels,” says Tamkeen CE, Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez.
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business bites
MUMTALAKAT ANNOUNCES NEW ALBA CHAIRMAN
BAHRAIN FINTECH BAY APPOINTS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat) announced the appointment of Khalid Al Rumaihi as Chairman of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), a Mumtalakat local portfolio company. Presently, Mr. Al Rumaihi is the Executive Chairman of Amriya Group. Before his current role, he held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Mumtalakat, from September 2019 to April 2023. He also served as the Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) for five years. Prior to his tenure at the EDB, Al Rumaihi held the position of Managing Director at Investcorp and was a member of the Management Committee and Head of the Institutional Placement Team covering Investcorp’s clients in the Arabian Gulf. This was preceded by a nine-year term at JP Morgan as head of its private client group in the Gulf region. Mr. Al Rumaihi holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy specialising in Economic Development from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
BAHRAIN TO HOST THE GLOBAL ROUTE DEVELOPMENT FORUM Bahrain International Airport has announced that it will officially host the 29th edition of Routes World in the Kingdom of Bahrain from October 6 to October 8. The conference was handed over to Chairman of Gulf Air Group Holding (GFG), HE Zayed R. Alzayani, by Istanbul Airport CEO, Selahattin Bilgen, during a handover ceremony held at the 28th conference in Istanbul, Turkey – with an attendance of more than 3,000 aviation professionals from around the world.
Bahrain FinTech Bay (BFB) announced its newly appointed Board of Directors with Chief Executive at BENEFIT, Abdulwahed AlJanahi, as Chairman of the Board. On the heels of BFB’s acquisition by BENEFIT in a landmark partnership agreement in September 2023, the strategic leadership transition brings together experienced industry veterans and signifies the steadfast commitment of both entities to contribute to the advancement of Bahrain’s fintech landscape. The following members have been appointed on the newly constituted board of BFB, Yousif Al Nefaie – Deputy Chief Execute of BENEFIT and Vice Chairman of BFB Board, Nezar Maroof – Assistant General Manager of Marketing & Communication in BENEFIT, Hessa Husain – Assistant General Manager of Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau, Layla Al Qassab – Chief Financial Officer of BENEFIT, Rashad Faraj – Executive Director of Special Projects at Bahrain Economic Development Board and Dalal Buhejji – Executive Director of Business Development (Financial Services) of Bahrain Economic Development Board.
Designed to leverage BFB’s extensive network of fintech players and comprehensive suite of services - which includes acceleration programmes, corporate innovation advisory, talent development, and educational programs - the partnership aims to boost BENEFIT’s regional growth strategies and research and development activities on shape the future of aviation services worldwide. The conference global level. has consistently resulted in positive outcomes, enhancing global connectivity networks, and strengthening connections between more than half of new aviation companies through networking and meetings.
The announcement comes as part of Gulf Air Group Holding’s participation in the 28th edition of Routes World that took place in Istanbul from October 15 to October 17. GFG was in attendance alongside a special Bahrain delegation including Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), Bahrain Airport Services (BAS), Bahrain Economic Development Board, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Exhibition World Bahrain. As the most significant global event for the aviation sector, Routes World is expected to facilitate discussions on strategies that will
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dining
Richard Martinez @richardmartinez.bh
How do you think Richard Martinez fulfils his craving? With a bowl of ‘Pagkaing Pilipino’, which means Filipino Food! Since he was a kid, Richard had a natural love for food that drove him onto the path of becoming a food blogger. Richard started his blogging page (Bahrain Good Vibes) in October 2019 and struggled at the start with low engagement. He then set his vlogging career on hold and focused on his full-time job. In 2022, Richard made a return to his dream of being a vlogger and through joining communities and meeting the right people, his trademark “back-to-back-to-backto-my-vlog “was born. Since then he has always reminded himself to stay motivated and keep pushing to greater heights. When asked what the most bizarre food he ever tried was, Richard had one word to say: “BALUT”!
TOP 9
FOODIES
We asked the people of Bahrain about their go-to blogger when looking for a place to fulfil their cravings. Bahrain this Month caught up with the top 9 food bloggers as voted by the public and here is how it went.
Farah Karim Qasim @thebahrainblog
Farah’s personal favourite is always machboos and finds absolute bliss in anything rice as it’s her go to comfort food. The love for food and the fact that she likes connecting with people in an enthusiastic manner and sharing her experiences and inspiring people is what got her into being a food blogger. At the start of her blogging journey, she resorted to talking about her experiences of visits to restaurants which progressed and escalated to motivating her to start trying out new places and food. The main driving factor for Farah was the urge of connecting people to the exploring of new outlets in different locations. When it comes to trying bizarre foods, Farah has had quite the experience. “I remember having spaghetti made of chocolate,” she explains. “It sounded and looked bizarre but tasted good. Then I had this very unique experience of eating in the dark, where it was pitch black and I had sensory experience with food.”
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Golden Fork Hungry Fifi @hungry_fifi
Fifi’s favourite food is anything with truffles. She has always had a natural interest in food and went from cooking to trying new restaurants every now and again. This sparked her excitement and led her to an internship at BBC Food after she had completed her university. She then launched her social media handles (Twitter was first) in 2011 and has never looked back since then. Instagram and Facebook followed and then her presence grew to having her own website www.hungryfifi.com in 2021. As for bizarre foods, she says: “I don’t think I’ve eaten anything that bizarre! But I do adore anything raw, including meat, eggs and fish. I guess some people might find that bizarre”.
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@lady_with_a_golden_fork When it comes to picking her favourite food, Golden Fork had a difficult decision to make as she is a fan of some of the most popular dishes in the world, such as sushi, medium-well beef steak, biryani and pizza. The love for exploring and trying new food is what set Golden Fork on the journey and after four years of posting food pictures on her personal page she discovered the blogger in herself. She has been a food blogger for three years now and has loved every single part of the journey. The most bizarre food that she has had is pizza with dates and shark fin soup.
Bahrainthismonth.com
dining
Bilal Kazi @bilalkazi.bh
Qadisa
Bilal Kazi’s heart lies with Mexican and Indian cuisines, as their rich flavours, diverse ingredients and aromatic spices captivate the taste buds every time. After completing his Bachelor’s degree in hotel management and discovering an undeniable love for food, he decided to become a food blogger and share his passion for it with others. Bilal started his journey to being a food blogger in 2013 with the eagerness to share his adventures and celebrate his love for all things culinary. The most unusual food combination that Bilal has had is cola with fries. Although it is strange, he says that the contrasting flavours and textures create a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
@exploring_bh Qadisa would have Biryani any day above anything else. Her desire to always try different cuisines and explore all the flavours of the world got her on this exciting and tasteful journey of being a food blogger, starting back in 2013. The most bizarre food Qadisa has ever tried is something that we all will question: fried cow brain.
The Food Menu by Zainab Akbar @thefoodmenu.bh
Her love for authentic food is unmatched; getting to know the roots of a cuisine and embracing the authenticity of a dish is what makes Japanese food Zainab’s favourite. Besides that she also enjoys Lebanese cuisine from time to time for its variety and colour. Zainab’s undying love for food is what led to her being a food blogger. Zainab initially began her career with blogs in 2005 on various websites, and with the rise of social media and the demand for images and shorter reviews, she launched her Instagram in 2015. Although now being adopted into many restaurants’ menus, snails is the most bizarre food item that Zainab has ever tried.
Aysha Sarwani
@foodaholics_bahrain
SHAIKA @shaika011
Shaika would prefer grills and burgers any day as it is one of her favourite foods. Shaika enjoys exploring different kinds of food and cuisine, and wanted people to be aware of the different cuisines in Bahrain, which drove her into the world of food blogging. Shaika started her journey into food blogging in February 2011 and has not looked back since then. Vine Leaves are one of the most bizarre foods she has tried.
Bahrainthismonth.com
Aysha Sarwani loves herself some mixed sauce pasta with extra cheese on it and, of course, chocolate. Her relentless passion for food and being enthusiastic in exploring new flavours is what got her into the realm of food blogging. She started off sharing her opinions with family and friends and that’s where it escalated to a social media account for thousands to experience. Aysha began her blogging journey back in 2019 in Oman and stopped due to COVID -19. She then reignited her career at the end of 2020 in Bahrain. We have all had bizarre experiences with food but Aysha’s was one to remember. She reminsices: “I remember I had some mixed seafood from a highly-regarded restaurant. The taste was okay-ish but on that night I vomited and got sick. It turned out to be a nightmare and it has been two years, and I have never touched seafood again.”
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bystander
World Food Day
World Food Day was celebrated at the Bahrain Financial Harbour, with guest speaker Kai Meithig, CEO and Founder of W-AI-STE.
A Tribute to Ennio Morricone
On the occasion of the Bahrain International Music Festival, the Italian Embassy hosted a concert in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities at the Cultural Hall, featuring ‘A tribute to Ennio Morricone - Oscar Film scores by Quintetto’.
White Crystals in the Dark
A Solo Exhibition titled ‘White Crystals in the Dark’ was held at the Art Centre by Jamal AbdulRahim.
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Elevated Italian Cuisine at Located in the busy Juffair district, Cucina Italiana is known for serving some of the most delicious Italian food in Bahrain. Edwin D’Souza indulges in an unforgettable gastronomic experience and shares his thoughts.
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alking into Cucina Italiana, you can’t help but take notice of its charming ambience. The restaurant offers authentic Italian delicacies and promises to transport guests to the vibrant streets of Italy, and I was a willing explorer. To commence the culinary expedition, we were served freshly baked Focaccia, a flat leavened oven-baked Italian bread, accompanied by balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil. The bread was fluffy, with a subtle hint of rosemary, flawlessly complementing the tangy notes of the balsamic vinegar and the smooth richness of the olive oil. Next, we were served a medley of authentic Italian starters. The Insalata di Cucina, a refreshing salad boasting a colourful array of fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, beef bresaola, honey-mustard, balsamic reduction and shaved parmesan guarantees an elegant blend of protein and greens. Moving on to the Arancini, these delightful rice balls were generously filled with savoury risotto and mozzarella, lending a creamy and indulgent burst of flavour with each bite combined with a light spicy tomato dip. The Polpette Napoli showcased Neapolitan-style tender meatballs in a rich basil tomato sauce — a delightful balance of hearty and tangy flavours.
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You can’t go wrong with a classic Italian starter like the Bruschette e Spuntini, which is a harmonious combination of toasted bread topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.
case. This authentic Italian pizza featured a thin, crispy crust topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, exemplifying the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine.
After the delicious appetisers, the main courses were off to a phenomenal start with the Angello Aristito con La Salsa di Brown. This prepared lamb rack was impressive in terms of flavour, texture and presentation too. We enjoyed its tenderness and harmonious pairing of spices. The brown sauce lent a rich complexity to the dish, elevating its sensory appeal.
To round off our culinary expedition, we indulged in an assortment of desserts crafted with finesse. The Virgin Tiramisu, a twist on the classic Italian dessert, delighted our palates with its feather-light layers of mascarpone cream and espresso-soaked ladyfingers. The Pannacotta, a silky-smooth Italian custard infused with vanilla, offered a delightful contrast of creamy texture and delicate sweetness.
Next, we devoured the Penne Alla Norma, featuring al dente penne in a flavoursome tomato sauce, enhanced with eggplant and ricotta cheese. This vegetarian pasta offered a delightful balance between the creaminess of the cheese and the hearty notes of the eggplant. The Mediterranean-style Pesce Al Catoccio was a delectable sea bass dish which was expertly cooked in parchment paper, retaining its natural juices and flavours. The blend of fresh herbs, zesty lemon, and fragrant garlic created a symphony of flavours that perfectly complemented the delicate fish. It wouldn’t be an Italian dinner without a quintessential pizza, the Pizza Bandiera in this
Last but not least, the Torta Al Cioccolato Fondante mesmerises every chocolate enthusiast with its rich and velvety dark chocolate cake, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Each mouthful was a luxurious indulgence, leaving us satiated and satisfied. By the end of the night, it was clear that Cucina Italiana offers a transportive dining experience, one delectable dish at a time. This is not the last you’ll see of us, Cucina!
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tablehopping
FANTASTIC EATS g Tickle your tastebuds with these fantastic dinin th. mon this dom King the experiences across ded There’s plenty to choose from, so we’ve roun ls! hote t fines s rain’ Bah up the very best at
A BREAKFAST FIT FOR MUMS!
Flavours On 2 invites all mothers for a delightful hearty breakfast buffet experience at Downtown Rotana. Mums get to enjoy a relaxing breakfast with fellow mums or by themselves. Tuck into the generous buffet spread including fresh pancakes and waffles, fruits and vegetable, cereals and more. You can also choose your preference at the live egg station and healthy detox corner. Reserve your table and enjoy this buffet daily from 6.30am to 10.30am. The buffet is priced at BD6. Prior booking is recommended. Call or WhatsApp 33 605-070.
MORNING TREATS
Treat yourself to an international breakfast buffet at Ginger Restaurant located at Majestic Arjaan by Rotana. Enjoy this breakfast buffet daily from 6.30am to 10.30am for just BD7.5. Don’t forget to bring your little ones along for this delicious breakfast as kids between six and 12 get 50 percent off the bill. Prior booking is recommended. Call 17 370-000.
A SCRUMPTIOUS THANKSGIVING DINNER
Elevate your Thanksgiving traditions at CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and savour a sumptuous dinner with a contemporary twist crafted by Regional Executive Chef Brian Becher and his talented team. Enjoy some of the seasonal favourites like Deep-Fried Turkey with Cranberry Apple Compote, Kabocha Pumpkin Pie and much more. Live DJ tunes and the restaurant’s stunning night views of Bahrain Bay are sure to add to your experience. This delectable Thanksgiving dinner takes place on Thursday, November 23, from 7pm to 12am. The experience is priced at BHD59 net per person. Prior booking is recommended. Call 17 115-044.
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NEW TASTES AT BAY VIEW LOUNGE
Immerse your senses in the new culinary delights of Bay View Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Savour the new additions to the seafood platter including Lobster Cocktail, Tuna Tiradito, Grilled Octopus, Salmon Bagel’s and finger sandwiches featuring some mouthwatering options like tuna, salmon and more. Treat yourself to the ‘Taste of Bay View’ set menu and enjoy the option to choose from two or three enticing main courses. The elegant seafood experience starts daily from 11am to 11pm at the Bay View Lounge. Prior booking is recommended. Call 17 115-500.
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tablehopping
THANKSGIVING TURKEY TAKEAWAY
Celebrate Thanksgiving Day this year with your loved ones at home, with the special Turkey Take-Away by The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. You get to choose from some delicious options of honey mustard glazed or apple honey glazed turkey, served with garden vegetables and traditional turkey stuffing. Do not miss out on the experience priced at BD10 per kg with a minimum order of 6kgs. Call 17 713-000.
DINNER AND A SHOW!
Gulf Night Out makes its muchawaited return this month at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, keeping you entertained with exciting live shows, including a belly dancer and live music by talented performers. It’s no secret that The Gulf Hotel Bahrain is known for its extravagant selection of food given that the hotel has several award-winning restaurants. You’ll be happy to know that the culinary team will be whipping up some of it finest offerings including pasta, tempura, dahi puri, quesadillas and hot grills at a variety
of live stations. You also get the chance to win several prizes at the event. Gulf Night Out will take place on November 7 and 14. The experience is priced at BD20, or BD18 for Prestige/NSA members. Ladies can savour the experience for just BD15 net on Ladies Night. Children below six dine for free and children from six to twelve years dine at a discount of 50 percent. Prices are subject to applicable taxes. Call 17 713-000.
ON WEEKENDS WE BRUNCH!
GOURMET MASTERS SERIES
Do not miss out on the experience of the revamped and unique fusion dining experience inspired by ‘Nikkei Cuisine’ at InterContinental Bahrain, , a delicate fusion that combines Japanese and Peruvian elements. InterContinental proudly presents the Director of F&B aka Chef Emmanouil back in his whites alongside Chef Rajesh and Chef Tauseef! This mesmerising experience takes place on November 29 from 6.30pm to 10pm and is priced at BD37 with special grape pairings. Call 17 227-777.
Get ready for a classic Thanksgiving themed Brunch at Legendz Steakhouse at InterContinental Bahrain, from 11am to 4pm, bringing to you a variety of options starting with breakfast classics and ending with lunch. This thanksgiving brunch is priced at BD28 net with soft beverages and BD37 net with endless selected beverages. Children under six years dine for free and children between six and 12 enjoy 50 percent savings. The brunch will take place on November 24. Call 17 227-777.
SEAS THE DAY!
Seafood connoisseurs, rejoice! Immerse yourself in a gastronomic adventure filled with the freshest seafood delights and an electrifying live DJ performance. The menu at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain spans a lavish spread of sushi, sashimi, seafood dim sum, dumplings, tempura, oysters, slipper lobster and tiger prawns. Some of the most skilled chefs are ready to craft your chosen seafood perfectly, promising an unforgettable evening for all seafood enthusiasts. Prices range from BD26 per person, including unlimited selected beverages and BD22 per person, including unlimited soft drinks and water, including one platter of oyster. Don’t miss out on this seafood night every Monday from 7pm to 10pm at Silk’s restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Prior booking is recommended. Call or WhatsApp 33 640-032.
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tablehopping
ON SATURDAY’S WE… BRUNCH!
Join in a Spanish Saturday fiesta mood at The Westin City Centre Bahrain with a selection of cold and hot tapas at Salero’s Saturday brunch. There’s plenty to enjoy including the paella of the day cooked a la minute. The best part is that you can of course repeat any items on the menu as many times as you like plus a delightful dessert buffet. The brunch is available every Saturday from 1pm to 5pm and is priced at BD32 including selected beverages and BD22 net including soft beverages. The brunch menu changes from time to time, so kindly check with the hotel for the week’s menu. Prior booking is recommended. Call 17 171- 300 or WhatsApp 33 502-110.
BRUNCH IN STYLE
Friday brunches are back at the Obab Al Bahar at Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa. Join in for an exciting brunch experience. Enjoy some delicious international dishes along with some entertainment and more. BD30 net including soft beverages, BD39 net along with selected beverages and BD15 net for children below 12 years old. Children under 6 years of age eat for free. Prior booking is recommended. Call 33 663-464.
GRILLIN’ AND CHILLIN’
Ya Hala Roof-top Lounge at Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Amwaj Islands is hosting its weekend BBQ night with stunning sea views. Don’t miss out on the unlimited barbecued meats, seafood, and chicken, as well as the Italian touch of a live pasta station and a diverse main course buffet. You can also tuck into a wide range of delicious salads, desserts and soft drinks. This fantastic barbeque experience takes place every Thursday and Friday from 7.30pm to 11pm, with prices set at BD15 net per person for unlimited BBQ and soft drinks, and BD25 net per person for unlimited BBQ and selected beverages. Prior booking is recommended. Call 66 390-498.
MEAT LOVERS REJOICE!
Wyndham Garden Manama welcomes you to indulge in an ‘All you can eat’ meat selection including Picanha, Fraldinha, Tenderloin with Parmesan crust, Rib eye, striploin, garlic chicken wings, lamb chops and more, grilled to perfection and complemented with fresh choices from the salad bar along with lipsmacking grilled pineapple. Dine and enjoy the best city skyline views from the rooftop restaurant. Indulge in the experience with unlimited Churrascaria with soft beverages starting at BD25 net per person. This experience takes place daily from 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Kindly note that the restaurant is closed on Monday. Prior booking is recommended. Call or WhatsApp 66 390-928
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THE ULTIMATE LAZY BREAKFAST
Join in on weekends for a laid-back breakfast feast at The Bahrain Bay Kitchen Four Seasons featuring your all-time breakfast favourites, specialty egg dishes, Arabic mezze and shawarma, refreshing salads, Indian cuisine and live wok stations. This breakfast is priced at BD20 per person while children aged six to 12 enjoy 50 percent savings and children under six get to dine with the Hotel’s compliments. The breakfast is available on Saturdays, from 11.30am to 3pm. Prior booking is recommended. Call 17 115-500.
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bystander
Beach Party
Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa hosted a beach and pool party accompanied by various artists and beach activities for guests to enjoy.
A WORLD OF FLAVORS, JUST ONE TAP AWAY DOWNLOAD THE APP & ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE JAPANESE FOOD
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tablehopping
WE’RE BIG ON BRUNCH
Savour unforgettable moments with your loved ones at Bahrain’s finest, award-winning brunch experience. Embark on a delightful culinary adventure, complemented by live band entertainment, in an ambience designed to elevate your dining experience to a new level. Cherish quality time and indulge in unparalleled gastronomic delights. An extraordinary dining journey awaits. The brunch is priced at BD33 per person, including unlimited selected beverages with 50 precent off for children aged six to 11 years. Children under six years eat for free. The experience takes place every Friday from 12.30pm to 4pm at the Silk’s Restaurant & Gallery Lobby Lounge, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Prior booking is recommended. Call or WhatsApp 33 640-032.
THANKSGIVING DINNER
Celebrate the spirit of gratitude and togetherness with the K Hotel this Thanksgiving. Its Thanksgiving Dinner will take place at the K Tracks Lounge on November 23 from 7pm-11pm. Indulge in the flavours of the season and create cherished memories with your loved ones while enjoying a feast that will fill your heart and satisfy your cravings. The cost is BD15+++ per person with unlimited soft beverages or BD23+++ with unlimited house beverages. Call 36 600-433.
THEMED THRILLS
MYSTICAL MENU
Prepare to embark on a whimsical adventure with the alluring Mystical Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s La Med, a bewitching Friday experience that promises to enchant and delight. Guests will be transported to a realm where culinary mastery meets mystic wonders, creating an unforgettable dining experience. Set in an elegant and familial venue, guests will be mesmerised by the spellbinding ambiance, complete with ornate decorations and complemented by natural daylight and a hypnotic view of the resort. The chic and enchanting menu will fascinate your taste buds as new Executive Chef, Joergen Sodemann, adds his magic touch to the delectable dishes and enchanting elixirs. The Mystical Brunch Package starts at BD35 per adult and BD17.5 per child, with under threes dining for free. Call 17 586-499.
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Join Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain on a gastronomic journey is it unveils its Themed Dinner Nights at Origins, inviting you to indulge in distinctive culinary experiences every evening. Each night promises a delectable adventure, satisfying your cravings with an array of world-class cuisine. Running from Sunday to Thursday, 6.30pm-10.30pm, embark on a flavourful adventure and indulge in a captivating series of themed buffet nights. Prepare your taste buds for a culinary odyssey that traverses the continents, promising an exciting exploration of global flavours. The cost is BD21 net for adults and BD10.5 net for children aged six to 12. Call 77 488-100.
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bystander
Friday Brunch Revival
T he Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa announced the revival of its Friday brunch at Bo.Sabi.
www.stirfrycrazy.com What is Cooking ?
Perfection progress
y l s u o i c i Del — s ‘ r u o Y —
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bystander
Jewellery Unveiling
Cantina Kahlo
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T he Ritz-Carlton Spa, Bahrain unveiled a brand-new jewellery line, Swayta Sha - a distinguished name in the world of handcrafted jewellery that celebrates individuality and the essence of modern women.
Cantina Kahlo celebrated its 7th Anniversary with an elaborate mexican fiesta bringing the mexican tradition back to Bahrain.
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bystander
Think Pink Signing
The K Hotel hosted a signing ceremony along with Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society showcasing its support by illuminating the K Hotel building for the month of October.
Indian Classical Flute Performance
The Indian Embassy hosted a live performance by the well renowned Indian Flutist , Sunil Bhagwan, as part of the Music Festival by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, at the Cultural Hall, Bahrain
weekend buffet
Lanterns Budaiya
BD 5.9+
Fridays 12pm - 4pm & 7pm - 11pm Saturdays 12pm - 4pm
live station • chaat • stir fry
fresh halal meat HALAL 100% QUALITY PRODUCT
FOR RESERVATIONS: 1759 0591 Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
Lanternslounge
Lanternsbahrain
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bystander
Suzuki Car Launch
Mohammed Jalal and Sons hosted the launch of the new Suzuki Fronx at City Centre, Bahrain.
Marites Grand Opening
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Ramee Palace Hotels celebrated the grand opening of its new venue Marites.
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bystander
5th Anniversary
Swiss-Bel Residences Juffair celebrated its 5th Anniversary of great hospitality and home welcoming services.
at Swiss Bistro Breakfast Buffet
Sunday to Thursday - 6.00 to 11.00 am To reserve your table please contact us on 66622033
Y
BH
L
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ON
13666777 www.swiss-belhotel.com
RY
for a delicious breakfast
COMPLIMEN 1 TA T E G
BU Y1
JOIN US!
D 7 N E T. November 2023
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bystander
Porsche Cayenne Launch
The launch of the brand-new Porsche Cayenne was held, unveiling the pinnacle of luxury, performance and innovation.
Grand Opening
Porsche celebrated the grand opening of its new outlet in Bahrain World Trade Centre, Moda Mall.
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motoring
MADE TO IMPRESS
Porsche changed the landscape of luxury crossovers with its first Cayenne SUV in 2002. Now more than 20 years later, it continues to find ways to improve its already great design. With a mid-cycle refresh updating the design further, Kristian Harrison took the 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S for a spin.
T
he focus for this model has clearly been centred on making the car look sportier than previous iterations, which has been achieved with a much sharper design. In particular, the headlights, front and rear bodies feature sleek lines and voracious curves that give the vehicle a classier look. Under the bonnet, the excellence you would expect from a Porsche is guaranteed as standard, but this time there’s a bit of extra oomph. The 474bhp, V8 engine capable of 273kmph roars into life with remarkable response, and with acceleration from zero to 100kmph taking just 4.7 seconds, it’s fair to assume that the days of pesky lane grabbers storming ahead of you at traffic lights are gone. As always, driving is most fun when you can use the gear shift paddles and twist the Drive Mode dial from Normal to Sport … and then Sport Plus. The car is incredible to drive in the latter, with the engine roaring and then crackling on deceleration to give you a true taste of speed. Speaking of paddles, dials and displays, if you’ve spent time in a Porsche Taycan, you’ll recognise it immediately. The Cayenne’s redesigned dashboard ditches the analogue tachometer and now features screens galore. A curved digital gauge cluster offers a whole new experience and nearly everything about the centre console is new. The gear shifter, for one, is now a chunky toggle switch and push-button combo on the dashboard, hidden behind the smaller 911-inspired steering wheel. I must admit that I embarrassingly forgot where it was multiple times during my experience!
Moving it there opened up lots of space on the centre console, though I’m not entirely sold on how the space is used. The new climate-control panel takes up a good chunk of the area and features a mix of mechanical and touch controls that seem more like a triumph of design than of great function. However, I did appreciate the wireless phone charger located under the centre stack. The digital instrument cluster is crisp and bright despite being unshaded, whilst the screens are easy to navigate with little intuition required and are widely customisable so you always get exactly what you want in front of your eyes. The Porsche Cayenne’s most impressive attribute has always been its ability to be all things to all people. It drives like a tall sports car when you want it to, but it also takes the kids to school comfortably. While interior space is unchanged, the 2024 Cayenne’s combination of new suspension dampers, new air springs and tires with slightly taller sidewalls make for an even more comfortable ride. Taking the car from the showroom in Sitra all the way north to Diyar Al Muharraq to pick up a friend who offered feedback on the passenger experience, then down to the Tree of Life to test off-road capabilities, really showed how this is a car for all terrains and road conditions. There’s no jostling from the
plethora of potholes, speed bumps and rough turns that proliferate Bahrain’s roads. Despite the hundreds of cars I have driven over the years, I can honestly say that rarely have ‘power’ and ‘smooth’ combined so well as it does with the Cayenne S Coupe, meaning that every minute spent taming this beauty was a pleasure. For more information, visit the Porsche Centre Bahrain in Sitra or call 17 459-911.
Scan to watch the video
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bystander
Hyundai Accent 2024 Car Launch
First Motors Bahrain hosted the launch of the latest edition Hyundai Accent 2024 at its showroom in Ma’ameer.
Networking Lunch
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T he British Chamber of Commerce hosted a business networking lunch meeting at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, with guest speaker HE Noor Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development.
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FRESH AND FUTURISTIC
motoring
First Motors, the official dealership of Hyundai in Bahrain, launched the new Hyundai Accent saloon in the Kingdom last month. Bahrain This Month was in attendance, and learned how the Korean marque brought its most successful model into the digital age with a fresh new design that embraces the future while preserving its iconic legacy.
O
ne of Hyundai’s most popular models worldwide, the Accent enters its latest generation with a bold and contemporary design that epitomises Hyundai’s new design language. With its eye-catching rear lights and overall sporty look, the Accent exudes an aura of sophistication and modernity. The addition of a black chrome parametric grille and striking alloy wheels gives it a distinct and commanding presence that is sure to turn heads on the roads. Inside the cabin, the Accent demonstrates excellent spaciousness and comfort, with best-in-class front and rear headroom, legroom and shoulder room. The dashboard and cluster screen have been thoughtfully redesigned to offer a more modern and user-friendly interface. An eight-inch multimedia system seamlessly integrates with your smartphone for music, navigation and more, while multiple USB ports
ensure charged devices throughout your drive. Under the bonnet, the Accent delivers a dynamic performance to match its style. The 1.5-litre MPI petrol engine’s aluminium construction provides impressive power-to-weight ratio. With a maximum power of 113bhp at 6,300rpm and maximum torque of 144Nm at 4,500rpm, the new Accent performs when you need it. Additionally, paddle shifters provide a sportier driving feel, allowing effortless gear changes with a flick of the finger, while keeping hands securely on the steering wheel. Every Accent comes with Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty packages providing complete peace of mind to its customers and assuring the brand’s commitment to excellence.
This includes 24/7 roadside assistance for one year and a lifetime warranty with unlimited time and mileage. For more information, visit the First Motors Showroom in Ma’ameer or call 17 121-121.
Boldly different. Discover the 2024 ACCENT
The wait is over: The new ACCENT has arrived with a bold, new design and exciting features. One of Hyundai’s most popular and successful models has been completely redesigned, bringing it into the digital age with fascinating additions like the horizon LED lamps. To keep you well-connected, the new ACCENT comes equipped with an 8-inch multimedia control system that seamlessly interfaces with your smartphone, multiple USB recharging ports, and much more.
Shk. Jaber Al Subah Highway, Ma’ameer, Kingdom of Bahrain, Phone: 17 121 121
www.hyundai.com
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motoring news
ICONS OF PORSCHE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DUBAI
One world premiere, the largest number of classic Porsches and a supercar showcase headed by the Mission X hypercar concept are just a few of the highlights confirmed for this year’s third Icons of Porsche. Ferdinand Porsche famously stated that, unable to find the car of his dreams, he decided to build his own. On June 8, 1948, he released the 356 ‘No1’ Roadster which signalled the birth of Porsche. Icons of Porsche will embrace the theme “Dream in Full Colour” to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Porsche. Icons of Porsche will celebrate this milestone using colour as an example of its courage to innovate by showcasing the dramatic palettes Porsche has used over the decades including Speed Yellow, Ruby Stone, Lava Orange and Neptune Blue “This year, we will reveal several new Porsche models that have never been seen in the region before. This includes the global reveal of the new Panamera as well as more celebrities, race drivers
and entertainment for the whole family,” says Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Middle East and Africa, Dr. Manfred Bräunl. Icons of Porsche will take place at Dubai Design District (D3) and will host not only the biggest display of classic Porsches anywhere in the region. This year also marks the 100th Anniversary of ‘The 24 Hours of Le Mans’ and Icons of Porsche visitors will see several Le Mans racing cars such as the 917 KH ‘Renntaxi’ and the Porsche RS Spyder. To secure your complimentary single or family tickets, register at iconsofporsche.com.
NISSAN UNVEILS THE NISSAN HYPER ADVENTURE CONCEPT Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. unveiled the Nissan Hyper Adventure, the second vehicle in its series of advanced EV concepts for the Japan Mobility Show. The Nissan Hyper Adventure’s primary objective is to accommodate the outdoorsperson’s needs.
source, allowing users to power up their gadgets, light up campsites, or even recharge their electric jet skis. Its V2X (vehicle-to-everything) capability can also provide power to homes (V2H) or a local community by contributing surplus power to the grid (V2G).
The vehicle’s V2X technology is envisioned to sustain electricity needs anytime and anywhere while still being respectful of the environment. Its large-capacity battery doubles as an energy
Other functions include the advanced e-4ORCE all-wheel-control system to ensure safe travel over snowy mountains and muddy trails. The wheels and front and rear bumpers are outfitted
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with crampons, or snow traction gears, to allow the car to drive through snowy areas with power and ease. Furthermore, the interior also boasts cargo space for outdoor equipment such as tents, skis, or even a kayak. The rear bench seat is distinctive, as it can rotate 180 degrees on an axle and creates a comfortable sitting area that faces out of the vehicle’s rear.
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motoring news
KIA REVEALS EV5 AND TWO CONCEPT MODELS AT KIA EV DAY Kia Corporation has unveiled three new small- to medium-sized electric models at the brand’s annual Kia EV Day in Korea, reaffirming its ambitious global strategy to lead and accelerate the ‘EV revolution’. KIA illustrated how it is now broadening its model line-up further with three new small- to mediumsized electric models. The presentation featured the debut of the EV5, a compact electric SUV for millennial families, as well as the introduction of two concept models. The Kia Concept EV3 aims to deliver the Kia EV9’s benefits in a compact SUV, while the Kia Concept EV4 reimagines electric sedans with a striking design. Kia also announced its plan to develop a wide-ranging EV line-up priced from USD30,000 to USD80,000, featuring existing models such as the EV6 and EV9, as well as future offerings tailored for the popular B- and C-segments. The brand aims to introduce smaller EVs like the EV5, EV4, and EV3, with prices ranging from USD35,000 to USD50,000, to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs. The brand revealed its goal to achieve an annual sales target of one million electric vehicles by 2026 and increase it to 1.6 million units per year by 2030.
ASTON MARTIN ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMME AWARDED MILLIONS IN FUNDING Aston Martin’s high-performance electrification strategy has been awarded GBP9 million of government funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), further supplementing the research and development of Aston Martin’s innovative modular battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. Awarded following a competitive process, the government grant will support the development of Aston Martin’s luxury BEV platform and enable a route to net-zero, including investment in vehicle light weighting, a digital toolchain and electrification training. The innovative British ultra-luxury manufacturer is making a GBP2 billion commitment to advanced technologies over the next five years, with its investment phasing from internal combustion engine (ICE) to BEV technology. Project ELEVATION, a six-partner collaborative research and development project, will address the technical challenges of developing a lightweight, 800V traction battery pack and twin front electric drive unit (EDU) into a modular BEV platform with a bandwidth from supercar to SUV. In 2024 the company will deliver its first plug-in hybrid – the mid-engine supercar, Valhalla, while in 2025 the first all-electric Aston Martin is set to be launched. By 2026 all new Aston Martin model lines will feature an electrified powertrain option, with the long-term objective for its core range to be fully electrified by 2030.
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UAE’S ASPIRE UNVEILS ‘AUTONOMOUS’ DALLARA SUPER FORMULA CAR ASPIRE has announced details of its highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, A2RL, at GITEX Global 2023 – the world’s premier technology event. A2RL unveiled a model of the first ever autonomised Dallara Super Formula, SF23, released earlier this year. This cutting-edge marvel, capable of sensing its environment and operating without human involvement, is set to transform racing with a monumental inaugural race scheduled for 28 April 2024, at the iconic Abu Dhabi Yas Marina Circuit. A first-of-its-kind for the region, A2RL integrates artificial intelligence (AI), autonomy, and extreme sports to push the boundaries of future mobility. The event is being spotlighted as the largest autonomous racing league in the world, showcasing autonomous car races, drone races, and dune buggy races. Ten elite teams from universities and research institutions internationally have confirmed their participation in the autonomous car race and will vie for a prize purse of USD2.25 million. Participating teams will each have exclusive access to a brand new Dallara Super Formula SF23 car, which has been autonomised specifically for A2RL. The car is manufactured from sustainable bio-composite materials, weighs 690 kgs, and is currently the fastest open-wheel race car in the world after Formula One, reaching maximum speeds of 300 km/h. ASPIRE is the driving force behind grand challenges and global competitions for Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
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tv releases
Releases
Flicking through countless options on TV can be exhausting. We make things easier with our recommendations of newly released films and streaming TV.
All The Light We Cannot See
Steven Knight is behind this new drama limited series based on the best-selling book of the same name and from producer Shawn Levy. The series follows young Marie-Laure, who is notably blind with her path during the war, colliding with a German soldier in occupied France. Aria Mia Loberti leads the series with Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie as co-stars.
Obliterated
Obliterated is an action dramedy starring Shelley Hennig and Nick Zano and centres on an elite Special Forces team tasked with stifling a threat in Las Vegas. However, they get ahead of themselves and celebrate the win before realising they haven’t finished the job yet.
Leo
Adam Sandler returns to Netflix as an animated iguana in Leo. In the musical comedy movie, the 74-year-old lizard named Leo plots an escape from the elementary school he’s been cooped up in for most of his life. With one year left to live, Leo embarks on an adventure to experience life outside his tank, but he also finds himself drawn to the lives of the students in his classroom.
CINEMA RELEASES
The Hunger Games:
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Directed by Francis Lawrence and based on the book by Suzanne Collins, this film serves as a prequel to The Hunger Games. The film stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman and Viola Davis. Set 64 years before the events of the first film, its plot follows a young Coriolanus Snow and the events that eventually lead him on the path to becoming the tyrannical leader of Panem, including his relationship with the Hunger Games tribute Lucy Gray Baird during the year of the 10th Hunger Games.
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Napoleon
Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the chequered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of largescale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.
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tv releases
Invincible (Season 2)
Invincible is an adult animated superhero series that revolves around 17-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age – except his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man. But as Mark develops powers of his own, he discovers his father’s legacy may not be as heroic as it seems.
Bye Bye Barry
Gen V
Set in the diabolical world of The Boys, Gen V expands the universe to Godolkin University, the prestigious superhero-only college where students train to be the next generation of heroes – preferably with lucrative endorsements.
When NFL superstar Barry Sanders vanished at the height of his career, he left the NFL world in shock. He was still in his prime, chasing the all-time NFL rushing record when he boarded a flight to England and never stepped foot on the field again. Now, 24 years later, Barry retraces his steps through the streets of London to finally confront the mystery.
Behind The Attraction
JFK
The series takes viewers on a ride behind Disney Parks’ most iconic and beloved attractions, featuring the Imagineers that designed them and the Cast Members who operate them. Season 2 will continue to showcase more quintessential Disney Parks attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure, EPCOT, The Food, and Nighttime Spectaculars.
To mark the 60th anniversary of former President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, this three-part series produces a comprehensive account of that tragic moment in American history and the ripples that followed. Made in official collaboration with the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, the landmark docu-series weaves archival footage, some colorised for the first time, with key testimony from the last surviving witnesses to create an immersive, minute-by-minute examination of that pivotal day that forever changed history.
(Season 2)
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One Day In America
Lions of Sicily
Set between 1800 and 1861, the eight-part series follows the Florio family as brothers Paolo and Ignazio, two small spice merchants, escape from a Calabria stuck in the past – in search of social redemption. In Sicily they invent their future, turning a small, run-down shop into a flourishing business activity that young Vincenzo, with his revolutionary ideas, will transform into an economic empire. However, overwhelming Vincenzo’s life and that of the entire family is the disruptive arrival of Giulia, a strong and intelligent woman who acts in contrast with the rigid rules of the society of the time.
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downtime | music
The Who
Who’s Next/Lifehouse Who’s Next famously has its origins in Lifehouse, the rock opera Pete Townshend intended as The Who’s sequel to Tommy. A concept in search of a narrative, the futuristic Lifehouse hinted at ideas that became part of the fabric of 21st-century culture. While it never came to fruition all those years ago, it sees some light of day here. The truly unreleased cuts – a lot of this amounts to new remixes of previously excavated bonus tracks – amount to variations on familiar themes, all of which is welcome but not a surprise.
Willie Nelson Bluegrass
DRAKE
For All The Dogs Verdict:
A poor, bloated mess from the superstar.
What’s the story?
After a bit of surprising and quite good genre exploration on his previous solo album, Honestly Nevermind, on For All the Dogs, Drake slides back into his usual M.O. of slow beats, alternately aggressive and morose rapping, and topics that range from how great Drake is to how rich Drake is to how misunderstood Drake is, with the occasional bit of misogyny added in to put some rotten cherries on top.
Worth a listen?
Instead of the possible future glimpsed on Honestly Nevermind where he wasn’t a one-note trap miserabilist with a bad attitude toward women, For All the Dogs brings to mind Drake at his self-defeating worst. He indulges in corny Scarface samples, takes tired shots at Kanye and Pusha T, drops so many names and cultural references that it sounds like an episode of Family Guy as written by AI, and almost every line revolving around women falls flat. Either he berates them for being liars, celebrates them for being of age, or criticises them for being educated, unsophisticated or not up to his exacting standard. Any hopes that Drake might have matured with age or thanks to being a father – his son drew the album cover and it’s one of the best things about the record – are dashed within a few songs.
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The idea behind Bluegrass is as simple and self-explanatory as its title: the album finds Willie Nelson revisiting 12 songs from his vast songbook, delivering them with a bluegrass spin with help from mandolinist Dan Tyminski, bassist Barry Bales, banjoist Ron Block, fiddle player Aubrey Haynie, and dobroist Rob Ickes, among others. The new musicians keep Nelson on his toes throughout, allowing him to set aside his guitar and just sing, the first time he’s done so since acquiring his famous six-string ‘Trigger’ in 1969. The lively setting and empathetic harmonies help turn Bluegrass into an enjoyable detour.
Ed Sheeran
Autumn Variations Although it picks up a thread left hanging from - (subtract), which it follows by a mere matter of months, Autumn Variations represents a major break from tradition for Ed Sheeran in some important ways. The first of his albums to not follow a mathematical scheme in its title, Autumn Variations is also the first not to be released through a major label – he put it out on his own – and it also was made with one main collaborator, Aaron Dessner of the National. Many of these fresh starts are felt more than heard on Autumn Variations, which spends its 14 tracks in sepia-toned reflection. Sheeran’s ruminations are inspired by the plights of his friends and family, a lyrical distance that amounts to a distinction without much difference; his reflections here feel earnest. It’s a pensive soundtrack for a specific season, nothing more and nothing less.
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downtime | gadgets
Here are five nifty gadgets to help you on the daily!
LUMOS BIKE HELMET Forty-eight LEDs adorn this ventilated bike helmet: white at the front, red at the back, and amber indicators to left and right, controlled by a remote on your handlebar. Not only can you signal your intentions to drivers, the helmet can also detect when you’re braking, and its lights react accordingly. Available at: www.menkind.co.uk
NEATO BOTVAC D7 ROBOT VACUUM Building on its predecessors’ reputation for painstaking thoroughness, the D7 is less plasticky, better for pet hair, and has an app that allows you to control it remotely, chart its progress and keep its venturesome spirit in check with no-go areas.
AUKEY CHARGING STAND This slick pedestal, from charging giant Aukey, is both more attractive and more practical than the flat wireless chargers that have preceded it. With three internal coils and adjustable feet, it makes the idea of wireless charging seem less gimmicky and more genuinely convenient. Available at: www.menkind.co.uk
Available at: www.thinkgeek.com
LOGITECH MX VERTICAL ADVANCED ERGONOMIC MOUSE The natural handshake position of MX Vertical is designed to reduce wrist pressure and forearm strain associated with repetitive stress injury (RSI) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The unique 57° vertical angle has been optimised for an ergonomic posture without compromising a pixel of performance. Available at: www.amazon.com
PET GROOMING GLOVE If you own a pet, this glove will spare you a lot of cleaning. It’s very comfortable to use, and all you have to do is pet your furry friend like you’re stroking them. It’s guaranteed to be more relaxing than combing. It works on any kind of animal and it’s very easy to clean. Available at: www.amazon.com
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downtime | games
Spider-Man 2
VERDICT: A thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled, web-slinging adventure
RATING:
WHAT IS IT?
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is an actionadventure game for the PS5 developed by Insomniac Games. It features Peter Parker and Miles Morales struggling to navigate the next steps in their personal lives while combatting an assortment of villains. Among them including a private militia led by mercenary Kraven the Hunter, the shapeshifting criminal Sandman, the monstrous Lizard and the extraterrestrial Venom symbiote, which bonds itself to Parker and negatively influences him, threatening to destroy his personal relationships.
GAMEPLAY
Gameplay builds on the foundation established by its predecessors, with an emphasis on the multiple playstyles afforded by Peter Parker and Miles Morales as their respective Spider-Men. The game expands on their existing traversal and combat abilities, including new web-based gadgets and suits that can be unlocked through progressing the story. As with the prior games, content outside the main story route consists of
ALAN WAKE II
Alan Wake II is a survival horror game developed by Remedy Entertainment. A sequel to Alan Wake, the story follows on 13 years after bestselling thriller writer Alan Wake went missing, at a time when a string of ritualistic murders occurs in the town of Bright Falls, Washington. Saga Anderson, an FBI agent, is sent to Bright Falls to investigate the killings, where she finds herself tangled in a supernatural horror story written by Wake in order to escape from his captivity. 70
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completing side-missions and obtaining collectibles dispersed throughout the game’s open world sandbox, with the player able to switch between Parker and Morales to complete dedicated objectives for each of them.
GRAPHICS
DETECTIVE PIKACHU RETURNS
SUPER MARIO BROS. WONDER
This new adventure follows Tim Goodman and his partner, a wise-cracking Pikachu with the ability to communicate with Tim, as they attempt to solve the ongoing mystery behind the disappearance of Tim’s father. The mystery unfolds in Ryme City, a place where humans and Pokémon coexist and support each other. Partner Pokémon and wild Pokémon alike wander the city alongside the people who live there.
The game expands the prior entries’ New York City open world by opening up areas such as Brooklyn and Queens as accessible boroughs during the main story campaign and while free-roaming in the game’s openworld sandbox, instead of solely being restricted to Manhattan.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a side-scrolling platform game. As one of eight player characters – Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, Toadette, Nabbit and Yoshi – the player completes levels across the Flower Kingdom with assistance from its talking flower-like denizens. Like prior Super Mario games, players guide their character to the end of a level while avoiding enemies such as Goombas and Piranha Plants, and transporting through Warp Pipes.
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downtime | app bystander
CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT Bahrain’s EWA App eases bill payments and usage calculation. We explore the key features of this essential app. Gone are the days of waiting in long queues or struggling with paper bills - thanks to EWA app, residents can now settle their electricity and water bills with just a few taps on their smartphones. The app supports multiple payment methods, making it incredibly flexible for users to choose the mode that best suits their preferences. To pay your bills and get access to your meter, simply enter in your Identity Number (CPR Number) and the Account Number provided and you will be able to view your outstanding bills if any. For new users, the HELP feature will give you access to FAQs and a tour around the application as well. You can also view the different government applications that are available for residents of the Kingdom in the OUR APPS tab. Moreover, one of the most appealing aspects of this user-friendly application is its ability to calculate usage. By recording and analysing consumption data,
customers gain valuable insights into their electricity and water usage patterns. This not only empowers users to monitor and control their consumption more effectively but also helps in promoting a sustainable approach towards resource management and conservation. The seamless integration of this app with existing utility systems ensures the accuracy and real-time tracking of bill payments. It also guarantees the utmost security of sensitive payment information, instilling customer confidence and trust. Upon payment of your bill, you will receive a confirmation email in regards to the bill payment that helps you keep track of payments made through-out. Overall, the EWA app has brought a transformative change to the way customers handle their utility payments. This marks a significant step towards promoting a more responsible and efficient use of precious resources.
Press Meet and Greet
Gulf Hotel Bahrain in addition to its Gulf Night out event welcomed the 2-Star Michelin Chef Takagi Kazuo all the way from Japan.
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downtime | books
Happy Place by Emily Henry
In this book, readers are taken on a journey to a happy place. With an average rating of 4.11 and over 450,000 ratings, it’s safe to say that this book has captivated many readers. Happy Place is a must-read for those seeking a feel-good story filled with romance and hope. Emily Henry’s storytelling is compelling, and her characters are relatable. This book will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling with a broad smile on your face.
Downtime is necessary to recharge your mental battery, and nothing beats relaxing with a great book in hand. Here are some of the latest releases for you to enjoy in your free time.
Trust by Herman Diaz
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a New York Times best seller, Trust is a definitely a book that deserves your time being read. In the 1920s, Benjamin and Helen Rask, a Wall Street tycoon and aristocrat, inherited a fortune. Their fortune is at stake, as seen in a novel within this novel called ‘Bonds’. Hernan Diaz’s Trust explores this narrative, blending reality and fiction. The novel spans over a century, engaging readers in a quest for truth, confronting deceptions in personal relationships, the power of capital, and the manipulation of facts by power.
Spare by Prince Harry
Prince Harry’s book, Spare, is a memoir effectively collating a selection of his life experiences. The book focuses on his upbringing, relationships, military service, and dedication to charitable work. The memoir provides insight into his struggles with mental health and his journey toward self-discovery. It offers a personal account of his life as a member of the British royal family and his decision to step back from his official duties. The book assures to take you on a journey of what it is like being a part of the Royal Family.
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All The Broken Places by John Boyne
Gretel Fernsby, a 90-year-old woman living in London, faces a dark past despite her childhood in Nazi Germany. She becomes friends with a boy named Henry, but a violent argument between Henry’s mother and father threatens her life. The story alternates between her past and present-day London, as Gretel faces a crossroad where she must decide whether to save a young boy or reveal her secrets, deciding at her own cost.
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Bahrain Edition
BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES
November 2023 | Issue 244
A COOL GETAWAY Experience The Best That Winter Has To Offer At These Unique Locations
FASHION
INTERVIEW Mona ElRubi Represents Bahrain At World Tourism Day Event Anna Thackaray On Releasing Shamal Ozone In Her Shoes Layla AlTurabi
Magda Butrym's Beautiful AW 2023 Collection
BEAUTY OPINION Ouiam El Hasanni On Threenagers
Winter Beauty Essentials To Nourish Your Skin
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fashion
Elegant Edgy Exuberant For the Autumn and Winter 2023 season, Magda Butrym is unveiling her exploration of maximalism and opulence through her distinctive lens of modern femininity. Farah Baig explores the stunning collection.
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he Polish ready-to-wear brand Magda Butrym is known for celebrating feminine strength, through their spectacular designs featuring dramatic silhouettes, romantic drapes and floral details. Each piece embraces the power of dressing up with curated cutouts, luxurious textures, prints and contemporary Slavic craftsmanship. These statement-making pieces are made for a woman, by a woman, This season, Magda Butrym’s collection is inspired by Japanese culture; the influence which is felt through shapes, prints and embroideries and is twisted with a Slavic touch. The stunning palette of cerulean blue, crimson red, blush pink and onyx black exude elegance. For the most part, colours this season are darker and more saturated, and we’re here for it.
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fashion
Masculine, voluminous jackets, strong lines of oversized pants and sculpted dresses convey confidence and comfort, while the elaborate contrasting lace and embellished details evoke sophisticated romanticism. The brand’s oversized cocooning faux fur and shearling coats, are sure to be a winter essential with its exaggerated tailoring. Jumpsuits, blouses, floor-length and sultry mini dresses make this a head-turning collection. When looking at the season’s signature piece – Magda turned her signature rose into a 3D sculpted flower dress construction, one can’t escape the feeling of this oversized silk rose being the proud celebration of powerful femininity. This collection is an ode and celebration of every woman who wants to feel notable, first and foremost herself. It’s one that will inspire you and one that you’re sure not to forget.
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PEOPLE | interview
An Artist at Heart
The Republic of Egypt recently marked World Tourism Day with a celebration featuring 50 international artists. Representing the Kingdom of Bahrain was the renowned artist, Mona Elrubi. She speaks to Farah Baig about her experience at the event, her art, and the role of culture in propelling a country’s tourism.
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I consider myself a mother, educator, and artist. It has taken a lot of work to be able to see myself in that light.” 76
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F
or 25 years, Mona Elrubi worked as a teacher at an international school, and as a coordinator for UNESCO. “Being an educator had a significant impact on my personality while working with UNESCO ignited my humanity; two aspects that are reflected through my eclectic art,” says Ms. Elrubi. “As a coordinator for UNESCO, my job was to transform the organisation’s ideas and principles into interactive programmes for children, such as World Peace Day, acceptance of others, and concepts for children with disabilities. It’s important for students to understand these principles through activities that take root in their minds. It was for these ideas that I won an honour from the Minister of Education in 2016,” she narrates. When it comes to art, she first felt drawn to the mode of expression in the 90s and finally put brush to canvas in the year 2000. “I felt the need to express myself, express my opinion, emotions, and feelings. This was not always acceptable for various reasons, but art enabled me to openly express my perspective, intellectual orientation, and sense of rebellion,” she explains.
Ms. Elrubi’s art, which includes digital art and acrylic paintings, falls under the expression school of art and explores society, human rights and justice. “One central feature in my art is the ability to bring life to emotions and shed light on humanity,” she says. “The art I create brings forth feelings of joy and sometimes feelings of repulsion, while some of my art could bring forth a sense of awe or a sense of fear. Most importantly I use my art to enlarge the scope of freedom.” Art enthusiasts in and around the region have set their eyes on Mona’s art with her having exhibited her work at galleries in Bahrain, the GCC, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Spain and India. “Notably, in 2022, I received an invitation from the Ministry of Culture in the Kingdom of Jordan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding. Such an important event in the history of the country and they nominated one of my art pieces to be exhibited alongside select artists from all over the world,” she says joyfully. Adding to her milestone achievements, she was
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PEOPLEbystander | interview recently chosen to represent Bahrain in Egypt at the World Tourism Day 2023 celebration in September. The event was held at Marsa Allam City, under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture Fine Arts Department and featured 50 fine artists from 22 countries. “The seven-day event was a mind-opening experience; it showed the impact that art has not only on a cultural level but also on an industrial and economical level,” she says. “During this experience we had the opportunity to visit several monuments and tourism attractions. We spent a full day at the Red Sea, and another at Luxor, and were given a historical brief of the monuments. We also experienced a lavish sea side space where we could create art. Finally, on the day of the exhibition, major business figures and art collectors attended,” she adds. With Manama being named the capital of Gulf Tourism for 2024, she believes that there is a plethora of ideas, projects and events which could play a significant role. “We must collaborate with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and the Ministry of Information to highlight and further rejuvenate the tourism industry in the kingdom,” she says. “We need to bring the Kingdom’s rich heritage, stories, culture, music, traditional attire, crafts,
La Med Brunch
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jewellery and traditions which were relevant during the Delmonian era into the spotlight. This would create a platform for local and international artists to come together to reflect their understanding and appreciation for the eternal civilisation,” she emphasises. Commenting on the Kingdom’s art scene, she concludes: “The art movement in Bahrain emerged in 1952 with the establishment of art and literature clubs and communities. Since then, Bahrain’s artists have proved to be shining stars on an international level in the art community.”
To view more of Mona’s art, follow @mona_elrubi on Instagram for more information.
A delightful brunch was held at La Med Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.
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people
Illustrating Great Stories
The Artist and illustrator, Anna Thackray, is the creative force behind a unique trilogy inspired by the region. She tells Farah Baig about the recent release of Shamal Ozone at Bahrain Comic Con 2023.
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riting and illustrating a gripping story is no easy feat, yet Anna Thackray has effectively done just that. She recently revisited Bahrain where she launched Shamal Ozone, the second book in her trilogy, to comic enthusiasts and pop culture fans. Anna studied at the Winchester School of Fine Art, Southampton University in the UK and is a fine artist by profession. She moved with her husband to Bahrain in 2008 and soon fell in love with the kingdom and its people. Bahrain awakened Anna’s inner storyteller and inspired her imagination, one of the reasons for which she will “forever love and appreciate this small but mighty island.” Shamal Ozone continues the saga of The Chronicles of Shamal, an epic adventure originating from Bahrain. The comic has been in the making since 2016, with Anna undertaking all aspects of creation including storyline, illustration, colouring and production.
“I am delighted to share that both The Chronicles of Shamal and Shamal Ozone are now available in English and Arabic too. Depicting familiar scenes from Bahrain, and also from the UAE in Ozone, the target audience for The Chronicles of Shamal is diverse, crossing cultural, age and language boundaries, however, as many aspects of the story are inspired and influenced by local stories, I wanted Arabic versions as well,” explains Anna. Most recently, apart from continuing Shamal’s story, Anna has been involved with making sustainable art and giving classes to children and interested adults on how to utilise and turn things that would otherwise be deemed rubbish into art pieces. Her informative master class was held at Saadiyat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE where she created a life-size Hawksbill Turtle out of 30 discarded water bottles and building rubble. One of the themes that is constant through all her work is the message of conserving our environment. To check out more of Anna’s work, follow @shamalcomics on Instagram.
Shamal Ozone combines Bahrain’s old folklore and fables with a warning of climate change and the inherent threat it imposes on all life. “It’s a whirlwind continuation of the story, taking the readers on a journey from Bahrain to the UAE and much further,” says Anna. As the story continues, Shamal and his trusty companions, a falcon and a stallion, awakened from their graves by the Tree of Life, come to the rescue when the situation becomes dire, along with other characters from the first book. A tumultuous adventure ensues, taking the readers on a thrilling journey from the past to present and the future. “Similar to the first book, Shamal Ozone has been a labour of love. I continued to draw inspiration from the Kingdom of Bahrain, the people, the scenery, the weather and the old fables told by many Bahraini friends. The story lingers in me and the adventures of Shamal and his comrades will continue,” she says. “This instalment of the series sees Shamal travelling to the UAE, fighting evil as he goes along. However, Shamal was born in Bahrain, the island is his home and he will always return,” she adds. In 2017, Anna relocated to Abu Dhabi, UAE; however – like Shamal – she keeps returning to Bahrain which she feels is her Middle Eastern home.
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Breakfast at Nissan
bystander Nissan Bahrain hosted the Car Girls of Bahrain Club at its showroom in Sitra.
Bahrain India Society
Bahrain India Society hosted a meet and greet luncheon at Crowne Plaza Bahrain along with HE Vinod K. Jacod, Indian Ambassador.
ROOFTOP RESTAURANT - LOUNGE
360 Panoramic Views Friday’s Special - Brunch Live DJ | Food | Drinks | Fun! Timings: 12:30PM - 4:00PM
BOOK YOUR TABLE NOW: For Reservation: +973 33637010 / +973 17111999 ruka.bh
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BEAUTY | news
MAKE A STATEMENT WITH REALHER The female empowerment makeup brand, REALHER is all about expressing your individuality. With a meaningful affirmation, each product is intended to enhance inner and outer beauty and motivate your own personal journey. This winter, we’re in love with REALHER’s nourishing lipsticks. From neutral tones to vibrant shades, their specially formulated Moisturising Lipstick collection truly passes the test of time. And over time, encapsulated water is released from the lipstick, providing hydration to your lips. Not only is each shade infused with jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, but each lipstick also provides all-day hydration with a creamy, smooth application. You can find these lipsticks and other great REALHER products on Beauty Ethic, a brand-new e-commerce platform offering sustainable, vegan and cruelty-free products across the region.
Available at beautyethic.com.
WINTER 2023
Winter is finally here, and while the drop in temperatures might be welcome, the adverse effects to our skin is certainly not. This winter Farah Baig brings shares her recommendations for skincare products that will nourish your skin including a great cleanser, intensely moisturising anti-aging creams, nourishing lipstick and even great eye essentials to keep you on trend.
AAVRANI’S PURIFYING EFFECTS The hunt for clean and effective beauty products is never-ending, but we’re here to make it a little easier. Made with just 11 ingredients, Aavrani’s purifying oil-based cleaner is just what you need for your daily beauty routine. This ultra-gentle yet powerful formula leaves your face clean and hydrated without any oily residue. It’s a 2-in-1 hybrid solution that acts as a daily cleanser and a makeup remover for all skin types. Use alone to cleanse the skin and remove impurities or with a washcloth to effectively lift makeup and gently cleanse without stripping the skin. To formulate this cleanser, steam-distilled Sandalwood Oil is combined with Camellia Flowers and Aloe. These ingredients effectively soothe and nourish skin while removing excess oil, makeup, dirt, and other impurities. This powerful cleanser not only aids in calming the skin, but also lifts impurities and minimise the appearance of blemishes, leaving the skin feel clean and refreshed. This cleanser is made without silicones, mineral oil, parabens, PEGs, microplastics, petrolatum, formaldehyde donors or animal cruelty.
Available at mudraayurveda.com. 80
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BEAUTY | news
Dr.Dennis Gross
Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion 50ml
This oil free light weight moisturiser from Dr.Dennis Gross hyaluronic marine technology collection instantly hydrates and plumps for fresh feeling skin without unwanted shine and greasy feeling. Key ingredients Japanese marine algee with B vitamins and hyaluronic acid work together to provide rich hydration. While amino acids from the algee improves the skin elasticity and aloe vera soothes the skin. The formula is hypoallergenic, and is suitable for all skin types including sensitive. To be used morning and night.
Available at blue-magnolia.net
Dr.Dennis Gross
Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster 30ml
A lightweight in texture hydrating concentrate that plumps the skin, improves rough texture and smoothes the appearance of dry fine lines. Key ingredients hyaluronic acid provides long lasting hydration and amino acids and B vitamins from marine algee improve skin elasticity and moisture level. While evening primrose oil soothes the skin. To be used morning and night before moisturiser and suitable for all skin types.
Available at blue-magnolia.net
Dr.Dennis Gross
Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 60ml
Intensely hydrating cream that visibly lifts, reduces signs of aging, repairs the skin moisture barrier and leaves the skin with a soft and matte finish. Dr. Dennis Gross advanced retinol + ferulic technology is formulated with a phyto-retinol blend that combines two types of retinol, bakuchiol, ferulic acid and antioxidant rambutan to firm, plump, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and support the skin’s natural collagen production. Bakuchiol strengthens the skin moisture barrier while hyaluronic acid and glycerine provide long lasting hydration. Suitable for all skin types. To be used morning and night.
Available at blue-magnolia.net Womanthismonth.com
November 2023
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LIFESTYLE | opinion
The Green Boardroom In her previous articles, Chartered Manager Eman Deabil (DipESG, PfMP, IPMO-P, SIP) has spoken extensively about the growing need to establish sustainable business practices in general. In her latest piece, she talks about sustainability in the boardroom in particular and the board of directors’ role in embracing a clear agenda and driving change from the top.
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still remember the days, more than 10 years ago, when we were printing out hundreds of pages to prepare packs for the board of directors’ meeting in one of the organisations I worked for. It was a tedious non-value adding task, knowing that most of these packs will be shredded right after the meeting! Thankfully, in that same organisation, we proposed buying tablet computers for the board members and the proposal was accepted. Yet to ensure that such proposal would be implemented successfully, we had to establish awareness and educate board members on the ‘why’ and ‘how’; ‘why’ we changed the status quo and switched to such practice (i.e. to save the environment), and ‘how’ they can leverage the new tools. Although at that time, sustainability was not receiving the same amount of attention it is receiving today! In my previous articles, I spoke about the growing need to establish sustainability
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practices in general. Here, I will speak about sustainability in the boardroom in particular. Here is my advice for companies to lead change starting from the highest level. 1. The board should set a clear sustainability vision and strategy with clear objectives and targets, which wouldn’t be possible without conducting a thorough ‘materiality assessment’ to identify the key material topics that the organisation should focus on and address in its strategy. The same should be aligned with the organisation’s business strategy and should be communicated to all relevant stakeholders. 2. The board should establish a sustainability governance structure where roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. This may involve establishing a sustainability committee or appointing a Chief Sustainability Officer.
3. The board should look at all decisions through a sustainability lens. This may include considering the environmental, social and governance impacts of all major decisions (e.g. assessing credit applications taking sustainability into account, assessing investment decisions, etc.). 4. The board should ensure disclosing transparent, comprehensive and accurate sustainability performance; this may involve publishing a sustainability report or integrating sustainability metrics into the annual report. 5. Most importantly, the board should admit that ‘Sustainability’ is a new business dimension where lack of knowledge could hinder them from making the right decisions, so acquiring and building the required knowledge around it is key, the same should be established across the organisation.
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LIFESTYLE | opinion bystander In addition to these general best practices, there are a few specific things that boards can do to make their own meetings more sustainable, such as: • Hold meetings electronically and make it the first preferred option whenever possible. This will reduce carbon emissions (commuting and travelling) and paper waste. It will also reduce the cost needed for holding board meetings (e.g. tickets, accommodation, food and beverages, etc.). Further, it will save all board members time, instead of consuming time to commute/travel, they can be present for the duration of the meeting only. • Calculate the carbon emissions caused by board meetings, and then offset the carbon footprint of it. This can be done by planting trees or investing in renewable energy projects. • Embrace digital means; especially the technologies that enable boards to improve their performance and governance; this may include smart TVs, smartphones, web conferencing, tablets, secure messaging tools and boardroom secured portals. Below are some examples: o Board assessment tools enable a board to efficiently evaluate its own performance and that of its committees. o Board portals: centralised and highly secure digital platforms that provide secure storage
for sharing of board meeting documents such as corporate plans and budgets. o Online collaboration tools: such as online whiteboards that can be used to conduct virtual brainstorming sessions. o Digital voting tools that can be used to vote on major decisions. o Meeting facilitation tools (AI enabled) that can take notes, document minutes of meetings, and actions agreed.
• Incentivised Pay: Are executives formally incentivised to perform on sustainability? From the above, we can conclude that boards of directors have a critical role to play; they can be the driving force to enable and implement sustainability inside their organisations. Nevertheless, they must ensure that their organisations contribute and support a longterm sustainable value creation.
Having said the above, the board’s role is not limited to what’s stated above, as boards can play a leading role in making their organisations more sustainable. Not only by breaching about it, but by truly practicing its principles and ensuring that it’s reflected in the following – at minimum: • Board Diversity: The diversity of directors’ skills and experience, the diversity of directors’ backgrounds, the number of female directors and the average age and experience of directors. • Board Independence: The percentage of independent directors on the board, the number of committees chaired by independent directors and the independence of the board’s committees. • Board Oversight: The frequency of board meetings, the number of hours spent by directors on board activities and the board’s
Bahrain Jazz Fest Launch
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review of key ESG risks and opportunities.
The press meet for the 7th BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest 2023 was hosted at The Majlis, The Royal Golf Club, Riffa supported by the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority.
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LIFESTYLE | parenting
Do You Have a
‘Threenager’ In Your House?
If you’re dealing with a difficult threeyear-old, you might want to read this. Ouiam El Hassani shares her five observations about this age group and her tips for dealing with them.
“I’ll do it by myself!” !” “No, I don’t want it
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hese are statements you probably have heard countless times from your toddler—a.k.a your sassy threenager. In the blink of an eye, they can go from a sweet and loving child who wants millions of hugs and kisses, to a volatile, stubborn little ‘teen’.
ager: n e e r h t n of a o i t i n th i f e D ving wi
Even though they can be unknowingly rude, this developmental stage serves as a major learning experience for both kids and their parents. It’s a time for them to grow into themselves, and a time for parents to give them the space to do that while also showing them how to appropriately express who they are. If you’ve got a threenager in your house, you know what a challenge it can be, but before you respond to this stage with your own sassiness, remember that it’s more important to model good behavior than it is to shut that threenager down.
li human eir e l t t i l e ng to th t th i d r o c c oa bu you, wh ficate is three, e is rti birth ce to their attitud ng accordi ger. a teena
Three-year-olds go through some major life transitions at this stage in their lives:
1.‘Threenagers’ are learning to manage their emotions. Around the age of three, children start to understand their emotions. They might even begin identifying their feelings with words. However, they’re still not developmentally ready to control their emotions. If they think something is funny, they’ll laugh uncontrollably. If something happens and they feel sad, they cry inconsolably. Their emotions are intense and can seem overwhelming— try to just be patient and understand that, at three, they don’t have the capacity to properly control their emotions.
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2.They want instant gratification. Three-year-olds don’t have much impulse control. If they feel the need to do something, they’ll act on it without much thought. For example, they might take the chocolate out of your purse even after you’ve said “No” or they might hit another kid when they get mad. Delayed gratification has to be learned over time, and it isn’t something three-year-olds fully understand.
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LIFESTYLE bystander | parenting
3.They’re developing a sense of humour. Three-year-olds are hilarious! At this stage, they are developing a real sense of humour. They love to make everyone around them laugh. They find talking about things like poo poo and pee to be very entertaining. Though your taste in humour might be slightly different, remember that at this stage, three-year-olds are learning how to be funny.
4. They’re learning empathy. Empathy starts to develop in children around age three. They can relate to others when they’re hurt, and you can get a response from them when you ask how they’re feeling. They might also cry if they think they hurt you, especially if they didn’t mean to.
5. They’re learning to play with others.
At this age, kids learn to play with others. Before that there’s a lot of parallel play, but at this age, they start to engage with each other. They may even start asking you to play with them, too! Your baby is growing up quickly and turning into his or her own person. As scary as that may be, it’s also very exciting to see your children grow into themselves. They start to have their own likes and dislikes, personalities and curiosity for life.
Dandiya Utsav
Indian Ladies Association in collaboration with LULU hypermarket hosted the Dandiya Utsav 2023 at Crowne Plaza, Bahrain.
Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery Womanthismonth.com
November 2023 85
travel
Prague, Czech Republic
Jigokudani Money park, Japan
It’s not every day that you get to see a family of monkeys hanging out in a hot spring, but that is precisely what you can expect right here. At the Jigokudani Monkey Park, you can marvel at the adorable snow monkeys as they frolic and relax in the natural hot springs amidst the snowy landscape. You can take a hike through the serene forest trails surrounding the park, enjoying the tranquility of nature. The park provides you with the perfect opportunity to capture beautiful photos of these unique macaques against the picturesque snowy backdrop.
A Cool y a w a t Ge end-of-year n a g in n n Pla gs cool in h t p e e K getaway? the best e c n ie r e p x and e to offer at s a h r e t in w that e locations. u iq n u e s e h t
Winter in Prague offers a fairytalelike experience. There are several quintessential winter experiences you can have in Prague like exploring the enchanting Christmas markets, ice skating in the Old Town Square, taking a walk along the picturesque Charles Bridge, and warming up with delicious Czech food. While in Prague, you must also visit Prague Castle and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-covered city or take a boat tour on the Vltava River to create unforgettable winter memories.
Shimla, India
Winter in Shimla, India, is a charming and picturesque experience. Enjoy the snowfall and go skiing or snowboarding in Kufri. Take a stroll on the Mall Road and indulge in hot chocolate and the delicious local cuisine. Visit the iconic Christ Church and enjoy the panoramic views from the Jakhoo Hill. Shimla also hosts an ice skating carnival during winter. Be sure to see a very different side of India, and embrace the beauty of this hill station during the winter months.
Lapland, Finland
Lapland, Finland is a winter wonderland full of exciting activities. It’s here that you can experience some things that you can only imagine seeing on TV like dog sledding, embarking on a reindeer safari, witnessing the stunning Northern Lights, staying at an ice hotel or cross-country skiing. In fact, you can even live your childhood dream and visit Santa Claus Village. Lapland offers a magical winter experience like no other.
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Womanthismonth.com
travel
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Winter at Lake Bled, Slovenia offers a charming escape with activities such as ice-skating on the frozen lake, winter hiking to stunning viewpoints, sledding down hills, and exploring the medieval Bled Castle. Warm up with hot beverages by the lake and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Lake Bled in winter is a dreamy destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Tallinn, Estonia
During winter, Tallinn, Estonia offers a host of activities for visitors to enjoy. Take a stroll through the charming Old Town, adorned with snow-covered cobblestone streets and medieval architecture. Experience the magic of ice skating at one of the outdoor rinks in the city. Warm up with a traditional Estonian beverage or visit cosy cafes to indulge in hearty local dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Christmas markets and experience the festive atmosphere.
Lithuania
Lithuania is a picturesque country in Europe which is lesser known by people in our region. The cities of Vilnius and Kaunas are popular for their beauty, and certainly should be added to your list if you’re planning a winter getaway. Make sure to pay a visit to the historic Trakai Castle in Lithuania which organises traditional winter festivals that include outdoor activities like ice-skating and ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can also tuck into some authentic Lithuanian cuisine at the finest restaurants including delicious Potato Blinis, hot pancakes served with sour cream, or some cold beet soup! Visitors can also capture stunning winter photographs and relax at the cities’ saunas. The country promises a memorable experience for all!
New York, USA
Winter in New York offers a plethora of activities. You can ice skate at Rockefeller Center, explore Central Park, visit holiday markets like Union Square, watch Broadway shows, or enjoy the stunning views from the Empire State Building. Indulge in warm comfort food and experience the magical holiday atmosphere that only New York can provide.
Harbin, China
If you’re in need of a truly special winter experience, you might want to check out the world-famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. This unique event gives you the opportunity to marvel at stunning ice sculptures, go ice skating on the Songhua River, enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, and indulge in delicious local cuisine. Harbin is a one-of-a-kind winter paradise not to be missed.
Womanthismonth.com
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bystander
In Harmony Group Art Exhibition
An Art Exhibition was held at Bahrain Artistic Frames Centre, Budaiya, featuring several artists in Bahrain.
Art Exhibition
US Ambassador, Steven C. Bondy, and Meghan Bondy hosted the official unveiling of the American Residence Art Exhibition at the Ambassador’s residence.
Tales of Italian Fashion
Italian Ambassador, HE Paolo Amadei, in collaboration with the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research and with the support of Gulf Air hosted the ‘Tales of Italian Fashion Exhibition” in presence of the Honorary President of the prestigious Italian House of Fashion Gattinoni & Curator of the exhibition Stefano Dominella.
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Bahrainthismonth.com/gallery
last word
If you were planning a picnic, what would we find in your basket?
Do you have any pets? If yes, what makes it special?
I’ve never owned a pet before, but if I were to choose one, I would go with a Dalmatian puppy. The reason is that they have such a unique and striking appearance with their spots. They’re like walking pieces of art!
Fruits, sandwiches and water.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.
You are on the path to great success. Would you rather teleport or enjoy the journey?
I prefer to embrace the journey towards great success rather than being instantly teleported to it, because the process of working towards success allows me to grow, learn and appreciate the value of my achievements. Each step along the way teaches me valuable lessons, builds my character and strengthens my resilience.
In Her Shoes Which is worse: Thursday night traffic or Sunday morning traffic? Thursday nights when the traffic is a nightmare! It starts as early as 5pm and feels like it never ends. It’s like a never-ending queue of cars, dampening the thrill of going out.
Creative, communicative and integrous – these are just some of the words that describe The K Hotel’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Layla AlTurabi. Let’s take a walk in her shoes!
Do you have any hidden talents?
I’m an artist. I’m really into painting figurative abstract art because it lets me express myself in a special way. It’s like bringing life to the canvas through colours, shapes and emotions. My favourite painting of mine is ‘Bloody Mary’ (as seen above) which embodies a sense of intensity and raw emotion. The bold and vibrant colours, the dynamic brushstrokes, and the abstract forms create a feeling of passion and energy. Womanthismonth.com
Scan to watch the full interview
Sky diving or bungee jumping?
Neither.
What would be a dream travel destination for you?
Iceland to see the magical phenomenon of the Northern Lights. They are absolutely breathtaking and have always fascinated me. November 2023
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interview
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
Last year, His Holiness Pope Francis visited Bahrain at the invitation of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. For the first time, Senior Translator and News Editor, Fatima Al Najem, shares with us her eyewitness account of the experience as one of the very few media invitees who were granted full access to the monumental occasion.
W
hen I was told that I would be among the media flying with His Holiness Pope Francis to Bahrain, I felt honoured and humbled. I know it is given to very few people to have such a chance, and I was thrilled with the oncein-a-life opportunity to be flying with such a distinguished global figure. HH Pope Francis’ trip to Bahrain was highly significant in fostering peace, peaceful coexistence and mutual acceptance and tolerance – the very values that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has been promoting and advancing across the world thanks to a plethora of laudable initiatives. The media group flew to Rome where we would meet members of the papal delegation. When we sat with them and discussed some matters, I was confident. We were united in our visions. Living in Bahrain has taught me that in my country, the variety of origins, the diversity of cultures and the multiplicity of languages were not an issue, but a resource. Not a challenge, but an opportunity. On the flight from Rome to Bahrain, we saw Pope Francis only for fleeting minutes when he came to greet us with a great smile. We were impressed with the impeccable organisation and the great attention to all details. During HH the Pope’s visit to Bahrain, we attended some of the events where he addressed various audiences, young and old, men and women, religious figures and common people, and shared his commitment to peace, fraternity, tolerance and coexistence and stressed that “unity is not sameness” and that “it is unity in diversity.“ Following a highly successful historic visit, Pope Francis left Bahrain, and we flew back with him on the Gulf Air plane to Rome. The Vatican does not have its own plane.
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During the flight back, we were told that HH the Pope would answer questions. I opted to go first and I found myself sitting face to face with Pope Francis. His Holiness in his white cassock and I in my black abaya. Two different worlds in looks, but united in passion for peace. He recognised my identity and accepted me the way I am. We got along quickly. I spontaneously informed him that my birthday coincided with the date of his election as Pope. He reacted positively and joked about it. The light tone set off a cordial and pleasant conversation. When I asked him about the outcome of his historic visit to Bahrain, he responded that it was “a visit of encounter” and that “I discovered something new that helps me to understand and interact more with people.” The conversation went on for some minutes, and at the end Pope Francis told me: “Pray for me, not against me” before breaking into a hearty laughter. I laughed and then said my goodbyes and moved back to my seat. I was astonished by his request. Pope Francis asking me to pray for him, not against him? That is one request that I will always recall with great fondness. Today, one year later, I recall every second of the conversation we had and of the two trips we shared and the events that I attended.
I am so grateful to all those who made my encounters with Pope Francis possible and facilitated my meeting with him. The encounter was so spontaneous and positive, and especially, so void of prejudices and bias. As for Bahrain, the Pope’s historic visit will live on in the Kingdom where he touched the hearts and lives of so many people from the Kingdom and abroad. He was accorded the warmest welcome by HM King Hamad who welcomed him to Bahrain with your blessed and historic visit to the land of ancient civilisations stretching back through the ages, to a country of tolerance, coexistence and peace.” Pope Francis was regarded by the thousands of people who rushed to see him at the National Stadium as an inspirational figure, holding up a candle illuminating a model of interfaith dialogue that infuses togetherness and hope in the world. He rewarded everyone with prayers, and a deep call to work together. “Let us work together! Let us work in the service of togetherness and hope!” he said on his first day in the Kingdom. In his addresses, Pope Francis said that “Bahrain is a living image of coexistence in diversity, pluralism of ideas, customs and traditions.” It’s something we should continue to be proud of.
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PRI N CE SS F LOWE R