Woman This Month - July 2022

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

July 2022 | Issue 231

LIFESTYLE Home Organising 101

FASHION Hot Travel Must-Haves

OPINION How to Stop Your Child from Interrupting You

INTERVIEW In Conversation with the Bahrain Society of Engineers First Female PresidentDr. Raida Al Alawi In Her Shoes – Sarah Dennis

BEAUTY The Best of Beauty Essentials Summer Skincare Tips www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | get the look

HOT SUMMER TRAVEL MUSTHAVES

Marks & Spencer has pulled out all stops to bring you resort-ready accessories and swimsuits for all your vacation style needs. We’re ready to take on the waves in their striking plunge swimsuit in red which gives you a feminine feel with the crossover front and ruched sides, the one-piece swimsuit includes a power mesh lining with smart Tummy Control technology.

The key to successful packing is choosing multi-purpose clothing pieces. Pack Marks & Spencer’s beach cover-ups and use them for its traditional purpose but also as a lightweight daytime shirt and a stylish night-time layer. For when you’re on the go, check out the Marks and Spencer Straw Bamboo Handle Tote Bag or intricately woven Cotton Rich Macramé Shoulder Bag. For a fashion-forward addition to your vacation outfit, check out Zileke Waist Beads. This eclectic accessory was created by a young Dubai-based entrepreneur Zainab Jimoh. Each waist bead is crafted depending on your style and preference with glistening glass beads and other materials sourced from Nigeria.

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M & S Pure Cotton Printed Beach Cover Up Shirt

M & S Pure Cotton Longline Beach Cover Up Shirt

M & S Tummy Control Ruched Plunge Swimsuit

Planning a summer holiday? Discover must-pack vacation style essentials that will make your experience even better!

Now that restrictions are easing up across the world, we can’t wait to travel and we’re sure you can’t too! If you’re in search of charming sunsets, white sandy beaches and a tropical paradise, you’ll need these styling essentials.

www.womanthismonth.com

M & S Cotton Rich Macramé Shoulder Bag

M & S Angular Oversized Sunglasses

M & S Pink Straw Bamboo Handle Tote Bag

FASHION | get the look

Editor’s Pick!

Adidas Originals Timepieces

Zileke Waist Beads

M & S Rimless Sunglasses

Adidas Originals Timepieces never fails to impress and we are loving their latest additions which were recently highlighted in their ‘Time For Me’ campaign. It’s a special collection through which design and watch functionality converge.

Here are our favourites from the beautiful, sustainable collection:

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PEOPLE | interview

A Woman in Power

Dr. Raida Al Alawi is a wellaccomplished woman who has received several awards and accolades for her efforts in the field of engineering – a profession that is widely dominated by men all around the world. She has proved to be a prime inspiration for women pursuing the field in the Kingdom having been the first Bahraini woman to receive a Ph.D. degree in Engineering.

She spoke to Farah Baig about her most recent milestone achievement – being named the ‘President of the Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE)', making her the first female president in the history of the society.

You are renowned in the field of engineering, but could you kindly tell our readers a little about yourself?

During my school years, my favourite subject was always Maths as it was based on logic. My enjoyment for Maths grew during high school, where I attained the highest score in the subject nationwide. I was also excited by the idea of designing things for the advancement of society, and so, my passion led me to pursue engineering for my undergraduate studies.

I received a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering from Kuwait University, followed

by MSc in Computer Engineering from the University of London and ultimately a Ph.D. Degree in Computational Intelligence from Brunel University – London. I am honoured to have been the first Bahraini woman to receive a Ph.D. degree in Engineering.

I recently joined the American University of Bahrain as Adjunct Professor, prior to which I was the Director of Technology Development

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at BFG International. Prior to this appointment, I had held academic positions and served in various key strategic, academic and planning committees at the University of Bahrain (UOB) and Ahlia University.

I also currently chair the ICT committee of the Federation of Arab Engineers and am currently serving as a Programme Evaluator and Reviewer for a number of academic related organisations. I also conducted various consultancy projects in the IT field and am a referee for several International Journals in the area of Electronics and Computer Engineering.

You have received several honours throughout your illustrious career.

Could you tell us about some of the most memorable ones?

Sure. The HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Outstanding Academic Women Pioneers Award, the GCC Engineering Union Award for Pioneers www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview have been a member of the BSE Board of Directors, during which I gained a lot of experience with how the society works and its professional relationships.

Participating in BSE volunteer activities as a member then a board director grew my sense of belonging and my responsibility towards my country and the Bahraini community - I have to leave a positive impact. For this reason, I stood for the election for the position of President of the Bahrain Society of Engineers to use my practical, scientific and administrative experiences that I gained during my career or through my membership in many local and international voluntary professional organisations.

Yes, and you were quite successful; congratulations on your election as president of BSE! How do you feel about being the first female President of the society?

It’s a real honour to be the president of BSE. I highly appreciate the members trust and confidence in my abilities to elect me as BSE president. It’s a challenging position, because engineering is a profession that is dominated by men, and it is more challenging when it comes to leadership. I believe that women leadership can drive change and leave a positive impact on BSE excellence.

What are your thoughts on the role of women in the field of engineering in the Kingdom of Bahrain?

in Engineering, and the UOB Certificate of Excellence in Teaching are among the awards I have received. I was also honoured to be nominated by the World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO) to be a member at the UN University Council.

I am also thrilled to be listed as one of leading women engineers sharing their leadership journey in the book ‘Rising to The Top’ published by the International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) in collaboration with the World Federation of Engineering Organisation.

The Bahrain Society of Engineers is a volunteer professional organisation established in 1972. Could you tell us about your involvement with BSE?

I joined BSE in 1985 after receiving my master’s degree. A few years later I applied for a life membership and have since been participating in their activities, conferences and committees. For the past four years, I www.womanthismonth.com

Bahraini women are making remarkable progress in all fields on the national level. In the Engineering field, Bahraini women have made great achievements since the graduation of the first Bahraini female engineer in the year 1977. The support and empowerment granted by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), chaired by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, has a great impact promoting the role of women engineers in Bahrain.

Today, you can see Bahraini women engineers contributing effectively in almost all engineering disciplines and at all levels. Today, 35 percent of the engineering workforce in the government sector are Bahraini women while with 21 percent being in the private sector.

That brings me to my next point. How many members does the society have and how many of those members are women?

BSE has around 2,800 registered members, however only 1,140 members are active.

There are five membership categories:

Fellow, Member, Graduate, Affiliate and Student. Almost 25 percent of the members are females.

The society has had some major accomplishments in the last 50 years.

What are some of your main goals as the President of BSE, taking the organisation forward?

As a president of BSE, I have several goals including strengthening the society’s role as an effective and responsible entity in the national development projects. This is in addition to enhancing the performance of BSE training centre to transform it to a regional centre for training and qualifying engineers in accordance with international standards.

I also intend to create a platform to help recruit job-seeking engineers in collaboration with concerned authorities. Further, I intend to enhance BSE’s financial stability by diversifying sources of income, better utilisation of internal resources, and reducing operating expenses. I will also be working towards strengthening our collaborations with GCC, regional and international engineering organisations. Strengthening partnership with universities, engineering firms and industrial organisations to conduct research and promote entrepreneurship is also at the forefront of my goals.

I also intend to have an active role in reviewing and accrediting Engineering programmes offered by local universities, and collaborate with other professional societies in Bahrain to direct the professional volunteer work in common areas of interest.

Is there anything else you would like to add at this time?

I extend my sincere thanks to the previous BSE Board of Directors, led by its President, Dr. Dheya Tawfiqi, for the tremendous efforts they made during the past session, in which BSE faced many challenges due to the pandemic. They worked to ensure the continuity of volunteer work by finding innovative solutions to implement various events and activities.

I believe that BSE greatest strength is its members and volunteers - from student members to professional engineers to retired members with their accumulated experience.

For this, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success, development and leadership of the Bahrain Society of Engineers, and I pledge to continue giving - to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development that achieves the goals and visions of the society and pushes towards more excellence.

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BEAUTY | news

SMELL DIVINE WITH RASASI! Rasasi Perfumes has launched a new, mesmerising unisex fragrance collection - All-Over Spray. This collection, which is the newest addition to the Rasasi portfolio, consists of three unique fragrances with Takhail launching first.

Takhail is a refreshing fragrance with a creamy, musky character.

It opens on notes of bright bergamot and soft luscious cotton flower that are enveloped on a bed of rich woods including cedarwood, sandalwood and musks to create an exclusive signature scent.

GLOW WITH WET N WILD’S BLOOMIN RANGE Luminous lips, dewy skin, shimmer and shine... this summer’s makeup is all about the gloss! Get ready to seize the freshest summer yet with Wet N Wild’s Bloomin collection, inspired by the bright and cheerfully warm season. Sold at unbeatable prices worldwide, this LA-based beauty brand is a trusted beauty destination offering cruelty-free, vegan, and highperformance formulations.

We absolutely love the Bloomin Flower Power Blush from the range! Its beautiful mauve shade that can be used every day in your summer routine.

It is suitable for all skin undertones, is highly pigmented and can be easily blended. It also contains just enough shimmer to give you a healthy summer glow!

The art of scent layering has always been a distinguishing and important ritual within the Arab world since times immemorial. It allows the user to mix and wear multiple fragrances, beginning with a fragranced body wash, followed by lotion, fragrant oils, perfume, oudh and more, depending on the depth of scent and complexity preferred by the wearer.

Available at leading department stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets in the UAE and at www.glambeaute.com and www.namshi.com.

The All-Over Spray collection is an assortment of three fragrances that compliments one’s daily routine and serves as a perfume primer. The new collection is designed to be water-based, lightweight and alcohol free, ensuring it is safe to use in the sun and for sensitive skin.

Available at all Rasasi branches.

Hot Girl

2022

With so many new beauty products released every month, finding the ones that are just right for you can be quite the task. Here are our top picks for the month to help narrow your search to include only the best!

A NEW EYE-SSENTIAL FROM SIELLA BEAUTY UAE-grown and Italian-made beauty brand Siella Beauty has launched two new collections that will keep you looking fresh and colourful this season. The long-lasting Flower Power lipstick collection and kajal liners will keep your summer looking effortlessly vibrant.

The multi-purpose, intense and buildable kohls come in six stunning hues: Plum, Maroon, Deep Green, Deep Brown, Ultra Black and Navy Blue. They’re the perfect addition to your beauty routine this summer to have your eyes looking their best.

Visit www.siellabeauty.com for more information.

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BEAUTY | news

BE FABULOUS WITH CAROLINA HERRERA BEAUTY Inspired by Miami, Carolina Herrera Beauty has launched the Fabulous Summer lipstick cap and new shades in new finishes. From the saturated colors of Ocean Drive to the city’s Art Deco district, this limited-edition capsule is about to give you geometric repetition, pattern obsession and fresh new formulas.

Meet the new Mini Tint Matte Duos, boasting two colours in one for a striking ombré effect. Formulated to deliver the same lightweight second skin feel but with a non-drying matte finish, each shade has a lighter or darker hued core, designed to create a fresh, flushed lip effect.

Coming in three new colour duos – Coral Way (color n° 403), Sunset Pink (color n° 402), and Holiday Tan (color n° 401) – and able to double up as a cream blush thanks to their melt on the skin texture, each one is available as a refill and perfectly sized to hit the road. You can also dive head-first into summer with the Fabulous Summer cap. Dressed in a retro print and swimming pool blues, it’ll make the perfect addition to your vacation line-up whether worn as a bag accessory or as a statement piece.

Available at leading beauty stockists.

REFRESH AND BALANCE YOUR HAIR The Body Shop’s Vegan Tea Tree haircare range is here to help you keep your hair in the best shape this summer.

The Tea Tree hair care range contains Community Fair Trade TEA TREE OIL from Kenya, known for its purifying properties. It’s also formulated with Vegan Silk Protein – which works by filling gaps between the cells of the hair cuticle and cortex, making damaged hair appear smoother, shinier and healthier-looking. In addition, this haircare range has menthol which is known for its cooling and refreshing properties.

Here’s how you can use the range!

Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Shampoo Cleanse hair with a fresh, purifying shampoo that refreshes oily hair and scalp, without stripping essential oils to leave your hair feeling balanced.

Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Conditioner Leave your hair feeling balanced and restored with lightweight moisture, and feeling fresher, softer, and lighter for longer!

Tea Tree Purifying & Balancing Hair & Scalp Scrub If your hair is looking for some extra love, use this hair and scalp scrub once a week in place of your shampoo to help banish build-up and leave your scalp feeling invigorated and refreshed.

Available at The Body Shop stores and www.thebodyshop.com.

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skincare

Your 5-Step Guide to Glowing Summer Skin Protect your skin all season long with these top tips from Dubai’s skincare guru, Rebecca Treston.

When it comes to skin, summer heat and humidity is rarely our friend. Living in high temperatures affects not only the appearance of the skin, but also affects the health of our skin. However, just a few simple changes in your daily skincare regimen can ensure you glow through the season smoothly.

Dubai’s go-to skincare and laser expert, Rebecca Treston shares five simple steps for achieving a beautiful summer skin glow while tackling the heat:

4 KEEP MOISTURISING

Moving in and out of AC areas alone can cause your skin to dry out. Just like your wardrobe in warmer weather, your skin needs far more hydration in warmer weather. Taking more than one shower in the summer months also dries out skin, so it’s essential to moisturise your face and body.

1 APPLY SUNSCREEN OFTEN

The scorching summer heat can be unforgiving on your skin and dermatologists recommend a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 for all exposed skin. Apply this at least 20 minutes before you head out into the sun and don’t forget to apply it on your hands and feet. Regular use of sunscreen can go a long way in minimising sun related spots and helps in avoiding sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Also, don’t forget to re-apply throughout the day, especially if you have been inside for a long time since the last application.

2 BEAT THE HEAT WITH FACE MISTS Dry skin can be your worst nightmare on hot summer days. Using face mists can refresh and revive tired skin within seconds. It not only helps you cool down, but also gives you a dewy glow with a feel-good effect on your skin.

One tip is to keep it refrigerated and apply it throughout the day to refresh and reinvigorate.

3 PROTECT THAT POUT The skin on our lips is extremely sensitive and much thinner than the rest of our face and body, making it vulnerable to the effects of harsh sunlight and drying AC. Fortunately, there are lip protecting balms that incorporate a specialised SPF sun protection that look and feel great. Don’t forget to reapply this regularly throughout the day.

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5 LIMIT YOUR TIME IN THE SUN

Be mindful of how much time you’re spending in the sun and try to deliberately seek shade where possible. Depending on your skin type, five to 20 minutes of sun exposure is enough to cause sun damage. Wear widebrimmed headgear and suitable UV protective eyewear to protect the delicate skin on your face and eyes and use an umbrella to avoid exposing yourself to direct sunlight.

For more information about Rebecca Treston, follow her page on Instagram @rebeccatreston. www.womanthismonth.com

bystander

ritish Ambassador, HE Roderick Drummond, hosted cubs and scouts for a tree planting event titled ‘Queen’s Green Queen’s Green Canopy BCanopy’ at the British Embassy in Manama as part of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

he Indian restaurant, Tanatan Bahrain, has launched their Tandoori Nights themed dinners at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa, Seef. The Tandoori Nights Tentertaining evenings features live entertainment and a delectable range of freshly grilled vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies.

50th Anniversary The Rotary Club of Salmaniya organised a

four-person panel discussion, at Golden Tulip Bahrain, to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The panel members were senior members of the Club who shared their experiences and memories of their journey through the Rotary.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

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LIFESTYLE | home

HOME ORGANISING 101 No matter how much time, energy and resources you spend on making your home look impressive, it all boils down to how you control the clutter and not let it take over every free surface in sight. (Not seen the seat of that bedroom chair in a long while? We feel you.) Following a few organisational tips will help you maximise your storage space, keeping your interiors looking spick and span 24X7. You won’t even have to scramble to get things looking spiffy for short-intimation guests.

THE One

Bin It

Wait, that doesn’t mean get rid of it. Instead use bins made from ecofriendlly materials (cloth, wood or bamboo) to compartmentalise your drawers and large storage areas. Perfect to store like items, linen, toys or paraphernalia. They even double-up to hold newspapers and magazines in the living room without looking like too much of an eye sore.

Gift Drawer

Rise to the Occasion

Shelf risers are a clever way of maximising real estate in taller storage space, like kitchen or vanity cabinets. Place short items like boxes and tubs underneath and jars, tubes and bottles with height over or besides the risers for added ease. Works just as well for countertops and dressing tables.

Gifts and tags bought in advance for future occasions?

Some beautiful wrapping paper and ribbon left over?

Dedicating a shelf or box to gifting lets you store gift essentials in a way they will keep well and avoid unnecessary wastage.

Wardrobe Wonders

Keep your wardrobe looking organised with nifty storage solutions that’ll help you select the right clothing and accessories in a pinch.

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LIFESTYLE | home

Upcycle unused trays and bowls

Who doesn’t have stray, mismatched bowls that may have lost their lids? Don’t toss them, instead, toss your small knick knacks in them for keeping drawers neat and tidy. Layer the base of the drawer with a colourful non-slip mat to ensure there’s no sliding and tipping over inside the drawer when you open or close it.

Kitchen Art

If less enclosed storage in the kitchen is an issue, hang your pans, spatulas, boards and colanders within easy reach on walls or sides of cupboards. To better organise kitchen cabinets, hang pans on a rail inside storage.

Cool and Calm Indoor water feature Home Box

The Everyday Catch-all

Keys, sanitiser bottles, bills, receipts, the mail, subscriptions, used pen-drives and much more. All this miscellanea could do with a catch-all space, that’s either a statement box or an entire drawer to avoid piling up on open surfaces. Stick an envelope in to be a temporary folder for paperwork and documents. Be sure to dedicate time once or twice a month to clear it out and be on top of your organsational game.

There’s Something under Your Bed

Clutter monsters be gone! Stowing away seasonal clothing, pillows and bulky quilts in boxes under your bed allows for a more spacious and appealing bedroom area. If plastic containers don’t catch your fancy, refashion Up old drawers with a lick of fresh Wired paint lamp or polish and castors into nifty underTable bed bins.

Namshi.com

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

HOW CAN MY CHILD STOP INTERRUPTING ME?

Ouiam El Hassani shares five constructive steps to help teach your child to politely join the conversation.

H

ow many times have you been trying to have a conversation on the phone with a friend, when all you could hear was a cute voice saying “GREEN, MAMA! GREEN!!” having been excited to figure out the colour green? You probably really wanted to finish that conversation with that friend though.

Although interrupting can be perfectly normal behaviour, it is possible to help children develop patience, and polite ways to join a conversation. Children interrupt because they are either too young and impulsive, or they don’t have any tools for respectfully interrupting. Another key reason for interrupting is that some children don’t have skills or a set plan for how to wait.

Toddlers often interrupt because they are still learning to regulate their impulses. When a toddler has a great thought, they want to share it, and they want to share it NOW! Here are five steps to help teach your child to stop interrupting: 1. Model respectful communication and attentive listening It’s a great idea to introduce turn taking and respectful communication early on.

Model what you wish to see and the language you wish to hear.

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• Let a baby know that you will be picking them up instead of swooping in and surprising them.

• Explain to a toddler that play time is almost over instead of insisting they finish when you say so.

2. Try a special code or hand signal Extending a hand for holding, a special nod or some other little signal can be really helpful, especially if it is practiced or talked about ahead of time.

3. Be mindful of when you must interrupt your child It’s helpful to use the same respectful language we would use when interrupting an adult when doing the same to a child. For example: “Looks like you are having a lot of fun, I need to interrupt you and help you clean up.”

4. Respectfully ask your child to wait Providing opportunity for children to learn to wait is important, but it needs to happen at a time when the child can actually succeed.

5. Give it time and adjust expectations The process of learning not to interrupt or to do so politely takes practice. Sometimes all you have to do is let them know you’re not ready to listen by saying “I need a few more minutes please,” or “I will listen to you in a moment.”

Other times, it’s helpful to remember that growing children make mistakes and get excited. They are not interrupting to be rude or because they don’t care about you and your needs.

Interruptions can seem disrespectful but beware of using consequences or commands such as “Shhhhhh!” or “Zip it!” to manage this kind of unhelpful behaviour. While you may get a child’s attention and get them to stop talking, or bothering you, this does not create the opportunity to teach. Children will learn much more about taking turns, waiting, listening attentively and respecting others if you choose to model how you expect it to be done.

Explain to your child that you will be busy, that you will pay attention to them when you are done, and be specific if you can: “I will talk on the phone for a few minutes and then we can read that book.” www.womanthismonth.com

last word

In Her Shoes

Being a friendly people’s person and diligent individual, Sarah Dennis is a perfect fit when it comes to being the Marketing and PR Professional at Multinational School Bahrain. The loyal, dedicated and kind mother-of-three is constantly on a quest to do her very best in everything she does. Let’s take a walk in her shoes!

Name three musicians we would find on your playlist.

What's the achievement you are most proud of?

Becoming a mother to three beautiful children.

Jeremy Loops, Pink and Alanis Morrisette

If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Name three things you are currently looking forward to.

Spending quality time with my family for the Summer. Taking an adventure to the sandbar island. Having some pamper time at my favourite beauty salon.

What's the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Each day is a new beginning, you have a blank page to make a wonderful story.

Make every day count. Live it as your last. www.womanthismonth.com

Sushi

Name one movie you never get sick of: Sarah Dennis

The Devil Wears Prada

What's a fun fact about you that most people don't know?

I am very adventurous and I love the outdoors but I am scared of heights.

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bystander index advertisers Financial Institutions

American Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Hotels & Serviced Residences

Ramee Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 The Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Now you’ve seen your regular issue, which we hope you enjoyed, make sure to check out our websites and social media for daily updates of what’s happening across the Kingdom. You can find us at:

bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth

womanthismonth.com womanthismonth

Scan the QR code for more information from the advertisers

Motoring

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes) . . IFC Behbehani Brothers Co.(Porsche) BC

ACEC

Banz Group B.S.C. (Closed)

American Express

The Lost Paradise of Dilmun

Al Haddad Motors: Mercedes

Behbehani Brothers Co.: Motoring Division: Porsche

Energie Fitness

Maki Restaurants Group Co.

Multinational School Bahrain

Ramee Group of Hotels: Ramee Grand

The Lanterns Restaurant

The Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa

Nass Foods

Others

Access Training Center . . . . . . . . . 33 Banz Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Energie Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC Multinational School Bahrain . . . . . 9 Nass Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 The Lost Paradise of Dilmun . . . . . 17

Restaurants & Cafes

Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Lanterns Restaurant & Lounge . . . 43

Uddin Khan hosted a dinner for friends Dinner Sabih and family at Paradise Restaurant.

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