For 10-year-old Aya al-Juwaie, her love for fencing started by watching her grandfather partake in the sport. Now, the young Saudi girl who has gone on to win international competitions, dreams of representing the Kingdom on the ultimate global stage – the Olympics.
At the age of six, al-Juwaie joined the MK Fencing Academy in Dubai and began training alongside some of the best fencers in the UAE.
“When I saw how dedicated she was to the sport I realized Aya could become a professional fencer,” her father Faisal al-Juwaie told Al Arabiya English.
“She has so much passion for the sport and is always eager to learn new techniques. We motivated and encouraged her to pursue fencing, but ultimately it was Aya’s own passion and hard work that led her to where she is today.”
Saudi fencer Aya al-Juwaie at the 2023 Ramadan Tournament in Fujairah. (Supplied)
Al-Juwaie, who trains three times a week in the academy as well as privately, has won over 12 medals, including seven golds, in competitions around the region.
This year alone, the Saudi fencer won gold medals at three major competitions; the 2023 UAE Fencing Championship (Épée under 11) and the 2023 Qatar International Fencing Championship (Épée under 11).
Her most recent win came at the Ramadan Fencing Tournament in Fujairah where the young fencer represented the Al Nassr Saudi Club for the first time.
While any competition may seem daunting to an average 10-year-old, Aya says she thrives under pressure.
“I am always excited and a bit nervous when I participate in competitions, but I am also very focused and determined,” she told Al Arabiya English.
She said she loves the feeling of accomplishment she gets when she successfully executes a move or scores a point.
Saudi fencer Aya al-Juwaie at the 2023 UAE Fencing Championship. (Supplied)
“Compared to other fencers, she's always calm and very focused on winning points. Currently, at the age of 10, she is training with the older age group which gives her a push to learn more,” her father added.
As a registered member of the Saudi Fencing Federation, Aya has also been able to partake in championships in Saudi Arabia.
Joining the Al Nassr club is also expected to accelerate her rise to a professional career in fencing. Under the club, the young girl has been afforded access to just the right resources and support she would need to improve as an athlete, her father said.
The 10-year-old said she will continue to work towards her goal of representing Saudi Arabia at the Olympic Games one day.
“I hope to inspire other young girls to take up the sport and pursue their dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem,” she said.
The Kingdom has in recent years invested heavily in sports, its youth, and women – a commitment that comes as part of the country’s Vision 2030 reform plan aimed at diversifying the economy.
From 2015 to 2020, women’s participation in sports in Saudi Arabia increased by about 150 percent – a number that is expected to keep rising as the government continues to pour large sums of money into the sector.
“As a father, I am thrilled to see Saudi Arabia investing in its youth and in sports. I believe that sports can have a positive impact on young kids, as well as teach important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance,” the young girl’s father told Al Arabiya English.
“I am proud to see my daughter taking the first steps in representing a Saudi club and hope that Saudi Arabia's investment in sports will continue to grow in the future.”
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies
H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.
He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.
The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.
At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books
As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”
Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.
Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.
Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.
Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.
Automation
The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.
Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.
US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79
US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.
In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.
He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.
President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.