Mother Teresa’s Memory Lives On

Who could forget Mother Teresa? No one it seems because even after 10 years since her death many people, especially those in her own homeland, came to her tomb in eastern India to commemorate her death. There’s no doubt she is one of a kind that while she was still living she dedicated her life to serving the deprived and most unfortunate people in her city. She came to Calcutta in 1929 after she heard God calling her to serve the poor. And it was there that she served, checking and doing something for the welfare of street children, putting up schools and medical clinics that would cater to the poorest of the poor. At the time of her death there were 600 orphanages, soup kitchens and homeless shelters around the globe.

Leila Kanaan : Young Blood & Fresh Ideas

You might have not heard of Leila Kanaan, but we have all seen her work!
Leila is a 25-year-old Lebanese girl from Saida. She's got fresh ideas and works in the direction of originality and uniqueness.
Leila directed a couple of films, tv commercials and video clips ... You know those cute Clean & Clear commercials? Yup! That's her work!
As for video clips, you've seen Leila's other work in Issa Ghandour's Minsafer, Joe Ashkar's Waynik, Yara's Twassa Fey, Diana Haddad & Cheb Khaled's Mass ou Louly and Haifa Wehbe's Ma Toulch L7ad.

Muhammad Yunus, A Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Far from the shopping world of PS3's, Cell Phones and jewelry lives a poor and decadent part of the world. Christmas is a time for shopping but also, caring for the less fortunate. One man did this: Dr. Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh.
This is what he did…
The man established Grameen Bank, which is a bank that gives loans to the poor with special rates. The bank has financed more than 637,000 mortgages for the poor, and provides a full range of financial services, including a popular pension savings scheme and attractive rates for depositors.

From Stevens to Islam

Many people go through religious experiences that change their lives. The pop star formally known as Cat Stevens said that a small wave pushed him towards Islam... literally!

The story goes like this...
The then “Cat Stevens” said he got caught in a current off Malibu beach in California in 1975. And being the smart guy he is, he called for help...from God!

"Suddenly I was petrified. I thought this might be it," he said. "I said, 'God, if you save me, I'll work for you.' "

Hamdi Qandil Wins the 2006 Media Accomplishment Award

The Arabic Media Watch institute awarded famous media man Hamdi Qandil with the prestigious Media Accomplishment Award in London. The famous presenter is known best for his TV show “Kalam Rasas” or “Pencil” on Dubai’s satellite channel. The award was given on the basis of his creativity and participation in the media world during his outstanding career which spans over half a century.
Qandil received his award on his 70th birthday which also happens to date 50 years in the media business switching from printed journalism to broadcasted TV.

Starting from his show “Press Releases” in Egypt to “Pencil” in Dubai, Qandil chaired a number of high-ranking positions in International and Arabic institutes of media and journalism, such as the UNSCO where he was the director of media and the Arabic Union of Broadcasters in Egypt.

Legendary Tenor Pavarotti Has Cancer

The 70-year-old classical music icon Luciano Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer few days after he underwent his regular check-up in an undisclosed hospital in New York City. The results of his medical tests prompted his doctor to carry out an “emergency surgery” but he is recuperating now, according to his manager in statement released last Friday.

Happy Birthday Dalai Lama

The current & 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, celebrates his 71st birthday today.
The fifth of sixteen children of a farming family, Tenzin was born on July 6th 1935.
Not only is he the most influential spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama traditionally claims to be Tibet's Head of State and most important political ruler.
A charismatic figure and noted public speaker, Tenzin Gyatso is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West, where he has helped to spread Buddhism, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Some of his famous quotes are: ...

Queen Rania On The Oprah Winfrey Show

Tonight on MBC 4 queen Rania of Jordan appears on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Queen Rania, which is the youngest queen in the world, is her usual self on the show, a spontaneous, active, fresh & casually chic with a very warm smile. She represents a sophisticated Jordanian woman, who walks steadily towards a bright future, thanks to her intelligence & self confidence.
During the show, Queen Rania talks about being a queen & a mother, she also tackles many important issues like women's rights, the Palestinian-Israeli crises, the Jordanian society & many other topics.

Who is Dr. Phil McGraw ?

Dr Phil McGraw, renowned life strategist and best-selling author, has stunned his fans since his show started in September 2002.
He was selected one of the ten most fascinating people on earth because he focuses on people's behavior and helps improve lives.
Robin McGraw, Dr. Phil's wife, is always present among the audience during his shows. They have 2 sons, Jay who is 26 years old and Jordan who is 19.

Happy Birthday Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Doyle originally studies medicine & became a doctor & that's why you might not recognize his name, but you have to! He's the genius storyteller behind the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes tale, A Study in Scarlet, in 1887.
Over the following 40 years he published 56 short stories and four novels featuring Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. Watson.
The character of Dr. Watson & Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have a lot in common: both are medical doctors, both are writers, and both served in the British Army.
Doyle was knighted in 1903 for his services to the crown & died in 1930.

Thalia, The Mexican Singer

For those who have no idea who Thalia is, here is Thalia's story:
Thalia Ariadna Sodi Miranda was born on August 26th, 1971 in Mexico City, height for about 167 cm and weight of 51 kilos.
She is the youngest of five children. Her family, when she was little, were calling her "Yuya". Her father, Ernesto Sodi, died when she was 5 years old, silencing her for a year. Her first solo album was released in 1990, simply titled "Thalia". Her first telenovela (soap opera) was Pobre Senorita Limatour in 1987, followed by Quinceanera in 1988, Luz y Sombra (Light and Shade) in 1989, Maria Mercedes in 1992 at which she became famous in Middle east and especially in Lebanon though her song Amor a la Mexicana made her a diva, Marimar in 1994, and Maria La Del Barrio in 1996. Her last one is Rosalinda (1999). Her first movie was Mambo café.

Bill Gates … The richest!

Bill Gates who is the owner of Microsoft is the richest man in the whole world for the 12th year in a row; His fortune is 50 billion dollars, Forbes magazine has just published the news. Bill Gates has been known with his extreme modesty. In addition to that, his wife and he are known for the charity work they do all over the world. Warren Buffet comes next in the list with 42 billion dollars...

Al-Walid Ben Talal; Strongest Arab Personality

Saudi Prince Walid Ben Talal has been given the title of Strongest Arab Personality in the World by Arabian Business Magazine this year.
Prince Walid Ben Talal is the fourth richest person in the world. He controls his riches through his position as Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company.
He has investments & shares around the world, in the four continents; Apple Computers, Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, Kingdom Hotels International, George V in Paris, The Plaza in New York, Movenpick, Saks Fifth Avenue, CitiyBank, Disney land Paris, America Online ...

Radwa Ashour, a Star in the Sky of Arabic Literature

Radwa Ashour an Egyptian writer born in 26-05-1946. She is graduated from the Faculty of Arts, English department, Cairo University. She has an M.A. in comparative literature from the University of Cairo, Egypt and a PHd in Afro American literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Now she is a professor of English literature in Ain Shams University, Egypt.

She has written several books including both fiction and literary studies. Fiction such as:

Is the king of Pop turning Muslim?

I just read that Michael Jackson is about to convert to Islam. Rumors say he already did, and has been following the five tenets of Islam. I watched in MBC last week, the new show "Shahrazan" and they played a part of a new song of his. The song contained lyrics in arabic, and it was a pure Islamic song...

Ahmad Al Bayedh The Saudi Magician

From the deserts of Saudi Arabia, comes a thin, tall man. He has a deck of cards in his pocket, and a beautiful wooden stick in his hand. He looks mysterious. But who is he?
He can make cards appear, and disappear. He can make the stick fly and hover around. He can make anything fly actually! even a human! He is Ahmad Al Bayedh.
You might not have heard of him, but he is famous! He is the first Arab, and certainly the first Saudi to enter the realm of magic, or illusion as he insists on calling it!

Wafa Bin Laden in GQ Magazine

Osama bin Laden's niece Wafa Bin Laden ( Wafa Dufour ) has taken a huge step that has taken her over the red line!
Her uncle would not be too pleased with her as she appears in the GQ magazine January issue, where she is lying on a bed with rumpled pink silk sheets and lots of pillows, and covered only with pink feathers! She has got big dark eyes, long lashes, plump lips and caramel skin, and she wants to show it all to the world!

She has got guts!

Wafa Bin Laden GQ Magazine Photos

Persons of The Year

Bill Gates, his wife Melinda and Bono have something in common ; they are all celebrities, they do a world of charity work for africa's poor children and sick people, and they are THE persons of the year according to the famous Time magazine.

Time said the trio were chosen because of “their work in trying to find ways to eradicate such calamities as malaria in Africa, HIV and AIDS and the poverty that kills 8 million people a year.”

Raya Abi Rashid

Raya Abi Rashid is a young Lebanese TV Presenter on MBC.
You might remember her from Stars and Scoop. She is cool, energetic and is a fresh breeze on MBC.

What do you think of her?

Queen Rania Al Abdullah, A Serious Young Queen

The queen of Jordan, Rania Al Abdullah, was an ordinary young lady with a degree in Business Administration, and who comes from an ordinary family. But fate has put her together with then prince Abdullah the eldest son of Jordan's late King Hussein.
And after the King's death in 1999, she was suddenly Queen!
Since her marriage in 1993, she has become the mother of four beautiful children, and she has shown enormous potential and ability in many fields concerning the benefit of Jordan; environment, health, youth, and human rights, among other things.
The queen of Jordan is young, tall, beautiful, very intellectual, and has proved during the years that she is determined to right the wrongs of her country, and try to help the people to better their lives.

Mustafa Akkad, A Martyr in Amman

Fate is what we cannot escape, and Syrian Director Mustafa Akkad couldn’t escape his fate.
The man who has worked for years to establish a true image of the true Islam to Hollywood and the world, the man who has made one of the most important works about Islam and the Prophet Mohammad Al Risala & The Message, a genius who has worked for a holy cause all these years; to show the world the true face and identity of Islam, has died a martyr today of injuries in the terrible and horrifying blasts two days ago in Amman.
He has died in the terrorist explosions in Hyatt Amman Hotel and so did his daughter Rima … ironically; these were commited in the name of Islam!

The Real Raya and Sekina

Those are the photos of the real Raya and Sekina, the famous Egyptian criminals of the 20s and whose story is being told in this year's Ramadan series Raya and Sekina where their roles are being played by Egyptian actresses Sumaya El Khashab and Abla Kamel.
The one on the right is Raya and the other is Sekina.

Raya and Sekina series is being broadcasted on MBC 1.

• What are you watching in Ramadan ?

Hala Sarhan & Hala Show

Hala Sarhan is one of the Arab World's most famous media celebrities, she was the vice president of the first Egyptian private satellite channel, Dream TV.

Hala Sarhan is well known for her talk show 'Hala Show' where intellectuals and figures especially from the music industry encounter to give their opinions through debates and discussions of all sorts of issues.

Director Hani Khashafeh

The young talented director Hani Khashafeh, this young lebanese director is very promising. With his 3 video clips till now with Shadi Aswad, Iwan and finally with Karem El Sha3er indicates how talented he is and promising important great director for the coming years...

Jordanian Mostafa Mahmoud & Everest

From the lowest point on earth “The Dead Sea” to the highest in the world!
34-year-old Jordanian Mostafa Mahmoud Salameh has taken upon himself a challenge no Arab has ever completed; climbing Mount Everest, in addition to climbing the highest mountains on seven continents in a single year.
He believes in taking chances, and doing a positive thing for his country and people, in addition to opening the eyes of the world about Jordan, the King and Islam. In a few words, he aims to promote Jordan.

Wafa Bin Laden; An American Singer!

An unnoticed girl walking down Fifth Avenue in New York … who could tell that her uncle is the world’s most wanted man? And that she is aiming to add a serious twist to her family name!
She is Wafa Bin Laden, or better known as Wafa Dufour (her mother’s maiden name).
She aspires to be a singer, and aims to step over the whole “Bin Laden” issue.

Amr Khaled; The Elegant Propagandist.

I’m not sure whether we should describe Amr Khaled as “elegant” or “fashionable”, but that is what nearly everyone thinks of him.
It was very obvious what sorts of people he attracted when he used to give religious sermons in the classy “Agouza” neighborhood in Cairo, by only looking at the Mercedes parked outside, and the expensive shoes on the doorsteps.
It was the women in particular who got sucked in by his message that was as far as could be from politics. Nevertheless, it was very convincing.

Media Personalities Making an Impact in The Arab World

Two of the very influential personalities of journalism and media these days are two Lebanese faces, Zaven Kouyoumjian & Zahi Wehbi.

In the past, talk-show hosts were more of the fatherly image and of elderly stature, and their shows were merely about political issues and usual matters, they also talked more than listened! Then came Zaven!
During his 13 years in the TV business, he has become a tool of revolution; by inviting real people to his talk-show on Future TV, with real problems and first hand experiences, starting from serious matters like globalization, and reaching simple topics like how to cook chicken. He has also shocked viewers around the Arab world with daring topics that were till recently Taboo; sex, adultery, addiction… etc.

Miriam George, Miss Egypt 2005

This year the crown belongs to Miriam George. An intelligent beautiful young woman. Miriam is very natural and a nice person. She is 18 years old and she studies business administration in Egypt.

She will represent Egypt in miss world this year.

She has a huge potential and I think that there is not doubt that she is coming back with a lot of titles. Miriam is a true beauty and she is a sweet young lady...

Egypt Talented & Skilled People

This comment was submitted by 'Dings':

You asked If Egypt got talented people like Singers, Doctors, Scientists, Languages, Schools, Artists, and Actors... Here are some examples:

1- Naguib Mahfouz the Nobel Prize winner in Literature.

2- Ahmed Zewail the Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry. He discovered the nano second; you can find more details about him in the official Nobel web site

3- Farouk El Baz he is Research Professor and Director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University, Boston MA, U.S.A. He worked in NASA and participated in the APOLLO Program as Supervisor of Lunar Science Planning; you can find more details about him in here

4- Sir Magdi Yakoub is one of the world's leading heart surgeons. He was knighted in 1992 by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

You asked "Do Egyptians have big Schools like Lebanon? KASLIK, American University in Beirut, and more! Do you know any other language that Arabic"....
We got the CAC "Cairo American College", AUC "American University in Cairo", the French University and the German University…

As for actors and singers I don't have the time to tell you about all of them... just switch to any Arabic movie channel!

Ben Affleck, The Golden Boy

Ben Affleck is an Academy Award Winner, an American hero, and now a household name. Tall and handsome Ben Affleck became a star and entered the records of Hollywood legend when he and best friend Matt Damon wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting, winning a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for their work…