SESSION ON FEMALE SAINTS FROM PESHAWAR TO BUKHARA
The Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi hosted a session of Professor Dr. Waleed Ziad, Associate Professor in History, Georgetown University (Qatar Campus), titled Lives of the Female Scholars/Saints of the Afghan Empire from Peshawar to Bukhara on 03 October 2024. The session was attended by several ambassador, diplomats, professionals and prominent members of Pakistani community.
Warmly welcoming Dr. Waleed Ziad, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi commended the scholarly contributions and efforts of Dr. Ziad for his research work on the great Muslim female scholars of the sub-continent and Central Asia. He praised the devotion, passion, and dedication of Dr. Ziad involving extensive travel to hard areas across various countries. Mr. Tirmizi highlighted that in view to bring people from diverse nationalities together, the embassies must play the role of sharing knowledge, art, music and culture.
Professor Dr. Waleed Ziad extended gratitude to hundreds of individuals from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, across Central Asia and Turkey who supported him greatly in the research for his upcoming book “Sufi Masters of the Afghan Empire: Bibi Sahiba and Her Sacred Networks”. In the introduction to his book, he shared lines from a diploma issued by Khwajah Saif-i-Ullah, the premier scholar and Sufi of Afghanistan, Baluchistan and Sindh to his number one student Bibi Sahiba Kalan. The diploma recognised her as the greatest saint and remarkable figure of her age. It made her the first female inheritor of the most important Sufi network based in North-western Pakistan and Afghanistan with its branches spreading all the way to Western China. The extensive research work took Professor Waleed ten years and travel of more than 140, 000 KM within three countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
In his lecture, Prof. Waleed Ziad highlighted female saints of the Central Asia region during the Afghan Empire. He mentioned about his book “The Extraordinary, Enchanted Lives of the Female Scholar-Saints of the Afghan Empire” in which he has paid rich tribute to these mystic female scholars. Dr. Ziad portrayed their sanctity, spiritual life, and services for guiding thousands of their disciples. He paid homage to these saints who dedicated their lives for Islam. He added that life of these saints is a beacon for the generation of contemporary era.
In the concluding remarks, Mr. Tirmizi said that the story of Bibi Sahiba is exceptionally extraordinary who had huge influence across Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. “It was indeed an immense pleasure to have had the opportunity to enlighten ourselves about this great lady through the fantastic work by Professor Dr. Waleed Ziad.
Ajman Bank Announces Inclusion in FTSE Global Equity Index Series
Ajman Bank, a leading Sharia-compliant bank in the UAE, has announced the inclusion of its shares in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series as well as their availability on the eToro platform. This milestone underscores Ajman Bank’s growing presence in the global financial markets and provides enhanced visibility for investors worldwide.
This follows Ajman Bank’s inclusion in the MSCI Global Index in March 2023, further solidifying the bank’s presence in prestigious global equity indices. The FTSE Global Equity Index Series inclusion underscores Ajman Bank’s solid performance and commitment to delivering value to its shareholders. It opens up opportunities for global institutional investors and enhances the bank’s market positioning. Furthermore, Ajman Bank’s presence on eToro, a renowned trading platform, expands access to retail and institutional investors, enabling them to participate in the bank’s journey of growth and development.
Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, said: “We are proud to be part of the FTSE Global Equity Index Series and to be available on eToro. This step reflects our consistent efforts to enhance shareholder value and reach a broader audience of investors globally.”
The FTSE Global Equity Index Series is one of the most comprehensive global equity frameworks, encompassing over 19,000 large, mid, small, and micro-cap securities across 49 developed and emerging markets. The eToro platform is recognized for offering seamless access to global investment opportunities for both seasoned and new investors.
Pink Caravan champions health and community in Aljada
The Pink Caravan (PC), a Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) initiative, is bringing a lively community awareness event to Aljada, Sharjah, from October 4-6. The three-day weekend event will feature sports, competitions, and fun-filled entertainment for all ages, creating an unforgettable experience while making a difference in the lives of many through free breast cancer screenings and awareness workshops.
Running daily from 4 pm to 10 next to the ZAD food trucks in Aljada the free event aims to encourage individuals—women, men, and girls—to take advantage of the free screenings, prioritise their health, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection in improving treatment outcomes and increasing the chances of a full recovery.
Family entertainment
The event offers entertainment for all age groups. Highlights include a ‘Petting Zoo,’ where children can interact with and feed animals, a ‘Children’s Area’ with bouncy castles, and a ‘Gamer zone’ for youth. Adults can enjoy a unique shopping experience and sample various delicious foods.
The three-day event will also feature the ‘Manbat Market,’ showcasing locally produced healthy products. A portion of the proceeds will support FOCP’s mission to provide financial and emotional assistance to cancer patients. The Pink Shop will offer exclusive merchandise, with all sales directly benefiting cancer patients and their families.
Free screenings and awareness workshops
PC’s Mobile and Mini Clinics will provide free breast cancer screenings for both men and women. Awareness workshops will cover cancer prevention, self-examinations, and the importance of regular medical check-ups. Special workshops will be available for cancer patients and survivors who receive FOCP’s dedicated and ongoing support.
Comprehensive sponsorship
This community event is organised in collaboration with key sponsors, including Crescent Petroleum as the main sponsor, Arada as the venue partner, and Sharjah Broadcasting Authority as the silver sponsor. Bronze sponsors include the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), FAST Building Contracting LLC, MSD Pharmaceuticals, and Sharjah Media City (Shams).