标签： North America

In a society where traditional gender roles often dominate, a group of Emirati women is challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be strong, determined, and free. These women, part of the UAE Rugby Federation’s all-Emirati, all-women team, Al Maha, are not just athletes—they are mothers, students, and dreamers who have found empowerment through the sport of rugby. Despite societal skepticism and family objections, they have embraced rugby as a source of strength, confidence, and purpose. The sport, often perceived as rough and unsuitable for women, has become a platform for these athletes to break barriers and inspire future generations. Rugby was introduced in UAE public schools as part of a talent discovery initiative, with the best players selected to join teams like Al Maha for girls and Al Shaheen for boys. These teams compete against professional clubs, gaining valuable experience and exposure. For many of these women, rugby is more than just a game—it’s a way of life. Zainab Alsuwaidi, a 23-year-old medical student, mother, and national rugby player, began her journey at 17. Initially, her family opposed her participation, viewing rugby as too violent. However, after being selected to represent the UAE in Tunisia, she gained their support. Alsuwaidi’s story is one of resilience, balancing motherhood, studies, and rugby with unwavering determination. Fatima Ali Al Blooshi, 25, was one of the first Emirati women to play rugby. Despite initial family rejection and financial challenges, she persisted, driven by her love for the sport. Over eight years, she has represented the UAE in international tournaments, proving that rugby can be played safely and successfully. Aisha Waleed Al Ali, just 17, transitioned from football to rugby, quickly rising to the national team. Her journey highlights the importance of teamwork, quick thinking, and determination. Supported by the Player Pathway Program (PPP), these women are part of a growing movement to develop Emirati talent for national and Olympic competitions. Their stories are a testament to the power of sport to transform lives and challenge societal norms.

A statue of Confederate General Albert Pike, which was torn down and set ablaze during the 2020 social justice protests, has been reinstalled in Washington, D.C., following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The statue, erected in 1901, has long been a flashpoint in the debate over Confederate monuments, many of which were constructed decades after the Civil War. The National Park Service announced its plan to restore the statue in August, citing federal responsibilities under historic-preservation laws and Trump’s directive to ‘Restore Truth and Sanity to American History.’ The decision has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Democratic Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the District of Columbia. Norton called the restoration ‘offensive to members of the military who serve honorably’ and reiterated her long-standing opposition to the statue, which she has sought to remove permanently through legislation. Pike, a controversial figure, has been accused of dishonorable conduct during the Civil War, including misappropriating funds and being captured by his own troops. Critics also allege his involvement in the formation of the Ku Klux Klan, though the Freemasons, who funded the statue, deny these claims. The statue’s reinstatement comes amid a broader national reckoning with systemic racism, sparked by the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Floyd’s death led to the removal of over 300 Confederate monuments across the U.S., making the restoration of Pike’s statue a contentious issue. The area surrounding the statue now bears a sign indicating ongoing historic preservation work, as the debate over the role of such monuments in public spaces continues.

The UAE’s transformation into a global tourism hub is a story of vision, dedication, and royal leadership. In 1988, the country welcomed its first 1,000 tourists, a milestone marked by personal touches from Emirati leaders. Nasser Al Nowais, then head of the Abu Dhabi National Hospitality (ADNH) group, recalled the challenges of attracting visitors to the emirate. “We had no tourists in Abu Dhabi,” he said. Determined to change this, his team attended a travel fair in Berlin, successfully bringing in the first wave of international tourists. These visitors were personally greeted at the airport, escorted to hotels, and shown the city’s attractions, leaving with lasting memories of Emirati hospitality. This initiative was deeply rooted in the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, who encouraged the promotion of Emirati culture and cuisine. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed, Nasser laid the groundwork for what would become one of the world’s most vibrant tourism industries, eventually co-founding Rotana Hotels, which now manages over 80 properties globally. Gerald Lawless, a key figure in Dubai’s hospitality sector, shared anecdotes of the royal family’s hands-on involvement. He recounted a 1am call from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who arrived to inspect the Jumeirah Beach Hotel for an executive meeting. “He gave me a full hour to be ready,” Gerald chuckled, highlighting the royal’s attention to detail. Gerald also spearheaded iconic marketing campaigns, such as Roger Federer and Andre Agassi’s tennis match on the Burj Al Arab helipad, which catapulted Dubai onto the global stage. Both Nasser and Gerald emphasized that the UAE’s success lies in its people. “Treat your team with respect, and everything else follows,” Nasser said. Gerald echoed this, sharing Jumeirah’s golden rules: always greet guests with a smile, never say ‘no’ as the first response, and treat colleagues with respect. Today, Abu Dhabi welcomes millions of visitors annually, a testament to the enduring legacy of the UAE’s royal visionaries.