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King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, UNA Conclude Symposium on Promoting Arabic Content

KSGAAL and UNA hold a virtual symposium. SPA
KSGAAL and UNA hold a virtual symposium. SPA
TT
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King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, UNA Conclude Symposium on Promoting Arabic Content

KSGAAL and UNA hold a virtual symposium. SPA
KSGAAL and UNA hold a virtual symposium. SPA

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) and the Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA) have concluded a virtual symposium focused on promoting Arabic content at official news agencies in non-Arabic-speaking countries within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The symposium targeted official news agencies providing Arabic content services on their platforms in Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Türkiye, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, and Chad.

Secretary-General of KSGAAL Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Washmi stated that the symposium aimed to enrich Arabic content across various media platforms, stimulate Arabic content producers, provide support, and enhance their knowledge and media proficiency.

The symposium featured two specialized panel discussions: The first addressed challenges facing Arabic content in the targeted news agencies, while the second presented KSGAAL's vision for enhancing this content.

The event concluded with several recommendations, emphasizing the need to enhance Arabic content in international media, particularly in news agencies, due to the pivotal role of media in language dissemination.

The recommendations also highlighted supporting the Arabic language's digital presence and fostering collaboration between KSGAAL and UNA to organize forums that strengthen Arabic language representation in news agencies of non-Arabic-speaking Islamic countries.

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Shanghai Museum Welcomes Feline Visitors to Peruse Egyptian Cat Imagery at ‘Meow Night’

A cat visitor poses with its owner in the entrance hall of Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night" in Shanghai, China, August 31, 2024. (Reuters)
A cat visitor poses with its owner in the entrance hall of Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night" in Shanghai, China, August 31, 2024. (Reuters)
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Shanghai Museum Welcomes Feline Visitors to Peruse Egyptian Cat Imagery at ‘Meow Night’

A cat visitor poses with its owner in the entrance hall of Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night" in Shanghai, China, August 31, 2024. (Reuters)
A cat visitor poses with its owner in the entrance hall of Shanghai Museum's "Meow Night" in Shanghai, China, August 31, 2024. (Reuters)

Shanghai Museum has pulled in crowds this summer for an exhibition of ancient Egyptian relics including cat statues and other feline imagery, and which on Saturday nights allows up to 200 visitors to bring along their own four-legged friends.

Inspired ancient Egyptians' worship of Bastet, the goddess of protection - often depicted as a cat - the museum has given cats the chance to interact with part of the exhibition called "The Secrets of Saqqara".

"Egyptian archaeological teams discovered a cat temple in Saqqara and unearthed many cat mummies and cat statues. So when we were planning the event, we had cats as a theme, and then came the idea for 'Meow Night'," said Shanghai Museum Deputy Director Li Feng.

The "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition" began on July 19 and runs until Aug. 17, 2025, with "Meow Night" planned for at least 10 Saturdays. It has held six so far with tickets, including 200 bring-a-cat tickets, selling out each time.

Visitors bring their cats in carriers or pet strollers and can take them out only at designated areas, such as for a photo opportunity next to a statue of Bastet.

The cats are checked on entry to ensure up-to-date vaccinations and for signs of illness or stress. There are veterinarians onsite and rest areas for cats in case the stimulation from their night at the museum gets a bit much.

"It's very special that you can bring a cat with you," said visitor Qiu Jiakai who was attending "Meow Night" with one-year-old puss An Mao.

"I listened to the narrator's introduction saying ... many of today's pet cats are related to the cats domesticated in ancient Egypt. So I thought I would have to bring my cat here to see its ancestors and the cat goddess," she said.