Egypt’s Giza Pyramids Host Fan-less Eid Concerts

Tamer Hosni performs at a concert at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.
Tamer Hosni performs at a concert at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.
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Egypt’s Giza Pyramids Host Fan-less Eid Concerts

Tamer Hosni performs at a concert at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.
Tamer Hosni performs at a concert at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.

Egypt’s United Company for Media Services organized a number of fan-less concerts during Eid al-Fitr near the Giza Pyramids to help mitigate the effects of the lockdown imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Famous Egyptian stars, such as Angham, Tamer Hosni, Hamid el-Shaery, Hisham Abbas, Medhat Saleh, Alaa Abdel-Khaleq and Hanan recorded their concerts during the holy month of Ramadan at the Sound and Light Theater at the Great Pyramids of Giza and al-Azhar Park.

Egyptian artist Hisham Abbas told Asharq Al-Awsat that when the Company first approached him with the idea, he instantly agreed and did not hesitate in participating.

“We are all living in exceptional days because of the pandemic and we must all stand together to overcome them. My role as an artist is to bring joy to the people,” he said.

He explained that filming the concerts was carried out amid strict precautions where everyone adhered to the measures by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

The artist pointed out that during rehearsals before the actual filming, he used the least possible number of musicians to avoid crowding on the stage.

Since “Sham Ennessim” festival, various artists in Egypt have been holding concerts without an audience.

Maestro Hani Farhat, who leads Angham’s music band, revealed that the singer has a large number of surprises for her Egyptian and Arab fans.

Speaking to Asharq al-Awsat, Farhat said that Angham performed a number of her famous songs, including: “Yaretak Fahemni” and “Akteblak Taahod”, and a number of songs from her latest album “Hala Khasa Gedan”. Fans on social media requested a number of songs which she included in her setlist.

The Eid concerts began with a performance by Tamer Hosni who sang 12 of his most famous songs. He surprised his fans with a new music video, “Wa enta Maayia”, which was postponed for two years for remixing after it was recorded with Algerian artist Cheb Khaled.



Saudi Arabia Announces Historic UNCCD Green Zone, Thematic Days to Accelerate Action on Land Degradation

Saudi Arabia Announces Historic UNCCD Green Zone, Thematic Days to Accelerate Action on Land Degradation
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Saudi Arabia Announces Historic UNCCD Green Zone, Thematic Days to Accelerate Action on Land Degradation

Saudi Arabia Announces Historic UNCCD Green Zone, Thematic Days to Accelerate Action on Land Degradation

The Presidency of COP16 Riyadh, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2 to 13, has announced the establishment of a Green Zone and the organization of seven thematic days. This initiative marks a first in the history of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
For the first time, a UNCCD COP will feature a Green Zone and thematic days as part of Saudi Arabia's leadership under its incoming COP16 Presidency. This landmark program reflects the Kingdom's commitment to galvanizing global action to combat land degradation, drought, and desertification, SPA reported.
The Green Zone aims to raise global awareness about land degradation and to connect key decision-makers from the scientific, NGO, political, business, and at-risk communities. The goal is to develop and fund lasting solutions. Thematic days in both the Green and Blue Zones will address key issues, including agri-food systems and finance.
"Land degradation, desertification, and drought affect almost every corner of the planet and every living being on it, from species at risk of extinction to the livelihoods of those impacted by severe drought," said Deputy Minister for Environment at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency Dr. Osama Faqeeha.
"Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever UNCCD COP16 Green Zone to mobilize the international community and maximize the opportunity during December's conference to deliver lasting global change. Whether you wish to attend as a visitor engaging in critical conversations about land restoration or as an exhibitor showcasing innovation, I encourage people to register and be part of the solution," Dr. Faqeeha added.
The Green and Blue Zones will host seven thematic days designed to foster action and dialogue among key stakeholders. Land Day will spotlight land restoration initiatives and nature-based solutions. The Business for Land Forum will bring together global leaders to discuss the economic imperatives of sustainable land practices. Finance Day will address the financing gap in combating land degradation. A special ministerial dialogue will showcase innovation in Sustainable Land Management financing, tackling the challenge highlighted by the UN Environment Program: $7 trillion is invested annually in activities that harm nature, equivalent to 7 percent of global GDP. Governance Day will focus on improving women's land rights and addressing pressing policy issues surrounding land tenure and resource governance. Agri-Food Systems Day will explore food security, crop resilience, and sustainable farming practices. Resilience Day will address water scarcity, drought resilience, and early warning systems for sand and dust storms. People's Day will feature a youth caucus addressing the critical role of young people, a gender caucus, and discussions about increasing the participation of at-risk groups. According to UNCCD, one billion people under the age of 25 live in regions heavily dependent on land and natural resources for livelihoods.
Science, Technology, and Innovation Day will emphasize the role of science in land restoration and prevention of further degradation. This day will nurture long-term solutions, ensure synergies with climate and biodiversity fields, and address research and funding gaps.