Bahrain This Month - March 2022

TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING

Since 1997

March 2022 | Vol. 26

| Issue 3 | BD2 / SR20

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

OMAR KAMAL LIVE IN BAHRAIN

MOTORING

The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022

HAPPENINGS

Spring of Culture 2022

DINING

Trib Fest

Salero’s Saturday Brunch

PEOPLE

Ahmed AlAli on the Down Syndrome Society’s achievements

WTM

The Return of Al Riwaq with Bayan Kanoo

International Women’s Day Special

Malaysian Ambassador Shazryll Zahiran

Be inspired by Manal Alsaleh, Noor Janahi, Mona Shakib and more!

COSMETICS SPECIAL

Fashion

The most popular cosmetic procedures in Bahrain

Beauty

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Nightlife

Digital Edition

SUPER CHRONOMAT

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bystander

Indian Republic Day The Indian Embassy held an event to mark the 73rd Republic Day of India.

Indian Republic Day Dinner

Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa held a dinner at Tanatan to mark the Republic Day of India.

4 March 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton

Bahrain This Month MARCH 2022

Editor Farah Baig Contributors Kristian Harrison, Behnaz Sanjana, Sravan Kumar V. Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed

T

Art Director Hatem Monem

here’s plenty to look forward to this month, with several exciting events taking place all across the Kingdom. With everything that’s happened over the last two years, being able to savour dinner at a nice location, stroll through an art gallery or attend a live music event is a blessing.

Webmaster Nishad Eapen

You’ll find several events to look forward to in our Happenings sections including the highlyanticipated Spring of Culture events, Al Dana Amphitheatre concerts and nightlife events.

Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian

CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services)

Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas anuradha@redhousemarketing.com Media Executive Kathleen Christabel kathleen@redhousemarketing.com DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Simran Tiwari, Rohit Reghunath

Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by

People all across Bahrain have been on the look out for cosmetic treatments that reap great results. We bring you some the most reliable providers and explore some of the most soughtafter procedures in the Kingdom.

With Spring of Culture underway, there are plenty of exciting cultural events to attend, but one that stands out is the upcoming concert of the prolific Palestinian singer and our cover star, Omar Kamal! He talks about his musical roots, influences and his rise to stardom.

Art enthusiasts across the island rejoiced last month as the renowned art gallery, Al Riwaq Art Space, found a serene new location. We spoke to its founder, Bayan Kanoo, about what this means for the Kingdom’s art scene. We also caught up with the founder of the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, Ahmed AlAli, who brought us up to speed on the society’s achievements including its unique initiative that has enabled it to find 19 young adults with Down Syndrome steady jobs. We also met with Malaysian ambassador Shazryll Zahiran, about his diplomatic career and his plans to bolster ties between the two nations.

In Dining, we’ve reviewed the Saturday brunch at The Westin City Centre Bahrain’s Spanish restaurant, Salero. You’ll also find plenty of other dining options to enjoy throughout March.

In our Motoring section, Kristian Harrison makes his predictions for the upcoming F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022. The event is expected to be quite spectacular with the introduction of the new generation of F1 cars on track. Meanwhile, business expert Pria Masson Tanwar explores the world of hydroponics while Sravan Kumar V tells us why digital marketing is no longer just an option in the region.

Our Woman This Month segment is quite exciting as we celebrate International Women’s Day which will take place on March 8.

As part of our segment, we interviewed five talented women who are making waves in Bahrain: Noor Janahi - the young entrepreneur behind the community-driven business, The Salad Bar, Manal Alsaleh who was one of the chefs at Food is Culture, Lini Reghunath – a digital marketing expert who overcame tremendous hardship, Fiona Slingerland a highlycertified personal coach who has run at international races and Mona Shakib – the talented mother behind the online cakery Retro Mama.

Aside from the highly-inspiring, prolific women in our Interview section, our team brings you the best of beauty products, skincare essentials, fashion and online dating advice too!

RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.

• Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month.

Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24

It’s an issue with plenty for you to look forward to, so needless to say, Bahrain This Month will always be your guide to a great way of life!

COVER Cover Picture:

Omar Kamal Live in Bahrain

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine.

Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 5

MARCH ISSUE 295

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

23

A True Showman

10

Palestinian singing sensation, Omar Kamal, returns for a performance at Spring of Culture 2022.

HAPPENINGS

10

The best of family, cultural, and nightlife events across Bahrain.

24

Dream, Think and Implement.

INTERVIEW

26 28

Founder and director of Al Riwaq Art Space, Bayan Kanoo, on its return and the need to foster culture.

23

24

The Epitome of Determination Bahrain Down Syndrome Society Founder, Ahmed AlAli, tells us about the society’s initiatives and achievements.

A Close Brotherhood

Malaysian Ambassador, Shazryll Zahiran, talks about his diplomatic career and his plans to bolster ties between the two nations.

COSMETIC FEATURE

32

We explore the benefits of some of Bahrain’s most sought-after cosmetic treatments in Bahrain.

43

Bahrain’s Hot New Brunch!

26

28

DINING

Spanish restaurant, Salero, just launched their Saturday brunch experience. Find out why it’s so special.

MOTORING

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32

43

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54

Start Your Engines!

Our resident motorhead, Kristian Harrison, makes his predictions for the upcoming F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022

COMMERCE

54 56 57

Business Bites Digital Marketing – Not Just an Option - Sravan Kumar A Growing Area in the Region Vertical Farming and Hydroponics Pria Tanwar

6 March 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth

bhthismonth

www.bahrainthismonth.com

A NEW ERA 18 - 20 MARCH GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

BAHRAINGP.COM The F1 FORMULA 1 logo, F1 logo, FORMULA 1, F1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX and related marks are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula 1 company. All rights reserved.

MARCH 66

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ISSUE 227

CONTENTS

FASHION

66

Springing into Fashion!

Bring the spirit of spring and summer into your wardrobe with these pieces from Cecilie Bahnsen and Nilli.

PEOPLE – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

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A Ripple Effect - Founder and owner of The Salad Bar, Noor Janahi, tells us about how a single conversation positively changed the course of her life.

Making Waves - From posting her kitchen escapades online to presenting her culinary creation at Bahrain’s seventh Food is Culture event, Manal Alsaleh tells us about her journey.

A Slice of Success - Mona Shakib, the owner of Retro Mama proves that you can have your cake and eat it too!

The Picture of Health - Energie Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer, Fiona Slingerland, has always had a passion for sports and fitness. She tells us about the importance of training, her specialities and goals.

Foresight and Faith - Seasoned digital marketing consultant, Lini Reghunath, talks about how she met with freedom on the other side of fear.

In Her Shoes - Daniela Peykova-Daher Lifestyle Manager at CRYO Bahrain is known for being optimistic, joyful and kind-hearted, but at the same time resilient, determined and fiercely loyal. We step into her shoes!

BEAUTY

74 82

Your Spring Beauty Essentials - Beauty products that will have you looking, feeling and smelling good!

Nourish Your Skin! 5 skincare products to help you nourish and hydrate your skin

76 78 80

Mothers’ Day During Covid-19… In Style!

Ouiam El Hassani makes celebrating Mother’s Day mid-pandemic easier.

Five Ways to Spot a Catfish on Dating Apps!

Use these tips to stop yourself from being ‘Tinder Swindled’.

Pastel Pretty - Bring the gleeful vibes of Spring into your home by giving your living spaces a pastel makeover.

LIFESTYLE

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March 2022

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rhmbahrain

www.womanthismonth.com

Flavours of the Levant at Al Areen Palace and Spa

Keizo Restaurant brings you the warmth and richness of Levantine cuisine every Thursday! 30% off on ALL beverages starting from 7:00 pm +973 17845000 | reservations@alareenpalace.com

www.all.accor.com

@alareenpalaceandspa @alareenpalace.official

happenings

MARCH 2022 HAPPENINGS - SPRING OF CULTURE A BAHRAINI LYRICAL VOYAGE

A NIGHT OF GREATEST HITS

MARCH 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

MARCH 4

MOHAMMED BIN FARIS BAND

MOHAMMED BIN FARIS MUSIC HALL

Experience the musical sounds of the Mohammed bin Faris Band in a lyrical voyage that regales audiences with tales of a pearling diver’s life, from joyous tunes to working songs and farewell laments, every Thursday evening. The Mohammed bin Faris Band is made up of an elite collection of artists and musicians, as well as renowned members of the Kingdom’s folk music groups. Enjoy the fantastic Fan Al-Sout, a unique Bahraini genre that pays homage to the island’s magnificent fishing and pearling past. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

MADE FROM A PALM TREE

A NIGHT OF CLASSIC FILMS BAB AL BAHRAIN

Strengthen the roots of your cultural understanding at this exciting pop-up market. Bahrainis have always revered palm trees as an important facet of their heritage. ‘Made from a Palm Tree’ features 50 traditional and contemporary palm goods to commemorate this element of Bahraini identity and support the continuation of these crafts through the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ “Made in Bahrain” project. Entry is free for all. This event is from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm on weekdays, and from 4pm to 9pm on Fridays.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

10 March 2022

AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

Hussain Al Jassmi, an international superstar and Emirati singing sensation, will take the stage at Al Dana Amphitheatre and perform his greatest hits and new releases. Al Jassmi is an Emirati pianist, composer, musician, and singer who was born in Khorfakkan on August 25, 1979. In the Arab world, Hussain is one of the most established and renowned vocalists. Tickets start from BD20. This event starts at 8.30pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

CULTURAL ROOTS MARCH 4 TO 18

HUSSAIN AL JASSMI CONCERT

MARCH 4

BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH (1959)

QAL’AT AL BAHRAIN SITE MUSEUM

Enjoy a classic movie night with your friends and family. This Egyptian film is a story by Naguib Mahfouz, starring Hind Rostom, Abdel Salam Al Nabulsi, Abdel Moneim Ibrahim, and Mahmoud El Meligy. The film revolves around the breakdown of an electric elevator in a Cairo neighborhood building with its passengers, metaphorically, between heaven and earth. The passengers feel miserable in life and when they seem to realise that, a glimpse of hope for their exit alive from the elevator sparks in them and helps them see life in a positive way. This movie is suitable for those aged 16 years and older. Entry is free for all. This event starts at 7pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org. www.bahrainthismonth.com

4 MARCH HUSSAIN AL JASSMI AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

10 MARCH OMAR KAMAL

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

25 MARCH PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

31 MARCH MANAMA MON AMOUR

BY RICHARD CLAYDERMAN & ZADE DIRANI WITH THE BAHRAIN MUSIC BAND

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

happenings

A HYPNOTIC RHYTHM MARCH 4 AND 5

QAWWALI NIGHT

TRADITIONAL FOLKLORE CULTURAL HALL

This Qawwali Night, expect to be taken on a musical journey through hypnotic rhythm and entrancing vocals. In cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Cultural Hall hosts a musical performance evoking a form of Sufi music, in a night with Qawwali melodies that blend literature, music, and devotion. It is a juxtaposition of lyric with literature and performance, highlighting the beginnings of Qawwali with the recitation of poems by great poets such as Amir Khusrow, through the following eras, with the voices of Hamza Akram Qawwal and his brothers. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

OH, SO POETIC! MARCH 6

MUSHAIRA URDU POETRY EVENT

DAR AL RIFFA AL OUDA BAND

DAR AL RIFFA AL-ODA RIFFA

Dar Al Riffa Al Ouda is one of the most important Bahraini folk bands, presenting many styles of the famous musical heritage in Bahrain and the region, such as Al-Fjiri, Al-Mjilsi, Al-Naqazi, Daq Al-Hab, Al-Liwa, as well as other folk arts. The Dar Al Riffa Al Ouda Band continuously highlights the significance of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s intangible cultural heritage. Attendance is free of charge. This event starts at 8pm.

Visit www. springofculture.org.

JAZZ IT UP CULTURAL HALL

If you’re a poet or a poetry fan, this event is the perfect opportunity for you to explore the world of poetry. In cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Al-Saqafa - the Pakistan Association presents a wonderful night of emotions accompanied by Urdu poetry, joined by an array of remarkable poets from Pakistan, Bahrain and the rest of the region. The event will also mark the premiere of poet Ahmed Adil’s poetry book in Urdu titled ‘The World of Emkan’. Entry is free for all. This event starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

12 March 2022

MARCH 5

MARCH 7

SUFI JAZZ BY KHALED AL ABDALLAH

SH. EBRAHIM BIN MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR CULTURE AND RESEARCH

Get ready to be amazed by the spectacular Khaled Al Abdallah who shall jazz up the stage with his performance. Khaled holds a PHD in drama and music and has been the vocal Professor of cinema and theatre at the Lebanese University Faculty of Art for the last 13 years. He has a number of albums in his archive, ranging from tracks he wrote and composed himself to tributes to late singers such as El-Cheikh Imam. He has also appeared in well-known theatrical productions, television shows, and films. Entry is free for all.

This event starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

IN RECOGNITION OF WOMEN MARCH 8

DOCUMENTING WOMEN’S PERFORMING ARTS

AL JASRA CRAFTS CENTRE

MARCH 8 - MAY 8

PROTECTING FAIKA AL HASSAN

BIN MATAR HOUSE

This is an excellent opportunity to learn everything there is to know about frankincense. Faika Al Hassan explores the historic use of frankincense in Bahraini homes and families through painting, drawing, and installation. This event is free of charge.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

Since they bid farewell to the ships at sea and the warriors in the desert, Bahraini women’s arts have always portrayed their reality, in joy and sorrow. The Enki Performing Arts Centre launched an initiative to conserve and chronicle Bahraini women’s lyrical and performing history in folk arts and songs, and to incorporate them in a literary encyclopedia with images, illustrations, and video files, in honour of International Women’s Day. Jassim Mohammed bin Harban, joined by Sharifa Mohammed and her band, will introduce these folk arts at this event. 4pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

TUNE IT UP! MARCH 9

ALL ABOUT FRANKINCENSE

A SINGING SENSATION PIANOTAINMENT

CULTURAL HALL

MARCH 10 8:00 PM

OMAR KAMAL

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

Omar Kamal, hailed the “Frank Sinatra of the Arab World,” is making a triumphant return to Bahrain. The incredibly talented London-based Palestinian vocal artist will present his new album ‘Show Me the Light’ following the success of his debut album ‘Serenade’ tour in 2017/18. He performs a beautiful, multilingual repertoire that includes songs by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Mohammed Abdel Wahab, as well as Arabic greats like Fairouz. An evening like this shouldn’t be missed! This event is ticketed.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Germany in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the critically acclaimed, one-of-a-kind Pianotainment performs in Bahrain!

Starring concert pianists Stephan Weh and Marcel Dorn, Pianotainment is a spectacular four handed piano show that has dazzled the world for over 20 years. This award-winning “crossover” programme is the perfect symbiosis between piano comedy and amazing virtuosity. Unique, wacky and endlessly entertaining, this performance is not to be missed. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 13

happenings

BEAUTIFUL PUPPETRY MARCH 11 TO 13

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

REVIVING TRADITIONAL MUSIC CULTURAL HALL

The Wind in The Willows is a phenomenal, family-friendly narrative that will capture the imaginations and hearts of all! It is performed by a huge cast, with catchy and upbeat live music, puppetry, and is replete with courage and friendship. The Wind in the Willows is a British classic and beloved among children! This event is ticketed and starts at 5pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

KHADIJA’S PERSPECTIVE MARCH 13 TO 16 - 8:00 PM

‘KHADIJA’ BOOK LAUNCH BY KHALID AL ROWAIE

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

The comprehensive piece of literature, Khadija, explores Khadija bint Khuwaylid’s perceptions of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) from his birth to prophecy, and finally to her death, explaining how she awaited him and her feelings about him. This essay weaves together historical events with contemporary poetic, artistic, and human perspectives to examine how she perceived the Prophet (PBUH), as well as how she navigated and embraced him. A new adaptation of the art of historical miniatures, as well as modern artistic forms of lines and formations that go together with the poetic text, are featured in the book and exhibition. This event is free of charge. 8pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

14 March 2022

MARCH 12

DAR BIN HARBAN BAND

DAR AL MUHARRAQ

Dar Bin Harban Band, founded by Mohammed bin Jassim bin Harban in the old city of Muharraq in the mid-1940s, has been significant in revitalising a variety of local traditional arts, including Al-Ardhah, Al La’abouni, Al-Khammari, and Al-Fjiri. Dar Bin Harban Band has recorded concerts that have been broadcast across the Arab Gulf states in addition to their live performances in local national and social events in Bahrain and overseas. This event is free of charge. 8pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

POETRY FOR THE SOUL MARCH 14

POETRY RECITAL BY AHMED AL-MULLA

HOUSE OF POETRY

Award-winning Saudi poet and filmmaker, Ahmed Al-Mulla, enthralls listeners at this poetry recital. As the founder and manager of the Saudi Film Festival, he is considered a pioneer in the Saudi film industry. In Saudi Arabia, he also leads the National Film Archive Center initiative. Al-Mulla held several prestigious positions over his career, including Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts. He received the Mohammed Al-Thubaiti Poetry Prize from Al-Taif Literary Club and was recognised in the 3rd GCC Film Festival. This event is free of charge. 8pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

A JAM SESSION MARCH 15 TO APRIL 15

AGA KHAN MUSIC PROGRAMME WORKSHOPS

SEEING THINGS DIFFERENTLY CULTURAL HALL

For the first time in Bahrain, a talented group of musicians from the Aga Khan Programme will lead creative music workshops for a group of students and local musicians. The workshops will focus on their creative process at the confluence of traditional and contemporary music, and a “jam session” for various musical instruments, as well as advanced courses in improvisation and cross-cultural composition. This event is free of charge. 8pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

AN UNFORGETTABLE CONCERT MARCH 19

AGA KHAN MASTER MUSICIANS CONCERT

CULTURAL HALL

This spectacular concert features the six leading musicians of the Aga Khan Master Musicians, who will take the audience on a musical journey influenced by their own deep roots in the cultures of the Middle East and Mediterranean Basin, South Asia, Central Asia, and China, in collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Programme.

Each of these extraordinary musicians has mastered a demanding musical tradition characterised by canonical styles, repertoires, pedagogy, and performing practices. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

MARCH 15 TO APRIL 15

POST-FICTION: MANAMA

AL RIWAQ ART SPACE

Ever wondered what Manama would look like in a different light? “PostFiction: Manama” is an exhibition that explores the space between collective narratives, personal fictions, and iconic histories of Manama through the perspectives of five distinct voices. As a result, the exhibition enables visitors to explore several conceivable versions of Manama, positioning the city as both a physical environment and a realm of speculation. This event is free of charge. 8pm onwards.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

CELEBRATING WORLD & ARAB POETRY DAY MARCH 20

‘IN YEARNING FOR SPRINGTIME AND ROSES’

BAHRAIN NATIONAL MUSEUM

In commemoration of World and Arab Poetry Day, coinciding March 21 each year, the legacy of the late poet Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa is remembered throughout a symposium led by Dr. Dheya Al Kaabi “Representations of Women in the Poetry of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Dr. Rashid Najem, “Spatial Images in the Lyrical Poems of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa”, Dr. Khalifa bin Arabi “The Emotional Presence in National Poems in the Poetry of Shaikh Isa bin Rashid”, and Dr. Fawaz Al Shurooqi “Shaikh Isa bin Rashid Al Khalifa’s Stance on the Poetry Movement in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

MESMERISING ART MARCH 21

LAUNCH OF THE HANGING SCULPTURE

AL-NUKHIDHAH HOUSE - MUHARRAQ

The Hanging Sculpture created by Khalid Farhan is a spectacular work of art which will leave you mesmerized. The red blossom-shaped modern hanging artwork completes a sequence of sculptures marking the Shaikh Ebrahim Center’s 20th anniversary. The sculpture will be hanging across from the center’s hall near the Al-Nukhidhah House and symbolises a bridge between modern structures and those associated with Muharraq’s long-standing pearling traditions. This event is free of charge and starts at 7pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

16 March 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

A VOICE TO REMEMBER MARCH 21

SONG CONCERT AMEERA SELIM

HEROINES OR THUGS?

SH. EBRAHIM BIN MOHAMMED CENTRE FOR CULTURE & RESEARCH

Are you ready for a breathtaking performance by an internationally-renowned soprano opera singer? Ameera Selim is a French-based Egyptian soprano opera singer.

In 2004, she received a concertist diploma from the Cairo Conservatory. She began her career as a soloist and member of the Cairo Opera. In Italy, she began vocal training and Italian music after studying piano, ballet, and painting. She won first prize at the International Orvieto Competition in Italy in 2002.

Entry is free for all. This event starts at 8pm.

Visit www. springofculture.org.

MARCH 24 TO 25 - 8:00 PM

RAYA AND SAKINA

CULTURAL HALL

This contemporary performance, produced in conjunction with the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Kingdom of Bahrain, brings two popular figures from Egypt and the Arab World to Bahrain.

Raya and Sakina are two personalities who have sparked conflicting reactions, with some seeing them as thugs and others seeing them as heroines against colonialism. This production reflects the intertwining, disruptions, and struggles of the human psyche in the form of modern dance. This event is free of charge and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

TIMELESS MASTERPIECES MARCH 25

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

CONNECTING WITH ART MARCH 25 TO 26 - VARIED TIMINGS

APPROACHING LEARNING: A SYMPOSIUM

AL RIWAQ ART SPACE

Approaching Learning is a symposium that complements Al Riwaq Art Space’s commitment to education and learning in connection to the arts.

In this first edition, Al Riwaq will host a group of conversions on different topics and issues of concern.

Registration is required at www.alriwaqartspace.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Whether you are a first-time orchestra performance attendee or a seasoned listener, we are confident you shall leave this event energised and uplifted.

The magnificent Philharmonia Orchestra of the United Kingdom will perform a collection of timeless masterpieces by Jean Sibelius, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Ludwig van Beethoven on the stage of the Bahrain National Theatre in its Kingdom of Bahrain debut. The concert is conducted

by Finnish Maestro Jukka-Pekka Saraste, with Bahraini Maestro Major General Dr. Mubarak Najem contributing two musical pieces to the orchestra. This event starts at 8pm.

For tickets and more information, visit www.springofculture.org..

March 2022 17

happenings

ADMIRING ARCHITECTURE MARCH 26

OPENING OF THE PEARLING PATH MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK

PEARLING PATH MUHARRAQ

In Muharraq, four multi-storey car parks designed by architect Christian Kerez are being developed as part of the Pearling Path project. With its appealing open spaces, the multi-story parking is designed to function as public areas, adding fresh and attractive characteristics to the historic city.

THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC PIANISTS MARCH 31

MANAMA MON AMOUR

BAHRAIN NATIONAL THEATRE

An enchanting concert that brings two of the world’s most celebrated pianists to Manama, Richard Clayderman and Zade Dirani, accompanied by the Bahrain Music Band on the stage of the Bahrain National Theatre.

“Manama Mon Amour”, features Ballade Pour Adeline, Mariage d’Amour, Zaina, and Haya, in addition to modern interpretations of Arabic hits by Abdel Halim Hafez, Dalida, and Majida El Roum. This event is ticketed and starts at 8pm.

Visit www.springofculture.org.

18 March 2022

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE MARCH 26

TOUR: FISHERIES (HADHRA)

QAL’AT AL BAHRAIN SITE MUSEUM

This trip is one you should definitely attend if you have a passion for fishing and would like to learn more about it. The Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum will organise a trip to the Hadhra (sea fishing traps) to search for oysters off the coast of Qal’at Al Bahrain. The participants will learn how to make traditional fisheries from natural materials found in the area. This event starts at 9pm Registration is required at www.culture.gov.bh..

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Under the patronage of HH Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, a Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Dinner to mark the contest between The Royal Guard and The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was held by the Bahrain Boxing Federation at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2022 19

happenings

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER! MARCH 11

KINGS OF LEON

AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

LOL MARCH 6

RUSSELL PETERS

AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

Kings Of Leon, the renowned American rock band, will soon perform in Bahrain! The phenomenal Grammywinning Nashville band, which consists of siblings Caleb, Nathan, and Jared Followill, as well as cousin Matthew Followill, is set to captivate the crowd with songs from their eighth innovative studio album ‘When You See Yourself,’ which was the first album to be released as an NFT as well as other fan favourites. Tickets start from BD20 and doors open at 6pm.

Visit www. aldana.com.bh or call 17 454-444.

LIFE CHANGING MUSIC MARCH 19

ERIC CLAPTON

AL DANA AMPHITHEATRE

British guitar virtuoso and singer Eric Clapton is returning to Bahrain and his performance here shall be the first of his 2022 concert series. The show marks the Grammy Awardwinning artist’s return to the Kingdom after an incredible sold-out 2014 show at Arad Fort.

For all our stand-up comedy fans, this one’s for you! Russell Peters is one of the world’s most celebrated Canadian comedians and he shall be performing live at Al Dana Amphitheatre as part of his ‘Act Your Age World Tour’. He first began performing in 1989, and has had a long and illustrious career since. Russell Peters is one of the most prolific names in comedy, and his shows are known for the immense amount of energy he puts into them. Observational humor makes up the vast part of his standup routines. He excels in highlighting all types of ethnic, class, racial, and cultural stereotypes through relatable personal experiences, impressions and comedy. Tickets start from BHD 25 and doors shall open at 6pm.

Visit www. aldana.com.bh or call 17 454-444.

Eric was raised in a home where music was a big part of his upbringing. His grandmother played the piano, and his uncle and mother both loved big band music. Before recording his self-titled first album, the British rock musician formed his first band at the age of 17 in 1963 and became a highly prominent guitarist. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in the world. Tickets start from BD30 and doors open at 6pm.

Visit www.aldana.com.bh or call 17 454-444.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE! MARCH 12

SHAMSA’TON 2022 SPORTS AND WELLNESS FAMILY DAY

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB (BRFC)

At Shamsa’ton, you can get in shape while contributing to a good cause. In honour of International Women’s Day, Shamsaha, a non-profit organiSation that helps women thrive and unlock their full potential, is hosting a spectacular sports and wellness event from 9am to 4pm. The goal of this event is to raise funds for the Shamsaha humanitarian mission while also increasing awareness about the significance of self-care through a variety of fitness activities and wellness talks.

Shamsa’ton offers Zumba, Yoga, HITT, CPR training, posture classes, food trucks, raffle prizes, markets, love entertainment and more. Tickets are priced at BD15 for individuals aged 12 and older and BD12 for BRFC members.

Visit bahrainthismonth.com to purchase your tickets.

20 March 2022

A TRIBUTE TO MUSIC MARCH 25

TRIB FEST

BAHRAIN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Are you ready for 12 hours of fun, music, and entertainment? Trib Fest, Bahrain’s best open-air family-friendly spring music festival, is back! This year, there will be more than 20 live tribute acts from the United Kingdom performing. These musicians are flying in from all around the world to dazzle the audience with their musical prowess. The outdoor music festival will feature three stages including the TribFest arena, which will be open from 10am to 10pm. Tickets cost BD18 for individuals over the age of 12 and BD8 for those under the age of 12.

Visit www.tribfestbh.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com

happenings

IN THE NAME OF LOVE MARCH 9, 10, 23 AND 25

THE EFFECT - A MEDICAL LOVE STORY

FUTURISTIC ART THE BRITISH CLUB

From award winning writer Lucy Prebble; Manama Theatre presents The Effect, an intriguing play which places modern medicine and clinical trials under the microscope.

Connie is charmed by an easygoing vagabond named Tristan while participating in a research trial for a new antidepressant medication. The desire between the two trialists grows greater as their doses grow stronger, despite being cut off from the outside world. Connie and Tristan risk everything to be together while two supervising doctors strive to resolve the ethical dilemma of this illicit connection. Is it possible for them to trust their feelings, or is this merely a side effect?

If you’d like to know how it all plays out, ‘The Effect’ directed by Jenny Wassom, will be performed at The British Club of Bahrain from 7:30pm.

Tickets are priced at BD7 for members and BD1 for non-members and are available at The British Club reception. This performance is recommended for anyone aged 16 and over.

Contact mtc.bahrain on Instagram or call The British Club at 17 728-245.

TEAR THE ROOF OFF MARCH 11

OFF GLOBAL GROUP PRESENTS: JULIET FOX (DRUMCODE)

You can’t beat this techno night!

For the first time in Bahrain, OFF Global Group is thrilled to present Juliet Fox. She is one of the leading female techno DJs in the world. Juliet’s presence on the Techno scene is incredible; her climb has been rapid and unwavering, with numerous production successes and she has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and DJ booths.

The event lineup includes Bahrain’s scene favourites - Julian Mesa, HSE, Reelaxx, and Mesh. Tickets start at BD10 per person and include a complimentary selected beverage of your choice.

For tickets and information, call 33 189-318 or 33 066-040. www.bahrainthismonth.com

MARCH 9, 10, 23 AND 25

NFT MENA EXHIBIT

THE RITZCARLTON BAHRAIN

NFT’s have been a trending topic and have shaken up the art and gaming world entirely. The first dedicated NFT Exhibition is taking place in Bahrain and will cover everything you need to know about NFT’s.

The RAK Art Foundation and Dar Alfann Gallery have formed a joint venture to create NFT MENA EXHIBIT 2022, a cutting-edge exhibition, during Bahrain’s Formula-1 weekend, providing a unique and innovative experience that will be the first of its kind in the region. Alongside some international artists, the exhibition will present a curation of artworks by Bahraini artists such as Leena Al Ayoobi, Adnan Al Ahmed and more, and explain step-by-step the process of getting your artwork on the blockchain, in addition to talks, live minting and auctioning, workshops by NFT experts, NFT markets and crypto-exchange representatives, as well as educational sessions for artists and NFT enthusiasts.

MY PRECIOUS! TEXAS LONGHORN ROOFTOP ADLIYA

MARCH 20 TO APRIL 20

MANAMA GOLD

MANAMA SUQ

If you love jewellery, here’s a little bit of paradise! Bahrain’s ‘Manama Gold’ festival will feature shops specialising in and selling gold, pearls and precious stones. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore and shop for exquisite jewellery in the heart of Manama.

This festival will be held from March 20th to April 20th and is organised by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority. Apart from all the glitz and glamour, there will be live entertainment, raffle prizes, activities for kids and more!

Visit www.btea.bh.

March 2022 21

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Breitling Opens New Industrial-Chic Boutique

Swiss luxury watchmaker, Breitling, opened its new retail concept in City Centre Bahrain. The official opening and ribbon cutting was made by Aed Adwan, Managing Director Breitling Middle East and representatives from Breitling’s local retail partner, Yauqby Premium. Located on the first floor of the mall, the new Boutique is Breitling’s latest retail space to feature the brand’s unique design concept – a contemporary urban interpretation of an industrial loft.

Mirchi Opening The grand opening of Mirchi Indian Restaurant was held at The Ramee Rose Hotel, Juffair

22 March 2022

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A TRUE SHOWMAN Palestinian singing sensation, Omar Kamal, speaks to Farah Baig ahead of his performance at the Spring of Culture 2022.

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pring of Culture is back this year, much to the excitement of art, music and culture enthusiasts in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The festival is embellished with thrilling performances, workshops and more, but it’s the return of the enchanting Palestinian singer and composer, Omar Kamal, that has beyond thrilled the Kingdom.

Hailing from the Palestinian city of Nablus, Omar Kamal built his reputation by bringing timeless music to the live stage. He previously performed at the Spring of Culture 2017 when he presented his debut album ‘Serenade’, charming fans with his truly distinct vocals and captivating stage presence. He will be performing at the Bahrain National Theatre on March 10, presenting ‘Show Me the Light’ his latest album.

“I’ve been doing music in one shape or form since I was just nine years old. I was a musician before I was a singer - playing classical piano,” he says of the start of his journey with music.

As the years went by, he developed his exquisite vocals and multilingual repertoires which includes songs by musical legends, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, to prominent Arabic musicians such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab and the iconic Fayrouz. “If we’re talking about professional inspirations then one is not enough,” he says. “In Arabic crossover music it’s Abdel Wahab, in the dreamy voice it’s Fayrouz, in imagination it’s Michael Jackson, in vocal performance and commanding the stage it’s Sinatra, in songwriting it’s the Beatles, and in basics it’s classical music.”

When it comes to personal inspirations, he graciously says that it would be his mother.

“She had a beautiful voice but had never done it professionally. She has a graceful approach towards music and the world around it, and that gives me the biggest inspiration at times of unclarity,” he says.

In 2015, Omar Kamal signed with Sony Music to create an album in Los Angeles with some great names in the music industry. “The experience was beautiful and may have been overwhelming at times, but it presented me with an opportunity to

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expedite my learning process to grow into an international artist,” he says.

After a long break from live entertainment, Omar is excited to be back in Bahrain.

“Performing in Bahrain is one of my fondest memories of being on stage. The reception we received from the crowd was tremendous and warming at the same time, and their energy lifted me and my band to the stratosphere and it was all unexpected!” he reminisces.

For his upcoming performance, he’ll be bringing his band from London and will perform crowd favourites from their repertiore as well as new music. ‘Show Me the Light’, which will be presented at the upcoming concert, was released in late 2019. “We were excited to bring it to Bahrain in 2020 and now we get to do it. It’s an international musical experience in a sense and features a lot of my original music. It doesn’t stick to one theme throughout, but the soul of it is one,” he says.

“This was going to be a bit of a surprise but we’re also going to be joined by ‘Cairo Ballet’ on stage,” he adds.

Being able to perform in a variety of genres in several languages, in addition to being classically trained in playing the piano, has made him one of the most prolific musicians to emerge from the region in recent years. As a result, he has enjoyed monumental success performing worldwide. “If I say Bahrain again I’d be repeating myself, wouldn’t I?! Alongside Bahrain, our show at the Pyramids of Giza was magical and full of history. I think those two stand out for me,” he says when asked about his most memorable performances.

Reflecting on his rise to stardom and his heritage, he says: “As I always say, being Palestinian can bring opportunities and can take some away. Regardless, I always feel very proud representing Palestine on any stage: international or regional.”

March 2022 23

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DREAM, THINK AND IMPLEMENT. Al Riwaq Art Space made quite the comeback this month, much to the delight of art and culture enthusiasts in Bahrain. Founder and Director of Al Riwaq, Bayan Kanoo, speaks to Farah Baig about her love for art, the art space’s triumphant return and the need to foster culture in communities.

Long before Adliya came to be known as a gastronomical hub in the Kingdom of Bahrain, it was a haven for creatives. A stroll around the bustling Block 338 would be a treat for the eyes with vibrant street art, soaring sculptures, eclectic markets and live bands too. What lay at the heart of this creative movement, though, was the ever-so-magnetic Al Riwaq Art Space.

Founded in 1998 by Bayan Kanoo, Al Riwaq epitomised the word ‘creative’. The non-profit art space organised countless exhibitions, workshops, events and more to nurture the Kingdom’s art scene. So, it was much to the dismay of artists and the wider community, 20 years later, when Al Riwaq closed its doors.

That being said, Ms. Kanoo’s drive and mission to foster the Kingdom’s art movement saw Al Riwaq open in a new space at the ‘Bank House’ in Gufool last month.

24 March 2022

Founding Al Riwaq As we basked in the tranquility of Al Riwaq’s garden, she reminisced about her first experience delving into art. “I’m Bahraini and feel Bahraini at my very heart and soul, but I’m originally from Iraq,” says Ms. Kanoo. “Growing up in Iraq, we all lived in a very creative, artistic atmosphere. We would attend concerts, music theatres and exhibitions frequently. In fact, my high school was next to a gallery so we would often spend our breaks there.”

“And then, my wedding gift was a painting actually. So, art and creativity has always been an important part of our lives,” she adds.

Having moved to the Kingdom of Bahrain in 1985 to finish her higher education, she soon took notice of the artistic nature of the island.

“I felt the creative vibe of the country – people were inspired and interested but didn’t take the initiative to create a permanent art space.

So in 1998, with my passion for all things creative, I started this gallery not knowing then that it would evolve into this,” she says.

Art – A Form of Expression The need to establish a permanent fixture in the Kingdom’s growing art scene coincided with Ms. Kanoo’s belief that art is an indispensable tool for expression. “Art allows you to divert any feelings of anxiety while exploring your passion in a constructive way. It can be moving, thought-provoking and inspiring through its diverse forms of creativity,” she says.

Creative expression has long been known to foster an environment for open dialogue and conversation. “Being from another, more expressive society, I found people here to be more conservative. So, I naturally pushed for more dialogues and discussions, and even invited schools to look at the art and express themselves,” she says, highlighting her belief that art encourages expression among the youth and between generations.

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interview It was this ideal that led Ms. Kanoo to take a special interest in engaging more youth in the art movement. “I want to engage more people in various forms of creativity, enabling them to pass on a message in a way that others will understand without having to feel any form of fear, aggression or hurt; it’s a simple way of passing on the sentiment and accepting it too,” she says.

Evolving Over Time Al Riwaq is known for introducing and exploring new mediums of art in Bahrain and was notably the first gallery to have a video art installation. “I made it a point to travel and attend symposiums and shows in other countries and take things to another level here,” she says. “I took the responsibility of making it a non-profit concept where we could understand the issues and joy that we have in a modern way, with technology at times, but still maintaining a local identity and representing the person.”

Over the years Al Riwaq has had several residencies and workshops to further inspire creatives. “Travelling and seeing what’s happening around the world makes you want to bring it here and reflect. The important thing, though, is that you cannot do everything exactly the same way – you need to adapt things to fit our society and community,” she says.

In keeping with the times, the space in Adliya was consistently evolving and expanding, but that came to a halt in 2018.

“We supported creativity and had a big platform. Our mission changed from having ready, pioneering artists to nurturing young artists too and evolving. Things started to become about the numbers, but I wasn’t ready to compromise the mission and vision so we had to leave the place,” she states.

Making a Comeback “At the time, I accepted the challenge and thought that 20 years was good enough to really feel the impact of the space. What made me come back was the demand of the people, their reactions, the impact we had and the void we all had. I felt responsible… and so I felt my mission wasn’t accomplished.”

As part of her search for a new location for Al Riwaq, Ms. Bayan initially set her sight on Manama. “Even though the plan to re-establish Al Riwaq in Manama was met with challenges, having the exhibition ready to go reignited the fire in me. So, we were lucky to get the support from Standard Chartered to use this historic house and allow the creativity to continue,” she says.

The sprawling new space in the quaint neighbourhood of Gufool features an expansive garden area and café aside from the gallery space within the house. Workshops, an art library, ‘art kitchen’, lounge area and stunning terrace provide the perfect environment for creativity to flow. “Everybody has a history with Gufool – it’s nostalgic. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Actually, this house too has its own energy and represents a fairly modern history of Bahrain. I believe it can be the new glory of Bahrain and revive Gufool since everybody feels so connected to it,” she says. “Al Riwaq is in a new space with its old spirit.”

Nurturing Creatives In addition to the exciting new space, Al Riwaq’s young team is bringing inspiration to the space.

“We have a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, an architect, musicians and a team member who is teaching too. So, it’s very much a hub for creativity, with unique and conceptual ideas - an opportunity to grow,” she says.

As part of their efforts to support the creative community, Al Riwaq intends to open a concept store which will allow them to sell their merchandise. “This is a place for people who think out of the box; we just need to allow ourselves to dream, think and implement.

Nothing will come on a silver platter. You have to create, craft and make it,” she says, encouraging artists of every medium to reach out to the team.

community,” she says.

“I appreciate everyone who has shown their appreciation and the words of Shaikha Mai. It’s a kind of tap on the shoulder as if to say, ‘You are not alone. We are all here,’ and I’m hoping we all work together because this is all for the community at the end of the day,” she concludes.

To keep up with Al Riwaq, their events and workshops, visit www.alriwaqartspace.com or follow @alriwaq on Instagram.

“Anybody who has any idea is more than welcome to touch base with us. We can work with them to adapt and allow things to happen,” she adds.

Al Riwaq Art Space is currently hosting its inaugural exhibition Vision 20/20 which will be followed by an exciting exhibition as part of Spring of Culture 2022, Post Fiction: Manama, which will explore artists’ views on the capital in various ways. “I was very happy with the support of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) and President of BACA, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, who has always shown her unwavering support to enrich culture and creativity in the March 2022 25

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THE EPITOME OF DETERMINATION The Bahrain Down Syndrome Society has played an active role in nurturing the innate abilities of those in its care since its establishment. Founder, board member and society treasurer, Ahmed AlAli, tells Farah Baig about the society’s initiatives and achievements, and the changing mindset of society.

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Saturday morning at the Bahraini Farmer’s Market can be quite refreshing for anyone living in the Kingdom of Bahrain. A recent visit, however, allowed for an even more pleasant experience as we met with two members of the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. The jovial young adults were volunteering at The Salad Bar, interacting with customers with ease. Founder, board member and treasurer at the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, Ahmed AlAli, explains that their presence at the market is a collaborative effort to integrate the young adults into society.

Since 1998, the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society has been working tirelessly to integrate, encourage and equip those in the society’s care with all that they need.

“At the time that I founded the society along with a group of parents, most people were hesitant to bring their children in due to social and cultural views. So, the growth of the society was slow at first, as we started to introduce different elements of our initiatives,” says Mr. AlAli. As the years passed and awareness of the society’s activities grew, so did the number of children and young adults in the society’s care.

“Through the coverage of the media, parents became more aware of the services they could make use of and felt encouraged. At the time of our establishment, we had 60 to 70 children, but today we have 700 children with Down Syndrome receiving our services,” he states.

The society provides children with several services to enable them to thrive in society.

“The main services we started were speech therapy, abilities development, sensational development and rehabilitation,” says Mr. AlAli.

26 March 2022

One of the most significant initiatives that the society has recently implemented involves finding the young adults employment. “In 2018, we collaborated with a few businesses that went on to recruit 19 people with Down Syndrome. We are currently training more students in batches so they may be employed this year and in 2023 too,” he states.

At the start of the work placement programme, the society was concerned that businesses would be hesitant to hire their students. Hence, they implemented a very unique programme to equip them with all the skills that they might need. “We had great success with the initial 19 students that are a part of this programme since we provided them with shadow staff who would supervise them from a distance in the initial stages of their employment,” he explains.

“In order to further ease them into their work environment and give them the confidence they need for their job role, we created replicas of their work stations at the society,” he adds.

The society has collaborated with a variety of businesses including retail and food outlets aside from banking service providers. Hence the society has replicas of cash counters, clothing racks, supermarket shelves and promotional stands complete with products and branding to familiarise the students with what could potentially be their work environment. “We then train them to interact with people, serve at those counters, stock shelves and more. So, before they’re put in the real-life situation, they’re already quite familiar with their surroundings and won’t be overwhelmed,” says Mr. AlAli. Collaborations with businesses such as The Salad Bar has allowed the society to further integrate the students into society. “It definitely helps to have an opportunity to have them in a public setting, integrate them and allow them to be like their peers. This is the main thing – www.bahrainthismonth.com

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integration,” he says, adding that society’s understanding and acceptance of people with Down Syndrome has grown too.

The society has several foresighted programmes that they wish to implement in the near future. “Whenever we receive funds, we implement programmes that we’ve had in the pipeline to further help the children and young adults,” he says.

Highlighting the society’s services through media coverage and other means has allowed them to reach out to more children over time.

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“Educating the parents regarding their special needs at the time that we started was much harder. Now, we find that they are more involved… to the extent of making suggestions for programmes too. Previously there was sense of ignorance; the parents would in fact ignore their children, but now we see them paying attention to their needs, educating them and being more proactive. There is definitely a change in mindset,” he elaborates.

The society aims to implement a series of programmes including a highly comprehensive

curriculum for people with Down Syndrome. “It is the funding we receive that has enabled us to run the society smoothly since its establishment. We have great plans in the future and we need continued financial support to keep growing our range of programmes and further empower the children. So, that’s the next step,” he concludes.

To reach out to the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, follow @bahrain.dss on Instagram or call 17 825-300.

March 2022 27

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A CLOSE BROTHERHOOD Bahrain and Malaysia have had a long-standing diplomatic partnership, with the Embassy of Malaysia established in 2003, enabling bilateral political collaboration on aspects such as commerce, trade and investment. This month, Bahrain This Month’s Kristian Harrison spoke to the Malaysian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shazryll Zahiran, about his diplomatic career and his plans to bolster ties between the two nations.

Thank you for talking to us, Your Excellency.

Firstly, can you tell us about your fascinating career so far?

I’ve been in service for 22 years, although the first seven of those was actually in the private sector. After studying Economics and Business Studies, I joined several multinational companies including Rothman International, Matsushita and Ernst & Young.

Then I joined Malaysia’s largest automobile dealership, Produa.

I then joined the diplomatic service and worked in Bosnia for five years. I felt that I could contribute more to society in this field as opposed to business; I believe I’ve always had an inclination of giving back to people and with my history in the commercial industry I had an opportunity to do that.

28 March 2022

I then returned to Malaysia, taking a government post centred on trade and economics, during which I was sent abroad for various postings and training, the most important of which was in the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh. It was actually a real eye-opener for me because knowing how Vietnam is, it is a growing economy, a very strong, very vibrant economy and I learnt many lessons there. We tripled the trade volume between Vietnam and Malaysia which I’m hugely proud of.

A shift to security and counter-terrorism followed and then eventually I ended up in Bahrain last July, which is actually my first ambassadorship.

Do you think diplomacy and how it is conducted has changed throughout your career?

It has definitely changed and is now embracing the new environment we live in. With mass media, WhatsApp and other platforms, news travels fast in a matter of seconds. With COVID-19 this has accelerated even further and put us on our toes as we work through an experience that is unprecedented. One major positive of this and the digital revolution to the service is that the younger generation are being enticed to diplomacy as a career and we have seen much more interest from them.

What was your mandate when you took the post in Bahrain?

Obviously, it was to primarily bolster the union between our two countries which has always shared a close brotherhood between our leaders. The relationship between Malaysia and Bahrain is one both sides treasure.

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interview Secondly, we have a marketing strategy to boost Malaysian investment and use the Bahrain market as an important gateway into the region, thanks to it being so business-friendly.

What do you think your greatest achievement has been so far during your tenure?

I think it’s too soon to talk of achievements, but I am proud of how much the economy is continuing to rebound and improve after the pandemic. I’m excited to see how it will expand and revive. Also, I think that since I’ve arrived here I’ve opened some doors in terms of Bahrain expanding into the world market rather than focusing domestically.

The Bahraini leadership has been so forthcoming and encouraging, it’s been a pleasure to work with them.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your diplomatic mission in Bahrain so far?

Ultimately, you need to have that human touch, the face-to-face meetings and whatnot to show presence. However, that hasn’t always been possible so there has been a necessity for video conferences. I think at the beginning, 70 per cent of my engagements were digital, but now with Bahrain opening up again after the great work done by its leadership to combat COVID-19, I’d say that has flipped.

What can you tell us about the historic relationship between Bahrain and Malaysia and how will it develop in the future?

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Our embassy first opened in Bahrain back in 2003, but our relationship began way before that and has grown over time. I am now the fifth ambassador here and we have always supported the development of Bahrain, particularly in the construction, banking and financial sectors.

We are seeing more Malaysians in the public sector; as engineers, technicians, government workers and more. It’s been fascinating to see how the working relationship has advanced in the past couple of decades.

Going forward, our relationship continues to grow as new industries and opportunities open up. We are seeing huge investment from our side into renewable energy, waste management, medicine, education and the agriculture industry.

In return, I’d like to boost Malaysia’s profile and highlight the tourism aspect of our nation, which is an incredible, diverse place to visit!

The connectivity between the two countries is something I definitely believe needs to be addressed, and I am actively trying to facilitate regular direct flights between both.

How many Malaysians live in Bahrain currently?

We have approximately 300 to 400 Malaysians here now, sadly a number that has almost halved since COVID. However, we do have Malaysians who have been here for more than 20 years, who I am delighted to represent.

Could you tell us about the role of cultural exchange between the two countries? Do you have any events planned in the near future?

Definitely. When we talk about relations between two countries, an exchange of culture and understanding is just as important as finance or politics. I do have some plans in the pipeline and it is my goal to showcase Malaysian culture considerably during the coming years of my tenure both from the community here and also to bring people in for Malaysia for special events.

Do you have a message for the people of Bahrain?

I think that one thing for sure that I want to register is my appreciation to the people and leadership of Bahrain, who have been very warm and very forthcoming in many aspects of the acceptance of my presence here. It has been a smooth transition for me. I have an open-door policy, I›m reachable to anyone and thus would like to see engagement between both countries on all levels, not just at the highest leadership level but also people-to-people.

During my time here, I hope that enthusiasm continues to be there and people are willing enough to respond positively to my ideas and to give me feedback and necessary support. I believe we can work together to make our relationship successful in a number of fields.

March 2022 29

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AT THE HELM OF HOSPITALITY Bahrain’s property market continues to soar, with both hospitality and residential projects opening at a fast rate. Juffair Boulevard has combined the two, offering a mix of short and long-term stay apartments, so Kristian Harrison spoke to General Manager, Ved Parkash, to find out why it’s the new hotspot in town.

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fter a troubled construction period, which began before the pandemic but was put on hold for a year during the heaviest period of restrictions, Juffair Boulevard opened its doors in January 2022 with a soft opening and will be fully-operational from the first day of Eid-Al-fitr.

Located adjacent to Juffair Mall, the ultramodern property combines the best of both worlds, offering 102 well-fitted modern hotel rooms and 99 modern luxurious apartments (66 one-bedroom apartments and 33 twobedroom apartments).

General Manager Ved Parkash is the perfect man to have at the helm, having graduated in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition in Pusa, New Delhi. He then worked at a premium hotel in Delhi for six years before moving to Bahrain in 1989. Since then, he has worked for various hotels groups before settling at the Atiram Group, and is now operating Juffair Boulevard.

In a highly competitive industry, offering plenty 30 March 2022

of choice new ventures need to stand out from the rest. Ved believes Juffair Boulevard has all the tools needed to succeed in this regard.

“It’s very true that the hotel and travel industry has become very competitive and challenging, not only in Bahrain but worldwide,” he explains. “Now that restrictions have somewhat lifted, people are willing to spend money on vacations and staycations again, so we have to ensure that Juffair Boulevard is their destination of choice.

“There is pressure on us to hit the ground running, but I believe we offer substantial benefits to prospective customers. As mentioned, we are catering to various needs rather than one specification with both: the hotel and the apartments, which have all the facilities to be a ‘home away from home’.

“Our amenities include a spacious swimming pool alongside a kids’ pool, a sunbathing deck, gym and health club, spa and selection of food and beverage outlets, some of which are open now and the rest which will launch

after Ramadan.”

Juffair Boulevard’s staff have been specifically trained to cater to both hotel and residential and special care has been made to ensure all COVID-19 protocols are still being adhered to.

“In some ways it’s a learning process,” says Ved. “We have never opened a property during a pandemic before so we are still learning how to improve the business on the customerfacing side, in terms of reassurances they want from us that perhaps they didn’t need before the pandemic, and from our side we still need to follow all the rules and regulations given by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the traffic light system currently in place.

“We continue to modify our operation accordingly, which does result in business fluctuating, but this is important for the safety of people and I am sure things will soon get even better and we can get back on track. I’m hugely optimistic that Juffair Boulevard will be a grand success,” he concludes. www.bahrainthismonth.com

BREITLING OPENS NEW INDUSTRIAL-CHIC BOUTIQUE IN BAHRAIN

Swiss luxury watchmaker, Breitling, has opened its new retail concept in City Centre Bahrain. The official opening and ribbon cutting was done by Breitling Middle East Managing Director, Aed Adwan, and representatives from Breitling’s local retail partner, Yaquby Premium.

Breitling MEIA Managing Director, Aed Adwan, and Yaquby Stores CEO, Banan Yaquby, at the official opening of the Breitling Boutique, City Centre Bahrain.

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ocated on the first floor of the mall, the new Boutique is Breitling’s latest retail space to feature the brand’s unique design concept – a contemporary urban interpretation of an industrial loft.

Commenting on the opening, Mr. Adwan says: ‘’The launch of Breitling’s new concept Boutique in Bahrain is the first of many to be opened in the region this year, indicating the importance of the Middle East market to Breitling. We are confident our customers will enjoy being welcomed into the uniquely-designed environment which allows them to explore the brand’s heritage and discover our new watch collections in a sophisticated but relaxed setting.’’

General Manager Yaquby Premium, Asif Jiffry, adds: ‘’Yaquby and Breitling have been successful partners for over 30 years, the new Boutique marks a milestone for our relationship. We are thrilled to be a part of the exciting launch of the brand’s new Boutique concept, the first new concept Boutique within Bahrain.’’

its uncompromising commitment to design excellence.

With the brand’s storied association with aviation, Breitling has shared the finest moments in humankind’s conquest of the skies. Renowned for its spirit of innovation, it has also earned a place of privilege in the worlds of science, sport, and technology. Breitling manufactures its own movements in-house and the quality of every watch is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer,

made in Switzerland.

The new Boutique is home to the entire Breitling collection, including the brandnew Super Avi collection. Launched in November 2021, the Super AVI is a celebration of aviation history with designs inspired by the original 1953 “Co-Pilot” Ref. 765 AVI aviator’s watch and four legendary planes: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito.

For more information on Breitling, visit www.breitling.com or follow @breitling on Instagram.

Breitling’s new 65m² Boutique is a contemporary urban interpretation of an industrial loft in a dynamic city. The design of the Boutique is inspired by a mid-twentiethcentury industrial building as a nod to a time when the brand’s timepieces and intelligent measuring tools earned Breitling a formidable reputation. Unique artefacts such as aircraft propellers and bespoke furniture vividly bring to life the brand worlds of ‘land, sea and air’.

Since 1884, Breitling has established itself a global reputation for high-precision timepieces, its pioneering role in the development of the wrist chronograph, and www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 31

cosmetic feature

ALL ABOUT AESTHETICS With the advancement of science, the roster of cosmetic treatments available in the Kingdom has been growing over the last few years. We explore the benefits of some of Bahrain’s most sought-after treatments.

A

esthetics is important to most people, with the vast majority of us constantly in pursuit of the healthiest hair, spotless skin and fit physiques. Pollutants, stress, sun exposure and poor dietary choices among other factors can sometimes lead to certain adverse effects including hyperpigmentation, hair loss, dryness and more. To combat these effects, and support their aesthetic visions, most people turn to cosmetic procedures.

Thankfully, with the advancement of science, the invasiveness of these

procedures has considerably diminished over time. We explore some of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the Kingdom and their benefits.

It’s imperative that you remember that cosmetic procedures, too, are medical procedures and must be carried out by trained healthcare providers in the right environment. Remember to explore your options and opt for a clinic or hospital with the necessary certifications before undergoing any procedure.

Platelet Rich Plasma (commonly known as PRP) This procedure has been gaining popularity in the region as a treatment for hair loss and skin rejuvenation. For hair loss, the treatment is carried out to prevent hair loss or promote new hair growth.

For the procedure, the clinic will use the patient’s own blood which will be processed and then injected into the target area where it is expected to promote healing. Platelets are known to contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area. Platelet-rich plasma is simply blood that contains more platelets than normal.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

A fairly new but promising treatment, HIFU is sure to be sought after by those who’d like to avoid “going under the knife”. The non-invasive and painless procedure is meant to encourage the production of collagen resulting in firmer skin, making it an apt replacement for the comparatively invasive surgical facelifts.

HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to target the layers of skin just below the surface with heat, encouraging them to produce more collagen. The procedure is known for facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening and body contouring. Benefits include wrinkle reduction, an enhanced jawline, lifting of cheeks, eyebrows and eyelids, and smoothing of skin. Patients are known to see a visible difference a few months into treatment and after multiple sessions as recommended by the doctor.

32 March 2022

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cosmetic feature Botox

Apart from its aesthetic uses, Botox is also used to treat medical conditions such as excessive sweating. Botox is injected into the target areas in small doses by trained doctors for the best result.

The most commonly targeted areas for reducing the appearance of wrinkles are frown lines, crow’s feet, lines at the corners of the mouth and skin on the chin.

Chemical Peels

As the name explains, chemical peels involve carefully applying a skin treatment on the patient’s face or neck which will then gently peel away in time. It’s extremely important to undergo this procedure at a reliable clinic or hospital since the doctor will have to thoroughly assess your skin and concerns before the procedure. The peeling generally takes up to 2 weeks after which additional sessions may be necessary.

The treatment is meant to target sun damage, fine wrinkles, certain types of acne, age spots, melasma and other skin concerns.

Laser Hair Removal

Having to ditch shaving, waxing and epilating is a boon for many!

While laser hair removal is hardly a new procedure, it has changed over time with less painful machines making their way onto the market. One of the most common procedures across the world, Laser Hair Removal, allows you to get rid of unwanted hair following multiple sessions. The procedure works by destroying the health follicle with concentrated light. The best part of this procedure is that it can selectively target the dark, coarse hair while leaving skin undamaged.

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March 2022 33

bystander

lunch was held at Bahrain International Circuit Lunch at BIC Aduring the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge.

Bahrain Sports Day

Bahrain Sports Day was held at the Bahrain International Circuit.

34 March 2022

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cosmetic feature

CROWNING GLORY!

The stigma against cosmetic procedures has been all but eradicated in the modern day, and with it has come a plethora of opportunities for people to boost their confidence and image. Kristian Harrison spoke to Dr. Mukesh Jivanprakash Batra of the Middle East Hospital about the benefits of personal surgery.

Dr. Mukesh Batra is a dermatologist, cosmetologist and hair transplant surgeon with extensive training at Ailesbury Hair Clinic.

After five years of practicing in the Kingdom, he is welcoming potential clients who are seeking cosmetic procedures to take a leap of faith and change their life for the better.

“The most common procedures clients look for are Laser Hair Removal, Botox, Fillers, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), Hair Transplants and Facial Rejuvenations by Laser, HIFU or Chemical Peels ,” he says.

“In particular, we’re seeing an increasing number of people who wish to undertake a hair transplant. This is where a surgeon moves hair to a bald area of the head, usually from the back or side of the head to the front or top. It is a day care procedure done under local anaesthesia.”

Success of the operation depends on various factors such as strength of the donor area, stage of baldness and the skills of the operating doctor. A successful hair transplant

boosts your appearance and selfconfidence. Good candidates, according to Dr. Batra, include men with male pattern baldness, women with thinning hair and anyone from either sex who has lost some hair from a burn or scalp injury.

Previously, people who wanted to undergo this procedure had to travel abroad. Now, however, it is easily accessible in the Kingdom.

“Initially, when I started practicing in Bahrain people would prefer to travel to Turkey for the procedure,” says Dr. Batra.

“Now, this perception has changed with many realising the challenges one faces after surgery. It’s always better to do surgery in your home country as you are at peace that the doctor is available when required.

The results take up to one year, and during this time patients go through a lot of stress as nothing is seen during the initial months.

the queries and doubts that patients have during this period are addressed properly.

“A hair transplant is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure for most the patients. Choose your doctor and clinic wisely. Don’t get fooled by false guarantees or claims of the ‘latest technology’. It is a medical procedure and should be approached in the same way as any other.”

“So for this reason, every patient who does a transplant at our centre is given a one-year consultation absolutely free. We make sure all

Hair Transplantation

Botox & Fillers

Med-spa

Laser Hair Removal

DR. MUKESH J. BATRA

Specialist Dermatologist / Cosmetologist & Hair Transplant Surgeon (London) FOR APPOINTMENTS:

1736 2233 (SEGAYA) 1746 4848 (HIDD)

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 35

bystander

Vivir Opening The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain held the

opening of one of its most popular pop-up concepts at the resort’s beachfront venue, Nikmati, named Vivir. The exciting addition brings back the taste of Spain in the famous alfresco restaurant with a new chef, Chef Carolina Cuellar, all the way from Mallorca.

Vivir, meaning “to live”, first opened in March 2021 with the objective of providing guests the opportunity to experience different cultures and tastes through a gastronomic journey without ever leaving the island. This year, as the world slowly comes back to life, the resort will continue to impress with a sumptuous selection of tapas, paellas and more, along with a generous amount of select beverages from the bodega.

Remastered Radio Bahrain Radio Bahrain 96.5 held “Remastered”

- a small gathering to launch Radio Bahrain’s new identity at Elements, Regency InterContinental.

36 March 2022

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cosmetic feature

BAHRAIN EMERGES AS A MARKET OPTION FOR MEDICAL TOURISM

A

nnually, millions of patients travel from countries with no or less advanced healthcare infrastructure in a specific department to countries that offer highly specialised healthcare – a practice known commonly as Medical Tourism.

This has given rise to a robust global medical tourism market that was worth over USD37 billion in 2019.

Patients travel to countries for various medical procedures ranging from cosmetic surgery and dental work to orthopedic procedures. Patient Beyond Borders estimated that over 20 million people will travel abroad for medical treatment this year, up 25 percent from 16 million last year.

Since 2021, the Royal Hospital for Women and Children (RHWC) has received hundreds of patients from across the GCC for medical procedures, mainly plastic surgery.

“We have an international team with Dr. Paulo Hypacio from Brazil as Head of the Plastic Surgery Department, Dr. Adrew Ordon acclaimed surgeon from Beverly Hills - USA; Dr. Sanjay Parashar based in UAE; Dr. Karl Jallad and Dr. Matteo Vigo from Italy. In addition, our team of visiting doctors is expanding, with doctors from countries like Lebanon and Egypt visiting soon,” says Rohit Srivastava, CEO of RHWC. Plastic surgery is not just the surgery itself; it is a consensus among surgeons that the result of a surgery depends on several factors, including the

postoperative follow-up. “RHWC should be considered as state-of-the-art in plastic surgery since it has an infrastructure that allows the doctor to perform the surgery in the best conditions and for the patient to have a comfortable postoperative follow-up,” says Brazilian Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paulo Hypacio.

“Unfortunately, in some parts of the world that receive visiting doctors, there is no plastic surgeon to do the postoperative follow-up, bringing insecurity to the patient. However, at RHWC, patients who undergo procedures with visiting doctors are sure that they will have quality follow-up with a plastic surgeon,” says Dr. Hypacio.

Aside from patients visiting from other countries, Bahrain’s citizens have the opportunity to have access to the best of doctors and treatments without the need to travel abroad. “We receive many citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia for procedures including Botox, fillers, skin booster and HIFU,”, says Specialist of Dermatology, Dr. Shaily Tharanth.

Highlighting RHWC’s position as a pioneer of Bahrain’s medical tourism, Mr. Srivastava says: “Promoting medical tourism is among our primary focuses and we are proud to be the first hospital in Bahrain to take this initiative. This is just the beginning. Our vision of making Bahrain a hub for medical tourism goes a long way.”

Dr. Paulo Hypacio

800 40000 - 3870 7060

www.bahrainthismonth.com

1775 9999

Consultant - Plastic Surgeon

March 2022 37

bystander

YOU App Inaugural Press Conference

Bahrain’s upcoming biggest online platform YOU app hosted its inaugural press conference at Gulf Hotel Bahrain. The event officially revealed the brand and app functionalities to members of the media.

Bahraini Bosnian Reception Jawad Yousuf Alhawaj, Chairman of BahrainBosnia and Herzegovina Friendship and Business Society hosted a Bahraini Bosnian Dinner Reception on the occasion of the 11th International Investment Conference Sarajevo Business Forum 2022 at Al Hawaj Garden, Budaiya.

38 March 2022

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interview

HERE FOR YOU! N

With the shift in the general consciousness towards digital commerce and finance, it is imperative that these options are facilitated. Noor Al Saati, the Chief Operating Officer of YOU app, tells us why this latest technological marvel could be just the tonic.

oor Al Saati has had a distinguished career. After harnessing her management skills in banking and finance, she has led teams of marketing professionals and gained in-depth knowledge of digital finance.

After transitioning to startups, e-commerce and technology, she’s putting all of her skills and experience to use as she helps to launch the YOU app.

“YOU is a multi-vertical delivery platform that aims to reduce pain points and create convenience by fulfilling an individual’s everyday needs,” Noor explains. “We are building an innovative platform which will provide tailor-made solutions and improved services than what is currently offered in the market.

“YOU will offer a seamless and comprehensive experience centred on our user’s needs and preferences when it comes to Food & Beverages, Health & Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle, Grocery and Flowers.”

The innovative app, which launches this month, will provide a loyalty-based credit wallet system which can be used on all verticals and also be transferred to other users. Further down the line, it will add catering functionality to open opportunities for caterers in the Kingdom to reach more customers. Group ordering functionality will allow users in big groups to accommodate their orders based on their preferences,

food & beverages

grocery

flowers

health & beauty

fashion

lifestyle

and for food outlets to receive larger orders.

Furthermore, the app’s fashion concept ‘Trendy by YOU’ will act as a hub that supports and develops Bahraini fashion designers, boutique owners and cosmetics vendors in the Kingdom by showcasing their products.

With similar apps already available in the market, Noor believes that YOU’s Bahrainfocused background will help it stand out.

“At YOU, we’re very passionate about the capabilities of Bahraini talent. We believe in their potential and it is a core value of ours that we support them and help them grow with us on this journey.

“Our overall Bahrainisation rate is 85 percent, and our customer support is 100 percent run by Bahrainis and is locally based here in the Kingdom,” she says. “We are also committed to hiring Bahraini drivers as part of our delivery fleet in an effort to provide more jobs and opportunities for Bahrainis.

“We literally mean it when we say we are here for YOU!”

YOU name it we've got it

order now

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 39

bystander

KAL held a dinner at The Spice Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Bahrain. Dr Nasser Qaedi, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, SKAL Dinner Swas Guest Speaker of the evening.

Tanatan Grand Opening

The grand opening of Tanatan was held at Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa allowing guests to experience the exquisite taste of authentic Indian cuisine.

40 March 2022

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bystander

BBBF Lunch Meeting Bahrain British Business Forum held a lunch meeting at Gulf Hotel Bahrain with guest speaker Dr Debbie StanfordKristiansen, General Manager of ASM Global, who gave a presentation on the new Bahrain Exhibition and Conference Centre facilities.

PROF. DR. BOB DJAVAN Consultant - Urology

Professor of Urology, Vienna (Austria) and New York (USA)

Clinical Expertise • Prostate Cancer • Prostate Disease • Uro Oncology • Kidney & Bladder Cancer • Testicular Cancer • Urinary Stone Disease • Robotic and Minimal Invasive Surgery • Incontinence and Female Urology • Laparoscopy, Laser Surgery, Endourology

Advanced Urological Care Available from Saturday to Monday (from 12/03/2022 to 14/03/2022) www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

1724 6800 1724 6888 3218 1810 Royal Bahrain Hospital March 2022 41

N FU for All!

feature - Bahrain F1 Race

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is well-known in the world of motorsport for its vibrant, festival-like atmosphere that can be enjoyed off the track at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

“The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East” spares no effort each year in putting together a fantastic programme of fun family entertainment for all to look forward to throughout the three-day race weekend.

A wide variety of roaming performers from all across the globe are ready to put smiles on everyone’s faces from March 18 to March 20.

These colourful characters—who will be seen around BIC’s F1 Village vending area—include dancers and musicians, clowns and magicians, and more. This includes Abraham Thill, Aras Stilt Band, the Joker group, Colour Dancers, Dr Bubbles, Funky Style Band and Jam Batucada.

Abraham Thill is a professional street- and circus-performer who has been performing since 1999. His is an energy-packed street show that includes clowning, pantomime,

World-class roaming acts to bring signature F1 Bahrain Grand Prix entertainment to life at BIC

comedy, object- and subject-manipulations, improvisations, magic and mind-blowing Diabolo skills.

Aras Stilt Band is a combination of one of the best groups of percussionists and stilt-walkers.

Their colourful outstanding costumes with big wings and beautiful music make them one of the most appreciated in Europe, inspired by the Aras colourful bird from the rainforest. The Joker group comprises a team of playful interactive clowns. They have travelled across Europe entertaining kids and the young-atheart with acts that include fantastic circus skills, uni-cycling, juggling and stilt walking.

The Colour Dancers are charming stiltperformers in glowing colours with lightfooted dances and comical interactions. They dance through streets, parks and rooms in ever-changing formations. Dr Bubbles is a flambouyant character who comes up with colorful creations through giant soap bubbles which come in all shapes and sizes.

Funky Style Band is an innovative and

captivating group in the panorama of marching bands. They have eye-catching uniforms and play and dance with the grit and enthusiasm typical of a respectable street band, while maintaining the elegance of the Italian funky style. Jam Batucada performs a fusion of rhythm, taste, colour and dance through Brazilian and Latin American sounds.

The F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is set to be an historic, once-in-a-generation occasion for motorsport, as it ushers in “A New Era” in F1 following the biggest shake-up in F1 rules and regulations. There will also be loads of racing, as F1 will be joined by the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East.

To add to the roaming performers off the track, BIC’s spectacular entertainment programme will be highlighted by the back-to-back concerts on the Friday night of the race weekend, 18 March, when globally renowned DJs Don Diablo and Afrojack will take to the stage for separate live performances

Tickets for the Grand Prix are available online at bahraingp.com or by calling the BIC Hotline at 17 450-000.

42 March 2022

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dining

Bahrain’s Hot New ro!

Brunch at Sstaaule rant, Salero,

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March 2022 43

tablehopping

TABLE HOPPING MARCH 2022

With a change in season, restaurant venues across Bahrain have a spring in their step to offer islanders intriguing, tempting and absolutely tantalizing dining offers. Choose from a five-star selection of brunches and soirees that mark March’s highlights in the best possible way – with great gastronomy!

ONE FOR THE LADIES Ladies, gather the squad for a decadent weekend with Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain’s empowering International Women’s Day Friday Brunch on March 11 at Origins, from 1pm – 4pm.

Choose between an al fresco or indoor dining experience, featuring live entertainment, as you sip on free flow fancy concoctions with your besties.

Book your table to indulge in the especially curated International Woman’s Day brunch, made with fresh artisanal produce just for you. The afternoon is priced at BD28, inclusive of soft beverages, or BD34, inclusive of selected beverages. Children aged six – 12 years dine at BD14.

Call 77 488-100.

AN ITALIAN FEAST Celebrate the weekend with a memorable evening full of exquisite Italian dishes and an extraordinary experience at Festa Italiana, an exquisite dining event at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. The sharing menu of delicious starters, pasta, risotto, main dishes and the signature tiramisu from the trolley is all priced at BD28 per person, available every Thursday, from 7pm – 11pm at the hotel’s fine dining Italian outlet, Primavera Osteria Contemporanea.

Call 17 586-499.

MEXICAN MANIA The much-awaited Taco Fiesta at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s Margarita Mexicana, Taco Monday is back with unlimited tacos! Here’s your chance to enjoy an extensive and unlimited range of tacos, prepared in-house and freshly served by Mexican Chef Ruben and his dedicated team. What’s more, guests can avail a 50 per cent discount on selected margaritas as well. The offer is priced at BD12, on Monday, 14 March, from 3pm onwards.

Call 17 713-000.

BEACHSIDE ARABIC POP-UP EVENT Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay has launched its first-ever Arabic pop-up dining experience at the Beach Deck, running until March 26 (except on Sundays and Mondays), led by the hotel’s newly appointed Oriental specialty chef, Tony El Khoury.

Guests will be ushered to their table overlooking the sea and a vast night sky above Manama’s sparkling city lights. The beautifully transformed space embraces local Arabic heritage, while bringing guests a comfortable space to dine and lounge from 6pm midnight. An à la carte menu offers freshly prepared dishes complemented with a premium selection of Moroccan tea, Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee. On Thursday and Friday evenings, the Beach Deck offers DJ entertainment from 7pm - 11pm.

Call 17 115-500.

44 March 2021

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tablehopping

AN INDIAN EXTRAVAGANZA GASTRONOMY IN THE FAST LANE

Rasoi by Vineet, the Indian fine-dining venue at Gulf Hotel Bahrain, will be celebrating the vibrant Indian festival of Holi as well as Mother’s Day, from March 18 – 21. Treat your mother to a colourful and beautiful culinary journey, because she deserves all your love and more. Tickle your taste buds with an exquisite set menu with 14 varieties of food, priced at BD14+++ per person.

Call 17 713-000.

Race to a special Formula1 Brunch at Café Mosaic and Via Brasil at Wyndham Garden Manama on March 18, from 12.30pm – 4pm, to indulge in an infinite selection of the freshest seafood, meat dishes, fine grilled cuts, pasta and more, much of which is prepared right in front of you.

Live cooking stations, Churrascaria, F1 themed desserts, a carving station, crepes and waffle counter, and live entertainment await you, priced at BD32 per person, inclusive of unlimited selected beverages.

Call 66 398-787.

JOIN THE IRISH REVELRY It’s all about the ‘Luck O’ The Irish!’ on St Patrick’s Day at Xenia Bar and Lounge, Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Head over to the venue to feel as lucky as the Irish and a wee bit o’ fun while you enjoy flavorful Irish Stew, desserts, and a pint of Guinness for only BD12 per person, from March 17 – 19, 4pm onwards.

Call 17 460-017 or WhatsApp 33 640-032

TAKE YOUR PICK The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa’s Italian restaurant, Mondo Taste of Italy, has some unmissable offers for guests, like Aperitivo Happy Hour from 5pm – 7pm daily.

During Antipasti Thursday, diners enjoy a selection of four antipasti with a 500ml carafe of grape, priced at BD20. Fridays are all about Family Friday, from noon – 11pm, where guests are treated to a delicious set menu, for BD10 per person, for which a reservation of a minimum of four guests is required.

Call 17 531-666.

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March 2021 45

tablehopping

A RACEY BRUNCH F1 season is upon us once again, but not all the fun is reserved just for motorheads! Join in at Gallery Lobby Lounge and Silks Restaurant at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, on March 18, for the most enticing F1-themed brunch and enjoy unlimited food and drinks as the best DJ spins all your favourite music hits from 12.30pm - 4pm. The memorable afternoon is priced at BD33+++, with unlimited selected beverages.

Call 17 460-017 or WhatsApp 33 640-032

LET’S BE GREEN Round up the gang and hit St. Patrick’s Day Friday Brunch on March 18 at Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain for epic times, good fortune and ultimate Vida vibes. Book your table and be part of the festivities, hip tunes, good food and beachside drinks at Origins Restaurant, from 1pm – 4pm. The afternoon is priced at BD34, inclusive of selected beverages, or BD28, inclusive of soft beverages.

Children aged six - 12 years dine for BD14. All guests dressed in green enjoy free Guinness.

Call 77 488-100.

VERY ENGLISH It’s English Night at Ya Hala Roof-top Lounge, at Ramada Hotel & Suites Amwaj Islands by Wyndham every Sunday. Guests can enjoy a scrumptious four-course set menu of roast beef dinner or roast half chicken or lamb roast, along with the chef’s special soup, salad, dessert and unlimited selected beverages for one hour, from 7.30pm – 11pm, for BD16 per person.

Call 13 600-111.

MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS In celebration of International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day this March, Bay View, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, will be offering a special mimosa cake from Monday, March 7 – Saturday, March 26. Selected for its beautiful fragrance and bright yellow colour representative of the sun, the mimosa flower symbolises the nature of the secret of love, dedicated to all women. This sweet treat is priced at BD6, or BD9, inclusive of a refreshing mocktail Call 17 115-500.

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bystander

Food Is Culture The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities held “Food is Culture 7” at Al Liwan, Hamala.

Happy Day

A Dedication To The Person Who Fills Our Life With Joy And Love.

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March 2022 47

tablehopping

A FANTASTIC COMBINATION FROM THE EMERALD ISLE Enjoy a cosy celebration for St Patrick’s Day at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s beachside venue, La Plage. Gather with family and friends to savour traditional Irish favorites in a set menu, including a delicious stew, Shepherd’s pie and a sumptuous dessert on March 17, from noon – 10pm. The set menu is priced at BD25, and includes two glasses of a special green beverage.

Call 17 586-499.

Legendz, the award-winning steakhouse at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, introduces the ultimate dining experience with the new Steak & Lobster three-course menu. Enjoy a delicious starter selection, followed by a 300gm lobster tail and 200gm grilled tenderloin, followed by dessert selection of your choice. This unmissable offer is available every day, from 6pm – 10.30pm, for BD28 per person.

Call 17 227-777.

CULINARY COMFORTS It’s all about Steak and Grape at the Golden Tulip Bahrain’s wellknown outlet, The Cavalry Club. Guests can enjoy a selected bottle of grape, and a sumptuous rib-eye steak all for BD14 per person.

Call 17 535-000 / 39 995-182/42

AN INTIMATE SETTING Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area Bahrain has the ideal culinary offering for private get-togethers with a ‘Served Buffet Style’ Menu for a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 guests. A variety of cuisines can be selected from - international, Asian, Indian, Arabic or Italian. Courses include appetisers (hot and cold starters, soup, salad, live stations depending on the cuisine selected), main course and dessert.

Call 16 161-888 or WhatsApp 33 621-016

48 March 2021

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

BASE Club Soft Opening A celebration was held for the soft opening of BASE Club, in Juffair Boulevard Hotel. The club’s amazing vibes and concept are sure to rock the kingdom.

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

March 2022 49

motoring

START YOUR ENGINES!

Our resident motorhead, Kristian Harrison, makes his predictions for the upcoming F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022

I

t seems like it was just yesterday that the smell of burning rubber and the roar of turbocharged engines last charmed our senses as the 2021 Formula One season came to a thrilling – and hugely controversial – conclusion in Abu Dhabi.

Whilst the talk over the winter break has focused on structural changes and new protocols at the governing body, the FIA’s, highest level amidst the fallout from Max Verstappen’s last-lap championship win, it’s time to get back on track (literally!) as the 50 March 2022

pinnacle of motorsport begins its annual whistle-stop tour of the globe this month.

Where better to begin than our beloved Kingdom, as the 18th Bahrain Grand Prix inaugurates the season under the lights in Sakhir. Fresh from signing a contract to continue racing here until 2036, another thrilling spectacle is bound to unfold before our eyes this month.

The 2022 season brings with it the biggest changes to the formula in 40 years. The new technical regulations redefine how the cars

work in an attempt to solve the problems faced by drivers in recent years when it came to overtaking.

An F1 car›s speed is largely defined by aerodynamics. In the past, turbulent air behind cars disrupted the car behind and led to it losing close to half of its total downforce when following closely.

The technical boffins at the FIA suggest that with the new rules this year, a car following directly behind another will retain 85 per cent of its total downforce when one metre behind, www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring rather than 57 percent in previous years.

In theory, this should make overtaking much easier and stop faster cars being ‘held up’ behind another, especially on tight, twisty tracks.

Furthermore, a budget cap means the cars should be closer together in terms of performance, with less opportunity for the ‘big teams’ (the Mercedes, Red Bulls and Ferraris of this world) to find big advantages over the privateer manufacturers by virtue of their conglomerate backing.

Whether this actually comes to fruition remains to be seen. F1 has been here before where radical rule or design changes has simply maintained the status quo or actively harmed the spectacle (Pirelli tyres, anyone?). Yet have faith we must that we’ll finally achieve the dream of having five, six or maybe even all 10 teams competing for victories on any given day.

With all that in mind, here are some bold predictions for the season ahead. Note that this article was written before either of the pre-season tests in Barcelona or Bahrain, so by the time the season itself starts on March 18-20 I could already look silly!

Firstly, despite the aforementioned changes, I still expect the season to come down to two men, the standout talents of their generation. Lewis Hamilton, still vying for his record-breaking eighth world title, and Max Verstappen, fresh off his first but perhaps looking to prove a point that he deserves it after the farce in Abu Dhabi.

I’m going to go for Hamilton – and Mercedes – to win both titles with fire in their belly and a burning desire to restore justice after the drivers’ title was snatched from them on the final lap last year. Last time there was such a major shakeup of the formula in 2013, Mercedes established themselves as a dominant force with eight constructor’s titles in a row. Who’s to say they can’t repeat the trick?

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Wait, that wasn’t very bold at all was it?

Here’s one – the prancing horse is my dark horse. After a few years in the barren wilderness by their standards, I expect Ferrari back at the front fighting for wins on a regular basis. Their interpretation of the new rules has led to their car being the most strikingly different in design, catching the attention of many in the paddock. Whilst this could mean they got it all wrong (it wouldn’t be the first time!), the whispers are that they’ve had a stroke of genius. Here’s hoping, as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are two of the most talented youngsters on the grid.

This might be the final hurrah for Fernando Alonso, and after his Alpine outfit basically wrote off last year to focus their energy and budget on this year onwards, I think he may just pick up a win or two at the age of 40 in a hugely improved car.

Sadly for another former world champion, it’ll be a final disappointment for Sebastian Vettel whose career has had a downward trajectory since his halcyon days at Red Bull. Despite billionaire backing, I’ve plumped for the Aston Martin to be the let-down of the year and after another season of being towards the back, I think Vettel will walk away.

Out of the spotlight, I think the backmarkers will be closer and even fighting for points at some races, but I can’t see how the likes of Williams and Haas can consistently compete on a shoestring budget compared to other teams. It will be nice for youngsters like Mick Schumacher and Alex Albon to hone their racecraft and show what they can do rather than watching everyone else sail by.

As for the boldest prediction of them all … I think the new rules will have the desired effect and we’ll get another slate of thrilling races, daring overtakes and fiery confrontation. Start your engines!

March 2022 51

motoring news

BENTLEY SECURES UK PRODUCTION OF FIRST ELECTRIC CAR

Bentley’s first-ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) will be developed and built in the UK with the company committing to investing GBP2.5 billion in sustainability over the next ten years. The announcement is a major boost for the UK economy and also helps secure Bentley’s first step into electrification at the production plant, where all Bentley models are built and 4,000 colleagues work.

The first BEV is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2025 and will mark a significant moment in Bentley’s long and illustrious history. It is also a critical step in the company’s Beyond100 strategy – the ground-

breaking plan launched in 2020 that will ensure Bentley is exclusively electric and end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030.

The significant investment programme will also result in a complete transformation of Bentley’s entire product portfolio, and the historic Crewe Campus by embedding an industry-leading greenfield facility into a world-leading, next generation digital, low environmental impact, high-value advanced manufacturing facility.

HERE ARE YOUR CHAMPIONS!

CHERY TAKES LEAD IN CHINA’S EXPORTS China’s leading automotive company, Chery, has set a global record for being China’s top automotive exporter for the 19th consecutive year as shown in the company’s annual report.

According to the report, the cumulative vehicle sales created a new record of 961,926, with a year-on-year increase of 31.7 percent, including total exports of 269,154 vehicles, up 136.3 percent year-on-year, ranking first in the export of Chinese passenger vehicles for 19 consecutive years. So far, Chery Group already has a global user base of over 10 million, including 1.95 million users outside China.

The latest peak in popularity of Chery in the global market is owed mainly to the launch of the company’s new PRO series which was created to showcase the brand’s technological advancement starting with the state-of-the-art engine and multiple tech features in every model.

After 20 years of global market development, Chery’s products have been exported to more than 80 countries and regions, with accumulated users exceeding 9.9 million.

52 March 2022

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’, recently crowned the champions of the 2021/2022 Bahrain Drag Racing Championship.

The season’s titles were handed out in the official awarding ceremony held at the BIC Paddock. BIC COO Fayez Ramzy Fayez was in attendance, along with other officials from BIC, the Bahrain Motor Federation (BMF) and the Bahrain Drag Racing Club (BDRC), as well as winners and participants from the championship.

The newest champions were each presented with a highly coveted Wally trophy—the highest honour in the sport of drag racing awarded only to champions of events sanctioned by the U.S.-based National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The world-class BIC drag strip is a member of the prestigious NHRA Worldwide Network.

The list of honourees included Bahrain1 Racing ace Khaled Al Balooshi (Pro Mod) from the UAE, and four Bahrainis - Abdulla Yaqoub (10.0 Index), Hussain Saeed Yousif (8.5 Index), Yousif Alzayani (Outlaw 6-Cylinder), Hussain Mohammed (Pro 29.5 V8).

The 2021/2022 season of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship featured participants from across the GCC and the US. The championship was organised and run by BIC, the BMF and the BDRC. www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

THE NISSAN PATROL’S SEVEN-DECADE LEGACY

Marking the 70th anniversary of the iconic Patrol and honouring the model’s rich legacy and deeply rooted heritage in the region, Nissan highlights some of the Patrol’s most impressive milestones over the past seven decades. Through its illustrious history, the Patrol has collected an enviable number of trophies and earned its reputation by proving itself in the scorching heat of the deserts, rugged mountain slopes, and modern city streets as the “Hero Of All Terrain”.

Here are seven key milestones the Patrol has accomplished over the years.

First-ever SUV to climb Mount Fuji 1957: The first Patrol enters the Middle East

•

First diesel vehicle to ever finish the Paris-Dakar in the Top 10.

• First SUV to redefine comfort and luxury in the segment.

• First rugged SUV built specifically for the Middle East.

• Three Guinness World Records by one SUV. • One nameplate, 70 years and counting.

Although the car has changed a great deal through the decades in terms of appearance, performance, role and technology, the nameplate itself has remained an unchanging testament to Nissan’s engineering and to enriching the lives of its owners.

PAGANI AUTOMOBILI DISTRIBUTOR IN THE UAE Italian luxury hypercar manufacturer, Pagani Automobili has appointed Al Habtoor Motors as its official distributor in the United Arab Emirates.

Pagani Automobili is today one of the world’s most exclusive hypercars brands, headquartered in San Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy. Founded in 1998 by Horacio Pagani, the company philosophy takes inspiration from a concept expressed by the Leonardo da Vinci: “Art and Science are disciplines that must walk together hand in hand.” The company is renowned for combining the highest technological and aesthetic standards, unique craftmanship and best-in-class technology expertise.

The year 2022 will see the completion of the production of Pagani’s latest model, the racetrackonly Huayra R, whose 30 examples have all been sold within weeks of its presentation. In the third quarter of 2022 Pagani will present the highly anticipated third model after the Zonda and the Huayra, the C10 project, whose production will start immediately after its presentation with first deliveries coming in 2023.

As the exclusive UAE dealer for Pagani, Al Habtoor is offering bespoke services for existing and new customers of the luxury hypercar brand.

SAUDI ARABIA’S FIRST-EVER WOMEN-ONLY MOTORSPORT EVENT History is being made in Saudi Arabia this year as the Kingdom hosts its first-ever women’s only motorsport event. Rally Jameel, which is initiated

by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Bakhashab Motorsports, is the latest world-class motorsport event to be hosted in Saudi Arabia as it is sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and supported by the FIA, through their Women in Motorsport (WIMC) program.

The off-road rally is not designed as a speed test, rather it is about using navigational skills to traverse a route, which will cover between 300 and 500km per day. Each day’s route will only be issued www.bahrainthismonth.com

the night before, with everyone taking part seeing it at the same time. The uniquely designed route will pass through some of the Kingdom’s most spectacular scenery - starting in the north-central city of Hail, passing through Al-Qassim city and then heading to the capital, Riyadh. Each team will consist of two female racers.

With Saudi Arabia now hosting an FIA Formula One race, as well as the famous Dakar Rally, which featured Saudi female racers, Dania Akeel and Mashael Al-Obaidan, there is a growing interest in motor-related sports, especially offroad racing and rallying.

March 2022 53

business bites

140M Growth

97%

Value

196%

47M

BHD2.2B

Know Your Customer

9M

9.6M 14%

Growth

Jan – Dec 20

Verifications

Jan – Dec 21

Verifications

73K 204K Bahrain Credit Reference Bureau

BCRB Requests

BHD13B

Value

Volume

11%

Growth

Growth

38%

Fawri + transactions totalled 140,580,028 over all channels, increasing by 196 percent and exceeded BHD4.4 billion in total value in 2021 compared to BHD2.2 billion in 2020, which is an increase of 97 percent. Fawri + transactions over BenefitPay only increased by 109 percent reaching a total value that exceeded BHD4.1 billion for the year 2021, compared to BHD1.9 billion in 2020.

641M

BHD

8.7M

Value

BHD463M

eKYC Transactions

Growth

4M

117%

4.4B

BHD

Volume

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions services, has announced a massive increase of online payment transactions in 2021. A total of 159,321,294 payments were made through the Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) increasing by 164 percent with the total value exceeding BHD20 billion for the year 2021 in comparison to BHD16 billion in 2020 - an increase of 26 percent.

15B

Jan – Dec 20

BHD

16B

Jan – Dec 21

No.

264K

20B

Jan-Dec 2020

A total of 9,111,342 Fawateer transactions were conducted, which is an increase of 117 percent. Their total value exceeded BHD640 million for the year 2021 compared to BHD463 million for the year 2020, an increase of 38 percent. Fawateer transactions over BenefitPay increased by 158 percent with a total value exceeding BHD122 million for the year 2021 compared to BHD60 million for the year 2020 - an increase of 102 percent.

No.

264K

60M 159M

BenefitPay

A total of 9,629,924 Fawri transactions were made showing an increase of 11 percent, with their total value exceeding BHD15.2 billion for the year 2021 compared to BHD13.4 billion for the year 2020, an increase of 14 percent.

Volume

Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) 2020 - 2021

Growth

BENEFIT Reports BHD20 Billion Worth of EFTS in 2021

Jan-Dec 2021

1.9B

60M

254M

4.1B

122M

572M

46M

2.8M

401K

140M

7.4M

401K

Volume

Value

Over all, Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) transactions through the ‘BenefitPay’ application increased by 111 percent with a total value exceeding BHD4.8 billion in 2021 versus over BHD2.3 billion in 2020.

FOCUSING ON THE EVOLVING HR LANDSCAPE The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has announced the launch of three new professional qualifications for HR, learning and development professionals, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development.

Acting Head of Leadership and Management Centre, Sana Haji says: “We are excited to launch the new CIPD qualifications which will equip HR practioners with the skills and tools needed to thrive in the changing world of work. The streamlined qualifications will help 54 March 2022

us to achieve our vision of supporting professionals throughout their whole career, from student to senior practitioner.”

The CIPD’s new qualification structure has been streamlined to three distinct levels to suit professionals at different points in their career – Level 3 (Foundation level), Level 5 (Associate level), and Level 7 (Advanced level) – with the BIBF being the only local training provider of this level in the region. The completion of Level 7, which is equivalent to a postgraduate degree, can lead towards obtaining the Chartered Member (MCIPD) or Chartered Fellow (FCIPD) status. www.bahrainthismonth.com

business bites

A MONUMENTAL GROWTH OF PROFITS GFH Financial Group B.S.C has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended 31 December, 2021. Net profit attributable to shareholders was USD23.88 million for the fourth quarter of the year up 8.92 percent compared with USD21.93 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The increase was the result of strong continued performance across the Group’s core business

lines and significant contributions from its investment banking business, which generated USD52.25 million in fees from placement activities linked to the Group’s investments in the logistics, healthcare and education sectors. This included investments in a prime FedEx logistics facility in the US, the UAE’s leading multispeciality healthcare provider and a global healthcare education pioneer alongside

Schroders Capital with whom the Group signed a strategic partnership during the fourth quarter to co-invest in select private equity and venture capital deals in Europe and the Americas.

The Group reported net profit attributable to shareholders of USD84.22 million for the full year compared with USD45.09 million in 2020, an increase of 86.77 percent.

FOSTERING A CLOUD-FIRST POLICY The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has announced the launch of a threeyear programme to provide Cloud computing training to 600 employees from 75 governmental and semi-governmental entities, in line with the Government of Bahrain’s Cloud First policy.

The programme will be rolled out in association with Microsoft as one of the cloudtechnology leaders under its existing contract with the Government of Bahrain. The Microsoft training courses are expected to improve the efficiency of public sector employees in cloud services, in line with the directives of the national leadership and the Supreme Council for Information & Communication Technology (SCICT). The iGA aims to train approximately 200 employees this year and 600 by the end of the program’s term in 2024.

The Kingdom of Bahrain adopted its Cloud computing policy in 2017, following a decision by the SCICT, with the aim of redirecting IT investment towards Cloud computing, in cooperation with technology leaders.

A Mutually Beneficial Initiative Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and the American University of Bahrain (AUBH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate a number of mutually beneficial initiatives, including supporting the development of students at AUBH, as well as staff at BIC. The agreement was signed in a ceremony attended by BIC Chief Executive, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, and AUBH Founding President, Dr. Susan E. Saxton, held at the BIC premises in Sakhir.

Under the deal, BIC and AUBH will establish a series of working arrangements that would assist in the educational process at the university and also help in the further career development of BIC staff.

These initiatives include creating internship opportunities for AUBH students at BIC; presenting opportunities for BIC staff and their dependants to benefit from various professional certifications, degree programmes at AUBH; creating extracurricular activities that would be beneficial to the community; facilitating joint marketing activities as well as speaking opportunities for BIC guests at AUBH.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 55

business

DIGITAL MARKETING NOT JUST AN OPTION. Digital Marketing Expert, Sravan Kumar V, tells us why Digital Marketing is no longer optional for Bahrain businesses.

W

ith the rapid shift in consumer behaviour during the pandemic, and with a beyond substantial internet penetration of 99.5 percent, we have to ask ourselves if Bahrain’s enterprises are geared up for the changing dynamics in consumer behaviour.

· 360-degree marketing concentrates on

Together, we’ll explore why digital marketing is the need of the hour, what differentiates it from traditional marketing, and how enterprises can leverage it.

·

Change in market dynamics With over 15.16 percent of the population falling in the age group of 15-24 years and 56.14 percent within 25-54 years, investing in digital marketing warrants colossal growth for businesses in Bahrain. A report published by Sitecore, a global leader in digital experience management software states that 86 percent of the customers in Bahrain have become digital converts since the pandemic.

While the Kingdom is seeing a rapid transition in consumer behaviour towards digital or technology usage, few businesses are proactive when it comes to incorporating digital tactics into their marketing strategy to keep up with this rapidly changing market environment.

There are many businesses failing to leverage the full potential for various reasons including a lack of digital marketing expertise, or enforcing traditional marketing tactics into digital.

How different is it from Traditional Marketing?

Though Traditional and Digital marketing have the same objectives of reaching out to the target audience, creating awareness of the brand or product, and in turn generating revenue for the business, the main difference lies in the usage of data and customer insights.

Traditional marketing heavily relies on data shared by third parties like TV channels, Magazines or newspaper subscription numbers and location of billboards. On the other hand, 56 March 2022

·

websites, landing pages, lead generation, social media marketing, search engine optimization(SEO), blogs, online reputation, online pr, CRM tools, mobile apps and analytics Tailor marketing campaigns specific to each channel to create an experience for the user Analyse data and insights generated by each channel and leverage it to optimise the user experience and generate revenue

Why it is ‘’the need of the hour’’?

With millennials and Gen Z being tech-savvy, customer dynamics and consumer behaviour is undergoing a rapid shift in Bahrain. So, it has become paramount for enterprises to reach out to this new age of digital customers while undergoing a digital transformation to cater and sustain business in the long run. digital marketing is all about how accurately the relevant audience is targeted, developing tactics based on customer insights and understanding online behavior.

Leveraging Digital Marketing When it comes to digital marketing, most companies fail to leverage it due to the notion that it is all about generating leads using Google, Facebook, and Instagram ads, as most companies fail to acknowledge 360-degree digital marketing tactics.

Multi-directional approach To leverage digital marketing successfully, enterprises need to have a 360-degree or a multi-directional approach and deep dive into the various insights and analytics from all touchpoints.

Sravan Kumar.V is a Digital Marketing expert and a passionate marketer.

Find Sravan.V on LinkedIn www.bahrainthismonth.com

commerce

A GROWING AREA IN THE REGION Vertical Farming and Hydroponics

Pria Masson Tanwar examines an unlikely sign of a diversifying economy.

I

have been in Bahrain for a long time and sometimes, one of the simplest ways to track changes in an economic system, is to peruse grocery stores and see how the shelves change.

One change I recently observed was in the produce section where I now see a lot of local farm produce. This same section used to have imported produce in larger quantities. As far as I knew, the region is not farm-friendly and the amount of input needed to produce a good crop even in my backyard was my benchmark for how uneconomical farming here was likely to be. I knew I was missing something because businesses grow only when they make business sense. So, here I am, exploring the world of farming in Bahrain – specifically, vertical and hydroponic farming.

Vertical farming is a technique wherein produce is grown in vertical structures which produce higher yield per sqm of land and also allows for optimised light absorption.

Hydroponic farming is a soil-less farming technique where a carefully developed liquid solution is used to replace soil. Research indicates that vertical farming can yield anything between four to eight times the yield as compared to traditional soil-based farming.

Further, these techniques are environmentally

sustainable and in line with ESG goals with no need for pesticides and fertilisers since the crops are unexposed to natural elements.

Maintaining the nutrition, light and overall environment requires advanced technology and machinery all of which is capital intensive.

However, these new techniques reduce the dependence on expensive imports. The viability of the business is evident in that the

global vertical farming market was valued at USD5.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD19.86 billion in 2026, following a CAGR of 24.3 percent during 2021-2026.

Leading players have been listed for years now and consolidation is also actively underway.

Regionally, Kuwait based Kuwait Agro Co. tied up with &Ever in 2021 to launch Kuwait’s first automated large-scale vertical farm with a daily capacity of 550 kilograms of fresh greens and herbs. It uses 90 percent less water, 60 percent less fertiliser, and zero pesticides.

While Badia Farms was the first to set up a vertical farm facility in the city, Dubai will soon see the launch of the largest vertical farm, a USD 40 million partnership between Crop One and Emirates Flight Catering, which will produce tonnes of pesticide-free grain. In Bahrain, Peninsular Farms and Al Ghalia farms already use hydroponic methods and in 2021 Al Amin Gardens was awarded the tender to design, build, operate, and hand over a hydroponic farm located in Hoorat A’ali and Diraz.

Undoubtedly this is no longer an emerging area but one that is soon becoming wellestablished. Technology allows for lower dependence on limited natural resources and reduces the vulnerability to climate changes. For me, the most fascinating element is the deep problem that these systems solve – that agriculture and farming are dependent on natural resources.

Indeed, now, with these changes, producing locally even in regions with non-arable soil and harsh weather, is a reality – and an economically viable one too. So, the next time you walk through the local grocery store, notice the changing volume of ‘grown in Bahrain’ products – a sign of a diversifying economy.

Pria is the Founder and Managing Director of GMI Advisory WLL– a Management Consultancy specialising in emerging businesses. You can visit her company website http://www.guidemyidea.com to connect with her.

You can also follow Pria on Instagram @guidemyidea. www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 57

tv releases

Streaming Television/Films

Choosing a movie or series to watch can be a real struggle.

Kristian Harrison makes it easier with this watch list!

Upload

Upload manages to combine several different genres. On the one hand, it is very much a comedy, but it also has some dramatic elements layered in, as the various characters contend with the many complexities and problems posed by a world in which human beings can upload their consciousness into a virtual afterlife.

The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel

Rachel Brosnahan is the title character, a Jewish housewife who discovers that she is very talented at stand-up comedy. The series has excelled at blending together its comedic and dramatic elements, allowing the viewer to get invested in this character and her trials and triumphs, even as it also shines a light on American life and culture during the post-war years.

Worst Roommate Ever

Violent con artists. Stone-cold killers. These terrifying true stories unveil some of the worst cohabitation experiences one could ever imagine. This new five-part limited allows us to see true stories play out of four harrowing tales of roommates turning into nightmares.

58 March 2022

Against the Ice

This movie headed up by Nikolaj CosterWaldau rewinds the clock back to the early 1900s and follows a Danish expedition to Greenland which is subject to multiple claims on its lands and resources. Captain Ejnar Mikkelsen and Iver Iversen set out on foot to prove that Greenland is in fact a single island but does so in harsh conditions. The movie is directed by Peter Flinth and was filmed in Iceland.

The Adam Project

Shawn Levy is teaming up with Ryan Reynolds again (they recently worked on Free Guy together) for this new sci-fi comedy action movie. Co-starring with Reynolds includes Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Garner, and Mark Ruffalo. Reynolds plays Adam who is a time-traveling pilot from the future who enlists help from his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell) for an important mission.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

tv releases

West Side Story Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks – two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.

Turning Red Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter – an unfortunate reality for the teenager. As if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she ‘poofs’ into a giant red panda!

Cheaper By the Dozen This original movie is a fresh take on the 2003 hit family comedy starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff. This film is a funny and heartwarming story of the raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously managing their family business.

Pieces of Her

A new mystery thriller series set in a sleepy Georgian town where a seemingly random violent act sets off a chain of events for a man and his mother. The series is set to star Toni Collette, David Wenham, Bella Heathcote, Jessica Barden, Omari Hardwick and Joe Dempsie.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

March 2022 59

games

GAMES

HORIZON: FORBIDDEN WEST VERDICT:

Another jewel in the PlayStation crown.

RATING:

WHAT IS IT?

This action-RPG, a sequel to Horizon: Zero Dawn played from a third-person perspective, sees players controlling Aloy, a huntress in a world populated by dangerous, animalistic machines. In an open world, she explores the mysterious frontier known as the Forbidden West, a post-apocalyptic version of the western United States, specifically the states of California, Nevada and Utah.

GAMEPLAY

The map is larger than in the previous game, filled with secrets that lie beneath ruins from the world of the Old Ones. The sequel has enhanced melee combat, revamped climbing mechanics and improved traversal options with the Valour Surge system, freeform climbing and tools such as the Shieldwing, Focus Scanner, Diving Mask and Pullcaster. The mission structure for quests better supports variety in objectives with compelling reward systems.

GRAPHICS

The game has a multitude of recognisable locations including a ruined San Francisco and the Yosemite Valley with various biomes.

Some of the main additions to the sequel is underwater exploration and improved animation works and cinematics.

SIFU

Sifu is a stylish yet gritty beat-em-up, featuring visceral hand-to-hand combat in a contemporary urban setting. From Sloclap, creators of acclaimed PS4 fighting game Absolver, Sifu follows a young Kung-Fu student on a path of revenge, hunting for the murderers of his family. One against all, he has no allies and countless enemies. He will have to rely on his unique mastery of Kung-Fu to prevail and preserve his family’s legacy.

60 March 2022

POKÉMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is an action role-playing game that preserves the core gameplay of past entries in the Pokémon series. The game is set in a bygone era of the Sinnoh region’s history, when it was known as the Hisui region, long before the events of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl take place. The mythical Pokémon Arceus plays a major role in the story.

TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER III

Total War: Warhammer III features turn-based strategy and real-time tactics gameplay similar to other games in the Total War series. In the campaign, players move armies around the map and manage settlements in a turn-based manner. Players engage in diplomacy with, and fight against, AI-controlled factions. When armies meet, they battle in real-time. The game also has a custom battle mode where players can create customised realtime battles, as well as online multiplayer skirmishes. www.bahrainthismonth.com

websites Kristian Harrison explores some of the most useful websites available to us. notalwaysright.com

We’ve all had days at work which were… subpar, to say the least. Well, if you’re working in sales or retail, you probably have a lot of stories about annoying customers and incidents. And ‘Not Always Right’ is the website where you can read similar stories from other people. Some of the stories on the website are quite hilarious, some are examples of really impressive comebacks, and some are a little horrifying. However, it’s a good collection of stories that prove the customer is not always right.

flashbynight.com/drench

Browser games can be a lot of fun, and ‘Drench’ is one browser game that’s sure to help you kill hours in one go. In ‘Drench’, you basically get a board full of different colours and you have to ‘drench’ the entire board in one single colour. The challenge is that you only get a limited number of turns to finish the board, so you have to think carefully about how you’ll proceed with the objective. It’s a fun way to pass some time on your computer, and once you get the hang of it, it’s quite calming as well… for some strange reason.

www.riverstyx.com

Are you interested in Greek mythology? Even if you aren’t, this website will make you interested.

River Styx is a Greek mythological underworld. The eponymously named website takes you through an interactive tour of the river and the underworld, where you will meet a lot of Greek gods and goddesses.

The experience is very much like a point and click game where you click on relevant icons and objects to reveal information and more. It’s a fun, and educational, way to spend free time online.

postsecret.com

Post Secret is a website that hosts anonymous secrets that actual people send in on actual postcards. It has all sorts of secrets that you can check out, from childhood embarrassing moments, to regrets, fears and everything else. It might not look like it, but you can actually get lost, reading secrets sent in by people from around the world. If you want to share your secrets like this, you can also send in a postcard to the address mentioned on the website.

Bahrain Sports Day Capital Governorate held a Bahrain Sports Day event at Water Garden City - Seef.

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APPS REVIEW WE KEEP AN EYE ON SOME OF THE MOST USEFUL APPS ON THE MARKET TO HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF ALL THINGS DIGITAL.

Headspace Elevate Elevate offers training in writing, listening, speaking, reading and maths. You can set your goals, and after you’ve completed some engaging exercises, it graphically shows your performance in each of these categories. Go ahead and make yourself smarter!

There are other components to fitness than huffing and puffing on the jogging track or in the gym. Relieving stress is high on the list, and meditation can aid in that goal. Headspace offers hundreds of guided meditations that can reduce anxiety and increase mindfulness.

Notion Notion aims to be your personal and team productivity hub, allowing users to create custom private or shared workspaces. From there, you add versatile ‘blocks’ that can act like text snippets, bookmarks, images, toggle links, files, code snippets, discussion sections and more to truly customise your workplace.

Blue Apron If you don’t want to think about buying ingredients, but still want to cook, Blue Apron is an excellent option.

With reliable deliveries and great meals to choose from, this food delivery service lets you skip the trip to the grocery store. The sleek mobile app allows you to manage your account, schedule your deliveries, and save any recipes you want to revisit.

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www.bahrainthismonth.com

music

Alt-J

The Dream Following a five-year gap between releases, English alt-rock trio Alt-J returned with something unexpected: a focused album with a handful of traditionally structured pop songs that some could say were radio-friendly. By no means a mainstream sell-out, The Dream is the tightest attack the group have recorded to date, channelling their usual quirky tendencies into a clearer vision that veers between the comforting and the devastating.

Loosely connected by tales of warm memories and cold crimes, these dozen tracks feature some of the band’s most evocative storytelling.

Bastille

Korn

Requiem Verdict:

Korn roar back with a powerful rocker.

What’s the story?

Korn’s 14th studio album was written in April 2021. However, the pandemic allowed for a surplus of time in which the album could be arranged, alleviating the harsh time constraints which would usually have been imposed with touring responsibilities. While bassist Reginald ‘Fieldy’ Arvizu announced a hiatus before release, it has been confirmed that his bass tracks will be used on this record.

Worth a listen?

Roaring back after the grief of 2019›s The Nothing, metal veterans Korn add yet another highlight to their late-era renaissance with Requiem. The intense, focused assault is as simple and no-frills as can be, a slim nine tracks of introspection, growth and, shockingly, a faint sense of optimism. With the space afforded by the pandemic, the band tapped into something that›s a rarity on a Korn album: setting sights on hope and healing. Let›s be clear, though, Jonathan Davis and company haven›t delivered a happy pop album. Rather, they›re trying to see the light and keep the darkness at bay, taking a self-aware approach to a batch of songs that crushes just as heavily as anything Korn have done in the past.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Give Me the Future Bastille is a band on familiar terms with looming disaster.

Even their album about a night out was called Doom Days, a title that feels all the more prescient considering that the pandemic brought everything to a halt less than a year after its release. It’s not surprising, then, that they found plenty of inspiration during lockdowninduced screen time. Give Me the Future’s hyper-articulate songs channel Doom Days’ escapism into a virtual world and muse on the ramifications, both good and bad. While thematic consistency is undeniably one of Bastille’s strengths, at times Give Me the Future feels a bit heavy-handed. Fortunately, the album’s brisk pace saves it from feeling overblown.

Eddie Vedder

Earthling ‘Fun’ isn’t a word normally associated with Eddie Vedder, a singer who has specialised in earnest sincerity ever since Pearl Jam’s ‘Jeremy’ blanketed MTV and modern rock radio in 1992. Earthling is the second solo album Vedder has released and it is peppered with a few righteous rockers. ‘Power of Right’ helps kick off the record in a high gear – but he spends most of the album playing the kind of vibrant, colourful rock Pearl Jam consciously avoids. On a strictly musical basis, Earthling is the most varied project Eddie Vedder has ever released, and it’s also his lightest album: there’s a palpable joy to his free experiments here that’s infectious, even fun.

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gadgets

GADGETS

BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

VAONIS VESPERA SMART TELESCOPE

The Vespera takes the work out of stargazing. The scope takes the images hitting its sensors and sends a live-view to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi. This means you can set up the telescope outside (it has a four-hour battery life), jump under the covers and tour the Universe. The app presents a list of cosmic points of interest to point the telescope towards, like the birth of a star, and the motors and GPS aboard the telescope point the lens in the right direction. From there you can watch the view live, take stacks of photos to reveal more detail and share what you’re seeing with friends.

Available from www.vaonis.com.

RING GLASS BREAK SENSOR

Need an extra layer of security at home? Ring›s new Glass Break Sensor can detect break-in attempts through glass windows and doors from up to 25 feet away. You›ll need a Ring Alarm or Ring Alarm Pro to use it, and you can configure the sensor to trigger a siren when it detects broken glass.

Available from www.amazon.com

BALMUDA THE TOASTER

This Tokyo-based tech company specialises in perfecting kitchen gadgets, and it’s gone to town on the humble toaster. Balmuda says its oven uses “steam technology and precise temperature control to bring out the best in every kind of bread”. The oven turns five millilitres of water into steam, and wafts it over the bread in three controlled temperature phases. The first low-temp phase ‘restores interior fluffiness’, the second starts the Maillard reaction, turning the bread golden, and the final phase (220°C) turns it brown.

Available from www.amazon.com

SONOS ARC SOUNDBAR

BIRD BUDDY FEEDER

This device gives new meaning to ‘bird-watching.’ Not only does this cute little home feed birds, but its battery-powered camera offers a live feed via the connected app. If that›s not entertaining enough, it›ll snap photos of said birds, identify the species, and present a ton of facts about each one.

Available from www.mybirdbuddy.com

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Offering up a hard-to-beat balance of features, design, ease of use and performance, the Sonos Arc, the company’s first Atmos soundbar, is an easy product to. No matter what you’re watching, it sounds superb. There’s a stunning clarity to dialogue, a fullness to bass and stacks of detail across the frequency range. But when you listen to an Atmos soundtrack, you really hear the added breadth and depth you’d expect from a more immersive 3D soundstage, with sound effects that are placed precisely around and above you, delivered by the Arc’s carefully angled drivers.

Available from www.amazon.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

March 2022 | Issue 227

WOMEN'S DAY SPECIAL

INTERVIEW Be inspired by these talented women in Bahrain Noor Janahi, Mona Shakib, Manal Alsaleh, Lini Reghunath and Fiona Slingerland

LIFESTYLE How to Spot a Catfish!

Celebrating Mother’s Day Mid-Pandemic

In Her ShoesDaniela Peykova-Daher

BEAUTY Spring Beauty Essentials Must-Have Skincare

FASHION Bringing the Spirit of Spring into your Wardrobe www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | trend

SPRINGING INTO FASHION!

Bring the spirit of spring and summer into your wardrobe with these stunning pieces from Cecilie Bahnsen, and the UAE homegrown luxury fashion house, Nilli.

Things are warming up in the region as winter is quickly fading away. While some of us aren’t exactly looking forward to the warmer months, the promise of spring is… refreshing. With each new blossom we find positivity, prosperity and a new found freshness that can be reflected in our sense of fashion too. Think bright or delicate shades, flowing or tailored silhouettes, and clever layers or draping.

With this in mind we explored two brands: Cecilie Bahnsen, and the UAE homegrown luxury fashion house, Nilli.

Nilli

The UAE homegrown luxury fashion house, Niili Spring/Summer ‘22 collection consists of contemporary yet timeless pieces that exude the essence of the Arabian Peninsula. The brand’s latest collection includes key wardrobe essentials that can be mixed and matched for any occasion, thereby bringing the mesmerising spirit of spring and summer into your wardrobe.

Inclusive of 13 looks in addition to a selection of one-off, unique regenerated crochet dresses, the collection comprises a variety of shirt-dresses, trousers, blouses, and dresses. Niili continues to celebrate the hidden gems of the UAE’s culture and heritage with this latest collection, tastefully incorporating patterns and fabrics symbolic of the region’s heritage, such as mother-of-pearl prints, geometric patterns, subtle falcon print pieces, and handcrafted crochet.

The fabrics are sustainably sourced, with past garments and fabrics hand-picked, upcycled, and given a second life. Natural, handcrafted fabrics combined with loose silhouettes ensures each piece is made with comfort and breathability in mind, suitable for, and wearable by the modern woman.

A sublime varied colour palette forms this timeless collection, combining vibrant pastels with deep, bold hues. Each design uses abstract detailing with soft, regenerated fabrics and crochet, and feminine prints, to breathe new life and luxe appeal to your wardrobe this season.

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FASHION | trend

Cecilie Bahnsen

Cecilie Bahnsen´s Spring Summer 2022 collection is a celebration of the love for craftsmanship and the duality of femininity. The most practiced and technically refined collection to date, brought to life through Cecilie´s artistic collaboration -a sound installation composed by Okay Kaya and photo exhibition by Takashi Homma on view in Paris.

The collection and artistic collaborations address the duality within us expressed through an exterior detachment and the gentleness in the sensuality of emotions, “To be both,” the ability to not “Be” only what we feel. The duality is present throughout the collection, film, and exhibition. The result is an emotional collection that celebrates Cecilie and the atelier´s love for the work, featuring new techniques like the utterly beauti­ful camellia floral cutout-flowers fluttering on fabric, as if the petals were falling gently to the ground from a full bouquet.

The conceptual motifs play a pivotal role in the collection, translated meticulously across the different fabrics. Textures completely unique, a touch only recognizable as Cecilie Bahnsen. Discrete tonal embroidery inspired by the Victorian style of cyanotype printing, the negative space creating an elevated texture. www.womanthismonth.com

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bystander

Visions 2022 AWA Exhibition

The American Women’s Association in collaboration with the Al Aali Mall held its annual Art and Photography Exhibition - Visions 2022. The Exhibition was held in the Mall in the Seef District.

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www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

PEOPLE | interview

Noor Janahi, the founder and owner of the successful homegrown business The Salad Bar, tells Farah Baig about how a single conversation changed the course of her life, the role of family in her business and the importance of giving back.

From left to right: Shahad, Noor, Ameera Ismail, and Reem.

A Ripple Effect

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t’s interesting how a single conversation or action can completely alter the direction of a person’s life. We met with the budding entrepreneur behind The Salad Bar, Noor Janahi, at the Bahraini Farmer’s Market. While Noor’s knack for innovation, social listening and community outreach has proved she’s a natural businesswoman, she wasn’t always on this path.

“I used to work in Corporate Communications at a bank, but a casual conversation in 2019 with a colleague led to this,” she explains. “He wanted to start a coffee shop and mentioned that he might be missing a few things, so he asked if I could cook.”

The following morning, Noor took a few salads to work which were an instant hit. “That’s how it started – with nine different salads, and from there we grew,” she says, adding that she moved on to distributors after which she decided to quit her job and open her own café.

Wanting to promote a healthy lifestyle, Noor settled on an overall concept with ease. “I knew what I wanted to do from the beginning.

People usually think that healthy food is bland and I wanted to change this perspective. I’m not a dietician but we do take calorie count into consideration as I would like for people to eat clean food,” she says.

Today, The Salad Bar offers customers a range www.womanthismonth.com

of 36 delicious salads with the most popular being a salad inspired by the Palestinian dish, Mousaka apart from the Mini Samoosa salad.

Family At the Heart of it All Being a tight-knit family, The Salad Bar is very much rooted in family, which we got a feel for when meeting her mother, Ameera Ismail, and sisters, Reem and Shahad at the market.

“I wasn’t into business at the time, but my mother is a business woman, so I would go to her for guidance; she’s my mentor and role model. She guided me to be honest through the whole process,” says Noor.

“The business can be overwhelming but my parents and sisters support me at every opportunity, be it at events, the shop or weekend markets. I always say that’s it’s more like a family business than it is my own business,” she adds.

The youngest of the sisters, Shahad, expressed her pride in how far the business has come.

“It was a very small home business, through Instagram only initially. Seeing people's response and the fact that we actually opened up our own shop is a huge achievement for us,” says Shahad.

Giving Back As part of their efforts to give back to the community, The Salad Bar is currently

collaborating with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. The business not only donates all proceeds from their sales at the weekly Farmer’s Market to the society, but also hosts two or more the society’s members every Saturday.

“They are the absolute sweetest people and my mother loves them very much. They haven’t been included very much in society but they are extremely smart, quick learners and friendly too. So this project is very close to our hearts: being able to help them interact with the community and raise funds for the society simultaneously,” says Noor.

Prior to the initiative carried out at the Bahraini Farmer’s Market, The Salad Bar held a campaign to raise funds for the Bahrain Cancer Society. “Once the Farmer’s Market ends, we will be looking into another initiative. Giving back to the community is very essential for us; we’re not just here for business but for a good cause,” says Ms. Ismail.

Apart from her community outreach efforts, Noor makes an effort to include the work of talented Bahrainis at every stage of the business. “Supporting local talent at every level of our business is very important to us too. It’s important that the business gives back to the community in every way,” concludes Noor.

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PEOPLE | interview

MAKING WAVES

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From posting her kitchen escapades to social media to presenting her culinary creation at Bahrain’s seventh Food is Culture event, Manal Alsaleh talks to Behnaz Sanjana about her journey of deliciously unexpected turns.

ith all her energies focused on her full-time job and running a busy household, Manal’s gastronomic pursuits took a back seat, till the global pandemic changed the ways of the world in 2020. “It was stressful to juggle online meetings, homeschooling the kids and all the restrictions that came along with Covid-19,” says Manal. “I found myself running to the kitchen as an escape; it was very therapeutic for me to focus on nothing else but the food in front of me while music played.”

Soon, Manal started to video her preparations and post her kitchen experiments to her personal Instagram account. Her photogenic creations got applause from her social media circle, along with strong suggestions to take it public. “But that was beyond my comfort zone, and I didn’t feel too confident about it,” she remembers.

The final push was when her supportive colleagues declared that they would create a public account for her and post on her behalf. Sitting with her husband and brothers, contemplating whether she should follow this direction, was Manal’s turning point. “We were thinking of names for the social media account, and all of a sudden I came up with

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Table for Five; which includes my husband and four brothers.”

With ardent fans and vendors trusting Manal’s taste in the kitchen, the success that Table for Five garnered over the months allowed Manal to quit her job and make it her fulltime occupation. “I have been lucky to have worked with a phenomenal organisation like the Economic Development Board of Bahrain for 11 years, and am grateful for the experience. But life is short and you need to do things that you really enjoy; that you are really passionate about,” she says.

Manal’s original recipes range from traditional Bahraini dishes that inspire the younger generation to be in touch with their native foods, to other cuisines like Italian, Greek and French, allowing followers to be transported to far-off lands through her creations.

When she got a call to be part of Bahrain’s Food is Culture event, an annual initiative that seeks to amalgamate the fine and culinary arts, Manal felt reassured that she had been doing something right. “I was paired with artist Mohammed Taqi, and luckily we clicked immediately. Sure, it was overwhelming to showcase something on a platform like this,

but the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) was with us every step of the way.”

Manal wanted her food to echo the vibrancy, joy and calm that Mohammed’s works exude, while tasting good as well. Profound discussions of their creative perspectives and the synergy that emerged between the two artists resulted in a final presentation that wowed the audience.

The exposure that Manal received with Food is Culture opened up doors previously unthought of, giving her greater leverage to grow and better shape her brand. “The credit for this goes to Baca; it was an honour to work with them. I’m grateful for their focus on and passion for exploring Bahraini talent. I also thank my family and friends, without whose encouragement I would not be where I am today,” Manal says.

From not knowing how to boil an egg, to following recipes for Bahraini comfort food over the telephone with her aunt as a university student, to putting her passion for food out there for all to see, Manal has come a long way, thanks to mustering the courage to do so.

www.womanthismonth.com

A SLICE OF SUCCESS

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LIFESTYLE | food

Farah Baig speaks to Mona Shakib, the owner of the online cakery Retro Mama who proves that you can absolutely have your cake and eat it too!

ontrary to popular belief, women can do it all – raise a family, turn a house into a home, stay fit and be a thriving contributor to society, all while pursuing their dreams. “I’m a Bahraini woman who followed her passion, started a successful business and made a brand out of it. I’m also a wife, and mother to two wonderful children who keep me very busy!” – these are the words of Mona Shakib, the woman behind the thriving online cakery, Retro Mama, who has proven just that.

Retro Mama was established as a home business in 2013, but Mona’s passion for baking came to life much prior. “My mother told me that I was four or five years old when she would get me to bake cakes and desserts with her, but I’d always add my own ingredients and make them my own unique version. From then on, I’ve always baked; it’s been my way of expressing my creativity.”

In 2014, Mona opened her cakery and café in the Seef district which served up several crowd favourites. “This included the Key Lime Pie, our Signature Red Velvet cakes, cupcakes and the Tres Leches which I’m pretty sure we were the first cakery to make in the Kingdom, back in 2013,” she says.

Mona puts her heart and soul into her creations, and her efforts have led her to have loyal customers. “I take so much pride in all that I do, from coming up with ideas for desserts which have never been done before to refusing to use anything less than the finest ingredients, and of course making everything from scratch! This made me sure that once people got a taste they would always come back,” she says.

After almost five years of great success at their brick-and-mortar location, Mona made the decision to move the cakery to being an online business once again. “The main benefit of being an online business is that we bake to order - everything is 100 percent made for our customer’s order and I make everything myself. This allows me to balance business and mommy life perfectly,” she says.

Mona has a routine that runs like clockwork.

“I always get an early start to my days. Up early, hubby helps me get the kids ready for school then we’re off! I drop the kids to school then I’m back to get started with my orders for the day,” she says.

“The main challenge of being an online cakery is that there is no display which allows people to physically see the products. However, this has been easily overcome with social media which allows me to display our goodies to a far greater audience,” she adds.

Before picking up her children from school, she makes sure to squeeze in her daily workout. “Women are amazing human beings; we do so much and are extremely capable. Yes, we are mothers and have a natural instinct to take care of our families and homes, but this does not mean we have to sacrifice our passion and our fitness. If someone has the motivation, they can always make time to do it!” she stresses.

As part of her endeavour to fulfill her roles,

Once she’s picked up her children, it’s back to

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mommy mode with feeding and school work.

“The evenings are for talking to customers, taking orders and marketing my business,” she states.

When asked what her advice for other mothers hoping to do the same would be, she says: “Go for it! Don’t make excuses, take the first steps, put your heart and energy into it, and you can’t go wrong. You have nothing to lose from following your passion. Life is too short to not go after what you want!”

Like-minded women wishing to connect with Mona can reach out to her on Instagram using the handle @monashakib_bh. You can also check out her online cakery, @retromama_bh on Instagram.

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PEOPLE | interview

THE PICTURE OF HEALTH Energie Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer, Fiona Slingerland, has always had a passion for sports and fitness. She tells Farah Baig about the importance of training, her specialities and goals too.

W

omen all across the world are making their mark across several fields – achievements that make their way into the spotlight every International Women’s Day but deserve recognition the year round. In the world of health and fitness, too, women have proven that they have the determination to succeed and make a difference in their communities.

Coming from a sports-centric family, Energie Fitness Coach and Personal Trainer, Fiona Slingerland, uses her passion to help others achieve their exercise and health goals.

Originally from Ireland, Fiona has lived and worked in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, USA and the Kingdom of Bahrain over the last 16 years.

“My parents always encouraged my siblings and I to participate in as many sports as possible.

Eventually for me it grew into something more.

I was lucky to have had the opportunity to represent Ireland at an international level in table tennis at camps and tournaments across Europe. I have also been a runner since the age of five!” says Fiona.

Having moved to Bahrain with her husband in 2019, Fiona appreciates the investments made in walking and running tracks in the Kingdom.

“I really like the fact that I see so many people out exercising on a daily basis. However, some people underestimate their caloric intake and how intense their exercise should be,” she says.

At Energie Fitness, Fiona teaches a range of classes and private sessions aside from doing assessments. “Along with doing Personal Training I teach TRX, which is a total body resistance workout. I also teach a variety of High Intensity Strength and Conditioning classes each week. We have a great fitness

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team and each of the trainers have their own unique specialisations,” she states.

Notably, Fiona has qualifications in Pre- and Postnatal Training, and Strength and Conditioning Training. “Exercising while pregnant has so many benefits for overall health.

However, it’s very important to have received clearance to exercise by a doctor before embarking on a pre- or post-natal fitness plan,” she says.

Regular exercise as part of a pre-natal programme can reduce the risk of complications such as lowering blood pressure, easing back pain and reducing the risk of gestational diabetes. “It can aid in helping a woman to sleep better, help deal with stress and anxiety, and help build strength and stamina. Post-natal training, on the other hand, aids in recovery and helps with an overall positive mental boost once the baby is born. It can help rebuild muscle, promote weight loss and help increase energy levels,” she explains.

Strength and Conditioning programmes are known to increase metabolism, promote muscle building and prevent injuries. Her own programmes have helped her remain injury free over the past 20 years while running at a sub-elite level internationally.

“These can be adapted to any age group. As a person ages, strength training becomes very important as it allows people to stay healthy and active for longer. There is a definite need to focus on muscle building, balance, flexibility and coordination. Conditioning training when adapted correctly can have a lot of cardiovascular benefits,” she explains.

Fiona is currently studying to become certified as a Weight Management Specialist and, in the long run, hopes to move back to Ireland with her husband and continue working in the fitness industry. “Women play such a vital role in society and it's very important to celebrate their achievements. As this year’s theme is a focus on gender equality, I think it’s very important to highlight the progress that has been made but still strive for a greater goal,” she says.

“As for myself, I have learned over my years of travel to be true to what I believe in and have the confidence to stand up for myself whatever the situation may be,” she concludes. www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview

FORESIGHT AND FAITH On a path fraught with loss and dilemma, Lini Reghunath refused to lay down her armour. The seasoned digital marketing consultant tells Behnaz Sanjana how she met with freedom on the other side of fear.

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he year 2015 brought an already worn-out Lini to a career crossroads.

The company at which she had been general manager for eight years, had to shut down due to unwarranted trouble. “This was another blow in my life; I’d lost my husband just a few years before this, and then I’d lost years of hard work and savings,” says Lini, who felt caught up in life’s tempest “My son was only thirteen at that time. I needed my work to allow me the flexibility to be there for him.”

gave me more clarity on the fundamentals of digital marketing and equipped me with the latest tools, techniques and trends in the field.”

In 2019, Lini helped set up SOS Marketing in Bahrain which offers a 360° omnichannel digital marketing strategy to clients requiring content creation and the latest digital marketing and data-driven digital conversion and automation technologies.

In addition to the above, she guided projects in website optimisation, SEO, programmatic advertising, email marketing as well as analytics showing ROI.

And so, she took the path to starting her own venture in Bahrain. “Digital Marketing, which had created a buzz in the US, had caught my attention.

My gut feeling was that I should further explore and pursue it,” says Lini, of what was still an alien concept in Bahrain. “Everyone I approached said social media was for personal use, and weren’t interested.”

The first two years were an uphill task, not having a mentor on the subject. But she persevered, reading up and partaking in online discussions and forums to satiate her thirst for knowledge. Her diligence paid off in the third year, when the region got curious about digital marketing. “Even though businesses did not understand it, they knew it was where their customers were.”

Lini believes that the best way to learn something is to do it. She started experimenting with her own social media accounts, designing posts on Canva, which was unheard of back then. A marketer at heart, more than social media management, it was running online ad campaigns that caught Lini’s fancy. “So initially, I did the setu up of Facebook ad campaigns for free, to show clients what it could do for them.”

A successful campaign for a renowned international brand in Bahrain opened the doors for Lini’s startup, when companies www.womanthismonth.com

looked to her to navigate and optimise their digital presence. The eye for design and content that she’d gained while heading the marketing and production for the print publications at Red House Marketing for a decade, held her in good stead while dabbling in the digital side of things, something Lini is extremely grateful for.

A subsequent opportunity to teach digital marketing further broadened her horizons.

“In fact, I’d started out in Bahrain in 1994 as a marketing trainer,” she reveals. “It

Lini teaches the Certified Digital Marketing Professional Programme to date, alongside helping organisations forge a presence in the ‘digiverse’.

“People tend to focus on social media management, which is only part of digital marketing,” she says. “What I do for clients is first perform a digital audit for them to assess their online presence. A big-picture digital strategy and optimising their digital marketing budget is where I can help them to see multiplied returns on their investment.” Working with clients receptive to the ever-changing face of digital marketing and keeping abreast with the newest updates excites Lini the most.

“There’s never a dull moment because there’s always something new to learn within the vast scope of this field!”

So, what kept Lini going on a road strewn with obstacles? “Not allowing others to influence my judgement,” she says. “Believing in myself, my skills, and the quality of work I deliver allowed me to never give up.”

Want to spark a conversation with the inspirational Lini Reghunath? Reach out to her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ linireghunath March 2022

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BEAUTY | news

Blush with Siella Beauty

Homegrown brand Siella Beauty’s all-new blushes are the perfect addition to your makeup collection this year.

The lightweight blush and highlighter pair come in a smooth, easy to blend formula. The Pearla blush is lightweight, easy to blend and comes in three shades Sunkissed, Plumped and Blushed that suit all skin tones. Alongside Pearla Blush, Siella Beauty also formulated an ultra glowy highly pigmented Glowria Highlighter that also comes in three mesmerising shades; Bronzed up, Gold dipped and Sugar Coated that give an effortless and radiant glow.

Available at www.siellabeauty.com and Siella beauty’s Booth in Dubai’s City Center Mirdif.

Your Spring

Our favourite beauty products this month are sure to have you looking, feeling and smelling good!

Shimmer and Shine with CHANEL

In the 1920s, high on the ridge of RoquebruneCap-Martin, Gabrielle Chanel had a house built in her image and filled it with private references.

CHANEL’s Spring-Summer 2022 collection was inspired by the beauty of this legendary villa.

The collection features a range of healing tinted lip balms - ROUGE COCO BAUME, that has all the qualities of a lipstick. The collection also includes a unique new version of LES 4 OMBRES which features a khaki brown, gold and copper shades that evoke the dazzling sunlight of the Côte d’Azur. This light is also what inspired the new, golden beige shade of OMBRE PREMIÈRE LAQUE, which makes the eyes shimmer.

The two BLUSH LUMIÈRE exclusive creations, designed in shades of coral pink and terracotta brown, warm up the complexion and leave it glowing. La Pausa’s colour scheme is vast with its yellow walls and softly sunlit, tiled terracotta floors.

This contrast, evocative of the south of France, is embodied in the two nail polishes from the SpringSummer 2022 collection.

Available at all leading beauty stockists.

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BEAUTY | news

SUPERCHARGE YOUR SKIN WITH NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES Give your skin some real TLC and recovery time! Neal’s Yard Remedies, a British-born, organic certified skincare brand, caters to all those skincare needs effectively whilst allowing people to use products that are safe too. The brand-new Wild Rose Skincare Range is formulated with glow-giving organic wild rosehip seed oil and high performance natural and organic ingredients to brighten and nourish the skin, giving it that supercharge radiance boost. This range is not only the perfect choice for hydrating tired and dull skin but leaves the skin revealing its natural glow!

Available at Neal’s Yard Remedies stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman.

For more information visit www.nealsyardremedies.com

RASASI’S SCENTS OF ELEGANCE AND FEMININITY The Hair Mist collection by Rasasi Perfumes provides a subtle, fresh, longlasting scent and is aimed at the modern woman who are always on the go.

Rasasi Perfumes Shabebah Hair Mist is an alcohol-free hair mist that’s packed with hair hydrating and nourishing ingredients like argan oil. The feminine woody floral fragrance gives off just the right amount of fragrance when you artfully toss your hair. With notes of tangerine, plum, ylang

ylang, and vanilla, you cannot go wrong with this gorgeously packaged and scented hair perfume.

Jadelah Hair Mist, on the other hand, is a delicate fruity fragrance enlivened by patchouli, vanilla and woods. Enriched with active ingredients, its formula literally dresses the hair in a sensual trail, while deep nourishing them.

Available at all Rasasi stores.

Bat Your Lashes with Flomar!

Here’s the saviour you didn’t know your lashes needed. Whether you need a pick-me-up on a long day or a special occasion, the super affordable Flormar’s Hero Mascara will save you.

When acing your eye makeup look, you can’t do it without mascara. The Hero Volume & Curl Mascara adds volume by grasping your lashes from root to tip, and it’s indispensable with a formula that does not create a feeling of heaviness. Thanks to the particle structure and the super soft fiber brush specially developed by Flormar, your eyelashes will look super voluminous and curved in no time.

Available at all Flormar Stores and online on www.glambeaute.com and www.instashop.com.

www.womanthismonth.com

March 2021

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

MOTHERS’ DAY DURING COVID-19… In Style!

Celebrating Mother’s Day in the midst of a pandemic can be tricky. Ouiam El Hassani makes the experience a lot easier with her suggestions.

M

other’s Day has grown to be a timeless tradition of honouring and giving back to the ladies in our lives, who always put us first no matter how old we are. Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on March 21st in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and on the second Sunday in May internationally.

However, one day could never be enough to repay mothers for all that they do for us. That being said, it’s a small gesture to show them how much we care for them and appreciate

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what they do for us every single day.

Just like every holiday over the last two years, celebrating Mother’s Day during the pandemic is going to be quite different. It may not look and feel the way it has been in the past, with COVID-19 creeping up on us from every corner, but it shouldn’t be a problem, because what really matters is to show our mothers the love and appreciation they deserve.

Regardless of the situation, you can always

plan a special day for your mother, wife, or even mother-in-law!

With simple acts of kindness, virtual or social distance activities, or just taking time to relax and de-stress, this Mother’s Day can be filled with appreciation, self-care and love. Here are six wonderful ideas, if you would like to celebrate Mothers’ Day during COVID-19 in style!

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

3- Gifts!

1- Handmade cards

Everyone enjoys homemade, personalised gifts and cards: make a card, write a letter, or maybe some arts and crafts especially made for her. Mothers really appreciate the effort. Make an album of some of your favourite pictures together, or maybe a Spotify list of her favorite songs.

2- Breakfast in Bed

Whether it’s you get her favourite meal delivered, or get the family to make a recipe together, enjoying the first meal of the day in bed feels like a holiday. Some flowers on the tray can brighten her day too, and maybe some silence, because let’s face it… we all know how mothers around the world enjoy a few minutes of silence!

During this pandemic, there have been many online options for the delivery of flowers or custom gifts. You can send a cake, chocolates, or even a good book that you know she will like. There are also charitable donations that can be made in her honour. Gift vouchers are another great option as they can be used whenever and wherever she desires.

4- Sharing the responsibilities.

Another way to show your love is by taking up some of her responsibilities. Maybe go grocery shopping instead of her, meal-prep for the week, or even help with the laundry or taking the trash out. You can also fix something around the house that has been on hold for a while because no one had the time to do it.

Mothers really appreciate it when “the work is done”.

5- Virtual Visits

There are so many options when using video to catch up and show her you care. If you can't use a video conferencing app like FaceTime, Zoom, Duo or HouseParty, the telephone will do. You can even plan for all her kids to participate, this way you can all show her how much you care together.

No matter what you do to show her you care, be sure that it will make her heart happy and even though nothing is ever enough to repay these selfless, beautiful creatures, still one day a year can make a difference.

6- Family Activity

Spending time enjoying a family activity together can include going for a walk, watching her favourite movie or having fun playing a board game together. Mothers love spending time with their most cherished people. www.womanthismonth.com

Happy Mothers’ Day to all mommies around the world!

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

SEVEN WAYS TO SPOT A CATFISH ON DATING APPS! Online dating is extremely common these days, so it helps to know these tips to stop yourself from being ‘Tinder Swindled’.

Everyone is talking about the new Netflix documentary, The Tinder Swindler.

Whilst we are shocked by the amount of money he ‘swindled’ from his victims, and his short five months in prison, it all came down to one thing… the art of the ‘Catfish’.

‘Catfishing' is when someone creates fake profiles on social media sites to trick people into thinking they are somebody else. Whilst the modern-day world of dating apps allows us more accessible ways to find a potential match, there is always that risk of someone pretending to be something or someone they are not.

So, before meeting your match face-to-face, doing a bit of digging on them is a must and there are certain signs you can look out for which will tell you someone is a catfish.

The experts at Wethrift share the main reasons why someone would create a fake profile and seven ways you can spot whether the person you are chatting with is the real deal, or somebody who could potentially put you in danger.

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Here are the three kinds of catfish: A human-controlled fake profile

One of the hardest to catch out because there will be an actual human controlling the messages. This will be someone trying to push a certain agenda, whether that’s a service, product, or scam.

Dangerous Catfish

This would be someone pretending to be someone else; trying to plan a meet-up with malicious intentions.

Lonely Catfish

This one is a little more on the sad side. Someone who might be lonely, and obviously quite self-conscious, and just wants to chat. Whilst it may not be dangerous as such, it can still mess with people's lives. www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | opinion

So how can you sniff out a fake? Here are seven instant red flags you need to be able to spot: The bio is missing that human touch

No distance

One of the first things that can indicate a catfish is if their profile just looks ‘blank’ and lacks that human touch. This includes things such as a bio, occupation, interests, and other basic information. However, often the ‘human control’ catfish will create almost a new identity to trick people into matching with them, therefore you may still need to be cautious.

Whilst this can be understandable that someone may not want to advertise a location for their own safety, the reason people will go on Tinder is to match with people in close proximity to them. With this in mind, no location is an instant red flag. This can show signs that you may be dealing with a bot or someone located overseas ready to scam you.

Many people often connect their other social media accounts with their Tinder profile, so if you cannot find the person on Instagram or Facebook, this is a red flag.

‘Picture perfect’ profile pictures If you have a feeling you recognise the person from somewhere else, whether it be another Tinder profile or a famous celebrity, and most of their pictures look extremely professional and unnatural, swipe left. It is likely the person behind the profile has ripped these pictures from the internet or somebody’s Instagram profile and copied their name and description into the bio.

It is also important that, when meeting someone you have matched with, to meet in an area close to your home. It is not recommended to go any further than 15 miles out of your way the first time you are meeting someone.

Verification status

They only have one photo

Recently, Tinder launched a new ID verification function to prevent catfishing, meaning global users will be prompted to verify their identity prior to interacting with others. Whilst it isn’t obligatory, it will help legitimate users prove they are the same person behind their pictures.

Whilst this doesn’t always indicate a fake profile, if you only have one photo to judge of someone, this is usually a red flag. After all, you want to see them from different angles, right?

So, if somebody doesn’t have a blue verification tick next to their name, always be wary they may not be who they appear to be.

whether the person in the picture is real, screenshot the image from the profile and put it Reverse Face Search in Google Images and see if you can find the face elsewhere.

Top tip: If you can’t seem to work out

Refusal to video chat

Refusal to meet in person

If you suggest it’s finally time to have a face-to-face chat and the person makes up an excuse like ‘their camera is broken’, this could be an indication they aren’t who they say they are. Although, it’s important to remember the person could just be extremely shy and not confident enough to chat over video call.

After a while, if it feels like the right time to meet up but the person refuses, this can be a sign they are a fake. If somebody is genuinely interested in getting to know you, they will go out of their way to meet up in person.

Whatever you choose to do, we hope stay safe and find a genuine match online!

www.womanthismonth.com

March 2022

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LIFESTYLE | home

PASTEL PRETTY Bring the gleeful vibes of Spring into your home and hearts by giving your living spaces a pastel makeover.

Lemon yellows, soft lilacs, sky blues, baby pinks, mint greens and easy neutrals... colours like these are the hues that set the mood for a fresh seasonal change.

H&M

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LIFESTYLE | home

Beautuiful Buds

Seasonal Shifts

Faux flowers Lifestyle

Cushions Lifestyle

Feeling Chirpy Partition screen THE One

Tempered glass art Home Box

Tableware Home Centre

Lidded jar THE One

Coral Decoration THE One

In Full Bloom

For a Spring Setting

Classy Accent

From the Deep

Wicker Works

Put a Ring on It

Basket H&M

Napkin rings Namshi.com

Have Your Cake…

Dessert plates Lifestyle

Blushing Velvet Sofa Home Box

www.womanthismonth.com

Vintage Feels Candle Holder Namshi.com

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skincare Achieve a Radiant Glow with

Hydrate with Hydropeptide’s

Herbal Essentials

Divine Serum

The region’s much-loved natural skincare brand is here to help you hydrate and rejuvenate your skin by harnessing the healing powers of naturally balanced Himalayan spring water.

Revitalise and hydrate your skin after cleansing with their refreshing toner for all skin types. Cucumber extract calms the skin whilst Rose Water helps to moisturise. Perfect to use after cleansing and before your moisturiser. Clinically proven to provide an instant skin hydrating effect and increase hydration by 41 percent. Herbal Essentials products are cruelty-free, and free from nasties such as mineral oils, sulphates, or parabens.

Available online at www. kibsons.com, www. amazon.ae and www. projectbyouty.com.

Drive away unwanted skin concerns such as dryness, flakiness and dullness with Hydropeptide’s premium skincare.

The Hydropeptide Optimist Radiance Serum Mist is perfect for keeping skin hydrated on the go, this ultra-fine mist with botanical oils and powerful actives helps strengthen, firm and refresh skin.

The Optimist Radiance Serum Mist is a patented barrier repair solution with a hydrating antioxidant seaweed complex, which optimises retention and increases circulation within the epidermis.

Designed to deliver an instant dewy glow to the skin, bringing confidence and luxury to every moment of your day. The mist is suitable for all skin types, especially for dry, dehydrated and aging skin.

Available on www. enerbeauty.com and www.Namshi.com

Clarify and Hydrate with De L'Arta Emirati personal care brand De L’Arta’s has introduced its first collection of skincare using the desert plant, Tetraena qatarense which has the ability to survive the harshest of environment. The plant is rich in antioxidants and has rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.

It also provides deep hydration and protects from premature ageing.

The [Tq] Face Wash from the range banishes impurities whilst protecting the skins natural moisture barrier. Infused with geranium essential oils to leave your skin naturally fragranced, invigorated and clean.

Available on delarta.com .

NOURISH YOUR SKIN! 5 Skincare Products to Help You Nourish and Hydrate Your Skin

Extreme weather conditions have a way of adversely affecting our skin with the most common effects being dryness, pigmentation and premature aging. Here are our top products to help you repair or prevent skin damage!

Illuminate with Filorga’s Skin-Unify Range With higher sun exposure, hyperpigmentation dark spots and an uneven complexion is a daily battle against youthful looking and healthy skin.

Internationally acclaimed French skincare brand, FILORGA, has launched the new Skin-Unify Range, for even and luminous skin, inspired by three aesthetic medicine techniques that contain a powerful triple-action formula.

From the three-product range, Filorga’s Skin-Unify Illuminating Even Skin Tone Daily Cream combines a powerful formula with a pleasant sensorial experience. The cream, which is suitable for all skin types, prevents and reduces the appearance of dark spots and instantly illuminates the complexion.

Available at leading pharmacies including Bin Sina Pharmacies, Boots Pharmacies and at www.basharacare.com.

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Glow with Juana Skin’s Face Scrub The brand uses high-potency CBD farmed in Europe to the strictest quality standards and combines it with naturally effective therapeutic botanical extracts. In addition, each product is clinically tested and proven to work.

Your skin will be purified and radiant with Juana Skin’s Exfoliating Face Scrub. The formulation is infused with Hemp CBD and Argan amongst other glow-giving natural oils that are sure to achieve great results.

This luxurious scrub leaves you with skin that is fully prepped to renew itself overnight.

Visit www.juanaskin.com for more information.

www.womanthismonth.com

last word

In Her Shoes This month we had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Daniela Peykova-Daher, Lifestyle Manager at CRYO Bahrain. Daniela is known for being optimistic, joyful and kind-hearted, but at the same time resilient, determined and fiercely loyal. “Think of a pitbull in a yorkie disguise,” she says. Take a walk in her shoes with us.

Which musician, alive or dead, would you love to see in concert?

Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. What a unique voice!

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Mmm… difficult one. I love all kinds of food and I am very open to trying new food, but I can’t select one particular favourite.

Pasta, I guess?

What’s your favourite perfume?

Gucci Bamboo

Something about you that not many people know is: I always spill my beans and almost everyone in my life knows everything about me, especially if they are willing to listen. :)

Daniela What’s your dream holiday destination?

White sands, green water, no sharks around… or my kids (I am kidding… not).

Name a song that’s guaranteed to make you dance.

Swedish House Mafia ft. The Weeknd - A moth to a flame

What’s your favourite movie?

The Green Mile. I usually don’t cry during movies, but this one is on another level. www.womanthismonth.com

What’s the best gift you have ever received?

My children. If we are talking about materialistic things, I would say a car (my husband is always treating me with amazing gifts).

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advertisers index Hotels & Serviced Residences Al Areen Palace & Spa . . . . . . . . . . .

Ramee Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Jewellery & Watches

Yaquby Premium (Breitling) . . . . . . . .

Medical & Dental Services Middle East Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Royal Bahrain Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . .

Royal Hospital for Women & Children

Motoring

Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes) . . . . .

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Now you’ve seen your regular issue, which we hope you enjoyed, make sure to check out our websites and social media for daily updates of what’s happening across the Kingdom. You can find us at: www.bahrainthismonth.com

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Scan the QR code for more information from the advertisers

Others

Bahrain International Circuit . . . . . . .

7 Economic Development Board (Spring of Culture) 11 Energie Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 WeDeliver (YOU app) . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Restaurants & Cafes

Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Al Areen PalaceSpa.png

Al Haddad Motors

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Ramee Grand

Bahrain International Circuit

Yaquby Premium

Middle East Hospital

Wedeliver

Maki

Royal Hospital For Women And Children

Energie Fitness

Royal Bahrain Hospital

Economic Development Board

Unveiling of Valmont

Michelle Reynolds, Director of The RitzCarlton Spa and Naomi Galli-Merle, General Manager, unveiled the most exquisite spa products and treatments in the Kingdom - Valmont.

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bystander

Small Prints Exhibition Under the patronage of HE Shaikh Rashid Bin Khalifa

Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of the National Council of Arts, Honorary President of the Bahrain Society for Fine Arts, Hend Gallery presented the opening of Small Prints 2022 - an art exhibition for a group of Bahraini and Arabic artists.

he Farmers’ Market ran through February and will continue until March 27th, every Saturday at the Budaiya Budiaya Farmers’ Market TBotanical Gardens, from 7 am to 1 pm. Visitors can find all sorts of produce from local farmers and families.

WEAR A FACE MASK

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

DISINFECT HANDS WITH SANITISER

AVOID SHAKING HANDS bahrainthismonth

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

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Get your favourite partner anytime at www.redhousemarketing.com

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