Page 116 – Green Prophet

The 10 best desert marathons

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October 18, 2022

marathon des sables, single man running — *A competitor climbs a dune, during the third stage of the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 250 miles south of Ouarzazate in Morocco. PIERRE VERDY/ AFP/ Getty Images*

The best marathon in the world? Ones where women are allowed to run? This is a hard question to answer and you will get answers as varied as the people you ask. There are the well known marathons, like the New York Marathon in November, the London Marathon in April and the Berlin Marathon in September. Chicago, Boston, Stockholm and Paris follow suit.

What about the best marathons in the Middle East? Now you are in for an adventure.

Adventurous, sustainable travel that’s good for you, and a marathon rolled into one? That’s a marathon in the Middle East. A marathon to support women runners? Maybe you have an eye on the prize or want to run around holy sites, the land of the cedars, or through grueling but expansive deserts in the Sahara Desert?

Maybe you are a global nomad who’s looking for the next location for roaming and running for the next few months. Nothing like training in situ like a local. Nothing like running for cardio health. And nothing like the Mediterranean Diet for heart health. We are Green Prophet so we’ve got your Middle East marathon bases covered. For this purpose locations in North Africa, the Arab parts of it, are lumped into what we call The Middle East.

From starts in capital cities to desolate deserts or a run to help save refugees, here is a list of the best runs, the month they run, with varying degrees of atmosphere, speed, beauty and even prize money. Want us to consider adding another to this list? Drop us a line to [email protected] or a message via Instagram.

The 10 best marathons in the Middle East

Marathon des Sables, Ouarzazate, Morocco – April

Participants helping each other up the mountains, Marathons des Sables, marathon in the Middle East — *In line climbing Sahara mountains, Marathon des Sables*

The Marathon des Sables is iconic and profits go to charity. It’s the marathon that might change your life or your status as an athlete. This marathon is more adventure and eco-tourism than any marathon you’ve ever met. “Sables” means sand in French, a second language of Morocco – after Arabic – and it’s in sand you will run. Sand will fill every crack of your soul.

It’s considered the world’s toughest footrace which combines 5 and a half marathons in one, spanning about 200 miles (251km) over five to six days. Everything you will need to eat is carried on your back, except water, as you run through the tops of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, in the heat of the sun, making it a coveted event for top athletes. Proceeds to this event go to a charity that help support desert dwellers. Funds go to solar energy systems and schools.

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, Dubai, UAE – February

Dubai Marathon, Burj al Arab, marathons of the middle East, best marathons, UAE — *Runners pass by Burj Al Arab hotel at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, (AP)*

The Dubai Marathon is the largest mass sporting event in the Middle East, according to event organizers. It’s an annual road-based marathon hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, since 1998. The marathon is categorized as a Gold Label Road Race by World Athletics. In 2007, it was announced that the 2008 marathon would become the world’s richest long distance running event in history, with one million dollars offered as a prize for a world record and $250,000 for first place for both men and women.

Top cash prizes still attract the world’s best runners. Participants from the past claimed that while the architecture is beautiful, and the weather is great for Europeans looking for a bit more heat in the winter, most of the race takes place through flat and boring scenery.

But if you’ve come for the prize month or the ecological attractions before and after, and you are in the trance of running, who cares?

Bahrain International Marathon, Bahrain- February

Bahrain Marathon map, best marathons Middle East, — *Map out the Bahrain Marathon from above*

The Bahrain Marathon is older than you’d think. It was This race was inaugurated in 1979 to coincide with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II, where 15 participants ran. In 1983 Mustafa Fulad became the first Bahraini to complete a full marathon but more and more locals participate in it every year as sports, and the joy of running, catches on in the Middle East.

Today this marathon is known for crossing both desert and mountains on Amwaj Island in Bahrain. Definitely not boring. As per Middle East style, the purse money is about $100,000 every year for top winners in male and female categories.

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, Abu Dhabi, UAE – December

Abi Dhabi marathon, Adnoc, best marathons Middle East — *Abu Dhabi Marathon, UAE*

Enjoy running with marathon elites in the heart of Abu Dhabi, while taking in iconic landmarks, stunning scenery and cheering crowds as you stride in style to finish line success. Run past the Zayed Sports Center, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. People come for the biggest prize money at this race, totalling about $300,000 USD dollars every year.

Sahara Marathon, Algeria – February

Sahara Marathon, best marathons Middle East, north africa — *Running around refugee camps, during the Sahara Marathon*

This intense course, a humanitarian and activist race at its core, starts in the Sahara, and you have to fly in to reach it at Al Ayoun, Algeria. Aid stations are set up throughout as you run in the world’s largest desert. This marathon event has brought together thousands of runners for a few decades to the Saharawi refugee camps of Tindouf in Algeria.

The Sahara Marathon is an international sport event to demonstrate solidarity with the Saharawi people with the aim of promoting sport among Saharawi young men and women and financing and developing humanitarian programs to help these people overcome conflict in the region.

Who are the Saharawi people?

The Sahrawi, or Saharawi people, are an ethnic group and nation native to the western part of the Sahara desert, which includes the Western Sahara, southern Morocco, much of Mauritania, and along the southwestern border of Algeria. They are of mixed Berber, Arab and Black African descent. Systematic human rights abuses, police brutality, violations of international law and fundamental rights, the Sahrawi people of Africa’s last colony, Western Sahara, have endured decades of repression at the hands of Moroccan occupying forces. Since replacing Spain as coloniser, Morocco has attempted to control a territory about the size of the UK, using military force to suppress free speech and pro-independence protests.

Jerusalem Marathon, Jerusalem, Israel – March

Jerusalem Marathon, old city, city of David, best marathons Middle East — *Run around the City of David, Jerusalem*

Going for a Holy Run? The Jerusalem Marathon is an annual marathon running event held in Jerusalem during the month of March when the weather is pleasant and warm in this Israeli city, also known as The City of David.

The course begins at Israel’s parliament, passes through Mount Scopus and the Old City, and finishes at Sacher Park. Prize money for winners is only a few thousand dollars, so this is a run you do for your soul.

Jerusalem’s big brother marathon is the Tel Aviv Marathon, which happens in February attracts more runners and prizes (about $7,000 USD for winners, $40,000 for record breakers) and this year about 40,000 runners made it to the event. Our advice? Stay for a month and come for both marathons.

Update 2024: It’s not announced if the Jerusalem Marathon will go ahead this year but the Tel Aviv Marathon will be in March.

Antalya Marathon, Anatolia, Turkey – March

The Antalya Marathon, officially International Öger Antalya Marathon, and for a short time known as Runtalya, is an international athletic event that takes place in Antalya, Turkey since 2006. It is one of the best marathons of the Middle East. Run along the sea, a most refreshing course that winds along one of the prettiest parts of the Mediterranean Sea. After the flat course race, rip off your shoes and head to the beach. A most sporting holiday with up to 10,000 others.

Antalya is a Turkish resort city with a yacht-filled Old Harbor and beaches with plenty of boutique hotels. It’s a gateway to Turkey’s southern Mediterranean region, known as the Turquoise Coast for its blue waters. And it’s a great destination for stargazing or launching a yacht to cruise along the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

Remnants remain from Antalya’s time in the past as a major Roman port. These include Hadrian’s Gate, built to honor the Roman emperor’s visit in 130 A.D and 2nd-century Hidirlik Tower, with stunning views of the harbor.

The Dead Sea Ultra Marathon, Ein Bokek, Israel – February

Dead Sea Marathon, Israel, run along the dead sea dikes, best marathons Middle East — *Runners get a once a year chance to explore the Dead Sea between Israel and Jordon on this special run.*

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and one of the world’s wonders. Also known for Spencer Tunick’s naked Dead Sea. Cleopatra’s beauty secret too. The highlight of the race, then, is a run towards the sea on the border embankment of the Dead Sea Works that surrounds the southern part of the Dead Sea. It happens only once a year, in marathon and ultra marathon distances, and just for this race, that security forces allow this scenic route to be open along the dikes, giving runners breathtaking views that have so far been observed by employees of the Dead Sea factories. The Dead Sea is dying. Run this race to draw awareness to the devastation caused to it from water overuse and the Dead Sea factories on other side of the sea.

The dike serves as the border area between the Israeli side of the Dead Sea and the Jordanian Dead Sea and they serve as a barrier without a fence between the two countries that maintain a peaceful relationship. So straddle both sides on this once of a lifetime run.

“Amazing location,” says one runner who ran the Dead Sea, “I think you’d struggle to find a cooler place to run! Not crowded, fantastic photos and drone photos included, plentiful aid stations. But the main plus is definitely the awe inspiring location.”

BDL Beirut International Marathon, Beirut, Lebanon – November

Beirut Marathon, best marathons Middle East — *The Beirut Marathon is one of the best marathons in the Middle East*

Hosted in Lebanon’s capital city, the Beirut Marathon offers both wheelchair and running races, hoping to inspire health and fitness in the Land of God’s Cedars.

Beirut is considered the cool kid on the block in the Middle East. It’s a modern city, with modern free thinkers, like the kids nearby in Tel Aviv. Although the two can never meet as conflict with Hezbollah terror groups keeps the borders closed.

Beirut has suffered some terrible setbacks from corruption, explosions and terrorism. Running around this Mediterranean Sea city is a powerful way to bring life back to Beirut after devastating losses in the past couple of years. After the run there are plenty of hikes and eco-tourism options to follow around Lebanon.

Istanbul Eurasia Marathon, Istanbul, Turkey – November

crossing Istanbul's bridge during the marathon, best marathons Middle East — *Crossing Istanbul’s bridge during the marathon*

Crossing from Asia into Europe, this full marathon The Istanbul Eurasia Marathon race spans two continents and you cross a bridge to connect them. The Istanbul Marathon starts 300m behind the Bosphorus Bridge; the race course divides in Besiktas turnoff after passing the bridge, then goes down from Barbaros Boulevard to Besiktas, and follows the coastal road to reach Karakoy.

Founded in 1979 in an effort to host a marathon for visiting German tourists, it is one of the oldest races in the region and certainly a foundation for one of the best marathons in the Middle East. And no doubt, visiting Istanbul is an experience you will never forget. The prize money is pretty good, about $50,000 USD every year for the winners.

Lesser known marathons in the Middle East

Saudi Arabian woman lacing her running shoes before a marathon, running in hijab, best marathons Middle East — *A Saudi woman laces her shoes before a run. Via ON shoes.*

Already tried these 10 best marathons of the Middle East? Don’t forget there are some other new and noteworthy marathons in the Middle East region: Cairo hosts a stunning race but you need to run 4 times in a loop, the Erbil marathon for peace in Iraqi-held Kurdistan in November.

Amman, Jordan hosts a marathon every year but I don’t love the city. It’s polluted and not walkable. If you want to visit Jordan, try the Petra Marathon in the south and which runs around antiquities; or the Dead Sea Marathon you access from the Israeli side, via Jerusalem. The run starts in Israel and then head over to Aqaba and Petra for tourism before going to Bir Sweir in Sinai, Egypt for a week.

If you are near Jordan, you can also try the Riyadh Road Runners, a marathon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia meant for social and professional runners. Women are allowed to run in regular running gear but adapted hijabs make it possible to run covered. There will be a women’s only group running starting in 2022. So join the race and when you run, run in solidarity with the women too. And remember, at ultra-long distances women can outrun men.

Want us to consider adding another to this list of the Best Marathons in the Middle East? Have a sporting event for us to cover, an event which makes sustainable travel even better? Drop us a line [email protected] or a message us via Instagram.

Key Things to Know About Parvo in Dogs

Animals

Faisal O'Keefe

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October 9, 2022

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cute pupper, red collar, by the sea — *Raise your pet sustainably with vegan or wild range organic food. But make sure you stay abreast of latest viruses so your guy lives his best life.*

If you own a dog and you want to ensure you look after your pet properly, it is important to familiarize yourself with potential health issues. There are some health problems and conditions that are common in certain dog breeds, and there are some that can affect all dog breeds. One of the diseases that fall into the latter group is canine parvovirus, and this is a disease that can be spread easily and can prove fatal in some dogs.

In order to reduce the risk of parvo for your pet, it is important that you are aware of some of the key factors relating to this disease. Once your dog has parvo, it can become not only very contagious to other dogs, but it can also end up in a lot of pain and could even die as a result of the disease. The more you know about the disease, the better equipped you will be to take action to either prevent parvo in your dog or to get treatment in a timely manner if the need arises. In this article, we will look at a few of the key things that you should know about parvo in dogs.

What You Need to Know

There are a few key things that you should keep in mind when it comes to parvo in the canine population. Some of the main ones are:

Symptoms Can Be Varied

One thing to keep in mind is that the symptoms of parvo in dogs can be varied, and while some pets may display all symptoms, others might only show a few of them. In addition, the symptoms of parvo can be very similar to symptoms of other health issues, so it is important to contact a vet as soon as possible to either rule out or confirm parvo in your dog. Some of the key symptoms are foul smelling stools, diarrhea with blood, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and depression.

It Spreads with Ease

Another thing you need to be aware of is that this disease spreads with ease among the canine population. This means that if you suspect your dog might have parvo, you must keep it isolated so that it does not spread to other dogs. Likewise, if you suspect another dog in the area has parvo, it is important to keep your pet away so that it does not spread to your dog.

Some Dogs Are at Increased Risk

One of the other factors to keep in mind is that some dogs are at heightened risk of serious issues with parvo. For instance, young pups aged up to six months are at increased risk of death from this disease as are dogs that have not been vaccinated. Making sure you protect your pets and get speedy advice and treatment is, therefore, essential.

By familiarizing yourself with parvo, its symptoms, and its impact, you can ensure you are ready to take action and in a position to protect your pet.

Trojena’s $500 billion ski resort for a planet on fire

Architecture

Karin Kloosterman

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October 6, 2022

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Trojena’s $500 billion ski resort for a planet on fire

The world is on fire: once confident Europeans are now reeling from an energy crisis. Mortgage rates are skyrocketing, the cost of food is becoming crazy (Yemenites are starving), gas prices are crippling Canada and the US, yet somehow architects who claim to be sustainable leaders are laughing all the way to the bank.

It’s reasonable that the prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of Neom wants what he wants: endless opulence fuelled by oil money to dazzle the west with fake grandeur. The joke is that western architect firms participate in these scandals. The latest is a winter wonderland village that Saudi Arabia will build in the middle of the desert as part of Saudi Arabia’s climate nightmare city Neom.

Trojena part of Vision 2030

“Trojena will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said in a statement.

“It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. Trojena will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity.”

Nice statements but what’s the carbon footprint of building a giant resort in the middle of a pristine desert. What kind of magical renewable energy does the prince of Saudi Arabia think will run this project?

Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at what will be called its Trojena resort, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (Zaha Hadid passed away a number of years ago at a young 65), The Holland-based UNStudio, UK’s Aedas, German’s LAVA and Bureau Proberts from Australia.

Have any of these firms no sense to say that the Emperor of Saudi Arabia is wearing no clothes?

Distorted applications of renewable energy

These firms that talk about sustainability (and remove themselves from airport projects) like they actually care about the state of our climate, are designing the 2029 Asian Winter Games for a 50-mile skiing and outdoor activity resort that is set to be completed in 2026 as part of Neom. It will operate all year long as a ski resort in the colder months, and a wellness retreat in the warmer.

“Trojena will have a suitable infrastructure to create the winter atmosphere in the heart of the desert, to make this Winter Games an unprecedented global event,” explained Neom chief executive Nadhmi al-Nasr.

The Olympic Council of Asia picked the Saudi candidacy: “The deserts and mountains of Saudi Arabia will soon be a playground for Winter sports!” the OCA said in a statement announcing its decision early this month.

The International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it was not consulted in the decision by the Olympic Council of Asia to pick Saudi Arabia as the hosts of the 2029 Asian winter Games, reports Reuters.

Foreign starchitects plan Saudi’s future

The firm Lava master-planned the resort, which will offer winter skiing, making it the first outdoor ski location in the country.

Trojena, Saudi Arabia, ski resort, Neom, Asian Winter Games, Zaha Hadid, Unstudio — *Folding village*

The same firm, Lava, also designed a futuristic folded-vertical village for Trojena, see above.

Location of Trojena, part of Neom

Geographically speaking, Trojena is located about 30 miles (or 50km) from the Red Sea coast and is close to the border of Jordan. While the majority of Saudi Arabia is a desert climate, the southwestern part where Trojena will be built is semi-arid. It will be part of a massive development project called Neom.

The exact site is to be constructed on a mountain across the sea from Mount Sinai, called Jabal al-Lawz, also known as Gebel el-Lawz, which is a mountain located in northwest Saudi Arabia, near the Jordanian border, above the Gulf of Aqaba at 8,465 feet above sea level. The name means ‘mountain of almonds’.

Trojena location, Saudi Arabia, Mount Lawz, Vision 2030, red Sea, Neom — *Location in winter, uploaded by Mohammed*

Trojena location, mount lawz, saudi arabia, — *Location of Mount Lawz, Trojena uploaded by Mashba*

The peak of Mount Lawz, consists of a light-colored, calc-alkaline granite. artificial lake, trojena, Nount laawz, mountains, ski resort, A man-made freshwater lake designed by Location of Trojena, Google Maps, artificial lake, trojena, Nount laawz, mountains, ski resort A man-made freshwater lake designed by Bureau Proberts, of Australia will need to be full of water year-round to fuel the snow machines, while Zaha Hadid Architects “came up with other elements of the design”, reported the Neom team in a press release.

Weather patterns in Trojena, Neom

weather patterns Trojena, Almond Mountain Jebel Lawz, Saudi Arabia, Neom, Gulf of Aqaba, east of Sinai Mountain — *Yearly highs and lows at the proposed Trojena site on Jabal al-Lawz.From November to February, ski season in Europe, Trojena daytime temps will range between 3°C and 9°C.*

The best temperatures for making snow are between -5°C (23°F) and -25°c (-13°F). Too warm, ski resort owners report and their machines are too expensive to run. The ideal conditions are dry and cold. Only for a short window, in January, do temperatures at the proposed Trojena site, dip below 0°C.

Trojena advertises its skiing will be open December to March. Wellness season, adventure season and lake season, the rest of the year.

Snow machines’ carbon footprint

Based at the University of Colorado-Boulder, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) conducts studies on changing weather patterns and climate change and the effects of climate on snow and snow production in the United States.

NSIDC, software developer Julia Collins has some thoughts on snowmaking. She’s not a fan. “If the weather is too warm, it doesn’t do any good, and it has a carbon footprint,” she says.

Architecture magazines such as Dezeen continue to advertise bombastic planet-sabotaging projects as though they are revolutionary.

Commenters on Dezeen magazine, on the other hand, offer their sobering view:

“Starchitects (and especially those who aren’t themselves, but work by borrowing the fame of somebody else) are truly miserable as they will do anything for money,” said one.

“Just save everyone some time and pump oil right onto the mountains and then light it on fire,” said another.

“It just goes to show that money can buy anything, except taste, morals, common sense, principles, ethics etc.”

… are some of my favorites.

Want to Start Your Own Commune?

Home
Nature

Karin Kloosterman

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October 5, 2022

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Since the foundation of the first Kibbutz in Israel, which today is a modern commune with various democratic, socialist or anarchistic systems in place (or not), nations around the world have looked to the Israeli model for communal living. You’ve seen American style communes and the problems there in the 60s in Mother Nature News, but Israel started differently as it was building up its newly established country.

women and men in the kibbutz, 19602 — *Kibbutz life in the 60s. Swedish women meet Israeli men. Screenshot from Apples and Oranges.*

I’ve lived in a kibbutz in Israel for one year when I was 29 and it was life-changing. Great for someone single, yes. Great for someone with young kids? Yes. Great for old age. Most definitely. But in the end, I chose the freedom of the city and owning my own home in the country.

There are religious kibbutzes in Israel, ones based on ecological and social experiments including open love and organic food. You can find one for all walks of life. But what if you are not in Israel and are thinking about making your own intentionally community in Portugal? In Costa Rica and which is not at Pacha Mama?

Start research on communal living with CALL

One of the cornerstones to learn about the foundations of the new commune and kibbutz movement is CALL (Communes at Large Letter), a free seasonal magazine that reports on intentional communities in Israel and the rest of the world. It’s a great resource to connect with offering a sober and realistic take on what building a commune entails? What about millennials? The last issue offers some very handy resources.

For those interested to know more about intentional communities, you can subscribe to CALL. It is a modest magazine that explores all ways of community living, and includes information on international conferences and events. This link here takes you to the latest 20/21 issue.

And a film worth checking out on the Israeli kibbutz movement is Apples and Oranges (2021), about sex, love, drugs and volunteering at a kibbutz in the 60s:

Communal living and how do we do it right is a particularly relevant concept in today’s world where some of us strive to build homes that are less impacting on the environment. We are seeing hundreds of queries of people looking to move to the nature in Portugal for instance (or to Texas – check out this course that helps you build straw bale homes) , but it’s happening anywhere and everywhere there is nature to be explored.

COVID accelerated the desire and need for people to find a new way of living.

CALL the organization itself, was started in 1976 at the initiative of the late Mordechai Bentov, a kibbutz member and cabinet minister.

Today their headquarters are at the Yad Tabenkin Institute, on the campus of Seminar Efal, on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Check out their website and newsletter. Intentional communities are not just a kibbutz thing. There is also social permaculture, a way for people to farm and better the land with the support and interest of like minds all around. See our post on regenerative farming for more and check out the CALL newsletter in the link below.

::CALL

Ecotourism in Egypt

Travel

Karen Chernick

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October 5, 2022

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Sinai beach camp — *Low key Bedouin-run camp in Sinai on the Red Sea*

In contrast to eco tourism in other countries in the Middle East, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, there is an extremely active Ecotourism Committee in the Egyptian Tourism Federation, which makes eco tourism in Egypt especially diverse, authentic, and unique. You can find high-end, and low end –- all satisfying experiences based on your budget. We offer some examples below.

Since 1997 Egypt’s Ecotourism Committee, which is the most active of all of the Egyptian Tourism Federation’s committees, holds over 14 meetings a year that include top environmentalists, cabinet ministers, scientists, and ecotourism professionals.

They do important work, including protecting natural areas and cracking down on illegal hunting. The Committee also produces a weekly half-hour program in cooperation with Egyptian satellite television called Misr Ard Al Jamal (Egypt the Land of Beauty) which features Egypt’s protected areas, ecotourism activities, eco-lodges, and indigenous tribes of Egypt’s three deserts.

The passage of a law in 1983 has also led to the declaration of 27 Protected Areas in Egypt that represent most of the habitats and ecosystems in Egypt. But the Committee isn’t willing to stop there – they want to increase the number of Protectorates to 40 by the year 2017. Consider nomad travel insurance when booking a trip to Egypt. To ensure peace of mind while traveling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing’s Essential plan covers travel and medical emergencies with options for adventure sports and electronics theft. Their Complete plan offers comprehensive health coverage with routine healthcare, mental health support, and maternity, anywhere in the world, including in your home country.

national parks, eco reserves, Egypt — *Map of National Parks, or eco reserves in Egypt*

So what’s an eco-loving, sustainability-touting tourist to do in Egypt? Here are some great options:

Adrere Amellal Ecolodge

This high-end, off-grid Adrere Amellal Ecolodge in the Siwa Oasis includes 40 rooms constructed out of mud, salt, and palm leaves with traditional Siwan methods, and is located 12 miles away from Siwa, an Egyptian oasis. Today this most isolated settlement is home to a small population of Berbers and one of the world’s most interesting hotels.

There are ancient olive and palm groves nearby, and the traditional cuisine offered at the lodge is prepared with organic herbs and vegetables picked the same day. The entire lodge is telephone (hide your cell phone!) and electricity free, with candles and torches used for lighting.

Low-key sustainability comes with a hefty price-tag unfortunately, starting at about $500 USD a night for a single room. Budget-minded folks are better off heading to Sinai’s beaches of Bir Sweir or Nuweiba, to get an authentic, spiritual desert experience.

Shali Fortress, Tombs of Jabal el Mawta, the Oracle of Amun, the Temple of Um Ubeydah, Cleopatra’s water spring, Fantasy Island, Jabal Dakrour sandbaths, and Bir Wahed – a natural jacuzzi in the desert – are some nearby eco-highlights.

Al Karm Ecolodge

The Al Karm Ecolodge is a Bedouin owned and operated lodge in the St. Katherine Protectorate.

Like Adrere Amellal, it has no electricity but uses solar panels to heat water for the showers, and has sanitary compost toilets. The small hotel has only seven double rooms. We have tried to contact the lodge to see if they have recovered from Covid but we have no updates and find no dates available for rooms online. If you are an eco-tourism researcher, this paper outlines the sustainability efforts put into place while building the Al Karm Ecolodge.

Ras Muhammad National Park

Ras Muhammad National Park: This natural protectorate in southern Sinai is protected by law and has a variety of beautiful natural features for the eco tourist’s viewing pleasure. In addition to its stunning coral reefs which attracts snorkelers and divers, the park has an eel garden and is a great spot to watch migratory birds.

Sinai Bir Sweir Beach Nuweiba/Taba

Bir Sweir is about as eco and friendly and as spiritual as you can imagine. My first trip there made me feel that I’d come to the coolest place in the Universe. There is nothing to do and nothing happens. If you like that vibe, find some of the Bedouin camps that may or may not be operating at the time of your visit. Just showing us is also okay but not recommended during the Jewish holidays when the area is flooded with Israelis.

Select camps in Nuweiba

Al Tarek Camp
Alexandria Beach
Aqua Sun
Asala Beach
Barracuda Camp
Bella Donna Camp
Diana Beach
Good Life
Half Moon Beach
Magic Land
Miami Beach
Paradise Sweir
Shanti Camp
Trankila Beach
White Sand Camp

Tips on Encouraging a Senior Loved One to be More Sustainable

Lifestyle

Bhok Thompson

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October 3, 2022

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Tips on Encouraging a Senior Loved One to be More Sustainable

Adopting a sustainable lifestyle is easier to accomplish for young people. The older generation finds it a little more challenging, but that doesn’t mean they should give up. It’s never too late to start adopting more sustainable practices or habits. The smallest of lifestyle changes can go a long way.

Elderly people have many things to consider, such as ALTCS eligibility, writing a will, modifying their home, managing their health, and eating a balanced diet. You can help them appreciate the impact they’re making on future generations. In addition, you can show them how they can promote sustainability in their own lives and amongst their friends.

Here are some ways older adults can help protect the environment and encourage their friends to do the same.

Reduce Their Use of Plastic and Styrofoam

In today’s modern world we’re all in such a hurry. This has made many of us look for ways to make things easier. Convenience foods and products packed in plastic are often the answer, unfortunately.

We create a massive amount of waste every day, from plastic water bottles to fast food packaging. If you want to teach your senior loved one how they can reduce plastic pollution, there are lots of online resources available from organizations such as Earth Day Network and Plastic Oceans.

Grow Their Own

As well as being good for the planet, growing your produce and gardening, in general, provides a wealth of physical and mental health benefits. Vegetable gardening also reduces waste and your carbon footprint.

You don’t need as much space as you might think. If your loved one only has a small garden or just a patio or balcony, container gardening could be the answer. If they find they’re growing more than they can eat, freeze part of the harvest to use during the winter.

If gardening isn’t their thing, encourage them to shop at a local farmers’ market as a way of helping protect the environment. On average, many of the products they buy in a grocery store have traveled 1,500 miles before they appear on the shelf. That uses a lot of fossil fuels and other resources.

If your senior loved one is part of any community or lives in a retirement home, see if there is the possibility of building a small garden or raised bed.

If a small group of older adults has the opportunity to work together, it will build connections between them and improve their quality of life. They’ll be able to grow flowers to pick during the spring and summer, and vegetables and herbs to eat.

Skip the Chemicals

Many senior loved ones will have grown up using chemical-laden cleaning products and harsh detergents. At the time, little was known about the damage they did to the environment.

Thankfully, there are plenty of more eco-friendly cleaning products we can use. There is the option of buying them or making them at home ourselves.

The simplest can be made using white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.

Keep Vehicles Well Maintained

There are a few ways to protect the earth and your car:

Get your oil changed according to the manufacturers’ recommendations
Don’t top off your gas tank
Drive at reasonable speeds

Opt-Out of Mailing Lists

How much unsolicited mail does your loved one receive through the letterbox every day? Most will likely end up in a landfill, without ever being opened.

To stop this annoying flood of mail you must contact the companies directly or by email and ask for your name to be removed from the mailing list.

Alternatively, you can encourage your loved ones and their friends to sign up for the National Do Not Mail List. This removed their name from the many mailing lists that exist for direct marketing companies to use.

Learn More About Recycling

How much does your loved one know about recycling? A common misconception among the elderly is that they can only recycle bottles and cans. In actual fact, there are many things you can recycle. Local non profit recycling organizations will be able to offer advice, along with local government offices.

Volunteering

This is a great way for older adults to be more invested in sustainability and the environment. It’s also a great way for them to do something new, meet new people, and use their skills in different ways.

Unfortunately, older people are often put off volunteering because they feel they don’t know enough to be able to make a valuable contribution. In addition, they might struggle to find volunteer opportunities.

Use the power of Google to help them find nearby volunteer opportunities that are older-adult friendly.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to living a sustainable life, we all have a part to play regardless of our age. Every little effort makes a difference.

Luxury glamping in Abu Dhabi

Karin Kloosterman

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September 30, 2022

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luxury glamping, UAE, Abu Dhabi Jebel Hafit, Al Ain, night time stars — *Luxury tenting, known as glamping, in Jebel Hafit, UAE*

It’s been some time now that people are used to the idea that camping, if it’s called glamping, means luxury and a closeness to nature one could only expect on an African safari. Luxury tent camping, glamping (glamor + camping) is becoming commonplace around the world and the Middle East is no exception. People everywhere want authentic experiences close to nature, with some modern conveniences of home like heating and lights and a good bed.

Glamping in the deserts of Abu Dhabi offers the best of a region where the options are slim. Slick hotels or camping on your own. As you start looking around for options in the Abu Dhabi, consider a few day trip to the desert with glamping sites as your destination.

Jebel Hafit Desert Park in Al Ain is about 1.5 hours away from Abu Dhabi. The national park is about a 7 mile stretch which starts at the Jebel Hafit mountain, Abu Dhabi’s tallest peak, where visitors can explore the family-friendly park’s majestic natural surroundings on a hike, mountain bike, horse or camel.

Archaeological and historical remains can tell enchanting stories of this unique area’s ancient habitation. Remnants include those from the Neolithic period from 8,000 years ago, to the 5,000-year-old Jebel Hafit Tombs excavated in 1959 at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates.

In 2011, UNESCO recognised the Jebel Hafit Desert Park area as being a vital component of the World Heritage Site of Al Ain, the UAE’s first World Heritage Site.

Jebel Hafit Desert Park not only preserves the area’s rich history but also its unique biodiversity, encouraging visitors to experience this dynamic landscape up close and understand how it has changed over millions of years.

And now you can glamp inside it. The park offers guests three camping experiences: basic camping for which you need to bring your own equipment (you’ll find inexpensive camping gear at several Al Ain and Abu Dhabi city stores – but better to borrow from a local); fully serviced camping, including breakfast, in a camp showcasing Bedouin (look inside a Bedouin tent here) tents, and; furnished five-star bubble glamping tents complete with air-conditioning.

Want to glamp? Contact Pura here

Lebanon’s abandoned Ottoman-era mansions

Karin Kloosterman

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September 29, 2022

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Lebanon’s abandoned Ottoman-era mansions

Lebanon abandoned house, James Kerwin — *Abandoned house in an olive grove, James Kerwin*

It’s not unusual for an intrepid foreign explorer to uncover hidden gems in Lebanon. Like Honduras artist Adrian Pepe who explores the design and craft in ancient textile making in Beirut. Now James Kerwin, an Englishman in Lebanon, shows us the scale and beauty of abandoned palaces, mansions, and houses in his photography series called Lebanon Falling.

I’ve always experienced great joy slipping under a rusting gate in the Levante. Mansions and family homes stay standing, attesting to a more opulent time when conflict and Ikea were unknown to the region. When there was a train between Tel Aviv and Beirut and people’s homes were adorned with handmade crafts and designs from hand-poured cement tiles to hand-painted ceilings with ornate balconies and sheltered gardens.

Kerwin gives us a peek into this past as Lebanon’s traditional architecture lays abandoned and neglected calling out for a younger generation to repair the gaps. Unlike the Disney-like abandoned castles in Turkey, these homes are calling out for repair.

Kerwin says, “There is something about the Lebanese mansion. They are impossible to miss as the first thing which draws you in is the romantic exterior. Once I discovered a disused or abandoned house, it always filled me with excitement, as I never quite knew what was going to be inside. These homes were colorful, fascinating, and historic.”

He elaborates:

“The traditional house in the ottoman style could be hidden anywhere, and in many towns throughout Lebanon. this house typology first flourished in the 19th-century ottoman era and has a special relationship with nature — usually set in and around picturesque landscapes or towns.

“At first glance, such heritage buildings may look alike, but their individual personalities and unique traits can be discerned if one takes a closer look.

Similar Ottoman era homes can be found in Israel in cities like Jaffa, Haifa and Lod. They were built in the early 19th century when Europeans were settling around the Middle East area. The Europeans settled in the eastern Mediterranean region for trade. This community was known as “Levantine,” which means “eastern Mediterranean” in French.

If you love abandoned buildings and you are in Lebanon some buildings worth checking out include an abandoned Holiday Inn. James Kerwin tells Green Prophet that entry is allowed with an army escort but that compared to the abandoned Ottoman palaces, there isn’t much to see.

From Ottoman-era time in Lebanon

While the Ottoman-era buildings leave a lot to the imagination it wasn’t an easy period for many people in Lebanon, especially if you didn’t conform or practiced the right religion.

Our friend, environmental artist, Pablo Solomon writes:

“Seeing the Ottoman mansions in Lebanon was interesting. As you know my father’s family fled the Ottoman oppression and went to Mexico, only to have to flee the Revolutionaries and come to Texas.

“For my father and most of his family the first language was Arabic. On my mother’s side they had fled Germany in the 1850s due to religious oppression. They lived in close knit religious communities in Central Texas and only spoke German basically until the 1940s.

“One of the things my parents had in common was a love of freedom.”
::Jameskerwin

Smuggled African elephants at Abu Dhabi Zoo

Animals

Karin Kloosterman

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September 28, 2022

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Smuggled African elephants at Abu Dhabi Zoo

Against conventions, a UAE safari and zoo are acquiring wild animals with no regards to international laws and agreements. A big surprise in a nation where the wealthy drive gold Mercedes, and who believe everyone with money should own their own private zoo and walk cheetahs on a leash?

In March 2022, a group of wild Namibian elephants landed in the United Arab Emirates. An investigation by The New Arab reveals that the sale served to simulate an African safari experience in Emirati zoos with no benefit for the animals and Namibian locals, and violates international protocols.

Initially captured from their natural habitat in Kamanjab, north-western Namibia in early September 2021, these African elephants — an endangered species — spent six months in quarantine captivity. They were then heavily sedated before being loaded into shipping containers, onto a plane, and transferred to their final destinations: the Sharjah Safari Park and Abu Dhabi’s Al-Ain Zoo.

Sharjah Safari Park opened earlier this year and like many bombastic projects in the Arab world, this one is the largest safari park outside of Africa.

Located at Al Bridi Nature Reserve, the safari park was created by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. It has over 1,000 animals and birds to see.

See us on Al Jazeera TV talking about hypocritical ideas in the UAE. Some of the most controversial and counterproductive measures we’ve covered so far include the not so green Masdar project or celebrities releasing balloons to highlight the importance of green living; and now comes the UAE’s largest safari park. One with illegally-imported animals.

For Emirati rulers (except for the Green Sheik), the tourism-driven African theme of their wildlife parks apparently mattered more than the success of breeding programs.

It was made clear to Al-Ain Zoo Director Mark Craig that there were no imports from Africa with a European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)-accredited breeding programme because past ones had not been successful. Arne Lawrenz, the EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP) coordinator for elephants, described the “philosophy” of the Emirati zoos as “I got the money, I want to have it. I don’t care if that works.”

That’s why you can see limping cheetahs in traffic in Abu Dhabi or members of the royal family in Saudi Arabia walking around with lions.

A voice, I heard, said I was born to love | Prince Amir Al Saud | LinkedIn http://t.co/ZX2sbM7oJm pic.twitter.com/61Fl1eABQW
— Prince Amir Al saud (@amirofriyadh) October 1, 2015

Wildlife is sold to the highest bidder and so if you have enough, you can buy the most rare and endangered animals on the planet.

The outcome of the deal between Namibian poachers and the safari and zoo in the UAE was a lucrative deal finalised through middlemen rather than a non-commercial exchange between zoos, reports The New Arab.

Upon learning about the deal the EAZA decided to terminate the Al-Ain Zoo’s membership on September 15.

John Grobler, a Namibian journalist involved in the investigation is planning to draw on this exposé to call for sanctions against Namibia at the CITES CoP 19 meeting in November, which is considered the world’s most important annual summit on wildlife trade.

The zoo’s membership will end on December 31, 2022, following the decision of EAZA Council that EAZA can no longer reasonably be expected to allow the institution to remain as a member.

We hope that tourists will boycott visits to the safari and zoo and that the animals will be returned to humane parks and safaris.

“The decision comes after careful examination of evidence related to the import of wild-caught African elephants from Namibia, which the Council agreed constituted multiple breaches of EAZA Codes and Standards,” EAZA said in a press statement.

It continued: “The African elephant EEP1 clearly stated that no approval would be given for such an import. The Elephant TAG2 repeatedly and clearly informed Al Ain Zoo that no import of wild caught elephants was either necessary or desirable. In response to urgent inquiries from both these bodies, communications from the zoo were insufficiently complete and transparent.

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative illicit trade in the world, worth an estimated USD 15 billion annually.

“While all parties involved claim that the trade was legal and done with the well-being of the elephants in mind, international guidelines were clearly flouted, and involved parties were likely aware of this,” states EAZA.

4 Ways To Get Money For Free

Economy

Bhok Thompson

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September 22, 2022

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Taking out a loan is not a great idea in a recession but there are some easy ways to make a bit of cash using the internet. One idea is a small social revolution: get paid for sharing your internet connection.

Everyone loves free money, right? While there’s no such thing as a money tree, and really no such thing as a free rise (ask your mom) there are plenty of legitimate ways to get your hands on some extra cash on the Internet. From surveys to cash-back programs, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money without spending a dime. So whether you’re looking to boost your bank balance or simply want to treat yourself, read on for some easy ways to bring in some extra cash. The easiest of all is to spend less, live more simply. You can ask your mom about that too.

Surveys

There are plenty of ways to make money online, and one of the easiest is by completing surveys. Companies even one sin areas of renewable energy, electric cars, eco fashion, are always looking for feedback from consumers, and they’re willing to pay for it. There are a number of different survey sites out there, so you can choose the ones that best fit your interests

Most survey sites will pay you in cash or points that can be redeemed for gift cards. Payment typically ranges from a few cents to a few dollars per survey, depending on the length and topic. Some sites also offer sweepstakes entries as an additional incentive.

To get started, simply create an account with a survey site and start completing surveys.

Cashback programs

Cashback services are a great way to save money on your everyday purchases. A lot of people use it all over the world. Basically, you earn cash back on the things you would already be buying. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is through a credit card rewards program.

You can also find apps and websites that offer cash back on specific brands or retailers. When you shop through these platforms, you can earn a percentage of your purchase price back in the form of cash back.

Take Ibotta for example. Ibotta can be used at over 1,500 retailers, including grocery stores, restaurants, and online retailers. It is one of the simplest ways to get free money. All you have to do is download the app and start shopping.

Ibotta will give you cash back on your purchases, which you can then withdraw through PayPal or Venmo. There are no points to earn or thresholds to meet. You simply shop as you normally would and get rewarded with cash back.

Passive income apps

There are a number of different passive income apps available today. Some of these apps allow you to earn money by completing tasks or watching ads, while others allow you to invest your money in stocks or other assets.

While there is no guarantee of success with any of these apps, they can be a great way to earn some extra income. Many of these apps are free to download and use, so there is no risk involved in trying them out.

There are a few passive income apps out there that can help you make some extra cash without much effort. Honeygain is one of the most popular options and it’s pretty easy to use. Simply download the app and start earning money by allowing it to run in the background while you go about your day.

There’s no need to do anything else – Honeygain will automatically generate income for you based on your internet usage. The more you use the app, the more money you’ll make. So why not give it a try and see how much extra cash you can earn?

Listen to music

If you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, you may want to consider listening to music through certain apps. There are a few different apps that will actually pay you to listen to music, and they’re usually pretty easy to use. Just download the app, sign up, and start listening. Also, these apps should last for a long time, considering that music streaming is the most used medium for music lovers.

One of the most popular music-listening apps is SliceThePie. With this app, you can get paid to listen to new songs and write short reviews of them. It’s a great way to earn a little extra cash, and it’s also a lot of fun.

Another popular option is MusicXray. This app also allows you to listen to new songs and write reviews, but it also gives you the opportunity to earn money by listening to and rating unsigned artists. So if you’re a fan of new music, this is a great way to support up-and-coming artists while also earning some cash.

While we can’t promise that you’ll become a millionaire by following our tips, we do believe that there are ways for everyone to get some money. Trying them all out, especially together, will surely get you some money with little to no effort required.

Advantages Of Turning Older Properties into Smart Office Buildings

Bhok Thompson

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September 22, 2022

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Advantages Of Turning Older Properties into Smart Office Buildings

As far as smart technology is concerned, most people wrongly believe that it only applies to newly built properties. Though smart technology is certainly easier to incorporate into new constructions, it doesn’t mean that older office buildings shouldn’t also benefit from a modern upgrade. As office buildings are by far the largest consumers of energy, implementing cost-saving innovative technology is a must!

By following guidelines and investing the right amount of funding, even older buildings can benefit from being fitted with smart technology accoutrements.

The Advantages Of Transforming A Property Into A Smart Building

Energy Conservation

Smart buildings have the ability to lower its energy consumption which directly translates into greater savings for property owners. By monitoring water usage, lighting, and HVAC system dependence, owners can gain insight as to where the most energy is used in a building. Additionally, aptly placed smart sensors can also detect problems within a smart building such as malfunctioning technology or broken appliances which can hasten repair services.

Increase Productivity

Any team working on or in a building can greatly benefit from the insights they can gather through the use of smart technology. For example, it’s easier to schedule board meetings and conferences in an office building when a person has direct access to the ongoing schedule of a room. This means more focus is easily placed on productivity and efficiency thanks to a greater dependence on smart technology.

Better Indoor Environments

Office buildings can significantly improve the health and well-being of their employees by monitoring indoor air quality, room temperature, lighting, and ventilation systems. These all help manage the comfort levels of a building’s interior.

Sustainability

Smart buildings are perhaps the most famous for being highly sustainable and environmentally-friendly. Due to the extensiveness of the global warming problem, we’re faced with, it’s no surprise that many people are wanting to do their part by living and working in more sustainable smart buildings.

Modern technology helps aid sustainability through the use of smart monitoring. That means that it is easy to track the energy consumption of an office building in a non-invasive manner while also conserving natural resources such as water. Smart buildings can even showcase the amount of power being used to charge electric cars, how many ebike spaces are left in an outdoor area and even the air quality and Co2 levels of the specific rooms of a building. Knowing how much a building requires in order to efficiently operate can help landlords prepare for a sustainable future ahead while also having a significant positive impact on our planet and leaving behind bad habits.

Elon Musk wants to Starlink Iranian dissidents

Green Tech and Gadgets

Karin Kloosterman

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September 22, 2022

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Elon Musk wants to Starlink Iranian dissidents

spacex starlink from space, satellite — *SpaceX has deployed satellites to run Starlink*

Ever find yourself in the position where you are caught in a rat trap? That’s how the average Iranian feels under a conservative and brutal regime that forbids dancing, homosexuality or uncovering a woman’s hair in public. A woman just died in the hands of the hands of the morality police and you can get sentenced to life in prison for posting against the Regime on Facebook.

Using a VPN is not enough to get you around Iran’s censors. Elon Musk is hoping to dodge American sanctions against Iran to help researchers and anyone who wants it, access uncensored internet via his satellite-based Starlink internet service. My friends who live in rural Canada swear by Starlink, giving them a lifeline where cellphone data plans would cost hundreds of month. Many people can’t connect via cell phones even if they wanted to.

Musk’s Starlink network has set up thousands of satellites orbiting the Earth to provide a high-speed broadband internet connection to its users. It’s seen as a way for people in authoritarian states to bypass censors. But it’s a costly service, until now essential for Instagrammers living the #vanlife or in an RV. In Canada the monthly service is about $150 CAN or about $120 USD for a subscription.

Starlink has received attention this year for providing connectivity to the Ukrainian government after the Russian invasion. Still in doing so, Starlink relied on political permission from the Ukrainian government to operate. It’s not clear how it would operate with opposition from Iranian forces who are brutal in their response to dissidents.

American government supports dissidents in Iran

While US sanctions to Iran are in place, there is a loophole: the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in the United States has a longstanding license that “authorizes certain exports to Iran of hardware, software, and services related to communications over the internet, including certain consumer-grade Internet connectivity services and residential consumer satellite terminals authorized under General License D-1,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.

“For any exports not covered by existing authorizations, OFAC welcomes applications for specific licenses to authorize activities supporting internet freedom in Iran,” the statement added.

Who’s a dissident in Iran? They can beat you or torture you or send you to jail for 20 years or life if you dance on Instagram or say a bad word against the regime on Facebook. How about a woman’s death in the hands of the morality police which has sparked a nation-wide protest of hijab-burning.

Every day people like me and you with our own free minds and freedom of speech would be considered dissidents in Iran.

Technical challenges of Starlink in Iran

To work Starlink needs three pieces of hardware: A small terminal with a dish for the user, then there are the satellites flying overhead, but critically larger permanent ground stations that plug into the internet itself.

That last part will be difficult to smuggle in and operate under the nose of a regime but Starlink says if enough users are plugged in they can link to each other and operate like ground stations.

Creative ideas anyone?

Death by modesty police? Iranian women burn head coverings to protest #MahsaAmini

Karin Kloosterman

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September 22, 2022

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Death by modesty police? Iranian women burn head coverings to protest #MahsaAmini

A young Iranian woman, 22, has died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for improper clothing. Her death sparked anger on social media under her name #MahsaAmini.

Iran has released footage from the time of Mahsa Amini’s arrest up until she collapsed in a police station. Officials say she had a heart attack and pre-existing condition. People on the street, and her family, demand better treatment of people while in custody. Women all over Iran have been burning their hijabs in protest.

According to Iranian reports, Ahmed Mirzaei, who heads the moral security police of Greater Tehran, was suspended after the death of Amini. Her family says the police were slow to respond to her when she collapsed in the station.

The so-called “morality police” known formally in Iran as the Gasht-e Ershad translates to “Guidance” Patrol.”

Iran has a thing for policing modesty. If you are a woman in Iran your life can be a nightmare if you choose not to wear the Muslim traditional head-covering called the hijab. You can also go to jail (for 20 years) for dancing on social media.

Other personal freedoms are limited too –– such as the clothes you wear, dancing anywhere or drinking alcohol, or hanging out with men. Practicing homosexuality can get you killed in Iran whether you are a man or a homosexual woman. And now, that might happen if you choose not to wear a hijab and find yourself in police custody.

Mahsa Amini, without a head covering, in a coma at the hospital

Iran has a reputation for evaporating people, or for whisking them away and brainwashing them until they lose a part of themselves like the Godfather of blogging Hossein Derakhshan we interviewed in the past –– or Soheil Arabi who was sentenced to death for his Facebook posts.

While we’ve interviewed many women on the pleasure of wearing a hijab, (and while on the topic of pleasure, female circumcision in Islam) there are just as many women who decide to show their hair in public or on social media.

It’s a problem in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran’s been using cameras to spot women in the crowd not wearing a hijab and it’s a PR headache now for the morality police that a woman has died while in their hands.

The latest incident has sparked outrage among Muslim women in Iran who have started burning their hijabs, flinging them into the fire, the way women burned their bras in the 60s. It has also propelled Iran’s modesty police to center stage as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is rumoured to be flailing under poor health. He could die any day.

I don’t celebrate the death of anyone. But may Khamenei’s passing, in his time, be a time of renewal for Iranian. May it be a time that Muslims, Sufis, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and those without a faith practice, in Iran, be able to practice freely without hindering creativity, art and sensuality.

Heard the quote from Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi? “Although the 1979 revolution in Iran is often called an Islamic revolution, it can actually be said to be a revolution of men against women.”

Green Prophet’s been covering a sustainable Middle East since 2007. Curious about sustainability issues and social issues in Iran? Read all about Iran here. Or click on the Azadi tower below.

Earliest evidence of opium use found in Israel

Karin Kloosterman

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September 21, 2022

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Earliest evidence of opium use found in Israel

Our ancient ancestors were using opium 3,500 years ago and took it with them to the grave.

Opiate abuse in America and Canada has reached an all-time high. Solar panels in Afghanistan are ushering in an all-time opiate crisis. And we learned in Thailand that hill tribes people have converted their opium businesses into mangoes.

But opiates weren’t always the villain. New evidence suggests that opium was used widely in the ancient world. Archeologists in Israel have dug up ancient opium containers with opium residue in them from about 3,500 years ago. They believe that opium was used by mourners after the death of a loved one.

Found at Tel Yehud, it is the oldest source of hallucinogen use in history to date.

Using chemical dating technology the vessels date back to the 14th century BC, and the discovery confirms historical writings and archeological hypotheses that opium was used widely in the Near East.

Because the vessels are similar in shape to the poppy flower when it is closed and upside down, the hypothesis arose in the 19th century that they were used as ritual vessels for the drug.

Now, an organic residue analysis has revealed this guess to be true. Opium residue was found in eight vessels, some local and some made in Cyprus. This is the first time that opium has been found in pottery.

Ron Be’eri of the Israel Antiquities Authority says: “It may be that during these ceremonies, conducted by family members or by a priest on their behalf, participants attempted to raise the spirits of their dead relatives in order to express a request, and would enter an ecstatic state by using opium.

“Alternatively, it is possible that the opium, which was placed next to the body, was intended to help the person’s spirit rise from the grave in preparation for the meeting with their relatives in the next life”.

Vanessa Linares of Tel Aviv University who is doing her PhD thesis on the research explains: “This is the only psychoactive drug that has been found in the Levant in the Late Bronze Age. In 2020, researchers discovered cannabis residue on an altar in Tel Arad, but this dated back the Iron Age, hundreds of years after the opium in Tel Yehud.

“Because the opium was found at a burial site, it offers us a rare glimpse into the burial customs of the ancient world. Of course, we do not know what the opium’s role was in the ceremony – whether the Canaanites in Yehud believed that the dead would need opium in the afterlife, or whether it was the priests who consumed the drug for the purposes of the ceremony.

The discovery sheds light on the opium trade in general, the researchers explain. Opium is produced from poppies, which grew in Asia Minor – that is, in the territory of current-day Turkey – whereas the pottery in which we identified the opium were made in Cyprus. In other words, the opium was brought to Yehud from Turkey, through Cyprus; indicating the importance that was attributed to the drug.

*Eriola Jakoel finds gold coins along with the opium*

Until now, no written sources have been discovered that describe the exact use of narcotics in burial ceremonies, the researchers say.

The research was conducted as part of Vanessa Linares’s doctoral thesis, under the guidance of Prof. Oded Lipschits and Prof. Yuval Gadot of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Archeology and Prof. Ronny Neumann of the Weizmann Institute, in collaboration with Eriola Jakoel (pictured above) and Dr. Ron Be’eri of the Israel Antiquities Authority, and the study was published in the journal Archaeometry.

Busting The Myths About Virtual Learning

Nature

Bhok Thompson

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September 21, 2022

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Busting The Myths About Virtual Learning

Forest school and virtual learning — *Some virtual schools let you pick the topics and the rest of the day your kids can be hanging out in trees at a forest school.*

Online/virtual learning is conquering the world because it is readily available, accessible, convenient, and flexible for use. A survey found that enrollment for online courses grew from 26 million in 2016 to 189 million in 2021. Instead of adjusting learners’ lives to match the educational system, this online mode enables the learners to fit the learning process into their existing schedules. However, some people are still cautious to trust and use online learning to expand their education. It is veiled in misconceptions, which makes it challenging for students to accept it as a reliable option for gaining knowledge.

Busting myths around online learning:

Learning becomes difficult in online mode: One of the misconceptions about online learning is that it is challenging and involves many tasks. Whereas it is all up to the learner to decide the exact content and level of learning. It can be assured that the courses are designed for learners of every age group.

Online classes’ flexibility: Online classes are designed based on users’ daily schedules. So if you go out for a vacation or take a break, you do not need to worry about your missing lectures as they will get stored in your feed. And you can refer to them at your convenience.

Online learning is complex and insufficient: Parents usually do not want their children to take up online coaching as they feel that the educator would not finish the syllabus on time. They also are biased with the thought that their children or they themselves need to be well equipped with the system or applications in order to attend the class. Whereas any online course is planned while keeping in mind the syllabus of each subject. Moreover, an eLearning platform like Tovuti has the designation of being one of the most easily operable LMSs that enable both the instructor and the learner to have an interactive class, along with providing the ease of creating an innovative and engaging course.

Online learning is not cost-effective: Many parents believe that as it is an online learning program, it must involve the usage of a lot of gadgets which might cost them a fortune. But in reality, this mode of education involves no traveling charge. Moreover, these days LMSs are made mobile-friendly which means 750 million smartphone users can access any mode of online learning if they wish to.

Instructor’s taking online classes are not experts in their domain: There is no difference between a teacher sharing knowledge online or in a conventional classroom. All the teachers need to go through several tests and training before receiving the opportunity to deliver their knowledge online just like any other conventional classroom teacher.

Online degrees have no value in the corporate World: A college degree, relevant projects, and a good interview are sufficient to fetch you a job. The recruiter has little to no interest in wasting time over a worthless debate of which degree matters the most an offline degree or an online one. You will be given the same consideration as someone who attended an on-campus university as long as you can demonstrate that you would be able to do justice to the role offered to you. If your resume shows quite many skills and training taken up by you apart from your college courses, that might be an additional benefit for you in bagging the job.

Does not involve teacher-student interaction: Online classroom interactions encourage students to participate in group projects and actively participate in class interactions since they don’t have to face the crowd or be afraid of making mistakes in front of the entire class. Moreover, in a conventional class, not all the students pay attention in the class. There is always a group of few students who create unnecessary chaos and disturb the rest. Now, this unnecessary discussion is not possible in an online teaching mode.

Internet usage in this mode ruins students’ attention spans: Another misconception about online education is that using technology and gadgets like phones and computers may distract kids and that the internet cannot produce a distraction-free classroom atmosphere. However, nothing can prevent students from focusing on online classes if they can do so in a regular classroom. To learn the lessons given via online methods, the learner simply needs to pay attention and be patient the same way. And as they are not surrounded by their playmates, are in a comfortable environment, and understand that they are there to learn, students may concentrate successfully in online sessions too. Learning is made more engaging and fun with the assistance of the internet.

Conclusion:

These are all myths that students cannot learn well in a virtual classroom and that understanding gained through online learning differs from that attained in a traditional classroom. Many misconceptions concerning online education have recently surfaced. Despite the development of online and hybrid learning modes, and the fact that digital learning has been advocated in schools for decades, several misconceptions about its benefits and drawbacks continue to exist. Despite the widespread acknowledgment by educators with expertise in digital learning that these fallacies are untrue, media coverage and detractors continue to propagate them. This article aims to eradicate at least a few of the misconceptions mentioned above.

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The 10 best marathons in the Middle East

Marathon des Sables, Ouarzazate, Morocco – April

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, Dubai, UAE – February

Bahrain International Marathon, Bahrain- February

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, Abu Dhabi, UAE – December

Sahara Marathon, Algeria – February

Jerusalem Marathon, Jerusalem, Israel – March

Antalya Marathon, Anatolia, Turkey – March

The Dead Sea Ultra Marathon, Ein Bokek, Israel – February

BDL Beirut International Marathon, Beirut, Lebanon – November

Istanbul Eurasia Marathon, Istanbul, Turkey – November

Lesser known marathons in the Middle East

Symptoms Can Be Varied

It Spreads with Ease

Some Dogs Are at Increased Risk

Trojena part of Vision 2030

Distorted applications of renewable energy

Foreign starchitects plan Saudi’s future

Location of Trojena, part of Neom

Weather patterns in Trojena, Neom

Snow machines’ carbon footprint

Start research on communal living with CALL

Adrere Amellal Ecolodge

Al Karm Ecolodge

Ras Muhammad National Park

Sinai Bir Sweir Beach Nuweiba/Taba

Select camps in Nuweiba

Reduce Their Use of Plastic and Styrofoam

Grow Their Own

Skip the Chemicals

Keep Vehicles Well Maintained

Opt-Out of Mailing Lists

Learn More About Recycling

Volunteering

Final Thoughts

From Ottoman-era time in Lebanon

Surveys

Cashback programs

Passive income apps

Listen to music

The Advantages Of Transforming A Property Into A Smart Building

Energy Conservation

Increase Productivity

Better Indoor Environments

Sustainability

American government supports dissidents in Iran

Technical challenges of Starlink in Iran

Busting myths around online learning:

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