Check Archive

February 2008

• Emirates News Agency (United Arab Emirates) of February 21 carried the announcement by the by Sharjah's ruler, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, who is also member of the Supreme Council and founder and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Sharjah, declaring that AUB provost Peter Heath  was chosen to become chancellor of the  American University of Sharjah (AUS). The paper carried the statement by Sheikh Al-Qassimi who said that Heath was chosen "because of his demonstrated ability as a scholar and administrator in both the United States and the Middle East." The statement said the choice of Heath represented a consensus judgment of the university community, the Board of Trustees and Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi.
• Al-Ahram Weekly of February 24 reported on the sectarian tension the ongoing Lebanese political crisis is having on the country, in light of the demonstration marking the third anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, which took place simultaneously with the funeral of Hizbullah security official Imad Moghnieh. During the funeral, Hizbullah Chief Hassan Nasrallah announced that the party would be willing to wage open war on Israel to retaliate to the death. "The swords are drawn now, but I think we may see a softening in the 14 March position, because Hizbullah is getting serious and sees it as time to act, not react," said Ahmed Moussalli, an expert on political Islam at the American University in Beirut. Charles Harb, a social psychologist and political analyst at the university noted however, "A lot of this political rhetoric is meaningless, since many of the decisions concerning Lebanon are cooked in kitchens outside the country.â?
• Zawya.com of February 25 reported on a study by Professors Samir Makdisi and Mark Marktanner, from the Institute of Financial Economics at the American University of Beirut. They concluded that Lebanon's sectarian-based political system has caused it serious economic loss, to the tune of almost $24,000 in annual per-capita income, and prevented it from achieving a better democracy.
• Ar-Rai (Kuwait) and the Agency of Central News of February 26 carried AUB's statement that slain Hizbullah commander Imad Fayez Moghnieh was not an AUB student as cls by media recently.
• Aj-Jarida ( Kuwait ) of February 26 published an interview with movie Director Nabiha Lutfi about her latest film which represents the life of the well-known Egyptian Dancer Tahiyya Karyoka, and her other movies. The paper included a brief biography of Lutfi who was born in Saida-Lebanon on 1937 and studied Political Science at AUB for two consecutive years, starting in 1953.
• Ar-Rai (Kuwait) and the Agency of Central News of February 26 carried AUB's statement that slain Hizbullah commander Imad Fayez Moghnieh was not an AUB student as cls by media recently.
• Aj-Jarida (Kuwait) of February 26 published an interview with movie Director Nabiha Lutfi about her latest film which represents the life of the well-known Egyptian Dancer Tahiyya Karyoka, and her other movies. The paper included a brief biography of Lutfi who was born in Saida-Lebanon on 1937 and studied Political Science at AUB for two consecutive years, starting in 1953.