Arab World Research Articles

The Role of News Sentiments in the Connectedness of GCC Equity Markets

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This study examines the role of news sentiments in the GCC equity markets’ connectedness. We collected news titles for the period from 22nd June 2006 until 31st December 2020 from Gulf News, which is the most widely read English newspaper in the Arab World. We filter these news titles using a carefully designed list of keywords that capture public sentiment on matters related to financial markets. Next, we classify the news titles to compute the geographically distinguished sentiment indexes that allow for a detailed analysis of the source of news sentiment spillovers to compare the impact of domestic versus regional sentiments on the equity markets of GCC countries. Our quantile regression results reveal that equity markets in the GCC are most sensitive to news sentiments when underperforming. Moreover, our results from the connectedness approach suggest that the UAE equity markets are most influenced by domestic sentiments, whilst the KSA equity market is most influenced by regional sentiments from the other GCC countries. Mixed results are found for other countries. The time-varying component of this study also shows that the influence of news spillovers intensified during the major crises events, including the COVID-19 outbreak.</span></p>

Severe depression association with the addiction to fast food and smartphones in Jordanians: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe connection between psychiatry health, mental health, and lifestyle is under-studied in the Arab world. This study examined whether addictions to smartphones and fast food are associated with severe depressive symptoms in a cohort of Arab Jordanians.MethodThis research is cross-sectional. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure the severity of depression (PHQ-9), food addiction was assessed using the 9-item Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS), and smartphone addiction was assessed using the Arabic-validated Smartphone Addiction Scale. Using multivariable binary logistic regression, the relationship between food addiction, and depressive symptoms. Results: Data were analyzed from 426 participants, 264 participants (62.0%) reported being addicted to smartphones, and 156 (36.6%) reported severe depressive symptoms. The multivariable binary logistic regression revealed that severe depression was significantly associated with lower income (OR = 2.14, 95% Cl 1.34–3.41, P = 0.001), addiction to smartphones (OR = 2.15, 95% = 1.39–3.32, P = 0.001), and increased addiction to fast food (OR = 1.06, 95% = 1.04–1.08, P = < 0.001).ConclusionAddiction to smartphones, addiction to fast food, and low income were all associated with severe depression in Arab Jordanians, community awareness is highly required to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Arab–Israeli Normalization, Repression, and Impunity

Diplomatic normalization between Israel and Arab states, most recently in the 2020 Abraham Accords, has been hailed as a mutually beneficial form of peacemaking. But these “peace deals” often result in repression of Arab public support for the Palestinian cause, while reinforcing authoritarianism in both Israel and the Arab world.

Aesthetic experience and performing arts in the Arab region: towards an audience-centred perspective

ABSTRACT In this article, I engage with aesthetic experience as a central hermeneutic endeavour for theorising performing arts audiences in the Arab region. I argue that a critical engagement with Arab performing arts audiences’ aesthetic experiences necessitates both an archaeological manoeuver and a re-articulation of two keywords: ‘experience’ and ‘everyday’. The article advances, using evidence from research, that allowing the audiences of performing arts in the Arab region to speak may be a step towards democratising the triangular meaning making process among the performer, the audience, and the art institution, and a means towards dislocating, if not liberating, the categories’ Arab culture, art, performance, and experience, from their teleological articulations.

Defending the Reading of Imam Hamzah in “Makr al-Sayyi’” with a Silent Hamzah in the Context of Wasl

The primary aim of this research is to defend Imam Hamzah’s reading of “Makr al-Sayyi” with a silent hamzah, as this reading has faced objections. Among these, some Arabic linguists argue that it is incorrect to silence the hamzah in a declinable noun, as diacritical marks differentiate meanings. This study clarifies the reliability of this reading, which is traced back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the most eloquent of Arabs, as well as to the prominent Kufan reciter Imam al-A‘mash. Additionally, it is supported by the linguistic authorities Abu Amr and al-Kisai and was used by the Arabs in their poetry, the epitome of their pride and expression. The study employs an inductive method, tracing the opinions of those who oppose silencing the hamzah in declinable nouns without an apparent reason. This is followed by an analytical approach to understand the reasoning behind their objections, and then a critical method to compare the arguments of those who permit this reading with those who oppose it, demonstrating its validity in Arabic. The study concludes with several key findings, foremost of which is that Imam Hamzah’s reading aligns with a dialect used by some native Arabs. It is also a widely transmitted reading, making it impermissible to reject or object to. Many Arabic linguists recognized and documented this dialect, serving as a counterargument to those unfamiliar with it.

Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions and Inflation on the Construction Industry in the Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council

During the years of 2022-2023, the world economy encountered the significant challenge of supply chain disruptions due to COVID 19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and government subsidies during 2020 and 2021. In addition, COVID 19 disturbed the balance of the labor market; many workers retired, changed professions, moved, etc. creating a shortage of workforce. The supply chain disturbance and labor shortage lead to inflation rates that have not been seen for 40 years. The construction industry is a significant part of the any country’s economy including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries which is composed of: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. It is hypothesized that the GCC States are immune to such supply chain and inflation drivers due to the oversupply of imported work force and the economic prosperity that these countries enjoy. Is the construction sector, which is one of the leading economic sectors in the GCC region also immune as well? This paper attempts to examine this hypothesis through a survey designed to capture the opinions of construction professional operating in these states. This survey attempts to • Examine the impact of supply chain disturbance, labor shortage, and inflation on the construction industry in the GCC countries. • Figure out how the construction industry reacted to and dealt with these challenges. The findings of this research would give us a snapshot of the state of the construction industry and help the industry deal with the above-cited challenges. Keywords: Inflation, supply chain, construction industry, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

انعقاد الهبة وتمامها في القانون السوداني: دراسة مقارنة

The study addressed the subject of the conclusion and completion of the gift in Sudanese law, some Arab countries’ laws and Islamic jurisprudence. The study showed that the gift is concluded by an offer only and is not dependent on acceptance from the donee according to the Hanafi School, except for Zafar. According to the majority, the gift is concluded by an offer and acceptance, and the laws (Sudanese, Lebanese, Egyptian and Saudi) agree with the opinion of the majority. The study also showed that the gift of real estate is a formal contract in the laws (Egyptian, Lebanese and Saudi), and that the gift of movable property may be a formal contract if it is completed in the manner required by law, and it may be a real contract if it is completed by taking possession. Regarding the effect of seizure on the gift, the study showed a difference in the classification of seizure as a condition in the contract, as in Sudanese law it is a condition of completion, in the Hanafi school it is a condition of validity (and it was said a condition of completion), and in the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools it is a condition of obligation, but despite this difference the result in each is the same, as the contract is valid before seizure, but it is not executed - i.e. the ownership is transferred from the donor to the donee - and is not binding unless the donor voluntarily delivers the gifted thing to the donee, i.e. the donor has the option to take possession or not without being obligated to do so. The study also showed that seizure is a pillar in the gift of movable property in some of the laws referred to, which is consistent with the statement of Zafar from the Hanafis, who went on to say that seizure is a pillar in the gift.

Do the characteristics of the Sharia Supervisory Board affect the Islamic banks’ performance? Evidence from Arab countries

Do the characteristics of the Sharia Supervisory Board affect the Islamic banks’ performance? Evidence from Arab countries

Study on the Conservation and Development of the Maritime Silk Road in Guangzhou under the Perspective of World Heritage

Guangzhou, as the starting and ending point of the Maritime Silk Road, was the front line for ancient China to realize trade with Southeast Asia, West Asia, India, North Africa, Arab region, Europe, etc. It was the gateway for China to go to the world and the world to go to China, and the bridge of mutual recognition and mingling of economy and culture. This paper focuses on the conservation and development of the Maritime Silk Road in Guangzhou from a world heritage perspective, analyzes the historical value of the Maritime Silk Road in Guangzhou as a cultural heritage, cultural heritage conservation, and the challenges of the conservation process, focuses on the development and sustainability of the Maritime Silk Road, and proposes an integrated conservation and development strategy dominated by community participation, cultural tourism, and sustainable planning.

Exposure to family violence and school violence among Palestinian high schoolers: The moderating effect of gender and school climate

BackgroundThere is a serious dearth of research on the phenomenon of school violence in the Arab world. Moreover, studies have examined the relationship between students' exposure to family violence (EFV) and school violence. Objective: This study measured the correlation between Palestinian high schoolers' EFV (i.e., witnessing and experiencing family violence) and their violence against both peers and school staff. The moderating effects of gender and school climate were also explored. Participants, setting, and methodA pioneer survey was conducted among 1183 7-12th graders (about 55 % boys) in the Hebron district of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), using a self-administered questionnaire, and informed by social learning theory (SLT). Their ages ranged from 12 to 19 years (M = 14.64, SD = 1.47). More than a third (38.8 %) attended all-boy schools, 32.5 % attended all-girl schools, and 28.7 % attended co-ed schools. Most (71.2 %) of the participants lived in rural areas, 26.5 % lived in urban areas, 2 % lived as semi-nomads, and 0.3 % lived in refugee camps. ResultsA considerable percentage of students behaved violently towards other students, but the rates of student violence against school staff were lower. Results of t-test show that boys behaved more violently against students and school staff than did girls. Correlation as well as multiple regression analyses revealed significant relationships between EFV and violent behavior against other students and the school staff, which were moderated by participants' gender and perceived school climate (PSC). A negative PSC predicted a higher degree of both types of violence. ConclusionSchool violence is possibly learned as a result of EFV. This learning is more likely to occur among boys than among girls; however, it is less likely to occur where positive PSC prevails. The study's strengths and limitations as well as its implications for future research and for practice are discussed.

Logistics service quality and customer satisfaction: Evidence from Salalah Port in Oman

Purpose—Quality service plays a significant role in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of Salalah port service quality on customer satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach—This paper used a quantitative research design. Data were collected from 300 repeated customer of Salalah Port in Oman. Statistical Package (SPSS) version 25.0 was used for analysis of data and adopted to test the hypothesized model. Findings—The research findings confirm the positive influence of the five dimensions of service quality – tangible, empathy, reliability, responsiveness, assurance (TERRA) on customer satisfaction. Originality/value—The findings of this study develop the literature by adding empirical research evidence that the TERRA of Salalah port service quality which have a significant effect on customer satisfaction. The result also provide evidence from the Arab region where the data and research in this region are limited.

An Evaluation of Factors Influencing Nurses’ Preparedness and Response to COVID-19 with Focus on Saudi Arabia: Literature Review

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the preparedness and response of nurses towards the COVID-19 pandemic across selected Arabic countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. The research elucidates the understanding, preparedness, and strategies adopted by healthcare workers in these countries, identifying significant gaps in resources, training, and psychological support. Data were derived from various cross-sectional studies and validated online questionnaires, allowing for a broad comparison of factors affecting preparedness and response across different healthcare systems. The findings demonstrate varying levels of understanding and preparedness among healthcare workers, with gaps in resources and mental health support being prevalent issues. The study also highlights the role of knowledge delivery and sufficient personal protective equipment in bolstering effective response efforts. Based on the findings, the study recommends continuous education and training initiatives for nurses, improving information dissemination channels, ensuring equitable resource allocation, enhancing psychological support, implementing comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure, and promoting further research. This research underscores the necessity for swift, collaborative global action, enhanced strategies, and interventions to ensure the well-being of nurses and healthcare professionals during such crises. It provides insight into current response efforts, facilitates understanding of their effectiveness, and fosters informed decision-making for future health emergencies. The recommendations offered are integral to enhancing the resilience and readiness of healthcare systems for future health crises.

Translation and validation of the caffeine use disorder questionnaire in Arabic

BackgroundDue to the elevated global prevalence of its consumption, and the detrimental health effects it can have, caffeine use disorder (CUD) should receive a great deal of attention from clinicians and the research community in Arab countries as an area of concern. To help advance the field, this study aimed to translate the Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ) into the Arabic language, and examine its psychometric properties in community adults.MethodsA descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study was carried out during the period from May to July 2024. Arabic-speaking adults from the general population of Lebanon (N = 1858, 49.8% males, mean age of 30.05 ± 11.39 years), reporting caffeine consumption at least once during the last 12 months, were included.ResultsThe study’s results provided support to the theoretical assumptions of unidimensionality of the original version of the CUDQ, with excellent composite reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.90). Furthermore, the structure of the Arabic CUDQ was equivalent across sex, suggesting that the latent CUD construct has the same meaning in male and female adults. The highest CUDQ scores were reported by participants drinking 7 to 9 cups and 10 cups or more of coffee/per day relative to those consuming lower amounts of coffee. Finally, our findings revealed good concurrent validity based on positive correlations of CUDQ scores with nicotine dependence, depression and anxiety scores.ConclusionOverall, findings suggest that the CUDQ is appropriate and suitable for use to measure CUD among Arabic-speaking adults from the general population. Making the CUDQ available in the Arabic language can fill a gap in the assessment of problematic caffeine consumption in Arab contexts. Future studies are required to further confirm the psychometric soundness of the Arabic CUDQ in more representative samples, specific populations and other Arab countries.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intra-household gender disparities in the Middle East and North Africa region: A scoping review protocol.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a global outlier both for its low female labor force participation and investment in early childhood development services, and consistently ranks lowest on global rankings of gender parity. While the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global gender inequity has been acknowledged, specific challenges faced by partnered-women in MENA are underexplored. Additionally, with over half of the region affected by conflict and displacement, exploring these impacts sheds light on understudied gender disparities in humanitarian contexts during the pandemic. This scoping review aims to examine intra-household gender disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to a more comprehensive understanding of this particular public health emergency's worldwide ramifications. The hypothesis is that the pandemic has exacerbated women's pre-existing constraints in the MENA region, worsening gender inequities in economic empowerment, healthcare access, and general well-being. This review will explore intra-household gender disparities in decision-making, household labor division, economic independence, health, and access to resources and services during the COVID-19 pandemic that have been reported to have been affected by COVID-19 globally. Following PRISMA guidelines for Scoping Reviews, a comprehensive search will be conducted in APA PsycINFO, Arab World Research Source: Al Masdar, EconLit, Global Health, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, in consultation with an information specialist. Studies in English, French and Arabic from January 2020 to August 2024 will be included. Four independent reviewers will screen studies, and data will be charted, coded, and narratively synthesized. This review is expected to shed light on gender disparities in healthcare accessibility, mobility, and decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic across low- and middle-income countries in the MENA region, adding to the global literature.

Towards a “Glocal” Teaching of the History of Graphic Design

This article examines the teaching of graphic design history in Lebanon and other Arab countries, with a focus on the incorporation of a local perspective in the curriculum. The study brings attention to overlooked elements of culture, identity, and heritage in the teaching of this topic. It advocates for the inclusion of local designers’ voices as a means to challenge the prevailing Western-centric approach found in major institutions across the Arab region. By offering recommendations derived from the author’s personal experience as a design educator in Beirut, alongside empirical research conducted in Lebanon and other Arab countries, the article presents insights and addresses the impact of colonial encounters that have resulted in the assimilation of Western-inspired methods and perceptions of modernity. It further advocates for the incorporation of local and peripheral narratives to foster a more inclusive design history and provide a broader perspective. By conducting this research, this article contributes to the broader understanding of graphic design history education and its impact on the field in the Arab region.

A Comparative Study of the Translated Arabic Versions of the Novel ‘To the Lighthouse’ under Feminist Translation Theory

This paper, A Comparative Study of the Translated Arabic Versions of the Novel to the Lighthouse under Feminist Translation Theory, examines the influence of feminist translation theory on the interpretation of Virginia Woolf’s iconic novel. It focuses on two Arabic translations, both completed by female translators, to investigate how gender, cultural context, and personal experiences shape the depiction of Woolf’s female characters and the feminist themes central to her work. The study delves into the translators’ individual backgrounds and feminist ideologies, exploring how their perspectives and the sociocultural dynamics of the Arab world influence translation decisions. By analyzing shifts in language, tone, and narrative emphasis, it reveals how these translations navigate the challenges of preserving Woolf’s feminist voice while resonating within the framework of Arabic literary traditions. The paper also investigates the interplay between power relations, societal norms, and translation strategies, highlighting the translators’ efforts to balance fidelity to the original text with cultural relevance. It emphasizes the complexities involved in translating feminist viewpoints into a linguistic and cultural context where gender discourse often intersects with deeply rooted societal structures. Through this lens, the study underscores the transformative potential of feminist translation theory in reinterpreting literature, challenging patriarchal narratives, and enriching cross-cultural dialogue. By bridging feminist theory and translation studies, this research contributes valuable insights into the evolving role of gender in literary interpretation and cross-cultural communication.

Modern Irredentist Conflicts in the Arab World: Political Science and Socio-Philosophical Aspects (Part 1)

The article is devoted to the study of modern irredentist conflicts in the Arab world, examining cases of irredentist conflicts in countries such as Morocco and Algeria, as well as the situation around the island of Mayotte, which is the subject of claims between the Comoros and France. the article is based on the example of conflicts in West Africa and the Comoros Archipelago. The author emphasizes the growing influence of ethnic and nationalist movements that determine the nature of territorial disputes and pose a threat to political stability in the region. An important aspect of irredentist conflicts is the desire of certain ethnic groups to regain historical territories or to integrate with territories inhabited by ethnically close populations. It is indicated that the source of irredentist conflicts in the Arab world is, firstly, uneven colonization and, accordingly, the ineffectiveness of the application of universal consolidated mechanisms of decolonization; secondly, the differentiated nature of Arab-Muslim imperial colonialism itself in the historical past. The analysis of the political and social sources of conflicts allows us to comprehend their impact on the global political system and outline possible ways of peaceful settlement.

Prevalence of substance use among a sample of patients attending an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan

BackgroundThe issue of substance use is increasingly being recognised as a significant global public health concern. In relation to its influence in the Arab world, scholarly investigation continues to be regarded as relatively constrained in scope. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of substance use among patients with psychiatric disorders, as well as the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of this patient population.This cross-sectional study included 671 patients with psychiatric disorders who attended an outpatient private psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan, between January and May 2023. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of substance-using and non-substance-using patients. Bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate factors associated with substance use.ResultsThe patients were aged 20–80 years, with a mean age of 32.45 ± 10.18 years. Most patients were men, more than half were single and unemployed, and mood disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorder. Male sex, a younger age, lower educational attainment, current unemployment, and having a family history of substance use were associated with substance use. Substance users exhibited a higher propensity for engaging in self-harming behaviours, having medical conditions, and being subjected to emotional trauma.ConclusionsThis study found that patients with psychiatric disorders are vulnerable to experiencing substance use. Clinicians should contemplate directing their attention towards patients as a strategy to proactively address the issue of emerging substance use and enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Towards Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Higher Education in the Arab Region

Towards Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies for Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Higher Education in the Arab Region

Riddelline from Tamarix articulate as a potential anti-bacterial lead compound for novel antibiotics discovery: A comprehensive computational and toxicological studies.

Tamarix articulate from the Tamaricaece family is a halophytic plant. This plant is commonly called Athal or Tamarix in different Arabic and Asian countries. Due to the high load of polyphenolic phytochemicals, the plant has been used as a therapeutic option against several diseases for decades. The plant is an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory. In this work, the 222 phytochemical compounds of T. articulate from our previous study are used in different bioinformatic and biophysics techniques to explore their biological potency against different anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-viral targets. By doing so, it was found that Riddelline ranked as the best binding molecule of biological macromolecules selected herein in particular the bacterial targets. The binding energy value of the compound for the KdsA enzyme was -14.64 kcal/mol, KdsB (-13.09 kcal/mol), MurC (-13.67 kcal/mol), MurD (-13.54 kcal/mol), MurF (-14.20 kcal/mol), Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) (-12.34 kcal/mol), Bcl-2 protein (-13.39 kcal/mol), SARS-CoV-2 main protease enzyme (-12.67 kcal/mol), and Human T cell leukemia virus protease (-13.67 kcal/mol). The mean Rg value of KdsA-Riddelline complex and KdsA-FPE complex is 32.67 Å, and average RMSD of KdsA-Riddelline complex and KdsA-FPE complex is 2.31 Å, respectively. The binding energy complexes was found to be dominated by van der Waals (-71.98 kcal/mol for KdsA-Riddelline complex and -65.09 kcal/mol for KdsA-FPE complex). The lead compound was also unveiled to show favorable druglike properties and pharmacokinetics. Together, the data suggest the good anti-bacterial activities of the T. articulate phytochemicals and thus can be subjected to experimental in vitro and in vivo investigations.