WASHINGTON – As
political tightropes go, President Barack Obama is about to walk a
precarious line tomorrow in a high-stakes speech aimed at closing the
chasm with Islam.
But as the young American leader approaches the
dais in Cairo for what many hope will be a milestone of cultural
outreach, Obama can take solace in signals from prominent Muslim leaders
determined to meet him in the moderate middle.
Officials with
Cairo's ancient Al-Azhar University, widely regarded as one of the
world's great fonts of Muslim thought, this week announced the launch of
a new satellite channel to reclaim what they regard as the
authoritative Islam – a pluralistic, tolerant religion committed to a
peaceful planet.
The Al-Azhari channel is to go to air in
mid-August for the start of the holy month of Ramadan with a
24-hour-a-day blend of education and entertainment that aspires to meet
the bridge-building challenge "for the Obama era," says the project's
main benefactor.
"We've been talking about it for a few years. But
with Obama taking the initiative and going so far to calm tensions,
this is the moment to reciprocate," said Hassan Tatanaki, a Libyan oil
executive and philanthropist who seeded the station with an initial
infusion of $2.9 million.
Getting senior scholars at Al-Azhar on
board, Tatanaki said, was the crucial step in bringing the idea to
reality. While Islam has no formal hierarchy with which to render
religious ruling – Al-Azhar, founded in 975 – stands as the foremost
centre of Sunni Muslim learning. read more
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Satellite Channel to Challenge 'Islamic Extremism'
Sheikh Khaled el-Guindy, a member of Egypt's Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and a driving force behind the "Azhari" channel, told the Associated Press the channel would leverage the talents of Al-Azhar graduates to combat incorrect interpretations of the religion.
"Azhari will promote the idea that Islam is a religion of moderation free from extremism," he said.
"Several satellite channels right now promote a strict interpretation of Islam and issue incorrect religious opinions that fill young people with extremist ideas.
New channel for moderate Islam to be launched
Al-Azhar announces launch of new satellite channel to challenge extremist distortions of Islam.
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Middle East Online
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By Paul Schemm - CAIRO
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A
group of Muslim clerics connected with Egypt's prestigious Al-Azhar
University have announced the creation of a new satellite channel to
propagate moderate Islam and challenge what it describes as extremist
distortions of the religion.
The announcement comes just ahead of President Barack Obama's address Thursday to the Muslim world from Cairo in a speech co-sponsored by Al-Azhar University, Sunni Islam's premier educational institution. Sheik Khaled el-Guindy, a member of Egypt's Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and a driving force behind the "Azhari" channel, said the idea is to use the knowledge and skills of Al-Azhar graduates to combat ignorant interpretations of the religion. "Azhari will promote the idea that Islam is a religion of moderation free from extremism," he told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Several satellite channels right now promote a strict interpretation of Islam and issue incorrect religious opinions that fill young people with extremist ideas." There are dozens of Islamic satellite channels in the Middle East, with many receiving funding from the conservative oil-rich Gulf and propagating a very conservative form of the religion. "Audiences need people that deal in reality and respect reality and respect changes in the world. These channels don't present these things. Some of these channels are just ignorant of reality," said el-Guindy, explaining that graduates of al-Azhar university are well grounded in subjects outside of religion as well. Azhari is set to be launched in mid-August, at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and will present a mix of entertainment and educational programing, including children's cartoons, soap operas and call-in shows. The channel will initially be broadcast in English and Arabic, with plans to expand it to Turkish and Hindi, and will be viewable from Europe to Southeast Asia. "The idea is to really show moderate Islam, not this extreme one that is being utilized by others," said Hassan Tatanaki, a Libyan businessman who helped provide the channel's $2.7 million in initial funding. "Our aim is to be able to reach not only the Arab Muslims, but the non-Arab Muslims, mainly in the Far East, the Near East, places like the US and Europe." |
Libya Awalan TV joins CNN’s global affiliate network
CNN International has announced that Libya Awalan TV (which translates as ‘Libya First’) is to join its global network of affiliates. The partnership is the first with a private network in Libya and adds to CNN’s global presence, as well as its strength in North Africa.
Libya Awalan TV was founded
in March 2011, shortly after the conflict in Libya began, and made its
inaugural broadcast a few weeks later on 1 April. It employs more than
200 people and has control rooms in Tripoli and Benghazi, as well as in
Cairo. During the Libya conflict, Awalan’s reporters brought detailed
reports from across the country, and the station continues to report on
Libya’s ongoing recovery in five daily news bulletins and across
breaking news.
Deborah Rayner, VP and managing editor at CNN International, said: “Libya Awalan’s bravery and commitment to independent journalism during the conflict in Libya was an example to any news network, and their ongoing commitment to serious reporting is there for all to see. They will be valuable partners to CNN International and we’re delighted to be welcoming them to our affiliate family.”
Hassan Tatanaki, founder and chairman of Libya Awalan TV, added: “CNN is the original 24-hour news channel and a network that continues to set the standard in global news. It has a long-standing presence in and passion for our region, so to become part of its affiliate network is a proud moment for us as a young channel. We hope we can make a strong contribution to CNN’s reporting in a new and free Libya and beyond.”
Libya Awalan has recently covered a range of stories in Libya, from tribal clashes in the deserts of Kufra, to illegal immigration, student demonstrations in Benghazi, and the children returning to school in Zawiya. It regularly interviews Transitional National Council ministers and officials from the transitional government. Its programming includes news, political, social, and health reports, as well as sports coverage.
Deborah Rayner, VP and managing editor at CNN International, said: “Libya Awalan’s bravery and commitment to independent journalism during the conflict in Libya was an example to any news network, and their ongoing commitment to serious reporting is there for all to see. They will be valuable partners to CNN International and we’re delighted to be welcoming them to our affiliate family.”
Hassan Tatanaki, founder and chairman of Libya Awalan TV, added: “CNN is the original 24-hour news channel and a network that continues to set the standard in global news. It has a long-standing presence in and passion for our region, so to become part of its affiliate network is a proud moment for us as a young channel. We hope we can make a strong contribution to CNN’s reporting in a new and free Libya and beyond.”
Libya Awalan has recently covered a range of stories in Libya, from tribal clashes in the deserts of Kufra, to illegal immigration, student demonstrations in Benghazi, and the children returning to school in Zawiya. It regularly interviews Transitional National Council ministers and officials from the transitional government. Its programming includes news, political, social, and health reports, as well as sports coverage.
Exclusive- Another Libyan Club Chases Kotoko Striker Seidu Bancey
By Saddick Adams
Ghana league top scorer Asante Kotoko could be on his way out the club at the end of the season after top Libyan outfit Al Ahli SC of Benghazi offered a mouth-watering offer for the hitman, Ghanasportsonline.com can exclusively reveal.
The striker's contract, Ghanasportsonline.com understands has a year left and the Asante Kotoko chiefs are quietly confident of him signing a new deal but the offer will obviously deril their plans.
Bancey has been watched by the Benghazi-based side for months and they lodged a fresh inquiry this week, according to reports.
Al Ahli Benghazi, owned by Libyan Billionaire business mogul and philantrophist Hassan Tatanaki have made the ex Edubiase marksaman their first-choice target to strengthen their attack at the resumption of the Libyan league.
The Ghanaian giants have just crashed out of the Champions League to Liberian club Barrack Young Controllers in just the first qualification round and things doesnt seem well financiakky for the club as striker Yahaya Mohammed shockingly signed for Libyan side Al Ittihad Tripoli.
Seidu Bancey tops the First Capital Plus Bank Ghana Premier League with 7 goals in 10 matches.
Ghana league top scorer Asante Kotoko could be on his way out the club at the end of the season after top Libyan outfit Al Ahli SC of Benghazi offered a mouth-watering offer for the hitman, Ghanasportsonline.com can exclusively reveal.
The striker's contract, Ghanasportsonline.com understands has a year left and the Asante Kotoko chiefs are quietly confident of him signing a new deal but the offer will obviously deril their plans.
Bancey has been watched by the Benghazi-based side for months and they lodged a fresh inquiry this week, according to reports.
Al Ahli Benghazi, owned by Libyan Billionaire business mogul and philantrophist Hassan Tatanaki have made the ex Edubiase marksaman their first-choice target to strengthen their attack at the resumption of the Libyan league.
The Ghanaian giants have just crashed out of the Champions League to Liberian club Barrack Young Controllers in just the first qualification round and things doesnt seem well financiakky for the club as striker Yahaya Mohammed shockingly signed for Libyan side Al Ittihad Tripoli.
Seidu Bancey tops the First Capital Plus Bank Ghana Premier League with 7 goals in 10 matches.
Venture Capital Bank Acquires Stake in Major Oil Drilling Company
MANAMA, Bahrain, November 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Venture Capital Bank (VC Bank), a Bahrain-based investment bank, along with its partner, the US private equity firm Global Emerging markets (GEM), have acquired a significant stake in the MENA-based oil drilling contractor Challenger Limited. Established in 1991, Challenger currently owns and operates a fleet of 22 rigs in Libya providing drilling and work-over services of oil, gas and water wells, with offices in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
The acquisition was co-funded by VC Bank and its strategic technical partner GEM illustrating VCBank's non-conventional pursuit to attract North American and European funds and sources of capital to investment opportunities in the MENA region. This significant transaction was completed by a team from VC Bank and GEM, not only strengthening the successful partnership between the two firms, but demonstrating that the region hosts many attractive, yet obscured, investment opportunities represented in privately held companies such as Challenger that operates mainly in Libya.
The conclusion of this transaction by VCBank depicts the dimensions of the Bank's mandate to secure unique and attractive deals in the region for its investors and at the same time provide expansion and financing solutions to the regional small-to-medium enterprises in order to fulfill their untapped potential. Thus, the investment made in Challenger is mutually beneficial to both parties, allowing Challenger to achieve its growth plan and helping VC Bank to achieve its objectives of supporting regional companies and contributing towards the economies of the MENA region.
$25b needed to boost crude output
Tripoli: Libya's oil industry will need at
least $25 billion (Dh91.8 billion) in investment to increase its oil
production to two million barrels a day, said the chairman of
drilling-rig operator Challenger Ltd.
"Fields need to be developed, others redeveloped," Hassan Tatanaki
said in a telephone interview on Friday. "The Libyan oil industry needs a
lot of revamping. We have to reinvest to be able to get the proper cost
effective amount into the industry in terms of the country's production
level."
The armed conflict in Libya, holder of Africa's largest proven
reserves, has reduced the nation's output to 100,000 barrels a day in
July from the 1.6 million barrels pumped before the uprising started in
February. A full recovery of production may take as long as three years,
according to analysts' estimates.
Tatanaki, 53, said he intends to play a role in rebuilding Libya's
oil industry, of which Challenger's 35 rigs across the country "are the
core".
His Libya Al Hurra charity, set up shortly after the unrest began,
has been providing humanitarian aid and relief to refugees and those
displaced by the conflict in Libya operating out of Egypt, Tunisia,
Libya and the US.
"We're not just concentrating on just medical and food supplies,"
Tatanaki said. "We also want to play a part in other ways so that in the
next year or so we have a proper constitution, transparency that helps
create a democracy."
Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi continued to battle revolutionaries
in the Libyan capital Tripoli, as the opposition National Transitional
Council said the North African nation's humanitarian aid needs are
"urgent".
Rebel leaders worked to retrieve assets frozen by the United Nations
and individual countries in an effort to obtain funding for food, and
humanitarian and medical needs, transitional council Chairman Mustafa
Abdul Jalil said at a press conference in Benghazi on Friday.
Since fighting began in Libya, the number of people killed has "exceeded 20,000", Abdul Jalil said.
Refinery to restart
A refinery official says a major rebel-held refinery near Tripoli
shut down since Libya's rebellion flared will soon start up again, which
should ease fuel shortages that have sent prices spiralling.
Mohammad Aziz, a long-time operations manager at the Zawiya refinery, says, "After tomorrow, it will be operational."
He says the refinery will start processing stored crude first, and
hopes to begin receiving new supplies from the south in two days.
Anti-regime revolutionaries control much of Tripoli and have secured the road from the capital to Zawiya on Libya's coast.
In Tripoli in recent days, the cost of a 20-litre can of petrol has
leapt to about 120 dinars (Dh360), some 28 times the price before
fighting broke out months ago.
Source: http://gulfnews.com/business/oil-gas/25b-needed-to-boost-crude-output-1.858114
Source: http://gulfnews.com/business/oil-gas/25b-needed-to-boost-crude-output-1.858114
Libya Needs $25 Billion in Investments for Oil Production, Challenger Says
Libya’s oil industry will need at
least $25 billion in investment to increase its oil production
to 2 million barrels a day, the chairman of drilling-rig
operator Challenger Ltd. said.
“Fields need to be developed, others redeveloped,” Hassan Tatanaki said in a telephone interview today. “The Libyan oil industry needs a lot of revamping. We have to reinvest to be able to get the proper cost effective amount into the industry in terms of the country’s production level.”
The armed conflict in Libya, holder of Africa’s largest proven reserves, has reduced the nation’s output to 100,000 barrels a day in July from the 1.6 million barrels pumped before the uprising started in February. A full recovery of production may take as long as three years, according to analyst estimates.
Tatanaki, 53, said he intends to play a role in rebuilding Libya’s oil industry, of which Challenger’s 35 rigs across the country “are the core.” His Libya El Hurra charity, set up shortly after the unrest began, has been providing humanitarian aid and relief to refugees and those displaced by the conflict in Libya operating out of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and the U.S.
“We’re not just concentrating on just medical and food supplies,” Tatanaki said. “We also want to play a part in other ways so that in the next year or so we have a proper constitution, transparency that helps create a democracy.”
Forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi continued to battle rebels in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as the opposition National Transitional Council said the North African nation’s humanitarian aid needs are “urgent.”
Rebel leaders worked to retrieve assets frozen by the United Nations and individual countries in an effort to obtain funding for food, and humanitarian and medical needs, transitional council Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said at a press conference in Benghazi yesterday. Since fighting began in Libya, the number of people killed has “exceeded 20,000,” Abdel Jalil said yesterday.
To contact the reporter on this story: Massoud A. Derhally in Beirut at mderhally@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net
“Fields need to be developed, others redeveloped,” Hassan Tatanaki said in a telephone interview today. “The Libyan oil industry needs a lot of revamping. We have to reinvest to be able to get the proper cost effective amount into the industry in terms of the country’s production level.”
The armed conflict in Libya, holder of Africa’s largest proven reserves, has reduced the nation’s output to 100,000 barrels a day in July from the 1.6 million barrels pumped before the uprising started in February. A full recovery of production may take as long as three years, according to analyst estimates.
Tatanaki, 53, said he intends to play a role in rebuilding Libya’s oil industry, of which Challenger’s 35 rigs across the country “are the core.” His Libya El Hurra charity, set up shortly after the unrest began, has been providing humanitarian aid and relief to refugees and those displaced by the conflict in Libya operating out of Egypt, Tunisia, Libya and the U.S.
“We’re not just concentrating on just medical and food supplies,” Tatanaki said. “We also want to play a part in other ways so that in the next year or so we have a proper constitution, transparency that helps create a democracy.”
Forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi continued to battle rebels in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, as the opposition National Transitional Council said the North African nation’s humanitarian aid needs are “urgent.”
Rebel leaders worked to retrieve assets frozen by the United Nations and individual countries in an effort to obtain funding for food, and humanitarian and medical needs, transitional council Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil said at a press conference in Benghazi yesterday. Since fighting began in Libya, the number of people killed has “exceeded 20,000,” Abdel Jalil said yesterday.
To contact the reporter on this story: Massoud A. Derhally in Beirut at mderhally@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden at barden@bloomberg.net
Challenger Limited announces the closing of a major international partnership deal
Posted on
Monday, 14 January 2008
Industry Sector
Banking
Country
Egypt
Client(s)
Venture Capital Bank
Press Release Content
Challenger Limited announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. whereby Bronco acquires a significant stake in Challenger Limited in return for a combination of in-kind and cash contributions from Bronco. The Challenger shares acquired by Bronco are all newly-issued and will amount to 25% of Challenger's total issued and outstanding shares on fully diluted basis.
Bronco's in-kind contribution consists of six, different-capacity, land drilling rigs and ancillary equipment. Five of the contributed drilling rigs come from Bronco's existing marketed fleet and one rig is newly constructed by Bronco for the purpose of this transaction. This major partnership deal between Challenger and Bronco comes only one year after Venture Capital Bank (VC Bank), a Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank, and its partner, the US private equity firm Global Emerging Markets (GEM), made a sizable private equity investment in the MENA-based oil drilling contractor.
Challenger Limited is a company incorporated and organized under the laws of the Isle of Man, with branch offices in Libya, Egypt, and UAE, and a subsidiary company in Saudi Arabia. Challenger Limited currently owns and operates a premium fleet of 23, different-capacity, land drilling and work-over rigs, which at the moment, are all contracted for operations in Libya.
Challenger Limited, a prominent provider of contract oil, gas and water land drilling and work-over services, has over 15 years experience in providing services to major and independent oil and gas companies. Over that period of time, Challenger Limited has been operating in; Libya, Egypt, Tanzania, Gabon, and the Republic of Niger. The company has a strong client base, including nearly all state-owned and major oil companies in Libya, as well as International players such as Agip/Eni, Total, Marathon, IPL, Veba and Verenex Energy.
Mr. Hassan Tatanaki, Chairman of Challenger Limited, declared that " In view of the vast opportunities of high growth in the MENA region, we along with our partners have decided to go into partnership with one of the best-regarded companies in the oil drilling industry; namely Bronco Drilling Company. This partnership will energize and undoubtedly increase our capacity to expand Challenger activities in both scope and scale. This was based on our full confidence and faith in the investment model and general direction". Mr. Tatanaki said that "This transaction shows that the growing cooperation amongst Libya, the U.S., and the Middle East, is creating an attractive investment environment for U.S. and International companies".
Al-Azhar plans satellite television channel about Islam
The channel will be broadcast on both main satellite channels
operating in Egypt and will be accessible worldwide. It will initially
transmit in Arabic with some English and French programming and there
are plans to add content later in Urdu and Turkish. Azhari received
its initial 15 million Egyptian pounds funding from a Libyan
businessman and philathropist, Hassan Tatanaki.
Guindy told Reuters the plan really got going about a month ago, when he officiated at the wedding of Tatanaki’s daughter. “The father of the bride and I forgot completely about that wedding and started to talk about a new wedding, about how to introduce this new channel to the rest of the world,” he said.
Guindy is hopeful that a new age, which he dubs the Age of Obama, is dawning in which a dialogue between Islam and the West will flourish. And he hopes his channel will play an important role in that conversation. Yet for all his modern touches, Guindy retains a deeply traditional side. He preferred to conduct our interview not in English or everyday modern Arabic, but in precise classical Arabic.
Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/05/31/idINIndia-39998720090531
Guindy told Reuters the plan really got going about a month ago, when he officiated at the wedding of Tatanaki’s daughter. “The father of the bride and I forgot completely about that wedding and started to talk about a new wedding, about how to introduce this new channel to the rest of the world,” he said.
Guindy is hopeful that a new age, which he dubs the Age of Obama, is dawning in which a dialogue between Islam and the West will flourish. And he hopes his channel will play an important role in that conversation. Yet for all his modern touches, Guindy retains a deeply traditional side. He preferred to conduct our interview not in English or everyday modern Arabic, but in precise classical Arabic.
Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/05/31/idINIndia-39998720090531
Monday, August 25, 2014
INTERVIEW - Egypt's al-Azhar to launch Islamic TV channel
CAIRO:
In a bid to bridge cultural gaps and clear misconceptions about Islam,
Azhari TV is reaching out to a wider audience and is now available in
English, French, Urdu and Pashto in addition to its original Arabic
language programming.
Azhari TV was first launched following US President Barack Obama's address to the Muslim World in June 2009 where he called for a dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding between people of different faiths.
One year later, Azhari TV, the educational and entertainment satellite channel created to promote moderate Islam, has decided to expand.
“[Through Azhari TV] we're trying to show the people in the west and the rest of the world that the problem isn't in Islam but it's the misinterpretations by certain people that's the problem,” said Hassan Tatanaki, chairman of Azhari TV, in an interview with Daily News Egypt.
The satellite channel was founded with the aim of promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam and intends to counter extremist rhetoric which they saw dominating the debate.
Breaking language barriers
Operating on a new channel, Azhari TV 2, the dub of the Arabic language channel's original content into four additional languages, will enable the station to reach homes across Europe and Asia, spreading its message of reason and tolerance.
The channel aims to serve as a direct counterweight to more confrontational and aggressive interpretations of Islam that have proliferated in the last several years and exacerbated the turmoil that has plagued much of the Muslim world.
Through the expansion, Azhari will be reaching non-Arab Muslims that don't have access to a correct interpretation of Islam because they are limited to certain outlets.
The languages were not chosen after thorough research, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan and South East Asia. French and English were selected to cater to the Americans and Europeans, Arabs and non-Arabs residing there.
Azhari TV was first launched following US President Barack Obama's address to the Muslim World in June 2009 where he called for a dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding between people of different faiths.
One year later, Azhari TV, the educational and entertainment satellite channel created to promote moderate Islam, has decided to expand.
“[Through Azhari TV] we're trying to show the people in the west and the rest of the world that the problem isn't in Islam but it's the misinterpretations by certain people that's the problem,” said Hassan Tatanaki, chairman of Azhari TV, in an interview with Daily News Egypt.
The satellite channel was founded with the aim of promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam and intends to counter extremist rhetoric which they saw dominating the debate.
Breaking language barriers
Operating on a new channel, Azhari TV 2, the dub of the Arabic language channel's original content into four additional languages, will enable the station to reach homes across Europe and Asia, spreading its message of reason and tolerance.
The channel aims to serve as a direct counterweight to more confrontational and aggressive interpretations of Islam that have proliferated in the last several years and exacerbated the turmoil that has plagued much of the Muslim world.
Through the expansion, Azhari will be reaching non-Arab Muslims that don't have access to a correct interpretation of Islam because they are limited to certain outlets.
The languages were not chosen after thorough research, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan and South East Asia. French and English were selected to cater to the Americans and Europeans, Arabs and non-Arabs residing there.
Azhari TV to cater to wider audience in four other languages
By Safaa Abdoun
Daily News Egypt
CAIRO: In a bid to bridge cultural gaps and clear misconceptions about Islam, Azhari TV is reaching out to a wider audience and is now available in English, French, Urdu and Pashto in addition to its original Arabic language programming.
Azhari TV was first launched following US President Barack Obama's address to the Muslim World in June 2009 where he called for a dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding between people of different faiths.
One year later, Azhari TV, the educational and entertainment satellite channel created to promote moderate Islam, has decided to expand.
“[Through Azhari TV] we're trying to show the people in the west and the rest of the world that the problem isn't in Islam but it's the misinterpretations by certain people that's the problem,” said Hassan Tatanaki, chairman of Azhari TV, in an interview with Daily News Egypt.
The satellite channel was founded with the aim of promoting a moderate interpretation of Islam and intends to counter extremist rhetoric which they saw dominating the debate.
Breaking language barriers
Operating on a new channel, Azhari TV 2, the dub of the Arabic language channel's original content into four additional languages, will enable the station to reach homes across Europe and Asia, spreading its message of reason and tolerance.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Al-Azhar plans satellite television channel about Islam
Dressed in his robe and turban, Sheikh Khaled Al-Guindy sits in the
plush offices of the main benefactor of his new satellite television
channel and speaks about how modern technology can be turned to service
for Islam. The al-Azhar scholar, who in 2000 launched a phone-in
service for Muslims seeking religious guidance,
is one of the founders of Azhari, a 24-hour channel due to launch on
the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which this year will
start in mid-August.
The channel will be broadcast on both main satellite channels operating in Egypt and will be accessible worldwide. It will initially transmit in Arabic with some English and French programming and there are plans to add content later in Urdu and Turkish. Azhari received its initial 15 million Egyptian pounds funding from a Libyan businessman and philathropist, Hassan Tatanaki.
Guindy told Reuters the plan really got going about a month ago, when he officiated at the wedding of Tatanaki’s daughter. “The father of the bride and I forgot completely about that wedding and started to talk about a new wedding, about how to introduce this new channel to the rest of the world,” he said.
Guindy is hopeful that a new age, which he dubs the Age of Obama, is dawning in which a dialogue between Islam and the West will flourish. And he hopes his channel will play an important role in that conversation. Yet for all his modern touches, Guindy retains a deeply traditional side. He preferred to conduct our interview not in English or everyday modern Arabic, but in precise classical Arabic.
The channel will be broadcast on both main satellite channels operating in Egypt and will be accessible worldwide. It will initially transmit in Arabic with some English and French programming and there are plans to add content later in Urdu and Turkish. Azhari received its initial 15 million Egyptian pounds funding from a Libyan businessman and philathropist, Hassan Tatanaki.
Guindy told Reuters the plan really got going about a month ago, when he officiated at the wedding of Tatanaki’s daughter. “The father of the bride and I forgot completely about that wedding and started to talk about a new wedding, about how to introduce this new channel to the rest of the world,” he said.
Guindy is hopeful that a new age, which he dubs the Age of Obama, is dawning in which a dialogue between Islam and the West will flourish. And he hopes his channel will play an important role in that conversation. Yet for all his modern touches, Guindy retains a deeply traditional side. He preferred to conduct our interview not in English or everyday modern Arabic, but in precise classical Arabic.
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