فتيان دجلة

**Published by Arab Scientific Publishers, the English original of the novel “The Watermelon Boys” has been translated under the title "The Boys of the Tigris." The novel is written by Iraqi-Welsh author Rukaiya Al-Zidani and translated by Rabi' Hindi, with review and editing by the Center for Arabization and Programming in Beirut. This novel was nominated for and won the Betty Trask Award, telling a vivid human story that presents a different perspective on the Iraq War.**

In the winter of 1915, while Iraq was engulfed in World War I, young Iraqi Ahmad—who aspired for his country's independence from Ottoman rule—left his quiet family life on the banks of the Tigris to join the revolution led by Britain. At the same time, thousands of miles away, the young Welshman Karoine reluctantly enlisted in the British Army and was sent on a campaign to Mesopotamia. Thus, Karoine and Ahmad's paths crossed, intertwining their fates together; their personalities changed forever, not only because of the experience of war they endured but also due to the injustice and betrayal they both faced.

Rukaiya Al-Zidani's debut novel "The Boys of the Tigris" offers a powerful retelling of the history of British intervention in Iraq, filled with poignant memories and rich with the sorrow and passion that arise when personal loss clashes with political fervor.

**The Author**
Rukaiya Al-Zidani is an Iraqi-Welsh writer who grew up in rural Wales and lived for a time in Gaza and Egypt before finally settling in Morocco. She specialized in modern languages at Durham University in the UK and later worked in journalism, publishing her articles in several international institutions. The author was a resident writer at the London Book Fair in Sharjah in 2020 and participated as a resident writer in Malta in 2023. Her literary works have been published by BBC Radio and in literary anthologies, with her most famous work being the novel "The Boys of the Tigris," published in 2018 and awarded the Betty Trask Award.

Until They Change What Is Within Themselves Joint Patrols: Security Coordination Between Damascus, SDF, and the International Coalition

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.