Robert Mardini had many guises at the ICRC, including regional director of the Near and Middle East for seven years, but each role was always much more than just a job. Photo: Shutterstock
On a mission: How former ICRC chief found hope in darkest of times

The Lebanese-Swiss humanitarian ended a long career at the International Committee of the Red Cross with the same pride and passion he felt on joining as a young engineer three decades ago. Now, he is preparing for the next challenge

July 04, 2024, 5:00 AM
A mural of Ramla Ali in Bethnal Green. Jacqueline Fuller / The National
Somali-British boxer Ramla Ali battles injustice where she finds a cause

East London's Bethnal Green is where you will find the fighter looming larger than life out of a community mural three storeys tall

February 08, 2024, 4:01 PM
Dr Khaled Azzam, Director of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, with some of the work produced by his students and previous alumni. Mark Chilvers for The National
Coronation pride for royal architect Khaled Azzam

After years lost in an educational wilderness, the Egyptian-British designer found his niche as a world authority on Islamic art and architecture with noble patrons such as King Charles III

May 04, 2023, 5:00 AM
Hafida Latta. Amy McConaghy / The National
A moveable feast: Hafida Latta's diplomatic road less travelled

After giving up a career in government service, the Tunisian-born wife of a British diplomat achieved more than she could possibly have imagined, one spoonful of couscous at a time

March 03, 2023, 1:33 AM
'I have a lot of work to do,' Nada Al Ahdal says. 'Girls need me to save their lives so that’s my focus. I don’t want to be a housewife now or in the future. I want to be a change-maker.' Photo: Nada Al Ahdal
The Yemeni child bride activist leading fight against early marriage

As a young girl, Nada Al Ahdal escaped two wedding pacts arranged by her parents. She has since pledged to protect others from being sold 'like sheep'

November 24, 2022, 6:00 AM
Laith Nakli on the balcony of his apartment in New York with the Empire State Building in the background, the skyscraper that set his imagination racing as an eight-year-old boy when watching the original 1933 film 'King Kong'. Photo: Laith Nakli
Being Laith Nakli: Hollywood actor's breakthrough role

British-Syrian star talks about reclaiming his identity and the need to keep things real

October 27, 2022, 5:00 AM
For Nora Attal, the coronavirus pandemic was cause for 'a big reset'. It made her sit down and think about what she wanted to do with her life. The answer was acting, and she has just graduated from the prestigious Baron Brown Studio. Photo: Viva
The eyebrows have it: why British-Moroccan model Nora Attal is going places

The London-born aspiring actress has a deep appreciation for her Moroccan heritage - which may explain why migration is an issue so close to her heart

September 08, 2022, 5:00 AM
Diana, Princess of Wales, with Paul Heslop, country programme manager for The Halo Trust landmine charity, in a live minefield in Angola on January 15, 1997. Since then, he says, 'tens of millions of mines, and millions and millions of bombs, shells and rockets have been cleared”. Alamy
Diana remembered - by the man who led her dearest campaign

As the 25th anniversary of her death approaches, demining expert Paul Heslop remembers the woman, their work together and her enduring legacy

August 26, 2022, 6:00 PM
Mennel Ibtissem believes that being a singer and sharing her music with the world is her raison d'etre. 'My ability to pursue this mission comes with my own spiritual growth,' she says. 'The more I know myself, the more I heal, the more I am able to write.' Photo: Lina Raziq
'The Voice' singer Mennel's calm after the social media storm

Lost after years of trial and tribulation, the French-Syrian reality TV sensation reveals how she navigated back to the light

July 21, 2022, 5:00 AM
Tom Gibbs, left, and Donovan Wright, the UK's first ever bison rangers, have spent the past 13 months preparing for the release on Monday of at least three of Europe's largest land animals at the ancient West Blean and Thornden Woods near Canterbury in Kent. PA
Bison roam wild in Britain for the first time since the Ice Age

Rangers hope to take the public for a walk on the wilding side as Europe's largest land animals help fight climate change

July 18, 2022, 5:00 AM
Sculptor Caroline Wallace works on a statue of Queen Elizabeth II riding her beloved horse Burmese, which is due to be unveiled at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Friday. Photo: Miranda Meiklejohn
Sandhurst statue to honour UK queen and her favourite horse Burmese

Sculpture by Caroline Wallace will be the first of the monarch at the Royal Military Academy in Berkshire

May 26, 2022, 5:18 PM
It has become an obsession in 'undoubtedly xenophobic, divided times' for Mohamad Hafez to use his mix of street art, sculpture and activism as a response to thorny issues such as the atrocities of the conflict in Syria or the dehumanisation of refugees. Photo: Fabrica
Man of parts: architect Mohamad Hafez captures Syria in miniature

Once a creator of skyscrapers, the artist and activist has scaled-down his work – but not his ambitions – to enshrine the calamity in his homeland using elaborate models

May 19, 2022, 10:05 AM
Aid agencies estimate that more than 24 million Afghans - 60 per cent of the population, including 10 million children - are facing acute food insecurity in the deteriorating humanitarian crisis.  Javed Tanveer/AFP
UN-UK donor conference can't mask plight of 'forgotten' Afghans

Ukraine's monopoly of global attention is a grievous error, according to ex-Army interpreter Nazir Ayeen

March 31, 2022, 9:56 AM
File photo dated November 1991 of freed Middle East hostage and representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite, on arrival at RAF Lyneham after being freed by his captors in Beirut. Issue date: Sunday January 30, 2022. PA
Interview: former hostage Terry Waite sent emails of hope to Nazanin

Interview: Waite tells 'The National' the aid worker needs to gently assimilate back into life 'as though rising from the seabed' after being detained for 2,173 days

March 17, 2022, 6:38 PM
The author and illustrator Nadine Kaadan has become a champion of inclusive representation, determined that no child, regardless of ethnicity, sex, background or religion, will be left behind. Photo: Nadine Kaadan
Through the looking-glass of Syrian author and illustrator Nadine Kaadan

The acclaimed artist has spoken of the life-changing moment she found herself in a story, and the hope that processing her nostalgia can help all children do the same

March 03, 2022, 6:00 AM