• Competition harnesses technology to create innovative solutions that meet Muslim needs
 |
| Source: Dubai Chamber. Divine Connect receives the award. |
The competition, organised by Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) in partnership with Thomson Reuters, aims to connect global entrepreneurs with the resources needed to create innovative products that redefine the future of the global Islamic and digital economy.
Divine Connect manufactures translation handsets for pilgrims performing Hajj and umrah, as well as for Muslims around wanting to hear the Jumu’ah khutbah (خطبة الجمعة, Friday sermon) from the Masjid Al Haram in Makkah, and Masjid Al Nabawi in Madinah, KSA translated into their own languages. Sermons and announcements, which are delivered in Arabic, are translated in real-time into seven different languages, benefitting over 70% of non-Arabic speakers on Hajj or umrah.
The award was presented to Divine Connect’s President and CTO Mohamed Pazhoor by Dr Jumma Al Matrooshi, Deputy CEO, DSOA, Badr Buhannad, Executive Vice President of Corporate Strategy and ICT at DSOA, and Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance, Thomson Reuters. Divine Connect received a trophy and a cash prize of US$20,000 in addition to a range of business incubator services worth more than US$10,000, including free office space for a year at the Dubai Technology Center for Entrepreneurship. Divine Connect also receives an opportunity to establish its business in Dubai.
At the launch of the technology in September Mohamed Pazhoor said, “A team of product designers and engineers have worked tirelessly for the last three years on creating this technology to support digital equipment that transmits real-time translations of the spoken Arabic into Urdu, English, Indonesian, French, Turkish, Hausa, and Persian languages, simultaneously.
“We have already done several tests of this technology and are very happy with the results. This is a historic breakthrough and we remain committed to providing excellent service to the 20 million pilgrims who visit Makkah annually.”
At the award ceremony Mohammad Pazhoor said, “We overcame the challenges with sheer dedication. We want to take our project to the global level and welcome investors and partners. We remain committed and have an intention to set up a production and operation centre in Dubai.”
More than 250 applications were submitted from over 40 countries, representing a wide range of sectors including data, social media, e-commerce and many more. Applications were reviewed by a committee of experts comprised of business and industry leaders in the Islamic economy space. The five entrepreneurs in the field of digital Islamic technology and Arabic content who successfully passed the two initial assessment rounds to make it to the finals presented their business ventures towards supporting digital Islamic economy and enhancing Arabic content during GIES 2016.
Nadim Najjar, MD, Thomson Reuters, Middle East and North Africa, said: “The digital economy cluster plays an essential role in sustaining an innovative, competitive and a growing environment in developing economies, and the Innovation 4 Impact competition emerged from our commitment to nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Islamic digital economy sphere."
DSOA’s Bader Buhannad said: “We would like to congratulate all those who made it to the finals. They are the trendsetters in the Islamic digital economy, and their innovative business solutions are true examples of how we can take the Islamic economy to a new level.”
Ahmad Alshugairi, CEO of ARAM TV and part of the judging panel, said: “The ideas that were presented actually address and fill genuine needs of the people. I was happy to see the diverse range of ideas that again show how important innovation is to tackle challenges around the world.”
Divine Connect is working on adding more languages and aims to provide the service in 35 different languages.
Interested?
Watch the video introducing the translation technology
Apply to be a distributor
Hashtag: #GIES2016