Google Doodle celebrates prominent Tunisian physician Tawhida Ben Cheikh

Google celebrates the female physician with this doodle. (File/Google)
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Updated 27 March 2021
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Google Doodle celebrates prominent Tunisian physician Tawhida Ben Cheikh

  • The doodle honors the late physician, as a feminist and pioneer in and out of the medical field

RIYADH: Search engine giant Google celebrated on Saturday the life of Tawhida Ben Cheikh, the first woman credited to practice medicine in North Africa, with one of its iconic doodles.




A young Ben Cheikh can be seen here. (File/Internet)


The doodle honors Ben Cheikh as a feminist and pioneer, and marks one year since she was commemorated on Tunisia’s 10-dinar bill, making her the first female doctor on a banknote.


She was the first Tunisian female to graduate from secondary school in 1928, and proceeded with her education — sidestepping expectations of women prevalent at the time — to earn her medical degree in Paris at the age of 27.




Ben Cheikh became the first female physician to be emblazoned on a banknote. (File/AFP)


On her return to Tunisia, she opened her own free medical practice — a move that would transform Tunisian medicine by providing greater access to modern healthcare.


She later on became the head of the maternity department of the city’s Charles-Nicolle hospital in 1955 and in the 1970’s, founded Tunisia’s first family planning clinic.


Apart from her role in medicine, she was also a social activist and founder of Leïla, the country’s first French-language women’s magazine—becoming an icon for women in the region.


UAE, Qatar reject Bloomberg reports on defense capabilities

Updated 03 March 2026
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UAE, Qatar reject Bloomberg reports on defense capabilities

  • The ministry said the UAE operates diverse, integrated and multi-layered air defense systems capable of countering a full range of aerial threats

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have rejected Bloomberg reporting on their defensive capabilities, describing the claims as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the report did not reflect the country’s level of preparedness, technological sophistication or operational readiness. It said the UAE operates diverse, integrated and multi-layered air defense systems capable of countering a full spectrum of aerial threats, including long, medium and short-range systems that provide comprehensive protection of national airspace.

The ministry also said the country maintains a robust strategic stockpile of munitions to ensure sustained interception and response capacity over extended periods. It reaffirmed that the UAE’s defense capabilities and national security framework remain “steadfast and uncompromised,” stressing that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.

In a separate statement, Qatar’s International Media Office denied a Bloomberg report claiming the country’s stockpile of Patriot interceptor missiles had been depleted.

It said the inventory held by the Qatar Armed Forces “has not been depleted and remains well-stocked,” adding that the military remains at full readiness to defend the nation against external threats.

Qatar also criticized the publication of what it described as unverified information during a fast-moving and sensitive period in the region, calling it irresponsible and warning it is reviewing all appropriate options, including legal measures, to ensure the information is corrected.