Latest news with #TRENDSResearch&Advisory
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS participates in International Conference on Human Fraternity in Indonesia
28 July 2025 15:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)At the invitation of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, TRENDS Research & Advisory is participating in the International Conference on Human Fraternity (ICHF) through its virtual office in Indonesia. Organized by the Committee in cooperation with the International Islamic University of Indonesia, the conference is being held under the title: 'Advancing Human Fraternity Amidst Global Uncertainties: Toward a More Peaceful and Prosperous World Civilization.' The event will take place from July 29 to 30 in the capital, is participating in the conference through its virtual office in Jakarta, with a research delegation that includes Dr. Sultan Al Remeithi, Director of the Virtual Office in Indonesia; Abdulaziz Al Marzooqi, Researcher and Director of TRENDS Global Offices; and Rashid Al Ketbi, Research will also contribute to the third conference session, titled: 'Media's Role in Bridging Divides – Combating Misinformation and Promoting Human Fraternity.'Al Marzooqi will deliver a keynote speech highlighting the role of media in promoting global understanding and reducing hate speech and the sidelines of its participation, TRENDS will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Economic and Legal Studies (CELIOS) on Thursday morning (July 31) at the centre's headquarters in Jakarta. The signing will take place in the presence of an official TRENDS delegation, which aims to enhance cooperation in sustainable development, energy sector transformation, and joint strategic this occasion, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, stated that TRENDS' participation and parallel partnership in Indonesia embody the organisation's vision of expanding knowledge, cooperation, and enhancing its global research presence. He emphasised TRENDS' belief that think tanks can make a tangible impact in shaping the future, anticipating developments, and providing sound insights and solutions—while also promoting the values of human understanding and Marzooqi expressed his appreciation for representing the center as part of a high-level research delegation at an international conference on human fraternity. He also noted the importance of presenting a scientific vision on the role of media in bridging divides and countering misinformation. He welcomed TRENDS' upcoming partnership with CELIOS as a significant step toward research collaboration that supports joint initiatives in energy, the economy, and sustainable development.
Al Etihad
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Nahyan bin Mubarak receives team behind ‘Al Wathiqa' podcast from Zayed Higher Organisation
8 July 2025 14:46 ABU DHABI (WAM) Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, welcomed the team behind the national media initiative 'Al Wathiqa' at his Majlis in Abu project was launched by the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory, with the aim of documenting key milestones in the UAE history through the creative voices of People of Determination, within a contemporary cultural the meeting, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak praised the project for its national and humanitarian message, emphasising that 'Al Wathiqa' stands as a pioneering model in leveraging media to promote national identity and empower People of Determination to actively contribute to shaping the historical narrative of the stated, 'I was delighted to meet this inspiring team, whose work on the 'Al Wathiqa' project reflects the essence of tolerance, empowerment, and community partnership. The People of Determination involved have demonstrated an exemplary model of media creativity, proving their ability to convey the story of the nation in a powerful and profound manner. This initiative is a sincere national voice that embodies the spirit of the Union and deep pride in the UAE's identity.'These efforts, he added, align with the wise and visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who places great importance on People of Determination and believes in their vital role in building society and contributing to national also praised the outstanding partnership between the Zayed Higher Organisation and TRENDS Research & Advisory, acknowledging the centre's valuable intellectual contributions and academic supervision that enriched the content of the podcast episodes and ensured their historical credibility, befitting the legacy of the UAE and its founding Secretary-General of the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, Abdullah Abdul-Aali Al Humaidan, expressed his deep appreciation for the meeting with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, highlighting his continuous support for People of Determination and the strong moral encouragement extended to the project Humaidan stated, 'We were honoured to meet Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, a longstanding advocate for empowerment in the UAE. His recognition of the 'Al Wathiqa' project is a badge of honour for everyone involved in this national endeavour. We are also proud of our strategic partnership with TRENDS Research & Advisory, whose scholarly support and rigorous content development played a vital role in bringing the project to life in its distinguished form.'He added that 'Al Wathiqa' is more than just a podcast; it is a comprehensive national empowerment project that merges media, heritage, and knowledge. It provides People of Determination with a genuine platform to share cultural content that reflects their pride in the nation and enhances their presence in the media landscape.'Al Wathiqa' initiative falls under the umbrella of the 'Talented Determination' programme launched by the Zayed Higher Organisation, which supports the diverse talents of People of Determination in fields such as acting, broadcasting, painting, singing, and podcast presents a unique experience delivered by five presenters with various challenges, who were professionally trained in voice and media production. Across 25 short episodes, they narrate stories from UAE history, including the lives of founding leaders, key heritage landmarks, cultural traditions, and significant national development was led by researcher Jumaa Al Darmaki, in collaboration with TRENDS Research & Advisory, which played a central intellectual role in reviewing historical material and ensuring the accuracy of the content. Al Wathiqa is part of the Zayed Higher Organisation's strategic vision to empower People of Determination in the fields of media and culture, reflecting a broader institutional goal of transitioning from care to leadership.
Al Etihad
08-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination delegation visits TRENDS, discusses ways to enhance cooperation
8 July 2025 10:27 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory received a delegation from the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination. The delegation was keen to learn about TRENDS's research and knowledge work and explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the two visit comes in the context of implementing the cooperation agreement previously signed, which aims to support people with disabilities and empower them to contribute effectively to the research and media aligns with national initiatives that seek to engage all segments of society in the development journey, particularly in light of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declaring 2025 the 'Year of Community.'During the meeting, both sides discussed the Documentary Series project, which was implemented in collaboration between TRENDS and the Zayed Higher Organisation. As one of the pioneering initiatives inspired by the goals of the Year of Community, the project highlights milestones in UAE history through the voices and participation of People of Determination, across 25 short episodes broadcast over three of TRENDS Research & Advisory, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, praised the visit, affirming that it reflects the strength of the existing partnership and the keenness of both sides to implement national projects that promote belonging and showcase the contributions of all segments of noted that the Documentary project embodies the shared vision of TRENDS and the Zayed Higher Organisation to empower people of determination and enhance their presence in national media through initiatives that preserve the UAE's cultural and historical delegation from the Zayed Higher Organisation expressed its pride in collaborating with TRENDS, appreciating its role in supporting the people of determination and utilising their capabilities in vital fields. The delegation affirmed that this partnership translates the goals of the Zayed Higher Organisation in caring for and empowering People of Determination within a comprehensive vision that believes everyone is a partner in building the nation
Al Etihad
07-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS launches virtual office in Paris to strengthen global knowledge bridges
7 July 2025 10:35 PARIS (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory has launched its Virtual Office in Paris, a strategic step to enhance knowledge communication between think tanks regionally and internationally. This move is part of the centre's comprehensive research strategy, focusing on producing impactful knowledge, particularly in foresight opening of the virtual office in Paris comes as the world faces growing intellectual and political challenges, highlighting the need for research platforms to promote dialogue and mutual understanding among move aligns with TRENDS' ambitious plan to establish a network of branch offices worldwide to support its headquarters in Abu Dhabi and cement its role as a knowledge institution that connects people and new office relies on an advanced digital infrastructure that allows the organisation of virtual scientific events and symposiums, and the production of diverse knowledge content in Arabic and French, accessible across TRENDS' digital elite group of researchers, international partners, and representatives of academic and intellectual institutions attended the virtual inauguration ceremony in France and the Arab featured a presentation about the office's objectives and plan for the coming Paris office aims to achieve several goals, most notably enhancing academic connectivity by building effective partnerships between think tanks, universities, and research institutes in the Arab world and the Francophone also aims to promote joint research projects and the exchange of expertise, focusing on knowledge cooperation with France as a pivotal hub of Francophone office also seeks to keep abreast of and analyse knowledge production published in French, especially in digitisation, AI, geopolitical shifts, and social and environmental issues, and translate or simplify it for Arab office will also serve as an intellectual and cultural platform by organising conferences, joint publications in Arabic and French, and facilitating multilateral dialogue on global issues of common interest, such as climate change and digital the office will encourage joint translation and publishing initiatives, promoting the translation of high-quality books and studies between Arabic and French to enhance the flow of knowledge and expand the reach of mutual intellectual and cultural of TRENDS Research & Advisory, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, said this pioneering initiative to launch a new office in Paris enriches the global scientific landscape and supports international research added that it reflects the centre's commitment to promoting scientific research, innovation, and knowledge as fundamental tools for sustainable development and human Al-Ali emphasised that the new virtual office aspires to link European scientific research communities and TRENDS' main headquarters in Abu Dhabi, aiming to create broader knowledge and scientific of the Administrative and Media Affairs Sector at TRENDS, Nasser Muhammad Al-Ali, highlighted the significance of this launch. He said that opening the Paris office represents a quantum leap in the centre's efforts to build bridges of knowledge and understanding between cultures. He affirmed that the office will serve as a gateway to strengthen intellectual dialogue and knowledge exchange between the Arab world and the Francophone added that TRENDS aims to offer insights into regional and global issues through this office and build strong relationships based on mutual respect and shared expansion, he added, reflects TRENDS' commitment to being an influential Arab voice in the international intellectual of TRENDS' Global Offices Department, Researcher Abdulaziz Al-Marzouqi, affirmed that the opening of the Paris office marks a significant milestone in TRENDS' journey to strengthen the knowledge bridge between the Arab world and the Francophone space and to open new horizons for intellectual dialogue and research cooperation, especially on issues related to combating the financing of extremist noted that this step is part of TRENDS' efforts to activate its presence in European discussions through direct engagement with academic elites and policymakers in France. This engagement helps promote mutual understanding and provides knowledge-based insights grounded in moderation and of the TRENDS Virtual Office in Paris, Dr. Wael Saleh, described the launch as a significant milestone in strengthening TRENDS' and the Arab world's presence in the Francophone research landscape.'We aspire for this office to become a dynamic centre for strategic thinking and analysis and an active platform for knowledge exchange between academic and cultural elites in the Arab and French-speaking worlds,' he added. He pointed out that the upcoming phase will focus on building research partnerships, launching joint initiatives to deepen mutual understanding, and producing rigorous studies that address significant issues facing today's societies, from geopolitical transformations to AI.
Al Etihad
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
TRENDS symposium focuses on stopping Brotherhood financing to safeguard Europe against ideological penetration
6 July 2025 10:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)A symposium held by TRENDS Research & Advisory stressed the need to stop cross-border financing that benefits the Muslim Brotherhood and its networks, warning of the intellectual and security threats resulting from such activities. It also called for broader cooperation between European and Arab countries to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat this complex symposium, organised by TRENDS in collaboration with French Senator Nathalie Goulet, was held in Salle Monory at the French Senate in the Palais du Luxembourg. Titled Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities, the symposium featured prominent elites, experts, academics, and officials from Europe and Arab countries. TRENDS Research Project Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, welcomed the audience and emphasized that financing extremist groups—particularly the Muslim Brotherhood—is one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary societies. He pointed out that since the establishment of TRENDS, it has adopted a research project to analyse the secret economic structure of the Muslim Brotherhood, asserting that understanding its financial mechanisms is a fundamental step toward halting its ideological and organisational Al-Ali reviewed the findings of the first research seminar held by TRENDS in Abu Dhabi, which concluded that halting financial support represents a necessary starting point for protecting European societies from organisational and ideological penetration. He explained that the Paris symposium is an extension of that effort, adding a deeper European dimension through the participation of an elite group of specialists in security, economics, and intellectual discourse. Financial Exploitation Senator Nathalie Goulet expressed concern over the growing volume of funds allocated to Islamic studies in Europe, noting that these resources are being exploited to promote Islamism and sanitise its image. She emphasised that such exploitation poses a direct threat to efforts to combat extremism and undermines both local and international stability, calling for a reassessment of the research funding system related to political Islam. Themes The symposium, held in the form of a workshop, addressed several key themes. It focused on mapping the networks of the Muslim Brotherhood, identifying obstacles to halting funding, and outlining a proposed roadmap. The discussion also examined the financial structure of the Muslim Brotherhood, the patterns and dynamics of its financing in Europe, and the challenges of disrupting financial flows through Blockchain technologies. The symposium also explored lessons from the Arab experience, the importance of European–Arab cooperation, the roadmap, and the role of media and think tanks in countering extremist financing. Strategic Analysis Dr. Wael Saleh, Political Islam Affairs Advisor and Director of TRENDS' Office in Canada, moderated the workshop. During the first panel, he addressed a critical strategic topic: Financing Networks and the Challenges of Stemming Financial Flows in Light of Cross-Border Security and Hybrid his intervention, he emphasized the threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood, noting its complex financial structure and remarkable adaptability. He argued that understanding its financing mechanisms is a prerequisite for formulating effective and comprehensive policies to counter the Saleh observed that the panel was notable for its intellectual and strategic depth. It offered an in-depth analytical perspective on the financing and infiltration of radical Islamist networks, particularly those affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The panel also contributed to identifying preliminary outlines of practical responses to the complex challenges posed by this multidimensional phenomenon from legal, political, and security further emphasized the importance of building on these discussions to launch new collaborative initiatives involving European and Arab institutions, with a particular emphasis on specialized research centers and think tanks. Dr. Saleh concluded that effectively confronting radical ideologies and their transnational networks cannot be achieved through fragmented efforts. Instead, it requires adopting a unified vision, broad-based mobilization, and firm, sustained political will. Extremist Media and the Islamo-Wokism Alliance Under the dome of the French Senate, Olivier Vial, Director of the University Center for Studies and Research, spoke at the workshop and addressed the growing influence of media outlets affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. He noted that specific channels, such as Al Jazeera, promote the Brotherhood's agenda among immigrant youth and marginalized also warned of the emergence of an alliance between Islamist movements and specific Western social movements—an intersection sometimes referred to as 'Islamo-Wokeism'—which contributes to the entrenchment of extremist ideologies in European societies. Emirati ExperienceHis Excellency Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, delivered a presentation titled Lessons from the Arab Experience. In it, he highlighted the UAE's model for dismantling the Muslim Brotherhood and promoting a discourse of moderation and citizenship. He explained that Islam is a religion of love, mercy, and morality, rather than a political project or system of government. He further pointed out that violent movements have influenced the Muslim Brotherhood and have established secret organizations aimed at imposing change by force under the slogan of 'changing the abominable.' Financial Structure In an analytical working paper, Hamad Al Hosani, Researcher and Head of the Political Islam Studies Section at TRENDS, argued that the Muslim Brotherhood relies on a centralized and sustainable financial model based on individual subscriptions, donations, and economic networks operating across Europe, Canada, and Switzerland. He pointed out that the Brotherhood can adapt to legal restrictions by using unconventional financial tools to transfer funds, which poses growing security challenges for European stated that the Brotherhood's financial system has evolved since its founding phase, which was initially linked to the "Islamic Transactions" company. It has undergone several stages, ranging from internal financial support to efforts to dry up its funding sources following June 3, group relies on individual contributions for funding, including subscriptions, zakat, and donations, in addition to support from affiliated economic institutions and international organizational networks operating in countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, France, and Austria. Think Tanks In a joint intervention, researchers Shamsa Al Qubaisi and Shaikha Al Nuaimi from TRENDS explained that European reports—including the TE-SAT report issued by Europol—have tracked more than €140 million suspected of being used to finance stressed the importance of think tanks in monitoring FATF Grey List jurisdictions through advanced analytical tools such as artificial intelligence, developing legislative frameworks, and providing cognitive support to decision-makers. They stated that think tanks have a unique capacity to bridge the gap between governments, intelligence services, and academic researchers. As independent and flexible institutions, think tanks are well-positioned to conduct in-depth analyses that monitor 'gray' threats that fall outside the scope of traditional legal frameworks. These centers also contribute to developing regulatory frameworks, enhancing transparency in non-profit organizations, and employing advanced tools such as data analysis and artificial intelligence to detect suspicious financial patterns. Additionally, they play a vital role in raising public awareness and dismantling the mechanisms through which extremist ideologies are speakers emphasized that TRENDS constitutes a global model for exposing the financial networks of political Islam, particularly those affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Through studies such as The Economic Structure of the Brotherhood, TRENDS has revealed the complexity of these networks. Due to its multilingual output and international research presence, TRENDS has established a shared knowledge platform that fosters global cooperation and supports decision-makers in responding effectively to evolving threats. Comprehensive and Sustainable Cooperation The workshop concluded by emphasising the importance of building a European–Arab coalition across research, political, and media spheres to develop a shared understanding of the nature of extremist financing, cut off the financial roots of terrorism, and establish a unified strategy to combat the Muslim Brotherhood and its networks.
