Arab Thought Foundation Concludes Its FIKR16 Conference In Dubai

The Arab Thought Foundation has concluded its annual conference FIKR16 titled “Stabilization Challenges amidst Regional Turmoil” held in Dubai, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. The three-day conference was concluded with a session titled “Towards a New Arab Citizen”, attended by: His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, President of the Arab Thought Foundation; Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al Issa, Secretary-General of the Muslim World League; and Dr. Ali El Din HilalDusuqi, Egypt’s former Youth Minister and professor of political science at Cairo University, and moderated by Professor Henri Al Awit, Director General of the Arab Thought Foundation.

Second, only to the role of the family, Sheikh Al Issa spoke about the importance of education when considering the influential aspects of mass media—a multifaceted medium that leads public opinion in avenues that affect even cultures and customs.“In this deeply integrated system,” he said, “change must come from within.” As such, Sheikh Al Issa discussed the need to formulate a national project that seeks to identify and support public interests when formulating cultural systems. “This will usher forth a more prosperous future through developing clear, transparent, and strategic plans built upon the criteria that demand that we keep pace with progression—while also considering and learning from any failure,” he said.

In order to implement these changes, Sheikh Al Issa noted three requirements: First, and foremost, the objective must be fair and impartial to any personal or private interests. Second, and without exception, the plans in all integrity must be carried out with full transparency. Third, each plan must be equipped with sound vision, goals, and timelines for completion—all of which should be available to the public to monitor as they desire.