In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day, we welcome Dr. Naif Al Mutawa for a workshop on recognising and reframing negative thought patterns, building emotional resilience, and prioritising mental wellbeing in both daily life and the workplace. Through practical, guided exercises, participants learn to cultivate greater self-acceptance and transform unhelpful patterns into rational, positive perspectives.

Writer and former New York Times journalist Sara Hamdan joins us at The Arts Club Dubai to discuss her debut novel, What Will People Think? — an intergenerational story moving between 2011 New York and 1947 Jaffa, exploring identity, legacy, and the tension between tradition and ambition.

A Palestinian American raised in Greece and based in Dubai for two decades, Hamdan brings a global perspective shaped by a varied career in journalism, finance, and technology, including roles at Merrill Lynch, Google, and her Netflix short story award. In conversation with Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, she reflects on her creative process and the growing influence of regional voices in today’s literary landscape.

When Paul Griffiths arrived in the UAE in 2007, he took a bold leap from his role as MD of Gatwick Airport. Since then, he has led the remarkable transformation of Dubai Airports — guiding its rise from just over 34 million passengers a year to one of the world’s busiest international hubs.

In conversation with journalist Rosanna Lockwood, Griffiths reflects on the records broken and world firsts achieved under his leadership, and shares his vision for the future of aviation in Dubai and beyond.