This Year's Speakers

Author

A British author and novelist, one of the most prominent contemporary writers of historical fiction, known for his exceptional skill in bringing history to life through his characters and events. He has created epic works such as the "Emperor" series, which explores the life of Julius Caesar, and the "Conqueror" series, which tells the story of Genghis Khan and the building of his empire.

Blending historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling, Iggulden takes readers on thrilling journeys through time, allowing them to witness the grandeur of empires and the struggles of their leaders. His works not only recount the stories of the past but make the reader live through them in vivid detail.

Physician and Author of over 95 books on Integrative Well-Being and Spiritual Intelligence, and Founder of Cyberhuman.ai and DeepakChopra.ai

Dr Deepak Chopra is one of the 100 most influential people in the world, according to "Time" magazine. For over three decades, he has been at the forefront of the meditation revolution.

His works have exceeded 90 books, with 15 of them becoming bestsellers on "The New York Times list". His books have been translated into 43 languages, reaching millions of readers worldwide, making him a leading voice in the fields of integrative medicine and personal transformation.

Dr Chopra holds the position of Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, and he continues to offer insights that combine science and meditation.

Political Analyst, and Winner of Sard Al Thahab Award

American political analyst and academic, and winner of Sard Al Thahab Award. Currently serving as a Professor of Political Science at the United Arab Emirates University.

He is one of the leading researchers in Arab civilisations, blending his inspiring vision with his academic background. Dr. Roy believes that Arab civilisation not only preserved knowledge but also served as a source of new creations in science, philosophy, and the arts. He focuses on highlighting the pivotal role of the Arabic language in shaping the course of humanity.

Actor and President of the Cairo International Film Festival

A prominent Egyptian actor and president of the current Cairo International Film Festival.

He graduated from the High Cinema Institute and continued to study directing in the USA.

He commenced his career in the late 60s and achieved fame soon after, positioning himself as one of the most important Egyptian cinema stars since the 70s.

Throughout his career, Hussein Fahmy participated in over 100 cinematic and TV works of different genres, including romance, drama, and thriller. His significant contributions to cinema, along with his cultural and artistic influence, granted him a pioneering position in the Egyptian and Arab art scenes up until this moment.

Author and Novelist

A Saudi writer and novelist, known for his works in the fantasy and historical fantasy genres. His writing style is characterised by a thrilling tone and cinematic storytelling. He has published around 32 novels, some of which have been translated into English.

Almuslim is particularly fascinated by the world of the seas and blends maritime myths with his imaginative worlds, showcasing these realms in several of his novels.

He has gained widespread fame in the Arab world, with his works enjoying a large following.

In 2024, he won the Literature Award in the fourth edition of the National Cultural Awards Initiative.

Dr Khaled Ghattas is a researcher and thinker known for his unique approach to simplifying scientific and philosophical concepts and connecting them to everyday life. Holding a PhD in Molecular Biology, his passion extends beyond laboratories into the realms of thought and personal development. Through his books and lectures, Dr Ghattas provides deep insights into human nature, society, and the power of ideas and words.

With a style that blends science, philosophy, and real-world experiences, Dr Ghattas has become an inspiration to many, encouraging critical thinking and challenging conventional wisdom. He has spoken at various events and conferences, delivering content that resonates with the essence of the human experience.

Historian, Academic, and Professor of History at Queen Mary University - London

A prominent British historian and one of the leading specialists in the 20th-century French history. He holds the position of Professor of History at the Queen Mary University of London.

He earned his PhD from Peterhouse College at the University of Cambridge, with a thesis focused on the Great Depression in France.

Dr Jackson has dedicated his research to studying the political and social history of France, with a particular emphasis on World War II, the Popular Front, and the Vichy regime.

Some of his major works include "France: The Dark Years 1940-1944" and "The Fall of France". His book "De Gaulle: A Certain Idea of France" (2018) won the Duff Cooper Prize and is a comprehensive account of the life of French leader Charles de Gaulle. In 2023, he published "France on Trial: The Case of Marshal Pétain", which won the Duff Cooper Prize for the second time.

Dr Jackson is a fellow of the British Academy and a member of the Royal Historical Society, reflecting his profound influence on the study of contemporary European history.

International Jewellery Designer, Founder of "Azza Fahmy Jewellery", and Chairperson of "Egypt Jewels" Company

An Egyptian jewellery designer and chairperson of "Egypt Jewels". She was the first woman to train in the jewellery district of Egypt.

Azza Fahmy graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Department of Interior Design, and drew much of her design inspiration from medieval jewellery.

In 2013, she established the "Azza Fahmy" Design Studio in partnership with "Alchemya".

Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award 2025 - Literature and Arts Category

An Algerian novelist and one of the most prominent names in contemporary Arabic literature. He earned a PhD in Literature and taught at Algerian universities before moving to France, where he currently serves as a Professor of Literature at the Sorbonne University.

His works are known for their masterful narrative style, blending history and fiction, while exploring themes of identity, exile, and freedom. In 2023, he was awarded the Great Arab Minds Award as well as the Sultan Qaboos Prize.

Among his most notable novels are "Book of the Prince", "Butterfly Kingdom", and "Sonata for Jerusalem Ghost". His works have received multiple awards, including the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (2015) for "Butterfly Kingdom" and the Katara Prize for Arabic Novel (2016). His works have been translated into multiple languages.

Secretary General of Great Arab Minds

Secretary General of Great Arab Minds, Director General of the Federal Youth Foundation in the UAE, Executive Director of Youth at the UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and CEO of Strategies at the Arab Youth Center.

He has overseen more than fifty national projects, including the development of the national youth agenda and the empowerment model for Emirati youth in the UAE.

He is a graduate of the Mohammed bin Rashid Programme for Leadership Development and holds a degree in Communications Engineering from Khalifa University, where he worked as an engineer at Emirates Telecommunications Corporation before joining the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. He also holds an MBA from the American University of Sharjah.

He started his professional career in the banking sector, working at Emirates Islamic Bank, and later held several leadership roles in investment relations, localisation, and institutional development at organisations such as Dubai Silicon Oasis and Noor Bank.

Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for the Egyptian Presidency of COP27

Dr Mohieldin was appointed by the Egyptian Government as the Climate Action Champion at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). He also served as the World Bank Group’s Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations and Partnerships.

He graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences in 1986 and continued to achieve a Master’s in Economics and Social Policy Analysis from the University of York, United Kingdom, a Diploma of Development Economics and a PhD in Economics from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin was the former Minister of Investment of Egypt (2004 - 2010) before becoming the first Arab managing director of the World Bank.

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution

HE Maqsoud Kruse is the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution, a position he has held since its establishment in 2021. Prior to this, he served as the Strategic Communications Advisor to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and was a member of the National Media Team appointed by the Cabinet. He also previously held the position of Executive Director of the Hedayah International Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, a role he undertook since its establishment in 2012. Hedayah is an independent international research and applied institution aimed at combating violent extremism in all its forms through dialogue, capacity-building activities, and research.

In addition to his leadership and advisory roles, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Think Tanks, Training, and Policy Centres at the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) in Geneva since its inception in November 2014. GCERF is a public-private partnership supporting local initiatives to counter violent extremism.

Earlier in his career, he held positions as Head of Planning and later as the Psychological Affairs Advisor at Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL), a subsidiary of Emirates Advanced Investments Group. He also started his career as an Organisational Psychologist, working in various fields related to applied psychology, strategic planning, and leadership development during his service in the Armed Forces of the United Arab Emirates.

He holds a Master's degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the United Arab Emirates University.

Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award 2025 - Natural Sciences Category

Professor Omar M Yaghi is a prominent chemist and innovator in the field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), and one of the leading scientists in natural sciences. He was awarded the Great Arab Minds Award in the category of Natural Sciences in recognition of his exceptional contributions to advancing this groundbreaking scientific field.

Professor Yaghi is one of the top scientists in the field of chemistry, having been a great contributor to the development of advanced techniques in designing Metal-Organic Frameworks. These MOFs are used in various applications, including energy storage, environmental pollution removal, and the storage of gases such as hydrogen and methane. His scientific work is considered pivotal in understanding complex chemical interactions and their practical applications.

Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award 2025 - Architecture Category

A principal architect at Sahel Al Hiyari for Architecture. He holds dual bachelor's degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and a master’s in Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. He continued his education at the University of Venice, where he also took on teaching responsibilities (1993-1995).

His academic contributions include supervising "Arch Lab" with the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, teaching at Harvard (2010) and the American University of Beirut (2011), and lecturing at top institutions like Columbia, ETH Zurich, and Harvard.

His work has been exhibited internationally, including the 2021 Venice Biennale of Architecture and "Arab Design Now 2024" by Qatar Museums. In 2002, he became the first architect to receive the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative Fellowship under Álvaro Siza’s supervision. In 2025, he won the Great Arab Minds Award in architecture and design, presented by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

His innovation went beyond architecture to visual arts, as he showcased his work in Jordan, Lebanon, and Italy.