The Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) has released issue no. 32 of Aafaq Al Mustaqbal magazine. The issue, which coincides with the ECSSR’s Silver Jubilee and the UAE’s celebration of the Year of Tolerance, includes a lengthy interview with His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance. In the interview, His Excellency discusses the Year of Tolerance initiative, and this year’s visit from Pope Francis and His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, who signed the Human Fraternity Document while in the UAE.

The magazine starts with an editorial from His Excellency Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the ECSSR and the Editor-in-chief of Aafaq Al Mustaqbal magazine. In the editorial, His Excellency looks at the ECSSR’s journey, and the role it has played since its establishment in 1994.

A variety of topics is then discussed throughout the magazine. In the ‘No More No Less’ section, His Excellency Turki bin Abdullah Al-Dakhil, Saudi Ambassador to the UAE, writes about the nature of UAE-Saudi relations in the face of common challenges. While the ‘Issues’ section explores three current topics, including the future of UAE-Korean relations, the transformation of the political scene in Mauritania in light of the 2019 presidential elections and Turkey’s attempts to reopen European membership negotiations.

The magazine includes comprehensive coverage of the ECSSR’s Silver Jubilee, prepared by a distinguished group of writers. They present their perspectives on the Center’s role in spreading a culture of moderation, supporting Arab issues and promoting enlightened thought in Arab societies. The special section includes a lengthy interview with His Excellency Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, during which he talks about the ideas behind ​​establishing the Center and the challenges it has faced. There are also reports on the role of the UAE Federation Library as one of the important cultural landmarks in the UAE and Middle East.

International topics highlighted in this issue include an article in the ‘Strategic’ section on the political and economic transformations witnessed by Latin American countries in recent years. While ‘Economy’ considers the future of the gas market in the Eastern Mediterranean region in light of the establishment of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum in January 2019. It also looks at the ability of Chinese tech giant Huawei to compete with Western companies. The ‘Interview’ section includes an interview with Rev. Bishoy Fakhri, patron of the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Anthony in Abu Dhabi, who talks about the significance of Pope Francis’ visit to the United Arab Emirates.

This issue also focuses on culture in the UAE and highlights one of its famous contemporary poets. The ‘Profile’ section is dedicated to the late Emirati poet Ahmed Rashid Thani and his unique experiences in the genre. The section also explores Qasr Al Watan, which opened in March 2019. ‘Sport’ focuses on the importance of the Abu Dhabi-Makkah Run Initiative, which saw Dr. Khaled Jamal Al-Suwaidi, Executive Director of the ECSSR, cover 2,070km in just twenty-nine days, from Abu Dhabi to Makkah. The issue also examines recent developments in various areas, including within technology and the media.