His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, addressed Arab youth in an open letter in the inaugural issue of Popular Science Arabia magazine. The message has since registered massive interaction with audiences across the Arab World.
The magazine – a joint venture from the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Haykal Media – published the letter in its first-ever issue. Since then, the address has scored more than 32 million views on Facebook and over 17 million views on Twitter. Furthermore, the letter was published by more than 30 renowned media channels and publications around the Arab World.
For his part, Omar Mohamed, Agricultural Engineering Student at the University of Jordan’s Faculty of Science, said: “Dubai is a source of pride for us young Arabs; the emirate inspires us to persevere and go after our dreams. H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s letter in Popular Science Arabia, the Arabic edition of the world’s foremost scientific magazine, could not have come at a better time. It gives all of us hope for the future in the face of all the challenges facing our region.”
Bader Al Mutawa, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Hayat newspaper in Saudi Arabia, said: “The address written by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum bolsters the efforts of past and current Arab scientists, and defeats the stereotype that suggests the Arabic language is incapable of keeping up with scientific progress. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed has launched innumerable knowledge-related initiatives, and has consistently encouraged young people to delve deep into the field and develop the Arabic language to be compatible with all scientific concepts and discoveries.”
Al Mutawa applauded Popular Science Arabia’s decision to print the letter on satin paper, which allows readers to keep it on display in their offices and studies.
Jordanian Arabic teacher Asma’ Salman, meanwhile, said: “It is no secret that creativity and proactivity require endorsement and encouragement from leaders and role models such as H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Indeed, as H.H. said, waiting will inevitably lead to wasted time and missed opportunities. The time to take the initiative is now; the time to restore the Arabic language to its historic place in science and knowledge is now.”
Popular Science is a world-renowned American scientific magazine founded in 1872. It targets an audience of non-expert science and technology enthusiasts. The magazine publishes articles by successful, world-famous scientists and pioneers in science and technology.
The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Haykal Media launched the magazine to spread Arabic-language scientific content. The magazine will print six issues annually – and share content online on its website popsci.ae – to cater to science enthusiasts across the Arab World and provide them with simplified quality content, prepared by experts and research centers across the region. The magazine will additionally publish material from the international edition, translated into Arabic.