AB Majlis

Dubai is days away from hosting one of the most influential events in global crypto. Binance Blockchain Week returns to the Coca-Cola Arena on December 3 and 4, bringing together industry heavyweights including Richard Teng, Michael Saylor, Brad Garlinghouse and leaders across Web3, policy, DeFi and AI.

In this episode of AB Majlis, Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa sits down with Kim Murphy, Binance’s Head of Global Event Marketing, to unpack what to expect from the 2025 edition. From the strategy behind Binance’s 1,500-plus global events to the speakers shaping the future of digital assets, Kim reveals what makes this week such a defining moment for the industry.

If you want an insider look at the ideas, trends, and conversations that will dominate crypto next year, this episode has it.

Nigerian hitmaker CKay joins Reporter Nicole Abigael on the latest episode of AB Majlis in Dubai to unpack the storm inside his head and the sound that turned Love Nwantiti into a 5-billion-stream global phenomenon. This episode dives into CKay’s self-styled “emo Afrobeats” how a heartbreak and a pandemic-era TikTok dance turned a deeply personal song into a worldwide anthem and why he refuses to “write for a global audience.”

CKay breaks down the rock-infused DNA of his latest number-one single Body (Danz) the rise of Afrobeats from Lagos to Bali and the Gulf, his rules for genuine collaboration in the Middle East and the legacy he wants to leave as an innovator of the sound, not just another star on the charts.

In this episode of AB Majlis, Arabian Business reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Abdullah Boulad, founder of The Balance Luxury Rehab Clinic, to discuss the hidden mental health struggles of CEOs, high-net-worth individuals, celebrities and royals. Boulad unpacks how burnout, addiction and performance pressure manifest differently in the Middle East and why wealth and status often amplify – not ease – these challenges. He also shares insights from his work with elite clients and practical steps anyone can take to restore balance, resilience and a sense of purpose in an age of constant stress and overachievement.

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In this week’s episode of AB Majlis, Tala Michel Issa sits down Hasan Fardan Al Fardan is the CEO of Al Fardan Exchange. From humble beginnings in the pearl trade 70 years ago to becoming one of the UAE’s most trusted names in financial services, Al Fardan Exchange embodies a story of vision, resilience, and enduring family legacy.

In this episode of AB Majlis, host Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Tarek Aboudib, the creative force behind Snoopy Beats, the cult-favourite Fujairah festival that blends music, community and escapism.

What started as a “full moon party” for 100 friends has evolved into a full-fledged brand spanning events, weddings, retreats, and production houses. Aboudib opens up about building a loyal audience without chasing superstar DJs, how Snoopy Beats survived Covid, and the art of turning a family-run beach resort into a national destination.

From the economics of festivals to the philosophy of hospitality, this conversation is a masterclass in how passion projects evolve into ecosystems.

Listen for insights on:

• The business model behind Snoopy Beats
• The rise of regional festivals across the Gulf
• The creative clash between generations in family enterprises
• Why Fujairah might just be the UAE’s next cultural hotspot

Gulf banks say they can leapfrog legacy rivals in the AI era — but only if they move faster.

In this AB Majlis episode, host Tala Michel Issa (Chief Reporter, Arabian Business) speaks with Steve Bertamini (ex-CEO, Al Rajhi and KGI; Kearney adviser) and Mukund Bhatnagar (Partner, Kearney; Global Lead for Financial Services) on where AI is already paying off, why mortgages still need humans, and how data quality, privacy and regulators will shape hyper-personalised finance by 2030.

We unpack fintech partnerships, the real threat from Big Tech, and what it will take for GCC banks to become truly AI-native — without losing customer trust.

Arabian Business has just unveiled its most ambitious ranking yet: the 150 Most Influential Arabs 2025. In this special AB Majlis episode, hosts Nicole Abigael and Tala Michel Issa take you behind the scenes of the list that captures who is truly shaping the region - and the world -right now.

Discover how this year’s sharper methodology and nine weighted metrics redefined influence across Visionaries, Disruptors, and Family Dynasties. From Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s rise to the number-one spot - unseating long-time leader Mohamed Alabbar - to game-changing entrepreneurs like Huda Kattan and next-gen dynasties modernising tradition, Tala and Nicole unpack the trends, surprises, and power shifts that matter.

Tune in for the data, the stories, and the names driving the Arab world’s next chapter - then explore the full list, live now on ArabianBusiness.com.

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Why can the UAE and Saudi Arabia adopt cutting-edge tech faster than almost anywhere else? Cisco’s regional chief David Meads joins host Tala Michel Issa to argue it’s not just the money. It’s the decision-making culture: fewer committees, more action.

Together they follow the data trail – from AI-ready networks and “agentic” digital assistants to the hidden plumbing of global internet traffic – to reveal why infrastructure, not just algorithms, decides who wins the AI race. Is the Gulf’s speed a model the rest of the world should copy, or a risky bet on a future built at breakneck pace?

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What if the next property boom isn’t about sustainability at all, but regeneration — buildings that give back more than they take? In this episode of AB Majlis, Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Alex Zagrebleny, founder and CEO of R.Evolution, the developer behind Dubai’s ambitious EYWA “Tree of Life” project.

Zagrebleny explains why he believes “sustainability isn’t enough,” outlining his Generation 5.0 vision: homes that purify air and water, shield residents from EMF exposure, and even host hydroponic farms capable of producing up to 20 tonnes of vegetables a year. He also makes the hard-nosed financial case, arguing that a modest 5% construction premium can lift a building’s valuation by around 15%.

From ancient Vedic design principles to 16-tonne crystal energy cores, this conversation explores how wellness, technology and solid economics might reshape the Gulf’s property market.

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In this episode, Reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, to unpack the bank’s bold digital banking transformation. As one of the region’s most digitally advanced financial institutions, Mashreq is reimagining what modern banking can look like by placing the customer at the centre of everything, leveraging AI, and rethinking traditional structures. We’ll explore how digital innovation is enabling more agile, inclusive, and scalable banking, and what this means for both individuals and businesses.