March 2026 Edition

G
reetings dear readers,

Three days ago, I witnessed a small but powerful moment that reminded me why I am proud to call the United Arab Emirates home.

At a red light, a Noon delivery rider in his yellow-and-black uniform stopped his bike in front of my car. He took a small bottle of water from his delivery box and, after more than twelve hours of fasting, took his first long-awaited sip. He smiled with quiet happiness, savoring that simple moment.

The light turned green, yet the line of cars did not move, he was still drinking. And no one honked. No one showed irritation. A few seconds later, he stopped, warmly thanked the drivers for their patience, and sped off to continue delivering food across Dubai.

In that brief pause, I felt the true spirit of the UAE: tolerance, resilience, cooperation, and mutual respect. The Holy Month of Ramadan only deepens these values, patience, understanding, generosity, solidarity. We see them around us every day in the Emirates, and in this issue, we share stories that reflect this same spirit — stories that inspire confidence and hope for tomorrow, and perhaps help us live with a little less stress in our fast-paced world.

In our cover story, we witness a thoughtful and respectful leadership transition at e&, one of the Middle East’s largest telecommunications groups. We explore the carefully managed succession from Hatem Dowidar to Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, highlighting continuity, stability, and vision.

We are reminded that our safety is strengthened by advanced technologies and capable leadership, including Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of EDGE Group, whose work positions the UAE at the forefront of innovation and security.

The region is also preparing for a technological milestone, the launch of Stargate UAE, the largest AI infrastructure cluster in the region, led by Peng Xiao, Chief Executive Officer of G42.

As financial uncertainty concerns many, Hayssam El Masri, Senior Executive Officer at Ento Capital, shares key insights into building a successful investment strategy in unpredictable times.

While the modern world races toward ever-higher speeds and constant competition, wellbeing expert and UAE Ministry of Happiness consultant Hanan Al Sammak gently reminds us that it is possible to achieve our dreams without stress and burnout.

In education, Aparna Verma, CEO of Scholars International Group, addresses the everyday anxieties of parents and offers thoughtful solutions focused on children’s wellbeing.

Entrepreneur Maxim Haartsen, founder of Ejaby, is building a bold e-commerce platform that allows consumers to purchase premium products at better prices while helping to reduce food waste,  proving that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.

Chemist and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Zeinab Saeed is shaping a greener future by developing innovative methods for plastic recycling. After reviewing the results of her research, I can confidently say they hold remarkable promise for the chemistry industry.

From overcoming self-doubt to building a global eyewear and jewelry empire from the UAE, Karen Wazen Bakhazi demonstrates how resilience and vision can transform personal challenges into international success.

Renowned journalist Uptin Saiidi continues to capture the attention of millions by addressing important global issues without resorting to scandal or sensationalism, no easy task in today’s “one-minute attention span” world.

Cristina Szeifert offers a powerful example of how to build a successful business career while working with deep psychological trauma and thriving in real estate — an inspiring path for ambitious young achievers.

And cricket star Moeen Ali, admired by millions of fans, shares why understanding, balance, and happiness are essential for any athlete striving to become a true champion.

In this March 2026 Magnav Emirates Edition, we share a part of our heart and soul with you. Thank you for being part of our inspiring community.

Sincerely,
Ekaterina Vasina
Editor-in-Chief