Al Shindagah

CONTENTS Joanna Andrews Editor - in - Chief 6 16 12 36 PUBLISHED BY Al Habtoor Group LLC , PO Box 25444, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: +971 4 394 1444 , shindagah@habtoor.com , www.alshindagah.com , www.habtoor.com VICE CHAIRMAN & CEO: Mohammed K. Al Habtoor EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joanna Andrews ART MANAGER: Gilda Castro Rios AL SHINDAGAH COMMITTEE: Maan Halabi, Noura Badawi MEDIA RELATIONS: Radwa Wagdi, Liezl Reamillo Lumanlan, Michaela Podkovcik PHOTOGRAPHER & ILUSTRATOR: Mohanan Oruvayalil, Gonzalo Etcheverry, Gecko Media TRANSLATOR: Nisrine Nader Al Shindagah has gone green! Welcome to our first ever digital version of the magazine. The decision to go paperless is our effort to help protect the world we live in. It also gives our readers the chance to read Al Shindagah anytime, anywhere. In this issue, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor donates $500,000 to a children’s fund in the US in honour of his good friend, the former US Congressman Hon. Paul Findley. (page 12) Al Habtoor voices his concern over the Trump administration’s policy over Qatar, saying “American has no permanent friends, only interests.” (page 6) . He says the Western media plays a strong role in public opinion, adding the media “give stories a lick of paint” according to the political persuasions of the owners and advertisers. (page 2) Al Habtoor reinforces the point that relationship between the UAE and KSA is stronger than ever. (page 4) And, we bring you the latest from the world of Polo. All the action from the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series. (page 36) On a personal note, I would like to say a fond farewell to all our readers. It has been an incredible journey. Thank you! No chink in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE Our enemy’s friend is not ours This fiendish new Turkish-led alliance requires an assertive response Higher salaries & lower prices top Egyptians wish lists 2 12 34 36 16 18 4 6 8 10 Gulf allies lack media clout in the US Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor launches $500,000 children’s fund in Illinois Al Buraimi: Stepping back into Al Habtoor's past Meet Olivier Milchberg Politics AHG News Chairman's Message Cover Story Culture La Perle 20 26 28 30 31 32 33 Employee Excellence Award A journey to Kazan Al Habtoor welcomes world-renowned heart surgeon Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub Chairman meets Singapore’s new Consul-General to Dubai Al Habtoor receives Indian Consul- General to Dubai Chairman receives US Ambassador to the UAE Tajikistan Ambassador Bahodur Sharifi Mahmudzod visits Al Habtoor Social Media Philanthropy Highlights from Al Habtoor’s Instagram Al Habtoor Group to sponsor 14th Sheikh Zayed Charity Marathon Launch of the Khalaf Al Habtoor Waqf The Dubai Gold Cup Series Sports