tag

Qatar Foundation's (QF) BilAraby initiative kicked off its regional activation at the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) Global Forum, bringing its mission to one of the region's largest youth gatherings.Held in Riyadh from November 19-20, the Forum aimed to empower and connect youth with innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs from across the globe.The BilAraby activation space attracted hundreds of young people, thought leaders, and content creators through immersive activities that combined modern technology with storytelling. Visitors experienced the initiative's journey via informational stations and sessions at the BilAraby Majlis, discussing topics like empowering innovators, turning ideas into social movements, and creating tangible impact.Hisham Nourin, executive director, Strategic Initiatives and Programmes, QF described BilAraby's participation as "a natural extension of the strategic partnership with Misk Foundation and fruitful collaboration that began earlier this year during the inaugural BilAraby Gathering held in Doha.""Our participation in the Misk Global Forum marks the first stop on BilAraby's regional tour, giving us the opportunity to connect directly with young people and thought leaders, and to discover ambitious young Arab voices capable of creating real, lasting impact in our societies," he said.Ahmed Bindous, director of Partnerships Development at Misk, said: "The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation is delighted to welcome QF and the BilAraby initiative to the Misk Global Forum. We share common visions and converging ambitions with QF, and this participation marks the beginning of a broader partnership between Misk and Qatar that will strengthen our joint efforts and deepen their impact.”At the BilAraby activation space, visitors were welcomed with a virtual reality tour through QF's ecosystem and its Education City campus in Doha, illustrating how it is a community built on innovation, sustainability, and learning. They then moved to the ‘Nominate and Subscribe’ station, where they could share their inspiring ideas through brief video recordings, apply to speak at the BilAraby Gathering 2026, or express interest in hosting BilAraby sessions or events in their own spaces or as part of their activities.Visitors next experienced the ‘Sensory Capsules’, which showcased introductory videos about the BilAraby initiative, using surround sound and visual technology to capture the essence of inspiring Arab experiences. A photo booth was also available for memorable snapshots.The BilAraby Majlis hosted a panel discussion on innovation as a key driver of community development and the challenges faced by Arab innovators. The session discussed the obstacles innovators encounter, including limited resources, regulatory hurdles, and the need for supportive entrepreneurship policies, while highlighting the role of initiatives like BilAraby in nurturing young talent and sharing their inspiring stories. 

As part of the Qiyada Conference, Qatar Foundation (QF)’s BilAraby Initiative hosted two dialogue sessions on September 19 and 20 at Multaqa.The first session, moderated by Buthaina Abdul Jalil, was titled “How to Revive and Maintain a Strong Muslim Identity that Contributes to Modern, Pluralistic Societies".It featured educational expert, consultant, and media professional Dr Abdulrahman al-Harmi, Omani thinker and media professional Muthanna Amer al-Shanfari, and engineer Fida al-Din Yahya, media professional and content creator.The second session, moderated by Nadia Darwich, was titled “Equipping Muslim Youth with the Tools, Knowledge, Network, and Confidence to Embody the Ideals of Prophetic Leadership, Positively Influencing their Communities and the Wider World".Speakers included Ajyal Educational Centre founder and president Dr Abu Bakr Mousa Abdullah, leadership consultant and trainer Hussein Habib al-Sayed, and Sozan Zaghmout, consultant at the Office of the Minister of Education and Higher Education.QF Strategic Initiatives and Programmes executive director Hisham Nourin said that the sessions aimed to create spaces for youth to articulate the challenges they face in diverse societies, while equipping them with the intellectual and practical tools needed to positively impact their communities, both locally and globally.“By promoting values of responsibility, initiative, and meaningful engagement, the initiative seeks to strike a balance between authenticity and modernity, nurturing a generation that remains true to its identity while actively contributing to a changing world,” he said.