The New Year has seen relations in the region spiral out of control with Saudi Arabia cutting off diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Sectarian tensions mounted following the execution of prominent Saudi Shi’a cleric Nimr al-Nimr and the subsequent attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. With a resurgent Iran, emboldened by the lifting of sanctions and the recognition of global powers of its nuclear program, and a young, ambitious leadership in Saudi Arabia, it is likely that such diplomatic stand-offs will be a common occurrence in the near future. Read more »
On Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi on CNN on Donald Trump’s proposed ban on Muslims and the long term damage that will caused by his rhetoric. Read more »
جلسة الحرب الإلكترونية
Sultan Al Qassemi speaks about issues surrounding press in the UAE at The Emirati Media Forum in 2015, organized by the Dubai Press Club and the Government of Dubai. Read more »
Pressing Matters: Media Coverage and the Arab Gulf States
Over the past few years Western media’s negative coverage of the Arab Gulf states has increased so much that it is starting to look more like a rite of passage for some journalists and news organisations. Meanwhile, what’s notable is that most Western media outlets have softened their tone when reporting on Iran. Read more »
BBC interview with Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi on Arab art
Interview with Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi on Barjeel Art Foundation’s year-long exhibition at London’s Whitechapel Gallery with BBC’s Yalda Hakim. Read more »
Is Islamic Art Going Mainstream?
At GIES 2015, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi discusses the global relevance of Islamic art. Read more »