Middle East Royals: 5 Modern-Day Princes Changing the Arab World in Unique ways

By Hyacinth Mascarenhas

Royal families in the Middle East aren’t always portrayed in the most flattering manner in the media. Generally covered in political or economic spheres, Arab monarchies are usually depicted as oil-rich royals sitting atop billion-dollar businesses. There are however, several inspiring royals working going beyond their royal duties to promote and create change in the region in multiple spheres including entrepreneurship, technology, social media, foreign policy, culture and more.

Last year, we highlighted 5 inspiring Middle Eastern princesses making a difference within and beyond the region. Here are some of their awesome counterparts working hard to change the region in unique ways and consequently, change the way people around the globe view the Arab world.

1. Prince Fahad bin Faisal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia

As the grandson of the brother of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Fahad could have easily seen success within the Kingdom. After graduating from Stanford with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a double minor in Middle Eastern Studies and Management Science, he made a name for himself as a tech entrepreneur when he was hired as the Head of User Operations for Facebook Arab. In 2009, he launched Facebook in Arabic.

[Working at Facebook] was the most educational opportunity I ever could have asked for. It was amazing to be working on a project that could change people’s lives,” said Prince Fahad. “Social media is a tool. It’s no different than the telephone, the television, a hammer. But it has forced a lot of people to be more transparent and to be held accountable for what they say.”

After leaving Facebook in 2010, he founded Na3M Games, Appiphany and is currently the Foreign Ministry’s Head of Student Affairs, consults the Saudi government on cyber-technology and is a regular NATO lecturer on social media and privacy issues in the Middle East.

“In 10 years I want to see countries in the Arab world back in their rightful place as a global leaders and contributors,” he said. “There’s an opportunity for me to jump between different industries and I hope to play a part in re-introducing the Middle East to the world in the right way.”

2. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai

You’ve probably already heard of the #MyDubai initiative making the waves on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Meet the young prince behind the initiative – Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hamdan is the son of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, ruler of Dubai and one of the richest royals in the world. He is also very popular on social media and seeks to use it as a tool to promote the emirate’s culture, values and potential in a fin and unique way.

Open for all Dubai residents and visitors, the initiative invites people to capture their most compelling stories and moments in the emirate through photographs and videos and share them using the #MyDubai.

“Our achievements are driven by a positive energy and spirit that is felt by everyone who lives in our Emirate, inspiring creativity and harmony and uniting more than 200 nationalities,” said Hamdan. “In the fabric of Dubai there are more than 2.1 million stories – the individual lives and experiences of all those who call Dubai home. A city’s story is created by its people and as we look towards a prosperous future, it’s time to join together and show the world how 2.1 million people can create one remarkable story. Together we will create the world’s first autobiography of a city.

He is also the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and heads the emirate’s committees on sports and autism. Some of his other initiatives include the “My Community…A City for Everyone” project to transform into a disability-friendly city, the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University – the first of its kind in the Arab world.

3. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE

During his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of the founder and first Emir of UAE, the country has witnessed a remarkable expansion of diplomatic relations and international cooperation with other countries in South and East Asia, Latin America and the South Pacific.

As a champion for the UN Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative launched by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, Sheikh Abdullah urged governments across the globe to condemn and help combat this crime in conflict zones last year. He also supported Dubai’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2020 and is an ambassador of the Abu Dhabi Reads Campaign.

With more than 1 million followers on Twitter, Sheikh Abdullah is also very active on social media and actively engages with citizens and the public on issues related to foreign policy and the ministry. In 2011, his tweet: “I hope we raise the UAE flag on top of every house” led to an annual event where UAE flags are raised across the country and people post pictures of the flag using the hashtag #fogbaitna3alm.

“Our pride grows as our country has become at the forefront in respect of the countries that succeeded in achieving high rates of the United Nations millennium development goals and topping the list of the most advanced, prosperous and stable countries in the world, as well as classified high in the human development field, as the country achieves happiness and satisfaction for its citizens,” said Sheikh Abdullah.

4. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar

Using sports as a way to put Qatar on the international stage and boost the reputation of the quiet desert nation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Khalifa Al Thani oversaw the country’s successful campaign bid to become the first Middle Eastern hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the young age of 22.

Beating off rival bids from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan, Qatar’s bid was touted as a glitzy, carbon-neutral World Cup that could open up the world to a largely untapped market in the MENA region.

In addition to being chairman of Qatar’s successful bid, Sheikh Mohammed, now 25, is also the brother of the current Emir of Qatar and was a member of the first graduating class at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar. Last year, he graduated with an MBA from Harvard University and is determined to help put the once-sleepy Qatar on the world stage.

5. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi

As Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Sheikh Sultan is responsible for transforming Abu Dhabi from a little-known capital of the UAE into one of the cultural capitals of the Arab world.

Since the organization’s inception in February 2012, Sheikh Sultan has spearheaded some incredible projects for the emirate including the $27 billion Cultural District of Saadiyat Island project which will feature the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

“The cultural map is evolving, and today Abu Dhabi and the UAE are at the crossroads of these cultural and artistic intersections,” said Sheikh Sultan. He has also won several awards for his efforts to recreate and promote Abu Dhabi as a global cultural capital including the Cultural Leadership Award from the American Federation of Arts, the 2010 Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Leadership Award, and was named Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Republic.

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