The Middle East Sunday Pages

Why Friday Feels Different in the Gulf — Rhythm, Prayer, and Presence

Friday is not just the end of a workweek—it is a moment of transition, of intentional pause, of cultural re-alignment that ripples through boardrooms, family homes, and the hidden rituals of connection and luxury.

Luxury Is Loyalty: What Gulf Clients Really Buy Into

Luxury in the Gulf is not what you sell; it’s how you make people feel, luxury is loyalty. The art of earning trust so deep that clients not only buy from you — they invite you into their world.

Why Riyadh Is Becoming the New Capital of Cool

When one thinks of a “cool” global city, the mental list often includes places like Berlin, Tokyo, or Los Angeles. But increasingly, interest is turning toward a surprising contender: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.

The Importance of Having a Will in the UAE – Protecting Your Assets, Your Family, and Your Legacy

In the absence of a registered Will, your estate — including your bank accounts, property, business holdings, vehicles, and even custody of your children — can fall under UAE federal inheritance law, which follows Sharia principles by default.

The Role of Poetry, Storytelling & Proverbs in Gulf Business Culture

Explore how poetry, storytelling, and proverbs function as “soft levers” in Gulf boardrooms, in negotiations, in branding, and in relationship-building. In Gulf business culture, language is performative. A well-chosen proverb, a poetic couplet, or a remembered folktale can carry deeper resonance than a PowerPoint slide or Excel model.

How Can Midsize Western Companies Tackle The Gulf Market?

You are a midsize company with a reasonably stable home market looking to expand internationally and the Arabian Gulf keeps popping up on the radar. How do you start? What do you do? We can help with that!

The Subtle Power of Titles: Why One Wrong Word Can Cost You Millions

Using the right titles signals respect, status, credibility, and cultural fluency. Get it wrong, and deals evaporate. Get it right, and doors will open.

How to Break into Saudi Arabia’s Job Market

Saudi Arabia’s labor market is evolving at breakneck speed. With Vision 2030 shaping everything from infrastructure to entertainment, the Kingdom has become one of the most attractive destinations for global talent. Let's see what's important to find a role.

Why Gulf Airports Are the New Global Living Rooms

In the past, airports were transient places—functional, impersonal, and often stressful. You passed through, you waited, and you left. Today, the Gulf has rewritten that script. Airports here are designed as destinations in their own right: blending luxury, culture, technology, and hospitality at a scale unmatched anywhere else.

How to think About Oman?

For years, Oman was the Gulf’s quiet neighbour. That’s no longer the case. With stronger balance sheets, clear policy direction, and sovereign wealth funds aligned with Vision 2040, Oman has become one of the region’s smartest investment plays. Read all about it here.