Dearborn: TRENDS Research and Advisory concluded its participation in the America International Arabic Book Fair and Cultural Forum 2025 in Dearborn, Michigan, by winning the Best Pavilion Award. This recognition was attributed to the wide array of publications it showcased and the various activities and events it organized at its pavilion.
According to Emirates News Agency, the TRENDS pavilion garnered significant interest from academics, researchers, and thought leaders. Prominent figures such as Dr. Muqtedar Khan from the University of Delaware, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khalil from Michigan State University, and Dr. Morgan Shipley also from Michigan State University visited the pavilion. They lauded the intellectual and research quality of the publications, particularly focusing on topics like political Islam, interfaith relations, and combating Islamophobia.
Rashid Mohammed Al-Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, praised TRENDS for its active presence at the international event, highlighting its role in enhancing the UAE's cultural and intellectual influence globally.
During the event, TRENDS also engaged in meetings with the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at Indiana University. The discussions revolved around potential collaborations in research, training, and exploring advancements in AI applications in academic fields.
Additionally, TRENDS conducted an academic tour of Indiana University's colleges, engaging in discussions with professors and researchers about future academic cooperation. They presented a selection of their publications as gifts to enhance scholarly exchange between the two institutions.
In conjunction with its participation in AIABF, TRENDS contributed to a symposium titled 'Countering Islamophobia: Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Understanding'. Furthermore, its researchers took part in another symposium titled 'Intra-Islamic Dialogue: A Reading of the Call of the People of the Qibla', held at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.
Sultan Al-Rubaei, Researcher and Head of the TRENDS International Training Institute, stated that this debut at AIABF marked a significant step in expanding TRENDS' global intellectual presence. He emphasized the center's aim to offer insights that contribute to promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
The AIABF is recognized as a leading cultural and intellectual event in North America, attracting institutions worldwide to foster knowledge exchange and strengthen cultural connections among nations.
