TRENDS Research & Advisory concluded its outstanding participation in the America International Arabic Book Fair and Cultural Forum 2025, hosted in Dearborn, Michigan, by receiving the Best Pavilion Award, in recognition of the rich and diverse publications showcased at its pavilion and the wide range of activities and events held in it.Throughout the book fair, the TRENDS pavilion attracted significant interest from academics, researchers, and thought leaders. Prominent academic figures explored the center’s latest publications, particularly those focused on political Islam, interfaith relations, and combating Islamophobia.

Among the distinguished visitors to the TRENDS pavilion were Dr. Muqtedar Khan, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Delaware; Dr. Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University; and Dr. Morgan Shipley, Foglio Endowed Chair in Spirituality and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Religious Studies at Michigan State University. All expressed their admiration for the intellectual and research quality of TRENDS’ publications.

H.E. Rashid Mohammed Al-Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, also praised TRENDS’ active presence at this international cultural event, commending its role in advancing the UAE’s cultural and intellectual influence on the global stage.

Academic and Research Collaboration with Indiana University

On the sidelines of its participation in the AIABF, the TRENDS delegation held a series of productive meetings with the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at Indiana University. The discussions focused on future opportunities for collaboration in research, training, and development, in addition to exploring the latest advancements in AI and its applications in academic and research fields.

The TRENDS delegation also conducted an academic tour of the university’s colleges, during which they engaged in dialogues with professors and researchers on prospects for future academic cooperation. The delegation presented a selection of the center’s publications as academic gifts, with the aim of enhancing scholarly exchange and strengthening collaboration between the two institutions.

As part of its participation in the AIABF, TRENDS Research & Advisory participated in a symposium titled “Countering Islamophobia: Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Understanding” in Dearborn, Michigan.

On the sidelines of TRENDS Research & Advisory’s participation in the America International Arabic Book Fair and Cultural Forum 2025, the center’s researchers participated in a 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, Michigan.

At the conclusion of the participation, Sultan Al-Rubaei, Researcher and Head of the TRENDS International Training Institute, stated that TRENDS’ debut at AIABF marked an important step for expanding its global intellectual presence and establishing partnerships with international academic institutions. He emphasized that through its participation, TRENDS aims to offer thoughtful and rigorous insights that contribute to promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.

The AIABF is one of the leading cultural and intellectual events in North America. It attracts research, academic, and intellectual institutions from around the world, with the aim of fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening cultural connections among nations.