Letter From The Editor

In a significant move towards recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Muslim Americans, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed January as Muslim American Heritage Month.

In 2024, the United Kingdom faces a stark reality: approximately 3.12 million people are relying on food banks to meet their basic nutritional needs. This figure represents a significant increase from just under 26,000 people in 2008/09, and the latter was during the global economic recession!

India is aiming to address a growing trade imbalance with ASEAN by revamping its existing free trade agreement.  Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal highlights the need for a review of the deal, citing concerns over tariff asymmetry and potential misuse.

According to Dr David King Boison, the power of a currency lies not just in its intrinsic value, but in the trust and systems that nations build around it. In this essay, Boison discusses the rapid expansion of BRICs and how it may offer a sustainable alternative for nations seeking autonomy from Western-led financial systems.

Burma Human Rights Network Executive Director Kyaw Win says that Malaysian leaders are vocal about the plight of Muslims in Myanmar and urges them to use their influence under Malaysia’s ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2025.

Renowned Israeli historian Ilan Pappé, Human Rights Lawyer Lamis Deek, and Declassified UK Founder and Activist Matt Kennard deep dive into the inevitable decline of Zionism, the historical influence of Hasbara and call for a strategic dismantling of corruption for the sake of humanity at the recent Islam Channel's Global Peace and Unity Festival held at Excel London, UK this month.

In this week’s Letter from the Editor, we are delighted to introduce to our gourmand readers the President of contemporary art galleries in New York and Dubai Leila Heller, who also happens to be the author of one of the most delectable cookbooks released this year, Persian Feasts.

In this week’s newsletter we discuss how megatrends such as an ageing population, cost of living crises and digitalization across APAC are profoundly changing its risk landscape with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.