Forewords

Sail Magazine – Where do I begin with this wonderful tribute to passion, creativity and lifestyle? It is the inspired vision of one very bright young lady, Iman Ben Chaibah who has worked hard to see her dream come true. I think the myriad of color in her articles breathe life into a digital arena that has been swamped with online forums, vlogs and blog opinion pieces. This EMagazine provides readers on the go like me with a quick and concise, yet well thought out worldview into literature, health and wellbeing, politics, personal ambitions and achievement stories. Iman is clearly well deserving of the Arab Woman Award in Literature. Her path-breaking endeavor and foray into the rapidly developing digital market will see a bright future as is epitomized by the establishment of her publishing house for online books and magazines.

I am confident about the importance of this medium for sharing information and as a marketing communications tool for advertising and public relation campaigns. I congratulate Iman on the release of their first digital book for young children. This is the future as Iman chose to see it, and it is both welcoming and enlightening.

I wish Iman and the team at Sail every success in their future digi-ventures. May they continue to bring insight into our real lives and we look forward to their continued exciting presence in the digital sphere.

Khamis Al Muqla

Founder and Chairman
Gulf Marcom Group 1974
Hill+Knowlton Strategies M.E. 1985

February 01, 2015


We are constantly writing our thoughts, our stories, and our dreams. We write them in our minds, with a pen, or type them out. It’s what sets our goals, fuels our passions, and sometimes defines who we are.

But writing is just the start of things. It’s what we do with it that counts a lot more. Sail eMagazine has given that space and opportunity to countless of aspiring writers. An outlet of sorts that helps the writers draw inspiration from daily life; polishes the pieces and artistically publishes them on an online forum.

In its 4th year, a niche e-magazine has published over 400 articles in 47 issues. What strikes many about Sail, is the caliber of people behind it from the artists, illustrators, editors and writers; a wonderful mix of youthful (not young or old) Emiratis who are here to place their marks and make a statement in the form of their writing styles, topic selection, artwork designs, and associations.

I see a dream of starting a magazine that belonged to someone once but that dream grew to include people who share the same passion for writing, reading and improving their knowledge about the world around them and their communities. We call ourselves “Sailors” because we are on a constant quest to discover, document and disseminate.

I consider myself one of the lucky few selected by Iman Ben Chaibah, our founder and editor in chief, to be a part of Sail. But my role extends beyond the current month, to think about where next do we “sail” to? I too have learnt from others, explored new ideas and saw the perspective in things I didn’t consider before or dismissed because it wasn’t presented to me well.

Are the next 4 years meant to incubate new writers, or churn future local, regional or internationally renowned publications? Will Sail expand to markets beyond and create a buzz in platforms not fully explored? You’d be surprised but happy to know that we’ve done all that but it’s the enthusiasm to keep going, the pace and time span of growth that we need to think about with your help.

Are you willing to Sail with us on our journey as we write our next chapters of growth, people and dreams?

I’m honored to have been asked to write the foreword this year, I leave you with one final thought – if you had the ability to retrace all your memories, thoughts and dreams … would you write it down? And if so … would you share it with us?

Aida AlBusaidy

Advisory Board Member & Developmental Editor

March 01, 2014


This magazine is called Sail. Yet it could’ve been called many things e.g. Urban, Intellectual, Avant-garde youth or any other academically adjective-ised reference to the young. But be literal? Why label it? And why limit it? Are the youth the only hope? Are we unable to enjoy the inspiration we may find in those who rediscover their inspiration? We must not judge, only analyse. We must not only speak, but also listen. We must not only advocate, but also meditate. We must not only propose, but also respond. We cannot be critical and still be defensive. We must sail. Accept the gift of wind and row when it is not generous. We must ride the seas that are wave and calm. This magazine is called Sail.

Sail will attempt and fail and learn and attempt and fail and learn. Sail is a journey that does not end, one day its wood would deconstruct and be used to make a fire for the cold or erect a raft of rafts with a sail of sails for greater attempts, fantastic failures and even more lessons.

Sail’s purpose is to maintain a platform of curiosity.

Mishaal Al Gergawi

March 01, 2010