In Islam, dualities are a sacred theme that exist to teach us balance – ego and soul, struggle and ease, life and death. When I’m overwhelmed, I meditate on these symbiotic pairs and apply the concept to everyday life. With stressful Dubai traffic comes that kind soul who understands why you’re late. With looming deadlines comes the surprise when you realise you’ve finished that seemingly impossible sprint. With grief from missing a loved one comes the honour of true love. Challenges are as ubiquitous as growth opportunities. You decide how to frame things. You choose how to respond. You evolve, if you choose.
Evolution is the will to change. Cosmopolitan Middle East took a risk in trusting me to lead, and with that risk came transformation. This Winter 2025 print issue is dedicated to EVOLUTION, reflecting the magazine’s willingness, like all of us, to expand.
Evolution is doing it despite being afraid, like our cover star Narins Beauty, who catapulted from content creator to businesswoman. Evolution isn’t linear, as we see with author Roxie Nafousi’s entrepreneurial journey. Evolution can be maverick, even rebellious, like signing a prenup before marriage or competing in motor sports like Emirati sisters Amna and Hamada Al Qubaisi. Evolution is healing, like shaking out trauma through belly dance. Evolution is shedding past selves for a higher purpose, like Palestinian singer Lina Makoul, DJ Nooriyah, and perfumist Tanaïs, who pour their hearts into creating because they understand that on the other side of tribulation is art and community. Evolution is celebrating your roots, like Shahd Batal honouring Sudanese beauty rituals or Mona Tajarbi preserving Emirati beauty practices. Evolution is challenging dystopian brain rot, systemic violence, and dating disposability culture through self-awareness, divine love, and collective consciousness.
As the new year arrives, this print issue is purposefully designed to be yours. There are pages for you to journal, reflect, and dream. Don’t be afraid to rest, maybe play our Bingo or Cosmo libs. Try something new like cooking chicken bhuna, read a coming of age tale from our book recommendation list, get paid by monetising your art, and be open to change.
Because evolution requires a will to thrive. We take everything we got and harness that energy, including pain and fear, and mold it into something greater. Evolution isn’t magic, but it is majesty. Watch energy convert to transformation when you commit hard work and devotion.
So as we step into 2026 together, I invite you to choose evolution.