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Arabs’ feelings on how religion and politics should mix in the region are to be revealed in exclusive research carried out by the Arab News in partnership with YouGov and the Arab Strategy Forum.

A landmark event, the Arab Strategy Forum returns for its 12th edition in Dubai on December 9 and features 18 keynote speakers such as former US Vice President Dick Cheney, and former Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Li Zhaoxing. The event’s theme this year is ‘Forecasting the Next Decade’.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at Ritz Carlton DIFC, the annual event explores the major social, political and economic factors that will shape the Arab world in the coming years.

As part of the forum, Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and British writer Ed Hussein will take part in a panel, moderated by Faisal Abbas, Editor in Chief of Arab News, to address the future of Islamism in the Next Decade.

In partnership with the Arab Strategy Forum, Arab News commissioned a survey of the views and concerns of Arabs, what they believe are top problems for their countries, what is driving conflict in the region, and what is the intersection between religion and politics in their lives.

For the study, YouGov interviewed thousands of Arabic speakers across 18 countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The report called Mosque and State: How Arabs See The Future will be launched at the Forum and shed light on areas of clear consensus among respondents.

The report will be discussed during the panel session, and will include how respondents feel about religion and politics, including what they see in the future for groups such as Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS/Daesh, Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Hezbollah.