As I write this editor’s letter, we are enjoying a ceasefire in the Gulf that has brought some sense of hope and normalcy back to our lives. Although this moment feels fragile, it is comforting to enjoy the smallest things, such as walking around without thinking of missile interceptions or dressing up to go out for dinner with friends. Personally, war is a new reality that I am trying to navigate as best as I can, both as an individual and a journalist. So allow me to share some thoughts you would not usually read on this page.
One thing this conflict has taught me is that we cannot lower our guard or spirits in the face of adversity. I have been incredibly impressed by designers, restaurants, hotels and so many other businesses that have taken this moment to rethink their projects and create new offerings tailored to the times we are living in. Although the situation is stressful, I have witnessed people coming together in an unprecedented way. That gives me hope and makes me proud of the creative community. On our website, we launched special guides featuring many of these initiatives. Now more than ever, it is important to show up and keep our cities alive.
In the spirit of the phase we are experiencing, our May issue is a celebration of how creativity can blossom in challenging moments. I was certain this was the right message when a video of cellist Mahdi Sàhêli appeared on my phone’s screen – a viral moment showing him playing Aram Khachaturian’s Andantino while sitting atop a pile of rubble, a day after Israel mercilessly attacked Lebanon, with more than 100 bombs dropped within 10 minutes. And this was not the first time the musician took to the streets of Beirut in a moment of agony. Don’t miss his moving first-person account in our Upfront section.
Beyond Sàhêli, in this edition we turn the focus on young designers, actors, artists and even ecological warriors you need to know. We also invited a group of talented modest female creators to wear some of this season’s most uplifted – and layered – looks. In moments like the one we are going through, fashion anchors identity and belonging.
Although we aimed to remain as optimistic as possible, one of my favourite stories of the month is now available on our website. With the targeting of the Arab world over the decades, archaeological sites of great importance to humanity have been attacked and destroyed to wipe out centuries of culture, history and identity. This has happened in Iraq, Syria and now Lebanon.
As we conclude with the article penned by our contributor Basma Faramawy, images of destroyed archaeological sites are heartbreaking, but the region will always rise above aggression – and the pride of being Arab will never be erased.
This article was originally published in the May 2026 issue of Vogue Arabia.
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