AboFlah reflects on pressure to speak about conflicts in the Middle East

YouTube star says he understands criticism and seeks balance

Hassan “AboFlah” Suleiman, the popular gaming and entertainment influencer, has spoken about the pressure he faces to discuss conflict in the Middle East, even for much-loved Arab content creators.

The Kuwaiti star believes it is difficult to satisfy such a diverse audience who want him to use his platform to address crises in Gaza and elsewhere.

“I understand the situation that all the content creators like me are facing in the Middle East,” he told The National at the 1Billion Followers Summit.

“You need balance, you need to understand why people are attacking you. You need to understand how to face this attack from people, and why are they doing that? Because they love you.”

The 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s first and largest event dedicated to shaping the content creation economy, got under way in Dubai on Saturday. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

American commentator Tucker Carlson was at the summit

Journalists Taylor Lorenz and Jane Ferguson discuss managing misinformation and disinformation

The three-day event is taking place at Dubai's Emirates Towers, the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Museum of the Future

This year's summit is the third edition

More than 15,000 content creators and 420 speakers are expected

Top influencers and industry experts will also be in attendance

This year's summit aims to advance the content economy

The event will feature more than 420 keynote speakers, including more than 125 chief executives and global experts

The summit features more than 340 sessions

Sessions will include keynote addresses, roundtables, interactive discussions and training workshops

Discussions will focus on trends in digital media, best practices, and advancements in business, economy, investment, and content creation

The world’s leading social media platforms, including Snapchat, X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Meta will discuss the future of the industry

Platform representatives, influencers, and content creators will also exchange ideas

The summit will also announce the winner of the One Billion Award, a $1 million prize deemed the world’s largest and most valuable for content creators

The award aims to celebrate creators whose content inspires positive change, fosters unity, and shapes future generations

Ahmed Aboushabab, deputy head of creative at IMI and Sky News Arabia, addresses the crowds

The event is organised by the UAE Government Media Office under the theme 'Content For Good'

AboFlah said influencers in his position, with a platform of tens of millions, are often asked why they don't discuss particular topics. “They love you – love you and want you to talk,” he said.

Last year, AboFlah arranged for a major shipment of aid – “a very big ship to help our brothers in Palestine”.

With more than 44 million YouTube subscribers, AboFlah is recognised as a powerful influencer in the Arab world and internationally. He featured on the Forbes 2022 “30 Under 30" list in the Middle East.

AboFlah believes the way he treats people reflects the values and upbringing of his culture. “I represent my community in the way I treat people, in the way that I'm doing my work,” he explained. “The way that I'm treating people is the way my religion taught me.”

Asked what inspired him to start creating content, AboFlah said his love for production was the driving force. “I felt like even if I didn't succeed, there was no problem with that because I was doing something I love,” he said.

AboFlah said the most challenging part of his journey was getting started, when he lacked support, money and equipment. However, as his success grew, he took the next step by launching his own talent management company, 8Flamez, with partners Eyad Siyam and Saad Sarwar.

“Over the last two years, 8Flamez made me understand that you can't do everything alone,” he said. “You need a team.”