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.”
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.”
AUSTRALIA SQUAD v SOUTH AFRICA
Aaron Finch (capt), Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa
Multitasking pays off for money goals
Tackling money goals one at a time cost financial literacy expert Barbara O'Neill at least $1 million.
That's how much Ms O'Neill, a distinguished professor at Rutgers University in the US, figures she lost by starting saving for retirement only after she had created an emergency fund, bought a car with cash and purchased a home.
"I tell students that eventually, 30 years later, I hit the million-dollar mark, but I could've had $2 million," Ms O'Neill says.
Too often, financial experts say, people want to attack their money goals one at a time: "As soon as I pay off my credit card debt, then I'll start saving for a home," or, "As soon as I pay off my student loan debt, then I'll start saving for retirement"."
People do not realise how costly the words "as soon as" can be. Paying off debt is a worthy goal, but it should not come at the expense of other goals, particularly saving for retirement. The sooner money is contributed, the longer it can benefit from compounded returns. Compounded returns are when your investment gains earn their own gains, which can dramatically increase your balances over time.
"By putting off saving for the future, you are really inhibiting yourself from benefiting from that wonderful magic," says Kimberly Zimmerman Rand , an accredited financial counsellor and principal at Dragonfly Financial Solutions in Boston. "If you can start saving today ... you are going to have a lot more five years from now than if you decide to pay off debt for three years and start saving in year four."
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Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
