When YouTube launched in 2005, it was a simple site for sharing videos, best demonstrated through the first video shared on the platform. Twenty years ago, on April 23, 2005, Me at the Zoo was shared. The 19-second clip features co-founder Jawed Karim standing in front of elephants at a zoo. It has amassed more than 355,007,495 views to date.
Today, YouTube reaches more than two billion people each month, shaping how creators tell stories, share identities and build communities. In the Middle East and South Asia, that influence is especially strong – and deeply personal.
In the UAE, YouTube reached more than 7.5 million people aged 18 and above in May 2024, with 2.5 million tuning in using connected TV. In Saudi Arabia, in the same month, YouTube reached 20 million adults. According to a survey conducted by British market research company Kantar, 85 per cent of viewers in the kingdom said they feel a stronger connection to creators on YouTube than on any other platform.
For creators living and working in the UAE – including Iraqi chef Shaheen Khalil, who goes by Chef Shaheen and has 3.39 million YouTube subscribers; Filipino chef and restaurateur JP Anglo, with 285,000 subscribers; and Indian content creator Twinkle Stanly, followed by more than 38,800 people – YouTube is not only a place to upload. It’ is where life, work and purpose converge.
Each brings a distinct voice to the platform, using it to share food, culture and personal stories with audiences across the Gulf and beyond.
Finding their voice, by accident or design
None of the three set out to become YouTubers in the traditional sense. Their journeys began with curiosity, downtime or a simple nudge from someone else.
Khalil’s first upload came in 2018. “A friend of mine asked me to make a simple dish with rice and yogurt. It turned out really good, so I thought – why not film it?” he tells The National. “I didn’t really know much about filming or editing at the time, so I grabbed a piece of cardboard as if it’s a tripod, set it up, started recording and just edited the clips as best as I could.”
Filipino foodie JP Anglo launched his channel in 2019, but says his YouTube channel was “just there ... sort of like just a dormant channel” before Covid-19. During the pandemic, a couple invited him and his wife Camilla to dinner and introduced them to YouTube monetisation. After the dinner, he says, he stayed up late uploading his old videos that night.
Twinkle Stanly, a former senior content producer at Cosmopolitan Middle East, was born and raised in the UAE and started posting videos in 2020. “Once my Instagram took off in 2023, and I started getting a lot more followers, people wanted to see longer-form content [on YouTube],” she tells The National.
A quote from Syrian YouTuber Ossy Marwah convinced her to focus more seriously on the platform. “He basically said that if someone can watch 10 minutes of your video on YouTube, that is equal to 10 reels on Instagram.”
A 'community' more than a platform
Each creator describes YouTube as a space that brought them closer to others, often in unexpected ways.
“People don’t just know me as a chef, they know my story, my roots and my values,” says Khalil. “YouTube gave me a platform, but more than that, it gave me a voice.”
Stanly says, “People get to see you, they understand you. Nothing is taken out of context. They can see you for who you really are. Even when I’m creating videos on YouTube, I still feel like, 'OK, I’m doing something valuable'.”
For Anglo, the connection is about making a difference he tells The National that he loves hearing feedback like, “‘Hey, chef, I watched your vlog about this eatery and took my family – they loved it.’” The goal, he says, is to “champion the little guys”.
From screen to real life
Online momentum has translated into real-world milestones. Both Anglo and Khalil have launched restaurants in Dubai – Kooya Filipino Eatery and Yaba – shaped by the support of their YouTube followers.
“People were always asking, ‘Where can we try your food?’ I wanted to bring those digital flavours into real-life experiences,” says Khalil of his followers' support. “They’ve been everything – from flying in just to try the food, to giving feedback that helped shape the menu.”
Anglo says he often revisits restaurants he’s featured, only to find them full. “That was the gauge,” he says. “When the owner starts to realise how good they are – that’s the impact.”
While Stanly hasn’t opened a business, the shift into content creation has changed her day-to-day life. “At my job before, I was constantly working. Even at dinner with family, I’d have my laptop open. Now we’re able to take family trips. I don’t have to be rushing back every Sunday night to prep for work.”
Staying grounded while growing
All three say staying authentic is more important than chasing trends – even when the platform evolves.
“My vlog is like the weather – constantly changing,” says Anglo. “I would like to grow organically and I’m happy where I am. As they say in cooking, low and slow.”
Khalil adds, “Start with love, not views. Don’t try to go viral – try to go real. Be consistent, be honest and always cook with your heart first, camera second.”
For Stanly, authenticity sometimes comes at a cost. “If you’re super relatable on social media – if you’re candid – it can scare away a few brands,” she says. “But YouTube is where I feel closest to my audience. That’s why I keep coming back to it.”
Looking forward with purpose
Even as platforms such as TikTok and Instagram grow, these creators say YouTube remains at the heart of their creative future.
“I know three topics that always get me followers,” says Stanly. “But my existing community wants more. You can never stray too far away – and you can’t do the same thing over and over again either.”
Anglo is working on refining his content. “I wanna polish it a bit – better audio, better lighting, better cinematography,” he says. “Version 2.0 … but still me.”
Khalil, meanwhile, has hinted at projects beyond the kitchen. “Let’s just say … there’s more cooking to come, but maybe not just in the kitchen.”
All three have reached major milestones – whether building loyal audiences, launching restaurants, or being recognised by YouTube itself. Anglo recently received the platform’s Silver Creator Award for surpassing 100,000 subscribers.
But the real achievement, they say, is making something that lasts.
“YouTube is my community,” Anglo says. “They get me and I get them.”
Stanly says: “No other platform gives you that closeness. YouTube is where I feel like I’m truly seen.”
Khalil adds that "it's personal – these are the flavours I grew up with, the stories I carry".
As YouTube enters its third decade, it’s not only the numbers that matter – it is the stories behind the screen and the creators who keep showing up to tell them.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blow a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
Keir Starmer failed to give her his backing as she cried but later said she would be in the job for 'a long time to come'.
A spokesman said her upset was due to a personal matter.
BABYLON
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
The%20specs
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinFlx%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amr%20Yussif%20(co-founder%20and%20CEO)%2C%20Mattieu%20Capelle%20(co-founder%20and%20CTO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%20in%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5m%20pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venture%20capital%20-%20Y%20Combinator%2C%20500%20Global%2C%20Dubai%20Future%20District%20Fund%2C%20Fox%20Ventures%2C%20Vector%20Fintech.%20Also%20a%20number%20of%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blonde
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset was due to a personal matter.
Book%20Details
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