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In the 60-41 rankings of our Power 100 countdown, we have a global pop star, a high profile UAE businessman, our second footballer to feature and a Syrian poet.
Click here to view the list.
Lebanese singer Mika is new to the list at number 50 and his inclusion follows a string of hit songs across the world. To see the list so far click here.
The third of five children, Mika left Lebanon during the civil war in 1984. Fast-forward through a stint in Cyprus, Paris and London, and he is now a globally-recognised star, with No. 1 singles to his name and a multimillion-dollar record contract. His first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, sold 5.6 million copies worldwide.
New at 49 is the boss of one of the UAE's most high profile investment companies in 2009
Khadem Al Qubaisi, chairman, Aabar Investments has overseen a string of high-profile acquisitions, propelling Abu Dhabi onto the international map.
Under Qubaisi’s stewardship, Aabar purchased a 9.1 percent stake in Daimler, it also acquired a 32 percent stake in Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson’s commercial space travel unit, in July.
In November, Aabar was part of a $183 million deal to take a majority stake in Formula 1 world championship winning team Brawn GP. Daimler took a 45.1 percent stake in the team, which will be known as Mercedes Grand Prix, while Aabar took a 30 percent stake.
In the Power 100 at 44 is Egyptian footballer Mohamed Nagy Ismail Afash, who is known by the nickname Gedo.
In February, at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, the striker scored the winning goal in the final against Ghana and finished the tournament with an unrivalled five goals during the three-week competition.
Syrian poet Adunis is a new entry at 41 in our Power 100 list.
Adunis – otherwise known as Ali Ahmad Said Asbar – is one of the Arab world’s most prolific poets and essayists, and has also published more than 20 novels, some of which have been translated into English.
Especially since the death of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish in 2008, of whom he was a close contemporary, Adunis is now widely regarded as the most celebrated exponent of Arabic poetry alive today.
Another Lebanese singer enters our list at number 50 but Rima Khcheich is nothing like Mika.
One of the most celebrated exponents at tricky complex Arabic classical forms of singing, Rima Khcheich has gained international recognition for her astounding talents.
Making use of her uniquely limpid voice, both Khcheich’s most recent albums, Yalalli (2006) and Falak (2008), have sold well throughout the Middle East.
COMING UP AT 11AM: Power 100 - 40-21 rankings
Find out who our third football related entry is at number 40, while we have a sex advice novelist at 32 and one of the region's biggest retailers at 22. Can you guess who it is?
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