Publsh Group and news platform Lana have joined forces to launch El Nas Lel Nas – Arabic for ‘People for People’ – a community movement engaging the UAE’s most prominent public figures to champion the small businesses at the country’s heart.
The premise is simple: the UAE has an extraordinary concentration of influential figures – business leaders, creators, celebrities and athletes – whose authentic endorsement moves people faster than any paid campaign.
El Nas Lel Nas directs that power, voluntarily and at no cost to anyone, toward the businesses that have never had access to it.
Participating public figures visit or experience a matched business, form a genuine opinion and share their honest opinions about what they truly believe. No scripts, no payments and no shortcuts. Stories published under #ElNasLelNas will aim to drive real footfall, real orders and real impact.
Kushal Desai and Sagar Chotrani, Co-Founders, Publsh Group, shared in a joint statement: “As the World deals with ongoing challenges, the UAE’s incredible leadership has ensured that life here remains safe, stable and upbeat. El Nas Lel Nas is our way of honouring that spirit by stepping up as a community to keep our economy vibrant and our small businesses thriving. When we move together, we move the country forward.”
Businesses that have been severely impacted and are navigating uncertain, high pressure conditions can apply during a ten‑day open window.
A panel will review all submissions against published criteria and shortlist those demonstrating the greatest need and potential for recovery.
Anil Bhoyrul, Managing Director, Lana, said, “SMEs represent a whopping 94 per cent of UAE companies and drive more than half of non-oil GDP. They are built not on corporate capital, but on personal conviction. In challenging times, they don’t need sympathy; they need visibility and customers.”
Bhoyrul added, “El Nas Lel Nas gives the UAE’s most influential voices a channel to direct their care toward the people who need it most. The name says everything – no hierarchy, just people for people. We are proud to bring our network to a movement that is genuinely worth rallying behind.”
Top UAE voices have already shared their viewpoints about the El Nas Lel Nas movement:
“Dubai was built on community, visionary leadership, and a relentless spirit. Together, we will persevere through any challenge, and as always, come out stronger.”
– Mona Kattan
“Dubai didn’t just give me an opportunity – it gave me a place to dream bigger, build with purpose, and turn ambition into reality. This initiative is about standing together with small businesses, supporting one another, and emerging stronger as a community.”
– Zeina Khoury
“We were raised here. We grew up here. This is more than a place; this is our home. This country runs through our blood. And in times like this, we stand united as one supporting our people, our businesses, and our economy. Because together, we don’t just face challenges, we turn them into opportunities.”
– Ayman Yaman & Ghazy Yaman
