In Hadisson Akhar, Ricardo has again engaged with high-level Arab achievers from across the world in the fields of science, medicine, business, politics and philanthropy. Those were the men and women who would normally shun the spotlight in order to get on with the business of 'saving the world' or 'building an empire'. Without Ricardo's persistence, many of their stories would never be told. Yet these people are among the unsung heroes of the 21st century, outstanding role models for future generations to come.

Maysaloun Faraj, born in California in 1955, to Iraqi parents, is a London-based visual artist. Faraj spent the first 13 years of her life in the US and moved back to Baghdad in 1968. Faraj works in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture and ceramics. Her work is in notable private and public collections including the British Museum, Rotterdam Wereld Museum, National Museum for Women in the Arts (USA), Barjeel Art Foundation (UAE), and important others. In 1995 Faraj founded Strokes of Genius aiming to collect creations of Iraqi artists. In 2002 she founded Aya Gallery (London) and curated important exhibitions with focus on Iraqi art.