A glimps into Emirati culture

By : Fatma Bujsaim

Image: Qais Sedki with his book "The Gold Ring"

The UAE Links, a Zayed University club, has ended this semester by organizing an event in the Kinokuniya, The Dubai Mall. The event, titled “Emirati’s in books” targeted both Emirati’s and non-Emirati and aimed to introduce the audience to Emirati literature that have elements of the Emirati culture.

The club hosted different Emirati writers such as Qais Sedki of the Gold Ring, the first Emirati and Arabic Manga. The Gold Ring is a great example and introduction to Emirati literature because it speaks of different Emirati traditions and traditional sports such as falconry.

Another writer was Reem Al Gurg, writer of the children’s book “Wud and Waleed.” Reem couldn’t attend since she was finishing her master’s degree in the UK but has sent a representative, Khalid Al Award. Al Awar explains that his sister in law, Reem Al Gurg, wanted to give her daughter something special for her first birthday. He also explained that Reem couldn’t find Arabic children’s books that were attractive for children and entertaining. Al Awar also adds that Reem is working on her second book for her daughters second birthday that is on the UAE national day, December 2^nd.

The last speaker was Ali Al Shaali, an Emirati poet. Ali explains that, “literature is very important when a person wants to learn about a different culture, especially poetry because it plays with emotions.”

Each speaker shed the light on how literature can be a bridge a cultural gap, which serves the clubs goal perfectly. The club aims to link different cultures in the UAE through cultural understanding and providing a platform for dialogue between Emiratis and non-Emiratis.

The event was held in the center of kinokuniya where people had benches to sit on and passers-by got to stand on the side to listen. Around 20 people were present excluding the club members and kinokuniya’s staff.

Video: Qais Sedki