Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
At just 11 years old, Emirati student Noora Abdullah Abuhindi has taken her first steps into the world of publishing, drawing on her love of writing, culture, and her experiences growing up in the UAE to produce her first books.
A student at an Applied Technology School, Noora said her decision to begin writing came from seeing established authors and imagining herself joining their ranks.
“I realised that all the authors here are very famous, and I wish to be famous…and I love writing,” she said.
Her first book explores the similarities between Emirati and Chinese cultures, inspired by her interest in China and her experience learning Chinese at an institute. The book is presented in Arabic, English and Chinese, allowing readers from different backgrounds to explore the cultures through the story.
Noora said she wanted readers, particularly children, to discover the similarities that connect different cultures.
“What I realised from this book is, there’s a lot of similarities between the two,” she said.
Her interest in China grew through learning the language and discovering its culture.
“I love the culture. It’s really, really beautiful,” she said.
Her second book draws on family memories and conversations during Ramadan. Noora recalled how her father would sit with the family during the month and share stories about his childhood, including traditional poems, games, beaches, pearl diving, and aspects of nature.
Those conversations became a source of inspiration for Noora, allowing her to document elements of Emirati heritage from a child’s perspective, and to preserve memories of traditions and everyday life.
Her third book reflects on the challenges students experienced during periods of online learning, including unstable internet connections, warnings and difficulties joining classes.
Noora also dedicated part of the book to her mother, who supported her throughout the experience and helped her cope with the challenges.
“She helped me throughout the way,” Noora said, recalling how her mother helped her deal with internet problems.
While developing the titles for her books, Noora also turned to artificial intelligence for ideas. She explained that she provided AI with descriptions of her books and received suggestions for possible titles, while her mother helped refine them and make them more meaningful.
For Noora, however, writing is not simply about publishing books. It is also a way to encourage other young people to read, write and remain connected to their country and culture.
Her message to young creators is simple: “Always take care of your country, no matter what happens. You can still read and write at any age. It doesn’t matter if you’re too young or too old.”
Through her early work, Noora hopes to show that age is not a barrier to creativity, and that children can play a role in preserving their heritage while exploring cultures beyond their own.
