Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Some journeys are made more meaningful when shared with someone who believes in the same dream. For Emirati sisters Dana and Reem Al Zarooni, that journey began with books, grew through a shared passion for reading and developed into two individual stories of achievement.
While one celebrated winning the UAE's 10th season of the UAE Reading Challenge, the other represented the country in the ninth season of the Arab Reading Challenge.
Their experiences reflect a bond that goes beyond siblinghood, built on encouragement, shared ambitions and a belief that success becomes even more meaningful when celebrated together.
Throughout their journeys, the sisters were never simply competitors. They exchanged ideas, shared experiences, learned from one another's mistakes and celebrated each other's achievements, recognising that they were pursuing the same passion in their own ways.
"I've always believed that having a sister who shares the same passion makes the journey even more meaningful. We don't simply compete to succeed; we encourage one another to become better every time," Dana said.
For Dana, the journey was also shaped by the support of her family, who introduced the sisters to reading at a young age and encouraged them to explore books that reflected their interests and ambitions.
She said their family's presence throughout their preparations and their encouragement during difficult moments gave them the confidence to pursue their goals.
"A child's success does not begin with winning an award; it begins when they find someone who believes in their abilities," she said, emphasising the importance of families listening to children's interests and giving them opportunities to develop their talents.
For Reem, however, the love of reading has also evolved into an opportunity to explore new forms of storytelling, bringing together literature, technology and artificial intelligence.
As the UAE's representative in the ninth season of the Arab Reading Challenge, Reem has continued to develop her literary interests, recently presenting her second book, The Last Lobby. A collaborative novel bringing together young Arab authors who previously participated in the competition.
The book brings together characters from different nationalities and historical eras in a story that begins with an invitation to Dubai and takes its characters on an adventure to save a mysterious kingdom.
The project brings together 13 Arab champions as authors and incorporates artificial intelligence and digital storytelling to offer readers an interactive experience. Short films depicting scenes from the chapters are accessible through QR codes placed throughout the book.
"What makes the book special is the combination of artificial intelligence and literacy. We created short films of scenes from each chapter and added QR codes throughout the pages, giving readers a wonderful and unique reading experience," Reem said.
Through the project, she hopes to encourage a reading community in which technology complements literature and allows readers to approach books from different perspectives.
Reem also highlighted the UAE's role in nurturing young people's ambitions and talents, saying the country's support strengthened her passion and confidence, while winning the Arab Reading Challenge played a major role in shaping her journey.
The collaborative nature of The Last Lobby, which brings together young writers from different nationalities, also reflects the UAE's ability to unite diverse talents and ambitions through shared creative projects.
As an Emirati author, Reem hopes the book will contribute to the country's cultural future while encouraging young people to explore new ways of engaging with Arabic literature.
Her message is that young people have an opportunity to strengthen their language, develop their ambitions and embrace innovation as part of their creative journeys.
