The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation will host a seminar and book signing event for the book, “Sheikha Al Nakhi- A Woman Who Shapes the Dream”, authored by renowned Emirati writer and poet Salha Ghabish.
The event will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Foundation’s Lecture Hall, in the presence of renowned poet Salha Ghabish and veteran storyteller and writer Sheikha Al Nakhi.
The book “A Woman Forming the Dream” is part of the ongoing series “Pioneers from the UAE,” published by the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation to document the lives of individuals who have made a significant impact on cultural life in the UAE. The book focuses on the biography and life of the esteemed Emirati storyteller, Sheikha Al Nakhi.
The book is structured into various sections, beginning with an introduction, followed by a detailed exploration of Sheikha Al Nakhi’s early life, upbringing and the influential factors shaping her narrative experience.
The author then delves into the examination of social themes embedded in her stories. Furthermore, the book explores different facets of Sheikha Al Nakhi’s life through the perspectives of writers who have shared experiences with her, including Asma Al Zarooni, Buthaina Khader Makki, Aliaa Jawhar, Fatima Al Hadidi, Kaltham Abdullah, and Najiba Al Rifai.
The book also features a selection of stories that trace her literary journey. From her inaugural story “Al Rahil” (The Departure) to “Pack of Colours” and a compilation of other narratives like “Barriers,” “A Caring Hand,” and “Al Salama”.
The book provides readers with a glimpse into Sheikha Al Nakhi’s diverse and impactful body of work. Complementing this, the book features an appendix that showcases photographs capturing moments from her life, along with the numerous accolades and certificates she received throughout her literary journey. The book also includes the covers of her books issued since the 1970s.
In her introduction to the book, Salha Ghabish said: “The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the impactful elements in Sheikha Al Nakhi’s journey. It also shows the cultural and intellectual formation of Sheikha Al Nakhi, starting from her early years of being bringing up in an educated family and her job experience before completing her university study.
The book highlights Al Nakhi’s role in establishing various social, cultural, and educational initiatives in Sharjah, with a focus on women and the challenges they encounter in fulfilling their life roles within the context of societal expectations that closely observe their diverse and evolving circumstances.
The book also consists of a conclusion, references, and biographies of both storyteller Sheikha Al Nakhi and writer Salha Ghabish. Spanning 230 pages of medium size, the book holds No. 36 as part of the “Pioneers from the UAE” series, a collection released by the Sultan Al Owais Cultural Foundation in Dubai.
