Arabian nights in Sharjah

Enjoying my stay at Sharjah International Book fair tremendously! It all began with a fab women’s only session ‘in conversation with’ at the Emirates Literary Festival for Emirati and expat women- it was an intimate frank conversation with Isabel, the director of the festival and a lot of thought provoking questions. during the q n a. One lady afterwards came up and said my talk brought tears to her eyes when I mentioned how I found my faith via Pakistan and what a fascinating beautiful county it actually is that sadly is in the news constantly for the wrong reasons. Books sold out in no time.

I managed to check into Dubai mall with Fiona from Midas who found a fashionable abaya for me, which I wore the next day to the lavish opening ceremony of the Sharjah International Bookfair in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Dr Al Qasimi. We were all served a banquet while the speeches went on and awards were distributed on stage. With that and some dancing in traditional costumes the book fair was officially inaugurated. I checked into a few book stands to see if I can find an Indian and/or Pakistani publisher. After lunch I spoke about my journey to Islam at the Technical College to a group of female media students who were watching my contribution to the discussion Does Islam need PR on BBC Question Time when I arrived. The girls were taken by my story, which I tailored a little to their interests, and asked a lot of questions during the q n a.

I was happy and honoured to see the Daily Mail journalist and The Telegraph journalist  walk in during my speech – just wished they’d turned up so regularly to my events in the UK.  At the end one of the students suggested she’ll speak to some influential people about the pilot I produced for a Muslim cultural show. It was a heart warming event and afterwards the students asked me to sign pieces of paper as my books hadn’t arrived in time. That same evening I found myself on the panel The significance of Cultural Journalism in this political world with a number of famous local journalists. I was interested and saddened at the same time to learn how little importance is given to culture– books, films, music, design, fashion, arts  and architecture in the Arab world. Also they were talking about a disconnect between the older generations of journalists and the youth who predominantly engage in social media. I suggested they involve the youth and shared MTV’s secret of success: to make TV by young people for young people. With this in mind I think our pilot, for a magazine show featuring contemporary global Muslim culture really would fill a gap in the market and help revive not only an interest but also pride in our rich Muslim heritage as well as contemporary culture and lifestyle which would be an inspiration to Muslims and Non Muslims alike, insha Allah.

At the gala dinner under the stars the Ruler of Sharjah HH Sheikh Sultan al Qasimi greeted me personally and asked how I was, then he asked about Imran and his children and suggested I assist with their Muslim education. We had met two years previously when his wife, HH Sheikkha Jawaher had invited me to speak at a conference in Sharjah. (See From MTV to Mecca chapter 17) As His Highness left he passed by my table again and when I suddenly heard my name, I jumped off my chair in surprise, lost the translation machine and tried to look dignified as I greeted the Sheikh. He then asked me where my book was! Of course to my embarrassment I didn’t have one to hand.

At the next book fair dinner for authors the following night on the water front we witnessed an amazing fountain light show with superimposed images that could compete with Dubai. This time I was better prepared and handed my book to the director of the media centre Osama, who promised he will personally give it to Sheikh Sultan.

It’s been such a treat to enjoy balmy evenings every night with really interesting publishers, agents, scouts, authors and journalists from around the world exchanging ideas and experiences till late into the night. Only the visit to far away Bedouland the other day was a bit of a non event when we finally arrived in the desert yet the company was still great. I had a long chat with Jake from the book review section of the Telegraph over dinner at Bedouland while we were both tucking into our chicken without cutlery. I noticed that all the English participants were really interested in the local culture, the fashion and the customs and many asked me questions about the hijab, the different styles, and other aspects of Muslim culture. To my surprise Patrick, the Harper Collins publisher complimented me on my new Abaya and confessed he loves long robes, also for men. This was the general consensus amongst all visitors actually. A lot of them also said they can’t wait to read my book.

What touched me most again was the friendliness and hospitality of the local people I meet. As a traveler I was helped and given assistance whenever needed. Salem from the Dubai Culture Centre arranged a meeting in Dubai and sent a driver to collect me who was actually his colleague, the real driver had the day off. But the colleague didn’t mind- how humbling is that.

Friday, the public holiday, I was finally able to catch up a little with my sleep and then enjoyed a few hours swimming in the sea and relaxing at the superb Sharjah Lady’s Club thanks to glamorous Ameera, who I’d met on my previous visit to Sharjah. (See chapter 17 of my book From MTV to Mecca). This time we had a chance to catch up with two of the other fabulous women I’d met before – Erum and Noura from Her Highness ‘office- Noura was at the fair to  launch her pioneering book, the first Arab science fiction novel.

Just as the sun set, Ameera’s friend, Iman, a beautiful and talented young designer joined me for some Moroccan mint tea. We discussed a collaboration between her label Ghizlan and she invited me to her sumptuous show room, a treasure cove of Eastern designer delights. She decked me out in the most exquisite Abaya creations-all of which are elegant multi- purpose designs and I look forward to wearing them at special events. I put one on straight away and have received so many compliments ever since. The next morning I caught a Saudi guy bashfully eying me up in the lift and when our eyes met in the mirror he said that the Abaya looks so nice on me I must bring it to my county. I assured him I will.

That evening I headed back to the book fair for the celebrity talk of the week: Arundati Roy, author of The God of Small Things.

In the first row I saw an eclectically dressed Asian arty type with a long ponytail. When Tony from Midas PR brought me over to sit next to him, I realised  it is Salman from Junoon whom I had met some 20 years before in the Salt Range as he reminded me. We caught up briefly; he is convinced our common friend will be PM of Pakistan in 2013. Sheikha Badour, daughter of HH, who is in charge of the book fair sat down in the front row not far from me and we chatted for a moment. Finally the petit but powerfully charismatic Arundati Roy took to the stage, by then there must have been about 2000 people there, most of them standing. She did a short reading for us and spoke about the timelessness and universality of her only book to date which addresses issues that are still relevant today. It may have been some 15 years since she published her acclaimed book for which she won the Booker Prize, but AR has been far from silent since then, she established herself as an outspoken voice on global political and environmental issues. In Sharjah she vehemently condemned the drone attacks in Pakistan that only create more terrorism. She highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris criticising India for having been a colonising power ever since gaining independence in 1947 and questioned the sanctity of nation states. Roy instead endorsed the philosophy of resistance which she called sophisticated as well as the principle of justice. She encouraged the audience to engage with society, to be involved and to make a difference, just like the small farmers in India’s forests who she admires for standing up against the big corporations who want to clear the land.  When asked about happiness- she instead pointed to fulfilment, beauty and love. The way Arundati Roy spoke I thought she must be a Muslim at heart. She certainly is a great lady and a courageous champion of the truth. When I told her my thoughts afterwards as we bumped into each other while exploring the book fair, she just beamed a radiating smile at me.

The next day Mohammad Ameen, a publisher from Abu Dhabi and friend of Habib Alli Al Jifri and his sister Ebtihal kindly picked me up at my hotel in Sharjah to take me all the way to Abu Dhabi for a meeting with Jifri’s Tabah Foundation and then we returned back to Sharjah. Each journey takes nearly two hours. Mohammad assured me he didn’t mind, he saw it as a service to God.  Bless him! We were both happy to spend time.  Before we reached Tabah we prayed in the imposing Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque, created by the late Sheikh who was known for his generosity of spirit and is buried outside. Nearly 24 hours people (not a tape) recite the Quran over him.  The snow white mosque with its feminine domes reminiscent of the Badshahi mosque in Lahore glowed in the sunshine against the bright blue sky and I couldn’t wait to get inside. Crossing a huge white marble courtyard with flowery inlay surrounded by endless white Moorish looking columns we entered. The grandeur of the light ambience and some of the design elements were  striking but I felt it would have been a more spiritual place if the interior design was based on traditional principles if Islamic art. When I prayed in the lady’s section I struggled to concentrate as the unusual patterns on the carpet distracted me. After reciting the fatiha for the Sheikh we left for the Tabah Foudnation. I was glad to meet the editor of my Arabic translation, M. Samer Alsit. His day job is to translate for Sheikh Habib Ali al Jifri, so it is a great honour to be able to work with him. Samer is a real wordsmith and is fine- tuning the translation with great care, love and attention for detail. Watch this space! There is only one big problem I yet have to solve: Raising the funds for the Arabic translation and the edits! So far both the translator and the editor are working fi sabiliLlah, trusting I will manage it. Ya Rabb, please reward them and please help us soonest!

On our return to Sharjah, Mohammed and I went to check out the book fair together. It was very busy as every evening with lots of panels and discussions going on and lit thirsty people from around the region, many in long white or black robes pushing huge shopping carts filled with books through the isles- a wonderful scene. Sharjah TV broadcasted live from the fair and spontaneously interviewed me. This was followed the next morning by an interview for the paper Al Bayan before I set off to Dubai to meet the TV channel Dubai One on my way to the airport.

It was a packed and blessed six days in the UAE, I made wonderful new friends, met important contacts, including a Turkish book agent and some interesting doors opened. Insha’ Allah I will be able to come back soon to do some good work in the region – in the media, hosting events and giving talks and/or consulting – must make use of my 20 years experience in Western media – and perhaps also dealing with new Muslims as my book seems to be an inspiration and may be of help to them as they find their feet in the faith.

Thank you to all the angels who helped me and made my stay so wonderful. You are in my prayers. Mabrouk Sharjah International Book fair!