Biographies of Contributors
Deeba Salim Irfan
Biography
Deeba Salim Irfan is an award-winning author, poet, and founder of TheWriteScene, a global platform for nurturing writers. With three published books to her name, including Charcoal Blush, which won the Book Excellence Award in Canada, she brings rich storytelling experience to her sessions. Deeba has mentored hundreds of writers through retreats, publishing guidance, and one-on-one coaching. Her expertise lies in helping writers silence their inner critic and write with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Warm, insightful, and deeply intuitive, she creates spaces where writers feel seen and empowered.
Youness Mounir (Yun K)
Biography:
Youness Siraj Mounir has spent the majority of his adult life in the UK—an experience that has profoundly influenced his artistic outlook. For Yun, painting is more than a creative outlet; it is a deep exploration of his inner world. His work is inspired by the richness of life itself, the beauty of nature, meaningful conversations, personal experiences, the rhythms of music, and the fleeting emotions of both joy and sorrow.
Sarah Al Janabi
Biography:
Sarah Al Janabi is a Palestinian-Iraqi poet, business psychologist, and creative facilitator with a multidisciplinary background that bridges art, entrepreneurship, and psychology. She is the author of Meraki and More than Pretty Words, both published before the age of 21, and has spent over a decade managing and expanding her family’s restaurant business in Mauritius. With a master’s in Psychology and a second in Business Psychology, her work explores identity, love, pain, emotional resilience, and the unspoken inner world—whether through poetry, workshops, or speaking engagements. Recently relocated to Dubai, her aim is creating spaces where authentic self-expression is at the forefront.
Sarah will also perform some of her poetry.
Riffat Merchant:
Biography:
Riffat Merchant is a children’s author and an early years educator with over 15 years of teaching experience in Dubai. Working closely with young children has given me a deep understanding of how they see the world, express their emotions, and navigate their unique identities. My passion for storytelling stems from my time in the classroom, where I witness firsthand the power of books in shaping young minds.
Zajal
Biography:
Zajal celebrates diverse voices from around the world. Inspired by Arabic oral poetry, it brings art and culture to life through blind book dates, curated experiences, and intimate gatherings. Whether you’re here to read or to be read, Zajal is a space to feel, connect, and be seen. Making the world a little kinder, one story at a time.
Natalia Samoilova
Biography:
Natalia Samoilova is an Advanced Child Brain Development and Nutrition Advisor, Certified Nutrition Consultant, and Founder of Cooking Lama, a global food edutainment platform for children from toddlers to teens. She creates joyful learning experiences where cooking becomes a tool for developing children’s brains, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits. With over 20 years of experience in education, nutrition, and child development, Natalia empowers families to make food a foundation for growth and connection. Her approach is trusted by nurseries, schools, cultural centers, and parents. She is also the author of “Look! I’m Cooking!”, a hands-on book inspiring kids in 40+ countries to explore food with curiosity and joy.
Syeda Maham Zehra
Biography:
Syeda Maham Zehra is a traditional Islamic artist based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE,. Originally from Pakistan. She specializes in Arabic calligraphy and geometric pattern-making rooted in Islamic heritage. With over eight years of experience, she has
led workshops across the UAE and Pakistan in collaboration with institutions like The
Ritz-Carlton, Hilton Resorts, and Abu Dhabi Language Center. Her work focuses on
cultural storytelling, community learning, and making heritage-based art accessible to all. Maham is also an active contributor to the Global Centre for Islamic Art (GCIA).
Zainab Khan
Biography:
Zainab Khan is a multidisciplinary artist with a foundation in fine arts and a degree in architecture. Specializing in drawing, sketching, and painting, she blends artistic techniques with expressive creativity.
Hesa Aldahel
Biography:
Hesa Aldahel is an Emirati poet and Co-founder of the first Emirati
plant-based leather brand Wadi D. Through her brand she raises
awareness regarding fashion sustainability. She was a feature poet at
Emirates Literature Foundation at Al Shandagha, Sikka and Community Night in collaboration with Serkal Avenue. A featured poet in the Rumi poetry night 2024 at House of Wisdom, Sharjah. She has collaborated with Sharjah Art foundation, NYUAD and Kutubna Cultural Center as a teaching artist. In 2023, she moderated for
Emirates Literature festival and Watch week for Bulgari. In 2022, she was a moderator at Abu Dhabi book fair. She has been published in an anthology called “Fields of Poetry” by Sail Publishing. She has Masters of Philosophy in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health.
Nakshatra Prem
Biography:
Nakshatra Prem is a 11-year-old changemaker from UAE, founder of STARKID – The Kindness Movement for SDGs, and an SDG child ambassador. She was a speaker and panelist at global events like COP28. She is the author of two inspiring books: ‘For Our Planet’ and ‘Enchanted Wild Echoes’. She also launched the STARTECHKIDS Mobile app, a platform for children to use their digital skills for creative services for businesses.
Victoria Sosonka
Biography:
Victoria Sosonka is a visual artist based in the UAE, known for her emotive oil paintings and immersive art experiences. Her work explores themes of healing, identity, and introspection, often inviting viewers into a moment of stillness and reflection. In addition to creating fine art, she conducts art therapy workshops that support emotional well-being through creative expression. Victoria’s work has been featured in exhibitions across the region and highlighted in multiple media outlets. She is also the founder of Sosonka Arts, a brand centered on original artworks and hand-painted items that reflect her distinctive artistic voice.
Hussain Jethajiwala
Biography:
Hussain is a Dubai-based author with a unique blend of professional and creative experiences. By day, he is a Customer Relations Manager in Dubai with 10 years of diverse leadership experience in the Field of Franchise Management, Business Launch, Perfume Factory Setup and distribution of Pad & Screen-Printing Machines and Consumables. However, his true passion lies in the realm of storytelling. Born and brought up in the Uae Hussain has a knack of writing passionate love stories with amazing plots and soon will be launching other genres too. His writing is a perfect escape into worlds filled with love, longing, and heart touching Poems.
When not immersed in the worlds he creates, Hussain enjoys travel, making new connections, long drives, watching movies and swimming.
Nicole Plumridge
Biography:
Nicole Plumridge is a three-time published author and behaviour therapist with a deep passion for creativity and storytelling. While her work as a writer helps her tap into the magical potential of the imagination, her work as a behaviour therapist leads her to connect deeply with young minds. Over the past few years, Nicole has hosted workshops, retreats and book readings designed to spark creativity, inspire the imagination and connect with like minded souls along the way!
Big Feel
Biography:
Rana Nammour, Ghiwa Bou Issa AND Joumana Mekdachi Kharma are three passionate educators currently taking the Mind Tools for Kids course. Each of them brings her own unique touch, and together they aim to support children’s emotional growth through creativity, care, and connection.
Dr. Abeer Naajem AlRasbi
Biography:
Dr. Abeer Naajem AlRasbi, An Emirati coach, trainer, and motivational speaker certified by John Maxwell Leadership Academy. With extensive experience in developing leadership mainly self-leadership, empowering women, and fostering youth development, she passionately guides individuals and teams towards achieving personal growth and professional excellence. Founder and CEO of Erteqa for Training and Development and Creator and Host of Live2LeadUAE. Her unique approach integrates international leadership insights with profound Islamic wisdom and UAE cultural values, inspiring meaningful change and lasting impact. Dr. Abeer is also a dedicated content creator, author, and a special podcast host coming on this year, committed to spreading powerful leadership and personal growth messages.