Sharjah International Forum Brings Focus To Emirati Women’s Cultural And Travel Stories

Published on September 24, 2025

This year’s 25th version of nan Sharjah International Narrator Forum serves arsenic a vibrant gathering organized by nan Sharjah Institute for Heritage, celebrating nan Arab oral practice and nan galore stories it holds astir travel and wanderlust. For 2023, nan spotlight falls connected really travelers of nan past person shaped our knowledge of cities, peoples, and nan earthy world by cautiously noting down sights and experiences arsenic they journeyed done unfamiliar lands. Through a rich | substance of scholarly papers and storytelling from nan heart, participants yesterday shed caller ray connected nan full contented of recreation writing, nan trade of oral narration, and nan voyages of early Emirati adventurers.

Academic Insights into Arab Travel Literature and History

One important convention during nan forum looked astatine really Arabian travelers and geographers wrote astir nan cities of nan UAE and nan Gulf. Titled “Cities of nan UAE and nan Arabian Gulf successful Travelers’ and Geographers’ Writings,” it brought together experts who shared investigation focusing connected nan 9th to 13th centuries. These scholars shared cardinal texts that picture nan early Arab viewpoint of UAE towns for illustration Julfar, Fujairah, and Sharjah. These ports were captious trading stations successful their day, and nan presenters showed really their journeys helped create elaborate early maps of nan region and supply valuable insights into commerce, culture, and regular life astatine nan time.

Contributions ranged from Talal Al Rumaithi’s introspection of nan Kuwaiti delegation’s 1958 sojourn to nan UAE and Qatar, to Wafaa Salem Al Hashimi’s exploration of Ibn Jubayr’s 12th-century Hajj journey. The convention illustrated nan domiciled of recreation arsenic a conveyance for taste speech and knowledge transportation successful nan Arab world.

Unveiling Oral Traditions successful Arab Travel Accounts

In nan convention titled “Oral Traditions successful Arab Travels,” scholars discussed really oral storytelling has shaped nan taste and anthropological scenery of Arab heritage. Notable studies included Dr. Ahmed Bahie Eldin’s study of recreation arsenic a humanistic and intelligence pursuit, alongside investigation connected Moroccan folktales. These discussions highlighted really storytelling successful recreation accounts often reflects quality growth, spirituality, and individual exploration.

Another important session, “Marvels and Wonders successful Arab Travelogues,” compared nan travels of renowned explorers specified arsenic Ibn Battuta and Xu Xiake, drafting attraction to nan communicative techniques utilized to blend reality pinch imagination successful their writings. Presentations covered nan profound taste insights these explorers provided done their reflections connected far-reaching destinations.

Emirati Women Travelers: A Journey of Courage and Resilience

A powerful conception of nan forum, “Emirati Women Travelers: From nan Alps to Socotra,” celebrated nan singular journeys of Emirati women who person pushed boundaries successful their travels. Among them, Fatim Loghani, a pioneering motorcyclist, shared her communicative of solo motorcycle expeditions crossed Europe, India, and nan Himalayas. Her travel highlighted nan value of meticulous planning, overcoming obstacles, and empowering women to recreation solo.

Another singular communicative came from writer and traveler Salma Al Hafeeti, who recounted her transformative retreat to Socotra Island, an isolated and biodiverse destination. Without net access, she immersed herself successful nan island’s pristine environment, gaining heavy insights into its rich | taste heritage. Al Hafeeti’s acquisition emphasized nan powerfulness of recreation successful fostering relationship pinch quality and section communities.

Guide for Travelers: Lessons successful Exploration and Cultural Immersion

The tales told astatine nan Sharjah Narrator Forum clasp valuable contented for anyone who travels. From tales of agelong motorcycle journeys crossed deserts to quiet hikes done nan distant beauty of Socotra, nan halfway connection is nan same: existent escapade isn’t conscionable astir nan way you take; it’s astir really you travel. Embracing resilience, knowing nan section measurement of life, and allowing yourself to turn are nan existent souvenirs. Before you pack, perceive to those stories and retrieve to scheme your way carefully, respect each civilization you touch, and look for moments that alteration you, not conscionable Instagram filters.

For those readying their ain explorations, nan forum’s themes service arsenic a reminder of nan value of documenting individual journeys and connecting pinch section communities. Whether done photography, writing, aliases storytelling, each traveler contributes to nan rich | tapestry of taste history that defines recreation literature.

Closing Thoughts

The 25th Sharjah International Narrator Forum has shown really storytelling keeps recreation traditions alive. Talks covered everything from scholarly studies of Arab recreation books to moving stories told by Emirati women explorers. This year’s meetings person broadened our position of Arab taste history while besides sparkling a ray connected nan courageousness and curiosity of travelers from nan UAE and beyond.