The American University in Dubai's Islamic Awareness Club has organised a lecture by Dr. Abdelrahman Thakir discussing the Muslim reaction to the Danish controversy.
Lecture Title: 'Why do we act and react the way we do'
Date: Saturday, 25th of Feb. 2006 - that's tomorrow!
Venue: Auditorium of the American University in Dubai
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Looks interesting. The last public lecture I attended there was by Sheikh Hamza Yousuf of Zaytuna Institute on trhe contribution of Arabs to civilisation - very informative. It was amazing to see an American speaking such 'fus-ha' Arabic - brother Yusuf spent 10 years learning Arabic and Islamic teachings around the world.
This one should be good too, at least it is timely. May post the proceedings if I attend.
Insha Allah.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Featured Writer: Robin Sharma - The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Robin Sharma inspires people with his writing. Millions of people, across the world.
Robin is better known as the author of "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" - a bestseller that is changing people's lives with its sagely advice.
After quitting his job as a litigation lawyer, Robin Sharma marched to his own drummer's beat to become a bestselling author, speaker and life coach.
Robin had self-published his first book at a Kinko's copy shop. His first seminar was attended by 23 people, 21 of them, family members.
Robin then published his second book "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari". The fortunes turned when former HarperCollins president Ed Carson discovered Robin in a bookstore. And "The Monk" attained marketing nirvana!
As I write this, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" has been published in over 35 countries and in over 40 languages. It is also being made into a motion picture. His book "The Saint, The Surfer and The CEO" was the #1 selling book in the world at amazon.com.
Robin is visiting Dubai for the first time to conduct "The Elite Performers Series" leadership coaching programme on the 26 and 27 March 2006 at Jumeirah Emirates Tower, Dubai.
The event brochure and registration form are here
The number to call for registration is +971 4 360 2859.
Your wallet should have a surplus of USD 900+ to enjoy the show. Or a press pass, maybe.
Robin is better known as the author of "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" - a bestseller that is changing people's lives with its sagely advice.
After quitting his job as a litigation lawyer, Robin Sharma marched to his own drummer's beat to become a bestselling author, speaker and life coach.
Robin had self-published his first book at a Kinko's copy shop. His first seminar was attended by 23 people, 21 of them, family members.
Robin then published his second book "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari". The fortunes turned when former HarperCollins president Ed Carson discovered Robin in a bookstore. And "The Monk" attained marketing nirvana!
As I write this, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" has been published in over 35 countries and in over 40 languages. It is also being made into a motion picture. His book "The Saint, The Surfer and The CEO" was the #1 selling book in the world at amazon.com.
Robin is visiting Dubai for the first time to conduct "The Elite Performers Series" leadership coaching programme on the 26 and 27 March 2006 at Jumeirah Emirates Tower, Dubai.
The event brochure and registration form are here
The number to call for registration is +971 4 360 2859.
Your wallet should have a surplus of USD 900+ to enjoy the show. Or a press pass, maybe.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Writers Groups in the United Arab Emirates
The last couple of years have been good for writers in the UAE. We saw two writers' clubs being formed: the Dubai Writers Group on Meetup.com (DWG) and the International Literary Society of Dubai (ILSD).
I am a member of both.
The DWG has an active message board on Meetup.com and as of today, 292 members. A group 'meetup' is held every month at a convenient venue in Dubai. A book club is also active. I have attended quite a few meetings. The turnout is international - all expats.
I have not been able to see the member list of the ILSD (the initials somehow remind me of Jim Morrison of the Doors) on their website. The ILSD also organises events where writers can meet - a Literary Soirée is what such an event is called.
Both groups had organised their first writing contests last year. The results of DWG's writing contest are yet to be announced. The results of the ILSD's first writing competition have been announced and tomorrow, that is 17 February 2006, the ILSD is organising a public reading of the entries by the top 25 winners, many of whom are also members of the Dubai Writers Group.
I'd love to listen to the winning entries and meet up with writers. If I do manage to attend the reading, you can look forward to savouring the juicy details on this blog.
No, I didn't participate in the contests. Why give Dubai writers such tough competition, I thought (evil smile with flashing tooth). But I hope to, next time around. Insha Allah.
The last couple of years have been good for writers in the UAE. We saw two writers' clubs being formed: the Dubai Writers Group on Meetup.com (DWG) and the International Literary Society of Dubai (ILSD).
I am a member of both.
The DWG has an active message board on Meetup.com and as of today, 292 members. A group 'meetup' is held every month at a convenient venue in Dubai. A book club is also active. I have attended quite a few meetings. The turnout is international - all expats.
I have not been able to see the member list of the ILSD (the initials somehow remind me of Jim Morrison of the Doors) on their website. The ILSD also organises events where writers can meet - a Literary Soirée is what such an event is called.
Both groups had organised their first writing contests last year. The results of DWG's writing contest are yet to be announced. The results of the ILSD's first writing competition have been announced and tomorrow, that is 17 February 2006, the ILSD is organising a public reading of the entries by the top 25 winners, many of whom are also members of the Dubai Writers Group.
I'd love to listen to the winning entries and meet up with writers. If I do manage to attend the reading, you can look forward to savouring the juicy details on this blog.
No, I didn't participate in the contests. Why give Dubai writers such tough competition, I thought (evil smile with flashing tooth). But I hope to, next time around. Insha Allah.
A 55-word short story. Fiction based on real life.
Fiction is getting shorter in many writing circles. But that doesn’t necessarily make the task easier for the writer. Imagine condensing an entire plot in a few words. How about just 55?
Here’s a flash fiction piece by me, in the form of a 55-er (a 55 word story).
It’s called ‘Going somewhere?’
This story is the result of a conversation I had with a taxi driver, a conversation that left me speechless.
Fiction is getting shorter in many writing circles. But that doesn’t necessarily make the task easier for the writer. Imagine condensing an entire plot in a few words. How about just 55?
Here’s a flash fiction piece by me, in the form of a 55-er (a 55 word story).
It’s called ‘Going somewhere?’
It took him sixteen years to build a home for his family.
Taking passengers from one place to another in his rundown cab, day and night.
The best years of his life he passed on the streets, so that his children wouldn’t have to.
Then came the earthquake.
Another day on the road began.
This story is the result of a conversation I had with a taxi driver, a conversation that left me speechless.
The world's largest floating book fair in Abu Dhabi
[Source: My Marketing, Advertising & Creativity blog]
Abu Dhabi, 29 January 2006: Book lovers in Abu Dhabi are heading for the sea. The world’s largest floating book fair on board the MV Doulos beckons…
The MV Doulos, currently docked at the Abu Dhabi Free Port, is recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. It’s also a ‘global village’ of sorts with more than 300 crew members from over 40 nationalities. The ship’s name ‘Doulos’ means ‘to serve’ in Greek. Its mission is “bringing knowledge, help and hope” to communities it visits on its trips around the world.
The 130-metre long towering vessel is a treasure house of books with a stock of half a million books covering literature, sports, cookery, hobbies, geography, health, and management. These books are on sale at good prices. All one has to do is drive up and board the Doulos anchored at Abu Dhabi Free Port.
Getting to the Doulos is easy. From the Abu Dhabi city centre, a taxi would cost around Dhs 5 to the Free Port (Mina). The Doulos is anchored beyond Mina Mall. Yellow street signs with the ship’s name on it start from the Iranian market at the port leading drivers to the port entrance where you can park and walk up to the ship’s entry point. Rounded stairs that can scare the hell out of high-heeled visitors take you on board the ship. The warm welcoming smiles of the crew members at the reception will make you dismiss the shaky feeling of being afloat.
A few more stairs and ship alleys will lead you to the upper level of the Doulos to the book fair no one in Abu Dhabi wants to miss. Here you will find shelves and more shelves stacked with novels, dictionaries, atlases, children’s books, and more. But, if like me, you are visiting at a peak time, moving through these shelves packed with the Abu Dhabi bookworms, requires patience. Being slim (like me) helps as well. People, I have seen, aren’t just looking at the books and browsing through, they are buying them in basket-fulls.
Why? Because some of the titles are such great bargains. And the currency conversion is so much fun too. Books are prices in units, where 100 units = 7 dirhams. Most books I liked seemed to be 200 units = 14 dirhams.
Like BBC correspondent John Simpson’s book ‘News From No Man’s Land’. My sister had been wanting to buy it for quite some time. Its selling price at Doulos is 200 units = 14 dirhams, far below the cover price. We bought two copies.
Considering that this ship is the only one of its kind in the world, I bought a souvenir mug too, just 150 units = 10.50 dirhams. Mugs are always good things to have for coffee-addicts like me.
A trip to the Doulos is a nice way to spend some time away from the city. The crew members are very friendly. You can share a some warm moments with volunteers from around the world who have chosen to dedicate two years of their life, or more, going around the world building bridges of understanding.
I have paid two visits to the Doulos, and could perhaps steal another quick one before they move on to their next destination on 4 February. Would post more about the ship, Insha Allah. Including an interview with a crew member. Watch this space.
The ship would be at Abu Dhabi Free Port till 4 February, Saturday. Entry is free. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult (I don’t think little children can make it to the Mina on their own anyway). Visiting times are from 1 noon to 11 pm for the general public and ladies-only entry is on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 1 noon.
[Source: My Marketing, Advertising & Creativity blog]
Abu Dhabi, 29 January 2006: Book lovers in Abu Dhabi are heading for the sea. The world’s largest floating book fair on board the MV Doulos beckons…
The MV Doulos, currently docked at the Abu Dhabi Free Port, is recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. It’s also a ‘global village’ of sorts with more than 300 crew members from over 40 nationalities. The ship’s name ‘Doulos’ means ‘to serve’ in Greek. Its mission is “bringing knowledge, help and hope” to communities it visits on its trips around the world.
The 130-metre long towering vessel is a treasure house of books with a stock of half a million books covering literature, sports, cookery, hobbies, geography, health, and management. These books are on sale at good prices. All one has to do is drive up and board the Doulos anchored at Abu Dhabi Free Port.
Getting to the Doulos is easy. From the Abu Dhabi city centre, a taxi would cost around Dhs 5 to the Free Port (Mina). The Doulos is anchored beyond Mina Mall. Yellow street signs with the ship’s name on it start from the Iranian market at the port leading drivers to the port entrance where you can park and walk up to the ship’s entry point. Rounded stairs that can scare the hell out of high-heeled visitors take you on board the ship. The warm welcoming smiles of the crew members at the reception will make you dismiss the shaky feeling of being afloat.
A few more stairs and ship alleys will lead you to the upper level of the Doulos to the book fair no one in Abu Dhabi wants to miss. Here you will find shelves and more shelves stacked with novels, dictionaries, atlases, children’s books, and more. But, if like me, you are visiting at a peak time, moving through these shelves packed with the Abu Dhabi bookworms, requires patience. Being slim (like me) helps as well. People, I have seen, aren’t just looking at the books and browsing through, they are buying them in basket-fulls.
Why? Because some of the titles are such great bargains. And the currency conversion is so much fun too. Books are prices in units, where 100 units = 7 dirhams. Most books I liked seemed to be 200 units = 14 dirhams.
Like BBC correspondent John Simpson’s book ‘News From No Man’s Land’. My sister had been wanting to buy it for quite some time. Its selling price at Doulos is 200 units = 14 dirhams, far below the cover price. We bought two copies.
Considering that this ship is the only one of its kind in the world, I bought a souvenir mug too, just 150 units = 10.50 dirhams. Mugs are always good things to have for coffee-addicts like me.
A trip to the Doulos is a nice way to spend some time away from the city. The crew members are very friendly. You can share a some warm moments with volunteers from around the world who have chosen to dedicate two years of their life, or more, going around the world building bridges of understanding.
I have paid two visits to the Doulos, and could perhaps steal another quick one before they move on to their next destination on 4 February. Would post more about the ship, Insha Allah. Including an interview with a crew member. Watch this space.
The ship would be at Abu Dhabi Free Port till 4 February, Saturday. Entry is free. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult (I don’t think little children can make it to the Mina on their own anyway). Visiting times are from 1 noon to 11 pm for the general public and ladies-only entry is on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 1 noon.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Hi,
Welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to your feedback. Here’s a little background about my professional life, for those who would like to look up my credentials.
I am Farrukh Naeem, an award-winning copywriter and journalist based in Dubai, UAE.
Global brands I have written for
In the 10 years that I have been writing professionally, I have written for some of the hottest brands in the world, including Hewlett-Packard, Adidas, Jaguar, Sheraton Hotels, Jacuzzi and the United Nations.
Writing across all media
My writing exploits have covered a wide range of media: from press and magazine ads to TV commercials and radio spots; from direct mailers to press releases; from corporate brochures to online catalogues.
In addition to writing advertising copy for press and magazines, I have had adventurous stints as a TV commercial scriptwriter in a production house and a direct marketing writer in one of the largest integrated marketing solutions companies in the world under the Y&R banner.
Journalism credentials
As a journalist, I have written about a wide range of industries including telecom, cosmetics, health, transport, internet, education, finance, and more. I have had the privilege to meet and interview the opinion leaders, the movers and shakers of these industries in the Middle East region. My features and analytical articles have been published offline and online by some of the most reputed names in business.
Plans for this blog
I would like to use this blog to post my thoughts, opinion, reflections. I hope to post tips on writing, reports on writer's meetings that I attend, good websites and blogs I think would be relevant to writers.
Also, I plan to showcase my work and the work that I like by other writers and artists.
If you would like me to feature your work on this blog, feel free to mail me on farrukh_copywriter@yahoo.com and I'll review it for publication on this blog.
Your feedback would be appreciated and your views valued.
Let’s get on to the posts then…
Welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to your feedback. Here’s a little background about my professional life, for those who would like to look up my credentials.
I am Farrukh Naeem, an award-winning copywriter and journalist based in Dubai, UAE.
Global brands I have written for
In the 10 years that I have been writing professionally, I have written for some of the hottest brands in the world, including Hewlett-Packard, Adidas, Jaguar, Sheraton Hotels, Jacuzzi and the United Nations.
Writing across all media
My writing exploits have covered a wide range of media: from press and magazine ads to TV commercials and radio spots; from direct mailers to press releases; from corporate brochures to online catalogues.
In addition to writing advertising copy for press and magazines, I have had adventurous stints as a TV commercial scriptwriter in a production house and a direct marketing writer in one of the largest integrated marketing solutions companies in the world under the Y&R banner.
Journalism credentials
As a journalist, I have written about a wide range of industries including telecom, cosmetics, health, transport, internet, education, finance, and more. I have had the privilege to meet and interview the opinion leaders, the movers and shakers of these industries in the Middle East region. My features and analytical articles have been published offline and online by some of the most reputed names in business.
Plans for this blog
I would like to use this blog to post my thoughts, opinion, reflections. I hope to post tips on writing, reports on writer's meetings that I attend, good websites and blogs I think would be relevant to writers.
Also, I plan to showcase my work and the work that I like by other writers and artists.
If you would like me to feature your work on this blog, feel free to mail me on farrukh_copywriter@yahoo.com and I'll review it for publication on this blog.
Your feedback would be appreciated and your views valued.
Let’s get on to the posts then…
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