International Women's Day: UAE inspired this expat to launch women-centric novel

Dubai - The word ‘Jilbaab’ in the title represents the Islamic value system and ‘Pink Shoes’ denotes the progressiveness.

A woman’s head has a lot of questions and a hijabi’s head, 100 times more. Expressing her individuality as an empowered Muslim woman sporting a hijab, Pakistani expatriate Kiran Shah is all set to launch her first book titled Pink Shoes and Jilbaab that she dedicates to women across the world, motivating them to be fearless while establishing their self-identity.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Shah said she is much inspired by accomplished women like Sarah Al Amiri, UAE’s first Minister of State for Advanced Sciences and chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, and in her book prompts young adults not to hesitate to achieve their dreams. “My book is inspired by UAE’s forward-looking approach, where values are honoured but do not become shackles for a woman. The word ‘Jilbaab’ in the title represents the Islamic value system and ‘Pink Shoes’ denotes the progressiveness.

In the book to be launched later this month, Shah talks about her journey of self-discovery after coming to the UAE. Not only did she put on her hijab boldly, but it also didn’t stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming an artist, a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) expert, a motivational speaker, and doing things that she loves like participating in marathons and other fitness activities.

Shah said: “For long, the hijab has been associated with a restricted mindset. But times are changing, and today it is a statement of individuality. I took to wearing the hijab at the age of 25 (when I landed in Dubai) and have never looked back ever since. I remember the struggle to fit in and the anxiety that followed when I did. But coming to the UAE opened up my mind and gave me a chance to look at things differently. Today, I am a life coach, NLP expert and corporate trainer. I am also an international artist who has exhibited her work widely (including at the Carrousal de Louvre, Paris), a brand ambassador for a leading abaya brand, and a fitness enthusiast. My modest attire and hijab has never stopped me from achieving any of my goals. If anything, it has set me apart from the rest.”

One of her chapters in the book is named ‘Burj Khalifa of Dreams’, where she says till the time your vision, missions and values are not aligned, your talents and ambitions will be like “bricks on the floors, each one having a mind of its own”, when they start to align, the building starts taking shape. She speaks of creating a map to your ultimate ‘Burj Khalifa of Dreams’ and then break it into smaller goals to lead you to it.

‘Pink Shoes and Jilbaab’ not only serves as a hijab lifestyle guide but also spurs the readers to find their purpose in life and work towards it. It speaks of grit, perseverance and ambition, while holding on to the Islamic values. “My book is an autobiographical tale looped with pearls of experience and an air of adventure,” Shah quipped.

saman@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai