Inspirational book entitled 13 Amazing Women of Arabia, written by Dana Alblooshi a GEMS Education student and the youngest Emirati to experience training at the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch at Emirates Festival of Literature. Dana Alblooshi, a student at GEMS Wellington International School, wrote the book in celebration of remarkable women from the Arab world, who have left their mark and inspired future generations.

The thirteen motivational stories highlight the importance of education, innovation and perseverance, and aims to be an indispensable resource for children across the Middle East. Dana chose fourteen female Arab artists to illustrate the different women for the book, in a celebration of ‘girl power’ and what women in the region can achieve.

Dino Varkey, Chief Executive Officer at GEMS Education, said: “We are extremely proud of Dana’s achievement at such a young age. GEMS Education places emphasis on quality education where we aim to bring out the genius in every child. On behalf of GEMS Education, I would like to congratulate Dana for her fantastic achievements and we hope she has inspired many of her peers to succeed in their chosen field of focus.”

A 13-year-old prodigy and innovator, Dana is also the youngest Emirati to experience training at the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and since then has become a role model for Arab women in the region, showing that age is just a number.

Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group, said: ‘We are delighted to publish Dana’s new book, and we hope that it will inspire future generations of Arab women to pursue their dreams and forge ahead to reach new heights.’

You can purchase the book at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature for AED 85. The festival closes on 9 March.

The book features the following inspiring women:

• Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister for Culture and Knowledge Development, UAE
• Zaha Hadid, architect, Iraq
• Dr Rana Dajani, scientist, Jordan
• Raja Al Gurg, businesswoman, UAE
• Lotfia Elnadi, aviator, Egypt
• Feryal Al Bastaki, fashion designer, UAE
• Amal Clooney, human rights lawyer, Lebanon
• Merieme Chadid, astronomer, Morocco
• Alia Neyadi, ballerina, UAE
• Samia Halaby, artist, Palestine
• Mariam Al Mansouri, fighter pilot, UAE
• Dr Hayat Sindi, scientist, Saudi Arabia
• Zahra Lari, figure skater, UAE