Two young, resident sisters have caught the attention of the literary world with their uncanny ability to give wordy life to concepts and images and author diverse titles at a tender age.
Meet award-winning author and motivational speaker Zunaira Waheed and young author and passionate equestrian Aysal Waheed, who have recently participated in Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair that is currently docked at the Port of Salalah after welcoming avid readers at the Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat from July 13 to 24.
As a 17-year-old high school student at the International School of Choueifat, Zunaira Waheed has excelled as a young author in her ‘writing path’ while creating a remarkable mark as a motivational speaker and activist. Her published works include a mystery book titled ‘That Night’ and a collection of motivational articles named ‘Nobody Told You This Before’. Zunaira has collaborated with other writers on several anthologies and has written numerous motivational articles for magazines across the world.
“Writing is my passion and is a way for my emotions to take wings and scale the horizons,” said Zunaira, who made reading a habit at a very tender age.
As a speaker, she delivered a TEDx Talk on redefining leadership and its profound impact on personal growth and success. She runs a podcast called RealWithUs, which raises awareness about societal issues and advocates for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Zunaira's dedication to making a positive impact has earned her prestigious awards and recognition, including the Educational Leadership Award by Global Youth Awards UK.
Aysal Waheed, Zunaira’s younger sister, has so far, at 13 years of age, written 7 books, each focusing on a unique message for the youth, and one of which has earned her the ‘Author of the Year’ award in 2022.
This young author, who is an 8th grade student and an equestrian as well, has also written several articles, which were published in different magazines and websites. In her TEDx speech, the young author spoke about the importance of staying determined throughout the journey of achieving a goal.
The young leaders left a lasting impact on the youth and fostered a sense of personal growth and global solidarity. The extraordinary journey allowed them to instill the essence of leadership in young minds and create meaningful connections with people from diverse cultures. Over the course of several days, Zunaira and Aysal embraced the privilege of being part of the Logos Hope community, engaging in mentorship, and inspiring the youth. This unique opportunity was met with excitement and a deep sense of responsibility to impart valuable life lessons to the young participants.
“My inspiration to be a writer and a speaker is my parents and, of course, my elder sister, who continuously encourages me to read and write,” a chirpy Aysal said.
Their parents, Muhammed Waheed, a UK-certified Chartered Accountant, and Shan E Zehra Waheed, who is pursuing her PhD, spare no stones unturned in helping their children pursue their passion of reading and writing at a time when there are wild cries from different corners that reading is dying among our children.
A primary focus was instilling leadership qualities that transcend mere authority or power. Zunaira and Aysal emphasised the significance of empowering others, cultivating empathy, and embracing responsibility for collective well-being.
Encouraging the youth to recognise and harness their individual strengths and talents to inspire and motivate others was a central theme throughout the engagement.
Zunaira and Aysal's journey at Logos Hope showcased the power of youth leadership and inspiration. They instilled empathy, empowerment, and responsibility among the young participants, fostering personal growth and global solidarity. Their impact left a legacy of hope and optimism for a brighter world.
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