{
  "id": 18668859,
  "title": "How an Emirati boy became a young author and advocate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/how-an-emirati-boy-became-a-young-author-and-advocate",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-07T07:47:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/abu-dhabi/how-an-emirati-boy-became-a-young-author-and-advocate-1.500739328"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abu Dhabi has become the home of a young author and advocate who was once just a curious four-year-old. Saeed AlMheiri, now eight years old, has represented Emirati children at international exhibitions and events and has been chosen as a book ambassador in other countries. His journey began with a childhood filled with questions, curiosity, and a supportive mother, Mouza Al Darmaki.\n\nMouza, Saeed's mother, never anticipated that her son would become an exceptional child. From the beginning, they never planned for Saeed to revolve his whole childhood around achievements. Instead, they focused on nurturing his natural curiosity, which led to a love for books, stories, and conversations.\n\nSaeed grew up in a home filled with books and stories, and he had an older sister, Al Darmaki, who served as a role model by reading and writing at a young age. This sparked Saeed's interest in writing and storytelling. As he grew older, his fascination expanded to include marine life, robotics, space, and artificial intelligence.\n\nIn 2023, during the COP28 conference, Saeed wrote his book \"Melting Ice,\" which explored climate change and its impact on marine species, particularly dugongs. This project marked a significant milestone in his life, as it allowed him to connect his thoughts on the subject with his passion for writing.\n\nMouza's role as a parent was crucial in ensuring that Saeed's childhood remained balanced and unburdened by the pressures of success. She worked closely with his school, teachers, and fellow students to ensure that Saeed's education was not compromised due to his extraordinary accomplishments. Additionally, she made an effort to bridge the gap between Arabic and English, allowing Saeed to maintain his connection to his cultural roots while exploring new languages and ideas.\n\nThroughout his journey, Saeed has remained driven by a genuine passion for learning and a desire to explore new frontiers. His mother's guidance and support have played a vital role in fostering his curiosity and encouraging him to pursue his dreams without compromising his childhood. As Saeed continues to grow and develop, his mother remains committed to ensuring that he remains true to himself and his own unique voice.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi: Everyone saw the four-year-old on the stage. Around 400 people in front of him. A small boy, completely confident, with a message: I was able to do this, and you can too. Behind that moment, his mother said were days spent organising school and travel. Behind the book, a passing conversation. Behind the confidence, is years of listening. “People usually see success once it becomes…",
  "key_points": [
    "Saeed AlMheiri, once a curious four-year-old, became an author and advocate at eight.",
    "His mother, Mouza Al Darmaki, nurtured his curiosity and love for books from early childhood.",
    "Saeed's book \"Melting Ice\" addressed climate change and marine species at COP28 conference."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}