Rose's Diaries

Set in mid-1960s Dubai during a period of anti-colonial fervor and Pan-Arab nationalist movements, the story revolves around Rose (Rauza), a bright young woman with a profound passion for literature and creative writing. After being denied an educational scholarship to study Arabic literature in Damascus, Rose returns to her family home in the traditional district of Al-Shindagha, struggling against rigid social expectations that deem female authorship taboo. Refusing to allow her intellect to be stifled, Rose channels her frustration into secret journal entries, chronicling her observations, community transformations, and internal yearning for liberation. To protect her forbidden thoughts from discovery, she regularly casts her filled notebooks into the waters of the Dubai Creek. Al-Kamali crafts an evocative portrait of early modern Emirati society, honoring the quiet courage of women striving for identity, education, and creative expression.

An IPAF-shortlisted novel that offers a beautifully textured historical look at pre-union Dubai, showcasing a young woman's quiet artistic resistance against societal restrictions.

Ideal for readers of contemporary Arabic literature, fans of Gulf historical fiction, and anyone interested in stories of female empowerment, education, and cultural history.