Meet Noor’s Heroes – Noor's Heroes

Umm Kulthum

This is the story of a little girl with a powerful voice, who grew up in the Nile Delta and became known as the ‘Planet of the East’. Umm Kulthum’s songs and lyrics brought people together, and when she sang, the Arab world stopped to listen.

Sasha Haddad is a Lebanese-born illustrator based in Greece. She has illustrated over 25 children’s books, and in 2021, founded Bookie, a platform dedicated to children’s projects, and launched her line of greeting cards and prints of her work.

Saloua Raouda Choucair

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She was fascinated by lines and forms that inspired her to create artwork using different materials. Though many did not understand Saloua Raouda Choucair’s art, she believed in it wholeheartedly and became known as the ‘mother of abstraction’ in the Arab world.

Khalid Mezaina is a Dubai-based Emirati illustrator and textile artist. Since 2018, he has focused on an independent studio practice, freelancing as a commercial illustrator, and expanding his body of work as a textile artist.

Mohamed Salah

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Since he was a young boy growing up in the Egyptian village of Nagrig, Mo Salah dreamed of playing football professionally. He worked hard and made his dream come true, while never forgetting his roots and the importance of giving back.

Nora Zeid is an award-winning Egyptian illustrator and visual artist based in Dubai. Her visual arts practice revolves around visual representations of heritage spaces and how they affect people’s relationship with them.

Mahmoud Darwish

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From an early age, Mahmoud Darwish understood the power of the written and spoken word. With his homeland of Palestine forever in his heart and mind, Mahmoud wrote about the Palestinian struggle in his poetry and prose, and became a voice for oppressed people the world over.

Mona Elkateb is an Egyptian visual artist and illustrator based in Cairo. Through her practice, Elkateb navigates the intersection of creativity and social justice, and channels her passion for social causes, particularly those related to women’s rights.

Nadine Labaki

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Ever since she was a little girl, Nadine Labaki knew she wanted to make films. She believes in listening to one’s instinct, and in the power of film to create change and instil hope. Through films that tell compelling stories about social issues, Nadine gives a voice to those unheard.

Yasmina Keyrouz is an illustrator and designer, whose style is defined by bold colours, designs from the 1970s and her Lebanese roots. She is passionate about blending modern aesthetics with nostalgic influences.

Hassan Kamel Al Sabbah

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From a young age, Hassan Kamel Al Sabbah excelled in math and enjoyed creating devices. A genius inventor, he made significant contributions to the fields of electrical engineering, solar energy and space technology. His dream was to make the Arab world an oasis for renewable energy.

Razan Wehbi is a Lebanese illustrator and art director based in Dubai. She explores storytelling in various forms – from comics and editorial illustration to animation and advertising.

Samia Halaby

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Since her childhood in Jaffa, Palestine, Samia Halaby has always found beauty in her surroundings, expressing it through vibrant, abstract paintings. As an artist, writer and teacher, she stays true to her vision by finding inspiration in the world around her and remaining deeply connected to her Palestinian roots.

Rama Duwaji is a Syrian illustrator and animator based in Brooklyn, New York. Using drawn portraiture and movement, Rama examines the themes of sisterhood and communal experiences.

Huda Kattan

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As a child, Huda Kattan felt out of place and insecure. She had a big heart, stood up for what is right and loved makeup. She followed her passion and built a global beauty brand and continues to fight injustice, while helping others. Makeup can make anyone beautiful, but Huda reminds us that not everything we see is real.

Najat Meky

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Najat Meky grew up in Old Dubai, where colours, smells, and stories filled her world. She followed her love for art all the way to Egypt, becoming the first Emirati woman to hold a doctorate in art. Now, she inspires others to dream, create, and celebrate their own unique voices.

Omani-born Shaima Al Alawi is based in Muscat and has been working independently since 2017. She is passionate about children’s books and the art of visual storytelling, as well as her Omani culture.

This is the story of a little girl with a powerful voice, who grew up in the Nile Delta and became known as the ‘Planet of the East’. Umm Kulthum’s songs and lyrics brought people together, and when she sang, the Arab world stopped to listen.

She was fascinated by lines and forms that inspired her to create artwork using different materials. Though many did not understand Saloua Raouda Choucair’s art, she believed in it wholeheartedly and became known as the ‘mother of abstraction’ in the Arab world.

Since he was a young boy growing up in the Egyptian village of Nagrig, Mo Salah dreamed of playing football professionally. He worked hard and made his dream come true, while never forgetting his roots and the importance of giving back.

From an early age, Mahmoud Darwish understood the power of the written and spoken word. With his homeland of Palestine forever in his heart and mind, Mahmoud wrote about the Palestinian struggle in his poetry and prose, and became a voice for oppressed people the world over.

Ever since she was a little girl, Nadine Labaki knew she wanted to make films. She believes in listening to one’s instinct, and in the power of film to create change and instil hope. Through films that tell compelling stories about social issues, Nadine gives a voice to those unheard.

From a young age, Hassan Kamel Al Sabbah excelled in math and enjoyed creating devices. A genius inventor, he made significant contributions to the fields of electrical engineering, solar energy and space technology. His dream was to make the Arab world an oasis for renewable energy.

Najat Meky grew up in Old Dubai, where colours, smells, and stories filled her world. She followed her love for art all the way to Egypt, becoming the first Emirati woman to hold a doctorate in art. Now, she inspires others to dream, create, and celebrate their own unique voices.​

Najat Meky grew up in Old Dubai, where colours, smells, and stories filled her world. She followed her love for art all the way to Egypt, becoming the first Emirati woman to hold a doctorate in art. Now, she inspires others to dream, create, and celebrate their own unique voices.