At the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, Mohammed Al-Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, shared pivotal moments from his literary and media journey as part of the “Emirati Icons” initiative celebrating his contributions. In a session titled “The Journalist Novelist: A Media Career Journey,” moderated by media figure Dr. Suleiman Al-Hatlian, Al-Murr recounted his early passion for journalism and reading that began in childhood.
Foundations of a Passion
Al-Murr reflected on how his fascination with journalism ignited in his youth at the “Public Library” in Bur Dubai, which he frequented with his father. He fondly remembered spending hours immersed in children’s magazines like “Samir,” “Mickey,” and “Sindbad,” as well as publications from Dar Al-Hilal such as “Al-Mosawar” and “Al-Kawakib.” This early exposure cultivated his love for the scent of paper, which opened his eyes to the arts, cinema, and the unfolding of Arab and international political events.
Educational Milestones
Al-Murr’s thirst for knowledge flourished during his studies at Al-Shaab and Al-Tarbiyah Al-Wataniyah schools, where he contributed to wall magazines. His pursuit of formal education continued as he specialised in political science and public administration at Syracuse University in the United States, where he consistently engaged with leading American newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Beginning of a Journalism Career
He reminisced about his journalistic debut with a piece submitted to the late Tareem Imran at Al-Khaleej newspaper, which led to his weekly column “Sunday Papers.” This opportunity quickly transitioned to a weekly column at Al-Bayan titled “Monday Talk.” Al-Murr played a vital role in shaping Al-Bayan as its editor during its second year, implementing a reorganisation of its pages and establishing a distinct local identity through the introduction of seven specialised sections, including university news, military and strategic commentary, a Nabati poetry page with the late Hamad Khalifa Bushahab, as well as health and religion sections. He also launched a monthly dossier similar to those in Lebanon’s An-Nahar newspaper.
National Vision and Journalism’s Role
In discussing the national development landscape, Al-Murr stated that oil alone did not foster the UAE’s remarkable institutional and developmental evolution. He credited the visionary leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, along with his fellow rulers, and the dedicated spirit of the Emirati people for driving this renaissance. “The miracle of the UAE was crafted by leadership who loved their nation, coupled with the noble loyalty and unity of the Emirati people. These two elements created miracles and transformed wealth into civilised progress and stability,” he remarked.
The Interconnection of Writing and Journalism
Discussing the synergy between narrative writing and journalism, Al-Murr described journalism as the “physical fitness” that enriches a writer’s linguistic and expressive abilities. Regular journalistic writing compels the writer to engage with language continuously under the pressures of publishing deadlines, enhancing both their mental faculties and writing style. He emphasised that this rigorous journalistic discipline was fundamental in granting him the expressive fluidity needed to produce 12 short story collections with ease during a prolific phase of his literary career.
Mohammed Al-Murr stated:
. “Oil is not the miracle of the UAE; it is the leadership and the people who have crafted these miracles.”
. “Journalistic writing acts as the ‘physical fitness’ for the writer and it has enriched my stories.”