'Yalla, let's eat': Delicious Palestinian za'atar and Nabulsi cheese puff pastry has children asking for more at SCRF
The richness of Palestine's culinary heritage was brought to the fore in a flavoursome preparation by Palestinian-Canadian chef Maha Kailani at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), on Friday.
The session titled 'Taste of Palestine: An adventure with chef Maha Kailani' introduced young children and their guardians to authentic flavours from the Palestinian region.
The Ontario-based chef prepared an enjoyable yet easy dish – za'atar and Nabulsi cheese puff pastry – using frozen pastry sheets and mozzarella cheese.
The artistry and minimum difficulty involved in it as it went into the oven or air fryer made it a perfect dish that children could do alone or with limited help from adults.
Children can't wait to savour the dish.
Maha, who is the author of the cookbook Yalla, Let's Eat, first set about cutting and rolling a thawed pastry sheet into small rectangular pieces dusting it with all-purpose flour to prevent it from sticking to the surface. She then transferred it into a baking sheet, lightly pricked the inside with a fork, smeared olive oil on the sides and baked it for 10 minutes.
Once the sheet was out of the oven, she filled it with mozzarella, crumbled Nabulsi cheese and zaatar, taking care to leave the sides empty.
'This is like a painting, and children can do it,' she quipped as she returned it to the oven for another 12 minutes. When the cheese melted and the edges turned golden brown, she took it out and allowed it to cool before serving the eager audience.
Attendees enjoy the event.
Chef Maha will be presenting numerous delicacies from Palestine during the course of SCRF 2025.
Taking place from April 23 to May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the 16th edition of SCRF promises an immersive experience under the theme 'Dive into Books'. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year's agenda will feature 133 guests from 70 countries, and 122 Arab and international publishing houses from 22 nations.
For more information on this free-to-attend event, visit www.scrf.ae.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Onshur marks major milestone with graduation of Scale Track cohort
Sharjah, Under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its 2025 Scale Track at SBA's headquarters. The programme is designed to support established publishers in the UAE in scaling their operations through sustainable and strategic growth. The ceremony honoured twelve publishers who completed the intensive training course. The event was attended by His Excellency H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, as well as programme partners, experts, trainers, and representatives from local and Arab media. The twelve graduating publishers were selected from a pool of 62 applicants who met rigorous eligibility criteria. These included a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality cultural content and a well-defined strategic vision for expansion aligned with global publishing developments. The graduating cohort comprised Ajyal Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, Kalman Publishing and Distribution, Nabatti Publishing, Shaheen Printing Publishing and Distribution, Dar Al-Farqad, Dar Shams Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, and Noor Publishing. Driving tangible progress for Emirati and Arab publishers Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, emphasised the importance of empowering UAE publishers to grow and innovate within a sustainable framework. She stated: 'The Scale Track reflects our vision of enabling publishers to move beyond survival, towards a future defined by excellence, creativity, and leadership in enriching the Arab publishing landscape both locally and globally.' She continued: 'I am proud of this cohort, who have shown a remarkable capacity for learning, growth, and openness to new experiences. I believe they are now equipped with the tools and insights needed to build more resilient and adaptable business models. While they represent the current state of Arab publishing, they are equally poised to shape its global future, fuelled by ambition, determination, and a genuine passion for the written word.' Revitalising the future of Arab literature H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'What distinguishes these publishers is their clear ambition to grow and their willingness to embrace new tools and ideas that can propel their businesses forward. Their participation in the Scale Track represents a strategic blueprint for the regional publishing sector's expansion, firmly rooted in innovation and sustainability. This vision is inspired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's commitment to cultivating a network of publishers equipped to compete on both regional and global stages, driving a renewed momentum for Arab literature and culture.' Turning vision into actionable success For his part, H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, congratulated the graduates and commended their commitment to transforming ambition into tangible results. He said: 'We extend our congratulations to this exceptional cohort, who have exemplified what it means to turn vision into reality. The Scale Track has provided participants with critical skills enabling them to thrive in both local and international markets amid a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.' Laying the foundations for strategic publishing growth The ceremony opened with a keynote speech by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA. She highlighted that Onshur is reshaping how support is delivered to publishers by offering a comprehensive strategic framework that fosters long-term, sustainable growth. 'The Scale Track has surpassed the boundaries of traditional training,' she said. 'It has established a professional platform dedicated to enhancing publishers' operational capabilities and deepening their industry expertise.' Unlocking sustained expansion through targeted support Following the directives of Sheikha Bodour, graduates of the Scale Track benefit from a robust package of post-programme support. This includes one year of professional accounting services to ensure compliance, guidance in applying for the Sharjah International Translation Grant, onboarding to Ingram's global distribution network, access to business loans secured against publishing contracts, specialised advisory sessions, and priority access to upcoming Onshur initiatives. These measures are designed to help publishers shift from operational stability to strategic and sustainable expansion.
Broadcast Pro
5 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Palestinian film ‘Thank You for Banking With Us!' to premiere in Spain
The film is a joint German-Palestinian production that delves into themes of female empowerment and familial struggle. Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas's first feature film, Thank You For Banking With Us, is set to have its Spanish premiere at Cinemes Babel. The drama explores themes of female empowerment through the story of sisters Mariam and Noura, who, after their father's death, devise a plan to secure a large sum of money he left behind. Their scheme aims to outmanoeuvre their brother, who is legally entitled to half of the inheritance. Laila Abbas described the film as a narrative about the strength of womanhood and the importance of emotional and physical unity among women. 'It's a story about sisters who, having endured their own tragedies and heartbreaks, come together to become stronger,' she said. Thank You for Banking With Us! is a joint German-Palestinian production, written, directed and produced by Abbas through her Ramallah-based company Young Oak Productions. Co-produced by Hanna Atallah of Palestine Cinema Days and Roshanak Behesht Nedjad of Berlin's In Good Company Films, the film is being handled for worldwide sales and distribution by MAD World. MAD Solutions and Lagoonie Film Production, the Cairo and Riyadh-based production entity, have also teamed up to co-produce Thank You for Banking With Us! Thank You for Banking With Us! has received support thus far from the El Gouna Film Festival in 2018 through four $10,000 grants from ART, Cedars Productions, O Three Productions and Metafora respectively. Moreover, it won the In-Development Award from the CineGouna Platform and was supported by the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture as well as the Doha Film Institute's 2023 edition of the Qumra Initiative. With additional funding from German film funds (Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung, and the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg), and the Hubert Bals Plus Europe of International Film Festival Rotterdam, Thank You for Banking With Us! stands as a testament to the power of collective artistic vision. Notably, it was also among the winners of the Red Sea Fund's third cycle.
Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Gulf Today
Dubai-based Sara Hamdan's debut novel received well globally
The Emirates Literature Foundation, in partnership with Fiker Insitute, hosted a special evening for the launch of 'What Will People Think,' the highly anticipated debut novel by award-winning writer and journalist Sara Hamdan. The exclusive event was held at the Fiker Institute in Alserkal Avenue on Sunday and featured a fireside chat with the author led by Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, followed by a book signing and celebratory reception. The evening brought together leading voices from Dubai's cultural and literary community, including representatives from Alserkal Avenue, Art Jameel, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Department of Economy and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Seddiqi Holding, and a number of local authors and publishers. 'This is a landmark moment not only for Sara but for the entire literary ecosystem in Dubai,' said Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation. 'Her journey from an aspiring writer to a published author topping international bestseller lists is a shining example of what's possible when talent is matched with opportunity. It's also a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that mentorship, community support, and targeted initiatives like the First Chapter Fellowship can have on a writer's path. At the Emirates Literature Foundation, we believe in nurturing local voices and amplifying stories from this region on a global stage. We are honoured to have played a role in supporting her from her first draft to the world stage, and we hope her story inspires a new generation of writers — the world is ready for our stories. It's time we write them.' 'At Fiker Institute, we are honoured to host the regional launch of Sarah Hamdan's debut novel, and are proud to champion the voices of Arab authors and creatives on the global stage—amplifying stories that shape our cultural and intellectual landscape.' Dubai Abulhoul, Founder of Fiker Institute. 'We are thrilled to witness the amazing response Sara's book has received globally and look forward to local audiences discovering her talent and passion for storytelling. This is a pivotal moment, one that continues to pave the way for the Fellowship and strengthens the importance of such a platform to nurture writers in the region. Congratulations once again to Sara and we look forward to supporting her on this incredible journey for years to come,' said Hind Seddiqi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Seddiqi Holding. Currently ranked as the number one best-seller on Amazon UAE in the Humorous Fiction category, What Will People Think has struck a global chord with its heartfelt, funny, and deeply relatable narrative. It was recently featured in The New York Times' list of '24 Books Coming in May' and praised by Publishers Weekly as a novel that 'will linger in readers' minds.' Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer described it as 'Superb... A timely yet timeless story'. The novel's international momentum began with a sold-out virtual book launch hosted by the Harvard Book Store on 19 May 2025. Hamdan is set to embark on a U.S. book tour in Fall 2025. The book is available in the UAE online on Amazon and in store in Magrudy's and other bookstores. 'I am so proud to tell a story that centres on strong, warm, funny Arab women and so grateful that the world is connecting with the universal, emotional themes,' said Hamdan. 'Our stories matter. This moment feels bigger than me; it's a win for the incredible fellowship and for Dubai – a city of dreams that has served as my home for twenty years.' Sara Hamdan, a proud recipient of the ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers' Fellowship, is a Dubai-based writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, and Conde Nast Traveller. Sara Hamdan was announced as a fellow of the inaugural ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers' Fellowship in February 2022. Within a year, she signed with literary agents Meredith Miller (UTA) and Sheila Crowley (Curtis Brown) and secured a landmark two-book deal with US publisher Holt after a highly competitive auction. Sara will be doing a US book tour in fall 2025. The First Chapter Fellowship, supported by Seddiqi Holding, provides selected UAE-based writers with invaluable mentorship, including 6 hours of one-on-one coaching from internationally renowned authors, 40 hours of industry workshops, introductions to global agents and editors, and access to international writing courses, including those from the Gotham Writers Centre in New York. Applications for Year Five of the First Chapter Fellowship will open in September 2025.
