In the sandy ruins of Al Jazirah Al Hamra, in Ras Al Khaimah, unfolds the gripping coming of age story of an Emirati young man Badr. Blending reality and fantasy in a tale, where jinns, angels and dark magic help Badr in his quest for love, the abandoned pearling village, comes alive in the pages of the book – The Red Island: The Gatekeeper -- written by Emirati entrepreneur and author Dr Adil Alzarooni. One of the few novels written in English by an Emirati, the story references local traditions, popular hangouts and spirituality, while providing an insider’s view of a nation in transition in the 1990s and early 2000.
For Alzarooni, the impetus for writing The Red Island came from a deep desire to showcase the cultural nuances of his country to a wider audience. “Literature is a window into the soul of a place and its people. Whenever I travel somewhere new, the first thing I do is to hunt down a local bookshop and grab a novel by a native author. It is like getting a secret insider’s guide to the culture. That is how I was inspired to write The Red Island,” says Alzarooni. “While the story revolves around universal themes of love, loss and identity, its setting in the UAE introduces readers to various aspects of Emirati life.”
Writing in English was a conscious decision for the author, who says, it took him nearly 10 years to perfect the draft. “By writing in English I wanted to share an authentic Emirati perspective to both local and international readers. Many expats based in the UAE have lived here for decades without having had any interaction or understanding of our culture. With this book I hope to change that,” he shares.
The story begins in the year 2001 with Badr seeking refuge in the eerie remains of Al Jazira Al Hamra. Amidst the cracked bronze walls of the abandoned homes, he encounters Abdulaziz, the doomed lover who lived in the village with jinns. Readers get to dive into the local landscape as the author writes about Sidr trees, regional Emirati delicacies such as baith tamat, khameer bread with date syrup, about traditional Khoos coasters, clay pots and Ra’i Al Jaseef, men who preserve salted fish.
Growing up in Sharjah, Alzarooni had visited the mystical Al Jazirah and found it to be an ideal setting for his novel. Said to be the last pearling village in the Gulf, the premises comprise of a fort, watchtowers, mosque and dilapidated houses. “Whatever time of the day you visit the village it will leave an impression on your mind. In daylight, it's fantastical and at night, quite scary,” points out the author, who reveals that the character of Abdulaziz, was based on the life of a distant cousin who had lived the life of a recluse when his lover's father had refused her hand in marriage.
Some instances from the life of the main protagonist also mirror aspects of the author's own personal journey. Just as Badr aspired to become a pilot and study in the US, so did Alzarooni. And like Badr, the author's family had also resisted his decision to study abroad, eventually making him forgo his most cherished desire. “Family ties are very strong among Emiratis. Back then, parents were worried about their children's safety, the influence of Western culture and intermarriage,” says the author, as his novel captures a society in transition where generational differences were cropping up among families. “It was a period of rapid modernisation and globalisation. While traditional Bedouin values were still present, Emiratis were being increasingly challenged by new influences,” he reveals.
A significant juncture in the novel takes place at a picnic in Badr’s uncle’s farm in Khor Fakkan, where he first sets his eyes on his lady love. This scene, involving the extended family and friends in a traditional matchmaking setup, is similar to several other cultures. Badr’s family’s disapproval of a girl of mixed heritage as his future bride reflects a conservative and tight-knit community. “Such match-making rituals were always common in Emirati society. But today there is greater acceptance of personal choice and love marriages. While family involvement and approval remains important, Emiratis are now increasingly open to cross culture relationships,” says Alzarooni.
While representing several integral aspects of Emirati life, the book also pays ode to Islamic teachings. Each chapter of the novel begins with a Quranic verse. The practice of ruqyah (spiritual Islamic healing), folklore around jinns and instances of black magic add a supernatural element to this romantic Arabian story. The Quran is rich with stories, says Alzarooni, who wanted to include the deep-rooted spiritual beliefs in his culture in his writings. “For us, Jinns are the unseen and they co-exist with humans. And of course, there are also stories surrounding Al Jazira Al Hamra, being haunted that partly inspired the narrative,” he explains.
Along with the spiritual elements, one of history's most explosive terrorist attacks of 9/11 also steer the story forward. How had the horrific suicide attacks by Al Qaeda impacted Alzarooni? “There was so much shock and uncertainty. I remember how the event had a profound impact on UAE as well. It prompted discussions about identity and perceptions of Arabs in the global context and the importance of promoting understanding between cultures.”
Packed with several twists and turns, the novel was re-written several times, says Alzarooni, who credits his group of writer friends for oft-needed encouragement and advice. Although The Red Island is Alzarooni’s debut fictional novel in English, he is not new to writing books. His first two non-fiction books, Economic Zones: The Essentials and Sustaining Family Businesses: The Essentials, include his own experience in economic zone development and in operating family offices in the UAE.
When not writing Alzarooni keeps a busy schedule running family businesses – the Al Zarooni Emirates Investments, Al Bidayer Holding and CapiZona Ventures. In 2022, he founded Citizens School in Dubai that focuses on helping children build entrepreneurial skills from a young age.
In spite of being an experienced entrepreneur and writer publishing his first fiction The Red Island had been an arduous journey, shares the author, who was forced to take the self-publishing route when he found no support from local literary agents and writing communities in the UAE. Brimming with ideas about his second novel, Alzarooni hopes more doors will open the second time. “I firmly believe that cultural storytelling is our soft diplomacy. By sharing authentic narratives, we can challenge misconceptions and create genuine cross-cultural understanding. I hope that in future Emirati stories will be globally recognised, where our traditions are respected, and our cultural heritage is appreciated.”
