Women whose essays form part of the Qatar Narratives anthology.

Doha • Qatar University (QU) has launched "Qatar Narratives", an anthology of essays by female citizens and residents of Qatar at a function held here this week.

The anthology is a product of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), a small-grants programme funded by the US State Department.

Representing MEPI at the event was US Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Goli Ameri.

"I am inspired and proud to be in your presence. You have shown personal strength and courage to articulate your thoughts in such a profound way," she told students at the launching ceremony of the anthology.

Cultural identity and diversity, family life, modernity and social change are among the wide ranging issues covered by the 25 essays included in the anthology. Ten of them were presented to the audience at the function.

The anthology features personal writings which were submitted in the writing competition organized in January this year by QU and the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) in a project titled 'Qatar Narratives: Women Write'.

The competition followed a series of six writing workshops conducted by Dr Carol Henderson and was open to QU students as well as women in Qatar. A total of 36 entries were submitted.

QU students Noof Al Khalifa, Abrar Dalgamouni, Ghina Elkatsi, Haneen Al Qassass, Zanaib Obaid Watan and QU graduates Hissa Faraj Al Marri, Noura Abdulaziz Al Suwaid and Hanan Saleh Al Obaidly were picked out as winners of the contest.

Their essays, titled Belongingness, My Fear, Photos from the Back, Math Presentation, No Expectations, Dear Mom, Werewolf Kiss, and Art Thou An English Speaker? appear in the anthology.

"This anthology is representative of the rich diversity of people in Doha. It carries a range of voices that hint at the complexity and richness of women's lives in Qatar", Project Coordinator Mohana Rajakumar said. "It is hoped that interest from the students involved in the workshops will result in a QU Writing Club."

QU Computer Engineering student Abrar Dalgamouni said of her experience: "When I write, I have the courage to speak up and discuss topics that I am timid to speak about".

This was echoed by fellow engineering student Ghina Elkatsi, who said studying a subject like engineering he needed to have the space to let out his feelings. "Writing helps me express my thoughts and ideas," he said.