Maha Gargash is an Emirati author born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a prominent family. She is renowned for her candid, nuanced storytelling about Gulf heritage, family relationships, and female autonomy.
Education:
Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Radio/Television from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and completed graduate studies at Goldsmiths’ College, London.
Media & Documentary Career
Joined Dubai Television, where she directed and produced cultural documentaries focusing on traditional Arab societies, history, and heritage. Among her noted works: Directing programs such as Arabesque, where her work in research and scriptwriting paved the transition to fiction writing.
Publications:
The Sand Fish (2009): Her debut novel set in 1950s Dubai before the discovery of oil. The book became an international bestseller, earning praise for its vivid depiction of traditional Emirati culture, social dynamics, and women's experiences.
That Other Me (2016): Her second novel, exploring mid-20th-century family complexities, identity, and societal expectations across Cairo, Dubai, and London.
