Scary myths that teach moral values

The 20 stories in the audio book focus on Emirati customs, traditions and good values.

A popular radio presenter has given a twist to scary Emirati khararif (myths or folk tales) told by grandmothers in ancient days, so as to teach moral values and Islamic beliefs to children.
Mariam Al Shehhi (known as Umm Salim) is a popular narrator of folk tales at Sharjah Radio.
Al Shehhi launched Khararif Umm Salim, an Emirati series of 20 audio stories, at the Sharjah Media Corporation stall at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
Talking to Khaleej Times while releasing the audio book, Al Shehhi said she had been narrating the myths to keep the Emirati culture alive and to engage the newer generation with their grandmothers' past, in order to be preserve the heritage.
The 20 stories in the audio book focus on Emirati customs, traditions and good values. Khararif is the plural of Kharoofa, which means myth. "It's considered as a significant part of the folk tales passed over through the generations for centuries and ages. Grandmothers or even mothers used to tell such stories for both the children and the adults.
"Most of the time, grandmothers used to make up stories to scare children to prevent them from going out in the night. I decided to use the same stories, but added characters and scenarios to it, in order to teach children values, such as respect to parents and Islamic values."
Khararif Umm Salim is well received as an entertainment programme broadcast on Sharjah Radio during the holy month of Ramadan, and it had won silver award in Jordan Arab Media Festival.
Al Shehhi is planning to write a special story for the National Day, and she wishes to have a smart application on both Apple and Android stores during the coming edition of the SIBF.
Asked about the details of the stories, Al Shehhi said she didn't merge the myths with the modern day scenario, as she believed that folk tales should be all about the past to let the youngsters imagine and know the differences between their generation and the previous generations.
"I was worried about public acceptance, but gratefully they loved the stories, and today I have signed the book."
Al Shehhi said that she will continue narrating the stories on the radio in order to preserve Emirati culture and heritage.
- afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah