I'm originally Palestinian, but I grew up in the lovely city of Sharjah. Feel free to ask me about this familial journey if we ever meet.

Otherwise, I enjoy travelling, learning, and helping people out. When I feel like it, I can be quite poetic and witty, but of course that is for you to decide ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have not been very active over the last few years on CS for a number of reasons, but I have taken advantage of the platform on a few occasions to meet amazing people. I spent a good amount of time living with a CSer family and they've inspired me to take advantage of this platform to meet new and interesting people whenever I get the chance.

When I can, I want to host people because where I am from, taking care of a guest is one of the greatest things a person can do. Because I have been moving around myself a fair amount in recent years, it has been a struggle, but I'd love to host people once I am more settled.

Interests

I enjoy reading, travelling, chai, intellectual discussions, and memes.

When it comes to my studies, I'm very interested in the study of national identity and emerging forms of postnationalism. It helps that I enjoy travelling!

• poetry
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• history
• languages
• religion
• tea

Music, Movies, and Books

My music tastes are way too diverse to list here. They range from classics from around the world to intentionally cringey Punjabi hip hop and Persian pop songs. If you host me, I promise to let you go through my iTunes library!

My favourite film is Four Lions. I also like the film adaptation of The Reluctant Fundamentalist. It's much better than the book, which is a rarity in cinema these days.

My favourite non-fiction book is Edward Said's Orientalism. Such a seminal work when it comes to understanding the world as it is around us. My favourite fiction is Mohammed Hanif's A Case of Exploding Mangoes. I recommend it to everybody who asks me for book recommendations!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one? I once won an award for being the only Palestinian cricket fan in the world.

Should you ever come across another one, please do let me know! I would love to meet them!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach English and Arabic.

I want to learn everything.

I can share wonderful and hilarious tales (I hope). I can also read coffee grinds, albeit to a very mediocre standard.

This is probably the best place to add that I know the older areas of Dubai and their history like few other people who live here do. Please do be in touch if you are visiting and would like a tour of the areas!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Recipes for different types of tea. People don't realise how important this is.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States