Father and daughter releases their books at the same venue

Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) today noticed a rare show,Father and daughter releases their books at the same venue.

Dubai-based writer and award-winning short film director Shaji Haneef has released several books over the years. Haneef’s wife Babitha Shaji, is also a writer and the couple have written several impressive literary titles.

However, this year, their 17-year-old daughter Lamiya Anjum will steal the spotlight with the launch of her maiden book of poe-try, Unspoken.

The book will release at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) today, where Haneef will also release his Malayalam book Adrishyavarnangal.

The books will be unveiled by popular Indian writers C. Radhakrishnan, George Onakoor and Arshad Bathery.

“This may be the first time that a father and daughter duo are releasing separate books at the SIBF,” Haneef told. Published by Lipi Books, proceeds from the sale of both books will go to two autism rehabilitation centres and a kidney dialysis centre in Kerala.

“Lamiya is particularly passion-ate about helping children at the autism rehabilitation centre and I am extremely happy that I can do this with her,” he said.

Lamiya, a student of Gems Our Own Indian School Al Quoz, stated that the opportunity to release this book is a great honour.

She said: “Growing up, I was a naughty student and I would get to trouble with my parents and teachers often. I think I had a lot of pent-up energy in me. I began writing when I was in Grade 7, which was a way to release all that pent-up energy.”