TV break for Omar

A TELEVISION producer has been so inspired by the words of GulfWeekly's 'Well-Being' columnist Omar Quraishi she has asked him to assist her in writing scripts for a new animated TV series.

Omar's powerful prose has been running in the newspaper and on its sister website for eight weeks and the writer also provides links to the articles from his own Facebook social networking page.

Dubai-based Salaam Ahmed was captivated and last week approached Omar, 31, from Saar, to write scripts for a commissioned children's programme penned by Arabic writers for a UK-based production house, which is set to be broadcast on British and Arabic children's channels.

Delighted Omar said: "She read my articles and contacted me to write a series of scripts with a view of life from a child's perspective. GulfWeekly is legendary, a very sacred platform. It has given me the breakthrough I only dreamed of."

Born and raised in Bahrain, Omar completed his A Levels before gaining a US university degree in finance and mass communication in 1997.

He first took up a job in finance before taking an 'artistic break'. He travelled to Pakistan, his father's homeland, for the first time and joined a commune led by spiritual leader Khwajah Shamsudeen Azeemi, studying under his disciple Mian Mushtaq Admed Azeemi. During his travels across the mountainous region, Omar learned the skills of the tabla - an Indian percussion instrument.

He said: "I have been a musician, cook, mechanic, writer, painter, filmmaker and a banker. I feel blessed ... the experience transformed me but I was told my future life would involve writing and working in the media."

That only came true after he bumped into GulfWeekly Editor Stan Szecowka and sold him the idea of writing a weekly column.

Omar returned to Bahrain in December 2007 to reunite with his parents after an 11-year absence. He began writing a book, entitled Aks, a work still in progress, and secured a job as a music teacher at the Sar Music Centre in Budaiya.

"At the same time I am continuing to learn about myself, my spirit and my child within," he said.

Under the guidance of centre owner, Lydia Martin, Omar has been busy conducting music workshops and fine arts events including photography. But it was his writing that attracted Ms Ahmed, who said: "I had a chat with him and realised that he would be ideal for writing scripts for an animated series for children.

"I noticed that in his writing he expressed a child-like curiosity. Omar has great potential; he can enhance a dialogue, add a bit of drama and carry out a conversation. I am confident he can reach into the minds of children."

The scripts will net Omar £1,000 (BD620) an episode. Omar hopes to eventually create short movies by combining his passion for photography and music and he will unveil his plans during a forthcoming exhibition entitled 'The Element, Water' - another spin-off from his GulfWeekly 'Well Being' column.

His work has also inspired Bahrain-based artist Karima Sharabi to create paintings to accompany his words.