Basimah Muhammad Yunus

Basimah Muhammad Yunus is an Emirati author. She is recognized as a pioneering figure in UAE television and cinema, publishing numerous novels, short stories, and plays. In addition to her literary career, she is a multifaceted cultural figure. She lectures on a variety of cultural topics, produces television and radio programs, and writes for drama and radio. Her notable works include the programs and TV series Abi Afwan, Strange Names, From the Masterpieces of Stories, and Successful Women.

She is also an accomplished writer for children's and school theater, for which she has received numerous awards for her plays, stories, and novels.

Education and career Yunus obtained a bachelor's degree in education and English literature from the United Arab Emirates University in 1986, a Diploma in computer programming from the NCR Institute in Dubai in 1987, and a Bachelor's degree in Law from Beirut Arab University in 1993. She then earned a master's degree in Education Administration and Policy from the University of Birmingham in Dubai in 2008.

Yunus worked in a bank at the beginning of her career (1987-1992), before transitioning to teaching Arabic as a foreign language and English to Arabs (1992-1998).

Works

Novels

Angels and Demons, 1990 Maybe It's You, 2010 Until the End of the Month - January Tales, 2015 Texts of Cruelty, 2018

Short story collections

Agony, 1987 Assassination of a Female, 1988 A Way to Life, 1989 Hajeer, 1993 Undeclared Masculinity, 2000 What If My Shadow Dies, 2004 A Dangerous Relationship, 2006 I Still Write and Erase, 2014 Happy Death, 2016 What No One Will Believe, 2018 What No Mind Will Believe, 2018 Planet 10, 2020

Drama (TV and Radio)

Abi Afwan, TV series What If My Shadow Died?, Video film Assassination of a Dream, TV movie Strange Names, Radio program From the Masterpieces of Stories, Radio series The Last Cold Night, Play

Children's plays

The Mother Hope and the Dolls Wonderland I am Creative Therefore I Exist Memories and Dreams

TV program

Successful Women Creatives

Awards

Arab Women's Creativity Award, 2nd place, for the short story collection I Fly When I Dream. 1988: Emirates Writers and Authors Union Award, for the story Seeking Help. 1989: Arab Youth Club Award, 2nd place, for the story Advertisement. 1987: Abu Dhabi TV Award, 1st and 2nd place, for the stories The Tale of a Flower and The Auction. 1990: Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award, for the story Word of Honor. 1991: Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award, for the story Rebellion. 1992: Dr. Souad Al-Sabah Award for Intellectual and Literary Creativity among Arab Youth, for the collection Hjeer. 1992: Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award, for the story Hamad Al-Warith. 1993: Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award, for the story Good Evening, shared 3rd place. 1995: Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award, for the story The Game of Refusal, shared 1st place. 1992: Abu Dhabi Ministry of Information and Culture Award, 3rd place, for the one-act play The Palm Tree. 1999: Competition Award Playwriting in the Arab World, Theatrical Writers Association, 1st place, for the play The Alternative. 2000: Short Story Competition Award, Al-Sada Magazine, UAE, 1st place, for the story The Dead Confess. 2000: Sharjah School Theatre Competition Award, 3rd place, for the play The Mother. Dubai School Theatre Competition Award, Dubai Shopping Festival, 1st place, for the text of the play Amal and the Dolls. 2001: Playwriting Competition Award, Theatrical Writers Association, UAE, 1st place, for the play Evening for Death.