Ever heard the phrase “age is just a number”? Well, these residents prove this phrase right, by breaking barriers and stereotypes that come with their age. From being the youngest to publish a book, to travelling to 17 countries by car in their 50’s, here are five residents that prove that age is just a number
1. AlMaha Rashed AlMheiri- At just three years old, AlMaha Rashed AlMheiri made history by publishing two children’s books, The Flower and Honeybee, in January 2024. Within 24 hours of their release, she sold over 1,000 copies, becoming the youngest female author in the world, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
2. Hassan Abdel Salam Al Zaghrouni- At 50 years old, Hassan Abdel Salam Al Zaghrouni, an Emirati motorcyclist, defied norms by embarking on a solo journey across the Gulf countries. Riding his trusted Honda Gold Wing, Al Zaghrouni travelled through Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait in just eight days.
3. Sofia Sacoor- At an age where most teens struggle to decide a university to choose from, this 17-year-old is a fashion entrepreneur, who battles Type 1 Diabetes with athleisure. Hailing from Lisbon, and now residing in Dubai, Sofia is the founder of SU1, an innovative athleisure brand dedicated to supporting children with T1D.
4. Rajesh and Rama Soni- Similarly to Al Zaghrouni, this power couple, both in their 50s, shattered the stereotype of middle-aged limitations by embarking on an extraordinary journey to 17 countries in 83 days by car. Despite being vegetarians and traveling to regions like Tibet and Russia, where temperatures drop below freezing points and meat is a dietary staple, Rajesh and Rama remained undeterred. Their journey began in Hyderabad, India, after shipping their Nissan Extrem to Mumbai. They travelled through Nepal, Tibet, China, Central Asia, and Europe, finally reaching London, where they were greeted by their sons. (You can check out an interview done by Manju Ramanan on them too!)
Ghaya also recently visited the Korean Embassy and the Korean Cultural Centre to experience Korean culture, further broadening her global perspective. Her dedication to environmental causes at such a young age underscores that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact on the world.
