In Conversation with Salama Al Jallaf

Interviewed by Mishal Faraz, Year 9B, and Mir Faraz, Year 6H

The UAE marks Emirati Children’s Day on the 15th of March every year. This landmark event champions children’s rights in the UAE, and aims to raise awareness amongst the general public, so that children can grow up in a healthy, safe, and supportive environment which complements their development. This day was launched in March 2016 by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, and since then has become a much looked forward to day.

To make this day truly memorable, we had the honour of interviewing a young Emirati achiever whose aspirations and laurels are inspiring beyond the description of words. Introducing Salama Al-Jallaf.

Salama has worked with Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children for many years, and was chosen to be the main host of the popular show, the Kids Club. Her impressive oratory skills and amazing confidence are evident in her commendable work portfolio. Salama is currently working with the team of Expo 2020, and is the official voice of Latifa, the mascot of Expo 2020! This prestigious opportunity has given Salama the chance to share the stage with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and meet His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. Salama is a true inspiration for children in the UAE, and all over the world.

What does Emirati Children’s Day mean to you?

In my opinion, it’s a day where we have to celebrate everything we have, we have to be thankful for everything we have, because there are people in the world who don’t live in such a progressive nation like this nation. I’m very thankful for all these amazing hospitals, malls, schools. We should be grateful for everything we have. So it’s a very special day for children all over the UAE to count all our blessings.

How does it feel to be a young Emirati growing up in such a progressive nation?

Like I said, I’m very thankful and grateful for being in this country, it is honestly a privilege. We are accomplishing what His Highness Sheikh Zayed always wanted us to accomplish. The future is in our hands, it’s in your hands, and in the hands of every single child living in this country. The country is so diverse, everybody’s nice to each other, and I’m very thankful for everything and everyone.

You’re really young, and your achievements are absolutely impressive. Tell us about this journey of yours.

When I was a little kid, if I were to see myself now, I would never ever imagine being the voice of the Expo Mascot. I am very thankful and happy with what I’ve accomplished so far. So it all started when I joined the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children camp, I think in the summer of Year 4, or the beginning of Year 5. Going to Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children and joining their camp opened a lot of doors for me, I met a lot of great people, I made a lot of great friends, I’m still friends with most of those people to this day. Then one day the director of PEARL FM just came up to us and took us in the station and asked us to just talk on the radio. Then after that, the director offered me a role on the Kids Club. That’s where it started, and ever since that day, I auditioned for Expo and became the voice of Latifa, I’ve been on different shows and done interviews, it’s really been a great experience and I’ve met so many great people along the way.

What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Well, I didn’t face many challenges, but I didn’t always feel so confident in myself, in how I talked, how I presented myself, I would always second-guess myself, even during The Kids Club. When we had to record ourselves, we would make a lot of mistakes. Back then I was a kid, so I would doubt myself a few times. But luckily, I had my family and my friends supporting me throughout the whole way, even my teachers. Honestly, I’m really thankful, I haven’t faced many challenges, except for doubting myself. I’m thankful for being a confident person, for being a happy person, so I haven’t faced many challenges.

Who’s the biggest inspiration of your life?

My grandmother – she’s always told me ever since I was a kid that I was going to grow up to be an amazing person, I would grow up to be an inspiring person, I would help change the world, and honestly, ever since I started doing PEARL FM, I’ve been living up to what she told me to do. So right now, everything I’m doing, it’s all for her, because she’s my biggest inspiration.

How does it feel to be the official voice of the mascot of Expo 2020? You’re a part of history!

It all started when I auditioned for Expo in Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, and I couldn’t imagine when my mom told me,

“You did it, you got it, you got the role”, I thought I was dreaming, for six months. When I was recording I was like, “Wait, that’s my voice”, because you can see when you’re in the studio, you can see yourself being animated and the animation talking with your voice. And when you see the final product, you think, that’s me. So, honestly, it’s been an amazing journey. I’ve shared the stage with Sheikh Mohammed, we did the six months countdown, I had a lot of opportunities thanks to Expo and Al Jalila, so I’m very thankful, it’s been a great accomplishment. And I’m so proud of myself for being confident and for working hard.

You’ve shared the stage with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum! That is a dream come true! Please give us the recollection of that moment.

I think it was in September 2019. A day before he was going to come, we went into the place and rehearsed. I was really, really nervous. They had already planned everything out, but on the day of the celebration, we had a quick change of plans, we changed what we were going to wear, we changed our places, they changed a lot of things, and it was really stressful. But when I saw Sheikh Mohammed, it was like a dream come true, and when I said hi to him, it was an amazing experience, and he was really nice, he’s Sheikh Mohammed! I’ve been dreaming about meeting him since I was a little girl. It was an amazing experience.

Finally, what advice or motivating words do you want to share with the readers?

So, you guys have probably heard this advice from motivational speakers, your mum and dad, your friends, teachers, influencers, you’ve probably heard it a million times, but when I say you can do it, you can do it. Whatever you put your mind to, you can accomplish it. Five years ago, I never would have known I would be sitting here having an interview about my accomplishments. It is honestly a great thing and I’m so grateful for everything. So what you have to do is just put your mind to what you want to accomplish. You have to study hard, but keep your friends and family close. All you have to do is dream it, believe it, and you can do it, you can accomplish anything you want. Because with all the support you have, you can do many great things, big things. You can do whatever you want. That is my advice to everyone. Always know that you can accomplish things you never knew you can.