Food for thought: Don’t be afraid to fail, says Emirati author Omar Al Busaidy

Catching up with Emirati author Omar Al Busaidy who encourages everyone to embrace and learn from their failures.

Omar al Busaidy is the author of the self-help book Just Read It. Ravindranath K / The National

“I am part man, part metal,” Omar Al Busaidy says, with a chuckle.

The Emirati author and entrepreneur is referring to the metal plates in his back, the result of a near debilitating bout of spinal tuberculosis in 2008.

Sitting in the ­InterContinental Abu Dhabi’s suhoor tent, a Ramadan-only extension to the hotel’s Lebanese fine-dining restaurant Byblos Sur Mer, the 29-year-old calmly discusses that painful period.

He explains that the condition was a part of tumultuous four years that finally ended in 2012.

“It was a very tough time, man,” he says. “I divorced and that triggered a depression that ­pretty much made me lose my job. I also had a few businesses that didn’t work. Then this TB thing came and that nearly crippled me.”

Al Busaidy says that his innate optimism got him through.

“There were moments on that hospital bed where I was thinking ‘why me?’” he says. “But at the same time, I have always been a positive person. I have been blessed with that, so I just kept being patient and saw that through. It really taught me that if you have good health, then all other worries don’t really ­matter.”

By this stage of our conversation we are tucking into a ­colourful selection of cold mezzes. There are a few gourmet additions to the culinary usual suspects of tabbouleh and hummus. The Ajami dip can best be described as a five-star baba ghanoush, as it’s topped with chunky pieces of fried aubergine and walnuts.

Another winner was the Zehlweiyeh Bil Batrakh, a zesty potato salad and fish roe drizzled in garlic dressing.

This was followed up with the hot dishes, the standout being the Mwardeh, a rather creative take on the kibbeh that resembled a mini-muffin and was stuffed with mince meat, cherries, vegetables and molasses. A close second was the Btata ­Jabaliyeh – fried potato cubes seasoned with coriander and green chilli.

It’s a meal fit for champions, yet Al Busaidy is more than ­happy to talk about failures – specifically his own. Ironically, they are what propelled him to become an inspiring youth ­motivator and formed the basis of his debut English-language book, the digitally published Just Read It.

Digging into stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate dip, Al Busaidy, who lives in Abu Dhabi, recalls touring UAE high schools in 2011 as part of ­government-organised workshops, called Akoun, during which he was part of a panel of Emirati entrepreneurs.

“Everyone spoke about their road to success,” he says. “That’s great but there wasn’t anyone talking about the setbacks. So I decided to focus on that.”

His presentation about his failed business ventures and the lessons he learnt struck a chord with the young students.

“They realised that the sky is not going to fall when you fail and your parents will still love you,” he says. “We have to get over this big fear of failure ­because what it does at the end of the day is stifle creativity.

“So many young Emiratis have great ideas and big dreams but they don’t want to start on them because of what others may say if they fail. I want to tell them that nothing bad will happen – it results in more wisdom.”

Buoyed by the reactions to his talks, he decided to compile his motivational tips in a book, the colourful and engaging Just Read It.

Published this year and available from iTunes and Kobo, Just Read It contains more than 50 concepts accompanied by ­explanations.

The topics include United We Stand, Divided We Fall, Miscommunication is the Mother of All Screw-Ups and The Only Disability is a Bad Attitude.

Understandably, the latter strikes a deep chord with Al ­Busaidy. Slicing up another shred of the tender shawarma bil katayef (shawarma-­flavoured spare ribs), he advises those struggling during tough times to stay the course.

“Sometimes things have to get worse before getting better,” he says. “Ramadan is a great time to learn that, as it builds patience. When things get bad, trust me, just wait and see – things will eventually improve.”

• Suhoor at Byblos Sur Mer begins from Dh60, inclusive of dates, dry apricot, tourmos, almonds foul and water on the table

• Every Thursday during Ramadan, we sit down to iftar or suhoor with well-known personalities to discuss life lessons and reflections gleaned during the holy month