About us
Who are we?
Ciao! We are Irene (37) and Majed (41), and together with our daughter Leela (4) and dog Segu (10), we moved from the Netherlands to Sardinia where we bought land on the fertile Campidano plain in a rural village not far from the island’s capital city Cagliari.
We are a multicultural couple. Irene, from the Netherlands, with a soft spot for Latin America, holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and has always been driven to blend academia with activism. Majed, from Iraq, brings experience in sports, cultural coaching, and social work, along with a serious passion for soul food. Together, we rolled up our sleeves and made the big move – not only for the Mediterranean climate, but to rethink how we live.
We’re working hard every day to turn Zayna Sardinia into more than just our new home. Our goal is to create a social and versatile space – perhaps even an ‘inspiration location’ – and we look forward to welcoming you as our guest! Whether through the warm hospitality of our guest accommodation, the nourishing meals at our home restaurant, or strolls through the olive grove, our goal is to promote well-being and embrace sustainable and thoughtful living.
Together, we speak Dutch, English, Arabic, and Spanish — so feel free to reach out in the language that feels most comfortable to you 🙂
Why Zayna?
𝘡𝘢𝘺𝘯𝘢 is an Arabic name that means “good” or “beautiful,” symbolizing positivity and grace. We chose 𝘡𝘢𝘺𝘯𝘢 as the overarching name for our projects because it is also the female form of “Zain,” the family name on Majed’s side. Through this, we aim to honor our daughter, a part of her dual heritage, and, most importantly, her future, which we hope will be brighter for her, future generations, and the world around us.
