Shehzil Malik, whose art and overall philosophy are directly referenced in the novel, also created the cover art for Omar Rising. It is therefore only fitting that she stands as the Pakistani artist whose work inspires Omar to follow his dreams and take a stand against injustice. Shehzil Malik is a Pakistani designer and illustrator, as well as a Fullbright Scholar who received her MFA in Visual Communication Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Throughout her varied career, she has taught art classes and has served as an art director at Ogilvy & Mather—a prestigious advertising and marketing agency. She has also created art for commercial clients ranging from Marvel to the Malala Fund. Malik now creates publications and digital, textile, and public art. As Omar notes, her art has “been on posters, murals, and even clothing” (109).

Malik’s activism is reflected in her membership in the International Development Innovation Network (IDIN), which is part of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Higher Education Solutions Network. Their mission is to help forward-thinkers around the world create “low-cost, practical technologies to improve the lives of people living in poverty.” (“Our History.” International Development Innovation Network).