"A two-day conference on domestic violence ended yesterday with participants saying there is no justification in Islam for abuse of women and children. They also came up with a list of demands and recommendations to tackle the problem.
"Experts from across the [Saudi] Kingdom participated in five sessions of discussions at the first National Experts Meeting to Fight Domestic Abuse Against Women and Children, with all participants agreeing that Islam does not condone abuse and that the problem should be brought to an end.
" 'Traditions that allow abuse should be brought to an end,' said Dr. Maha Al-Munief, executive director of the National Family Safety Program (NFSP), which organized the event. 'We will start training courses for people who work with abuse victims... We need cooperation from all NGOs,' she said in a press conference held to announce the recommendations. [...]"
"The Ministry of Culture and Information has launched an archives center to document all print and broadcast media from across the world, primarily from the Middle East, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported yesterday. [...]"
"Weddings in Jeddah usually end when the bride and groom walk down the aisle hours after midnight. Following the walk, the buffet begins, people eat and then the guests go home.
"Midnight weddings annoy many people, including husbands and drivers who have to ferry the women folk home, and the elderly who are unable to stay up late. In order to encourage people to hold weddings earlier in the day, members of the Women’s Cultural Forum have started a campaign entitled 'Our Weddings Are for Our Happiness.' [...]"
"Lebanese superstar Haifa Wahbi held a concert with Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker in Bahrain. [...]
"According to the London daily Elaph, Haifa appeared wearing a conservative green dress, as determined by the concert planners.
"The concert found great press coverage in Bahrain and throughout the Arab world.
"The concert was held despite requests by Islamic parliament representatives to ban Haifa’s performance. The parliamentary requests were declined by the government.
"Representative Muhammad Khaled threatened to bring the ministre of Communication before the Parliament for questioning."
"As Egypt's Hosni Mubarak celebrates his 80th birthday [on the 4th of May 2008] and more than 27 years as the country's president, Al Jazeera visits the country and in a special programme examines why for many ordinary Egyptians their country is still a nation in waiting."
It is clear that when you want to celebrate the coming of spring, you must pick topics and words that are pleasant to the ear and that infuse your reader with a sense of hope; otherwise, how can you greet the New Year the way spring deserves.
I know that we promised ourselves not to nag about things, to write in a way that others can also.... Ah! I can't feign happiness, lie, and give my writing the semblance of joy. Here, outside Iran, I am away from the gray streets of my birthplace. When I get nostalgic, I go on-line, click on websites to read the news of my home country. I click to replace my home-sickness with sorrow and regret. I am not sure what's happening to this city, to its citizens, to its students, workers, teachers, women, journalists, to its writers and intellectuals, to its "thugs."
I click and read the news of executions, stoning, prisoners, boycotts, and inflation. I click and remember my nagging and I continue to nag. I click and remember the glacial hell of traffic and a citizenry ready to get at each other's throat. I click and remember the dreams and hopes of the thousands and thousands of youth and the neglect of elders. When I click, I become acrimonious towards myself.
"Mohammed Bin Rachid Al Maktoum Foundation has announced the launch of Turjuman Programme, which is listed under the theme of culture, one of the Strategic segments of the foundation's work.
"The programme is aimed at contributing practically and effectively to upgrading the levels of translation in the Arab World by means of producing and training translators with the aim of improving their performance and production. [...]"
Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Shari'a
By Prof. Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im
"What should be the place of Shari'a—Islamic religious law—in predominantly Muslim societies of the world? In this ambitious and topical book, a Muslim scholar and human rights activist envisions a positive and sustainable role for Shari‘a, based on a profound rethinking of the relationship between religion and the secular state in all societies.
"An-Na‘im argues that the coercive enforcement of Shari'a by the state betrays the Qur'an’s insistence on voluntary acceptance of Islam. Just as the state should be secure from the misuse of religious authority, Shari'a should be freed from the control of the state. State policies or legislation must be based on civic reasons accessible to citizens of all religions. Showing that throughout the history of Islam, Islam and the state have normally been separate, An-Na'im maintains that ideas of human rights and citizenship are more consistent with Islamic principles than with claims of a supposedly Islamic state to enforce Shari'a. In fact, he suggests, the very idea of an “Islamic state” is based on European ideas of state and law, and not Shari'a or the Islamic tradition.
"Bold, pragmatic, and deeply rooted in Islamic history and theology, Islam and the Secular State offers a workable future for the place of Shari'a in Muslim societies."
Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im (from Sudan) is Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory Law School. An internationally recognized scholar of Islam and human rights, and human rights in cross-cultural perspectives, Professor An-Na'im teaches courses in international law, human rights, and Islamic law. His research interests also include constitutionalism in Islamic and African countries, and Islam and politics.
Professor An-Na'im directed the following research projects which focus on advocacy strategies for reform through internal cultural transformation:
- Women and Land in Africa, - Islamic Family Law, and - Fellowship Program in Islam and Human Rights.
"The divides are not Islam and western society, the divide is between people who have different values. We must promote connections between people who want to contribute to human values. People who share that commitment can collaborate across cultural divides."
Daoud Hari was born in the Darfur region of Sudan. After escaping an attack on his village, he entered the refugee camps in Chad and began serving as a translator for major news organizations including The New York Times,the BBC, as well as the United Nations and other aid groups.
Hari, a Zaghawa tribesman, is the author of "The Translator, a tribesman's memoir of Darfur".
"The Translator" is a memoir "of how one person has made a difference in the world — an on-the-ground account of one of the biggest stories of our time. Using his high school knowledge of languages as his weapon — while others around him were taking up arms — Daoud Hari has helped inform the world about Darfur".
"Mohammed Choukri, one of Morocco’s great contemporary writers, died November 2003 of cancer. He was 64 years old. As a child in Tangiers he scavenged for food in garbage bins, but on the day of his death his loss was felt deeply across the Arab world. He had become such a renowned figure that King Mohammed VI paid tribute to him, saying: 'The cultural scene of our country has lost one of its pioneers in the art of the novel.'
"Mohammed Choukri is known mainly for his debut novel For Bread Alone that was published first in English, translated by Paul Bowles, in 1973 after being banned by the Moroccan government. It was eventually published in Arabic in 1982. The book broke all taboos in the Arab world, being a stark autobiographical novel of a young street kid’s struggle to survive and get an education. At that time no other Arab author had written so openly and honestly about the outsiders of society, the prostitutes, homosexuals, the destitute, thieves and conmen. [...]
"Choukri was born into a poverty-stricken family in Beni Chiker village in the Rif mountains, during a devastating famine. The family were forced to move to Tangiers where, because of the violent abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, Choukri left home when he was only 11 years old. In spite of his terrible circumstances, he was determined to learn to read and write, and eventually started school at the age of 20. [...]
"Moroccan poet Mohammed Bennis recalled that Choukri always greeted him with the words “I am your spiritual father”. He often told Bennis he feared dying at home, where he lived alone, because he would lie there forgotten. He was to live his last hours in the Military Hospital in Rabat."
"CHARMIZ is a small eating place that opened in March 2008 on the corner of Hafez and ARGENTINE streets. The owner-cook-waiter is Rezvaneh and she serves vegetarian pastas to her customers. The restaurant space is tiny with four small tables and stools. Together with the deep blue color of the walls, the interior design exudes a feeling of simplicity and intimacy.
"Since there aren't many tables, Rezvaneh can manage the place by herself. She prepares the pasta right in front of you and talks to you while doing it. You won't even feel the passing of time. The food tastes good and is inexpensive, appropriate for the budget of students, as Rezvaneh puts it. Everything in Charmiz makes you feel good and you come out satisfied and happy.
"The restaurant is open non-stop from 11:30 am to 10 pm. Rezvaneh will serve customers who may show up at odd hours, like 4 pm [...]".
Who has been behind the remodeling of the City Theater? Who decides what publications are allowed and which ones must stop? What does it mean to have images of heavily made-up 5-year old girls on the cover of “family” magazines? Why are the most important headers of all our news services unimportant news of the US “Empire”? Why do we not have a “Ministry of Art”? Does a country need to “acculturate” and “guide” her people indefinitely? Why is the film Santouri [is a 2007 Iranian drama film dealing with the life of a santour player. The film's title Santouri refers to one who can play the santour instrument. In Farsi "playing the Santour" is also the euphemism for injecting heroin into one's veins] not allowed screening while The Snare Drum ["The snare drum" is how a satellite dish is referred to among residents of an apartment complex and the stories that unfold around this bringer of news from the outside] does? Does The Snare Drum continue with the trend set by such films as The Lizard [A convicted burglar escapes from prison dressed as a mullah and accidentally becomes the leader of a provincial mosque. An Iranian comedy described by the Iranian cleric Ayatollah Jannati as "a hideous film" and a "bad influence", The Lizard was withdrawn from distribution after three weeks of playing in Iranian cinemas] and The Outcasts [The movie, which broke all box-office records in Iran is set during the Iran-Iraq War]? If the Oscars represents a form of imperialist hegemony, why do our officials pass on the name of an Iranian candidate to the Academy each each? Why is it that at the bottom of the Police Blotter page of newspapers we see ads for “sexual impotence”? Was {Shahram Jazayeri} [Iranian entrepreneur involved in a high-profile corruption case with Iranian government] impotent? Why were all the entries of the Fajr Film Festival this year about “women”? Why one woman for two men? Why don't they get rid of the offensive mural on Vanak Square? What does the mural on Aladdin Building on Jomhuri Street say to us? If Coca Cola is bad, why is it being bottled in the city of Mashad? Why our national television broadcasts the soundtrack of Conquest of Paradise each year on the anniversary of the “Liberation of Khorramshahr” [Iranian recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war] from the Iraqi army in 1983? Why do we not rid ourselves of our national football league, which has become a source of constant collective anxiety? Do we really need Bluetooth for mobile phones in Iran? Why are text messages controlled? Why are all the young people on the street called “thugs”? Why is it impossible to take pictures next to the MILAD Tower? Should we get rid of Valiasr Street trees because they were planted on an order from Reza Shah? Is advertising legitimate? Can we, as mortal beings, advertise ourselves? Is self-advertising a form of prostitution? Should parliamentary candidates be allowed to advertise themselves? Is {Mohsen Namjoo} [Iranian singer-songwriter, author, musician] a genius? What other things -- other than the right to nuclear energy, that is -- are our “absolute right”? Whose permission had to be obtained to build the Tehran-Caspian Freeway? Should we allow the screening of Omen in primary school? Is it permissible to burn the US flag? Does {Abbas Kiarostami} [Internationally acclaimed Iranian film director]come to Iran for vacation? Is Abbas Kiarostami important? Is {Moshen Makhmalbaf} [Internationally acclaimed Iranian film director] bad? With so many of our filmmakers winning prizes at foreign festivals, why should {Masood Dehnamaki} [Is a right wing Iranian acivist, journalist, writer and film director. For decades he has been considered as one of the most extremist members of the ultra-conservative circles. He directed the movie The Outcasts] be making films? Is Dehnamaki better than {Quentin Tarantino}? Does {Mahmud Ahmadinejad} own a satellite dish at home? Does the wind also change the direction of his dish?
"Amr Waked, the latest rising star, started out studying Economics at the AUC, during that time, he joined theatrical groups, participated in his colleagues' graduation projects, such as Carmen, Afarit Hamza Wa Fatma, directed by Rasha Al Gamal, Oedipus, in addition to other plays directed by Abd El Hady El Gazar, and Ahmed El Atar. [...]
"Amr found great interest in documentary short films, he starred in film Lili (2001), a 45 minutes film, based on a story by Youssef Idriss, and directed by Marwan Hamed. Where Amr gave an exceptional performance as a young Muslim cleric who is assigned to take over a mosque in a very poor neighborhood, the dilemma unfolds when he falls in love with the neighborhood sweetheart, Lilly. [...]
"The size of the role doesn't really matter to Amr, as he's more interested in the depth of the character he plays, and the proof was that he played a small role in Asshab Wala Business (2001) for director Tarek El Eryan. Unknown to audiences up to that point, Amr portrayed the role so well that many viewers left the theater believing he was a Palestinian actor. [...]
"In 2005 he came back with very strong roles in Dam El Ghazal which was very interesting and emotional that touched the audiences' hearts. Young Egyptian actor Amr Waked also has played an important role in the controversial Hollywood movie Syriana with Hollywood star George Clooney."
Amr Waked speaks out against Egypt’s unofficial policy of jailing people suffering with AIDS
"Rising Egyptian film star Amr Waked is speaking out against his country's unofficial policy of jailing people suffering with AIDS.
"'It's insane that this happens in our country!' said Waked, whose controversial roles -- including playing alongside an Israeli actor -- have made him the target of press attacks.
"Together with celebrity actor Khaled Abul Naga, who was recently appointed a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Waked has taken on the task of getting Egypt to face the taboo of AIDS. [...]"
"The wife of Saudi blogger Fouad Al-Farhan confirmed that her husband, who has been detained for nearly five months without charges for comments made on his website, has been released from Jeddah’s Dahban Prison. [...]
"Al-Farhan was unavailable for comment because he had gone out to 'enjoy his freedom,' she added. [...]
"Al-Farhan was detained in December for 'violating regulations,' according to official statements that made it clear that charges against him had nothing to do with national security concerns. No charges were ever pressed or outlined. The Interior Ministry issued no statements about the release yesterday.
"Al-Farhan has said in the past that he was detained for comments he had made in defense of a group of Saudi citizens who had been meeting to discuss public participation in governance and other reforms.
"According to him, some government officials visited him prior to his arrest asking him to tone down statements on his blog.
"Al-Farhan had indicated that he would be arrested, but also stressed that he would continue to blog on issues he felt strongly about. [...]
"Earlier this month, Al-Farhan’s blog was blocked along with two other websites that had been set up to publicize Al-Farhan’s situation. Friends of the blogger had been maintaining the blog during his absence. [...]"
Source: Arab News (Saudi Arabia), April 27, 2008
Read Also on Al-Farhan:
Deatined Saudi blogger Farhan: "I don't want to be forgetten in jail"
"The story of Zaha Hadid, the world-renowned architect, began in Baghdad, Iraq, where she was born. She has become one of the pioneers of architecture and is associated with the school of deconstructivism.
"In 2002, Hadid won the competition to design the masterplan for Singapore’s One-North development project and in 2005, Hadid’s design was chosen for the Basel city casino in Switzerland. Zaha Hadid went on to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the American University of Beirut and has also been awarded a CBE. Moreover, she made history in the world of architecture as the first woman to win the Prikter Architecture Prize in 2004.
"Zaha Hadid has recently worked on the Mobile Art Pavilion for Chanel, which brings together the creations of 18 artists influenced by Chanel’s iconic quilted bag. The exhibition will visit numerous international cities until it reaches Paris in 2010. [...]".
Sufi Cuisine, a book combining culinary history with over one hundred sumptuous recipes inspired by the teachings of Sufism.
Sufi Cuisine takes the reader on a sensuous journey of earthly and spiritual delights. As Nevin Halici explains in her introduction, the eating and preparation of food is at the heart of Sufi religious practices and beliefs, and the truly inspiring array of dishes - from preserved rose petals and snow helva, to baklava prepared with water in which oak ashes have been soaked overnight - illustrates this beautifully. Full of charming anecdotes, poetry from the great Sufi mystic, Mevlana, and delightful recipes, Sufi Cuisine is a rare treat.
Ali Mosbah was born in 1953 in Zaghwan, Tunisia. He studied social sciences at the Sorbonne, Paris, and Philosophy and Social Sciences in Berlin. He taught in Tunis secondary schools 1980–1989, and then settled in Berlin where he still lives. He has published short stories and essays in many Arab quarterlies and has one travel book, Cities and Faces, which won the Ibn Battuta Prize in Abu Dhabi in 2004. Some of his short stories have been translated to French and German. He has translated works of Nietzsche to Arabic.
"Recently the First Arabian Caricature Festival was held at Jeddah’s Serafi Mega Mall to celebrate this satirical art.
"The two-day festival, which took place April 9-10, displayed 250 drawings by 22 editorial cartoonists from all over the Middle East. Sponsored by Priority Option, the festival also held a caricature contest to encourage new artists.
"Five local artists won the competititon: Yazeed Al-Harthi, Jalal AlBkheet, Hussein Baswaid, Hussam Al-Zaharani and Hind Al-Afnan. [...]
"The festival honored a number of the Arabian caricature pioneers. Ahmed Toghan and Mustafa M. Hussein from Egypt, Mohammed A. Farzat from Syria and Emad Hajjaj from Jordan."
"Ten years after the publication of 'The Mountain of Green Tea,' a collection of Yahya Taher Abdullah’s short stories translated by Denys Johnson-Davies, the AUC Press has released 'The Collar and the Bracelet,' a novella first published in Arabic in 1975 as 'al-Tawq wa-l-iswira'. This constitutes a long-awaited opportunity to shed light once again on one of Egypt’s most gifted writers.
"Yahya Taher Abdullah (1938-1981) was a prominent figure within the circle of writers known as the Generation of the Sixties. He was killed at the age of 43 with his wife in a car crash. The tragic accident brought an abrupt end to a promising literary career. Abdullah is survived by Asma, his only child. The famous Egyptian filmmaker, Atteyat Al Abnoudi, a close friend of the deceased couple, immediately took responsibility for Asma and brought her up as her own daughter.
"Yahya Taher Abdullah was born in the ancient village of Karnak near the tourist center of Luxor in southern Egypt. He moved to Cairo in 1964 at the age of twenty-six and quickly became known for the gripping public performances of his work. Abdullah had the rare ability to memorize his stories. He recited them by heart, at unforgettable literary gatherings in the 60s and 70s. He mesmerized the audience with his infectious charisma, his natural talent for acting which was augmented by a consuming passion for writing. These dazzling recitals attracted the attention of famous writers such as Yusuf Idris. [...]"
"A Pakistani lawmaker will make a film to rebut Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders' anti-Quran movie "Fitna" which has been condemned across the Islamic world, recent press reports said. [...]"
Source: Alarabiya (Saudi-owned, Dubai-based), April 24, 2008
"The best-selling Arabic novel 'Taxi' by Egyptian author Khaled Al Khamissi will be released in English in the U.S. at the start of next month, the publisher said.
"Taxi, which has been credited with reviving an interest in reading in Arabic-speaking markets, brings together short stories told by 58 fictional Cairo cabbies, based on the author's own experience of traveling in the Egyptian capital.
"The cabbies include dreamers and philosophers, misogynists and fanatics, smugglers and bankrupts, mystics and comedians. All of them are men, struggling to make a living in a cruel, noisy, chaotic and unhealthy world. [...]"
Source: Alarabiya.net (Saudi'owned, Dubai-based), April 23, 2008
The following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian author Dr. Sharif Hatata, husband of Egyptian feminist and activist Nawal Al-Sa'dawi. The interview aired on Al-Mihwar TV on March 31, 2008.
Rachid Koraïchi, was born in 1947 intoan Algerian Sufi family, which has influenced his work. He studied first at the École des Beaux-Arts in Algeria before attending the École des Arts Décoratifs and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
Koraïchi grew up surrounded by the contemplation and reverence to the word, mysticism, writing, numerology and inscription. He works in many media, including ceramics, textiles, installation, metallurgy, paint and printmaking.
Source: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art
Hassan Massoudy, calligrapher, was born in 1944 in Najef, South of Iraq. He left Iraq for France in 1969, "freed from the oppressing regime but heartbroken". He then got to the "Ecole des Beaux-Arts" of Paris.
