Page 39 - MBRF PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

4/22/25, 10:15 AM MBRF and ALC Host ‘Arab Reading Clubs Forum 2025’ to Advance Literary Dialogue and Critical Thinking in the Arab World
the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) 2025, with participation from club leaders and
literary enthusiasts from across the Arab region.

H.E. Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“The Arab Reading Clubs Forum is an integral part of MBRF’s strategic vision to foster knowledge
development and cultural enrichment. Our collaboration with ALC aims to cultivate an inspiring reading

environment, sharpen the analytical skills of Arab readers, and elevate discussions around
contemporary Arabic literature.”

The Knowledge Lounge, MBRF’s long-running reading initiative, now spans the UAE, Jordan, and
Australia, engaging Arab readers globally. With over 180 books read and more than 200 knowledge

sessions annually, it stands as one of the most influential sustainable reading platforms in the region.

H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of ALC, remarked:

“We are proud to partner with MBRF in organizing this year’s forum, particularly as it highlights the
IPAF-nominated novels—an important reflection of modern Arabic literature. This initiative
underscores the UAE’s commitment to embedding Arabic reading into the fabric of everyday life,

especially among youth and future generations.”

He also praised the Kalima Reading Club for its community-driven efforts, noting its roots in
the Kalima Translation Project, which has translated over 1,300 works into Arabic across 27
languages. He emphasized the club’s expanded outreach through school, university, and employee-

based groups, promoting a vibrant reading culture.

The forum featured three main discussion sessions focused on the artistic and intellectual dimensions
of the shortlisted novels:

‘Danishmand’ by Ahmed Fal Al Din (Mauritania)

‘Valley of Butterflies’ by Azhar Jargis (Iraq)

‘The Andalusian Christ’ by Taysir Khalaf (Syria)

‘The Women’s Pact’ by Haneen Al-Sayegh (Lebanon)

‘Prayer of Anxiety’ by Mohamed Samir Nada (Egypt)

‘The Texture of Light’ by Nadia Al-Najjar (UAE)

A digital voting platform allowed attendees to select their favorite novel based on set literary criteria,
giving readers an active voice in the evaluation process. Key recommendations from the forum

https://www.dayofdubai.com/news/mbrf-and-alc-host-arab-reading-clubs-forum-2025-to-advance-literary-dialogue-and-critical-thinking-in-the-arab-world 2/3