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See - Sada Elbalad
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Showcases Latest Publications at Its 20th Int'l Book Fair
Nada Mustafa- Basant Ahmed Bibliotheca Alexandrina is unveiling its latest publications at the 20th edition of its International Book Fair, held from July 7 to July 21, in collaboration with the General Egyptian Book Organization, and the Egyptian and Arab Publishers Unions. Among the newly released titles is "Archery and Equestrian Arts in the Mamluk Era" by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Abdel Aal, published by the Center for Islamic Civilization Studies at the Academic Research Sector of the Library. Another highlight is "Architectural Details of Alexandria – The Little Venice Building", by engineer Mohamed Gowhar. Issued by the Center for Alexandrian and Mediterranean Studies, the publication includes 30 artistic plates showcasing the intricate decorations of one of Alexandria's architectural gems. The Library also continues its unique series, "Heritage of Humanity for Youth and Adolescents", aimed at simplifying various fields of human knowledge for younger generations. New releases in this series include: Booklet 64: "Hassan Al-Attar (1766–1835): The Reformist Imam", by Ehab El-Mallah. Booklet 66: "Malak Hifni Nasif: Bāḥithat al-Bādiya (Desert Scholar)", by Abeer Ibrahim Qomra. Booklet 70: "Hassan Fathy: The Architect of Egyptian Identity – The Story of New Qurna Village", by Mohamed Shehata El-Omda. Other key releases include "The Debate of Religion and Enlightenment: Paths of Rationality and Horizons of Humanism", authored by Salah Salem. The Library will also feature its leading periodicals, including: "Memory of Egypt", focusing on national heritage and identity. "Marasid", a series on the sociology of religion. "Awrak", dedicated to future studies. "Abgadiyat", an annual peer-reviewed journal on scripts and writing systems. "Coptic Notebooks", centered on Coptic heritage. And theatrical novels under the National Project for Documenting Theatrical Heritage. This year's edition of the Alexandria International Book Fair includes participation from around 78 Egyptian and Arab publishers, including representatives from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Syria. A special children's section features over 16 publishers dedicated to children's literature. There is also a section for rare and antique books from 12 vendors of the iconic 'Sour El-Azbakeya'. The late Moroccan diplomat and intellectual Mohamed Benaissa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and a former member of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Board of Trustees, has been chosen as the "Personality of the Fair" for 2025. On the sidelines of the fair, a rich cultural program is planned, with over 215 events and approximately 800 speakers and lecturers. Activities will be held at the main library venue in Alexandria, as well as affiliated sites: Bayt Al-Sinnari in Cairo's Sayyida Zeinab district and Khadija Palace in Helwan. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
DW
21-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Why Iran 'cannot turn back time' on public hijab rule – DW – 05/21/2025
"The state's current policy on the issue of the hijab is not to follow strict rules," Ali Motahari, a conservative Iranian politician, told journalists last week on the fringes of the International Book Fair in Tehran. He added that the police should only intervene in the event of gross violations. "You have to know that even at the time of the Shah, before the 1979 revolution, women were arrested if they did not dress decently in public," he said. Wearing a hijab, or headscarf, remains mandatory in Iran. However, even before the nationwide protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022, Motahari was one of those conservative politicians who repeatedly called for a crackdown on women who dared to deviate even slightly from the strict dress code. In 2014, he asked, "Why are women allowed to wear trousers under their coats?" He called on the authorities to take more rigorous action against the women concerned. 'A changed country' "What we have achieved in the last three years can no longer be taken away by the state," a gender researcher and journalist from Tehran told DW. She asked DW not to publish her name as the authorities regularly reprimand her for her stance, and she even receives death threats from anonymous callers. She is one of the women who not only refuse to wear a headscarf in public, but also encourages other women to decide for themselves whether they want to. "They can no longer force us to follow their rules and automatically wear a headscarf every time we leave the house," she says. She also emphasizes that Iran has changed after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini. For example, on May 12, the coffin of Shiva Aristoui, an Iranian writer and poet, was carried by women without the mandatory hijab. Traditionally, carrying the coffin has long been a matter for men in accordance with religious and social norms. However, since the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement, more and more women attend funerals without the compulsory hijab and carry the coffins of their loved ones. Yet, many women deliberately stay away from international media and avoid public attention to continue on their path without additional repression. Any exchange with international media could be considered "propaganda against the system," "cooperation with a hostile government" or could be prosecuted as following an "order from abroad." The journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi were first arrested, then sentenced but eventually pardoned by Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Image: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images Niloufar Hamedi, an award-winning journalist, is a recent example of the state's crackdown. Her reporting on the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in 2022 brought her international fame. Among other pieces, she published a photo of Amini's grieving parents. It quickly went viral on social media and became a symbol of the nationwide protests, which became the largest protest movement in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Hamedi was arrested and charged with alleged "collaboration with an enemy government," "propaganda against the system" among other charges. She was sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison. However, after 17 months, she was released on bail in January 2024. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei then pardoned her and her colleague Elaheh Mohammadi in February 2025. On May 11, 2,800 days after the report that changed the country, an article under her name appeared once more in the country's major daily Persian newspaper Shargh. Niloofar Hamedi is allowed to work as a journalist in Iran again. The protests after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022 turned into the biggest demonstration since the Iranian Revolution 1979 Image: Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/picture alliance 'The state lacks the power to stop change' Does this indicate that the state has capitulated to women? "No," Sedigheh Vasmaghi, women's rights activist and theologian, told DW. "The political system has not accepted the resistance the women have shown," she said. "The state does not have the power to stop or even reverse this change either." Vasmaghi, who joined protesters against the compulsory headscarf rule, no longer wears a headscarf in public. In April 2023, Vasmaghi wrote an open letter to Khamenei in which she criticized his decree on the hijab requirement and emphasized that the Quran does not stipulate such an obligation. In March 2024, she was arrested for "propaganda against the system" and "public appearance without a Sharia-compliant hijab." Due to her health problems, she was sent on parole. Still, she could be arrested again at any time. But she has no fear of that. "The state in Iran is facing massive domestic and foreign policy problems and is currently not in a position to deal with women across the country, especially teenagers and young women, who no longer want to wear headscarves," she told DW. "However, any measure that appears to be effective will be reviewed and attempted to be enforced," Vasmaghi continued, referring to the ongoing debate on the introduction of a controversial lawto monitor women in public in Iran. The law provides for a series of punitive measures for women who refuse to wear the required hijab in public. "The political system can no longer turn back time," Vasmaghi said. This article was originally published in German.
Shafaq News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Iraq's cultural events: Low public turnout
Shafaq News/ Despite government efforts to promote literature, art, and heritage, Iraq's cultural events continue to draw limited public engagement, with attendance largely restricted to specialists. Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Al-Aliawi told Shafaq News that the ministry and its 22 affiliated departments regularly organize literary, artistic, and cultural events across sectors including culture, tourism, and antiquities. These include annual festivals, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and the Iraqi Creativity Award. 'While some events operate independently, the ministry plays a supervisory and supportive role in book fairs, poetry readings, theater and cinema festivals, and intellectual seminars,' Al-Aliawi noted. Poet and critic Mohammed Al-Kaabi, a member of the General Union of Writers and Authors in Iraq, attributed the low turnout to past associations between cultural events and authority, which limited their relevance to societal concerns. 'The sheer number of cultural organizations has also contributed to audience disengagement, as many still perceive these events as politically motivated,' Al-Kaabi said, pointing out that those who attend often fail to connect cultural messages with the wider public, including university students who could benefit from intellectual development rather than being absorbed by social media. As for cultural activities, visual artist Mohammed Al-Mutairi highlighted that they remain confined within specific artistic communities within their own circles, stating, 'Poets attend poetry festivals, theater enthusiasts follow theater events, and visual artists focus on fine art exhibitions.' Al-Mutairi identified the International Book Fair as the only event that consistently attracts a diverse audience of writers, artists, academics, and students. Meanwhile, theater artist Zaki Al-Jaber criticized the repetition of themes and formats in festivals, arguing that it contributes to declining interest. 'Many attendees step outside to smoke or chat, leaving venues half-empty,' Al-Jaber clarified, citing poor venue selection, inconvenient scheduling, and the preference for closed spaces as barriers to audience engagement. The theater artist stressed the need for a more strategic approach, urging organizers to diversify topics, invite fresh voices, and ensure festivals appeal to a wider audience.
