Education

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center (ALC), successfully hosted the ‘Arab Reading Clubs Forum 2025’ at ALC headquarters. The forum, now in its seventh edition, is a vital platform that encourages reading, enriches intellectual discourse, and fosters collaboration among reading communities across the Arab world.

The event united key initiatives, including MBRF’s Knowledge Lounge and ALC’s Kalima Reading Club, in addition to various regional literary circles, to promote the exchange of knowledge and critical dialogue. This year’s forum featured in-depth analysis and discussions on the six shortlisted novels for 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 included creating a parallel track for reader input in the IPAF selection process, launching surveys and training programs to enhance critical reading, and promoting partnerships between reading clubs and publishing houses.

The forum concluded by reaffirming the importance of documenting reading experiences to enrich the Arab world’s literary heritage and make it more accessible.

The Arab Reading Clubs Forum 2025 is a direct result of the strategic partnership between MBRF and ALC, reflecting their shared mission to foster knowledge-driven societies across the Arab region.

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