The sixth season of the popular epic series "Al-Maddah: Legend of the End" has launched, bringing a new chapter to the age-old conflict between humans and jinn. The drama intensifies with the character of "Taj," portrayed by actress Yosra El Lozy. Sheikh Saber, played by star Hamada Helal, wages a fierce battle to rescue her from the clutches of "The Red King," portrayed by veteran actor Khaled El Sawy, and "The Daughter of Iblis," played by star Ghada Adel, after they successfully captured Taj using black magic at the end of the previous season.

A difficult test in Morocco

The first episode opens with a fateful visit by Saber to Morocco, where he meets Sarmad, the leader of the Taj tribe. Sarmad presents Sheikh Saber with two bitter choices: either to completely relinquish his spiritual gifts and powers and become an ordinary human being devoid of any special abilities, or to continue his perilous quest to rescue Taj from the very place where they first met.

On a crucial night, Taj comes to visit Saber in his dream, expressing her complete certainty of his ability to save her, which Saber considers a divine sign that pushes him to accept the challenge, armed with her weapon and the special scepter that provides protection from black magic.

Encountering ghosts and losing insight

The drama intensifies when Taj appears as a fairy upon Saber's arrival at the desired cave, berating him for his choices. She then reverts to her human form just as Saber loses his ability to see jinn, a sacrifice he made for the mission. Taj reveals the extent of his lost abilities. Amidst these events, Samih the executioner appears, attempting to torture and harm Saber, but Taj intervenes at the last moment, saving him with her weapon and returning him safely home.

The Madah Series: A Unique Dramatic Phenomenon

This season continues the resounding success of the "Al-Maddah" series over the past five years, securing a prominent place in Ramadan and Arab television dramas. The series distinguishes itself by offering a unique blend of fantasy, horror, and religious folklore, consistently topping search engine results and trending on social media platforms with each new season. It has successfully created its own universe, eagerly anticipated by audiences, exploring the struggle between good and evil from a fresh perspective that relies on visual spectacle and a complex plot.

Exceptional staff

The sixth season boasts a stellar cast of Arab drama stars, adding significant artistic weight to the production. The series is directed by the acclaimed Ahmed Samir Farag and written by a team including Amin Gamal, Sherif Yousry, and Walid Abu El-Magd. Alongside Hamada Helal, the cast includes Ghada Adel, Khaled El-Sawy, Heba Magdy, Hanan Suleiman, Khaled Sarhan, and Gouri Bakr, promising a compelling dramatic clash between the forces of good and evil in "The Legend of the End.".

On an exceptional cultural evening shrouded in the mist of Al-Namas, the local branch of the Professional Literary Association organized a distinguished critical storytelling event titled "The Story Between the Writer's Pen and the Critic's Pen," in celebration of World Storytelling Day. Held in a local café, the event fostered a warm and intimate atmosphere, bringing together cultural figures and the general public, reflecting the vibrant cultural scene in the Kingdom.

This evening comes in the context of the growing interest in the art of the short story as one of the most important literary arts capable of condensing the human experience, as the celebration of World Story Day is an annual occasion that writers and intellectuals around the world are keen to revive in order to enhance the status of narrative in the collective memory, and to highlight the development of this art and its modern tools.

The evening, skillfully moderated by Professor Abdullah Fayez Al-Shehri, featured a rich and diverse range of presentations. Short story writer Faisal Hassan Al-Shehri opened the event with readings of selected stories from his literary works. He presented three of his most notable stories: "A Stray Cat," "The Cockroach," and "Living with a Monkey's Mood." The writer didn't limit himself to traditional reading; he employed modern techniques by presenting the texts both audibly and visually. This approach aimed to deepen the narrative experience and immerse the audience in the atmosphere of the text, reflecting the evolution of contemporary storytelling tools and their adaptation to technological advancements.

In the critical segment of the evening, critic Dr. Ali Abu Allama presented an in-depth deconstructive reading of the creative work of short story writer Faisal Al-Shehri, focusing particularly on his collection titled "Chaos of Attention." Abu Allama applied his critical eye to the texts, concentrating on deconstructing symbols and their semiotic meanings. He pointed to the symbolism of "feathers" in the texts as an indication of concealment and evasion, while he considered the use of "shoes" a symbolic reference to the power and oppression of reality. The critic praised the elements of strength and innovation that characterized the writer's language and artistic structure, emphasizing the importance of the synergy between creativity and criticism in elevating literary taste.

Organizing such events in public cafes reflects a positive shift in the Saudi cultural landscape, as culture moves beyond closed halls and integrates into people's daily lives, aligning with the goals of cultural authorities to enhance quality of life. This event also highlights the vital role played by literary branches and societies in provinces like Al-Namas in discovering talent and promoting cultural tourism.

At the conclusion of the storytelling evening, Mr. Dhafer Al-Jubairi, head of the Ambassadors Team in Al-Namas, expressed his delight at the success of the event, which achieved a delicate balance between creative storytelling and insightful critical discourse. Mr. Al-Jubairi honored the evening's distinguished participants (the writer, the critic, and the moderator), offering special praise for the community role of the host café, which contributed to supporting the cultural movement in Al-Namas. He emphasized that partnerships between the private sector and cultural institutions are a fundamental pillar for the sustainability of cultural activity.

Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji reopened the debate on personal freedoms and respect for cultures in a detailed and decisive response to the controversy surrounding her appearance wearing a hijab at the Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran, Iran, during the screening of her film "Land of Angels." Fawakherji used this opportunity to clarify her deep-seated intellectual stance on the issue of the hijab, criticizing the double standards practiced by some under the banner of freedom.

A shocking situation reveals the contradiction

In a lengthy post on her official Facebook page, Fawakhri recounted an old incident that left a negative impression on her. She described how a director mocked the wife of a colleague simply for wearing a hijab, using offensive terms that implied "backwardness." The Syrian star expressed her profound shock at this blatant contradiction, questioning how someone who constantly advocates for personal freedom and openness could infringe upon others' right to choose their appearance and clothing. She pointed out that this behavior reflects a distorted understanding of the concept of freedom.

Context of participation in the Fajr Film Festival

Fawakhri's statement comes in the context of clarifying the circumstances surrounding her appearance wearing a headscarf in Iran, a requirement imposed by the laws and general protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran on all women, including foreign guests, diplomats, and artists. The Fajr Film Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious festivals in the Middle East and Asia, attracting delegations from around the world. Female artists from diverse cultures adhere to local dress codes as part of diplomatic protocol and respect for the laws of the host country, something Sulaf Fawakhri did consciously.

Freedom is indivisible and respect is a duty

In her remarks, Fawakhri emphasized the principle that "freedom is indivisible," stressing that defending freedoms must be comprehensive and inclusive, without exception. She clarified that differences in opinion or belief do not grant anyone the right to insult others or impose their intellectual guardianship upon them. In a notable statement regarding her relationship with the director, she affirmed that her appreciation for his artistic talent remained unaffected, but her respect for him as a person had significantly diminished. She explained her philosophy that "love may change, while respect is a more stable and enduring value," reflecting a mature understanding of the distinction between professionalism and human principles.

The veil: between religion, history, and anthropology

Fawakhri didn't stop at a personal response; she expanded on her cultural perspective on the hijab, noting that while she might disagree intellectually with its imposition, she sees it as an integral part of peoples' cultures and histories. She based her opinion on historical and anthropological facts indicating that head coverings existed in ancient civilizations predating monotheistic religions, initially linked to environmental factors, climate, and protection, before acquiring their diverse religious and social meanings over the ages. This approach reflects the artist's awareness of the importance of understanding social phenomena within their broader historical context, rather than confining them to a narrow perspective.

A message of respect for laws and customs

Sulaf Fawakherji concluded her explanation by emphasizing that her adherence to wearing the hijab while in Tehran stemmed from her respect for the laws and social customs of the host country. She stressed that this commitment is a personal choice born of strength and confidence, and does not diminish her freedom in any way. Rather, it reinforces her belief that genuine respect for others and their cultures does not conflict with personal freedom, but is its complementary counterpart, thus solidifying the role of the artist as an ambassador for their own culture and a respecter of other cultures.