Documentary writer and historian Mohammed bin Abdul-Razzaq Al-Qashami expressed his gratitude to the Jeddah Literary Club and its board of directors for choosing him to be the honored figure at the 21st Text Forum for the year 2025, entitled “Literary and Cultural History in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between Orality and Writing.”.

Al-Qashami said: “Thank you to those who thought well of me and honored me with this tribute, which I consider a tribute to every cultural and literary achievement that a citizen presents to his country and society, and an incentive to accomplish more studies and research.”.

He added: “When the president of the Jeddah Literary Club, Dr. Abdullah bin Awaiqil Al-Sulami, contacted me to inform me of the decision made by the club’s board of directors to honor me, after some friends had paved the way for it, I tried to decline, saying that there were others more deserving of this honor than me. He said that he had contacted me to inform me of what had been agreed upon, not to ask my opinion. Therefore, I accepted, and I leave my affairs to God… hoping that I will live up to your expectations.”.

Regarding his journey into writing, Abu Ya'rub explained that he only began writing relatively late, after he had passed the age of fifty-five. It was by chance that Dr. Muhammad al-Dubaisi, then an editor of the cultural page in Al-Jazirah newspaper in Riyadh, asked him in 1419 AH/1999 to write about the pioneer Abdulkarim al-Juhaiman (may God have mercy on him), due to the close relationship between them, on the occasion of his nomination for an award at the National Festival of Heritage and Culture. He emphasized that after the article was published, he felt encouraged and began writing his childhood memories and his move from Zulfi to Riyadh. When he had published 18 installments, the series was halted because someone had contacted the newspaper objecting to the use of titles (or standards) deemed inappropriate. He realized that this objector was mistaken, which encouraged him to complete the series to 32 installments and publish them in a book titled "Beginnings" in 1421 AH/2000.

Given his work at the King Fahd National Library, where he had access to most of the newspaper and periodical archives, he reviewed them, selected some of the published material, and then began writing about selections, rarities, and noteworthy pieces, particularly those from the period of individual journalists (1383-1384 AH / 1964-1964 CE). He compiled his published material into books. Later, he came across the book "The Unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" by Muhammad al-Mana', a former translator at the Royal Court. He found that al-Mana' praised King Abdulaziz's representatives and agents abroad before the appointment of ambassadors and consuls, which only began after King Abdulaziz entered the Hijaz. He mentioned the names of Fawzan al-Sabiq, Abdullah al-Fawzan, Rashid bin Laila, Abdul Latif al-Mandeel, Abdullah al-Nafisi, and Abdul Rahman al-Qusaibi. He said: “These men made a great effort for the benefit of their country abroad, and it is unfortunate that many of them are hardly mentioned at present.” So he collected information about them and published it, and presented it to the Darah in conjunction with the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Award and Grant for Studies in the History of the Arabian Peninsula. The study won the Grant for Studies and Research for the year 1427 AH (2006), and he received the monetary award and certificate from King Salman. This encouraged him to continue writing and authoring until the number of publications reached (55) books, some of which are related to newspapers and magazines, and some of which are related to the biographies of their owners and some writers. (15) independent books were published about them, in addition to four books that included more than (210) personalities, under the name (Figures in the Shadows), which he first published in the Arab Magazine during the presidency of Dr. Abdullah Al-Hajj, then its publication moved to Al-Jazirah newspaper, and finally it settled in Al-Yamamah magazine and it is still there, in addition to biographies of those who assumed the presidency of the editors of individual newspapers for about (120) of them.

Among Al-Qashami’s accomplishments is the “Oral History” program, in which he hosts elderly writers, educators, and others, and records with them at the library. He recorded with (407) personalities over 23 years.

He noted that his work at the General Presidency for Youth Welfare motivated him to organize events in cultural and social affairs, particularly in the youth welfare offices of Al-Ahsa and Hail (1495-1401 AH). The General President of Youth Welfare, Prince Faisal bin Fahd (may God have mercy on him), encouraged such activity and thanked Al-Qashami for his efforts, especially since he documented them and submitted periodic reports. He rewarded him by submitting a request to the highest authorities for his exceptional promotion from the fifth to the ninth rank, which took place in 1400 AH. Upon returning to Riyadh, he spearheaded the publication of the "This is Our Country" series, of which approximately fifty volumes were published before his retirement. He also served as a member of the General Secretariat of the State Appreciation Award for Literature and as secretary for cultural weeks.

He appreciated the role of everyone who encouraged him to pursue this field, first and foremost the former Vice President of the Medina Literary Club, Dr. Muhammad Al-Dubaisi, who invited him to write and to participate for the first time in a seminar at the Medina Club alongside the writer Osama Al-Subaie to talk about his pioneering father, Ahmed Al-Subaie, in 1425 AH (2004), then the invitation to another conference and to speak on behalf of the participants in 1431 AH (2010), as well as the President of the Literary Club in Riyadh, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Rabee, who published his book in 2004, Suleiman bin Saleh Al-Dakhil, owner of the Riyadh newspaper franchise in Baghdad in 1910. He also facilitated his winning the King Salman Award as an advisor to the King Abdulaziz Foundation, which is responsible for the grant.

He added that he participated in the first lecture or seminar at the Sheikh Hamad Al-Jasser Cultural Center to talk with Ahmed Al-Duwaihi about Abdul Rahman Munif, following his death in 2003, expressing his gratitude to the Abha Literary Club, which was the first to publish his book (The Pseudonyms of Saudi Writers) in 2004. Then ten clubs published his work, including the Riyadh, Medina, Makkah and Jeddah clubs, which published it more than once, in addition to the Taif, Abha, Jazan and Al-Ahsa clubs, the Hamad Al-Jasser Cultural Center, the King Faisal Center for Studies and Research, the King Abdulaziz Foundation, the King Fahd National Library and the King Abdulaziz Public Library.

He recounted the story of accepting Saleh Bu Haniya's invitation from Al-Ahsa on December 17, 2003, to the Tuesday gathering, in the presence of Professors Abdulkarim Al-Juhaiman and Abdulrahman Al-Mansour, in appreciation of the cultural activities undertaken by the Presidential Office. Following Dr. Hamoud Al-Badr's lecture on "The Relationship Between the Shura Council and Regional Councils," Dr. Mohammed Al-Saif presented a chart in Hail, signed by a number of Hail's writers and officials, depicting the cultural activities implemented by the office during his tenure as its head.

He was also honored at the Conference of Ministers of Culture of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 11/26/1434 AH corresponding to 10/2/2013 for his literary career, along with the writer Muhammad Al-Ali, and the visual artist Safia Bint Zaqr, with those who were honored from the GCC countries. Each of the honorees received a sum of money, a medal bearing the Council’s logo, and a certificate of appreciation signed by the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Zayani, and by the Minister of Culture of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sheikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

In addition to being honored by the Ministry of Culture and Information on the occasion of World Book Day in 1436 AH (2015), Abdulmaqsoud Khoja was honored at his Monday gathering in Jeddah on 9/2/1436 AH (1/12/2014). He was also honored twice by the Zulfi Community Committee (the Zulfi Governorate Social Development Committee in 1436 AH and 1440 AH), and Dr. Muhammad Al-Mashouh was honored and celebrated at the Tuesday gathering on 6/1/1439 AH (6/10/2017). He was also honored by the Al-Salihia Charitable Society in Unaizah Governorate at the Sixth Unaizah Cultural Festival in 1439 AH (2018) along with a group of writers, including Saad Al-Suwayan, Hamad Al-Qadi, Abdulmaqsoud Khoja, and Muhammad Al-Shamikh. He was also honored by Jazan University in 1438 AH (2017) and at Abdulrahman Moukli's Thursday gathering in Dhubiyah, Jazan. The media commemorated the centenary of the publication of Umm Al-Qura newspaper on 26/8/1442 AH, under the patronage and in the presence of the Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Khalid Al-Faisal. In addition, Al-Jazirah newspaper was honored with a special issue of its cultural magazine, issue number (550), dated 27/11/1438 AH, and the Hamad Al-Jasser Cultural Center was honored with a special issue of its newsletter, "Jisr" (Bridges), issue number (29), for the year 1444 AH. The writer Adnan Al-Awami was also honored with the publication of his book, "Al-Qash'ami in Their Pens," in 2022. This is an honor I cherish and consider a fitting conclusion.

Abu Ya’rub said: “I will never forget what the late critic Abed Khazendar sent from Paris in 2012, shortly before his death, when he read his book about him. Khazendar said: ‘The book made me extremely happy, and the nation and future generations will be indebted to you for everything you document about the pioneers. I read your book about civil society, and I was very impressed with it. It is also added to your impressive record of the history of the nation and the free patriots.’”.

In another letter, he wrote: “It suffices to say that your work in documenting the history of writing in our country and highlighting its pioneers is a noble endeavor that enriches and strengthens our history. It is a task that even a group of writers would struggle to accomplish, let alone a single writer. It is an effort that the nation will appreciate and that will be a treasure for future generations.” He considered such words from such a man to be the greatest encouragement and appreciation.

He added: “I am still trying to offer what I believe is beneficial and useful. Upon reaching the age of eighty, I thought about stopping writing and taking a break. However, when I recall the efforts and achievements of Sheikh Muhammad Al-Aboudi and his continued research and writing until he was close to one hundred years old, as well as Abed Khazendar, who continued writing until his death - may God have mercy on them - and the writer and poet Muhammad Al-Ali, who is still writing despite his old age and suffering, I become active again and write.”.

He concluded his speech on this occasion by saying: It is interesting that Brother Khalid bin Hazil Al-Dabbous Al-Sharari from Tabarjal contacted me a few days ago asking me: From which university did you graduate? Where did you study, and how many certificates do you hold? I answered him with what our teacher Saad Al-Bawardi said before me: that he holds three certificates: the certificate that there is no god but God, the birth certificate, and the elementary certificate.