With the passing of Dr. Saeed Al-Suraihi, the Saudi and Arab cultural scene not only loses a great critic, but also bids farewell to a rare intellectual figure and encyclopedic scholar who was able to combine the depth of heritage knowledge, the nobility of morals, and the sensitivity of human feeling, thus forming a unique cultural phenomenon whose impact has extended for decades.

A symbol of modernity and cultural renewal

Al-Suraihi is considered one of the most prominent figures who shaped the cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia over the past four decades. He was not merely a passing critic, but a pioneer of renewal and modernity, engaging in serious intellectual debates to establish the concepts of modern criticism. His presence in literary clubs, particularly the Jeddah Literary Club, and in cultural journalism through the newspaper "Okaz," served as a compass guiding the younger generation towards broader horizons of writing and thought.

When Al-Suraihi spoke, he compelled you to listen, not through the force of his voice, but through the depth of his thought and the presence of a sage whose every word you immediately recognized as worthy of being heard and recorded. You wished he would never fall silent, that he would linger longer in the realm of words, for his speech was not fleeting but settled in the mind and heart. And though his voice has now faded, whether by choice or by force, his meaning remains, and will continue to resonate within the hearts of his admirers and students. His words will remain etched in our minds as a testament to a golden era in our cultural history.

The encyclopedic critic and visual arts

The deceased was unique in his distinction and encyclopedic in his knowledge; he was a profound scholar of religion and Islamic law, an expert in the intricacies of the Arabic language, and a discerning literary critic. However, what some may overlook is his exceptional appreciation of the visual arts. He possessed a remarkable and precise knowledge in this field, grounded in details, figures, and insightful readings that sometimes surpassed that of specialists who had practiced or studied the art academically. Listening to him, one sensed that he possessed the keys to this world with the awareness of a deep researcher, not the superficiality of a casual observer.

Perhaps his most notable achievement was dedicating a weekly page to the visual arts during his journalistic career. This page was not merely a fleeting space to fill airtime, but rather, thanks to his vision, it transformed into a vibrant cultural platform where he contributed his diverse ideas and perspectives, along with insightful headlines that resonated deeply and cultivated a genuine visual awareness among readers. He approached visual and plastic arts as a form of intellectual discourse no less significant than literature, granting artists their due share of in-depth reading and critical respect.

The noble teacher... a school of ethics

On a personal and professional level, Al-Suraihi was a noble mentor from whom an entire generation of journalists and writers benefited in the art of crafting headlines, writing introductions, and building journalistic and literary profiles. His editing was never dry or condescending, nor was his guidance harsh. Rather, he would smile and politely ask, "What do you think about writing it this way?" You would then realize that what he offered was guidance imbued with respect, not a correction that would wound the text or break its author. His language conveyed a deep appreciation for what had been written, and his suggestions opened new horizons without negating what had come before. He never criticized a text nor broke a writer's pen; instead, he corrected with the spirit of an expert, suggested with the mind of a partner, and left the final decision to the writer.

His body has departed, but his lessons remain, his impact endures, and his approach, tone, and ethics will forever be a guiding light. Saeed Al-Suraihi will remain a voice present in our cultural memory, a rare intellectual conscience who taught us that words carry great responsibility, and that criticism is ethics and conduct before it is merely tools and methodologies. May God have mercy on Dr. Saeed Al-Suraihi, grant him a spacious place in Paradise, and place his contributions to thought, culture, and literature on the scale of his good deeds.

In a new development in a case that has shaken the Syrian public and the Arab artistic community, the Syrian Ministry of Justice revealed on Saturday gruesome details surrounding the murder of renowned artist Huda Shaarawi in her Damascus home. The ministry released footage of the crime reenactment, which was carried out by her Ugandan maid, and affirmed that the legal process is ongoing to ensure full justice in this tragic incident.

Documented confessions and crime scene reenactment

The ministry released a video on its official accounts showing the accused, Vicky Ajok, calmly reenacting the crime at the scene. The footage showed how the accused ambushed the late artist while she was in bed, inflicting fatal and repeated blows to her head with a hard metal object, which led to her death from severe injuries.

During the investigation, the accused offered a bizarre justification for her heinous act, claiming she suspected the artist intended to poison her. The accused recounted that the victim had asked her not to go near the refrigerator, claiming it contained poisonous substances. The maid interpreted this as a direct threat to her life, stating in her testimony: "I thought she had poisoned me, so I decided we should both die.".

A failed suicide attempt and a chaotic escape

Not content with committing the murder, the perpetrator then attempted to end her own life and cover up the crime. She confessed to taking a large quantity of medication and pouring fuel to set the room on fire before climbing to the roof of the building and jumping in a suicide attempt. Despite her fall, the accused survived and ran into the street in a state of hysteria and distress, pleading with passersby to take her to the hospital. However, the vigilance of citizens led to the authorities being alerted and her arrest in record time.

Background of the conflict and allegations of abuse

Regarding her relationship with the victim, the Ugandan worker claimed there had been prior disagreements dating back to last November, centered on the artist's refusal to give her her wages to send to her family. She also alleged mistreatment, food deprivation, and confinement—claims currently under judicial investigation to verify their accuracy. The accused maintains that she acted alone in planning and executing the crime without any external instigation.

The passing of the "Bab Al-Hara" icon and the shock it caused in the artistic community

This announcement sheds light on the tragic end of actress Huda Shaarawi, who passed away on January 29th. Shaarawi was a prominent figure in the history of Syrian drama, her name forever linked in the memory of the Arab audience with her portrayal of "Umm Zaki," the midwife in the popular series "Bab Al-Hara." Her death in such a violent manner came as a great shock to her fans and colleagues, highlighting the dangers of unregulated domestic workers and the urgent need to protect elderly people living alone.

The Syrian judicial authorities are continuing to complete the case file, in preparation for referring the accused to the competent court to receive her just punishment in accordance with the applicable laws, in a case that has become a matter of public opinion par excellence.