Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan has returned to the forefront of the media and digital scene, but this time through two contradictory paths that combine excessive confidence with societal controversy. While he justified his absence from the Ramadan television season with a brief statement that sparked a storm of comments, he found himself once again under scrutiny due to the influence of his previous dramas on the behavior of the Egyptian public, particularly after an unfortunate incident in the city of Banha.

The secret behind his absence from Ramadan dramas: “I am Ramadan”

In a direct interaction with his fans on social media, Mohamed Ramadan responded to a follower's question about his absence from Ramadan television series for the third consecutive year. His reply was a concise statement laden with meaning: "Because I am Ramadan ." This statement did not go unnoticed; rather, it divided the public. Some saw it as an expression of the confidence of an artist who has reigned supreme in drama for years with iconic works such as "Jaafar Al-Omda" and "Al-Prince," while others considered it a form of arrogance and showing off.

This absence leaves a void for a wide segment of the public who were accustomed to Ramadan being a key element of the Ramadan table, as his works used to achieve record viewership and spark daily discussions throughout the holy month.

The Benha incident brings the "legend" back to the forefront

On another front, Mohamed Ramadan found himself in the midst of a storm of criticism after a shocking video circulated online showing an assault in the city of Banha. In the video, a group of young men forced another young man to wear a belly dancing costume and filmed him. This scene immediately brought to mind one of the most controversial scenes in the history of modern Egyptian drama: the scene featuring Nasser El-Desouky in the 2016 "El-Ostoura" (The Legend)

Linking the incident to the dramatic work has reopened the debate about "the impact of drama on societal violence ." While critics believe that Ramadan characters reinforce the concept of "thuggery" and taking the law into one's own hands, others argue that art is a mirror of reality, not its creator, and that deviant individual behaviors are the result of deficiencies in upbringing and awareness, not the result of a dramatic scene, pointing out that violence existed in societies before the advent of cinema and drama.

Global artistic and cinematic activity

Away from the controversy, "Number One" continues his global expansion plan, announcing the release of his new song "Sah Sah" in collaboration with Lara Trump . This move comes as a continuation of a series of international collaborations through which Ramadan seeks to reach a wider audience beyond the Arab world, expressing his confidence in the success of the work, which garnered significant attention immediately upon its announcement.

Cinematically, audiences eagerly anticipate Ramadan's strong comeback with the film "Asad ," which reunites him with renowned director Mohamed Diab (director of the series "Moon Knight"). This collaboration marks a significant turning point in Ramadan's cinematic career, given the Diab family's (Mohamed, Khaled, and Sherine) proven track record in writing and producing internationally acclaimed and high-quality content, thus raising expectations for the upcoming project.

In a distinguished cultural evening characterized by insightful discussions and open dialogue, the Al-Masdar Cultural Club in Tabuk organized an exceptional literary event, hosting writer Dr. Amal Hamdan. The discussion was moderated by journalist Bader Al-Jabal, and attended by a notable and distinguished audience of intellectuals, writers, and those interested in cultural affairs in the region, reflecting the intellectual thirst for literary activity in the Kingdom.

Cultural activism in light of the national vision

This event comes within the context of the growing cultural movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which aligns with the goals of Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and support the cultural sector as a fundamental pillar for building a vibrant society. Cultural clubs, such as Al-Masdar Club in Tabuk, play a pivotal role in creating platforms for intellectual dialogue, contributing to enriching the local literary scene and connecting creators with their audiences, thus affirming that culture is not merely an intellectual luxury but a societal necessity.

Writing: From Self to Public Responsibility

The evening provided ample opportunity to reflect on the concept of writing, not merely as a tool for self-expression, but as an act of influence and a conscious responsibility towards society. During the meeting, Dr. Amal Hamdan shared her rich experience, which combined the realm of journalism with the world of literary writing. She highlighted her journey within the Saudi cultural scene, emphasizing her significant contributions that transcended local boundaries to include international participation in book fairs. She also discussed her unique experience in broadcasting her work on radio and television, creating a creative fusion of the written and spoken word.

Evening topics: Between journalism and literature

The fruitful meeting was divided into three main axes that formed a roadmap for dialogue:

• The first axis: Addressing writing as a cultural and moral responsibility, and the writer’s role in shaping societal awareness and directing public opinion towards fundamental issues.
• The second axis: Discuss the writer’s personal experience and the movement between the arts of news and analytical journalism and creative literary writing, and how each serves the other.
• The third axis: It addressed the presence of literary texts on modern and traditional media platforms, and the extent of their direct impact on the recipient in light of the accelerating pace of digital publishing.

Audience interaction and the importance of communication

The evening witnessed a remarkable and vibrant interaction from the audience through a series of insightful interventions and questions that enriched the dialogue and broadened the scope of discussion on complex issues related to writing, cultural identity, and the future of print literature. The evening's outcomes underscored the importance of continuing such direct encounters in revitalizing cultural activity and strengthening the bridges of human and intellectual communication between writers and readers, thus creating a fertile environment for the growth of ideas and the exchange of experiences.

In an unforgettable evening of art, the stage of the Bayonne Al Dana Theatre in the Kingdom of Bahrain was transformed into a scene of profound emotion, as the renowned artist Rashid Al Majid was overcome with emotion during his performance at a massive concert. The most poignant moment of the evening came when the "Sinbad of Gulf Song" wept while performing his timeless masterpiece, "Al Musafir" (The Traveler), transforming the concert from a mere musical event into a deeply moving experience that resonated with thousands of attendees who responded with applause and cheers of support.

A human moment captured by the lenses

Rotana Records documented this touching moment on its official social media accounts, showing Rashid struggling to hold back his tears, which preceded his singing. This spontaneous expression of his deep connection to the lyrics of this song, a landmark in his artistic career, was a powerful statement from the company. Rotana captioned the clip: "Rashid just sang 'Al-Musafer' and was overcome with emotion in front of his audience... his tears spoke louder than any words." The clip quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising the artist's genuine emotion and spontaneity, qualities that have always endeared him to his fans.

"The Traveler"... an icon of the nineties and a history of success

The song "Al-Musafir" (The Traveler) holds a special place in the history of Gulf and Arab music, dating back to the golden era of the 1990s, which witnessed Rashid Al-Majed's rise to widespread Arab stardom. This song was not merely a fleeting artistic endeavor; it served as Al-Majed's passport to the hearts of millions beyond the Gulf region and is considered one of the works that solidified his unique artistic identity. Al-Majed's tears on stage brought back memories of decades past, reaffirming that authentic art never ages and that sincere works remain etched in the hearts of the artist and their audience, no matter how many years pass.

A musical evening led by Maestro Walid Fayad

The evening wasn't just filled with heartfelt emotions; it was a rich feast of authentic music. The orchestra was led by the veteran maestro Waleed Fayad, who added his enchanting touches to enhance the concert's brilliance. Rashed Al-Majed presented a diverse selection from his rich repertoire, blending classics with newer hits, including "Mahtar Ya Hamad," "Ya Nasina," "Walhan," "Abshir Min Oyouni," and "Azeem Ehsas," all performed in perfect harmony with a chorus of enthusiastic singers.

Public turnout reflects the status of "Sinbad"

This concert further confirms Rashid Al-Majed's immense popularity both locally and regionally. Tickets were in unprecedented demand and sold out immediately upon release, prompting the organizers to announce an additional performance on the 14th of this month, which also sold out completely. This overwhelming response reflects the Gulf audience's thirst for high-quality art and highlights Bahrain's status as a tourist and cultural destination that hosts leading Arab artists, as the Dana Theatre continues to attract the most important artistic events in the region.