Amidst the cultural events of the Cairo International Book Fair, one of the most prominent cultural gatherings in the Arab world, Egyptian poet and journalist Mohamed Hamida released his new poetry collection, "The Dictionary of Paradise." Published by Shams Publishing and Media Foundation, this work adds a new dimension to the literary scene, blending profound experience with the beauty of Egyptian colloquial Arabic.

Cultural context and the importance of the event

The Cairo International Book Fair, first launched in 1969, is a major platform for writers, publishers, and intellectuals in the Middle East. Launching a new literary work during its events grants it significant media and public attention, placing it at the heart of the annual cultural debate. The poetry collection "Dictionary of Paradise" comes within this context, offering readers a new poetic experience within the tradition of Egyptian colloquial poetry, which has deep roots in the popular consciousness and was championed by great poets such as Salah Jahin and Ahmed Fouad Negm.

A critical reading of "The Dictionary of Paradise"

The collection, the poet's fifth, comprises 39 poems written in Egyptian colloquial Arabic. It received critical attention from art critic Dr. Rehab El-Din El-Hawary, who praised Hamida's poetic language, describing it as "refined colloquial Arabic" whose structures approach classical Arabic while retaining the warmth and intimacy of the Egyptian vernacular. El-Hawary noted that the poet begins his collection with the duality of "book/dictionary" in the poem "The Book Was in My Right Hand," lending the poem a special sanctity and making love a framework that blends dreamy romanticism with mystical symbolism.

Style and internal music

Al-Hawari explained that Hamida's poems rely on a quiet "inner music" that avoids harsh rhyme, making the texts seem like a sincere and spontaneous outpouring of emotion. The poet successfully condensed entire narrative stories, using vocabulary that reflects the stages of human experience, from "beginning" and "dream" to "challenge" and "anxiety," culminating in "surrender to beauty." He also used nature and its elements (trees, fruit, trunks) as a mirror reflecting human emotions, highlighting his ability to adapt colloquial language to serve the profound philosophical meanings of love and existence.

Poetic images and existential questions

The critic noted the collection's richness in visual imagery and the technique of "anthropomorphizing inanimate objects," where streets and doors become sentient beings that feel and move, as in the line: "All the streets in winter lean against the walls." He described this opening as brilliant because it captures a state of "need for warmth" and support. Al-Hawari also delved into the profound existential questions and pain in Hamida's texts, particularly in the poem "Our Neighborhood's Children Don't Sleep," where the poet asks: "And how can the winter night sleep in the arms of naked children?" This brings the text to a peak of anguish, evoking feelings of fear and pity in the reader.

The writer's journey

It is worth mentioning that the poet Mohamed Hamida has several previous publications that varied between poetry, research and travel literature, including the poetry collection “The Homeland’s Garment is Engraved with the Blood of the Poplar” (2011), the research book “The Sacred Killing” (2015), the poetry collection “A Night Dreaming of Solace” (2016), and the book “Cairo/Marrakech – A Journalistic Journey to the Atlas Mountains” (2025), which reflects a rich and diverse literary career.

The production company of the series “Momken” officially announced the postponement of the show and its withdrawal from the fierce competition of the Ramadan 2026 drama season. This decision means the absence of the anticipated duo, Lebanese star Nadine Nassib Njeim and Tunisian star Dhafer L’Abidine, from the screen during the most-watched season of the year.

Background to the decision and the context of the Ramadan competition

The Ramadan drama season is considered the most important and competitive marathon in the Arab entertainment industry, with major production companies, television channels, and digital platforms vying to showcase their biggest productions featuring A-list stars. In this context, the decision to postpone a series as significant as "Momken" represents a bold move, reflecting a shift in industry priorities, where high artistic quality and meticulous production sometimes outweigh the need to adhere to a fixed broadcast schedule. The production company explained in its statement that the decision was made in full consultation and coordination with the management of MBC Group, the Shahid platform, and director Amin Dorra, with the aim of giving the project the necessary time to complete filming and subsequent post-production phases, ensuring its presentation to the audience in a manner befitting the high expectations.

The importance of the duo and the impact of their absence

The collaboration between Nadine Nassib Njeim and Dhafer L'Abidine is highly anticipated by Arab audiences, especially after their previous successes together, which showcased their remarkable on-screen chemistry. Their absence from the 2026 season not only impacts the programming schedule on the Shahid platform and MBC channels, but also opens the door for other shows to compete for the viewership that was eagerly awaiting their series. This postponement places additional pressure on the show when it finally airs, as audience and critical expectations will undoubtedly rise, with the hope that the delay has resulted in an exceptional and distinctive drama.

Ongoing artistic activity for the stars

Despite the postponement of their joint series, both stars maintain their strong artistic presence. Nadine Nassib Njeim recently participated in the 2024 Ramadan season with the series "2024," which achieved great success. She co-starred with Mohamed Al-Ahmad, and the series was written by Bilal Shahadat and directed by Philip Asmar. Meanwhile, actor Dhafer L'Abidine recently saw the release of his latest film, "The Ladder and the Snake 2 - Child's Play," which brought him together with a stellar cast including Amr Youssef, Asmaa Galal, and Maged El Masry. The film was directed by Tarek Al-Erian, confirming their continued activity in both the television and film industries.

New show date and promise of quality

The production company confirmed at the end of its statement that the final airing date for the series “Momken” will be determined and announced after the end of Ramadan, renewing its promise to the audience to present a distinctive and complete drama that lives up to the level of trust and expectations.