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The function of Saudi criticism

The scene changes rapidly, as it moves from an event to an initiative, from a dialogue to an evening, from a seminar, a meeting, and a theatrical performance

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The scene changes rapidly, as it moves from an event to an initiative, from a dialogue to an evening, from a seminar, a meeting, a theatrical performance, a dramatic scene, and an art drawing, to an architectural sculpture, a heritage building, and modern fashions; this requires continuous pursuit at the same pace, otherwise there will be a regression and decline, and cause the scene to falter and “atrophy”.

The decline of the cultural scene is a “problem” that cultures and literatures suffer from all over the world, when they go through successive and rapid stages that do not give the follower a chance to catch his breath and read the changes accurately according to new formulas that suit the time and look forward to the future, in order to evaluate what has been accomplished and achieved, with the aim of improving and developing the experience.

“Elevating” the experience is a common goal for all those interested and following it, starting with the Ministry of Culture and its affiliates, reaching the creators and organizers of events and initiatives, and finally the critic who is considered the focus of the development process and its most important pillars, due to his broad vision and high ability to analyze and discover gaps.

When development and advancement processes occur quickly, they will suffer numerous difficulties and major challenges related to methods, practices, and objectives. A question will be raised about how to conduct the event, then a question about its performance and practice, and a third question about its goals and objectives, and whether they were achieved or not. These three questions govern any "interactive" process within the cultural field.

Interactivity is a characteristic of the era and the path to the future. The scene cannot be read without taking it into account. It is a path to achieving the goals of events and initiatives. Losing it means stumbling, the retreat of the environment, and the repetition of itself and its proposals. This is the most dangerous thing that critics have warned against and called for attention to, as they are the guardians of the scene and the most capable of reading it and “leading” it.

Leading the scene requires creating additional functions that keep pace with critical practice. It is no longer sufficient to read creative works, publish critical papers, and participate in dialogue programs and literary and artistic competitions. Contribution to new cultural forms is necessary, such as cinema, theater, sculpture, architecture, fashion, and music, as these are what shape the scene and give the environment its meaning and significance, through their reliance on “signs” and symbols that suggest and indicate without speaking or describing.

The use of signs will increase and expand with the expansion and growth of the scene, until it becomes an integrated world of visual, audible, and written symbols that overlap and mix with each other to end up forming the scene and giving it its meanings. This means the need for a recipient who is able to read and comprehend it, and this recipient should be familiar with symbols and signs, and how to “read” and receive them.

Receiving signs and reading symbols falls within the work of the modern critic, as it is one of his most important functions. It helps in understanding the scene, linking its parts, and how its parties interact. It is the first step in the path of development and advancement, followed by the second step, which is guiding the sign and symbol, and including it within its cultural "context," and moving it from being merely a single indication of an event to a general indication of a scene, expressing it and showing the extent of the change that has affected it.

Cultural criticism is capable of providing answers to the questions that arise from the scene, because it examines the signs, symbols, patterns, and contexts that are connected and intertwined within “media writing / media writing,” as it is the newest, most developed, and most modern form of expression, and cannot be dispensed with while presenting any activity or initiative.

The function of criticism based on approaching literary genres and artistic types independently no longer meets the requirements of the current stage, which needs criticism capable of receiving and reading signs and symbols, and then reproducing them within a cultural “discourse” whose goal is to develop and elevate the scene by correcting flaws and filling gaps.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

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Culture and Art

Updates on Hani Shaker's health condition after he was admitted to intensive care

Details of artist Hani Shaker's health condition after undergoing emergency surgery and being transferred to intensive care. His manager reveals to Okaz the cause of the bleeding and the latest updates on his medical condition.

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Updates on Hani Shaker's health condition after he was admitted to intensive care

Recent news regarding the health condition of the great Egyptian artist Hani Shaker, nicknamed “Prince of Arab Singing”, has sparked widespread concern in artistic and public circles, after the announcement that he was urgently transferred to intensive care following a sudden health crisis that required immediate surgical intervention.

Details of the health crisis and surgical intervention

In an exclusive statement to Okaz newspaper, the manager of artist Hani Shaker revealed the precise details of the crisis, confirming that the artist suffered a sudden and severe hemorrhage in his colon, which necessitated his immediate transfer to the hospital and an emergency surgery to stabilize the situation. He explained that Shaker is currently in the intensive care unit, where he is under close and continuous medical supervision by a team of senior doctors to ensure the stability of his vital signs.

Relative stability and precautionary monitoring

Regarding the developments in his condition, the business manager indicated that there is a noticeable gradual improvement in the health condition of the Prince of Arab Singing, but the medical team preferred not to rush his exit from intensive care, preferring to keep him under observation for an additional period as a precautionary measure to ensure that no complications occur and to make sure that the wound heals and the bleeding stops completely before transferring him to a regular room.

Union support and a prolific artistic career

In a related development, the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate has been closely monitoring the condition of its former head. Nadia Mustafa, a board member and the syndicate's official spokesperson, called on fans and the Arab public to pray for the renowned artist's speedy recovery, emphasizing that the syndicate is following all details concerning his health condition closely and wishing him a swift recovery and return to entertaining his audience.

Hani Shaker is considered one of the most prominent figures in classical and contemporary Arabic music, boasting a decades-long artistic career during which he presented hundreds of works that have shaped the consciousness of the Arab public. This crisis serves to highlight his immense popularity among his fans, as his name trended on search engines and social media platforms immediately after the news broke.

Previous health challenges and artistic determination

It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Hani Shaker has faced health challenges recently. He previously performed a huge concert in the United Arab Emirates, his first public appearance after undergoing delicate spinal surgery. He appeared seated while singing, a scene that reflected his strong determination to fulfill his artistic commitments and his respect for his audience despite the pain. He also delivered a moving message to the audience, expressing his gratitude for their support, which he considers an essential part of his recovery journey.

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Culture and Art

Diab refuses to work with Ghada Abdel Razek and chooses Mona Zaki to star in his film

Diab sparks controversy in Ramadan 2026 with his statements about Ghada Abdel Razek, and reveals his ideal partner and details of his new series, "Kimia" with Mustafa Gharib.

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Diab refuses to work with Ghada Abdel Razek and chooses Mona Zaki to star in his film

Egyptian artist Diab widespread controversy in artistic circles and on social media platforms following his recent bold statements, in which he revealed his firm decision not to collaborate artistically again with star Ghada Abdel Razek . This came during his appearance on the prank and talk show "Ramez Level the Monster," which aired during Ramadan 2026, where Diab opened up to the public, speaking candidly about his career choices and relationships within the artistic community.

Past conflicts and their impact on the future

Diab explained that his decision not to work with Ghada Abdel Razek again stemmed from a previous experience they shared, which he described as unsatisfactory both professionally and personally. These statements highlight the importance of chemistry and compatibility between actors in dramatic works, as harmony behind the scenes is a crucial factor in the success of any artistic endeavor. Disagreements or discomfort on set often negatively impact the quality of the final product, prompting artists to make crucial decisions about their future partners to ensure a healthy and creative working environment.

Mona Zaki... the dream partner

In another context, when asked which leading actress he would most like to co-star with in a film, Diab didn't hesitate to choose the renowned actress Mona Zaki , preferring her to other options such as Mai Ezz El-Din, Mai Omar, and Mai Kassab. This choice reflects Diab's appreciation for Mona Zaki's considerable talent, a true icon of Egyptian cinema. He sees her as the ideal partner for delivering a work of art with significant dramatic weight, highlighting Diab's ambition to create films that rely on powerful acting and a well-crafted plot.

Comedy and competition in Ramadan 2026

With great candor, Diab praised the talent of the young artist Mustafa Gharib , emphasizing that he possesses a remarkable ability to make audiences laugh, surpassing even his own personal capacity. He expressed his profound admiration for Gharib's spontaneous comedic style. This praise comes at a time when the artistic community is witnessing the rise of a new generation of comedians who are making a significant impact on both television drama and film.

The series "She Kimia" and skin transformation

In the current Ramadan 2026 season, Diab presents a completely new face to his audience through the series "Heya Kimya" (She's Kimya) . In this work, Diab decides to break away from the villainous roles he excelled in for years, presenting a comedic character that showcases hidden facets of his talent. The series stars a distinguished cast, most notably Mustafa Gharib, Mariam El Gendy, the veteran actor Sayed Ragab, Mohamed Abdel Azim, and Michel Milad. Written by the talented writer Mohab Tarek and directed by the creative Islam Khairy, the series is expected to achieve great popular success due to its exceptional artistic ensemble.

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Culture and Art

The truth about Yara El Sokary's injury on Ramez Level the Beast and her fiery response

Yara El Sokary denied being injured on Ramez Level El Wahsh, confirming that she enjoyed the episode. Read the details of her response to the rumors, behind-the-scenes details of her participation with Ramez Galal, and her philosophy on remaining silent.

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The truth about Yara El Sokary's injury on Ramez Level the Beast and her fiery response

Young Egyptian actress Yara El Sokary has put an end to the recent controversy circulating on social media, categorically denying that she suffered any physical injuries while filming her episode on the popular prank show "Ramez Level the Monster." El Sokary confirmed that the reports about her physical harm were completely false, noting that everything went smoothly despite the prank's difficulty.

Behind the scenes of the episode: "I was humiliated and I enjoyed myself."

In response to the rumors, Yara El Sokary clarified that the episode ended on a very positive note, saying, "There were no injuries. On the contrary, the episode finished and we were all sitting around laughing and making fun of things that happened." Describing her experience on the show, whose episode aired yesterday, she added, "I was a bit rough around the edges, but I enjoyed it. There were no injuries, contrary to what was reported in the news. Nothing happened." This statement reflects the artist's good sportsmanship and her acceptance of the show's nature, which relies on excitement and big surprises.

Prank shows: Wide popularity and ongoing controversy

Yara El Sokary's participation in "Ramez Level the Monster" comes within the context of Ramadan programs that enjoy record viewership in the Arab world. Ramez Galal's programs are a fixed annual phenomenon that generates as much controversy as it attracts viewers. These types of programs are usually characterized by physical and psychological challenges for the guests, making rumors of injury a recurring theme that plagues many celebrities after their episodes air. Despite the criticism that sometimes arises regarding the severity of the pranks, the appearance of artists on these shows is an indicator of their strong presence in the art scene, guaranteeing them a place on trending topics and search engines, thus enhancing their local and regional fame and popularity.

The philosophy of silence in the face of rumors

On another note, Yara El Sokary discussed her approach to dealing with the rumors that periodically circulate about her. During her appearance on the program "Secrets of the Stars" with journalist Inji Ali, she explained that the rumors no longer bother her; rather, she views them as evidence of her success and influential presence.

Al-Sukkari, expressing her maturity in dealing with social media, said, "I wasn't bothered by the rumors that circulated, and I said things were going well." She continued, explaining her philosophy: "I don't get upset by these things. I'm a patient person, and I always say, 'Give me some time, and everything will become clear.'" She emphasized that silence is her strongest weapon, adding, "I've always been calm, and I've never responded, but as I've grown older, I've learned more, and silence has never let me down. I deal with the noise with complete silence; there's strength in silence in some matters." This approach reflects an awareness of the importance of focusing on artistic work rather than getting caught up in digital squabbles.

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