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“Al-Qareen” chooses Al-Ghadhami as the festival’s personality

The Al-Qurain Festival, affiliated with the Supreme Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in the State of Kuwait, selected Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghadhami (Personality)

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The Al-Qurain Festival, affiliated with the Supreme Council for Culture, Arts and Letters in the State of Kuwait, has chosen Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghadhami (the festival's personality) for the current session 2025.

The selection came in recognition of Abu Ghada’s contribution to the cultural and humanitarian scene for half a century, and he is still present in writing, seminars, and social media.

Al-Ghadhami was born in the city of Unaizah in 1946 AD in the Qassim region. He adopted the mission of critical enlightenment since the mid-eighties of the twentieth century, beginning with his book “Sin and Atonement.” Since that date until the present time, Al-Ghadhami has continued his scientific, critical and philosophical proposals that have brought about a qualitative shift in the Arab critical discourse, as they have contributed to the transfer and localization of modern literary criticism methods in translation and application, and have opened up broad fields in leading the Arab academic critical discourse to broad horizons. After this stage, Al-Ghadhami’s critical studies shed light on women’s studies, and his studies were the beginning of feminist studies in the Arab world. Al-Ghadhami then turned to establishing the cultural critical discourse in the Arab world by launching cultural criticism in the Arab academic arena and the Arab critical discourse alike. Al-Ghadhami has scientific and cultural extensions in the fields of criticism, philosophy and thought, and he has authored a large number of books and studies in those fields of knowledge.

Al-Ghadhami contributed to raising awareness in the humanities and laid the foundations for enlightened thought through a rigorous scientific approach. His intellectual output is characterized by its powerful arguments, courageous thought, clear methodology, and sound application. As such, his work has earned the distinction of being a pioneering contribution across various fields.

Professor Al-Ghadhami served as a professor of criticism and theory in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature at King Saud University in Riyadh. From 1978 to 1989, he taught criticism and theory courses at King Abdulaziz University, where he founded the Department of Arabic Language and the Faculty of Arts Journal. During his time at the same university, he also headed the Department of Media. He was the vice president of the Jeddah Literary Club and contributed to shaping its cultural project through lectures, seminars, conferences, book publications, and translations. He also launched the journal "Alamat," which specializes in criticism and theory. It is worth noting that Al-Ghadhami received his degree in Arabic Language in 1969 and his doctorate from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom in 1978. He has published several books, including *The Old and New Voice* (1987), *Writing Against Writing* (1991), *The Culture of Questions* (1992), *The Poem and the Counter-Text* (1994), *Similarity and Difference* (1991), *Women and Language* (1996), *The Culture of Illusion* (1998), *Cultural Criticism: A Reading in Arab Cultural Patterns* (2000), *From the Tent to the Homeland* (2004), *The Story of Modernity in Saudi Arabia* (2004), *The Tribe and Tribalism, or Postmodern Identities* (2009), *The Juhayna in Women's Language and Stories* (2012), *The Hand and the Tongue: Reading, Illiteracy, and Cultural Capitalism* (2012), *Twitter Culture: Freedom of Expression or the Responsibility of Expression* (2016), and *The Believing Mind/The Mind*. “The Atheist” 2020, and “The Fate of Philosophy” 2021.

He received the “Humanities Award” from the “Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States” in 1986, and the “Literary and Critical Studies Award” from the “Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation” in 1999. He was honored at the “Arab Thought Foundation” for critical creativity in 2002 in Cairo, and received the “Cultural Personality of the Year” title from the “Sheikh Zayed Book Award” in 2022 in recognition of his career and efforts in the field of cultural criticism, women’s studies, poetry, and critical thought.

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

Behind the scenes of Abla Kamel's return in a Ramadan advertisement: conditions and surprises

Discover the behind-the-scenes story of Abla Kamel's appearance in the Ramadan advertisement alongside Menna Shalaby and Yasmine Abdel Aziz. Learn the secret behind her acceptance after a long absence, her relationship with the director, and the details of her conditions.

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Behind the scenes of Abla Kamel's return in a Ramadan advertisement: conditions and surprises

Abla Kamel sparked widespread joy and celebration across social media and in the Egyptian public following her surprise appearance in a Ramadan advertisement for a major telecommunications company. This appearance comes after years of complete absence from the artistic and media scene, making her return a significant artistic event that has captured the attention of the Arab audience.

Abla Kamel's conditions for agreeing to return

The renowned actress's agreement to appear in the advertisement was not easy, as she set specific conditions related to the content and message of the project. According to sources close to her, Abla Kamel stipulated that the advertisement must carry a noble humanitarian message reflecting the values ​​of social cohesion and family warmth, far removed from mere commercialism. This was achieved in the advertisement's concept, which focused on the importance of communication and bridging the gap between loved ones.

Nostalgia brings her together with Menna Shalaby and Yasmine Abdel Aziz

One of the most notable aspects of this project is the selection of Abla Kamel to appear alongside two stars with whom she shares a special artistic and historical relationship: Menna Shalaby and Yasmin Abdel Aziz . This choice was not arbitrary, but rather a deliberate evocation of artistic memories etched in the minds of viewers.

  • Her relationship with the artist Yasmine Abdel Aziz to 1998, when they achieved resounding success in the series "A Woman from the Time of Love," which was a strong launch for Yasmine.
  • As for her relationship with the artist Menna Shalaby , it brings back memories of the film “Kalem Mama” which was produced about 23 years ago, and witnessed a high level of artistic chemistry between them.

A tribute to director Mohamed Shaker Khodair

the scenes, a touching human side of Abla Kamel's acceptance of the role was also revealed, related to the advertisement's director Mohamed Shaker Khodeir . The actress expressed her happiness at working with him, acknowledging her close relationship with his late father, who had been her professor at the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts. Furthermore, she expressed her deep admiration for the series "Grand Hotel," directed by Khodeir, considering it one of her favorite works, which she follows with great enthusiasm.

The impact of the comeback and the status of Abla Kamel

Abla Kamel's appearance in the advertisement is more than just a commercial; she is considered an icon of Egyptian and Arab drama, enjoying immense popularity thanks to her roles that authentically and spontaneously reflected the realities of Egyptian families. She concluded her appearance with a touching voice message: "Don't let anything separate you from what you miss... As long as we're together, Ramadan shines brightly with us," a statement that encapsulates her philosophy of life and reaffirms her status as one of the most important stars of Arab cinema.

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Culture and Art

Sarah Baraka: The Saudi audience is exceptional, and behind the scenes of the Ali Clay series

Sarah Baraka speaks to Okaz about the success of the play "Saman Ala Asal" in Riyadh Season, and reveals the reasons for her apprehension about the Ali Clay series with Ahmed Al-Awadi and her projects with Mahmoud Hamida.

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Sarah Baraka: The Saudi audience is exceptional, and behind the scenes of the Ali Clay series

Young Syrian actress Sarah Baraka expressed her immense happiness and pride in her first artistic experience in Saudi Arabia, praising the warm reception she received from the Saudi audience during the performance of the play "Saman Ala Asal" (Ghee on Honey). In exclusive statements to the Okaz newspaper, Baraka affirmed that the atmosphere provided by Riyadh Season for Arab artists is a fertile ground for creativity. She also commended the tremendous efforts exerted by the General Entertainment Authority, led by His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, which have transformed Riyadh into a global destination for art and entertainment.

Echoes of "Samman Ala Asal" and Riyadh Season

Speaking about the play, which was part of the season's events, Sarah explained that despite its lighthearted comedic nature, the production required extensive preparation and considerable physical and artistic effort due to its numerous dance numbers. She noted her deep passion for performing arts, which made the experience "delightful and enjoyable" despite the fatigue. This performance comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented cultural and artistic activity, with Saudi theater becoming a platform that brings together stars from across the Arab world, thus strengthening cultural and artistic exchange between Arab countries.

Artistic chemistry with Moatasem Al-Nahar and the stars

Regarding her experience working with her colleagues, Sarah Baraka singled out her fellow Syrian star, Moatasem Al-Nahar, for special praise, describing him as a "humble star" and noting that they have shared a strong friendship for years, which positively impacted their on-stage chemistry. She also expressed her delight at working alongside a distinguished group of Arab stars, including Jumana Murad, Ayman Reda, Shukran Murtaja, and the Egyptian artist Ahmed Abdel Wahab, emphasizing the strong team spirit that prevailed among the cast and crew.

The challenge of Egyptian drama in "Ali Clay"

Regarding television drama, Sarah discussed her upcoming role in the Egyptian series "Ali Clay," starring Ahmed El-Awady. She revealed that she will appear in the final third of the series, noting that this role represents a new and different challenge in her career. Baraka admitted that she initially felt very apprehensive about accepting the role, attributing this to her lack of familiarity with the details and culture of the "folk hero" in Egyptian drama—a genre that enjoys immense popularity and requires a particular mastery of dialect and behavioral nuances.

She added that the support of star Ahmed El-Awady and director Mohamed Abdel Salam played the biggest role in encouraging her to embark on this artistic adventure, reflecting the importance of Egyptian-Syrian artistic cooperation that has long enriched Arab screens with timeless works.

New cinematic and dramatic steps

Sarah Baraka concluded her remarks by revealing her future projects. After Ramadan, she will begin filming a new series titled "90 in Clothes." This project marks a significant milestone in her career, as it reunites her with the renowned actor Mahmoud Hamida for the first time, where she will portray his daughter. The series is directed by Shadi Fouad, and Sarah has high hopes for it to solidify her position in Arab drama, benefiting from working alongside an artist of Mahmoud Hamida's stature.

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Amr Diab appears with his four sons and a highly anticipated concert in Türkiye

Details of Amr Diab’s rare appearance with his children Nour, Abdullah, Kenzy and Jana in a new advertisement highlighting the value of family, and his preparations for his upcoming concert in Türkiye in August.

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Amr Diab appears with his four sons and a highly anticipated concert in Türkiye

The Plateau's Surprise: A Rare Family Reunion

In a remarkable artistic and human gesture, the renowned Egyptian singer Amr Diab surprised his vast audience with an exceptional appearance alongside his four children: Nour, Abdullah, Kenzy, and Jana. This appearance was part of a new advertising campaign filmed in a warm, family-oriented atmosphere, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the stage and the usual spotlight. The scenes were filmed inside Diab's home, as well as in distinctive outdoor locations across Cairo, lending authenticity and visual appeal that reflects the spirit of the Egyptian capital.

Directorial vision and social message

Under the direction of the talented Omar Al-Mohandes, the video emerged with a blend of simplicity and visual appeal. Its aim was more than just commercial appeal; it carried a profound message about the value of family. The scenes emphasized the importance of family bonds and the warmth of family gatherings—values ​​that Diab consistently cherishes in his personal life. This appearance reflects a human side of the star who has reigned supreme in Arabic music for decades, demonstrating that true success begins with a stable and loving family.

Amr Diab: An artistic career that is constantly renewed

This appearance further cements Amr Diab's status not only as a global superstar but also as an influential cultural icon. Throughout his long and illustrious career, Diab has successfully bridged generations, and this appearance with his young children reaffirms his enduring ability to connect with the younger generation through a shared visual and emotional language. The collaboration of Nour (his daughter with actress Sherine Reda) with Abdullah, Kenzy, and Jana (his children with Zeina Ashour) in a single project is a rare event eagerly anticipated by fans of the superstar, adding a personal and endearing dimension to his audience.

Preparing to invade Turkish theaters

On the live music front, Amr Diab continues to expand his international concert tour. He is currently preparing for a massive and exceptional concert in Turkey on August 2nd. This concert further confirms the immense popularity the superstar enjoys beyond the Arab world. The organizers have announced that tickets are now on sale, divided into six different categories to suit a diverse range of audiences. A large turnout is expected from the Arab communities and Turkish audiences who appreciate modern Arabic music.

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