Sharjah Honors 4 Tunisian Writers

At Al-Najma Al-Zahra Palace in Historic Sidi Bou Said

Sharjah Honors 4 Tunisian Writers

Al-Owais: A new group of individuals who have been dedicated to their creativity and generously contributed to the cultural scene.

Qrirah: We value and salute Sharjah's role in supporting the Tunisian cultural movement.

The honorees: Sharjah is a beacon for creators and a safe haven for creativity.

Sidi Bou Said – Tunisia

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, four Tunisian writers were honored in the 20th edition of the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum. The honorees were: Dr. Fatima Al Akhder Maktoof, translator; Mohammed Ali Al Yousfi, novelist and translator; Al-Bashir Al Qahwaji, writer and author; and Dr. Abdelaziz Shabeel (may he rest in peace), academic and critic.

The forum, held at Al-Najma Al-Zahra Palace in the historic city of Sidi Bou Said, was attended by several cultural figures, including Abdalla bin Mohammed Al-Owais, Head of the Sharjah Department of Culture; Dr. Iman Al-Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia; and Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Department of Culture in Sharjah. Dr. Tawfiq Qrirah, Director General of the Tunisian Institute for Translation, represented the Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs, the Honorable Amira Al-Sarrarfi, along with a group of intellectuals, writers, and the families of the honorees.

The opening ceremony began with a presentation on Sharjah’s role in supporting Arab creators, followed by a review of the honorees’ creative journeys and their extensive literary contributions over many years of diligent cultural work.

The ceremony was hosted by Tunisian critic Hatem Al-Tarablisi, who welcomed the guests and emphasized Sharjah's vital role in supporting Arab culture. He noted that the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum, having established itself in Tunisia, is now one of the permanent events that celebrates creativity and honors creators.

“A Gathering of Thought, Culture, and Creativity”

Abdalla Al-Owais gave a speech, focusing at the beginning on the importance of renewing fraternal and cultural ties with Tunisia, saying, "The joy and happiness are renewed with every brotherly meeting, and the bonds of love are strengthened when the elements are complete, crowned by joint Arab action. This is embodied in the deep fraternal relations between the UAE and Tunisia, under the wise leadership that believes in the importance of continued Arab communication in all fields."

Al-Owais also highlighted the significance of ongoing cultural cooperation, stating, "Today, we represent a model for these principles through the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum, which aims to honor Arab cultural figures who have enriched the contemporary Arab cultural scene with creativity in various literary fields. It is a happy occasion for cultural cooperation between the Sharjah Department of Culture and the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs to continue."

Al-Owais noted that this is the third time the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum has been held in Tunisia in recent months, mentioning, "The gathering that brings us together around thought, culture, and literature. Last September, we organized the Sharjah Forum for Narrative in this very place, Al-Najma Al-Zahra Palace, followed by the Kairouan Festival of Arabic Poetry at the House of Wisdom in Carthage. Today, the cultural gatherings continue in this hospitable country with this special event to honor the Tunisian writers, marking the fourth time the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum has been held in Tunisia to celebrate a new group of individuals who have dedicated themselves to their creativity and generously contributed to the literary world."

Al-Owais conveyed the congratulations of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees, saying, "I am honored to convey to the honorees the congratulations of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of their sincere efforts and contributions. I also convey his best wishes for continued success and achievement."

“A Wise Leadership That Supports Culture”

Dr. Tawfiq Qrirah, representing the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, expressed his warm welcome to the guests, saying, "Welcome to Tunisia, a country that opens its arms like wings to our brothers in the UAE. We greatly appreciate Sharjah's role in supporting the Tunisian cultural movement, and this Tunisian-UAE celebration stands as proof of the strong cooperation between us. We also salute Sharjah’s continued nurturing of Tunisian and Arab intellectuals under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi."

Qrirah highlighted the significant contributions of the honorees, mentioning their impactful creative works and considering them important cultural figures in Tunisia.

He also expressed deep gratitude to Sharjah for its dedication to honoring cultural icons, noting, "Sharjah's care for the cultural figures of Tunisia is an important part of the Arab cultural book, in which each one of us contributes a shining page."

“A Beacon for Creators and a Harbor for Creativity”

All four honorees agreed that Sharjah, through its noble cultural efforts, has become a leader in the cultural field and is regarded as a beacon for creators and a safe harbor for creativity. They expressed their happiness and considered the recognition a testament to their creative achievements.

Dr. Fatima Al Akhder Maktoof expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, "I cannot hide my deep emotions at this generous gesture. It fills me with immense joy, and I see this recognition as a beautiful reflection of my efforts and a source of pride for my beloved Tunisia. I sincerely thank His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for this pioneering initiative."

Maktoof added that her work is part of a comprehensive intellectual project she has been passionately working on for decades, with the sole goal of benefiting the younger generation through her writings and translations.

Mohammed Shabeel, son of the late Dr. Abdelaziz Shabeel (may he rest in peace), spoke on behalf of the family, saying, "It is an honor for me, along with my mother and sister, to attend this honoring event, which my father would have greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, he passed away before seeing it, but we are deeply moved by this recognition."

Shabeel continued, "We are grateful to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, whose hands have touched everyone who works in thought, creativity, and art. These are noble enlightenment projects that history will remember."

Al-Bashir Al Qahwaji began his speech by noting that the Arabic language is a home that unites them all and emphasized his gratitude to Sharjah for being a beacon for creators and a safe harbor for creativity. He shared that the recognition means a great deal to him both symbolically and materially, saying, "At my age, I need to work harder to make a living, and this support at this stage of my life is invaluable. Thank you to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and thanks to everyone who has believed in my work."

Mohammed Ali Al Yousfi praised Sharjah's transformative impact on Arab culture, stating that it has achieved a significant leap, thanks to the visionary leadership of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. He noted that Sharjah’s approach is based on a comprehensive understanding of the importance of culture and arts as bridges between the world’s peoples.

The novelist and translator expressed his happiness with the honor after a long journey in the creative world, stating that such recognition encourages creators to continue producing and presenting new ideas.