Merit Magazine Explores War and Its Effect on Iraqi Story

Merit Magazine Explores War and Its Effect on Iraqi Story
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Merit Magazine Explores War and Its Effect on Iraqi Story

Merit Magazine Explores War and Its Effect on Iraqi Story

The April issue of the Merit Cultural Magazine published by the Merit publishing house, Cairo, features a series of critical articles, and major literary and artistic contributions.

The "Creation and Creators" section includes an article by Dr. Amani Fouad on Dr. Shaker Abdul Hamid's book "Alienation…Concept, and Expression in Literature", in addition to five other articles by Novelist Tarek Imam on Poet Hamad Yamani's poetry collection "Goodbye in Small Triangle"; "Praise, an Arab Cultural Mark" by Dr. Ahmed Yahia Ali; "The Egyptian Revolution" by Dr. Ahmed Alwani; a reading on Mohamed al-Mansi Kandil's "Doctor of the Countryside" by Poet Rasha al-Fawal; and "Dialectic of the I and the Other in the Arab Novel" by Moroccan researcher Mohammed al-Sahel.

The Poetry Section features ten poems by Najat Ali, Zizi Shoushah, Naji Abdul Latif, Said Abdul Maksoud, Mohammed Tawfik, Rida Ahmad, Dima Mahmoud, Abir Zaki, Mohammed Husni Ibrahim, and Mohammed Ali Azab. The Story Section includes stories, chapters, and novels by Raouf Masa'd, Naim Sabri, Mohsen Youness, Hamdi Abu Jalil, Safaa al-Najjar, Mounir Otaiba, Mostafa al-Balki, Abdullah Al-Salama, and Hatem Mamdouh.

The "Noun Al Neswa" section discusses several African matters in two articles entitled "Women in African Life" by Dr. Inas Hussam al-Dine, and "Women in African Theater…Verse to Express Oneself" by researcher Farida Bendari.

The "Around the World" section includes three translations: "Introduction to Prose Poem" by American poet and novelist Peter Johnson translated by Dr. Adel Dergham; "The Beaudelairean Theater", an article written by French intellect Rolland Barthes translated by Tunisian poet Abdul Wahab al-Melawah; and five poems written by Lebanese-American poet Hayan Charara translated by Palestinian poet Dr. Helmi al-Risha.

The section "Cultures and Arts" offers an interview by Poet Samar Lashin with Iraqi poet Salah Fayeq. It also includes three important articles: "Wars and their Effects on the Iraqi Story" by Dr. Nadia Hinawi (Iraq); "Writing with the Hidden and Obvious Language…Reading on Stories of Mahmoud Abdul'al" by Dr. Hassan Atiah Taman; and "Writing of Academic Research Papers" by Dr. Ali Afifi Ali Ghazi.

In the "Art" section, Dr. Manal Al Boustani (Iraq) wrote "A reading of the Displacement Mural" exploring a mural by Iraqi Artist Mowaffak Ahmed, in addition to two other articles: "Architecture and Cinema" by Alaa Halifi (Morocco) and "Omraniya Youth Embrace Hamlet" by Dr. Fawzi al-Shami discussing the role of actor Mohammed Sobhi in the interaction between the art academy and its surrounding in the Omraniya neighborhood

The "Books" section includes three readings: "Transcendent Text in Works of Hassan al-Nassar" by Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Abdul Radi; "From the pictures of death in the poetry collection of Wadad Nabi's Death as if it was Junk" by Abduallah al-Mutaki (Morocco); and a news story about "The Dry Land and its Interference with the Human Heritage", a book by Iraqi poet Fadel al-Sultani.

The issue also offers studies of six Arabic translations of a famous poem by English poet T.S. Eliot.

The editing board of Merit Cultural Magazine is composed of Publisher Mohammed Hashem, Editor in Chief Poet Samir Darwish, Assistant Editor Adel Samih, and Editor Secretary Sara al-Iskafi. The paintings featured inside the magazine and on its cover are done by Jordanian artist Hilda Hiari..



Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Syria Underline Depth of their Cultural Ties

Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)
Syrian President al-Sharaa receives the Saudi minister of culture and the accompanying delegation at the Conference Palace in Damascus on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Syria underlined the strength of their cultural relationship during high-level meetings held in Damascus on Thursday, on the sidelines of the opening of the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, where the Kingdom is participating as guest of honor.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan at the Conference Palace in the capital.

Earlier the same day, Prince Badr met with his Syrian counterpart, Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh, during an official visit to attend the fair. T

he Saudi minister congratulated Syria on hosting the exhibition and expressed his wishes for continued prosperity, progress, and stability for the Syrian government and people.

Both meetings highlighted the depth of cultural relations between the two countries, the importance of expanding joint cultural cooperation across various fields, and the alignment of positions on issues of mutual interest in a way that serves both nations.

The Saudi delegation included senior officials and advisers, among them representatives from the Royal Court, the Ministry of Culture, and the King Abdulaziz Public Library, reflecting broad institutional engagement in the visit.

In the evening, Prince Badr attended the opening ceremony of the fair’s special session, held under the patronage and in the presence of al-Sharaa. The event drew wide official and cultural participation, including Arab ministers, political and intellectual figures, and a distinguished group of writers and cultural figures.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Badr thanked “our brothers in Syria for their generous hospitality and their efforts in organizing the Damascus International Book Fair.”

The minister also inaugurated the Kingdom’s pavilion at the fair in the presence of the Syrian minister of culture and the Qatari minister of culture.

Saudi Arabia’s guest-of-honor participation continues until Feb. 16 and reflects its growing prominence and leadership in the Arab and global cultural landscape.

This participation aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which places culture at the heart of national development, viewing it as a space for dialogue, a bridge for civilizational communication, and a tool for strengthening ties among Arab peoples.

The Saudi Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is leading the Kingdom’s participation, highlighting the development of the cultural sector and reaffirming the central role of books as carriers of knowledge and awareness.

The Saudi pavilion boasts a comprehensive cultural program featuring intellectual seminars, poetry evenings, a manuscript exhibition, traditional Saudi fashion displays, hospitality corners, archaeological replicas, and performing arts that express the depth of the Kingdom’s cultural heritage.

On the sidelines of the visit, Prince Badr, accompanied by Minister Saleh, toured the National Museum of Damascus, which houses rare artifacts spanning prehistoric eras, ancient Syrian civilizations, classical and Islamic periods, as well as traditional and modern art.


UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
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UNESCO Honors Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi as Thousands Flock to Al-Ahsa Festival

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA
Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige - SPA

The third edition of Al-Bisht Al-Hasawi Festival is drawing thousands of regional and international visitors to Ibrahim Palace in historic Al-Hofuf.

Organized by the Heritage Commission, this year’s festival celebrates the inscription of the Bisht on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event showcases Al-Ahsa’s centuries-old tradition of hand-weaving and gold embroidery, a craft passed down through generations of local families, SPA reported.

Visitors can explore interactive displays, participate in live workshops, and witness the meticulous process of tailoring this iconic symbol of prestige.

With UNESCO's participation and representatives from six countries, the festival has evolved into a global platform for cultural dialogue, cementing the Bisht’s status as a world-class cultural treasure.


Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
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Saudi, Syrian Culture Ministers Tour National Museum of Damascus

The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA
The ministers observed the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art. SPA

Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and his Syrian counterpart, Mohammed Yassin Saleh, have toured the National Museum of Damascus during the Kingdom’s participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair.

The ministers observed on Thursday the museum’s extensive collections spanning prehistoric eras to modern art.

A particular focus was placed on the Arab-Islamic wing, featuring significant artifacts from the Umayyad period.

The Kingdom's participation as guest of honor at the 2026 Damascus International Book Fair, which runs until February 16, stems from the role culture plays within Saudi Vision 2030.