A fortnight ago I attended the opening of the new and fabulous Iqra Library in Muharraq, opposite the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, a true celebration of children's literature and reading.
The library, in addition to being a stunningly beautiful building architecturally, will serve as a reading house for children between the ages of six and 12 - a more than welcome move and one that will surely have an impact on encouraging the young ones to pick a book up and read.
It is one of a number of initiatives adopted by culture and national heritage assistant under-secretary Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, who is perhaps one of the strongest advocates of art, culture and literature in the country and a woman who obviously has the foresight to realise the importance of these elements in the progression of the local community and notably Bahrain's younger generation.
The interior design is simple, contemporary yet grounded in tradition. There are the actual library, computer hallway and gallery hall. It makes perfect use of a small space with calm and soothing decor. The library space has shelves full of children's books, in Arabic and English, from science-fiction and art to fairytales and learning books.
It would be interesting to see the sort of titles the library features, to have children's books by local and regional authors alongside the great classics of the eccentrically wondrous world of Roald Dahl. Iqra should be a perfect place to get local authors involved by bringing them in for readings and storytelling sessions on a regular basis, which would also give the children a chance to meet the authors and spend time with them.
And I am sure there are a number of Bahraini writers who would and should be involved in such a programme. (I shall be one of the first to volunteer to be part of it!). The Arabic word Iqra means 'read'. It was the very first word from the Quran that was delivered to the Prophet Mohammed, signifying the importance of reading and how celebrated it is in Islam. And it seems only fitting to have chosen this word to name the library, showing not only the importance of this act but also its relation to the local culture.
Our culture has always been rich with literature, but perhaps over the past few decades reading, for some reason or the other, has taken a back seat. Lack of reading activities for pleasure, as apposed to studying, could be to blame. Many of us, growing up, came to look at it as something solely associated with school work, and thus unattractive.
But with such projects as the Iqra Children's Library, this could all change. It has the potential to contribute enormously in reshaping young people's attitude towards reading from a very early stage and introduce them to the fabulous world of literature in a fun environment. Shaikha Mai has already provided Bahrain's young ones with a reading oasis that they all can enjoy and benefit from.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this library progresses and what sort of response it will get from the public, as well as the various programmes it will introduce over the coming months and years. Meanwhile, though, I suggest you go down to the old capital and visit it - just don't forget to take the kids with you!
*Appeared in GDN Vol XXIX, NO. 223, Sunday, 29th October 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Monday, November 06, 2006
Laughing our way to reforms with TV hits
Things don't change overnight. We all know that. We all accept it. But when it comes to changes to our cultural attitude towards social commentary and political criticism we, as nations and as communities, tend to be even more guarded.
With all this talk about adopting diplomacy and freedom of expression in our region and advocating it, we are yet to see tangible proof of it. Our conservative communities usually apply self-censorship when it comes to certain elements and generally we find it hard to criticise ourselves, or at least admit to certain problems and issues facing us. Perhaps we are trapped in denial and getting out of that mould won't be easy.
Media and entertainment play a crucial part in forming public opinion and, more importantly, reflecting that opinion. Highlighting serious issues in a light manner and presenting them to the public in an easy-to-swallow dish can contribute immensely to broadening minds and opening our eyes to social, political and cultural issues.
This Ramadan, such steps can be traced in our regional television channels. Arabic networks are slowly becoming more daring in taking chances with comedy programmes and even though the majority are still below par, one or two shows are proving worth the audience's while.
The Saudi show Tash Ma Tash, aired on MBC1 and led by celebrity Saudi actors Nasi Al Ghasabi and Abdulallah Al Sadhan, brings a new situation or current hot issue under the microscope every day, with uncompromising critical satire.
Over the past years, the show has gained a loyal following not only in Saudi but all across the region. In this year's edition, they expanded their reach and tackled wider issues that touch all Arabs, through analogies and symbolism. The show's theme song could easily become a No 1 hit if it ever were released as a single!
Directly associated with Ramadan, Tash Ma Tash, could perhaps be described as ground-breaking. It certainly was when the very first season of it aired in 1993. Tash Ma Tash alone has exposed the deep problems Saudi society is suffering from and through the 30 episodes is shedding light on vital issues such as women's rights, economic reform and democracy. It was the first show to poke fun at hot topics like terrorism and religion.
A Lebanese show had a similar impact. The team behind the hugely popular comedy show La Yumal have created a new show for Ramadan called Kul Yaum Shee, aired on the Lebanon-based Future TV, in which we follow the adventures and misfortunes of certain, familiar characters by the four-member team.
Their approach towards political issues is at times very direct and hard-hitting, but it mostly reflects what the general public is thinking, or how they see things. With the help of a little slapstick comedy here and there, they can get away with a lot of things that normally we wouldn't see on Arabic television, especially when most channels are government-run or owned.
Both these shows and their creators, have gained a cult following over the years and have introduced to the Arabic audiences a new wave of comedy shows that is often daring, funny and responsible.
Let's just hope that there are more such shows on Arabic television, and not just during one month of the year. We're still far from having our own Daily Show with Jon Stewart and more likely than not it will take us some time to get there - but maybe, just maybe, hit or miss, we're on the right track here.
*Appeard in GDN Vol XXIX, NO. 209, Sunday, 15th October 2006
With all this talk about adopting diplomacy and freedom of expression in our region and advocating it, we are yet to see tangible proof of it. Our conservative communities usually apply self-censorship when it comes to certain elements and generally we find it hard to criticise ourselves, or at least admit to certain problems and issues facing us. Perhaps we are trapped in denial and getting out of that mould won't be easy.
Media and entertainment play a crucial part in forming public opinion and, more importantly, reflecting that opinion. Highlighting serious issues in a light manner and presenting them to the public in an easy-to-swallow dish can contribute immensely to broadening minds and opening our eyes to social, political and cultural issues.
This Ramadan, such steps can be traced in our regional television channels. Arabic networks are slowly becoming more daring in taking chances with comedy programmes and even though the majority are still below par, one or two shows are proving worth the audience's while.
The Saudi show Tash Ma Tash, aired on MBC1 and led by celebrity Saudi actors Nasi Al Ghasabi and Abdulallah Al Sadhan, brings a new situation or current hot issue under the microscope every day, with uncompromising critical satire.
Over the past years, the show has gained a loyal following not only in Saudi but all across the region. In this year's edition, they expanded their reach and tackled wider issues that touch all Arabs, through analogies and symbolism. The show's theme song could easily become a No 1 hit if it ever were released as a single!
Directly associated with Ramadan, Tash Ma Tash, could perhaps be described as ground-breaking. It certainly was when the very first season of it aired in 1993. Tash Ma Tash alone has exposed the deep problems Saudi society is suffering from and through the 30 episodes is shedding light on vital issues such as women's rights, economic reform and democracy. It was the first show to poke fun at hot topics like terrorism and religion.
A Lebanese show had a similar impact. The team behind the hugely popular comedy show La Yumal have created a new show for Ramadan called Kul Yaum Shee, aired on the Lebanon-based Future TV, in which we follow the adventures and misfortunes of certain, familiar characters by the four-member team.
Their approach towards political issues is at times very direct and hard-hitting, but it mostly reflects what the general public is thinking, or how they see things. With the help of a little slapstick comedy here and there, they can get away with a lot of things that normally we wouldn't see on Arabic television, especially when most channels are government-run or owned.
Both these shows and their creators, have gained a cult following over the years and have introduced to the Arabic audiences a new wave of comedy shows that is often daring, funny and responsible.
Let's just hope that there are more such shows on Arabic television, and not just during one month of the year. We're still far from having our own Daily Show with Jon Stewart and more likely than not it will take us some time to get there - but maybe, just maybe, hit or miss, we're on the right track here.
*Appeard in GDN Vol XXIX, NO. 209, Sunday, 15th October 2006
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