Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi: initiative part of Emirate's vision to build bridges of dialogue and understanding between cultures
Sharjah/Sharjah Government Media Bureau – The Sharjah Ramadan Majlis 2017, being co-hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) and Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC) this year, once again promises to be an exciting and intellectually stimulating affair, celebrating the values and glorious traditions represented by the sacred month of peace and mercy.
The Sharjah media entities today revealed the details of the Ramadan Majlis -- being held under the slogan, Our Majlis is Special in the Holy Month – and the galaxy of high-profile speakers, dignitaries and thought leaders who will headline various sessions being hosted at the iconic Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah throughout the holy month after ishaa and taraweeh prayers. HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, is among the galaxy of high-profile speakers who will headline some of the sessions.
The SGMB and SMC are jointly hosting the Ramadan Majlis as part of the Emirate’s efforts to promote a culture of dialogue, tolerance and social cohesion under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Speaking about the Ramadan Majlis 2017, HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, said: “The coming together of the Sharjah Media Corporation and Sharjah Government Media Bureau to host the Ramadan Majlis this year is a positive development. This advances the policies and objectives of our leading media organisations in accordance with the values and principles of the Emirate of Sharjah under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.”
Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi pointed out that each session of the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis in the past few years has been truly memorable and most productive, offering rare insights and creating its own unique identity and following in the region.
“Across the UAE and throughout the region, the Sharjah Ramadan Majlis has come to be recognised as a distinct and high-profile intellectual platform that seeks to tackle vital community issues by way of focused and constructive dialogue and helps promote greater communication and understanding within and outside the community on a range of diverse issues,” he said.
The initiative is inspired by the Emirate’s approach to promoting and building a culture of dialogue as part of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi in respecting others and promoting peace and tolerance, he said. It forms an essential part of the UAE’s history and Islamic traditions, he added.
The Sharjah Ramadan Majlis is one of the most innovative initiatives to raise and discuss a wide spectrum of issues before the community, with the help of distinguished experts, innovators, intellectuals, writers and artists from across the Arab world.
This year, the Ramadan Majlis will host a number of senior ministers, cultural and intellectual figures and media personalities representing the UAE and the Arab world. There will be total six sessions, being held from May 29 to June 14, and will cover a gamut of issues ranging from politics, culture and media to sports and arts with the aim of promoting a culture of dialogue and respect and tolerance for a diversity of opinion.
Arts Session: Dramatisation of National Issues
The first session of the Ramadan Majlis on May 29 (Monday) will be dedicated to arts and will focus on the Gulf and Arab theatre with the debate on the ‘Dramatisation of National Issues’.
Arabic drama has long been producing series based on real political events, in a conscious bid to clarify issues that directly affect internal security. More recently, the Gulf drama has followed suit and turned to series that discuss sensitive national issues, such as the TV series ‘Betrayal of Homeland’. The first session will discuss the importance of raising national issues in Gulf drama and reasons why producers choose drama works that portray security issues or periods of struggle.
The session will be headlined by Dr Habib Ghalloum, actor, director and cultural advisor at the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development and President of the UAE Theatre Society of the UAE, Ismail Abdullah, Secretary General of the Arab Theatre Authority and Dr Hamad Al Hammadi, the popular Emirati writer and novelist. The first session will be moderated by Emirati writer Abdullah Al-Shuwaikh.
Community Session: Philanthropy, Humanity and Tolerance in UAE
The second session, on May 31, Wednesday, will debate the culture of humanitarian initiatives under the topic “Philanthropy, Humanity and Tolerance in UAE”. The ‘Community’ session will highlight the role of prominent charities and humanitarian organisations working in the field, in line with the UAE’s Year of Giving initiative, in order to promote social responsibility among all segments of society.
The session will also talk about the importance of Sharjah joining the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and ways to develop sustainable services for older members of society.
The key session will be attended by HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, Dr Hamdan Musallam Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent and HE Afaf Al Marri, Head of the Supreme Committee for Preparing Sharjah to join the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities.
The session will be moderated by Hasan Yaqub Al Mansouri, Manager of Sharjah Radio, Sharjah Media Corporation.
Religious Session: UAE Martyrs, Medals That Decorate the Nation
The third session on Monday, June 5, is dedicated to the UAE martyrs who laid down their lives for the homeland and in line of duty. The session will discuss, from a religious perspective, sacrifices of the brave martyrs of the UAE, who fought to uphold the truth and justice and support the oppressed.
The topics include the virtue of fighting for the sake of Allah, as well as for the preservation of religion and the lives of other Muslims, the types and forms of martyrdom and how the UAE government takes care of its martyrs and their kin. The session will be headlined by the eminent Saudi Islamic scholar Sulaiman Al-Jubailan and others. The session will be moderated by Dr Faisal Al Hashemi.
Sports Session: Dream of International Professionalism
The fourth session on Wednesday, June 7, is dedicated to major sports followed by the people of the UAE and the region at large. Titled, The Dream of International Professionalism, seeks to gain a more in-depth understanding of the issue of controversy in the local sports, namely the issue of UAE football stars chasing the dream of international professionalism and stardom.
The meeting will be attended by former Spanish footballer Michel Salgado, Ahmed Al Rumaithi, President of Al Wahda Football Company, and Reda Bouraoui, noted sports critic and analyst. The session will be moderated by Ahmed Sultan, media personality and television host associated with the Sharjah Media Corporation.
Entertainment Session: Social Media Celebrities, a Stardom Without Goals
The fifth session, on Sunday, June 11, is dedicated to the burgeoning phenomenon of social media, which are immensely popular in the UAE and across the region. With the proliferation of social networking sites in the region, celebrity has become accessible to all. However, there is a certain price to pay for such stardom.
Top Arab social media stars and influencers will debate the power of social media and their positive and negative potential. The session will be attended by top Arab social media stars and influencers including Bader Saleh, the Saudi king of comedy, Faisal Albasri, the Kuwaiti media personality, Esraa al Hajri, social media star, and Mohammed Hilal, Emirati sports personality. The session will be moderated by Hamad Al Ali, chairman and CEO of AlAli Group.
Cultural Session: Realism and Limits of Fiction in Novels
The curtain on the Ramadan Majlis will come down with the Cultural session on Wednesday, June 14. The session is dedicated to modern Arabic novel. The novel is one of the most popular literary genres among the youth. Many novelists have recently been defining reality according to their own perspective using their creative imagination in a manner that seeks to attract readers. A number of novelists and authors will come together to discuss the germination of the idea in their works and how the creative process works.
The session will be headlined by Noura Al Noman, Emirati science fiction writer and Director of the Executive Office of HH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sultan Al Amimi, researcher, fiction writer and Director of the Academy of Arabic Poetry in Abu Dhabi and Reem Saif.
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© Press Release 2017
