The Writers’ Union of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (WUAALA) hosted a special event to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the renowned Iraqi poet Muhammad Mahdi Al-Jawahiri, which was reported in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram.
The cultural evening, held on Sunday 1 September, featured a keynote address by Iraqi intellectual Dr Abdul Hussein Shaaban and was attended by a distinguished gathering of intellectuals, public figures, and diplomats from Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Indonesia.
The event was inaugurated by Ahmed al-Muslemani, the Secretary-General of the Union, who welcomed the guests and emphasized Al-Jawahiri's significant contributions to modern Arabic literature. Al-Muslemani highlighted the poet's long and illustrious career, which spanned a period of immense political and social change in Iraq.
Dr Abdul Hussein Shaaban delivered a comprehensive lecture exploring the intricate relationship between poetry and politics in Al-Jawahiri's work. He delved into the poet's experiences at the Iraqi royal court under King Faisal I and his complex relationship with Iraqi leader Abdul Karim Qasim. Shaaban also shared anecdotes from his interactions with Al-Jawahiri, shedding light on the poet's multifaceted personality.
Dr Hilmi El-Hadidi, President of the Organization of Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity, commended the Union for honouring Al-Jawahiri's legacy. He also expressed concern about the declining presence of prominent figures in contemporary Arab culture.
The Iraqi ambassador to Cairo Qahtan Taha Khalaf called for erecting statues for both Al-Jawahiri in Egypt and Taha Hussein in Iraq, highlighting the profound impact of these literary giants on Arab culture.
At the event's conclusion, Al-Hadidi, Al-Muslemani, and the Iraqi ambassador awarded Dr Abdul Hussein Shaaban an excellence award for his book Jawahar Al-Jawahiri.
The Writers’ Union of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, founded in 1958 in Sri Lanka, has been a key player in promoting cultural exchange and solidarity among writers from three continents. With a membership spanning 47 countries, the union has been a vital intellectual force supporting the Non-Aligned Movement.
