As the morning sun ascends in the east, it paints the ancient walls of Marrakech in hues of gold and roses, while the morning whispers echo from the narrow alleys. It casts a diamond sparkle on the eternal Nile River, while small boats begin their silent sail along Cairo’s shores. Kisses of jasmine-scented courtyards of Damascus awaken. The sunlight warms the rose-red facades of Petra, slowly revealing the beauty carved into the cliffs. It then illuminates the vast, shifting dunes of the Arabian desert, before it glints across the mighty waters of Tigris River, where Baghdad’s old palaces are reflected in its waters.
Within this vibrant tapestry, a mosaic of stories unfolds across the Arab world – stories of ancient empires, poetic heritage, forgotten science and technology, and bustling cities where tradition harmonizes with modernity.
This weekly space will be a window to the Arab world; a window that will open into a rich world of Arab culture, bridging our Hong Kong community with a journey to explore the Arab world, past and present.
We will delve into everything, from the wisdom of ancient civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, to the vibrant pulse of contemporary Arab societies. Our conversation will span the beauty of the Arabic language, the timeless values and virtues cherished by its people, captivating myths and stories, and thought-provoking modern culture issues.
Let us have a shared carpet ride every Thursday. We will be soaring over different landscapes – one week we might unpack the beauty of Arabic proverbs; the next, we may time-travel to Mesopotamia to meet Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality. We will visit eighth-century Baghdad, the city that shaped the world’s Middle Ages, as well as grandmothers’ kitchens where they will share some recipes.
Let us together replace stereotypes with understanding, one story at a time!
Amjad Refai is the director of the Arabic Programme at the University of Hong Kong.
