Essays and Features

Tawfiq al-Basha (1924-2005): Passion for Modernizing and Popularizing Instrumental Arab Music

Sami Asmar

The Arab Novel: Visions of Social Reality

Andrea Shalal-Esa

Heads nodded in agreement, but the mood was somber. Halim Barakat had just kicked off a two-day conference on the Arab novel by noting that more than 100 Arabic novels had been translated into English. Alas, he said, they were seldom reviewed in literary journals, nor could you easily find them in your neighborhood bookstore.

Children of Our Alley: Mahfouz Award Fuels Schism in Egyptian Literary Field

Samia Mehrez

Mahfouz Surveys 'Fertile Soil' of Future: Optimism Survives Literary, Bodily Blows

Al Jadid Staff

Edwar al-Kharrat and the Modernist Revolution in the Egyptian Novel

Amal Amireh

Al-Kharrat was born in 1926 in Alexandria to a Coptic Christian family. At age 17 he became the household’s sole breadwinner following the death of his father, who was the owner of a small business. Despite his heavy responsibilities, al-Kharrat successfully completed a degree in law from Alexandria University in 1946. Two years later he was thrown in jail for belonging to a left-wing political group. He was released in 1950.

Entering its 11th Year: Al Jadid Magazine Begins Second Decade Quality – Coverage, and Dynamic Change

Elie Chalala

Assia Djebar Elected to French Academy: Immortal Sycophant or Courageous Humanist?

Lynne Rogers

Assia Djebar has broken new ground as she is the first Muslim North African woman to become an "immortal" or life-long member of the prestigious French Academy, founded in 1635 by Cardinal Richelieu during the reign of King Louis XIII "to protect and monitor the French Language."