Dubai: The Encyclopaedia of Arab Narrative that explores the evolution of Arab literature is ready for publication, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) announced on Tuesday.
Dr Abdullah Ebrahim, an Iraqi critic and professor who specialises in narrative studies and culture, started research work on the encyclopaedia nearly 20 years ago. He spent the last ten years writing it, relying on hundreds of ancient and modern sources and references. MBRF formalised the launch of the project with Dr Ebrahim in 2008.
The eight-volume encyclopaedia contains critical data on how the narrative genre of Arab literature developed. It also explores how the Arabic narrative tradition evolved through the region’s literary history, starting with the pre-Islamic era and extending over a period of almost 15 centuries. It highlights key features of both classical and contemporary Arabic narratives.
Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Managing Director of MBRF, said the encyclopaedia will be distributed locally and across the Arab world once completed.
“MBRF is committed to leveraging knowledge and culture in the efforts to strengthen the position of Dubai as a leading cultural and literary platform under the leadership of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The support for the Encyclopaedia of Arab Narrative comes within the objectives of the MBRF to encourage leading Arab talents and add value to their efforts by highlighting their literary works before the world,” Bin Huwaireb said.
The Encyclopaedia of Arab Narrative is the second encyclopaedia produced by MBRF. The foundation earlier produced the English edition of the Encyclopaedia of Arab-Islamic Civilisation in Sicily, which documents a key period of Arab civilisation. It offers valuable resources for researchers and historians interested in Sicily and its historical relationship with the Arab region and the Islamic world.
