Foundation to publish world's first Arabic narrative encyclopaedia

Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation announced it will publish the world's first comprehensive 'Arabic Narrative Encyclopedia', exploring, analysing and documenting this unique Arabic literary genre.

Including seven volumes, the encyclopaedia will compile critical data on the development stages of the narrative genre of Arab literature and portray its salient features.

The Foundation's path-breaking research will also explore the evolution of the Arabic narrative tradition through various periods of the region's literary history. Starting with the pre-Islamic era, the study will cover Arabic narrative works extending over a period of almost 15 centuries. The project also aims to highlight key features of both classical and contemporary Arabic narratives.

Jamal Al Shehi, Director-Culture Development, Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, said: "Our target is to present a reliable reference for scholars, researchers and the general readers with authentic information on one of the important literary forms in the Arab culture.

Literary heritage

"The art of narration constitutes an integral element of the Arab cultural heritage. Our objective is to acquaint the younger generation with the roots of their literary heritage and motivate them to utilise it as an inspirational source for scholastic excellence."

The exhaustive body of work, scheduled for publication before end 2010, will be produced in collaboration with leading Iraqi author and researcher Dr Abdullah Ebrahim.

A culture advisor at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage, Qatar, Dr Abdullah Ebrahim will lend his extensive expertise to the research team that will lead the development of the new encyclopedia. Dr Ebrahim is an authority in literary research. In addition to his widely acclaimed academic lectures at a number of leading Iraqi and Qatari universities, Dr Ebrahim has contributed to several regional and international literary forums.

Praising the Foundation's role as a catalyst for cultural development in the Arab world, Dr Ebrahim said: "Our intention is to build an encyclopedia that will provide Arab readers with an enhanced understanding of this unique genre that has not been accorded the attention it deserves.

"Despite its unique literary value, the Arabic narrative has fallen victim to mixed interpretations of its verbal references. There is a lack of adequate research into its mythology, which has led to a shallow understanding of its true essence. Through an analytical approach to numerous samples of texts representing key narrative schools, the encyclopaedia will help reverse this drawback and promote better understanding of Arabic narrative among scholars, researchers and keen readers."