This came during a panel session titled “Cultural Connections between Arabs and Greece” as part of Sharjah’s participation as the first Arab Guest of Honour at the Thessaloniki International Book Fair 2024. The session featured notable figures such as Dr. Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union; Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; and Dr. Haris Meletiadis, a researcher and anthropologist affiliated with the Hellenic Foundation for Culture; who all shared insights and perspectives on the topic.
Shared Greek and Arabic Vocabulary
During the session, Dr. Sultan Al Amimi highlighted the deep historical bonds between Arabs and Greeks, noting that these connections date back even before the birth of Christ. He drew attention to the accuracy of ancient Greek writings by renowned authors such as Aeschylus, Isocrates, and Euripides, which meticulously documented the geography of Arab lands.
Al Amimi also explored the impact of Arabic on the Greek language, highlighting the shared vocabulary and words that were adopted from Arabic into Greek. He expressed fascination with this reciprocal linguistic influence and referenced various Arabic texts that make mention of Greece and its philosophers, underscoring the depth of cultural exchange between the two civilisations.
Nestorianism and the art of Fijiri
Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, for his part, covered the historical ties between Greece and the Arab world through the lens of Nestorianism, an early Christian doctrine founded by Nestorius, who rejected the union of divine and human natures in Christ. He noted that this doctrine was followed by inhabitants of the Gulf region before the advent of Islam.
Al Musallam also discussed Fijiri, a unique form of maritime singing believed to have historical roots linked to Nestorianism. He recounted a captivating tale of three fishermen who, during a sea voyage, encountered melodious sounds and discovered mythical creatures that were part human, part animal. The seamen were warned that revealing this secret would result in blindness and death. Interestingly, the Chairman pointed out that even today, it is believed that those who practise Fijiri might face the risk of going blind. He explained that the melodies of Fijiri bear a striking resemblance to Nestorian religious chants, underscoring the connection between this art form and the Greek Nestorian doctrine.
Cultural Friendship: The Spirit of Nations
Dr. Haris Meletiadis provided a comprehensive historical overview of Greek-Arab relations, underscoring the pivotal role of translation in understanding and fostering these connections. He explained that translations from Greek to Arabic served as a vital bridge, facilitating the transfer of knowledge in various fields such as philosophy, medicine, astronomy, and architecture, which significantly shaped the relationship between the two civilisations.
In his own words, Dr. Meletiadis stated, “Arabic translations were crucial in the history of Greek-Arab relations. It is time to reaffirm cultural friendships to strengthen the bonds between people, as culture best represents the spirit of nations.”
He stressed that fostering cultural friendships is more urgent today than ever, as culture is the fundamental element that unites people and enhances mutual understanding. Meletiadis concluded that such cultural friendships would lay the foundation for a brighter, more cooperative future between two civilisations with shared historical points of convergence.
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