Loading...
Loading...
The forum’s sessions took place from 7th to 9th October, and the closing day was packed with cultural sessions and poetry readings. The event attracted a wide range of cultural, media, and artistic figures.
The third and final day began with a morning session at Al Heera Literary Council, entitled “Tolerance and Cultural Pluralism”, moderated by the writer Salha Obaid. Dr Youssef Al Hassan participated and said: "There is ambiguity in the concept of tolerance among the majority. They tend to view tolerance as forgiveness and pardon, which are undoubtedly admirable moral values. But the true and profound meaning of tolerance is living in harmony with others, regardless of differences, without compromising our own identity and culture."
He added: "Debate is not necessarily negative; it can foster interaction, generate new ideas, and exchange perspectives, whereas silence stifles creativity. Engaging in discussion and exchanging ideas while maintaining tolerance is desirable, as it produces new ideas and encourages innovation and thinking outside the box."
Dr Youssef also discussed tolerance during the Abbasid era, highlighting that the early Abbasid state witnessed remarkable development in all scientific, literary, and social fields. Tolerance, acceptance of others, and peaceful coexistence prevailed. The Abbasid era was marked by cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity, allowing everyone to live under the state’s umbrella and providing opportunities for study and work, provided they adhered to values of tolerance and proved their competence. As the Abbasid state expanded, the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence became increasingly evident.
Dr Youssef also spotlighted the United Arab Emirates’ experience in promoting tolerance: "The UAE’s experience in fostering tolerance is one of the most successful globally. Establishing a Ministry of Tolerance is perhaps the most notable step, and the UAE is keen on sending cultural messages that support the spirit of tolerance among nations."
In the evening, at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, part of the “Risha wa Mihbara” programme, Hajar Al Hosani presented a reading of the story “House of Wisdom” for children. The story, written by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi and published by Kalimat, aims to take young readers on an educational journey exploring the history of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, established during the Abbasid era as a centre of knowledge and learning.
The forum concluded with a session under the “Majalis” programme, entitled “Abbasid Women and Their Role in Decision-Making”, moderated by journalist Aisha Al Rouma. Participants included Dr Ruqayya Al Ketbi and Dr Badriya Al Shamsi.
Both speakers emphasised that a study of the Abbasid period reveals that women were intelligent, socially astute, educated, and influential. Several women left enduring legacies, including Khayzaran, wife of Caliph Al-Mahdi and mother of Caliph Harun Al-Rashid, who was politically influential, educated in Quranic and Hadith studies, a poet, and known for her strong character and emotional intelligence. She advised on governance and patronised scholars.
Another prominent Abbasid woman was Zubaida bint Ja’far Al-Mansur, celebrated for her piety, lineage, beauty, generosity, and contributions to civilisation, healthcare, literature, and poetry. She is remembered for constructing the Darb Zubaida pilgrimage route from Kufa to Mecca and building a fresh water source known as Ain Zubaida, still recognised today.
The session highlighted that Abbasid women excelled in knowledge, literature, and culture despite certain societal restrictions. Participants recommended that the Ministry of Education integrate such stories into school curricula to provide students with practical lessons, role models, and inspiration from historical female figures.
The forum concluded with a poetry evening, featuring selections from Abbasid women poets. The session was hosted by Aisha Othman, with contributions from poets Badriya Al Shamsi and Hamda Al Awadhi.
The poets read excerpts from Abbasid women’s works, noting the difficulty in finding complete poems, likely due to societal restrictions of the time. Most surviving pieces were short verses rather than full-length poems, yet they exhibited eloquence, correct use of the Arabic language, and deep expression, covering themes such as love, satire, and praise. This provides insight into the intelligence, eloquence, and literary skill of women during that era.
For an optimal experience, please
rotate your device to portrait mode.
