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Speaking at a session titled Comic books in the Arab World: A New Step Towards Cultural Enlightenment organised by the Saudi Pavilion at the 2025 Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Dr Al-Mufreh said that the art form now serves as a platform for defending social issues and engaging readers through the powerful blend of words and images.
She explained that illustrated storytelling is a distinct narrative medium where meaning is derived from the interaction between language and visual expression. Unlike caricature, which captures a single critical moment, comics develop through sequential storytelling, following characters and events in depth. “The realism of comic characters contrasts with the exaggeration typical of caricature,” she said.
Dr Al-Mufreh also noted that the Arab world has historical roots in visual narration, pointing to ancient inscriptions and drawings used to depict stories long before the modern form of comics appeared in the West. The 18th and 19th centuries marked the beginning of modern illustrated storytelling, she said, and the Arab world embraced the form through translated and local children magazines such as Majid in the UAE and Basim in Saudi Arabia, both of which played a pioneering role in developing the region’s creative sensibility.
“The perception of comics has transformed dramatically,” she said. “What was once seen as mere amusement for children has become a powerful means to promote culture and raise awareness.” She added that Arab artists have employed comics to explore political and social themes, with the Palestinian cause serving as a recurring source of inspiration for its emotional depth and symbolic potential.
Dr Al-Mufreh concluded that comics now align with the rhythm of the modern age, combining visual appeal with the efficiency of storytelling. “It has become a bridge between literature and art, and a vibrant expression of Arab cultural identity in dialogue with global creativity,” she said.
Huda Abdallah, an Emirati business owner, said the discussion “opened new perspectives on how comics can be a sophisticated medium for education and social commentary.”
Mariam Al Zubaidi, an animation designer, added, “It was inspiring to see how our regional traditions of storytelling can merge with contemporary visual arts to create something uniquely Arab.”
The session was part of the panel discussions held during this year’s SIBF being organised until November 16 by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), under the theme Between You and a Book.
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