Monthly Archives: July 2013

Ali Abd Al-Qadir Al-Siqilli was educated in Al-Qaraween University in Fez. He was the first Director of the Moroccan Royal Court Publications Department in 1956. He served for many years as a cultural counselor in the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Morocco’s cultural attaché to several countries. He has also been teaching Arabic literature and language in the College of Arts and Humanities in Rabat for about 50 years and was the Inspector General of Education in Morocco.

Mr. Al-Siqilli is a remarkable educator, poet, and writer of children’s literature. He uses poetry to write tales and rural plays for children. His writings incorporate fascinating limericks and ballads designed to suit children of different ages, stimulating their imagination while providing them with experience. He also wrote for adults and translated poems from French to Arabic. The complete collection of his own poems was published in a 7-volume book. Notably, he is the author of the Moroccan national anthem.

Mr. Al-Siqilli has been a member of the Moroccan Writers Union since 1967. He participated in educational conferences and cultural festivals in his country and in several symposia in Arab and European countries. Prior to receiving the King Faisal International Prize for Arabic Literature, he was awarded Morocco’s Grand Prize in 1981.

Mr. All Abd Al-Qadir Al-Siqilli chose poetry as the medium of his stories. His delightful limericks and more formal stanzas combine music and concrete flavor. Religion is a major inspiration for his tales about the city and the countryside.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Ahmed Najeeb obtained his BA and MA degrees in Arts from Cairo University. He also obtained a degree from the Teachers’ Institute for Higher Studies in Cairo, and certificates from the Egyptian National Planning Institute, the German Academy of Educational Sciences in Berlin, and the International Institute of Educational Planning in France. He held several essential educational and administrative responsibilities in Egypt.

Mr. Najeeb was one of the most popular Arab writers of children’s fiction; he wrote more than 200 books for children, one of which sold over 9 million copies. His writings combine great talent with a profound knowledge of children’s psychological and emotional needs and their linguistic and mental limits. He edited an international series of children’s stories, which was published simultaneously in Cairo, Beirut, Casablanca, Madrid, Geneva, and Paris. He also edited Al-Mukhtar children’s magazine, published by the Arab Council for Children. At least eleven of his academic books on children’s literature are used for teaching in Arab and western universities. One of these books on the art of writing for children sold more than 3 million copies within the first week of its publication.

Najeeb was a member of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Culture, and the Egyptian Writers Union. He won many awards including the Egyptian State Prize for Children’s Literature in 1972; the Science and Arts Medal (First Class) in 1972; the Egyptian Order of Distinction (First Class); the First Prize in Arts from the Kuwaiti Research Institute in 1976, the Children’s Day Prize and Plaques of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union and the governorate of Aswan in 1986. 

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Abd Al-Tawwab Yousef obtained a BA in political sciences from the College of Commerce in Cairo University in 1949. He held several administrative responsibilities and headed the Department of Culture in the Public Relations Administration of the Arab Socialist Union until 1975, when he resigned to devote his time entirely to writing.

Yusuf is a giant of children’s literature. As an admired and prolific writer, he authored close to 400 books and tales written especially for children, of which more than 20 million copies were printed. He also edits fascinating children magazines and presents radio and television programs that attract a large audience of children. His books typically combine the pleasures of a stimulating imagination with a subtle moral message. Some of his stories were translated into English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Persian and Urdu. He also wrote around 30 academic books relating to children’s educational and cultural guidance.

Mr. Yusuf founded Al-Fardus, the first monthly Islamic magazine for children, and the Society for Child Literature in the 1960’s and organized the first conference on Child Literature in the Arab world in 1970. Since its inception, he has been a member of the Children’s Committee of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Culture, and was a member of the Board of the Egyptian Writers’ Union for 8 years. He was also a member of the Child and Family Committee of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. He was awarded numerous prizes and medals including the Egyptian State Prizes for Children’s Literature (with First Class Medal) in 1975, and Children’s Culture (with Second Class Medal) in 1981, as well as prizes from UNESCO in 1975, and the Union of Arab Radio Stations.

Abd Al-Tawwab Yousef wrote beautiful children’s stories in urban and rural set­tings. A subtle moral message pervades his work and meshes with the pleasure given by a fertile imagination. A rich vocabulary introduces the child to the treasures of his tongue with­out taxing his abilities.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Yahia Haqqi was originally trained as a lawyer and served as a diplomat in his country’s missions in Turkey, Italy, France, and elsewhere, but it was not long before he realized that he was born to be a writer. Thus, he resigned his lucrative job to become a full time novelist.

Haqqi was a writer with great passion and imagination. He published his first novel in 1926 at the age of 20. For the next 60 years, he wrote a superb collection of novels and short stories that placed him at the forefront of modern Arabic short story writers. His belief in the role of literature as a driving force of life and an enhancer of society’s values, was strikingly evident in his writings. Some of his greatest novels are Qandil Um Hashim (The Saint’s Lamp), Sah al-naum (Wake Up), Dimaa wa Teen (Blood and Mud) and Al-Bostaji (The Postman), which reflect social changes in Egypt since the first quarter of the 20th century. In these novels,

as in all his other works, he maintained a richly poetic style and imagery without losing track of his heritage. He also wrote an autobiography entitled Kalliha ala Allah (Leave it to God) and some books of literary criticism.

Yahia Haqqi was a prominent figure in the cultural life of Egypt. He contributed significantly to the creation of art institutes, theaters, and folklore troupes in his country. Apart from the King Faisal International Prize for Arabic Literature, his numerous awards include honorary doctoral degrees, the Egyptian State Prize for Literature in 1969, Egyptian Order of Merit, and French Order of Knight in 1983. His books were translated into different languages and his life and works are still the subject of extensive study both in the Arab world and the West.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Yousef Khulaif obtained his BA, MA and Ph.D. Degrees in Arabic Language and Literature from the College of Arts in Fuad Al-Awal University in Cairo. Following his graduation in 1956, he was appointed Lecturer in the Department of Arabic Language and became full professor of Arabic Language and Literature in 1972, and Chairman of the Department from 1975 to his retirement in 1981. Thereafter, he was appointed Professor Emeritus at Cairo University. He also served as Convener of the Supreme Council of Culture Prize Committee in Arabic Literature in Egypt, editor in the Arabic Language Academy in Cairo, and Professor of Arabic Literature in Kuwait for three years.

Professor Khulaif’s distinguished contributions are embodied in several books, reviews, anthologies and research articles. Some of his best known books are: Al Sa’alik Poets in Pre-Islamic Literature, Dhu Al-Rummah: The Poet of Love and Desert, Poetry in Kufa to the End of the Second Century A.D. A poet himself, Khulaif published two collections of poems. He also published studies on the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s sayings.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Shaker Al-Fahham was educated in Fuad Al-Awal University from which he received his BA in 1946, an MA in 1960, and a Ph.D. in 1963 in Arabic Language and Literature.

Professor Al-Fahham was appointed to several prestigious academic and political positions in Syria. He was a member of the People’s Assembly, Minister of Education (twice), Minister of Higher Education (twice), Ambassador to Algeria, and President of Damascus University. Despite his enormous administrative and political responsibilities, he continued teaching in Damascus University as a professor of Arabic Language and Literature at the College of Arts. He also participated significantly in conferences, symposia, committees and a range of national, Arab, and international cultural and educational institutions.

Professor Al-Fahham was one of Syria’s most distinguished intellectuals. His deep knowledge of the ingredients of Arabic Literature is reflected in his numerous books, editions, verifications and articles. Among his books on ancient Arab poets that qualified him for the King Faisal International Prize for Arabic Literature are: Nazarat Fi Shi’r Bashar ibn Burd (Views on the Poetry of Bashar ibn Burd), Mukhtart min Shi’r Al-Andalus (Selections from Andalusian Poetry) and Al-Farzdag. The last-mentioned book remains one of the best-known critiques available on the life and works of this ancient Arab poet. Professor Al-Fahham was a key figure in the Arab cultural life for many decades.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Mohammad Bin Sharifah memorized the Holy Quran in his early age, and received his initial education in his hometown, and secondary education at Ibn Youssef School in Marrakesh. After completing his general education, he obtained a BA from Mohammed V University in Morocco in 1960, a master’s degree in 1964, and a Ph.D. degree in Literature from Cairo University in 1969. He taught Andalusian Literature at Mohammed V University in Morocco in 1970 and became Dean of the College of Arts and President of Mohammed I University in Annaba from1978 until 1983.

Professor Bin Sharifah was a leading authority in Andalusian literature, particularly during the era of the Islamic State in Granada. His prolific writings on the role of Arab and Muslim literary figures in Andalusia are exemplified by his books: The Life and Works of Abul Matraf Ahmed Ibn Omaira al-Makhzoumi, Popular Sayings in Andalusia, Al-Basti, Last of Andalusian Poets, Abu Marwan al-Baji and His Journey to the East, and many other books. He also verified several texts including the 8-volume book Al-thail wa Takmilah Kitabai Al Mausul wul Sela by Ibn Abdul Malik al-Marrakishi (jointly with Ihsan Abbas); and Rawdat al-Adib by Ibn Lubal Al-Shraishi. Bin Sharifah also published numerous articles and research papers and participated in many conferences in his field of specialization.

He was a member or corresponding member of the Royal Moroccan Academy, the Royal History Academy in Madrid, the Arabic Language Academy in Cairo, the Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization, the Aal Al-Bayt Foundation for Islamic Thought in Jordan and the Arabic Language Academy in Damascus. A biography of Bin Sharifah’s life and works was recently published.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Mahmoud Makki obtained his BA in Arabic Language from Cairo University in 1949 and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from Madrid Central University in 1955. He held different positions in Egypt, Spain and elsewhere. After graduation, he joined the Cultural Relations Administration of the Egyptian Ministry of Education and was Egypt’s Cultural Attaché in Spain, Director of the Institute of Islamic Studies in Madrid and Professor of Arabic Language and Literature in Madrid Central University. He also served as Director of the Translation Department of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, professor in Kuwait University and visiting professor in several Arab universities as well as the Center for Oriental Studies in Mexico. In 1977, he became professor of Andalusian literature in Cairo University, where he established and chaired the Department of Spanish Language and Literature until his retirement in 1979.

Professor Makki is a leading scholar of Andalusian literature and the author of numerous books and articles dealing with Arabic, Spanish and Latin American literature. Of particular importance are his books on The Influence of Islam and Arabs in the European Civilization and his groundbreaking text on the Andalusian historian Ibn Hayyan, his edition of Diwan ibn Darrag Al-Ghastali and his translations of several works of Spanish and Latin American literature and poetry.

In addition to the King Faisal International Prize for Arabic Literature, Makki was awarded the Alfonso medal from Spain in 1967, and the Egyptian Order of Excellence in 1977, and the Literature and Arts Prize and Republican Order from Egypt in 1968. He is a member of the Arabic Language Academy in Cairo, the Royal Academy of History in Madrid, and the Royal Academy of Arts in Barcelona and Cordoba. He is also chairman of the Egyptian Society for Spanish Studies.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Mohammad Al-Athari memorized the Holy Quran at the age of 6. In addition to studying Arabic language, literature, and Islamic Sharia in formal Iraqi schools, he privately studied French, English and Turkish languages and was mentored in religion and Arabic language studies by renowned local scholars, including the legendary Shaikh Mahmoud Shukri Al-Alousi, the Mufti of Baghdad. Al-Athari became a teacher of Arabic, then an Inspector of Arabic in the Iraqi Ministry of Education and an Administrative Director in the Ministry of Endowments. In 1951, he was appointed professor of Arabic literature and Ethics in the Police College in Baghdad, beside his responsibilities in the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Al-Athari retired in 1963 to become a full-time writer and scholar of Arabic. He authored numerous books and edited many others on different aspects of Arabic language and arts, including analyses of several early Arabic texts and anthologies, particularly an edition of Imad Ed-Din Al-Asfahani’s Kharidat al-Qasr wa Jaridat al-Asr, a landmark of ancient Arabic prose, poetry, and literary criticism. Mr. Al-Athari also published hundreds of articles and made numerous other contributions not only to the study of Arabic literature but also history and Islamic studies. He was a celebrated poet.

In 1949, he co-founded the Iraqi Science Academy and became its Vice-President and chief editor of its journal. He was also elected to the Arabic Language Academies of Cairo, Damascus and Amman, the Royal Moroccan Academy and the International Advisory Council of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation. His life and works were subjects of graduate degrees, and a compilation of his major literary contributions was published by the Iraqi Science Academy.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.

Mohammad Al-Athari memorized the Holy Quran at the age of 6. In addition to studying Arabic language, literature, and Islamic Sharia in formal Iraqi schools, he privately studied French, English and Turkish languages and was mentored in religion and Arabic language studies by renowned local scholars, including the legendary Shaikh Mahmoud Shukri Al-Alousi, the Mufti of Baghdad. Al-Athari became a teacher of Arabic, then an Inspector of Arabic in the Iraqi Ministry of Education and an Administrative Director in the Ministry of Endowments. In 1951, he was appointed professor of Arabic literature and Ethics in the Police College in Baghdad, beside his responsibilities in the Ministry of Education.

Mr. Al-Athari retired in 1963 to become a full-time writer and scholar of Arabic. He authored numerous books and edited many others on different aspects of Arabic language and arts, including analyses of several early Arabic texts and anthologies, particularly an edition of Imad Ed-Din Al-Asfahani’s Kharidat al-Qasr wa Jaridat al-Asr, a landmark of ancient Arabic prose, poetry, and literary criticism. Mr. Al-Athari also published hundreds of articles and made numerous other contributions not only to the study of Arabic literature but also history and Islamic studies. He was a celebrated poet.

In 1949, he co-founded the Iraqi Science Academy and became its Vice-President and chief editor of its journal. He was also elected to the Arabic Language Academies of Cairo, Damascus and Amman, the Royal Moroccan Academy and the International Advisory Council of Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation. His life and works were subjects of graduate degrees, and a compilation of his major literary contributions was published by the Iraqi Science Academy.

This biography was written in the year the prize was awarded.