This talk features a conversation with Ibrahim al-Koni, a prominent contemporary author in Arabic literature. Raised as a Tuareg in the Libyan desert, al-Koni's storytelling is informed by his educational background and extensive travels. His extensive body of work, encompassing over a hundred books, examines the history of the Mediterranean region and the desert. The discussion will focus on al-Koni's unique portrayal of the desert landscape and its cultural and historical significance.

Speaker
Ibrahim al-Koni, Libyan-Swiss Author, Winner of the 2008 Sheikh Zayed Award for Literature, and 2023 Sharjah Book Fair Cultural Personality of the Year

In conversation with
Maurice Pomerantz, Executive Director NYUAD Institute, Professor of Literature and Arab Crossroads Studies, NYUAD

In collaboration with
Humanities Research Platform

Ibrahim Al Koni and the World of the Tuareg (Arabic)

This talk examines Soviet power through a transregional and global lens, focusing on its cultural and political exchanges with the Middle East. Drawing from a recently published book, The Eastern International: Arabs, Central Asians, and Jews in the Soviet Union's Anticolonial Empire, it traces how the Soviet concept of the “East” shaped both domestic policy and international influence, from the early Bolshevik era to Putin’s Russia. Through the stories of Soviet Jews, Central Asians, and Arab Marxists, it uncovers a fascinating web of cultural and political exchanges that blurred the lines between empire and anti-colonialism. 

Speaker
Masha Kirasirova, Author, "The Eastern International: Arabs, Central Asians, and Jews in the Soviet Union's Anticolonial Empire" (Oxford University Press, 2024); Assistant Professor of History, NYUAD

Soviet Power and the Politics of the East

This talk explores the concept of prophecy and prophethood from a multi-faith perspective. Prophets existed before the Bible, as seen in ancient texts describing the Mesopotamian nabū, muhhum, and assinnu. Biblical prophets came in many forms—true and false, charismatic and solitary, loyal to kings or opposing them. The debate over prophecy persisted for millennia: Jews saw it as ending with the Hebrew Bible, Christians viewed Jesus as its fulfillment, and Muslims recognized Muhammad as the final prophet. Yet, prophecy endures in groups like the Mormons and Baha’is. The speaker will examine how different traditions understand prophecy, its historical evolution, and its continued relevance today.

Speaker
Reuven Firestone, Regenstein Professor in Medieval Judaism and Islam, Hebrew Union College

A Prophecy Continuous? Jewish and Muslim Views on Divine Revelation

This talk explores the Universe’s journey from its homogeneous beginnings after the Big Bang to the formation of stars from primordial hydrogen and helium. Through nuclear fusion, stars produced light elements, and their dramatic deaths as supernovae forged elements up to iron. The Zwicky Transient Facility, a cutting-edge 2-telescope project, systematically studies the dynamic Universe. The speaker will discuss remarkable discoveries, including super-luminous supernovae, new transient phenomena, supernova progenitors, planets being engulfed by aging stars, and an abundance of pulsating and binary stars.

Speaker
Shrinivas R. Kulkarni, George Ellery Hale Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

In collaboration with
Center for Astrophysics and Space Science

The Restless Universe: From the Big Bang to the Periodic Table

This panel explores how integrating art, science and engineering fosters innovation, broadens perspectives, and drives societal contributions. In the UAE’s cultural and scientific landscape, interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial to engage the public, inspire creativity, and support the nation’s long-term goals in education and research.

Panelists
Iyad Rahwan, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin
Stephanie Rosenthal, Director of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project
Henry Tan, Artist in Residence at the NYU Abu Dhabi Center for Genomics and Systems Biology

Moderated by
Maya Allison, NYU Abu Dhabi Chief Curator and Galleries Executive Director

In collaboration with
Center for Genomics and Systems Biology

Creative Convergence: The Role of Artists in Expanding Scientific Inquiry and UAE’s Vision for Innovation

The Climate Crisis has created novel challenges for public policy in the Global South. Developing nations need to discover ways of continuing to grow without undermining the goals of the Paris Agreement, transitioning to green energy at the same time as addressing deep problems of economic growth and social inequality. They also need to mitigate some of the effects of extreme weather events, such as floods or forest fires. In this panel discussion four experienced judges will reflect on the role of the law on this process. Can a substantive conception of environmental rights make a difference? Does the constitution have anything to say about the green transition? Can a Supreme Court assist this process by providing safeguards of fairness and legitimacy?

Panel Members
Dr Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, Chief Justice of Bangladesh
Justice Ananda Bahatarai, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal

Moderated by
Pavlos Eleftheriadis, Program Head of Legal Studies; Professor of Legal Studies, NYUAD

Climate Justice and the Constitution: Reflections from the Global South

This talk explores the profound artistry and scientific intricacies of Indian art music, with a focus on the Hindustani repertoire. Dr. Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli delves into the psychoacoustic and emotional dimensions of ragas, illustrating how pitch, timbre, and rhythm evoke deep responses. Bridging tradition with technology, he demonstrates the role of objective thinking in understanding melodic nuances and improvisation techniques.

Speaker
Kaustuv Kanti Ganguli, Associate Professor of Computing, Zayed University; Visiting Scholar, NYUAD

Decoding Hindustani Music: Art and Science

Explore the prehistoric landscapes of Arabia, tracing the movements of early humans who migrated from Africa over the past two million years. The talk examines how these groups adapted to diverse environments, from lush greenery to areas inhabited by now-extinct animals. It highlights their use of stone tools, local flora, and fauna for survival, and how water served as a crucial lifeline. The speaker will provide insights into the challenges faced and strategies employed by these ancient peoples to navigate and thrive in their changing world.

Speaker
Abdullah Alsharekh, Department of Archaeology, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

A Short Journey Into Prehistoric Arabia

Explore the intersection of cybersecurity, technology ethics, and disinformation with leading experts. This panel examines the human-centered aspects of cybertechnology, the global threats posed by state actors, and the ethical dilemmas at the forefront of our digital age. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that uncovers the challenges and solutions in protecting our digital future.

Speakers
James Lewis, Senior Vice President, Pritzker Chair, and Director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Mayra Ruiz-McPherson, Cyber/Media Psychologist, Qualitative Futurist, Cognitive/Behavioral Scientist, Researcher & Ethicist

In conversation with
Muhammet Bas, Associate Professor of Political Science, NYUAD

In Collaboration with
U.S. Mission to the United Arab Emirates

Cybersecurity & Ethics: Navigating Digital Dangers

This talk discusses whether the UAE is on track to become the epicenter of Arab pop culture over the next decade or if its influence will remain tied to amplifying trends from elsewhere. While the country has established itself as a global business and finance hub, can it also position itself as a leading exporter of Arab creativity, shaping regional and global cultural currents? The panelists will examine the forces driving the UAE’s creative industries, the role of institutional and private support, and the challenges and opportunities that will determine its long-term cultural influence.

Panel Members
Gianluca Chakra, CEO, Front Row Entertainment
Rawan Al-Dabbas, Regional Director, IFPI MENA

Moderated by
Mikey Muhanna, CEO & Founder of afikra | عفكرة

In Collaboration with
afikra

Will the UAE Be the Capital of Arab Pop Culture Over the Next Decade?

أضاع هميانه في طريق الحج (السرّة)
ماذا يحدث لو أضعت مبلغا كبيرا من المال وأنت في السفر؟ كيف يمكن أن يعود إليك المبلغ بعد سنوات وأنت في أمسّ الحاجة إليه؟ ما عند الله لا يضيع، وما بعد الشدّة إلّا الفرج. قصّة غريبة عجيبة من كتاب حياكة الكلام.

السرّة

The Library of Arabic Literature makes available Arabic editions and English translations of significant works of Arabic literature, with an emphasis on the seventh to nineteenth centuries. The Library of Arabic Literature thus includes texts from the pre-Islamic era to the cusp of the modern period, and encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, poetics, fiction, religion, philosophy, law, science, travel writing, history, and historiography.
Books in the series are edited and translated by internationally recognized scholars. They are published as hardcovers in parallel-text format with Arabic and English on facing pages, as English-only paperbacks, and as downloadable Arabic editions. For some texts, the series also publishes separate scholarly editions with full critical apparatus.
The Library encourages scholars to produce authoritative Arabic editions, accompanied by modern, lucid English translations, with the ultimate goal of introducing Arabic’s rich literary heritage to a general audience of readers as well as to scholars and students.

السرّة

Library of Arabic Literature المكتبة العربية

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