2nd Heritage Conf. continues discussions on Western travel literature
In the session titled 'Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature', moderated by Dr Mani Bounama, Dr Mohammed Al Mansouri spoke about the profound transformations in the Trucial States due to the entry of foreign oil companies in the mid-20th century, and the resulting documentation. Majid Shubar highlighted the role of European travellers and researchers in exploring the Arab world across centuries.
Aisha Al Hussan reviewed aspects of Emirati cultural heritage as depicted in Western writings, while Dr Hamad bin Seray added that British officials recorded everything they witnessed during their administration of the region.
Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers
In the session 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers', Dr Said Al Masri stressed that many European records were based on orientalist assumptions.
Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Seddiqi, speaking via Zoom, presented a paper on 'The Social and Cultural Image in the Eyes of Western Travellers' focusing on both Eastern and Maghrebian examples. He noted the importance of employing imagery when addressing events in Islamic history among Muslim communities.
Dr Younis Al Numani pointed out that the geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman attracted travellers who documented its way of life, while Dr Khalid Al Qasimi explained that travellers often lacked methodological accuracy. He emphasised that the methodology of travellers differed from that of historians, as they did not always strive for factual accuracy, and their accounts were often shaped by personal beliefs or unreliable sources.
Dr Saif Al Badwawi discussed the British survey of the Arab coast, and Dr Ali Afifi examined Western perspectives on food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula.
In a second session under the same title, 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers 2', moderated by Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, Omani researcher Imad Al Bahrani reviewed social aspects of Omani society as recorded in the 1956 travel report by a British consul. Dr George Gregory from Romania shed light on how Arabs and their regions were described in the works of Romanian traveller Panait Istrati.
Dr Ali Afifi presented a paper titled 'The Western Travellers' View of Food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from the 15th to the Mid-20th Century', while Egyptian researcher Dr Sadiq Jawhar examined representations of Cairo in Western travel literature.
Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other
In the session 'Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other', moderated by Mohammed Al Balushi, Dr Maria Boubia presented 'The Arab in the Mirror of Medieval Western Europe'. Dr Massoud Idris from Macedonia, speaking via Zoom, discussed 'Arab Heritage in the Eyes of Balkan Peoples'. Dr Mahmoudou Amin from Mauritania explored 'Food and Medicinal Traditions in Mauritania: A Reading of the Texts of French Travellers and Explorers.'
Dr Shakir Nouri from Iraq reviewed the portrayal of Antarah ibn Shaddad Al Absi in the Imagination of Alphonse de Lamartine, while Dr Ali Abdullatif Hamida from Libya, speaking via Zoom, examined the concept of Bedouin life in the writings of Western travellers and anthropologists who visited Tripoli/Libya during the colonial era.
Specialised Sessions Enrich Cultural Understanding
All sessions were distinguished by a high level of presentation and analysis, exceeding expectations in the depth of input and richness of discussion. This reflects the conference's standing as a leading intellectual platform that enhances cultural dialogue between East and West, while opening new avenues for the study of folk heritage through travel literature and Western writings.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
5 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
2nd Heritage Conf. continues discussions on Western travel literature
Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature In the session titled 'Economic Conditions Through Western Travel Literature', moderated by Dr Mani Bounama, Dr Mohammed Al Mansouri spoke about the profound transformations in the Trucial States due to the entry of foreign oil companies in the mid-20th century, and the resulting documentation. Majid Shubar highlighted the role of European travellers and researchers in exploring the Arab world across centuries. Aisha Al Hussan reviewed aspects of Emirati cultural heritage as depicted in Western writings, while Dr Hamad bin Seray added that British officials recorded everything they witnessed during their administration of the region. Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers In the session 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers', Dr Said Al Masri stressed that many European records were based on orientalist assumptions. Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Seddiqi, speaking via Zoom, presented a paper on 'The Social and Cultural Image in the Eyes of Western Travellers' focusing on both Eastern and Maghrebian examples. He noted the importance of employing imagery when addressing events in Islamic history among Muslim communities. Dr Younis Al Numani pointed out that the geographical location of the Sultanate of Oman attracted travellers who documented its way of life, while Dr Khalid Al Qasimi explained that travellers often lacked methodological accuracy. He emphasised that the methodology of travellers differed from that of historians, as they did not always strive for factual accuracy, and their accounts were often shaped by personal beliefs or unreliable sources. Dr Saif Al Badwawi discussed the British survey of the Arab coast, and Dr Ali Afifi examined Western perspectives on food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula. In a second session under the same title, 'Features of Arab Society in the Writings of Western Travellers 2', moderated by Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, Omani researcher Imad Al Bahrani reviewed social aspects of Omani society as recorded in the 1956 travel report by a British consul. Dr George Gregory from Romania shed light on how Arabs and their regions were described in the works of Romanian traveller Panait Istrati. Dr Ali Afifi presented a paper titled 'The Western Travellers' View of Food in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from the 15th to the Mid-20th Century', while Egyptian researcher Dr Sadiq Jawhar examined representations of Cairo in Western travel literature. Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other In the session 'Manifestations of Arab Heritage in the Mirror of the Other', moderated by Mohammed Al Balushi, Dr Maria Boubia presented 'The Arab in the Mirror of Medieval Western Europe'. Dr Massoud Idris from Macedonia, speaking via Zoom, discussed 'Arab Heritage in the Eyes of Balkan Peoples'. Dr Mahmoudou Amin from Mauritania explored 'Food and Medicinal Traditions in Mauritania: A Reading of the Texts of French Travellers and Explorers.' Dr Shakir Nouri from Iraq reviewed the portrayal of Antarah ibn Shaddad Al Absi in the Imagination of Alphonse de Lamartine, while Dr Ali Abdullatif Hamida from Libya, speaking via Zoom, examined the concept of Bedouin life in the writings of Western travellers and anthropologists who visited Tripoli/Libya during the colonial era. Specialised Sessions Enrich Cultural Understanding All sessions were distinguished by a high level of presentation and analysis, exceeding expectations in the depth of input and richness of discussion. This reflects the conference's standing as a leading intellectual platform that enhances cultural dialogue between East and West, while opening new avenues for the study of folk heritage through travel literature and Western writings.
Sharjah 24
7 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
2nd Heritage Conference launches new publications
These releases represent a significant addition to the heritage and knowledge library, aiming to shed light on the image of Arab heritage in the eyes of travellers and orientalists, while opening new horizons for researchers in the field of travel literature and comparative heritage studies. New Books and Publications on Travellers' Heritage Among the publications launched at the conference were 'Cursetjee's Journey to the Gulf' and 'Heritage Cities in the Arab World', both authored by His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam. Other titles included 'UAE Heritage in Travel Literature' by Dr Mani Bounama, 'Antar' by Alphonse de Lamartine, translated by Dr Shaker Nouri, 'Countries of the Arab World in the Paintings of Orientalists' by Dr Rabee Ahmed Sayyed, and 'Lights of the East Shine in the Mirror of the West' by Dr Osama Ladhqani. Intellectual and Cultural Engagement The book signing ceremony was attended by a number of researchers and conference participants, who expressed their interest in the new releases and praised the diversity of topics and richness of academic content. Attendees engaged in discussions with the authors about their research experiences and the questions raised by the books regarding Arab heritage through the lens of others, in an interactive atmosphere reflecting the vibrancy of the cultural scene. Documenting Folk Culture His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the signing of the new publications is an extension of the Institute's ongoing efforts to document folk culture and reinforce its presence in academic and intellectual circles. He affirmed that publishing is a key part of the heritage preservation project, presenting it with a contemporary vision. Rigorous Research Endeavours The Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage explained that these books represent the culmination of advanced research efforts, prepared by a distinguished group of authors specialising in travel literature, orientalism, and heritage studies. These works contribute to deepening mutual understanding between nations, offering multiple perspectives on heritage and reflecting the diversity of interpretations of Arab culture as seen by others. Presented in a scientific and methodical format, the publications open new avenues for readers to understand the self and the place of their heritage within diverse cultural contexts. The Book as a Gateway to Dialogue He noted that the signing ceremony honours the content before the author, and reflects a firm belief that the book remains the most important means of preserving identity, documenting collective memory, and engaging with the world through the language of knowledge and dialogue.
Arabian Post
8 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Int'l media charmed by 'China tour' amid cool summer in Hainan
The international media team immersed itself in the colorful experience that the 'cool island' of Hainan offered in summer. (Photo credit: Jing Chen) HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2025 – This summer, journalists and photographers from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries gathered at China's Hainan Free Trade Port, experiencing firsthand the vibrant pulse of its industrial development. For most of the media delegation, this was their first visit to Hainan. At the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the team explored various medical institutions, gaining insights into the local healthcare landscape, specialized medical policies, and unique wellness programs blending traditional Chinese medicine with Western techniques. As China's only special medical zone, Lecheng collaborates with more than 180 healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device institutions across 20 countries, providing a series of world-class medical and healthcare services. In the first five months of this year, it welcomed more than 180,000 tourists from China, Canada, and Spain. The international media team immersed itself in the colorful experience that the 'cool island' of Hainan offered in summer. (Photo credit: Dan Sandoval) Hainan's pristine tropical rainforests and vibrant Li and Miao cultural traditions stand as its most iconic ecological and cultural hallmarks. At Haikou's Qilou Old Street, Baoting's Binglanggu Li and Miao Cultural Heritage Park, and Baoting's Shenyu Island, the media delegation was captivated by dynamic displays and exhibits of UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage—such as the 3,000-year-old Li traditional techniques of spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidering—alongside national and provincial treasures like Hainan agarwood, coconut carving, Li pottery, boat-shaped houses, and bamboo pole dancing. ADVERTISEMENT Journalists remarked that witnessing and engaging with these time-honored crafts in person was far more striking than viewing them through photos or videos. Many showed a strong interest in Hainan agarwood, marveling at its historical significance and medicinal properties. After experiencing a Li medical massage, one reporter said that his back pain was finally relieved and that he 'should have come to Hainan earlier.' Beyond its beaches, Hainan offers a wealth of unique summer experiences that reshaped international media's perceptions: the Taoist healing, the Li long-table banquet, and refreshing forest bath on the Shenyu Island; the tropical coastal skydiving at Skydive Tarhe; the underwater suites and theme park of the Atlantis Sanya; the shopping spree in the International Duty-free Shopping Complex; the island scenery and fishermen culture in the West Island. Each destination offers distinct charms, revealing Hainan's diverse appeal. Zhang Hao, deputy director of the Sanya Tourism Board, revealed that in addition to strengthening duty-free shopping, Sanya has also prioritized low-altitude tourism and yachting in recent years. Last year alone, yachts embarked on over 120,000 sea trips, more than 10,000 visitors experienced low-altitude skydiving, and international cruise traffic, including home-port and visiting-port throughput, reached 59,200, placing Sanya among China's top destinations. According to the Hainan Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports, as China's only tropical island province and the largest Free Trade Port, Hainan enjoys the best visa-free policy in the country. In 2024, the number of inbound tourists exceeded 1 million, a record high in the past 5 years. The island has designed 10 categories of tourism products (e.g., marine tourism, high-end shopping, and healthcare) and allows ordinary passport holders from 85 countries to land without a visa. Hashtag: #HainanDepartmentofTourism,Culture,Radio,TV,andSports The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
