Latest news with #ArabIdentity
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Lebanese PM thanks UAE President for allowing Emiratis to return to 'second home'
Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam expressed deep gratitude to the UAE and its President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for fulfilling promises to allow Emiratis to return to their 'second home' Lebanon. 'Lebanon does not forget the gestures of our brothers in the Arabian Gulf.' Dr. Salam said during his address at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. The Lebanese Premier highlighted that approximately 190,000 Lebanese citizens live and work in the UAE 'with dedication and sincerity,' enjoying 'security, safety, and quality of life' in what they consider their 'second country.' Dr. Salam emphasised that Lebanon is built on the twin pillars of reform and sovereignty, which necessitates the exclusivity of weapons. 'We must free ourselves from the duality of weapons that led to duality in decision-making and consequently to the loss of the national state project,' he stated. Outlining his vision for Lebanon, the Prime Minister described it as 'not a fantasy, but a realistic project.' He said, wanting a state of law and institutions, a state of sovereignty not displacement, a state of decision not a battlefield. Rooted in Arab identity 'We want a Lebanon that owns its decision in peace and war, a Lebanon rooted in its Arab identity and affiliation, open to the world, capable of being a bridge of communication between East and West,' he added. Dr. Salam noted that while Lebanon has returned to the Arab fold, but it longs for Arab brothers to return to it — an effective return based on partnership and integration. The Prime Minister reminded the audience that Lebanon continues to face challenges, including Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory and daily violations of sovereignty, even as the country works to implement its international obligations and adheres to the cessation of hostilities. Speaking about the media landscape, Dr. Salam described the current battle in Lebanon as 'not just an economic or political battle, but a battle of awareness, a battle of words.' 'Media for us is not just a party in our journey toward reform and advancement, but a fundamental condition for it. We want it to be a partner in rebuilding trust and in shaping a new future for our country,' he said. The Lebanese leader called for professional, impartial media committed to truth, creating 'a space for participation, understanding, and mutual comprehension, as the early philosophers intended when they defined communication as a sharing of meaning.' 'Historic crossroads' Dr. Salam described the region as being at a 'historic crossroads' and a 'delicate regional moment' that requires a new media discourse to confront attempts at marginalization and dismantling while reproducing hope. 'We want a vibrant Arab media that opens windows and protects freedom without misusing it,' he stated. Concluding his address, Dr. Salam spoke not just as Prime Minister but as a Lebanese citizen who has experienced pain and hope, and believes that when words are sincere, they can be a bridge toward more humane and cohesive societies. Dubai, which he described as 'the city of vision and ambition as Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid wanted it,' he called on all free media professionals to be 'guardians of truth, makers of awareness, and allies of advancement.' 'Lebanon, from this platform, tells you: We are returning — returning to our state, returning to our Arab identity, returning to the future,' Dr. Salam concluded. UAE and Lebanon agreed to allow citizens to travel after taking the necessary measures to facilitate movement between the two countries and establishing appropriate mechanisms. UAE citizens were allowed to travel to Lebanon effective May 7 but prior registration on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Twajudi platform is mandatory.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Book Review: ‘America's View of the East, Cinematically' by Abdulmohsen Al-Mutairi
Saudi journalist, filmmaker and cultural commentator Abdulmohsen Al-Mutairi launched his long-anticipated book — 'America's View of the East, Cinematically' — at last month's Saudi Film Festival. Cementing his reputation as a vital voice at the intersection of cinema and Arab identity, the book is a natural progression from his award-winning documentary, 'Memories From The North,' tackling Western portrayals of the East with the same precision, intellect and emotional clarity. Al-Mutairi drew wide attention for his documentary, which offered a poetic look at the Gulf War of 1990-91 and was named best short documentary at the 2022 festival. 'The documentary looks to me like a chapter in a book, because both memories and the war look like chapters to us. To me, the war is a timeline, there is a beginning, middle and an end,' Al-Mutairi told Arab News at the time. 'America's View of the East, Cinematically' continues that mission, serving as both critique and chronicle of how Arab and Eastern identities have long been distorted by the cinematic lens of the West. 'This encyclopedia will be a building block added to what the Saudi Film Festival has started since its launch in 2008 and an effective tributary in the path of Saudi cinema, reinforcing what the festival organizers believe in and what they seek to achieve by emphasizing that the film industry must be accompanied by a knowledge industry directed at those working in the local and Arab cinema field,' according to its introduction. More than critique, the book offers a kind of cinematic reclamation.
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Jubeir Stresses Saudi Support to Syria as Shaibani Warns of Attempts to Stoke Strife
Syria and Lebanon's speeches at the Arab League Summit in Baghdad on Saturday reflected the extent of the dramatic changes in their country after the collapse of the Assad regime and the election of a new president in Lebanon, but challenges remain. Addressing the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani warned against attempts to stoke strife in his country, adding that 'ISIS gangs continue to violate Syria's sovereignty and internal security.' 'Some sides want to fragment Syria and we call on Arabs to protect its unity and reject division,' he urged. 'Syria is being violated repeatedly by Israel, threatening to spark war in the south and undermining regional stability,' he said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani attends the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad on May 17, 2025. (AFP) Moreover, he declared that Syria rejects hegemony over it and 'will not be an arena for the conflicts of others.' He acknowledged that Syria still faces 'grave challenges and disputes over interests.' Shaibani also hailed 'every step that helps breaks Syria's isolation and lifts sanctions off it.' 'The Syrian people are committed to their Arab identity. Syria belongs to all Syrians,' he added, revealing that his country was working on drafting a new constitution that consolidates the rule of law and the unity of Syrian territories. It was also placing the finishing touches on parliamentary elections that represent all Syrians, the FM stated. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir underscored the Kingdom's support for the Syrian government in confronting security challenges. He praised US President Donald Trump's decision this week to lift sanctions off Syria. 'This is a great opportunity for Syria's recovery and to support its development,' he told the summit. Trump made the announcement during the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh on Tuesday. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam shakes hands with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein ahead of the 34th Arab League summit in Baghdad, Iraq, May 16, 2025. (Reuters) Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said his country has opened a new chapter in its history based on reform in all fields. 'We want to impose the sovereignty of the Lebanese state throughout all of its territories and assert that the state is the party that controls the decision of war and peace,' he added. During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit, he expressed Lebanon's 'categorical rejection of Israeli violations against the country, urging an immediate halt to the attacks.' He reiterated his government's commitment to full cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in preserving security and stability along the Blue Line border with Israel. He noted however, that Israel's continued occupation of some Lebanese territories is a flagrant violation of international resolutions.
