Latest news with #Arabist
Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Ian Skeet obituary: Shell worker who revealed the secrets of Oman
A humane and broad-minded Arabist who did not remotely fit the stereotype of the modern oil executive, Ian Skeet was one of the few foreigners admitted to the hermit state of Muscat and Oman in the 1960s. He was also one of the few permitted to travel with comparative freedom through large tracts of its interior. Posted there by Royal Dutch Shell in 1966, he made several journeys across the country's sand deserts and arid highlands with the aim of preparing the wary tribes and sheikhs for the coming of oil. Since his accession in 1932, Sultan Said bin Taimur had controlled almost everything in the country, personally approving visa applications, deliberately isolating the nation from the headlong development going on elsewhere in the Gulf
Spectator
24-04-2025
- General
- Spectator
Letters: Bring back mutton
Man out of time Sir: That Mary Wakefield left Rowan Williams 'with my questions for the most part unresolved' will come as no surprise to his former students, myself included ('The ABC of faith', 19 April). As a 'mature' student at Cambridge, there was something very inspiring about Williams the academic, but also comfortingly peaceful about the man; someone always on the journey of discovery and therefore reluctant on many issues to be dogmatic or final about them. His genuine surprise at how the real world operated one easily forgave; his naive approach to other issues, such as Islam, was dangerous but never disingenuous. As an Arabist I did find this hugely irritating. Unlike many shamefully careerist bishops, he found himself chosen for a role as Archbishop of a hugely flawed institution in which – despite the pressures to bend or prevaricate – he always maintained his great integrity. He was undoubtedly born out of time and would have been much more at home among the Fathers of the early Church. He once told me that he had never played team games and was instead always in a book. I think this explains much. R.C. Paget Marcham, Oxfordshire Woolly issue Sir: Olivia Potts writes that if we eat lamb at Easter, we are eating it in the wrong season, as lambs are born in early spring and need to grow for several months ('Ewe bet', 19 April). That means that much of the lamb we eat at around this time of year is from New Zealand. There is, of course, a better way. We should be allowing our lambs to live longer and we should eat hogget – the meat of a sheep of between one and two years of age.
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Could the next pope be English?
In the Catholic hierarchy a red hat marks out a cardinal. They are the church's most senior generals, with the red signifying they will spill their blood for the faith. Four living Englishmen have such hats, all presented by Pope Francis. The oldest is Michael Fitzgerald OBE, from Walsall, an Arabist and expert on Christian-Muslim dialogue. Next is Timothy Radcliffe, a Londoner, former Master of the Dominicans. Third is Vincent Nichols, a Lancastrian, now Archbishop of Westminster. Youngest is Arthur Roche, a Yorkshireman and senior Vatican official responsible for liturgy. The bookies are not offering stellar odds on any of them as papabile (Vatican watchers' jargon for a serious papal contender), but bookies and pundits are regularly wrong-footed by the mysterious windings of conclave voting. In Italian there is a saying that he who enters the conclave a pope leaves a cardinal. So, frankly, any of the English Four could get the top job. According to the rules, the conclave can, in fact, choose any unmarried adult male Catholic. Given the UK has a population of 68 million, of whom around eight per cent are Catholic, that suggests we are, on paper at least, in with a fighting chance! If this sounds far fetched, remember that it has happened before. And not that long ago in church terms. We had an English pope in the twelfth century (when the population of England was about 2.5 million). Nicholas Breakspear was born in or near St Albans. William the Conqueror's cleverest son, Henry I, was on the throne, and life was relatively tranquil. Breakspear may have taken holy orders in England, but he preferred the sunshine, so headed off to the south of France. In all likelihood Breakspear was running from the catastrophe that had suddenly ripped England apart one winter's day in 1135. Stephen of Blois had usurped the throne, and the Empress Matilda was fighting him for it, village by village, field by field, reducing the country to miles of smoking rubble and starving people. Breakspear was tall, had a good voice, preached well, and was also handy with administration. He was talent-spotted, and appointed Abbot of St Ruf in Avignon. On a trip to Rome he caught the pope's eye, was made a cardinal, then sent off to Scandinavia to reform the church there. He did it so well that, in December 1154, he was elected pope and took the name Adrian (Hadrian) IV. That same month a young and dynamic Henry II finished the civil war in England and began ushering in a golden age of English influence. By a deft marriage to the heiress Eleanor of Aquitaine he ruled land from Scotland to Spain, and England was soon a thriving military, mercantile and political force on the European stage. The main challenge facing Breakspear was Europe. Specifically, King Frederick Barbarossa of Germany wanted Breakspear to crown him as Holy Roman Emperor. Breakspear, in turn, wanted it made very plain that any power Barbarossa enjoyed came from God. Meanwhile, King William I of Sicily was on military manoeuvres harassing papal lands. All Breakspear's diplomatic skills were required, and he eventually managed to quieten military threats and make peace with William. He also found common ground with Barbarossa allowing him to perform the imperial coronation. Meanwhile the pope did not forget his homeland. He gave generously to St Albans Abbey, and confirmed the Archbishop of York's freedom from Canterbury and control over Scottish bishops. Most consequentially for the British isles, when Henry II started eying up Ireland, Breakspear gave him the island as a papal fief, sending him an emerald ring to seal the feudal deal. The legal basis for this was the ancient Donation of Constantine, a charter vesting all Emperor Constantine's western lands to the pope (later, predictably, found to be a forgery). Henry then conquered swathes of Ireland – notably in Leinster and Munster – and for centuries English kings styled themselves Lord of Ireland as a papal title. This lasted until Henry VIII split from Rome, causing himself a spectacular constitutional headache, which he solved by strong-arming the Irish parliament into voting him in as their king. Breakspear died in 1159 and was buried in St Peter's. His greatest achievement was to steer a solid course through fractious European politics, and he emerged as a notable pope of the period, serving as a model for several of his successors. And so, as the conclave prepares to meet, it would be pleasing to think that the spirit of Breakspear still moves around Rome, and that his island nation may, once again, proclaim across sun-dappled cricket pitches, while clutching pints of warm flat beer, 'Habemus papam!'.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Could the next pope be English?
In the Catholic hierarchy a red hat marks out a cardinal. They are the church's most senior generals, with the red signifying they will spill their blood for the faith. Four living Englishmen have such hats, all presented by Pope Francis. The oldest is Michael Fitzgerald OBE, from Walsall, an Arabist and expert on Christian-Muslim dialogue. Next is Timothy Radcliffe, a Londoner, former Master of the Dominicans. Third is Vincent Nichols, a Lancastrian, now Archbishop of Westminster. Youngest is Arthur Roche, a Yorkshireman and senior Vatican official responsible for liturgy. The bookies are not offering stellar odds on any of them as papabile (Vatican watchers' jargon for a serious papal contender), but bookies and pundits are regularly wrong-footed by the mysterious windings of conclave voting. In Italian there is a saying that he who enters the conclave a pope leaves a cardinal. So, frankly, any of the English Four could get the top job. According to the rules, the conclave can, in fact, choose any unmarried adult male Catholic. Given the UK has a population of 68 million, of whom around eight per cent are Catholic, that suggests we are, on paper at least, in with a fighting chance! If this sounds far fetched, remember that it has happened before. And not that long ago in church terms. We had an English pope in the twelfth century (when the population of England was about 2.5 million). Nicholas Breakspear was born in or near St Albans. William the Conqueror's cleverest son, Henry I, was on the throne, and life was relatively tranquil. Breakspear may have taken holy orders in England, but he preferred the sunshine, so headed off to the south of France. In all likelihood Breakspear was running from the catastrophe that had suddenly ripped England apart one winter's day in 1135. Stephen of Blois had usurped the throne, and the Empress Matilda was fighting him for it, village by village, field by field, reducing the country to miles of smoking rubble and starving people. Breakspear was tall, had a good voice, preached well, and was also handy with administration. He was talent-spotted, and appointed Abbot of St Ruf in Avignon. On a trip to Rome he caught the pope's eye, was made a cardinal, then sent off to Scandinavia to reform the church there. He did it so well that, in December 1154, he was elected pope and took the name Adrian (Hadrian) IV. That same month a young and dynamic Henry II finished the civil war in England and began ushering in a golden age of English influence. By a deft marriage to the heiress Eleanor of Aquitaine he ruled land from Scotland to Spain, and England was soon a thriving military, mercantile and political force on the European stage. The main challenge facing Breakspear was Europe. Specifically, King Frederick Barbarossa of Germany wanted Breakspear to crown him as Holy Roman Emperor. Breakspear, in turn, wanted it made very plain that any power Barbarossa enjoyed came from God. Meanwhile, King William I of Sicily was on military manoeuvres harassing papal lands. All Breakspear's diplomatic skills were required, and he eventually managed to quieten military threats and make peace with William. He also found common ground with Barbarossa allowing him to perform the imperial coronation. Meanwhile the pope did not forget his homeland. He gave generously to St Albans Abbey, and confirmed the Archbishop of York's freedom from Canterbury and control over Scottish bishops. Most consequentially for the British isles, when Henry II started eying up Ireland, Breakspear gave him the island as a papal fief, sending him an emerald ring to seal the feudal deal. The legal basis for this was the ancient Donation of Constantine, a charter vesting all Emperor Constantine's western lands to the pope (later, predictably, found to be a forgery). Henry then conquered swathes of Ireland – notably in Leinster and Munster – and for centuries English kings styled themselves Lord of Ireland as a papal title. This lasted until Henry VIII split from Rome, causing himself a spectacular constitutional headache, which he solved by strong-arming the Irish parliament into voting him in as their king. Breakspear died in 1159 and was buried in St Peter's. His greatest achievement was to steer a solid course through fractious European politics, and he emerged as a notable pope of the period, serving as a model for several of his successors. And so, as the conclave prepares to meet, it would be pleasing to think that the spirit of Breakspear still moves around Rome, and that his island nation may, once again, proclaim across sun-dappled cricket pitches, while clutching pints of warm flat beer, 'Habemus papam!'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Gulf Today
25-03-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Public Libraries hosts 45 Arabist students from Al Qasimia University
As part of its centennial celebrations, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL), in collaboration with the Arabic Language Academy in Sharjah, hosted an event titled 'Cultural Renaissance,' welcoming Arabist students from Al Qasimia University. The delegation included 24 male and 21 female students, who took part in a cultural tour featuring a visit to Kalba Public Library and key historical, cultural, and tourist landmarks in Khorfakkan to deepen their understanding of Emirati and Arab culture while highlighting the pivotal role of public libraries in knowledge dissemination and intercultural exchange. The tour reinforced SPL's century-long mission of fostering culture and knowledge, positioning libraries as essential bridges between civilisations. It also underscored the significance of public libraries as vibrant platforms for learning, dialogue, and engagement, particularly for Arabist students specialising in Arabic literature. By providing immersive cultural experiences, SPL continues strengthening global appreciation for Arabic heritage and promoting meaningful connections between cultures. As part of the event's cultural programme, SPL hosted a panel discussion featuring Russian Arabist Anastasia Ostrokhova in the presence of Eman Bushlaibi, Director of SPL, along with researchers and cultural officials from the emirate. During the discussion, Ostrokhova reflected on her journey with the Arabic language, which began during her studies in Belarus. She shared how her fascination with Arabic culture and its rich history inspired her to master Classical Arabic, which she now considers her second native language. She deeply admired Arabic poetry and described it as 'one of the most refined forms of poetry in the world.' She also highlighted the remarkable structure of Arabic grammar and syntax, noting that its precision and clarity were among the most beautiful aspects of the language. The Arabist also recited a selection of classical Arabic verses, captivating the audience with her eloquent delivery. The delegation began its tour with a visit to Kalba Public Library, the oldest SPL branch in the eastern region. Aisha Khamis Al Kaabi, the library's chief librarian, provided an in-depth overview of its various sections and services. Home to 71,315 titles and 83,711 books, the branch covers various disciplines, including religion, philosophy, social sciences, literature, history, geography, languages, and the arts. It also houses a dedicated UAE heritage collection, a children's library, and a women's library, alongside reading halls, event spaces, and internal and external borrowing services. As part of the event, participants toured Khorfakkan's heritage sites, including the Portuguese Fort, the Heritage Village, the Old Market, Al Hisn, and the Old Market Museum. The visit provided a deeper understanding of the region's rich history and cultural evolution over the centuries, aligning with Sharjah's vision of preserving its heritage for future generations. The event concluded with a group Iftar, during which attendees engaged in open discussions and exchanged insights on the importance of libraries and cultural initiatives in fostering global intellectual exchange. At the end of the tour, the Arabist students expressed their admiration for SPL's services and facilities, describing them as comprehensive knowledge and community hubs that cater to readers' needs while fostering an environment rich in learning and cultural exchange. Sharjah Public Libraries has been a cornerstone in the emirate's cultural and intellectual renaissance for decades, catalysing knowledge, literature, and scientific progress. Sharjah's cultural institutions have aligned with the UAE's National Reading Month, which this year coincides with the centenary of SPL. Through various programmes and initiatives, they highlight the vital role of libraries in fostering the emirate's cultural and intellectual renaissance. Officials have affirmed that this rich cultural heritage has laid the foundation for a comprehensive cultural project that has strengthened Sharjah's status as a global capital of books, reflecting the emirate's vision of investing in knowledge as a driving force for development and innovation. As part of this year's centenary celebrations, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, expressed his gratitude to the Ruler of Sharjah for his continued support and visionary leadership, which has established Sharjah as a centre of culture and knowledge. Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
