Dubai:Mohammed Bin Rashid Library recently hosted a session to launch and discuss the book "Here, Wisconsin A Gulf Arab Between Two Worlds" by Emirati author Jamal Al Shehhi. Moderated by Dr. Sulaiman Al Hattlan, the discussion delved into the author's experiences of studying and living in the United States, focusing on themes of identity, belonging, and memory, and examining the impact of cultural exposure on personal understanding and worldview.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was attended by several notable figures, including Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation; Dr. Jamal Sanad Al Suwaidi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR); Dr. Mohammed Salem AlMazrooei, a Board Member at the Library Foundation; and prominent Emirati author Abdul Ghaffar Hussein.
The session addressed the cultural and social disparities between Arab and Western societies, highlighting how interaction with diverse cultures and living in a new society can challenge preconceived notions and foster a broader mutual understanding. Al Murr's remarks placed the book within the context of Arab literature that explores travel and study in the West, touching on cultural and civilizational questions related to progress, difference, and engagement with others.
The discussion also illuminated the interplay between writing and memory, emphasizing how time allows writers to reinterpret their experiences. The book portrays the UAE as a homeland of roots and identity, while Wisconsin represents transformation and self-discovery, creating a narrative in which nostalgia intertwines with reflections on belonging.
This session is part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's cultural program, reflecting its commitment to supporting Emirati authors and celebrating their work. It underscores the Library's role in facilitating dialogue about literary and human experiences, enhancing the presence of books in the cultural landscape, and promoting reading as a means of connection and knowledge exchange.
