Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club is one of the clubs dedicated to thought, culture, and literature in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its activities focus on Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and the Ministry of Culture oversees the club. Established in 1975, it is one of the earliest literary clubs in Saudi Arabia. It was established under an initiative of a group of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah writers led by Abdulaziz Al-Rabee and Hasan Sirafi.
The establishment of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club coincided with the rise of active groups engaged in cultural and literary activities. Some of these groups were established in 1951 and continued their literary roles until the club was established. At that point, most of the pioneers of those groups moved to the club's administration and event organization.
Objectives of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club
Since its establishment, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club has aimed to publish cultural materials and provide writers and literature enthusiasts with literary works that are published and distributed after each issue. The club also seeks to raise awareness among the public, organize lectures and cultural seminars, and invite writers, poets, authors, and storytellers. It coordinates with distinguished literary figures to benefit from their expertise and share their knowledge with those interested in the field. It also hosts specialized discussion and research sessions, publishes books and cultural periodicals, establishes a library provided with a wide variety of religious, literary, and cultural books, and holds literary and academic competitions. The club prints, publishes, and distributes literary and cultural works, encourages emerging writers and authors to continue their creative output, joins Arab literary associations and unions, and exchanges information, research, and books.
Administration of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club is administered by a board of directors composed of ten members, including administrative staff responsible for managing the club's affairs and programs. The year 2011 marked a period of change for the club, during which a general assembly was formed, leading to the election of a new board of directors. Two women and eight men were nominated. Abdullah Asilan was elected chairman, and Mohammed Al-Dubeisi was elected vice chairman. Among the female members were Nadia Al-Boushi and Rawaah Saleh.
Committees of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club
Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club features various committees, including media and cultural committees, as well as other committees responsible for book publishing. It also includes a women's committee. One of the club's prominent activities is "Al-Aqeeq Cultural Forum," which began in 2008. Each year, a different theme is chosen for the forum. Its first edition focused on the writer Abdul Quddus Al-Ansari and his scientific and cultural contributions, followed by themes such as visual culture, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in travel literature, the literary movement in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in the modern era, and landmarks of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
Activities of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club
Since its establishment, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Literary Club has produced over three hundred books on various cultural and literary topics. It publishes two cultural periodicals annually: the peer-reviewed semiannual Al-Aqeeq Periodical and the annual Al-Atam Periodical, which is published in three issues per year. The club also has a library and a digital library that documents the club's activities and includes a range of diverse cultural materials.
Sources
Dictionary of Literature and Writers in Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah), 2013.