NEWS
The Launch of a Book on Dr. Ghuloom’s Intellectual and Critical Efforts Prepared by A Team of Researchers UoB Holds a Seminar Celebrating the Critical Achievement of Dr. Ibrahim Ghuloom Dr. Al-Mudhahka: The Rich Experience of Prof. Dr. Ghuloom Illuminates the Way for Young Researchers
Sakhir – University of Bahrain (Ali Al Sabbaq)
27 February 2023
The President of the University of Bahrain (UoB), Dr. Jawaher bint Shaheen Al-Mudhahka, affirmed that the rich experience of the critic, academic, and former professor of modern literary criticism at UoB, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Ghuloom, illuminates the way for young researchers, noting his scientific and academic giving that extended over more than four decades, and his long dedication to work in various literary arts.
This came during an honorary seminar held at UoB on Monday (February 27, 2023) to celebrate the critic and academic Professor Dr. Ibrahim Ghuloom, organized by the Cultural and Social Committee of the College of Arts at the University, with the participation of a group of academics, cultural operator, and the University’s students.
The seminar witnessed the launch of the book: “The Intellectual and Critical Efforts of Professor Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Ghuloom: The Works of a Group of Research Professors”, which was done under the supervision and editing of the Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at the University, Dr. Diaa Abdullah Al-Ka’abi.
The President University praised the efforts made in the book issued by UoB, which sheds light on aspects of the critical, intellectual, and creative achievement of Prof. Dr. Ghuloom, his founding role in the field of criticism, and his academic, cultural, and artistic contributions, especially in the field of theater, which is considered the father of the arts.
Furthermore, she stated, “The University is pleased to celebrate its critique expert and its professor, who spared no effort for many years in serving his university, his country, and human intellect,” stressing that this publication is the least that can be presented in gratitude for the benevolent roles of the great critic.
For his part, the Dean of the College of Arts, Dr. Abdulaziz Mohammed Bulaila – in a speech during the celebration – mentioned that the critical and creative achievement of Prof. Dr. Ghuloom; talks about a project that began about five decades ago, with his first creative beginnings in his theatrical texts published in Bahraini and Kuwaiti newspapers, to his critical career, which was characterized by the foundation, and application to local and Gulf texts.
In addition, Dr. Bulaila commended “The great passion emanating from the former dean of the College, his institutional awareness, his deep affiliation with the University of Bahrain, and his great desire for development.” And added that, “Despite his health condition, he fought the disease by continuing with his critical projects, and in achieving new things that would be added to his founding and different critical and intellectual assets.”.
For her part, Dr. Diaa Abdullah Al-Kaabi, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies and Associate Professor of Narratives and Modern Literary Criticism at the College of Arts at UoB, talked about the foundational aspect of the biography of Prof. Dr. Ghuloom, saying: “Today we celebrate honoring a critical and creative figure who has a dignified, methodical and extravagant presence, not only locally, but also on the Arab level,” stressing that “Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Ghuloom is one of the most important critical names on the level of the Arab criticism scene in terms of systematic theorizing and creative critical addition.”
As she believed that “rooting and documenting the creative beginnings of the Gulf and subjecting them to sociological approaches to Western critical theories, is the great concern that shaped Dr. Ghuloom’s awareness.”.
Moreover, a film on the biography of the honored guest was presented prior to the testimony of the former Professor of Modern Criticism at UoB, Prof. Dr. Alawi Al-Hashemi, which he delivered on the occasion, praising his companion and the academic loyalty shown by the Department of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at the University for organizing this celebration. “Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Ghuloom is a thinker and a person full of love and benevolence. As he is the founder of many projects and beginnings since his inception at the Institute of Teachers, and through all the institutions he worked at.” He stated.
Following, another testimony was delivered by the critic Ahmed Ali Al-Mannai, who spoke about his relationship with “the creator, life-long friend, and soul mate, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Ghuloom,” referring to his “talent and critical capabilities” that made him the initiator in literary forums and cultural institutions. Moreover, he referred to his great role in enriching the theatrical movement through his critical awareness, which contributed to the development of theatrical work. Additionally, the head of Bahrain Writers Association Dr. Mubarak Najem Al-Najem spoke of the merits of Prof. Ghuloom, while the wife of the celebrated critic, Dr. Fawziya Al-Saleh, was grateful for – in her speech – this initiative undertaken by the University, reviewing some of the most important highlights in the life of Prof. Ghuloom.
The President of the University, Dr. Al-Mudhahka, honored the family of the celebrated critic, as his wife, a former faculty member at UoB, Dr. Fawziya Saeed Al-Saleh, received a trophy on the occasion, and a copy of the book. Furthermore, the president honored those who participated in editing the book, several contributors, as well as the participants in the scientific seminar, namely: Dr. Diaa Abdullah Al-Ka’abi, Head of the Arabic Language and Islamic Studies Department, Dr. Khalifa Yassin bin Arabi, a faculty member in the same department, Dr. Amna Al-Rabea, Omani playwright, and the writer, Dr. Anisa Ibrahim Al-Sa’adoun.
The book titled “The Intellectual and Critical Efforts of Professor Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Ghuloom: The Works of a Group of Research Professors” is published jointly by UoB and Dar Rawafed in its first edition 2023. A selection of Bahraini and Arab critics and researchers participated in the book, numbering twenty-eight critics, academics and intellectuals.
It is worth mentioning that Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullah Ghuloom began writing in the early seventies of the last century and published many studies in critique of the short story, theatre, the novel, the intangible folk heritage, and cultural and intellectual studies, and he has many literary and critical publications. Prof. Dr. Ghuloom holds an international Ph.D. from the College of Arts and Humanities at the Tunisian University in 1983 AD. Also, he received a First Class Medal of Efficiency in 2012, and a medal honoring innovators in the GCC countries in 2012. Additionally, he supervised many dissertations at the postgraduate stage, and has arbitrated much scientific research, theatrical performances, and literary works, and participated in many literary scientific events and conferences. The former dean of the College of Arts at UoB was a member of many cultural and academic frameworks, and was active in criticizing different literary genres, however, the Bahraini and Gulf theater received a lot of his attention and support.
