Georgetown University in Qatar Launches Arabic Book Club

10 October 2016

In a bid to create an analytical discussion forum for Arab intellectuals in Doha, Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) launched an Arabic Book Club in the first week of October.

The club, which will meet every month, aims to raise awareness of quality publications and motivate the Arabic-speaking public to read books in their language.

“The Arabic Book Club will meet on a regular basis and will endeavor to host authors whenever possible,” explained Dr. Yehia Mohamed, assistant professor at GU-Q and coordinator of the Arabic Book Club. “We hope to diversify and enrich discussions of Arabic publications in a way that is engaging and educational for the general public and scholars alike.”

At the first meeting, participants discussed The History of Historiography: Trends, Schools, and Curriculums by Dr. Wajih Kawtharani, published by the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in 2012. The book tackles the recording of historical knowledge by applying a number of logical thought approaches, methods and scientific styles.

The author was present at the discussion, where he answered questions from the audience, and explained the book’s main ideas, methodology, and semantical choices.

Kawtharani holds a Ph.D. in history from the Sorbonne University in Paris. He is the current head of research and director of the Beirut branch of the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies. A former history professor at the Lebanese University, his research focuses on social and Islamic history and the progression of thought.

The Arabic Book Club is one of many cultural, professional and academic events and activities organized by GU-Q’s Arabic Language Program, which was founded in 2007. The program promotes the Arabic language, as well as various aspects of Arabic literature and cultural content, to university students and the wider community in Qatar.

A recording of the Book Club discussion is available on SoundCloud. Alternatively, interested listeners can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.