SINF Highlights The Cultural Impact Of Travel Literature At 25th Forum Sessions

The 25th Sharjah International Narrator Forum (SINF) has been focusing on travel literature, highlighting how personal journeys enrich knowledge and connect cultures. During a session titled "Pioneering Experiences in the Worlds of Travel," Dr Abdulaziz Almusallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, shared his experiences documented in essays and books. He compared cities like Sur in Oman and Lebanon and explored Hyderabad, India, reflecting on its ancient Golconda Fort.

Dr Almusallam emphasised that his travel writings evolved from newspaper articles to published works. His participation in Sharjah’s cultural weeks across world capitals influenced his work. He believes travel literature should capture everyday details and link them to history and knowledge, avoiding superficial descriptions of restaurants and hotels.

Emirati writer Talal Salem discussed his book "An Emirati in Nigeria," portraying Nigeria as an unconventional yet inspiring destination. His work combines travel writing with autobiography, offering a perspective on Africa beyond stereotypes of violence and disorder. Meanwhile, Dr Khalid Al Budoor presented "Malabar: Shores of Magic and Spice," connecting his journey to Kerala with childhood memories of Dubai, highlighting cultural ties between Malabar and the UAE.

The forum's scientific programme included two panel discussions. In "Travel Narratives and Documentation," scholars stressed that travel writing should breathe life into journeys while maintaining credibility. Dr Chouaib Halifi described each journey as a bridge between peoples, while Dr Adel Al Enaz highlighted the importance of scientific documentation for preserving travel narratives' integrity.

Aisha Rashid Al Shamsi noted how travel narratives provide precise insights into local traditions during the session "Travellers’ Observations and Impressions." Dr Saeed Yaqtin discussed motivations behind journeys in Arab popular literature. Dr Abdullah Al Khudairi shared his exploration from Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, to the Comoros Islands, delving into local culture and daily life.

The panel "Old and New Journeys" examined milestones in classical and contemporary travel writing. Maryam Al Mazrouei compared Ibn Jubayr’s historical routes across Makkah, Madinah, and the Levant with modern heritage trails. Dr Ali Abdulqader Al Hammadi discussed cultural connections between Sharjah and North Africa through his book "Atay Narratives." Researcher Mohammed Najeeb Qaddoura highlighted navigator Ahmed Ibn Majid’s maritime explorations.

New Works in Travel Literature

The forum also saw new works being signed in travel literature. Fahad Al Maamari launched "Summary of Pages in Travel Literature," while Dr Chouaib Halifi signed "A Journey in Arabic Literature." Noura Al Khayyal presented her English-language work "Maldivia: Island of Light," chronicling Abu Al Barakat Al Barbari’s journey introducing Islam to the Maldives. Mohammed Najeeb Qaddoura released "Ahmed Ibn Majid: The Icon of Maritime and Astronomical Sciences."

Through these sessions, the 25th edition of the Forum reaffirmed travel literature as both a cultural bridge and an academic field. It celebrated its role in enriching collective memory and deepening cross-cultural understanding.

With inputs from WAM