In the last century, the focus and inspiration for Emirati literature has shifted from political commentary to societal constraints, argues the Arabic literature professor Olatunbosun Ishaq Tijani in his continuing survey of Emirati literature.
Since his arrival in the Emirates in 2006, the American University of Sharjah professor has studied modern Emirati literature from its inception in the early 20th century to modern stories of wedding hall romances and shopping mall dramas.
His research on Gulf feminist writings began with his study of Kuwaiti women’s literature for a doctorate at Edinburgh University. Tijani plans to publish two volumes within the next year: a comprehensive study of modern Emirati poetry, drama, the novel and short fiction and a book on women and gender in Gulf literature.
When modern Emirati literature emerged, subjects included political Islam, pan-Arabism and colonialism. Gender politics have replaced state politics, argues Tijani.
“Writers now will focus on the issue of national development, supporting government ideas,” he says. “They avoid politics almost altogether.”
Nationalism is still discussed, often framed in terms of development and unity. Yet gender roles and conservative societal expectations have become defining subjects of contemporary Emirati literature since the country’s formation in 1971.
“In the early 20th century, writers and particularly the poets were very free in addressing issues of political importance to them, particularly the way the British colonialists isolated the Gulf countries from the rest of the Arab world,” says Tijani.
“But nowadays there is no longer a need for it. Politics is no longer a major thing in Emirati literature. What they are focusing on is the UAE as an open country, where everybody can come and enjoy and … presenting an image of a liberal society.”
Contemporary Emirati and Gulf writers frequently set stories in the pre-industrial Gulf. The status of women in both pre- and post-oil economies is a central theme.
Take Aisha Al Kaabi's short story, The Women's Fitting Room. In this story, women look in the mirror, reflecting on personal problems – ageing, adultery, spinsterhood, motherhood.
A woman in her 30s asks herself how her husband will see her in those jeans. Are they too tight and explicit, or not alluring enough? A beautiful woman with the first wisps of grey in her hair has found a perfect dress in the perfect size but has no husband.
Dissension is about gender roles and the strongest voices are often Emirati women based outside the country.
One of the earliest prominent female Emirati writers was Osha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi who began to write in 1935, at age 15. Her command of classical qasidah and Bedouin nabati poetry saw her verses set to song and earned her the moniker the Girl of the Arabs.
Women’s pervasive participation in literature began in the 1980s. Female writers are now as numerous as men, but female characters continue to be portrayed as passive actors, says Tijani. The difference is that passivity is now seen as a symptom of societal restrictions rather than biological destiny.
Sexual references are nuanced. For example, who is coming home late and why, or a husband’s lack of interest.
“In Emirati literature, women’s sexuality is not depicted in an explicit way,” says Tijani. “They may refer to it allegorically or just say that the husband and wife they are meeting each other regularly or not. In Kuwaiti literature, and possibly Bahrain, women’s sexuality is discussed more explicitly, although not as explicitly as western culture. In Saudi, it’s more or less the same thing as the UAE.”
Emirati literature is underestimated because of its infancy in print. Yet Tijani argues that the country’s recent formation and its acute economic transitions are a source of rich inspiration.
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
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RESULTS
Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari
57%20Seconds
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