Arabic literature and world: towards a universal dialogue between self and other

A vibrant literature can hardly exist without its place within the broader global literary landscape. “In the life of the mind, as in that of politics” said George Steiner (1995), “isolationism and nationalist arrogance are the road to brutal ruin”. Notwithstanding the specific geographical context and distinctive features of any one literature, the latter’s claim to universality does not necessitate forsaking these traits. Rather, it requires openness to new horizons of human dialogue and cultural exchange. In this light, the question of Arabic literature’s recognition as part of World Literature becomes increasingly urgent. Has Arabic literature — classical and modern — forged meaningful pathways toward universality? What avenues can empower it to serve as an active, influential force on the global cultural stage, without being subservient or marginal? How could we address shortcomings in the theorization of Arabic literature and create intellectual concepts stemming from the Arabic language and literature? How could translations from Arabic into other languages be better managed? There is, indeed, a temporal and cognitive gap between Classical Western Literature and Ancient Arabic literature, whether at the level of publication or at the level of academic research. How could this gap be reduced and, in the long haul, be overcome?

This International conference on the Worldliness of Arabic Literature will examine this ambitious topic from various perspectives. Our aim is to develop a set of shared conceptualisations, to raise recommendations, and to advance practical measures that position Arabic literature as a global cultural actor; one capable of engaging with major human concerns and reclaiming its role in shaping global consciousness.

Arabic Literature and the Paths of Universalism in the Past

Since the Abbasid Era, Arabic literature has exhibited initial signs of interaction with other world cultures, particularly through the Translation Movement at Bayt al-Hikma (the House of Wisdom) and through the reception and influence of texts such as Kalila wa Dimna and One Thousand and One Nights. These texts found their way into European literary cultures in the Middle Ages and beyond, significantly shaping the emergence of modern Western narratives. However, this interaction remained, for the most part, ungrounded in a strategic vision that recognizes the need to build a lasting Arab cultural presence in global forums, and it now raises concern as to the vital importance of developing a sustainable world Arabic literary tradition.

Translation as a Gateway to the Other

Translation has so far represented the first and fundamental key to Arabic literature's global reach. Translations of works by Naguib Mahfouz, Tayeb Salih, Adonis, Mahmoud Darwish, and others have helped global readers discover another facet of Arab culture. However, Translation has received limited support, lacking genuine institutions to embrace it as a comprehensive strategic project. This Conference inquiries into the role that Translation have fulfilled in the diffusion of Arabic literature, what the limits of the Translation Paradigm are, and how to generate a shift in paradigm.

How to Make Arabic Literature World Literature

For Arabic literature to occupy a valuable position on the global scene, it is necessary to:
• Support quality translation projects into the most widely spoken languages (English, French, Spanish, Chinese etc.) while ensuring quality and professionalism.
• Encourage the writing of literary texts with a universal vision that does not compromise their specificities, but rather addresses major human issues.
• Integrate the Arabic language into Technology and Digital Spaces, and build multilingual digital platforms that provide interactive access to contemporary and classical Arabic literature.
• Encourage international literary and intellectual meetings in which “a level playing field” (Spivak) would see that Arab writers participate in two-way traffic dialogues.
• Integrate the subject of "comparative literature" into academic projects and research centres that cooperate internationally and produce shared critical knowledge.

Structural and Cultural Barriers

Several key obstacles continue to hinder Arabic literature from attaining World Literature status. Among these are:
Insufficient institutional support for both literary production and authors.
The absence of clear national cultural strategies.
The dominance of stereotypical representations of Arab culture in Western media.
The declining status of reading and literary interest within Arab societies themselves.
The excessive politicization of culture, which empties it of its free, creative dimension.

Institutional and State support may take various forms:

• Creating national and Arab awards for the Translation of Arabic-speaking literature.
• Funding international conferences and opening up to major book fairs.
• Promoting an active cultural diplomacy that integrates literature into the State's foreign policy.
• Supporting artistic productions adapted from literature (films, theatre, cartoons…etc.) as tools for translingual influence.

The Role of Comparatist Scholars

Comparatist scholars represent a vital link between different literatures. They are theoretically and methodologically qualified to build genuine bridges between texts and cultures. Their contributions can
• Study forms of cultural representation between Arabs and the world.
• Work on translating and analysing texts exchanged between cultures.
• Propose joint research and training projects with foreign institutions.
• Contribute to the construction of an Arab critical discourse capable of engaging in dialogue with other world critical discourses on an equal footing.

In accordance with our conviction that literature can only flourish in the context of dialogue and openness, and that researchers in the fields of Comparative Literature, Literary Criticism, Translation, and Cultural Studies in general are the primary actors in building bridges between Arabic literature and various world literatures, we invite all interested scholars to actively contribute to the proceedings of this international conference by submitting academic papers, comparative studies, or professional testimonials that reflect their experiences in cultural translation, literary studies, cross-cultural interactions and inter-disciplinary research.

Conference themes:

Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
Moroccan Literature and World
Representations of Arabic Literature in the West (Orientalism, Globalisation)
Translation Issues and Challenges
Theorizing Arabic Literature and the History of Arab Literary Tradition
Arabic Literature and the Sacred
Arabic Calligraphy, Islamic Architecture, and Comparative Criticism
Experiences of Interaction between Arabic Literature and Other Literatures (French, Spanish, English, Chinese…etc.), and between these and the Fine Arts (visual culture, plastic art, cinema).
Intermediality and the Arabic literary text (interconnection of various Arabic modes of communication and/or various literary genres with Mass Media, virtual reality, hyper-text fiction or electronic literature)
Experiences of Interaction between Arabic Literature in the Humanities and in the Other Sciences (Design, Music, Environment)
Integration of the Arabic Language in Technology and Digital Spaces
Arabic Literature and Artificial Intelligence (AI and Arabic Literary Translation; Machine Creativity and Authorship; Arabic Poetics and Aesthetics in the Age of AI; Ethics of AI and Arabic Literary Thought).
The Digitalization of Arabic-speaking Poetics and Comparative Critical Research.
The Role of Academic and Cultural Institutions in promoting the Arabic presence on the global scene

How to submit proposal

Calendar and Submission Modalities

November 30th: Abstract Submission deadline
December 15th: Notification of acceptance
January 30th, Full paper submission

Abstracts should be sent to the following emails: [email protected] ; [email protected]
Papers are accepted in English, Arabic, French, Spanish and Amazighi.

April 16-18, 2026: Conference date
Keynote Speakers: To be announced soon.

Publication:

Some selected papers of the conference will be published in AWEJ for Translation and Literary Studies (https://www.awej-tls.org/). The paper should be in the English language. We kindly ask the authors to read and submit their paper according to the submission guidelines https://www.awej-tls.org/papersubmission/. Please send the final paper in a Word file as an attachment to [email protected] by January 15, 2026. Each paper should include: full name, full affiliation, Email address, ORCID ID, and an abstract (150-250 words). For authors whose conference paper has been selected for publication in the special issue, they should adhere to all the submission details and guidelines of AWEJ for Translation and Literary Studies.

Accommodation Options for participants

Participants may choose one of the hotel options to be announced soon, and which collaborate with Ibn-Zohr University; or they can arrange accommodation at any other hotel at their convenience.

Registration Fees:

For Locals
Full-time doctoring students: 500dh
Employed participants: 1000dh

For Internationals: 300 USD

Conference fees cover conference documentation, coffee breaks and three lunches, not including publication processing fee.

Conference Coordinators

Prof Touria Nakkouch ([email protected])
Prof Hassan Taleb (([email protected])

Scientific Board

Dr Ipshita Chanda, ICLA President
Dr Mohamed Naji, Dean of Faculty of Letters & Human Sciences
Said Allouch, Professor Emeritus (Mohamed V University, Rabat); Honorary Member of the ICLA Research Committee on Arabic Comparative Literature
Mary -Therese Abdemessih, Professor of Comparative Literature, Cairo University, Egypt; Honorary Member, Research Committee on Arabic Comparative Literature, ICLA
Dr. Khairi Alzubaidi, Editor-in-chief of AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies
Dr. Fatiha Taib, Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature (Mohammed V University, Morocco) Co-Chair, the ICLA Research Committee on Arabic Comparative Literature
Dr. Lobna Ismail, Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Cairo University, Egypt) Co-Chair, the ICLA Research Committee on Arabic Comparative Literature
Dr. Touria Nakkouch, Ex-Lecturer of English and Comparative Literature; Honorary Member of CHALS, President of MCLA
Abdellah FORANE - Infographic designer - Agadir Morocco - [email protected]

Dr. Hassan Taleb, Professor of Arabic Poetics and Translation, FLSH, Ibn-Zohr, Founding member of the MCLA
Dr. Slimane Behari, Professor of Arabic Comparative Criticism, FLSH, Ibn-Zohr, Ex-Director of Linguistic & Cultural Patterns Lab, FLSH, Vice-President of the MCLA
Dr. Hanan Bennoudi, Professor of Translation, Director of CHALS, FLSH, Ibn-Zohr University, Founding member of the MCLA
Dr. Youssef Tamer, Professor of Applied Languages and Education, Co-Founder of CHALS, FLSH, Ibn-Zohr University
Dr Monir Birouk, Professor of English and Literary Theory, FLSH, Ibn-Zohr University, Head of English Studies Department, Member of the MCLA
Dr Latifa Safoui, Professor of English, FSC, Ibn-Zohr University, Member of CHALS.

Organizing Committee

Faculty Members
Prof Mohsine Wahib
Prof Fatim-Zahra Rafali
Prof Hanane Raji Ra
Prof Fatiha Gramiz
Prof Mohamed IdYassine
Prof Omar Hansali
Prof Hassan Laloua
Prof Malika Afilal

Doctoring Student Board:
Mouna Bahri
Omar Marrouk
Hassan Sellami
Rania Ghrib
Ebdelhakk Seddiq
Erragab El Jenhaoui