Oct 26 Symposium | media majlis museum at Northwestern University in Qatar
“The limits of my language are the limits of my world” Symposium
Saturday, October 26
Time: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm (Qatar Time)
Location: Northwestern Qatar Events Hall
The symposium titled "The limits of my language are the limits of my world" is part of the Fall 2024 exhibition at Media Majlis Museum, in collaboration with afikra. This event, held on October 26 at Northwestern Qatar Events Hall, will feature a series of panels and activities exploring the role of the Arabic language in media, technology, and publishing. The morning session will kick off with coffee and a DJ set by DJ Amen Ra, followed by a panel on the future of Arabic in media. The afternoon will include a lunch break, workshops, and another panel discussing Arabic in technology. The day will conclude with a final panel on Arabic publishing and a performance by Bedouin Burger. This symposium aims to highlight the richness and diversity of the Arabic language and its adaptation in various fields.
Schedule:
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Doors Open
Join us for coffee, networking and travel around the Arabic-Speaking World DJ Set featuring DJ Amen Ra
12:00 - 1:30 PM Future of Arabic in TV, Film & Youtube
This panel explores the evolving role of the Arabic language across diverse media platforms—from traditional news outlets to modern streaming giants and social media channels. The discussion will focus on how Arabic is being adapted to meet the demands of a global audience while preserving its cultural nuances. Experts from leading media organizations will share their insights on navigating the challenges and opportunities in promoting Arabic through television, film, and digital content. The session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies employed to enhance the reach and impact of Arabic in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Featuring:
Amanda Abou Abdallah: Director, screenwriter, and founder and creative chief of Khateera, a platform dedicated to supporting Arab women through their journey to self-realization.
Rana Kazkaz: Filmmaker, associate professor in residence and director of the Communication Program at Northwestern University Qatar.
Hussein Fakhri: Chief commercial officer and executive producer at Katara Studios
Moderated by: Ibrahim Abusharif, PhD, associate professor in residence in the Journalism and Strategic Communication Program at Northwestern University in Qatar.
1:30 - 3:00 PM Travel around the Arabic-Speaking World DJ Set
DJ Amen Ra is a popular and highly respected music producer, DJ, and entrepreneur, known for his unique blend of global sounds including Afrobeat, Arabic Hip-Hop & dance music. As well as his ability to create a lively and energetic atmosphere at his events, DJ Amen Ra is the founder and owner of Travel with Amen Ra, a company that provides culturally immersive travel experiences to Egypt and other countries. DJ Amen Ra has worked with several high-profile artists and brands like Apple Music and Wizkid, and has DJ’ed in cities like Dubai, Los Angeles, New York Cairo and London, and at high caliber such as NBA All-Star Weekend and the Grammy Awards. He is also recognized in the music and travel industries for his contributions to promoting Egyptian culture and heritage.
2:00 - 5:00 PM Screenprinting Workshop with Salma Awad
3:00 - 4:30 PM Advancing Arabic in AI,Tech, & LLMs
This panel discussion focuses on the forefront of technological innovation with Arabic language integration. It brings together experts from the fields of AI research and tech entrepreneurship to examine how Arabic is interfacing with new technologies. The session will explore the development of Arabic language processing tools, the challenges of creating culturally and linguistically sensitive AI, and the future possibilities for Arabic tech on a global scale. Attendees will learn about cutting-edge projects and initiatives that are shaping the way Arabic is used and processed in technology today.
Featuring:
Nizar Habash: Professor of Computer Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and the director of the Computational Approaches to Modeling Language (CAMeL) Lab.
Salma Alkhaoudi: PhD student in anthropology at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences.
Houda Bouamor: Associate area head and associate teaching professor of Information Systems at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
Moderated by: Wajdi Zaghouani, PhD, associate professor in the Communication program at Northwestern University in Qatar.
5:00 - 6:30 PM Accepting Linguistic Variety in Published Arabic
This panel explores the evolving landscape of Arabic publishing with a special focus on the interaction between Classical Arabic and various colloquial dialects in literature and publishing. The discussion will delve into how these linguistic variations are represented in contemporary literature, their impact on reader engagement, and the challenges they pose for publishers aiming to reach a broader audience. Panelists will examine emerging trends in digital and traditional publishing, the role of translations in bridging linguistic divides, and strategies to innovate within a diverse linguistic landscape. This session aims to provide insights into how the Arabic publishing sector is adapting to not only preserve the rich heritage of Classical Arabic but also celebrate the vibrant, colloquial expressions that characterize daily communication.
Featuring:
Enam Al-Wer: Professor of Linguistics at the University of Essex, UK. Specialist in sociolinguistics, with focus on Arabic dialects.
Omar Thawabeh: Beirut-based translator, writer and co-host of afikra's Outline podcast.
Moderated by: Layan Abdul Shakoor, founder and creative director of Mauzoun, the region’s first creative studio that specializes in premium writing and boutique publishing.
6:30 - 8:00 PM: Networking & Concluding Performance From Bedouin Burger
Bedouin Burger is a dynamic musical duo composed of Syrian vocalist Lynn Adib and Lebanese music producer Zeid Hamdan. Their music blends traditional Bedouin sounds with contemporary beats, creating a unique fusion that transcends cultural boundaries. They are known for their captivating performances and innovative approach to music, which has garnered them a dedicated following. You can check out their performances on YouTube.