Blessed Ramadan, pilgrimage to holy places, bright holidays of Eid al- Fitr and Eid al-Adha have remained the most important events in the culture of the Islamic world since time immemorial. As everywhere, life in this part of civilization continues to seethe on other days: educational and sports events, national holidays, various ideas, thoughts and projects form a motley canvas of a multipolar cultural space. This bright picture is reflected daily by the leading media of the Islamic world.
Sport embodies many aspects of culture: it is spectacular, aesthetic, traditional, and a system of values based on communication and competition. As the policies of individual international committees have demonstrated in recent years, sport can also become an instrument of pressure.
Fans who play for Palestine face fines and bans, a clear example of the double standards in world football. Palestinian sport is being deliberately destroyed: many athletes have been killed and stadiums have been destroyed. FIFA, UEFA and celebrities like Messi and Ronaldo remain silent, which is attributed to the influence of sponsors. In stark contrast to their swift response to the events in Ukraine, the Egyptian source Al- Akhbar points out.
The theme of Palestine will be a major focus at the Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from September 4 to 14, The National reports from the United Arab Emirates. One of the most anticipated Arab films is Palestine 36, directed by Annemarie Jacir. Set against the backdrop of the 1936 uprising during British rule, Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania's «The Voice of Hind Rajab» is based on the final hours of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in early 2024.
The international film festival will also be held in the capital of Tatarstan from September 5 to 9. The Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World” is a partner of the Kazan Film Festival “Altyn Minbar” and traditionally awards the prize for the best film shot in the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The non-competition program will feature films about humanism and philanthropy. Russia will be represented by the work from Tatarstan, “In May of '44”, directed by Alexander Dalmatov.
“I don’t think anyone really likes cultural elitism. It’s only for those who feel inferior and are afraid of being exposed,” says Dr. Abdullah Al-Gazami, a professor at King Saud University, on the pages of Aletihad. The professor’s path in journalism began with warnings from colleagues who threatened him that he was “lowering himself” by working for a mass audience. Later, Dr. Al-Gazami learned to combine scientific depth with clarity. At the same time, Twitter (now “X”, blocked in Russia) with its character limit became an ideal school.
Other cultural contradictions are highlighted by Iran's Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage Ali Darabi, as reported by Ettelaat. The Iranian official announced a shift from subsidies to self-sufficiency: using historical sites for paid events and abandoning the "showcase" approach in favor of a genuine presentation of Iranian civilization.
In Egypt, the construction of the largest archaeological complex is being completed, where the cultural heritage of another, more ancient civilization will be presented – the Grand Museum with the Tutankhamun Gallery. For the first time, all the artifacts from the pharaoh’s tomb will be exhibited, including thousands that have not been shown before. The main exhibit is the golden mask of Tutankhamun, notes the Arabic “Asharq Al- Awsat”.
The Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent is preparing a unique exhibition dedicated to the spiritual heritage and social activities of the Bobokhonov dynasty of muftis. The exhibition highlights the development of religious life in Uzbekistan, including the establishment of the Spiritual Administration, "Mir Arab" and the establishment of international relations. The organizers emphasize the educational value of the project for Uzbeks and foreign guests.
In conclusion of the review – the action of the residents of the village of Rengasbandung in West Java, which took place on the eve of August 17, the 80th anniversary of the independence of the country with the largest Muslim population in the world – Indonesia. Local residents stretched a giant red and white flag one kilometer long over their houses, reports «Antara». These colors are a historical symbol of Indonesia, dating back to the times of the Majapahit Empire and the struggle for independence from the colonialists.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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