Tribune News Network
Doha
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) kicked off the new year by adding a long list of newly published books to its catalogue of works. The new titles span across all genres and include a mix of original language works in Arabic and English as well as translated works from other languages.
HBKU Press usually launches the bulk of its published works at the annual Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), where the HBKU Press booth would showcase the hundreds of titles amassed over 10 years of publishing. However, this year the fair was cancelled as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Despite the cancelation of the 2021 DBIF, the entire team at HBKU Press has been working tirelessly to ensure the continuation of our work,” explains Bachar Chebaro, executive director of HBKU Press. "COVID-19 forced our staff to work from home for the better part of the year, and presented many logistical challenges as well, but we are proud to have overcome such a challenging time and to be able to launch a truly wonderful collection of literary works that highlight the talented authors, illustrators, translators and researchers from the region to the world.”
From the world of academics
‘A Refreshed Soul’ is penned by Qatari author Asma Al Dosari, who is a researcher in the field of Islamic values and culture, a lecturer at the Community College of Qatar, and a consultant in the field of human development and community work. Her debut work available in Arabic examines the strategic impact of giving as the means of strengthening one’s own spiritual values. It examines the concept of values and the concept of charitable work and their origin and development in the Holy Qur’an and by the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH].
Also by a Qatari author is the biographical non-fiction work titled ‘Zheng-He: The Chinese Emperor and Sailor’ by author Dr Ali Al Hajri. The book in Arabic details the life and times of the Chinese sailor and Muslim admiral Zheng-He (in Arabic, Hajji Mahmoud Shams).
The book examines his geographical discoveries and his seafaring travels. His voyages were known as Rahlat Al-Kanz, or Voyages of Treasure, and were a compilation of seven different marine expeditions over the course of 28 years.
Also in the realm of academic history is the original language Arabic work titled ‘The Hajj from Qatar’s Past: A Collection of Memories’ by Mohamed Hammam Fikry who currently serves as the Heritage & Rare Books Advisor at the Qatar Foundation’s Cultural Advisor Office.
In his first collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, the book provides first-hand accounts of Qataris from different generations to offer a unique perspective on their journey to perform Hajj. A collection of powerful and inspiring accounts of a life-changing journey to the holiest place in the world.
HBKU professor Dr Mohamad Ghaly’s pioneering work titled ‘Islam and Disability’ is now available for the first time in Arabic published by HBKU Press. This book explores the position of Islamic theology and jurisprudence towards people with disabilities.
Also translated into Arabic are two new books addressing both sociological and anthropological issues. ‘Knowledge: Is Knowledge Power?’ by Marian Adolf and Nico Stehr examines the concept of knowledge: How is it produced, where does it reside and who owns it? It explores the topic from a distinctly sociological perspective, and traces the many ways that knowledge is woven into the very fabric of modern society.
In ‘Raising Children: Surprising Insights from Other Cultures’, author David F Lancy takes us on a journey around the globe to show how children are raised differently in different cultures. Intriguing, and sometimes shocking, his discoveries demonstrate that our ideas about children are recent, untested and often contrast starkly with those in other parts of the world.
Health, wellness and lifestyle
Available for the first time in Arabic, ‘The Natural Menopause Plan’ by bestselling author Maryon Stewart shows how you can alleviate the symptoms of menopause naturally and effectively through diet, supplements, herbal remedies, exercise and relaxation. The book includes more than 90 delicious recipes especially designed to alleviate menopausal symptoms in a healthful, lasting way.
Additionally, HBKU Press has released the remaining three books from the Mind Zone series. The five books ‘Instant Recall’, ‘Brain Workout’, ‘Mastering Numbers’, ‘Boost Your IQ’ (2020), and ‘Think Smart, Act Smart’ (2020) provide readers with brain training exercises that are the natural, effective and fun way to improve mental activity and processing. These books will help sharpen cognitive abilities and train brain for increased mental well-being.
Get lost in a good book
For fans of fiction, HBKU Press has two new Arabic books hot off the presses. Translated from Japanese into Arabic, the critically-acclaimed ‘The Setting Sun’ by Osamu Dazai probes the destructive effects of war and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society in the early post-war years. The story is told through the eyes of Kazuko, the unmarried daughter of a widowed aristocrat.
‘Ladder to the Sky’ by Ibtesam Terraisi, follows the protagonist Heaven who suffers at the hands of her abusive husband. With no family or friends to turn to in the coastal city of Jeddah, Heaven can only dream of an escape. But she receives a lifeline when a lover from her past, Badr, unexpectedly messages her on social media.
Hard copies of these books, and other HBKU Press publications, are available in bookstores across Qatar, and at the Ibn Ryab Cultural Street in Katara. They can also be purchased and delivered to locations in Qatar from the Rafeeq, Snoonu and Purplebox applications (available to download from the Apple Store and Google Play).
Doha
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press) kicked off the new year by adding a long list of newly published books to its catalogue of works. The new titles span across all genres and include a mix of original language works in Arabic and English as well as translated works from other languages.
HBKU Press usually launches the bulk of its published works at the annual Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), where the HBKU Press booth would showcase the hundreds of titles amassed over 10 years of publishing. However, this year the fair was cancelled as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Despite the cancelation of the 2021 DBIF, the entire team at HBKU Press has been working tirelessly to ensure the continuation of our work,” explains Bachar Chebaro, executive director of HBKU Press. "COVID-19 forced our staff to work from home for the better part of the year, and presented many logistical challenges as well, but we are proud to have overcome such a challenging time and to be able to launch a truly wonderful collection of literary works that highlight the talented authors, illustrators, translators and researchers from the region to the world.”
From the world of academics
‘A Refreshed Soul’ is penned by Qatari author Asma Al Dosari, who is a researcher in the field of Islamic values and culture, a lecturer at the Community College of Qatar, and a consultant in the field of human development and community work. Her debut work available in Arabic examines the strategic impact of giving as the means of strengthening one’s own spiritual values. It examines the concept of values and the concept of charitable work and their origin and development in the Holy Qur’an and by the Prophet Mohammad [PBUH].
Also by a Qatari author is the biographical non-fiction work titled ‘Zheng-He: The Chinese Emperor and Sailor’ by author Dr Ali Al Hajri. The book in Arabic details the life and times of the Chinese sailor and Muslim admiral Zheng-He (in Arabic, Hajji Mahmoud Shams).
The book examines his geographical discoveries and his seafaring travels. His voyages were known as Rahlat Al-Kanz, or Voyages of Treasure, and were a compilation of seven different marine expeditions over the course of 28 years.
Also in the realm of academic history is the original language Arabic work titled ‘The Hajj from Qatar’s Past: A Collection of Memories’ by Mohamed Hammam Fikry who currently serves as the Heritage & Rare Books Advisor at the Qatar Foundation’s Cultural Advisor Office.
In his first collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, the book provides first-hand accounts of Qataris from different generations to offer a unique perspective on their journey to perform Hajj. A collection of powerful and inspiring accounts of a life-changing journey to the holiest place in the world.
HBKU professor Dr Mohamad Ghaly’s pioneering work titled ‘Islam and Disability’ is now available for the first time in Arabic published by HBKU Press. This book explores the position of Islamic theology and jurisprudence towards people with disabilities.
Also translated into Arabic are two new books addressing both sociological and anthropological issues. ‘Knowledge: Is Knowledge Power?’ by Marian Adolf and Nico Stehr examines the concept of knowledge: How is it produced, where does it reside and who owns it? It explores the topic from a distinctly sociological perspective, and traces the many ways that knowledge is woven into the very fabric of modern society.
In ‘Raising Children: Surprising Insights from Other Cultures’, author David F Lancy takes us on a journey around the globe to show how children are raised differently in different cultures. Intriguing, and sometimes shocking, his discoveries demonstrate that our ideas about children are recent, untested and often contrast starkly with those in other parts of the world.
Health, wellness and lifestyle
Available for the first time in Arabic, ‘The Natural Menopause Plan’ by bestselling author Maryon Stewart shows how you can alleviate the symptoms of menopause naturally and effectively through diet, supplements, herbal remedies, exercise and relaxation. The book includes more than 90 delicious recipes especially designed to alleviate menopausal symptoms in a healthful, lasting way.
Additionally, HBKU Press has released the remaining three books from the Mind Zone series. The five books ‘Instant Recall’, ‘Brain Workout’, ‘Mastering Numbers’, ‘Boost Your IQ’ (2020), and ‘Think Smart, Act Smart’ (2020) provide readers with brain training exercises that are the natural, effective and fun way to improve mental activity and processing. These books will help sharpen cognitive abilities and train brain for increased mental well-being.
Get lost in a good book
For fans of fiction, HBKU Press has two new Arabic books hot off the presses. Translated from Japanese into Arabic, the critically-acclaimed ‘The Setting Sun’ by Osamu Dazai probes the destructive effects of war and the transition from a feudal Japan to an industrial society in the early post-war years. The story is told through the eyes of Kazuko, the unmarried daughter of a widowed aristocrat.
‘Ladder to the Sky’ by Ibtesam Terraisi, follows the protagonist Heaven who suffers at the hands of her abusive husband. With no family or friends to turn to in the coastal city of Jeddah, Heaven can only dream of an escape. But she receives a lifeline when a lover from her past, Badr, unexpectedly messages her on social media.
Hard copies of these books, and other HBKU Press publications, are available in bookstores across Qatar, and at the Ibn Ryab Cultural Street in Katara. They can also be purchased and delivered to locations in Qatar from the Rafeeq, Snoonu and Purplebox applications (available to download from the Apple Store and Google Play).