Papers by khaled alkodimi
Gema Online Journal of Language Studies, Sep 1, 2010
Despite the voluminous amount of research on the genre of satire, little is known about Arabic sa... more Despite the voluminous amount of research on the genre of satire, little is known about Arabic satirical texts. This paper explores the satirical devices employed in Sonallah Ibrahim's novel, The Committee (2001). Through the means of satire, Ibrahim skilfully explores the devastating effects of global capitalism on third world nations, by unravelling the mask that shields the domination and exploitation of Egypt. The discussion seeks to identify the hegemonic and the exploitative nature of the capitalist system on third world countries, specifically the creation of a web of conspiracy that controls the economic and governmental policies of Egypt through multinational corporations as seen in The Committee. The discussion will show that said corporations ultimately transformed Egypt into a mere consumer market. The discussion concludes with the significance of satire as a mode of expression that is employed to bring about awareness among the public of the destructive consequences of capitalism on Arabic society.
AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies, 2021
Muslims' image in the West had completely changed since 9/11, 2001. This paper uses the textual a... more Muslims' image in the West had completely changed since 9/11, 2001. This paper uses the textual analysis method to explore Leila Aboulela as a writer with a sophisticated commitment to Islam who strives to counteract the biased perception of Islam and Muslims. Drawing on the views of Wail Hassan, the study focuses on Leila Aboulela's novel The Kindness of Enemie to examine the author's concern of Muslims' image in the west after the 9/11 terrorist attack and its impact on Muslims, particularly the immigrants. It argues that Aboulela uses Imam Shamil as a metaphor to debunk the terrorist attacks that target innocent people under the pretext of Islam, and on the other hand, setting a good example of the concept of jihad. The findings show that Aboulela's primary concern is to condemn terrorist operations against innocent people worldwide. To illustrate her views, the author uses two contrasted pictures, the historical story of Imam Shamil, who embodies the proper jihadist/resistance vis-à-vis with the current so-called jihadists. The study further shows that those terrorist acts have significantly impacted Muslims' lives and are the first cause of contemporary racism, islamophobia, and the sense of loss among Muslim immigrants in the west.
Article
Even though many critics and researchers have noted that religion is one of the taboo issues in a... more Even though many critics and researchers have noted that religion is one of the taboo issues in al-Muqri"s works, and in spite of the fact that al-Muqri"s anti-religious attitude is easily noticeable in his novels, little attention is paid to this issue. This study uses textual analysis method to critically examine al-Muqri"s anti-religious stance in his selected texts, The Handsome Jew and Adani Incense. It attempts to shed light on the way he presented religious figures together with their religious discourse and the mythologies that those scholars promote among the public. The study further attempts to probe into al-Muqri"s critical techniques which he used to deliver his views. The study shows that al-Muqri utilizes different literary techniques to mock the religious figures and their fundamentalist discourse that impacts many and evoke hatred and revenge among individuals in the society. He also shows keen on interest in what I referred to as moderate Islam which he introduces in his first novel, The Handsome Jew, through Fatima"s characterization. However, his call for moderate discourse appears to be more urgent in Adani Incense where he introduces the opposite of it, extremism, in order to stress the need for moderate voice. In this sense, I would argue that al-Muqri attempts to villainize most of his religious figures in order to strengthen his views.
Article, 2019
Majority of world opinion today is critical of Israel's role in the current standoff with Palesti... more Majority of world opinion today is critical of Israel's role in the current standoff with Palestine fueled by the illegitimate occupation of the West Bank, depriving millions of Palestinians of their homeland. Yet, almost all non-Islamic countries maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, recognizing it as a country. The plight of the Palestinians, especially the children uprooted from their homes and forced to lead lives of depravation as refugees as a result of Israeli occupation has become a subject for insightful writings by many writers and critics, including Abulhawa who in Mornings in Jenin, skillfully employs language to showcase not the political tragedy (though it operates as the background) but the personal one. This paper textually analyzes Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin to explore the author's use of the literary metaphor to expose not only the reality in Palestine, but more importantly, the horror of Israeli violence against Palestinians, trauma both physical and psychological. The study further highlights how the author raises a significant question: Who is the real terrorist in Palestine? The findings show that the novel utilizes several literary techniques to bring forth Israeli terrorism and Palestinian agony under Israeli occupation. Via language use, Abulhawa concludes that it's the Israeli occupation, brutality and aggression that leads to Palestinian resistance/terrorism. Mornings in Jenin, in other words, is an attempt by Susan Abulhawa to justify the means of resistance concluding that Israel is the actual terrorist and not the Palestinians who have a 'just cause' to resist Zionist colonization. What is remarkable is her ingenuous use of literary devices to achieve the desired effect on the readers.
Islamophobia, Othering and the Sense of Loss: Leila Aboulela’s The Kindness of Enemies, 2021
Muslims' image in the West had completely changed since 9/11, 2001. This paper uses the textual a... more Muslims' image in the West had completely changed since 9/11, 2001. This paper uses the textual analysis method to explore Leila Aboulela as a writer with a sophisticated commitment to Islam who strives to counteract the biased perception of Islam and Muslims. Drawing on the views of Wail Hassan, the study focuses on Leila Aboulela's novel The Kindness of Enemie to examine the author's concern of Muslims' image in the west after the 9/11 terrorist attack and its impact on Muslims, particularly the immigrants. It argues that Aboulela uses Imam Shamil as a metaphor to debunk the terrorist attacks that target innocent people under the pretext of Islam, and on the other hand, setting a good example of the concept of jihad. The findings show that Aboulela's primary concern is to condemn terrorist operations against innocent people worldwide. To illustrate her views, the author uses two contrasted pictures, the historical story of Imam Shamil, who embodies the proper jihadist/resistance vis-à-vis with the current so-called jihadists. The study further shows that those terrorist acts have significantly impacted Muslims' lives and are the first cause of contemporary racism, islamophobia, and the sense of loss among Muslim immigrants in the west.
A language is better, if not exclusively, learned in context. Since languages are representative ... more A language is better, if not exclusively, learned in context. Since languages are representative of the culture of their speakers, EFL teaching/learning through the literary creations of a language can be beneficial in many respects. To mention a few, it encourages and fosters tolerance, lateral thinking and purposeful language use, provides varied and wide instances and possibilities of language use, and exposes learners to real-life situations of the target language. Literature is thus an important, if not indispensable, addition to EFL courses and curricula. However, the task of selecting appropriate literary works for inclusion in foreign language syllabi is a challenge that requires sufficient attention and taking carefully considered and well-thought-out measures in its own right. The experience of teaching EFL in Saudi Arabian universities shows that learners are, in general, disinclined, and at times even outright averse, to studying literary content in spite of the fact that they have a few years of exposure to it prior to the university. Literature, nevertheless, is an inseparable component of syllabi in higher education institutes. This paper aimed to find the reasons for this and elaborated on the benefits of literature in enriching and enhancing EFL learners' experience. It also proposed ideas to make reading literary texts an interesting experience for EFL learners. The focus of the study is the assessment of the attitudes and perceptions of sophomore EFL learners and teachers in College of Languages and Translation, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMBSIU) and College of Sciences and Arts, Methnab, Qassim University (QU), towards studying literature in English. The study tried to reconcile, and bridge, learners' literary preferences with educational goals in respect to literary components in Saudi EFL classrooms. The findings were manifold but overall showed improved outcomes following the administration of the treatment, especially in terms of motivation, engagement and communicative output.
This paper reads Sonallah Ibrahim's novel Dhat as a prophecy that foreshadow the signs of the cur... more This paper reads Sonallah Ibrahim's novel Dhat as a prophecy that foreshadow the signs of the current Egyptian revolution that took place at the turn of the 21 st century, and which has inspired other Arabic regions as well. His satiric attitude highlights issues of social injustice, in particular, class oppression in Egypt. However, the question is, what are the narrative techniques that Ibrahim used to express his perspectives? And to what extent these views reflect the social reality of Egypt. The paper argues that Ibrahim's angry tone is largely delivered through intertextuality and symbolism which appeared to be the driving force of Ibrahim's social satire. The discussion mainly focuses on the use of these satirical devices through which Ibrahim presented a panoramic view of social injustice in his society. It concludes with the view that Ibrahim's critical skills have been carefully interwoven to suggest the sharp socio-economic contrast of the existing situation which ultimately leads to the burst of the Arabic spring.
article, 2013
Despite the fact that many researchers have traced back the development of the Arabic Novel, litt... more Despite the fact that many researchers have traced back the development of the Arabic Novel, little attention is paid to the critical tone that characterizes this genre since its outset. This paper, although it explores the emergence and development of Arabic fiction, its primary concern is to textually trace and analyse the interrelation of society and fiction showing how changes in society are being contextualised in fiction, and thus, how themes and narrative techniques of the genre develop accordingly. In this sense, I would argue that a critical concern for social affairs constitutes an essential aspect of the Arabic novel, since the initial stages of its appearance. The analysis shows that satire appears to be an essential feature of this genre, as the novel is intended to teach and enlighten the public rather than merely to entertain them. But before delving into further analysis of the use of satire in the Arabic novel, I shall first focus on the emergence of the genre.
as a satiric portrait of the commodification of the female body in the market place. The paper ar... more as a satiric portrait of the commodification of the female body in the market place. The paper argues that Amis is not misogynistic or anti-feminist, as many critics claim, but anti-capitalist. He uses means of satire to criticise sexual exploitation of young women in the world of trade. The discussion seeks to identify the satiric devices employed by Amis to showcase how women are rendered 'interchangeable goods'. It will be shown in this paper that Amis' primary preoccupation in Money is pornography, as a very profitable industry and as a source of income in contemporary society. Through mockery and satire, Amis illustrates the negative effects of capitalism on the life of the individual and society at large. The discussion concludes with the significance of Amis' satirical mode of representation, which shows that women are merely victims of a greed-driven business world and society.
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Papers by khaled alkodimi